Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-07

In the imperfcction OF human nature
All ages OF the worlds history have
evidenced disposition on tine part Of
mankind to wander away from those
teachings which constitute the text OF
their political and religious creeds. So
universal Is this tendency that at times
ooih church and nation seem TO have
wondered so far aside from the course
originally marked out for them as to
nave thoroughly alarmed faithful
teachers in the church, on the one
hand. and Of wise and patriotic states
men On the other. who have spared
neither voice nor labor in the effort TO
arrest such backsliding and to keep
10 the old and safe paths.
In the lesson the prophet Is appeal
ing to the church. which had wandered
away from the ordinances of God. and.
IN SO doing. brought upon the people
OF israel the numerous calamities they
had suffered, and urging 1t to set up
again the waymarks OF old and make
them SO plain that all might see and
hold TO the true course; set thine
heart" pleads the prophet, toward
The highway. even the way which thou
wcntcst"
We hear much discussion nowadays
concerning the futility Of church effort
TO reach the masses and bring them TO
true appreciation Of the great up
lifting truths Of Christianity. Not only
SO. but the charge is frequently made
from the pulpit that there liz = degree
of disloyalty Oh the part of the mem
bcrship that Is alarming both in it's
dccadent effect upon the church Itself
and in It's repellent influence upon
those outside OF the church.
CHURCH MUST RECOVER
IT'S SPIRITUAL POWER
There Is u cause for this other than
the weakness Of human nature which
manifests itself in the tendency ailud-
ed to in the outsct-what is 1t?
when Christ entered upon His earthly
ministry He found the church largely
bereft of spiritual power and. consc-
quently. without that vitalizlng inGu-
ence upon mems lives which such
power carries. Its worship was a mere
formality.
Preaching the Fatherhood OF God and
the brotherhood of man, He in the be-
ginning OF His ministry appointed. be-
sides the chosen twelve. seventy other
disciples also. and sent them two and
TWO before HIS face into every city and
place. whittier He Himself would come
and the keynote OF the message they
were TO deliver was Peace"
The record states that when the
seventy returned from their mission.
they returned agaiv with JOY. saying,
Lord. even the devils are subject unto
us through Thy name"
Through His name. Alas. how many
claiming TO be His disciples neglect
to invoke the power it carries to the
subduing Of evil
when the Mission OF Christ upon
earth had been completed and lie had
established vital faith in God He de-
HNcreu TO the apostles what is appro-
prsately termed the Great COMMITS.
sion: Go yc therefore, and teach all
nations baptiz!nE them in The name Of
ln E'if D.
HOLY Ghost: teaching them to observe
AL things whatsoever have command
cd you: and. 10" tihark we'll the words)
am With you always. even unto the
end OF the world. Amen"
TEACH NOTHING BIT WHAT
III; HAS COMMANDED
Iha' was the commission; nothing
more. nothing less. Is IL being carried
out! are those who teach in His name
teaching all things whatsoever He has
commanded them and naught beside!
II so. there ought TO be no mournful re-
ports as TO results. but they should be
able 10 announce with JOY. even the
devils are subject unto US through Thy
name"
Now as to the cause for the lack of
spirituality when Christ entered upon
His ministry. lie very plainly locates
1t: Woe unto YOU, lawyers. for yc
take away the key OF knowlcdGc: We
entered not in yourselves, and them
that were entering in were hindered."
And so IL has been throughout the
history of the church. The backslid-
inEs OF the people have always been
preceded by unfaithfulncss on tho
part OF their teachers Hear the charge
of faithful Zephaniah: Tier prophets
are light and treachcrous persons; her
priests have polluted the sanctuary
they have done violence to the law"
Are not some OF our churches in
preaching outside OF the broadcast in
depreciation OF the Divine Commission
following after strange lovers? If so.
let them hear the testimony of Hosea
And she shall follow after lovers. but
she shall not overtake them: and she
shall seek them but shall tnot find
them; then shall she say. ! will 20
and return to my first husband: for
then was IL better with me than now"
Heaven grant that the wandcrlust
which is now consuming the spiritual
ity of many churches in the land and of
the individuals connected with them
and destroying their influence for good,
may soon be overcome. and that those
who have strayed beyond the way
marks may heed the admonition of the
prophet: Set thine heart toward the
highway, even the way which thou
wentest; turn again. O virgin of Israel.
turn again n these tbr c;t;a.,,