Omaha daily bee., 1914-01-14
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The "Mfssion' of the Church.
OMAHA, Jan. i3.--To the Editor OF The
Rec: Those two lines OF your editorial
comment attracted my attention. First
q quotation was made: The Church OF
God may be oppressed; II can rover be
suppressed" And the editorial comment
added 80 says a religious teacher and
writer. Never so long as It keeps to its
mission"
"Its mIssloh" well. well. that was a
sphinxical remark. In view Of the fierce
attacks on the ministry that seem 10 be
the daily bread for ministers m our CITY,
attacks on almost every conceivable pro-
gram they may devise. but that Of ex-
treme worldliness that makes the hard
ened wording himself sneer at the
apostate servants OF the church. in view
Of these csustic. wild attacks so char
acteristic for our city what Is the mis-
sion OF the church," n 1t breaches
tho true word Of God. in its Christ-full-
ness and apostolic power, II Is scorned
because OF its bigotry. its intellectual
stupidness, its inability to be tho tail
end of the times-spirit. II 1t engages
I'm a charity activity. II Is lashed and
bounded because II fails to turn all
It's energy. the whole Of its machinery,
into the making of "thc bread that per-
isheth." II II externalizes sufficiently
| TO be barely much else than medical
dispensary and a soup-kitchen. a social
service committee. a cheap ecclesiastical
imitation OF the amusement halls, then
| the snobs OF culture lift their high brows
upon II and pass by II. tt is too
common" too tawdry. too popular" "
| Should Il make earnest of the scrip
ture's charge TO live holly in this
present world, to draw a line between
the gaiety Of the world and the joyful
sanctification of the church OF the
World Redeemer. then It is making a
foor' Of itself.
The mission Of the church." tis a rid
die. In the light OF the perpetual soorn
which our city seems TO burl at ''the
pulpit Founders" as they are designated
IN Omaha. It would not q bit surprise
me II, after the coarse and hard-hearted
attacks on clergymen who opposed the
late charity ball there would come a new
wave which would beat the ministry OF
the city because they are set of worth
less tags to mere public opinion. A few
years ago read two editorial COM
ments. on different dates. in the Chi
cago Tribune. The first. serious arti.
Gle against using oaths in daily talk
was followed by rich writeup on Ad
miral Bob Evans. who had the reputa-
ton OF being expert at cursing. and tn,
editorial jauntily played with the linn
tied creatures who could possibly take
offense at "Bob's" harmless strone
words.
- .R Tn.
was serious. But / cannot help asking
what in the light of the total situation
is the mission of the church? And VIII,
authortatively decides that question fol
the church and the world? Are we min
listers OF the word to depend on passinl
public opinion that, like the Tribune ed
itorials referred to. says yes one moment
and no the next? Is there no voice from
the bosom OF eternity? Are we member
of the Christian church bedraggled slavei
of public wishes as fleeing as the winds
that sweep by? Is there no Christ-giver
message, no eternal principle, no i'm
movable foundation? Does the churcl
! keep to its mission" when 1t grovels II
the dust Of passing sentiments, or q
sucked into the whirlpool of ever-shift
ing notions OF men?
Does the word of God, perchance, an
swer the question with unequlvocal clear
ness so that the ministers OF the Wor,
have a commission with a charge, an
the members of the Church of Christ a
well2
: II seems to me. after long ponderin
of the situation spiritually in our city
that the only thing that can rescue clergy
men In Omaha from utter despair is I
come clear on this question and the
"stick" There is grave reason wa
deep down why the ministers OF our cit
are like travelling men. quick come, quic
gone. The church especially ought I
5 rouse itself and ask why the situation 1
what II undeniably shows itself TO be.
3 ADOLF HULT,
Pastor Emmanuel Lutheran Church.
: Republican aecuperative Power.
: SOUTH OMAHA, Neb., Jan. 13.--To III
Editor of The Bee:-In having my articl
9 on the Democratic Eras'' printed in TIL
: Bee. tho types made a change in dat
h different from what intended. | wrot
that the republicans will regain congres
next November II the present condition
! continue, as sweepingly as they did
1894. Some one changed II TO 1896. W
did regain congress in 1894. after we hs
only elected eighty-eight members |
1892. We held congress in 1896 and r,
, gained the presidency.
Il f. A. AGNEw.
p. S.-Some one told me that some
the labor organizations adopted resol,
u tions commending my article on the a