University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1911-03-03


ways to raise the standards of ideals
and of actions. He says the church
has already done much along this line,
and that it will do more as its follow
lers come more and more to know
their duties and endeavor faithfully
to perform them.
1.-The church has always been a fac
tor in human history" says Mr.. How
ELL 1T has so Influenced the people
of the world that, more than any 9TH
er institution. it is responsible for
the humanitarian and charitable move
Iments, the arbitrations between IA
tions to prevent war, and the world
wide peace movement. The influence
of the church has had a direct ten
dency to redress improper industrial
conditions, to reconcile differences be-
tween labor and capital, and to bring
the world to a fuller realization of the
value of education. The church is not
the direct leader in these matters, but
such reforms and movements are the
results of the influence of religion and
the church
In matters of politics and legisla-
tion, MFR. Howell says the church as
an organization cannot wisely take
leading part. He holds that it is not
proper for an organization to take a
definite stand in matters where the
questions are debatable. He would
have its members uphold the cause of
Righteousness, not to carry out the
followers of Christ and religion. He
says:
Church members cannot ignore the
teachings of Christ. 1t is the duty Of
every individual to interpret for him.
self what political action the teach
ings of Christ require of him, rather
than asking and submissively accept
ing the Interpretation of minister or
a church. No one should undertake
the solution of a problem until he
is adequately informed, then he should
pursue unquestionable methods, mani
Testing the spirit of Christ. The
kingdom of God cannot be established
so long as society, political and busi-
ness, remain unreconstructed. 1t is
the church that is the home and chief
fount of reconstructive influences.
Whenever church members are indif-
ferent to unrighteous conditions, they
forfeit their claim to respect and CO.
operation"
Mr.. Howell believes the minister
and the church should have an open
mind toward science, and that scien-
tific men are also in need of the min
istry that religion renders. He says |
that when the preacher and scientific
man each admits that he cannot speak |
with authority outside his own field,
misunderstanding will largely vanish.
THE wisest scientific men and wis
est church leaders find no serious es-
between themselves.
They both are working in Gods world.
An expert in one field ought to ac-
cept what the expert in another field
has found"
THE local church does not exist for
tself," he asserts. Its immediate
ask is to train and develop its men,
2ers so they will have intelligent con-
,eptions of their obligations. This
nner-development of church life is
made possible only as it renders a
positive service"
81 am deeply interested in all that
the growth of the town, the
University and the colleges" said Mr.
Howell. Il have tried to understand
he problems before me; l have tried
o be more than an observer. My
uties demand that face all kinds of
eople. Many students and professors
re members of my congregation, and
have always found them brotherly
OFTEN think OF the young minister
4 a college town who wrote his a
reacher-father of his problems: \
81 hardly know what to say from 3
ne pulpit, for l must preach to pro- S
,ssors Of history, science and litera- n
lre' n
THE father replied:
My son. preach the Gospel; they
ossibly know little enough about
lat.'"
Mr.. Howell was born in Nebraska,
1T of Southern parentage. He is a
'aduate of Wake Forest College,
orth Carolina. Rochester Theologi-
i Seminary, Rochester, New York,
Id has masters degree from the
vinity School of the University of
licago. He has served the First