The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-02
CHRISTIANITY
And LITERATURE
The Rev. West Delivers Brilliant
Address Showing How the Two
Are Related

<10dEGSS 0nOWAn6 LlON the Two
Are Related
The lecture of the Rev. c. 2. West
on christianity and Literature" In
the course on Christian World Demo
cracy at the Normal School attract
ed SO much comment that the Free
Press secured 1t for publication
P Caspar Harvey of the Normal
faculty who has charge of this course
told the Free Press this week: 'tThe
lectures on the course on Christian
World Democracy by the priests and
pastors of Hays have been especially
interesting to the Normal students.
These lectures will be continued dur
ing the summer school as we'll May /
not ask the Free Press to publicly
express our appreciation to the Rev.
C. F. West, the Rev. FIR. Dominic,
the Rev. FIR. Gilbert, the Rev. Gerritt
the Rev. A. S. Hale for their assist
ance and inspiration In the work"
The brilliant address of Mr. Wiest's
is published in full as follows:
The world took its greatest single
step forward when language was in
vented. There is nothing in human his
tory that equals this achievement in
Importance. Civilization is impos-
sible without it. Among beings cap
able of language the simplest as well
as the profoundest facts in the uni
verse must be interpreted and passed
on. They will be interpreted some
how. They are here to be inter
preted. We are here to interpret
them. Language must be employed
for this purpose. Words, carefully
defined, accurately used, and COM
monty understood, are the mightiest
medium for the communication of
ideas. Through such commerce, or
trade in ideas, the race generalizes
its experiences, and through its Lit
eratures aims to put its findings with
in reach of all. 1t is the true leaven
IL the lump of the world. All educa-
ton depends upon such antecedents.
Language is the basis of litera-
ture. Literature covers the entire
record of human knowledge, having
in view its preservation, dissemina-
ton, and appreciation. Through lit
erature, as written art, the seeking
and developing human spirit tries to
express its inner self, to record its
conquests, to immortalize its labors,
and to perpetuate its influence.
1. Christianity has literature of
its own.
Religion depends upon Literature
The imperishable teachings of Reli-
gion are committed to literary forms
and are promulgated by the same. Al
though the 'letter killeth," Christian
ity is, in a sense, a Nbook religion" !"
We cannot think of Christian
ity apart from a book We can
not discuss our subject apart from
''The Book" 1t is the Christ and the
Christianity of the Bible we are try
ing to account for in the general tone
of the new culture that is coming to
bless the world. Although Christ
Himself, wrote nothing, His works
| nd precepts had to be recorded. He
knew that without such record, hum
-Iy speaking. He would soon De for
gotten, His kingdom, though mot
of this world" would have no propa-
| ganda, and His work would perish.
| Truths unrecorded and unrelated are
| like society without organization,
without purpose. He said, Heaven
and earth shall pass away, but My
| Words shall not pass away"
The Bible as Literature Is unique.
/ It has a history not unlike that of
/ other collections of books. A con-
| temporary literature sprang up all
along the way. But many years
passed before these writings were
| sifted from other inferior writings
| and finally arranged in their present
form and order. These writings were
in the form of records, poems, let
tiers, etc, but somehow though local in
origin, they met a universal need II
was many years before they acquired
the sanctity of inspired writings; but
now for nearly nineteen centuries
| they have been the Standard Litera-
ture of Christianity.
| 1 say standard literature" advis-
edly. Today in profane literature we
have standard authors. Their liter
ary merit has been established. By
a certain superiority in diction, beau
ty of style, and permanence of inter
est, they maintain their position 1T
the world of letters. They have sur
vived because they are the highest
sliterary products of the race. So the
books of the Bible are the standard
spiritual writings of a spiritual peo-
pie A different genius presides over
the activities of these authors, human
though they be. The Holy Spirit
whatever our theory of inspiration
has brooded over intellect, affection
and will of lawgiver, scribe, prophet
poet, evangelist and apostle, unit
1