The Richmond climax., 1913-05-20
Contending For The Faith.

saints. He evidently had in mind the
entire system known to US as christiani-
ty. At that early period there were in
fluences at work which threatened to de-
stroy it. The prosecutions of the Roman
Empire were soon to be unsheathed.
False brethren had crept into the church.
Heresies were beginning to make their
appearance. The times were troublous
and full of unrest. The faith was beset
by many enemies. 1t was natural for
such man as Jude to believe that it
was IN danger Therefore comes the
command to contend earnestly for the
faith.
In our own time the faith is beset with
dangers of a different kind. We have
been taught that all religions are alike
and all sects are alike, one belief is as
good as another, provided that those
who hold it are sincere. No greater fall
lacy is possible. There is much good
in most of the religions OF the world and
in many of the creeds, but they are not
all alike nor are they to be regarded as
different forms of the same fundamental
faith. We are 10 prove all things and
to hold fast to that which is good. 1t is
our duty 10 sift the differences and pre-
serve our allegiance 10 the best. 1t is
because OF this doctrine that so much
of good may be found IN all sects and
creeds that we need not fear the evil
that our faith is in danger of dying from
inaction, from sheer indifference. A
man who has no faith worth contending
for must be a poor type of christian.
The patriot who believes every country
TO be just as good as his own is not like
Iy to be of much value in time OF war
The physician who thinks that no one
is IN special danger in time of pestilence
is not likely to exert himself to heal the
sick. 1t is the lackadaisical spirit in
religion, the spirit that lulls our enthu-
siasm to sleep in the presence of evils
because so much good may be found by
their side, that constitutes one of the
perils of our faith. We need to get a
new grip on the realities at such a time.
Our breadth may be our danger and our
tolerance our real menace.
Then We are in danger from narrow
ness that is as deadly as any indiffer-
ence. That bigotry which shuts its eyes
to the good in the world about us be-
cause il does not happen to fall within
the limits of our own parish, and con-
demns all who do not walk with us, is
to be fought against as danger to the
faith. 1t is that spirit which lights mar
| tyr fires and builds dungeons rather than
institutions of learning, and does all
that it can TO arrest the progress of the
age. 1t is this intolerance which has
done more harm to Christianity, though
protesting to maintain it in its purity,
than all evils put to gether. The atheist
can do no such fatal work. The foes of
ones own household are more to be
feared than these from without.
The extreme commercialism OF an
age is danger to Christian faith. When
men sell all other interests for that OF
gold it easily becomes their god. Christ
bids us to labor not for the meat which
perisheth, and all those who regard exis-
tence as time for gain should bear that
in mind. 1t is easy TO sacrifice the best
things in life for a mess of pottage.
The realities are the things we do moi
see; they endure. The perishing for
which we strive are certain to pass from
us as sand that filters through our fin
gers. Every man who lives for the pre-
sent solely is not rich to ward God. Ere
he is aware voice rings in his ears,
Thou fool! this night thy soul shall be
required of thee, then whose shall thoss
things be which thou has provided"
The materialism. the atheism, the in
difference toward religion in our day
are dangers against which we should
contend.
But we are also told how the contend
ing is to be done. The same apostl,
tells us to keep ourselves in the love o
God.' Ii we do that we need not fea
that we do injustice to any one, or la,
ourselves open to the charge of bigoiry
II that spirit which characterized Chris
when he denounced the evils OF his da,
animates us we may be crusaders o
power. Ours will be the gentle toucl
rather than the drastic warfare st
Jude would have all remember tha
to keep ones self in the love of God wa
the best argument that could be produce,
1t was not 10 be a doctrine to be de
Tended wholly as much as a life to b.
lived. That is the genius, the key-wort
of Christianity-life. A tree is know
by its fruits. Men do not gather grape
of thorns nor figs of thistles. If all o
US would remember that we would no
need many arguments TO defend tn
faith. Men would love it, honor it, di,
for it. The faith needs defense becaus
we misrepresent it by our deeds. N,
man has an argument against chris
tian; he can have none againt the sys
tenn which makes the christian possible
And the life is the power which will fin
ally save christianity and the world. In
deed. to live the life of faith is to bring
christianity into prominence which i
has never known. That is the argumen
for which no answer is possible.
For Sale.
| Well established horse and aulomo