Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-11-28

souls of men. Herein they are far more
like the Scribes and Pharisees than they
are like the Saviour. The religious lead
ers of His day wished for a political
Messiah to relieve their nation of their
political disadvantages; but He was abb
sorut- with calling Individual men to re-
pentance. In like manner Martin Luther
was stirred by the question OF how men
might be justified before God, and with
that supreme issue he stirred all Europe.
Wesley also dealt most earnestly and
constantly In such matters as the new
birth and tho witness OF the Spirit. But
not so our reformers; they believe In
salvation by soap and sanitation.
Jesus and the apostles, Luther ana
Wesley, solved problems of outward con-
ditions by bringing souls into the expert
ence OF q new life. and the problems OF
our day must be solved In the same way,
II they are ever solved at all SAID MT
Gladstone a few years before he died.
Talk about the questions OF the day;
there Is but one question, and that Ia tho
gospel. It can and will correct every
thing needing correction" Yet our
problem-makers seem to lose sight OF
this great truth. They are preaching
eugenics when they ought to be preacn-
ing regeneration, and proclaiming re-
formation when they ought to be work
ing for REVEALS of the religious life OF
the people And we DO not wish de-
natured revivals" either; we want renew
ais of religious life by supernatural
forces and not simply superficial move
ments by what are called business
methods.
one of the most marked changes which
has come to pass In the religious world
during the last twenty years Is the
change of emphasis from spiritual condi-
lions to physical surroundings. Preach
ers and people no longer dwell on the
forgiveness OF sin and the regeneration
of the heart. but talk much of new
methods, ''up-to-date plans. social
settlements", and such like. They seem
to feel that they can get on without the
saving grace OF heaven ii they can mako
well-ordered environment on the
earth. There is no wonder that they dig
up so many problems when they go at
the redemption Of mankind with such
methods.
Close akin to this popular failing, and,
indeed, a part OF II, is the notable fact
that when a predetermined becomes alb
sorbed In solving problems of external
conditions with regard to others, he
frequently loses sight entirely of his
own spiritual needs and religious condi-
ton When he goes into the solving
Of the question OF notes In the eyes OF
others he forgets all about the beams In
his own eyes. But the matter of SUI
preme Importance with the men who
have reformed their generation and
cleansed their times of evils has always
been their own spiritual life. The Saviour
told his disciples that they were the
salt Of the earth, and instantly he warn
ed them that If salt has lost it's SAVIOUR
1t IL good for nothing" Their first care
was to keep the saline purity Of their
own piety. In the same spirit ST. Paul
said OF himself. IT keep my body I'M
der, and bring 1t into subsection; lest
that by any means after having preach
ed to others 1 myself should be a cast
away. Il Corinthians ix:2O
I beg most respectfully to suggest to
our professional problem-makers that It
Is quite possible for them to be one
OF the most perplexing problems of our
times beg also to commend to them
these wise and beautiful words of DR..
Henry Van Dyke: Never has there
been a time when character and con-
duct counted for more than they do to-
day. A life on q high level. yet full Of
helpful. healing sympathy for life on its
lowest levels. Is the first debt we owe
to our feIIoW-men IN this age"