New-York tribune., 1910-07-25
breaches At PLYMOUTH
The Rev. DR.. Rainsford Pleads
for a More Liberal Church.

Christian churches ought to throw open
their membership rolls to all seekers after
truth regardless of their views, so said the
Rev DR.. William S. Rainsford. formerly
rector of St Georges Protestant Episcopal
Church. Manhattan, in a sermon ar Plym-
outh Church. Brooklyn. yesterday Friends
of Dr. Rainsford from all parts Of town
were present to hear him after his six
wears absence in Africa and Europe. He
seemed in good health. and spoke with his
oldtime vigor
His sermon was based on I Chronicles.
xxi in which is described the deathbed
scene of King David and his parting with
Solomon The title of the sermon might
have been Forward"
When the Bible tells the story of man.
he said. II tells the story of man-not or
an angel and not of a devil. David was a
man of his time, possessing the faults or
the age. but dear TO God because he was
a man of his time, the representative of all
its higher aspiration. He continued:
DO away with the mawkish sentimental
ity that surrounds the church. People say
that the church is out of touch with the
time The real religion of God demands
contact with the thought of the time.
David could not build the temple-his idea
led up to the thought of peace that has
become the essence of the religion OF
Christ-because he was man of blood.
He left the work to his son.
You recognize what the forefathers did
In science, art and literature, but you also
realize the necessity of carrying on the
work. Growth is the central idea of re-
ligion. Religion can only reach its full de-
velopment each generation adds TO it,
Some of the best people in the church in
terfere with the growth of religion by op-
posing changes. To cease to grow is to
die We are what we are because we have
added to what began with.
THE PfIgrims-men of their time, but
we could not have lived with one of them
to-day-who gave this church its name,
wrought well. Because of your memory
of them you have a special reason to hear
the call TO add. The only way TO prove
your inspiration. drawn from the past, is
to see that you add thereto.
LAS the church sees more and more the
light that each age brings it will come to
realize that there are multitudes of men
outside the doors not only because of their
own thoughts. but because of the opinions
Of the church. l believe that we lay too
many restrictions on churcll membership
join with us. We need TO remember that
God Is revealing himself to many outside
the Church of Christ. We want to 90 for
ward with clear vision. Whatever our fa,r-
ers duty was. ours is to bring in those who
are seeking the truth, though as yet not
numbered in Chi Iistian fellowship. We must
do this. if would build the church Of
God with living stones.
L have been away from the United States
for six years. 1t is not possible to re-
turn and not to see that to an extent
scarcely believable, goodness, kindness and
brotherly love have been increasing here
by leaps and bounds. The changes have
been amazing since I first took up my min
fstry in this city, and they have been
mostly for good I prophesy a religious
awakening in this land-not because the
young men are going to church or join
ing the churches more tan ever. but be-
cause they are shaking themselves free
from creeds. Like old clothes. creeds are
only makeshifts-the imperfect efforts of
They were necessary in their time but are
hurtful now Men are turning with new
interest to each other, and in their broth
ers face often discover the lost face Of
God. You have seen me-you have seen
my father said Christ"