The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-08-29


(lkASlGR RUSStllJ] hungry from all
denominations.
Asked why such great crowds always
attend his addresses, while the church
es of all denominations are complain
ing OF slim attendance, Pastor Russell
replied, "The people are thinking. Per
picked by the in1delity and Higher
Criticism taught I'm the principal col
leges and pulpits, many desire to have
an Interpretation OF the Bible consist
ent with itself and not at war with
the reverential exercise of reason. The
Scriptures foretell of our day, saying,
There shall be famine In the land;
not q famine for bread nor a thirst
for water, but for the hearing of the
Word Of the Lord amos viii. 11). No
fairy tales can thoroughly satisfy in
telligent thinkers. whose numbers are
increasing. Many Of those who at
tend my services and many who read
my sermons in the public print long
since ceased to attend the church serv-
ices"
Two services were heIdsaeae for the
public. considering then great Here
after;" the other. which we report, had
for its text Gods call to Cain, after
he had slain his brother, where IL
Thy BrotherT and Gains reply, "Am
/ My Brothers Keeper" Genesis iv,
~ The speaker said in part
No one can dispute that individual
Ism. personal independence, personal
responsibility, has done much for the
development of our race. The serfdom
and paternalism of the past were un-
favorable to individual thought. re-
sponslbllity and action. No wise and
good man would desire to rob his fell
lows of Independence of mind
One Extreme, Then the Opposite.
We are in danger. however, of going
to the opposite eXtreme-iD danger Of
carrying the subject of personal inde-
pendence too farm danger of neglect
ing some who should have assistance
in danger of thinking of all men as
being not only free but equal. While
we all should haze proper freedom of
will, yet all are more or less handicap
ped In the exercise of the will. AS st.
luul we CWHHOt uo tut
which we would" We are slaves of
sin and death. some more aud some
less. The Prophet David's eXplana.
tion applies to us all. II was shapen
in iniqulty. in sin did my mother con.
ceive me" psalm II. o..
II was IN view OF such inequalities
of the flesh that st. Paul wrote to the
oh al
bear with the n6rmities OF the weak,
and not please ourselves merely j.
tRomans XIV. H. This principle np'
piled by the Apostle to the Church,
would certainly be appropriate and
beneficial in the natural family. And
as our hearts enlarge we should all
come 10 realize more and more the
oneness. the solidarity of our race-the
entire human family of which St Pau
says. "Of one blood God created al
men. to dwell upon the face of the
whole earth" tActs xvii. 26).
"Where 10 Thy Brother"
Gods inquiry of Cain implied Gains
responsibility. aud teaches us lessor
respecting our responsibility In God
sight for one another. We will beHl
with the Church. the highest type o
brotherhood imaglnable; We shoul'
not be content TO split into sects 0n'
parties Whatever was the ignornnc
of the past. which led to the formation
of the various creeds and dcnomlnN
tons. there can be no excuse for thrs
now. because Christians of all demon
nations have come TO discredlt the ol
creeds Should there not. then, be-
movement toward heart unity and fe
lowshlp. outside Of denominatiOnnl nm
creeda lines. amongst those who rex
ognlze God as Father the Lord .lesu
Christ as the Redeemcr, and the Bibl
as the Divine Revelation?
II IL not proper to say as did Cali
"Am | my brothers keeper" Ever
true Christian should realize that /,
day Christianity Is being assaulted
It's own House and by It's profcsse
friends. In the universities. college
and seminaries OF all denominations
battle Is raging which threatens III
destruction of our Christian faitl
Possibly II few are blind 90 the situi
ton. but the insurgents-the Iiigh'
Critics and Eyolutionists--realize II
situation and are craflily saying to II
people. we are the Watchmen upc
the walls Of Zlon iIearken to ou
CRY: All is we'll" These Higher Cri
ics seem 10 have no conscience The
q claim that the people must be graduo
4 ly taken by guile. They encourai
them to sleep" while they raise ov