The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-19

Kings observation was that "Christi-
anity must not merely summon; it must
also come" Christianity if it is to win
the globe must not content itself with
beckoning the uncomprehending native
to its standard; 1T must provide a stan :
dard of color which will suit his Pc
culiar taste. THE fault of missions, y
says Pagacnik. lis that theyN will not
do this. They ascribe far too much
Importance to formal acceptance of
doctrines and precepts: they rejoice
when the native accepts these, and then
being able to count him as saved, they
too often leave him alone Christianity
would be better served by relaxing its
dogmas and precepts to the level of
the natives understanding, and by see
Ing that the natives live fairly we'll up
to this easier, relaxed standard The
native VIII flock to the Christian flag
when 1t means something he under
stands; something in sympathy with
his own crude ideas of morals and
theology. Upon Christianity's power
thus to develop. in fact. to some extent
to de-Christianize itself, depends its
prospects of conquering the world"
In 1.-THE Development of Christianity
into World Religion" Professor Bet-
starts from where Pagacnilk leaves off;
and examines Christianity from the
standpoint of potential development. His
ianity be moulded but that it is the only
adaptable and plastic faith. Here he diff
fers from some practical observers and
travellers, for instance the English trav-
eler Sir Richard Burton, who praises
Islam because it is presented to
the untutored African in ethical and the
illogical forms which the untutored Az
rican can understand because they are
not impracticably high above his head;
while Christianity, in the view of Burton.
Is intransignently severe. Beth and also
Pagacnik here diverge from the views
of the Kaiser's friend. Professor Adolf
Harnack. Harnack insists on the bold
intransigeance of Christianity: and holds
that the Iaith of Christ without abat-
ing its principles and doctrines will con-
quer the heather world as it did in 1.-THE
ages OF iconoclasm when the heather
and the pagan were convinced by the
striking down of their idols. DR.. Beth's
conception of Christianity Is Just the con-
trary. He proclaims that in Christianity
the instinct towards MISREPRESENTATION
takes the form of Rehabilitation. that
is, an unconscious fitting of itself to the
exigencies or practical life in every age
and cline. For that reason Christianity
is most suited to be, most likely to be
the universal religion. Christianity Beth
repeats, does not deyelop and expand rig
idly along the lines of internal laws. il
develops and moulds itself under pres
sure and Influences from without Its
development is not evolution but epigen-
esis. AS each, new Influence comes from
without whether in the shape of chang
ing conditions in countries already
Christian. or of entirely new conditions
in heather lands. Christianity can always
adapt itself. and thus prove it's fitness
to be equally the religion of all. That
Is its past history; and will be its future
1t was the intent of it's founder .'Never
did the. actions of Christ indicate a desire
to create mere book religion"
Beth rejoices that Christianity Is not
national and may, therefore. fit all ma
tions. The kingdom of Zion, he saws,
was not designed to be national Jew
Ism state, but state within Israel
ruled by God according to divine law.
"There Is neither Greek nor Jew. bond
nor free" is the universalist motto of
Christianity. Also the simplification
of religion, which was one achievement
of Christ, made Christianity suited to all
races and times. "Christianity in its
very origin" is Beth's conclusion, 'is
free from particulaHst limitations and
is suited for Ilniversality"
If this is vrue how explain the 0.e
per cent of Christians in Asia after
three centuries of missionary work
The view of PagacnilS is that "the nat
has not been properly turned to advan-
tage.' A Vienna newspaper says the
meaning of this is that "the world is
to become Christian but Christianity
is to cease" What would happen is
what has happened with Germany's
socialists. The socialist voters have
multiplied since 1871 from 100000 to
4,590,000 today. But socialism has de-
cayed. Doctrinal purity has been sac
rificed in order to catch vast numbers
and at present a third of the 4,590.00O
socialists reject the essential dogmas
of their socialist prophet. Karl Marx
Pagacnik predicts that If Christianity
is to become a world religion 1t must
repeat this political history "The
masses of Asia and Africa will be en-
rolled, few or no questions being put;
and as paganism did In later Roman
history, so local Christianity will as
similate. or at least tolerate. a dose OF
heathenism. The world will be Chris
tian, but its religion will not any long
er be q pure orthodox Christianity
Pagacnik regards this as no misfor-
tune. In EurOpe Christian piefv and