The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-09-06
ct on speaking terms with myself

afterward. "sssESr .... -. ., 44t.
But withSsmall dissenting congrega-
tons can you blame a young man OF
Epower and force if he chooses some
young fellows demand that they be
given a mans job to do and are will
ing TODD it,, but ashley look over the
field now, they see but little oppor-
tunities for the exercise of Their tall
ents and they refuse to stagnate while
toying at a boys job. And just SO long
as u disastrous warfare keeps up,
just SO long will the ministry be re-
oelving as recruits to it's ranks, the
little fellow who is in the ministry be-
cause he can't do anything else. Please
do not think that / am too. strong in
my ,criticism-I am but voicing the
best opinion of our wisest leaders in
to follow the, great synods, ~.associa-
tons, or conferences, to realize the
truth of this criticism.
n what about the outcome local
ly?. Shall we return or shall we con-
tinue? Will two churches best serve
this community or will one? Because
we have federated has our power for
mlnistering to the. good of the COM
munity been increased or diminished ?
Will the business men and the helping
] adherent prefer to divide their sup
port or unite upon one? /.
Let us be frank in answering these
questions n let them be answered in
the spirit of love.
It is quite certain that we must an
swer these questions for ourselves.
One unfamiliar with our conditions;
be. could scarcely hope to solve our
problems for us. We are h people
to profit or suffer by any choice we
may make n in all seriousness it be-
hooves us to realize the gravity of the
situation and the necessity Of making
the wisest and best choice.
In the event OF separation 1t is
scarcely possible that either church
lcoHids hope to secure a resident pas
tor The work this fall and winter
will call for much effort. anon ths
Younger people n 1t will tax to the
utmost the time and best thought Of
whoever Is chosen to uRdertake this
task. Sabbath services, alone will not
save this town and a christianity de-
void of the social ideal is as empty
and barren OF results and weak in
conservatism, as the apostles found
theirs before they appointed seven
men Of good>report to minister to the
social needs of the: rapidly growing
church.
Two church bodies working here
will so divide the christian forces
that each must lose tremendously in
the respect and good will Of that large
~percentage of citizens who are not
members of either church, but who
are anxious that there shall be at
least one christian church In the town
With the loss Of that respect and
good will comes a serious hampering
of the pastor. church officers and
members In their earnest desire to do
good. The man In the street is usual
ly a hard-headed. close thinking,
common n sort Of fellow and il he
observes the sorry spectacle of two
closely allied, supposedly christian
bodies duplicating costly machinery in
a life and death struggle to maintain
sectarian bias. though protesting
higher motives, he lis very apt to smile
at the whole abortive effort. When,
on the other hand, he al be con-
Vinced by the only sort of proof ne
will OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES religion
lis something deeper than a mere name
and the church members love for the
souls Of his felloW-nlen Is greater than
his Low FOR sectaria1isrl, you have
Immediately won the, respect and