The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-05-02
HazleH Lecture Course on Relig-
ious Theme of"A Working FAITH"
IA Social FdHh---
RY DIR. HARRIS FRANKLIN ROLL.

tl"n with which the numbers by pr.
Harris Francis T;al! have been re-
ceived.
DIR. Rail ave a forceful address
yesterday afternoon upon "A Socia!
Faith"
\ one raj question: said the
spea ker, Our social interest in things
today. II is the mark of the agc: to
be seen in its sense OF social prob
lens. social passions and social
dreams. What does our WORKING
faith bring us for this social need ?
1t brings first the conception of God;
a God who cares for men and for
liz. of mon: a universe that is organ
iz"d on the side of righteousness. M
the Roman legalistic conception int
winch theology has so often fallen.
II is the idea of "A rcgnant. militant
righteousness. working in the world
n setting up it's Kingdom. AND
Jesus Himself as the revelation of
sod no, the passive Christ merely
suffering. but the Christ of passion
and power.
1t shows Thu" place Of man. Note
the teaching of Jesus as to the work
"i q human sold and what il implies;
what shall 1t profit a man if nc gain
the Whole world and lose his life
w" have hit upon the narrow, other
80 meaning VI tutS, IS period
Is Tor her and now. We see its tire
mend"tis social Implication. In com.
parison with Jesus and the child. the
'ii!ld Is not taken as the most Nolu.
ai". but as the weakest. most defense.
less with least rights. Compare ever
today our greed and carelessncss fol
cheap labor and the matter for infan
ih"ftalltN; there is only one thing
hero. which has infinite value ant
"'S"liit" right: property has no tina
rlShf. vested privilege has no tina
right: ancient institution has no tina
right; Our f"rms of government ar,
not sacred. Yes. we shall apply the
test even 10 the church, but human
M" is sacred. The little child tina
Jesus placed in the midst of the dis.
tllteS. tn" man, even TN,
criminal. the woman found in her sin
ttow he measures all else by this,
what does it mean for human vel.
rare, ancient institution, the Sabbath,
IT is for man. Religious organization,
y" bind heavy burdens thai men can.
not bear. Nc Will not enter and y.
VIII not let others come in. We max.
th'' weak Ia stumble. INTO YOU. Tina,
Was the test.
Again it shows the nature of 70.
!lslon. There are various theories al
fellslon. 1t is a creed. say some; il
Is an institution of sacred men and
places and forms and a sacred sue.
cesslon. II is ali inner experiences
Very often mysticism. fer Jesus ii was
more than all these. 1t is a life. tho
life which God gives and the life
which man lives. What is that life.
IL is a life of various names. truth
rights. love. service. But always hi;
thing clear: the life of God in tho
soul OF man means a life OF love and
service with his neighhor. Is the
creed goodc Yes. when 1t expresses
me real faith of this new life. Is tho
institution goodo Yes. when it min
'siers Ia that life. Is the experience
good Yes, when il issues in sllrf
a life.
What Religion Meets.
EeNeion means rights. ethics. and
thls rights Is not a matter of cerc-
m"nlal laws. something We do for
''od. 1t is the truth and justice and
low" and Notwithstanding that We
do for men. Christianity takes reli-
Sl"n from temples and affairs and
makes II walk the common roads of
service. -
Applied to the church. it is all tl1t
more striking when We realize the
dlVorc" Of religion from ethics, which
vas normal for antiquity. How
Ihrlstlanlty takes all tho forces of re.
iisloh ana sets them at tho practical
TASK. or the marvellous power later
religion. Hote in the c%rusades, con-
iicts n great popular movements
of tn" past. 1t is still a force in this
modern age. Christianity takes this
I"rFe u says: Your task is sery-
leo.
The hope and goal for Christian
ny is not a church or not a dream
of heaven. II is a kingdom OF God.
social and ethical. n world i'm which
the will of God shall he done i'm ali
things for the good of mon. The two
notahl" things in the ministry of
Jesus arc: First. tho life of service.
pouring itself out for all tho needs
Of mon and for all kinds of mon; and
the other. his proclamation, the king
dom of God is at hand"
In speaking of the future nlt)ook
and th" task. DIR. Rail said: There
arc many men. who condemn Christ
n Christianity. Look AT tho world
and its sin and injustice and shame
today. Blr note the task: the maxi
ing of a ne" world. How hot and
we are with some of our re-
forms TO-DAY. But this day. U day.
viii NOT see the md. The humility
and patience which science should
teach lis. Compare the ages in which
worlds have been in the making.
our problem is not the failure OF
christianity: 1t is just a matter of its
appllcation. What Is the task and
what is the need? In esponsc we
must face the darkest problems: the
child and the Stun and the social vice
n the saloon and the failure of po-
ltical democracy and the want Of in
dustria! Justice and industrial demco-
racE and all the rest. And I say
frankly We need the same force that
has led the world along: Christia nit,.
and Christ.
Herein the industrial problem prc-
sents itself. It need His passion for
Justice. His spirit will bring indus
trlal democracy as il has brought DO
llt1cal democracy in line with ethical
truth. Simply because he places man
rrst' President Lincoln once said:
Final Issue Is Justice.
THE final issue of life ia that Of
justice. That is the issue that will
continue in his country when these.
poor tongues of Judge Dougles and
myself shall be silent. 1t is the eter-
nal struggle between these two prin-
ciples-right and wrons-throughout
the world. They r the two princi-
pies that have stood face to face from
to struggle. The one is the
common right Of humanity. and he
other the divine right of kings. 1t is
the same principle in whatever shane
it develops itself. 1t is the same
spirit that SAYS. You toiled and work
and earn bread. and I'll a It, No
matter in what shape it comes. wheth.
er from the mouth Of a king who
seeks to bestride the people Of his
own nation and live by the fruit Of
their labor. or from one race Of men
as an apology for ~enslavine another
it is the same tyrannical prin-
The final issue is not political ex-
not an effort 10 secure ma