Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-09-17

There is in the work of life a rule
Of emphasis. as there is in reading
and singing: and misplaced empha-
sis often spoils some OF the best in
tended efforts.
Within recent years there has
been a tendency among the churches
to emphasize too strongly the i'm
provement of mere outward condi-
tons; and this tendency has led
many to overlook the fact that the
supreme need of men is the renewal
OF their inward characters rather
than the renovation of their exter-
nal surroundings. Hence we have
great variety Of humane and reform
EFFORTS, which in themselves are
praiseworthy. If they did not divert
attention from this point of SUI
preme need We have humane
schemes set up as means to regener-
ate urban settlements and rural
communities. Reform movements
occupy exclusively the plans OF
multitudes of well-meaning men and
women, who sincerely desire to do
good, but who are misguided in
their methods.
1t Is time to return to the method
and teaching Of Jesus. When He
was walking and working among
men there were many men in Israel
looking for unspiritual messiahS
who would reform outward condi-
tons and thereby regenerate the
fallen nation. To all such he said:
THE kingdom of God cometh not
with outward show; Neither shall
they say, 10, herei or, 10 there! for,
behold the kingdom of God is within
you" A moral kingdom of mere
outward show runs easily to reli-
gious sham. 1t is superficial, spec
tacular. and disappointing.
We should never forget that it
is quite possible to improve, the con-
ditions and outward surroundings
of human life without in any real
and enduring way improving the
life itself. A man who has been
brought up in humble circum-
stances, spending his childhood and
youth in a tumble-down cottage,
may come. by worldly prosperity in
later. years, to live in a luxurious
mansion; but does the change in the
character of his habitation necessa-
rily affect his moral character for
good? Is not a contrary effect often
seen in such cases?
Even education, which IS an in.
tellectual improvement more noble
than any mere material advance
ment, does not Of itself result in
better character. Some men who
have drunk most deeply of intel
lectual culture have become more
prayerless. more faithless. and more
goddess with every added mental at
tainment Any competent observer
can not fail to notice all around us
men of admirable intellectual finish
and furnishing, whose culture is
vain, selfish, and deaumanizing; as
these men have advanced in knowl-
edge they have degenerated in NOR
al and religious character. Just the
other day the newspapers reported
the case Of Yale man, recently APP
pointed to the diplomatic service of
the country, who was disgracefulIy
involved in the low, vile crime of
abducting an unfortunate girl who
had been travelling on the same ship
in which he sailed. The case ex-
cites no wonder; for since Adam the
tree of knowledge has never been
known to yield the fruits of holt
ness. St Paul is authority for the
statement that 'the world by wis
dom knew not God" and he knew
what he was talking about. Yet
some among us are fond of saying
that "all education is christian, and
that If we enlighten the people we
will surely regenerate them" There
is not one single fact in all the
long chapters of human history to
Justify any such noJIon. On the
contrary, the widest wickedness
and the foulest vices nave cock
listed in all lands and in all times
with the highest intellectual cul-
ture, Alexander, miscalled "the
Great" was the pupil of Aristotle;
but he died in a drunken debauch.
Nero was the pet and pupil of SEN