Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-09-04
The Old Sun VIII
Still Shine, and Old
Faith Still Soothe
By Bishop w. A. Gambler


of the parable in which Jesus said. The
kingdom OF heaven is like unto leaven.
which a woman took. and hid in three
measures OF meal. till the whole was
leavened" (Matthew xiii:33.)
Leaven hidden in three measures OF
sand or sawduSt would not leaven the
whole. On the contrary, IL would be
spoiled and its leavening quality de-
stroyed- II has no adaptation 10 sand or
sawdust: but IT has such q power when
placed in meal. so that II converts the
whole mass into something akin TO it.
self
In like manner Christianity is adapted
10 humanity. II is such truth, and il
conveys such saving grace. that sin
ming and sofrowing world finds in II
a remedy for it's ills. and thereby II
spreads from soul TO soul. This fact Is
the exclamation of the early spread OF
the religion Of Christ IN the first CEN
fury. and also OF its present and pros
pective power in the world.
All other religions are marked by in
creasing feebleness, and show signs OF
perishing at no distant day Bud
dhisn. Brahminism and Mohammedan-
ism are dying systems. They may sur
vive many years. but they are doomed
They have never been able to travel be-
yond the lands which gave them birth.
and II the human race has before IL any
such thing as moral progress. they will
be left behind as the Outworn supersti-
lions of benighted times But Chris
tianity is spreading TO all lands and per-
vading all nations. II before the human
race there shines any promise Of prog
ress. this light of hope is kindled by
the religion OF Christ
II the light of this religion were ex-
~nNf gnr
alright mankind. II is the last and
only hope of the race.
II is adapted to the deepest wants OF
humanity and satisfies it's noblest and
highest aspirations TO Christ has been
applied the prophetic title. The De-
sire of All Nations" and the words do
not exaggerate the spiritual power which
inheres in Him and his salvation.
History witnesses to this fact. Even
Renan is forced by the facts Of the case
to say, The memory Of his life has
been like the perfume Of another world.
and all history is incomprehensible
without Him"
The very dates of the world do Jesus
reverence. The folding doors of ancient
and modern history are inscribed re-
spectively. Before Christ" and Ammo
Dominf',-"B c" and a D." The an
Gent world went 10 sleep in his cradle
and the modern world rose out OF his
grave
Men may in gay and giddy days turn
away from Christianity, but in days OF
darkness and distress they must turn
back 10 Christ or walk into deeper gloom
and ultimately into utter despair.
This IS exemplified in the case OF Mr..
n G. Wells. who. after years OF doubt. is
now trying to find his way back to light.
His recent books show him still cropping
amid shadows but he is at least moving
toward the light His god is scarcely
more than a deiied mist, in which he
sees a great figure. as the childish mind
makes mighty figures OF monsters and
demigods out of the clouds floating
above its head. But Mr.. Wells has
shown beyond all question that he may
make a complete return to which here
tofore he has accepted and proclaimed.
He must have a god, even if his god
be a creature OF his own making; and
in manufacturing a deity for his soul he
shows a disposition TO initiate, although
somewhat grotesquely. the God of Chris
tianfty. These dreadful days of a war
worn and war-tora world force him to
renounce his former faithlessness- 1t
is to be hoped that he may make a
complete return to Christ; and such may
be the case II his life is extended some
what beyond the years common to men
In any event. his case reveals that
skepticism has no adaptation to human
needs. and is doomed by reason of its
lack Of this quality which so strikingly
characterizes Christianity. There is
nothing in doubt to soothe the sorrow
ing soul. and the deathless lodgings Of
the human heart are fully met only by
Christ and his salvation.
Wherefore said Matthew Arnold, ITO
the Bible men will return: and why?
Because they can not do without il. Be-
cause happiness is our beings end and
aim. and happiness belongs to right
eousness. and righteousness is revealed
in the Bible For this simple reason
men will return to the Bible. just as a
man who tried to give up food, think
ing II wa sa vain thing and he could do
without il. would return TO food; or a
man who tried to give up sleep. think
ing IL was a vain thing and he could
do without II. would return TO sleep"
Men are talking OF the new era that
will dawn uDOn the world when the war
ends and peace returns. And some have
begun TO talk OF the new Christianity
that will appear"
Doubtless many conditions will be
chAnged. As ancient cathedrals have
been cast down by wars ruthless hand.
ruin. But the old faith will not pass
away. The old sun is still shining.
though the fields Of France and Belgium
are torn by shot and shell; and. under
his warm beams. trees and flowers will
spring up again and cover with verdure
and beauty the gashes made by war in
the wounded hills and valleys. In like
manner the old faith will continue to
soothe the sore hearts OF the bleeding
&c.
source Of healing.
In their hours OF deepest need men
and nations must turn 10 Christ as did
St Peter when he cried. Lord, 70 whom
shall we go2 Thou hast the words of
eternal life" John vi:6S.)
A Cnristless world would be a COM
fortress world. The modern man could
not endure 10 live In IT.
Our world must be a Christian world
or II will soon be no world at all. a
Confucian world. or a Buddhist world
or a Mohammedan world, is impossible
almost inconceivable-
Christianity alone can restore the
bruised world that will emerge from the
war. And there Is no hope Of an endur-
ing peace TO follow the war unless the
principles OF Christianity dominate the
thought and control the conduct Of the
nations.
And be II said that no emascuiated
Christianity will meet the needs of the
modern world. stout faith IS required
IN restrain and direct the strong world