The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-12-14
The Church Its
Danger and
Security
By REV. w. C. R

T~EXT-Awake, awake, put on thy
strength: o Zion.-Isaiah LII. l.
Jehovah spoke this when Judaism
aad fallen into great weakness. Enc
mics beset on every side. The church
has often had it's times of moral
weakness. Deliverance always came.
The s%lumbering giant not only awoke
but exerted himself. A deep slum-
Der prevailed when Christ came. Great
systems Of idolatry prevailed. The
rue God was nigh forgotten. The
Saviour gathered a little band around
him and e n them forth. With
natchless strength they attacked the
the powers and Satan's 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 filled
with those who dared look up.
Awake awake!" was sounded. Mar
in Luther arose to restore spiritual
lty. 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 un-
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. un-
less there be a corresponding earnest
hess 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 1t
with our spirit. We must show a re-
ligion full If life and energy-not a
cold, sleepy religion.
2. The tendenc.. to innovation. We
believe all essentials are clearly re-
vealed 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 81
BILE is an aniiquated book, and the
gospel too cold. TheT would take
away the Bible as a 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.
3. In danger from the increasing
holiness and energy Of the enemies OF
Christianity. We are no longer at
tackled by a few, but the ranks are
strong and the in1delity declares Its
truths to be the only truths. 1t has
never displayed so much determine
. ton. 1t is widespread and Is with
men in daily walks; is IN politics,
taints legislation, and has taken hol
upon the public press. The world
Is flooded with its literature. Vast
multitudes listen to infdelity's mod
ern apostle.
In the light of all these facts nave
we not cause for alarm? Are we IN
a condition to successfully contend
with these forces? The church Is
not. putting forth her strength. she
has had smooth sailing a long time,
and sleeps.
II. What are the elements OF
strength.
I Sound doctrine. In these days
of laxness and insidiousness we need
n contend earnestly for the faith
once delivered to the saints. Inc
doctrines of ~depravity, atonement and
salvation by grace must be empha'
sized. Let this be done, and inhdel'
itv will not affect the religion of per-
sonal experience.
2. Spiritual life. We need a high
er-toned spirituality, a religion that
enters into all our social and business
relations, giving color and shape to
the daily life.
How shall this strength. which God
calls on US to exert, be put on? 1t
is not physical, but spiritual strength
that we need. 1t must be put on upon
our knees.
The Life Of All Our Joys.