The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-08

reformers and critics, quite after this
ancient Jerusalem fashion. The man
who shows the church wherein she ID
wrong is her best friend. and to be
heard and h eded.
1t Is altogether likely that abuses
nave crept up in parts and phases Of
the Christian church. With the prop
erty interests and salary solicitude in
vowed. this Is almost inevitable. Most
men begin to see red as soon as their
pocketbooks are touched President
Wison has candidly pointed out how
TINS factor has entered into the Mexi-
situation. Concern for the vel
fare OF the millions Of oppressed. fg-
norant and destitute people has been
overshadowed by the clamor OF thou
sands whose dividends have been af-
fected.
In like fashion, the recent sudden
outcry over hurting business at
tanned a volume which the temper
ance crusade moral questions
not able to match after decades of
ts In the light Of our own
Imes' II Is quite understandable that
these shrewd Jerusalem ecclesiastics
should howl and plot when Jesus be-
gan to hurt business"
Inc Passion Play at Oberammereau
makes clear the connection between
tnls scene and the crucifixion. One Of
the episodes OF the Passion Plav il the
cleansing Of the Temple. Shortly AFT
erward we find the same merchants.
VINO nave been driven from their
stands in the Temple enclosure by the
stern and regal Christ, foremost in the
c1amor OF those who cry, Cruelty
Him! Cruelty HIM"
me cleansing OF the Temple area
reacted directly upon the condemna-
ton and crucifixion Of Jesus and had
lnterIered with business" over
against that crime of crimes. the fact
that Jesus was obeying God. purify
ing the church and exercising the
nlgnest of1ce Of a prophet, counted "a
nothing. 'ou 0S
This is a good time to declare once
more that Judgment must begin at
the House Of God" The church must
De clean. Whenever she has anv
completely with oppression or CRIME
sne Is denying her Lord. II any local
CONGREGATION. or any denomination.
puts the favor Of the rich and the
mighty over against her LOYALTY to
clear truth and Righteousness AZ. is
oetraying once again the Reformer
who died on Calvary.
The Liberty That Is Life.
Ierse Comments for August 3, who Il
Free? John s:31-a6.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
Nobody is ever free to do as ..e
pleases. We may as well accept the
truth that personal liberty. to the fullest
ueeree. may never be won in this world
we live In a mesh of laws and condi-
tons which hamper us at every turn:
and were we to flee to an uninhabiteu
island In the South Seas we still should
not be free. The boy thinks that when
ne becomes man he will be free: the
man looks back and signs for the free
dom OF the boy. The young man longs
for wealth and the liberty it will bring;
the man of wealth. numbered by many
cares. shut in by golden barriers, covets
the care-free days of his early man
hood. There Is no condition in life
wherein one mcy do wholly as he de-
sires; and that is well, for we live in a
world where the welfare Of all must be
above the convenience Of the
individual. The highest liberty we en-
JOY Is that of serving our time without
restraint.
Chains always go with sin. That il
why there is a profound philosophical
reach to the New Testament word, IF
the Son shall make you free, then shall
you be free indeed"
A Life Platform.
want to be free. With the passion
ate desire OF all the heroes and patriots
Of history who have revolted against
tyrants' chains. I covet liberty. No man,
no institution, 10 organization. nc
party, shall put its yoke on my neck.
AS would shun gross sin, SO spurn
any alliance anJ favor. any obligation
which would deprive me OF my highest
manhood right of liberty. I want to be
free to be my best self. want to be
free to do my best work. I want to be
free to speak my utmost message. II
want to be free to strike the noblest
blow. So shun slavery of every form.
and seek freedom. even with the in
with which seek the face and !
favor Of God.
While We may not have liberty from
work: we may have what is better. lib |
erty In work.
Only the pure or the pardoned are !
free from slavery to sin.
One Of the tragedies Of public life, |
whenever reform on q large !
scale is attempted. is the way evil men |
are liable to silence some of those |
who would fight Cor the public well |
fare. This common maneuver OF |
wrons-doers is called getting a line
IN" man. They search his past for |
some misdeed that he fears to have |
brought to the light. They examine |
mis- alliances and try to reach him So |
:ially. If he owes money, they call in |
MS loans. II his business can be hurt. |
hey so after him in that fashion. In
some way they seek to bind his liberty /
~ q chain that will hold. Corrupt
politicians and other law-breakers |
have n0vvarf,,1 al1ia meas