The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-28
TheReigio1ls Aspect Of the Suffrage Movement.

practice" To 4 Christian the two
meanings are Synonymous. We arc
realizing more and more that religion
does not consist solely in believing
the truth set out in the Apostles
Creed, a more or less regular attend
ance upon the services OF an esta blish
ed church, and the somewhat per
functory performance of certain re-
ligious observances. Ii these things
constitute the whole OF our religion we
have left out the very essence OF the
spirit ct the Founder OF our faith. who
would say To us as He said to the
Pharsces These ought 80 to have
done and not TO have left the other
undonc.' The truth that profession
vi faith will avail us just so far as 1t
affects our daily living was reiterated
time and again By Christ and His
disciples.
Christ gave but two commandments
as comprising all there was to know
or 10 do in fulfilling the law--and the
second was like unto the first, II IS
because of the hardness OF mems hearts
and dizziness OF their understanding
that they have not long ago learned
that If the first were fulfilled there
would be no need to add the second. 4
form OF religion which attempts to
separate the service OF God and hu-
manity is but an empty husk-"Inas-
much as yc have done il unto one OF
the least OF these. yc have done It
unto Me" Repeatedly, not only IN the
New but also in the old Testament
We read that duty to God necessarily
involves duty 10 man If this were
not so our own moral concept would be
higher than our concept OF the Creator
and religion would be poisoned at its
root.
Awakening 10 Social Duties.
The Christian world is awakening
as never before to its social duties
Followers Of Christ arc becoming more
kccnly alive TO y q necessity for social
service Il His teachings arc really to
regcncratc and redeem mankind.
Thoughtfui men arc writing such
books as Jesus Christ and the Social
Question" The Social Aspects OF
Christianity.' Tile Social Teachings
.: Jesus" etc.
Tho terms Social bcttcrment' and
social Upli-t" arc daily bccomint.
more familiar IL might almost be
said that the religion OF the present
day is the uplifting Of humanity. nor
indeed to tho obscuring OF the spiritual
aspect o; religion. but az an outward
expression of the regeneration taking
place in the hearts OF men.
There IS too often a tendency to
think OF the Christian virtues as en-
| tirely passive. and to cxHlt purity.
humility. patience and quiesccnt good
| ness as essentially Christian. 1t Is i'm
/ possible 10 lay too much stress upon
the excellence, beauty and worth Of
/ these passive virtues. but 1t is not
! true that they comprise all there is OF
Christian character Truth. honesty
courage. spiritual energy and active
devotion are as truly Christian as the
gentler virtues.
me spiritual awakening which is
taxing place in the world IS not con
tent with passive goodness, every
where men and women are engaging
IN active. aggressive warfare with the
forces OF evil. and seeking to elevate
the masses and purify society not
merely b. individual right living, bu,
by carrying light and truth in the
darkest places. aud seeking to i'm.
prove bad conditions by definite Iegis.
i"tion and enforcement OF existing
laws.
believe that the whole future OF
the church as body depends upor
how far IL enters into this active fght
with existing evil: that itA future use.
1ulncss Will he determined by the cx.
tent 10 which II realizes and puts into
effect tho great social principles lait
down by Jesus Christ. that its very