The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-12-22

1T rs essential that every Christian
should have correct and definite
views Of the true aim of the church q"
said Rev. Magahay at the Kearsorge
VI. T.. church yesterday morning.
Men Of the world know what thev
are trying 10 do. The farmer tries IN
surpass the last years crops. the pro.
prletor Of the factory Is ever on tha
alert as 10 how he may improve his
output; the teacher has his mind SO,
on the Improvement of his school etc
In order to accomplish these ends
each must have n definite aim-mus,
know just what he wants 10 do.
1t is hoped that all who are con.
nected with the church should know
perfectly what the church aims To ac-
compllsh. But there seems To have
neen MISUNDERSTANDING in all ages
regarding the real mission of Jesus
Christ into this world. On one occas-
ion man thought. He should settle
family dispute regarding some prop.
erty. Others desired His influence in
'h'iI l'''''AHi llnpfG
tried tn entanele Him in political ques
lions.
Ihat We may see more clearly the
aim OF the church We viii look first at
what IL is not, then at what il is.
The church is not simply "A Mace
Of entertainment And while this il
true. yet those DESTROYS of advancing
the church should not he Indifferent 10
the desire ON the part of the people
Tor entertainment. The truth should be
presented i'm its most attractive form
by prccept ana practice. Remember.
inc that no matter how beautifully il
may be presented by precept, il is al.
ways more beautiful and attractive
when wrought on In the life Of tho
teacher.
The church is not social club.
Men and women are social beings
ana are likely To go where they re-
celve the glad hand and hearty wei.
come. But Ia devote all ont atten-
ton To the social side is a serious
mistake.
Neither is it the aim of the church
10 cultivate and improve only the in
tellectual life. The church does ap-
peal 10 the intellect and stimulates
the intellectual life OF the community
No man however intellectual who con-
socrates himself To the service of God
in His church, but will find new field
Tor thought and abundant opportuni-
ties for mental Improvement. But all
this Is Incidental. The true aim of the
church is higher.
The church should not aim simply
10 manufacture political sentiment.
Neither should Il work FOR the support
81 any political party IT. is the SER
want of all parties in "a higher sense.
No doubt every true church does
mould the political sentiment of the
country in which il is. II is a great
blessing TO the state. But the church
ical party is not the church of God.
The church does not aim to build
up a strong and influential society
founded on wealth, culture. or fashion.
All men are equal before God and
should be before the church. Jesus
Christ died for all men, whether rich
or poor. good or bad cultured or ig-
norant
The true aim. therefore of the
church should he to bring men into
vital touch with Jesus Christ since
lie has come that all might have an
abundance Of life. Education, culture.
refinement are all good and should be
highly appreciated. Nevertheless, life.
spiritual life, is the all important
thing.
The work of the farmer. the man
ufacturer and others are all quite i'm
portant. yet the church is engaged in
the most important work in the world |
today. Because the church deals with !
the heart, the conscience. the affec-
lions and the relation of the spirit of
man 20 the spirit of God. Set the |
heart right and YOU have gone a long
way toward all right. Religion affords
The highest culture. Christ said: Seek |
We first the kingdom Of heaven and all
these things shall he added unto YOU