Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1910-12-08
The Church Its
Danger and
Security
By REV. W. G. CURRY

strength o Zio0.-lsaiAh LII. I
Jehovah spoke this when Judaism
had fallen into great weakness Enc
has often had its times OF moral
weakness. Deliverance always came
The slumbering giant not only awoke
but exerted himself a deep slum-
Der prevailed when Christ came. Great
systems OF idolatry prevailed. The
true God was nigh forgotten. The
Saviour gathered little band around
him and sent them forth. With
matchless strength they attacked the
the powers and Satans kingdom was
shaken. Another crisis came-papal
corruption. Pure Christianity slept
beneath gaudy trappings OF Catholi
cism. movements for freedom were
watched, and dungeons were filed
with those who dared look up
Awake awake" was sounded Mar
tin Luther arose to restore spiritual
!t.. Since then the truth has been
gaining power. When we consider
the facilities we have. the outlook Is
now hopeful.
There Is another side
l. The church is threatened With
danger
l. Danger from peculiar activity
and eXcitability of the times in
which We live-entirely an earnest
age New discoveries. new forces ap-
pearing. Law of change is every
where. Wonderful schemes claim
public attention. Science, art are
ever presenting new questions. Our
minds and hands are full; never was
there more activity 1t Is not an I'M
fortunate condition. We would not
lock the wheels OF progress. and re-
mand the age back to the darkness OF
the past. In the midst of the excite
ment we are in danger OF infection, I'M
less there be corresponding earnest
ness in Christian character Our dan
ger Is inability TO control these forces.
We are too much controlled by them
We are being permeated by the spirit
of the world. instead of permeating it
with our spirit We must show re-
ligion full of life and energy-not .
cold. sleepy religion.
2. The tendency to innovation. We
believe all essentials are clearly re-
/ veaied In the Scriptures. Yet we
think more light and improved meth
DDS may be employed. But from Ger
many comes a spirit that would say
our foundations. 1t has found its
way into our theological schools.
and is poisoning the minds OF the
rising ministry. They tell us that
reason and not faith must be the
guide They have discovered the BIZ
BILE is an antiquated book, and the
gospel too cold They would take
away The Bible as perfect rule of
faith and practise. The danger lies
in having our minds alienated from
the simplicity of the gospel and a
desire to seek the novelties. We need
now more than ever before to cry for
the old paths.
g. In danger from the increasing
boldness and energy of the enemies OF
Christianity. We are no longer at
tackled by few. but the ranks are
strong and the intidelity declares Its
truths to be the only truths. 1t has
never QlSRlds GU GU MUM w wei k13AA3 "a
ton 1t Is widespread and is With
men in daily walks; is in politics
taints legislation. and has taken hold
upon the public press The world
is flooded with its literature. VAS
multitudes listen 10 infdelity's mod
ern apostle.
In the light of all these facts have
we not cause for alarm? Are We II
condition to successfully contene
with these forces? The church ii
not putting forth her strength. Shit
has had smooth sailing long time
and sleeps.
IL. What are the elements o
strength.
/. Sound doctrine. In these day
of laxness and insidiousness We neet
to contend earnestly for the faisl
once delivered to the saints TIL
doctrines Of depravity. atonement an
; salvation by grace must be empha
sized. Let this be done. and infideI
! tty will not AFFECT the religion of pc,
sonal experience.
Q. Spiritual life We need high
er-toned spirituality, religion tina
enters into all our social and bushes
, relations, giving color and shape t
, the daily life.
How shall this strength, which Go
, calls on us to exert. be put on?
4 is not physical. but spiritual strengt
: that we need. 1t must be put on upo
I our knees.
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