The Penn's Grove record., 1915-12-17
MUST Be PREPARED
Main Idea of the Times Should
Be Applied 10 Religion, Es-
peciaIly in Cities.


who hold to the notion that the reli-
gion Of lasting power is the religion
Of conservative standards, is the senti-
ment that is being widely dissent
mated, that in the big cities religion
must assume the offensive. 1t is well
enough to hold fast the things that re-
main when religion is under the des-
perate assaults Of materialism, of ag-
Mysticism, of indifferentism. More,
however, is required when the needs
Of religion are those of progressive ad-
vance with the changed conditions of
a society in a state of fux. The main
idea of the times is preparedness-the
word that is finding extensive military
use. 1t is the keyword of aggressive
advance in education, in municipal
growth, in social service, in the entire
scheme of life. In religious enterprise
alone does there appear to be lack
of this spirit of preparedness in favor
of conservative tendencies.
Why should the Christian community
in any big city claim solidarity? Why
should it rot feel that the ends of re-
ligion and of morals are held in COM
mon? Why should not the entire field
of civic life be surveyed with a view
to the comprehension of all the prob
lens of the church? Why should not
the minister and the laity meet stated
ly for the purpose of definitely consid-
ering the specific questions of city en-
vironments, so as to enable the church
to adapt itself to the conditions that
must be met if growth is to be made?
The alternative to adaptation and
progress is the empty church. By all
means let there be regulated and or
derly worship, and let there be sys-
tematic methods in church enterprise,
But there should likewise be breadth
of comprehension of the ends that the
churches have in common. There
should be cooperation by the religious
forces definitely in the name Of the
church and definitely for the attraction
of worshipers to the places of wor-
ship.
What commercial enterprise is
there, what political party, what ma
tional or international movement that
does not call into frequent consulta-
tion those who have identity or kin
ship of interest? How could there be
preparation for the needs of the fu-
ture without such coordinate activity?
Therefore the churches should like
wise meet in stated conferences,
monthly, if feasible, and in the COM
itatus of Christian believers decide
the things that pertain to the welfare
of the kingdom as business men meet
10 -GaeideI the things that pertain to
the welfare of their secular interests.
This habit of lay along with clerical
participation IN the framing up of the
interests of the churches would result
in attendance upon the services of the
churches by these and other laymen.
1t would result in bringing the church
services directly to the doors of the
people. 1t would create popular and
constant interest in matters of church
and religious welfare, intelligently en-
tered into by the people just as they
commonly are interested in politics or
business movements.
Why is my neighbor? This is the
question of the day. Let the church
peruse the suicide lists ever increas-
ing. Let it take account of the moral
laxity and tendency to tolerate incen-
tives to vice. Let it perceive the lack
of modesty among the women who fol-
low the extreme fashions of the times.
Let it perceive the compromising with
honesty that leads men by the thou
sands to act during six days of the
week counter to the instructions of
the seventh day. Let the churches
take account of the sin and woe, the
| misery and the wrong, the blight and
the injustices of life. Let the churches
have within the scope of their vision
the whole field of man, which the pope
says is not without plan. Let them
grasp the essential elements of justice,
right ard nobility in human nature and
bring to Dear the ministrations of the
pulpit and the activities of the church
otherwise for the cultivation of the
better things of human kind. This is
being done, but not comprehensively
not in the spirit of preparedness.
There is need for those who love the
Lord and think upon his name, to
speak often one to another.
Let narrowness be set aside and the
mighty forces of Christendom in the
big cities work together in the spirit
of witnessing for the truth by all the
forms of testimony that can reach
mankind. Baltimore American.