The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1913-11-20

ton, unpOpularity.
II was not sanctioned by ecclesi-
asticism nor was il spread by schol-
arship, nor were its teachings in
harmony with the trend of the age.
On the other hand, il cut right across
the passions, the affections, the de-
sires, the customs, and the ambi-
tions Of humanity. Yet IL grew and
its teachings prevailed because they
were Of God.
With Wealth Came Corruption.
On the other hand, we find from
the history Of the early centuries
that later, wealth became a him
drance to purity of membership;
popularity became a hindrance to
fidelity. When in the course Of ages
the Church possessed power, I'M
worthy men were attracted by this
very power TO seek its Offices and
speedily they became a source OF
corruption. Is il not curious that
we with the open page Of history be-
fore us, giving in detail the corrup-
tions and ordinations of the pre-
reformation era still seek for the
Church wealth, popularity and pow
er? Do we rightly call the Church
prosperous that is rich, powerful
and popular? Have we forgotten
the, words of the RevelatOr--"be-
cauA thou sayest | am rich and in.
creased with goods and have need OF
nothing, and knowest not that thou
art wretched and miserable and poor
and blind and naked, ! counsel thee
to buy of me gold tried in the fire."
The prosperity Of the Church cannot
depend upon material things for her
work is spiritual. Christ said my
Kingdom is not Of this world The
gifts of God can neither be bought
nor sold nor can spiritual power be
the outcome of material forces.
Love is not the product Of factories
and machines, nor can moral force
and spiritual results spring from
physical resources.
Back to Christ.
Many today are raising the cry
Back to Christ" Yes, we must
come back to Christ! but to a Christ
who is Divine, the Christ of the Cos
pels. the Christ who is Of Divine
generation, whose glory was the
glory of the only begotten of the
Father, full Of grace and truth; back
to the Christ who was one with the
Father. who bore our sins, the man
of SORROWS: back to Christ of Geth-
semane, the Christ of Calvary, the
Lamb of God, slain from the founda-
tions of the world. Oh, yes, let us
with Peter. with John and the wO-
men, go back with tears springine
from hearts that are Borrowing to
the Christ of Josephs tomb, who
gave dis life that we might have
life. Let us run with Peter back to
the Christ of the resurrection morn
and behold our risen Lord who has
conquered death. Let us with the
disciples stand with wondering awe,
gazing up into the heaven at our
ascending Lord. who now is seated
with the Father on His throne, who
ever livelh to make intercession for
us. Let us get back to the Christ who
was the inspiration and source of
/ Apostolic faith and power, who be-
came the very life and strength OF
His Church, who throughout all the
ages. has been able to save to the ut
tcrmost all who dare to trust Him
to the uttermost Yes, let us get
back To the Christ who is a spiritual
dynamic of the Apostolic Church. OF
the Church of the days of Luther.
Knox. Wesley, the Christ who is the
power of God unto salvation Of all
men everywhere.
God not Discredited by His Laws.
Too largely God, the Creator, is
merged into law ~ His universe. In
the dominance of law. the thought OF
many robs Him who gave the law OF
all power and God is left helpless in
the marvellous mechanism of a uni
verse of His own creation.
There is too great a tendency to
reduce religion and divinity to an
equation with human comprehen-
sion as the other member. What we
can understand. what we can meas
ure, that will we believe. So God
fails of inilnity and ceases to be al
mighty.
Says DR.. Deltisch; The modern
view of the world declares the MIRA
Gle TO be unthinkable. '''' There is
only one world system, that of natu-
raj law. with whose permanence the
direct extraordinary interferences
of God, are irreconcilable." The gap
dividing the theologians OF the day
is too deep to be bridged. ITO the
fundamental question: Is there q
supernatural realm of grace and
within il a miraculous interference
of God in the world of nature, ar