The Greeley tribune., 1910-06-23
PRESS AND CHURCH

PRESS AND CHURCH
Rev. Harris Gillespie in Christian
Advocate has the following to say on
the church work which Ia being done
by laymen:
1T is indeed very noticeable that
the magazines. journals, and dramas
are attempting as never before to
impress upon the world certain re-
| ligious truths-to exert certain
Christianizing influence upon their
readers and hearers. And this is a
very hopeful indication of whole
some public interest in questions
which concern the soul-questions
and theories as to the brotherhood
| relations of the human family. 1t IL
by no means uncommon these days
to see sandwiched In between the
murder and scandal items which
comprise the bulk of some OF our
yellowest journals column OF Re
ligious Topics" "Today's Sermon"
however to the publishers of these
periodicals. They are we'll known
to publish what the people want, and
they have found that their special
religious articles are eagerly read.
| men are ever increasing in number.
There seems to be genuine eager
ness to learn the truth about quest
/ ions OF the soul. sesyy N.----
The fact that extra-eccie1iastical
sources are being used TO give light
on these subjects should be gladly
accepted by the Church. and not
with an envious or contentious
spirit. The church should realize
that its own opportunities are made
| greater when the world begins to
assume an attitude OF deeper interest
in Christianity.
rs this revelation always truly
Christian or merely religious? Does
II reach the heart. inducing strong
convictions. or does 1t merely beget
confusion and conflicting doubts Is
4 vftalizing and inspirational. or
purely reflective and inactive? Above
all else. do these newspaper homilies
and regenerating dramas strike the
central truths of Christian teaching?
why has It become more popular
to talk about thought virtue men
tai healing and 'soul-culture' than
about spiritual virtue humility
a sin-diseased SOUL and a Cruel
fed Savior? Why does practical
religionist of the secular type put
more emphasis upon the human will
than upon the will Of God? And
why are his theories 70 eagerly ac-
cepted by so many who ignore the
words of Gods truly inspired proph-
cts.
1T is because this is becoming .
day OF lax and general religious
views. due in large part to the vague
and confusing religious but not
truly Christian sentiments expressed
in these secular revelations
1T is a perversion OF Christianity
which accepts Christian principles
and tenents, but denies the vitality
OF Christian truths.
1T Is a debasement of Christian
ity which will stress the virtues of a
sinless Savior, and yet deny to that
) Savior divine nature.
1T is corruption OF Christianity
which greets with plaudits the max
inns OF honesty. sobriety, and moral
ity, yet turns deaf ears to exhort.
ations to spiritual and holy living
which countenances. yes. even ap-
! proves the goodness Of the Christ
D like life yet laces the will and
4 understanding of man in supremacy
e to the will and understanding OF
Z God.
The regenerating drama may
e inspire goodIy virtues, but 1t ayows
e no vitalizing power whereby these
d virtues may be acquired. The
i most favorable aspect the critics zee
In this newest 'Christianizing drama
= Is that a gentle, tender, Christ-like
q spirit is pictured but the source oil
e spiritual power is ignored. The hero
o In this play is not called Christ. moi
e a reIncarnation OF him. He. indeed
9 Is not mentioned, which is a fact ol
a some merit. This Stranger is divine
g as all men are divine. but with this
g dlnerence,' that in him the divine
e spirit overfiows and reaches out &c
T. all. o1' -
% Carefully analyze the basic teach.
y ing OF newspaper theology, and you
e VIII find that much OF It Is character.
i lzed by this same spirit. 1t is i'm.
pressive--it appeals to the popular
u taste-it is read with avidity. bu,
u its views are lax and careless and II,
., message unconvincing. 1t fails q
often to touch the truly vibran1
notes OF Christian truth and Christ.
" ian service. of human sin and divint
le forgiveness. ''--'
ID No one will say that truths u