La Junta tribune., 1912-12-21
THEY LIKE TIE THih0.

In the Christmas number of N 81
Illustrated Journal was picture show
ing very modern little girl holding
an interview with Santa CAns. The
CHEEKY old saint had hiS usual
enormous pack Of such thiass as
little girls IKE. and the child. was
represented us saying. "No,;l don't
believe In you any more. but you
may leave the things"
That is practically what . great
many people are saying the&e days
TO the church The enjoy tA~ b S.
inss and benefits Of modern ci'-
Ilhatlou They realize. whsn they
think that the peace and security
which almost every american com.
muulty enjoys. nre found no whore
on earth whore the church Of Jesus
Chris, has not been made a pow
10 The lives of the people Unless
they arr extreme radicals they
viii admit that q community without
q church @uuld not be a dcsira hle
one in which 20 live or ssf- one
in which 60 hold property or 70
bring up a family They are Flai
TO avail themselves of the benefits
which the church has brought snd Sc
cures but they decline persona re-
Iat!aus with the church
Others. while retaining their mem
bership IN the church. show in var
ious ways their failure to take the
church seriously Their attendance
upon the services is not = matter
OF principle. but OF convenience They
refus. work and responsibility In
their church because they wkh to be
frr. 10 do as they like when the time
Tor service arrives Their IDEAS OF
the churrh's real mission arr vague.
they s.,m to have gained no vision
either Of nature or purpose OF the
church ot the living God
In word. q is eyiden, tina, a
great many very cSccllen, people are
allowing themselves to think about
the church In q very loose and su-
perflclAl way. ard that there is
need Of rousing call to all thouTh,-
,ul and vell.disposed perpons to wake
np and consider the facts
For example; The 0xs nixed
church. made up Of ordinary Saslsy
human beings. has been the oae In
s,itu,ion ths, has made !, an -x.
elusive business TO maintain and
religion.
From religion has com. all Of the
present day spirit ~ fraternity and
charity From tho christian religion
as propavatrd by the church has
come our present standards of mo-
rality that gives rs security of life
and property No one is willing 20
claim that the church is measuring
40 10 her ideal. hu, she main,ains
her IDEAL and has set the deal for
an 'hr hlshust pures' and swee,cst
lifr Un have TODAY How many In
rHeDsrs are today trying 10 break
down the s1nctlry ~ marriasc and
'he home 60 promote greed and
srlGshH,ss and 90 Cypress the.
weak on which side do w. find
'ba yhurhf Men a-r complaining
because ila church Is not correctinv
alI urHHas Trr". she is not doinr
IN she OUGHT or mlrht do but how
much pro those helping Who are
simply ,HtHisinr o- negleciing the
only institution that Is making a
business ~ ErtfirE 90 thg foot OF
an our rril--thr human hear,
Withdraw the church and all i,-
present hbors and influence aud in-
aglue shai soon would happen Can
a halt on the celebration Of Christ.
mas today. and DO away With iis
blessiurs and holy sentiments. and
you have checked but small frac.
tim oi the churehs gracious lnno-
cnrc
Men ihouFhucsfly imagine that II
l. matter % charity 10 support
the church No more 80 than TO
support tho public schools The
church Is a. necessary a. the school
system The church As an ins,ltu.
iion ls property a dispenser o, char.
l'y and never an object Of Il. lie
na'ur' nurpcs". and accomplishments
ar an appeal 20 every thlnklnr man
Or loyal ard reaty support a.
necessity cor c,r-y munlty and
mishiy agency ~ ruod
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN.