The Detroit times., 1915-07-23
|Tsrse Comments on the Uniform
Prayer Meeting Topic VI the
Young Peoples Societies-chrss-
tian enoeavor, ete.-For July 20
"christ In Me-" John t6:t-1t.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS

BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS
Both the grave reviews and the
Sensational magazines are giving ex-
rnordinary attention 10 religion this
year.s The fact il one OF the most
important symptoms OF current liter
hiure. All sorts OF expert and mex
bert pens are undertaking to snalyxe
Ind explain contemporaneous Chris
ianity. And every one of them
treats the faith of the followers OF
Jesus precisely as he would deal
With the philosophy OF Zoroaster or
Buddha, or Confucius. In this. all
these wise commentators miss the
bark entirely. The truth cannot too
bften be stressed. OF too strongly.
hat the Christian religion Is not
here system of philosophy or ethics.
b. Q human organization. The es-
ence of the Christian faith. the mys-
ery beyond words. Is that 1t IL the
ndwslling OF the Spirit Of Christ In
re lives of His disciples. vitalixing
Ind attesting the historic truth OF
slvation through faith. Your mate
ialist would scoff at this. He claims
% deal only with things outwardly
brovable. To him. as 10 the Greeks
bf old, the cross may seem foolish
hess: but over against him rise up
In mcounted host OF Christians.
rom the Apostle Paul down to the
L. Inf m nj a Ia n
vho testify that Christ in them Is
heir hope of glory. With the poet
hey cry.
Closer Is He than breathing,
Nearer than hands or feet"
More real than husband or wife, par
ut or child. friend or companion. 10
esus Christ 10 those who love Him.
To be 'In Christ which Is a
phrase beloved OF 81. Paul. is to have
Christ In us,
Every days newspaper fills us TO
epietion and heart sickness with
tories OF wars might, and OF mill.
ary prowess We are witnessing
he extreme limit OF The boast OF
efa,dry. the pomp OF power II
cience and shell could conquer the
artb, the task would he done while
"a look. Yet before our eyes there
rows another bower above all the
nginery OF war. force 10 which
ings and cabinets and armies are
10 thsa
overefrasy or ihe ideals OF the
nentieth century We are all about
greed that no nation can do vio-
eace 10 the code. OF Christendom
nd prosper Is this not the very
ane spectacle that ancient Rome
ilnessed? Are not the teachings
Jesus quietly. steadily. irresist-
hly asserting their sovereignty over
he forces % armed might and
|orldly sophIstication? The new
hrist.life In the hearts OF small
pmpany OF people changed the
hole character and course of his
Dry. II In doing the same today
M OF this war there is sure to
merge a new God.hunger and a new
od.consciousness. The indwelling
hfe OF Christ Is vcritably King OF
be world.
No speedler. surer program Of
oral reform has yet been discov-
red than the implanting of the mind
Christ in individual men and
omen.
One must 20 TO the writings OF
he Apostle Paul for the clearest
aching OF this highest Christian
uth---and. by the way, II there were
more general reading OF Paul's let
rs there would be less spiritual and
Intellectual confusion among us.
YER and over again. Paufs refrain
mot I, but Christ" His Is the
nging slogan II can do all things
trough Christ which strengthened
e." Again, It r. he who puts into
sentence the biography of
hristian soul: II am crucified with
hrist: nevertheless live; yet not
but Christ liveth In me, and the
re which I now life In the flesh.
We by the faith of the Son OF God.
no loved me, and give Himself for
e."
In and In with Christ, out and out
Christ.
Some of us. In the Joy OF our own
|per;ence, think that this mystic.
rect communion" Is a new discov-
y. The saints OF all centuries have
hown H. It's most perfect express
pn Is to be found In the literature
the Middle Ages. Thomas a
cmpis' limitation Is the priced
votional manual OF Protestants