The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1915-05-07
BAKE OF PRESENT AGE
Is CONMERCIAl|SM,
SAYS BISHOP GAlOR
IS NOW AND ALWAYS BEEN FOE
OF TRUE DEMOCRACY SAYS
SPEAKER.
CHRISTIANITY NOT A FAILURE
Great European War Only Proves
That Nations Engaged in 1t Are
Only Partially Christian in Feel.
Ing and Sentiment.


The Wednesday evening services
of the Episcopal convention, which is
in session here, was Featured by the
annual address of Bishop Gailor, the
conservation of a class OF twelve by
him, and the redition of an exception
ally beautiful musical program dur
ing the evening.
The bishops sermon was a force
full and telling plea against the COM
mercialism of the age, and an insist
ent declaration that the present war
in Europe did not prove the failure
Of Christianity, as some have assert.
cd.
Bishop Gailor spoke in part as fol.
lows: Brethren, we are living in
stirring, an epoch-making, an apoca-
lyptic time of the worlds history;
and, while | would not venture in a
brief address to discuss fully the ire
mendous questions, which are clam
oring for answer in every thoughtful
mind, there are a few reflections to
which I must invite you.
"And first, | am sure that you all
realize that the terrible war in Eu-
rope does not prove the failure of
Christianity, but rather demonstrates
the fact that the so-called Christian
nations are CITY partially Christian.
and that the application of the princi-
Piles Of the gospel to the individual
relationships only, within racial or
national lines, is but a poor interpre.
tation of our religion. Neither does
the war prove, as recent Roman
Catholic author suggests, that nation
al churches are inconsistent with q
belief in the Kingdom Of God. On the
contrary, maintain, that our Lords
command to the individual, Love
your enemies" was intended to ap-
ply to nations and races, and just as
the individual realizes himself most
truly when he loses his life in SER
vice to his brethren, SO will the nation
justify and ennoble its efficiency by
using it gladly and unselfishly. for
the benefit Of mankind. It IL no con-
tradiction of the truth Of this prin-
ciple, but rather a reinforcement Of
it, that some leaders of nations today
have set up national and tribal gods,
and sent millions Of men to death for
the glorification of racial and ma
tional self-interest. It is not nation
al patriotism, but selfish national pa
, triotism, warning for Its own aggran-
disement, and 1t is denial Of the
kingdom OF God.
"But, secondly, the apologists for
! those, who are the avowed aggressors
in this war, set up the plea, that, II
the war had not been inaugurated,
their nation would have become CON-
mercially injured, If not ruined, by the
gradual and increasing pressure of
competition, under conditions advan.
, tageous to neighboring nations, and
this suggests to me the largest and
most profoundest problem Of the
(, time.
ut is the problem of commercialism
! It is and always has been the enemy
of democracy. Commercialism Is a
habit of mind and conception OF life,
which worships individual success,
and interprets success as consisting
in accomplishing things for ones own
pleasure and advantage, whether by
building up fortune or acquiring
fame or exercising power. 1t has
| created suspicion, disbelief and ha,
tired among employees and employers,
making capital domaneering, urucu-
lent, exacting, and labor often in re-
taliation deceitful undependable and
| dishonest. II has invaded the home
life, inspiring monstrous hypocrisies
! and deceits, justifying marriages
without love, marriages without chill
dren and without intention Of having
children. It has encouraged extrav.
! agance and the love of display, men
living on their nerve or their nerves,
on their ability to borrow of their viii.
lingness to slave. and the wives not
knowing or caring to know where the
money comes from, If only they can
have it to spend"