The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-09-01

t11Av poScu VI TIC Iiulu-
RAsI02 2QSSElL 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 infidelity and Higher
Criticism taught in 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 foreteIl Of our day, saying.
There shall be famine in the land;
not 4 famine for bread nor thirst
for water. but for the hearing of the
Word of the Lord (Amos viii, III. 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 held. one for the
public. considering the great Here
after" the other. which we report. had
for its text Gods call to Cain. after
he had slain his brother. Where is
Thy BrotherY' and Gains reply. lam
/ 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 I'M
favorable to individual thought. re-
sponsibility and action. No wise and
good man would desire to rob his fell
lows of independence of mind.
One Extreme, Then tho Opposite.
We are in danger. however. of going
to the opposite eXtreme-in danger of
carrying the subject Of personal indie
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 hare proper freedom OF
will. vet all are more or less handicap
Paul said. I'VE caaaot do the things
which we would" We are slaves Of
sin and death, some more and some
less. The Prophet David's explana-
ton applies to US all. Il was shapen
in iniquity. in sin did my mother con-
ceive me- psalm Ii. 81.
1t was in view of such inequalities
of the flesh that st. Paul wrote to the
Church. We that are strong should
bear with the intirmities of the weak.
and not please ourselves merely"
(Romans XIV. u. This principle. ap-
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 to realize more and more the
oneness. the solidarity Of our race-the
entire human family. of which st. Paul
says. OF one blood God created all
men. to dwell upon the face OF the
whole earth" (Acts xvii, 26,.
"Where Is Thy srothsr?"
Gods inquiry of Cain implied Gains
responsibility and teaches US lesson
respecting our responsibility in Gods
sight for one another. We will begin
with the Church. the highest type of
brotherhood imaginable: We should
not be content to split into sects and
parties. Whatever was the ignorance
of the past, which led to the formation
of the various creeds and denomina-
tons. there can be no excuse for these
now. because Christians of all demon
nations have come to discredit the old
creeds. Should there not. then. be a
movement toward heart unity and fei
lowship. outside Of denominationa and
creedal lines. amongst those who rec
OgniZe God as Father. the Lord Jesus
Christ as the Redeemer and the Bible
as the Divine Revelation?
1t is not proper to say as did Cain
Am my brothers keeper?'' Every
true Christian should realize that to
day Christianity is being assaulted il
its own House and by its professeC
friends. Ia the universities. college.
and seminaries Of all denominations
battle is raging. which threatens tht
destruction of our Christian faith
Possibly few are blind to the situa
ten. but the insurgents-the Highe
Critics and aliZe tn,
situation and are craftily saying to th,
people. I'VE are the Watchmen upol
the walls of Zion! Hearken TO OUT
CRY: All IL WE'LL" These Higher Crit
les seem to have no conscience The,
claim that the people must be gradual
~ taken by guile. They encourag
them TO "sleep." while they raise owe