University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1910-09-27

isolate themselves In their own speciai
fields and stand apart from the life
of the people who are not expert in
these academic. matters. OF course
here is real difaculty. There is al
most tragedy here, namely the ten
dency among college teachers in seek
ing special knowledge to become spec
ialized men. But college professors
are not more threatened with this dis
aster than are other professional men.
Perhaps ministers were tending to be-
come and did become the most highly
and strictly specialized men to be
found anywhere. The isolated theo-
logical seminary was largely respon-
sible for this and the church is to
be congratulated that it is taking rapid
steps to remedy the conditions in that
regard by moving to the seats OF gen.
eral learning, its various seminaries.
The university is goddess and irrelig-
ious, therefore only to those who have
adopted some special and narrow con-
ception of religion.
What Religion Means.
What are we to mean by religion?
What conception can hold place and
exercise power in a university envi-
ronment? It can not be the dogmatic
or sacramento conceptions. The uni
versity mind when true to itself can
not identify religion with any partic-
Eular statement of doctrine nor partic-
ular forms Of ritual practice, however
freely it may concede to these their
place and usefulness as means of re-
ligious expression and growth. Re-
ligion must be conceived in the light
of mans age-long struggle to find God.
even though it is also believed that
in that very struggle God has been
gradually revealing himself to man.
Religion must be defined in terms of
human experience even though it may
have reference to a reality beyond
and other than the experience. Re.
ligion then is mans relation to the
universe Of spiritual reality which he
sums up in his conception OF the Iii.
vine. It is the souls passion and pull
for God. 1t is the summation of his
highest ideals and loyalties.
As for particular historical religions
it is question of which one can best
satisfy mans craving for self express
|sion. Which can furnish him with
the most perfect and inspiring sym
bols. And SO the student has the
fright to have presented to him along
with his other investigations of hui
Imam achievement and experience his
religious history. Christianity be
iiieves itself I'm no danger of being
Isuperceded by comparison with othel
faiths. It believes rather that all thu
light from Asia and elsewhere arr
destined to focus in Him who is thu
light of the world.
It is being continually demonstrated
lin college circles that in proportion
as men can be brought freely and fear
lessly into the presence of Jesu,
Christ and see him as he was in the
midst of his times-in proportion a.
they can be brought to study his ,spiri
and the principles>of his personal re
lligion, their minds and hearts arr
satisfied. They are willing to homo
and obey Him. He is their refug,
from morally paralyzing doubt.
Thou Christ My sonl ID hurt AM
bruised,
With words the scholars wear m,
out,
My brain o'erwearfed and confused,
Thee, myself and all 1 doubt.
And must I back to darkness 20.
Because can not say their creed,
know not what I think, only know
That Thou art what need"
.,. R. w. Glider.