Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-14
ROCKEFELLER'S CHRISTIANITY

10 }hc Editor Of me Etcuiug Ppbiic Lcdgcr:
Sir-Whcn Doctor Odrll, in the Atlantic
Monthly lil,cucd the degree Of activity OF
the clergy in relation to conditions brought
about by war unto Peter as he sat warming
himself by the fire, YOU made great
Vass Of representative clcrgymcn of various
denominations and gave their attitude wide
publicny.
Now that another man, John u. Rookie
fcllcr. Tr.. writing on "Thc Christian Church
- What of Its Future" suggests that the
church today il concerned with speculation
about tho hereafter rather than with scvcil-
days-a-wcek Christian living. aud that Chris
tiauity may b" found rather outside the
church than in it. will YOU not conduct "a
similar discussion and publish the defense?
In the article referred to Saturday Eve
ming Post, February =, 1879, Mr.. Rockefeller
says that tn" church must he rcorganizod
to meet the present marvellous opportunity;
that this newborn church must pronounce
ordinances, ritual, creed all uonesscntiaL'
and that tits object would he to promote
applied religion, not theoretical religion"
Speaking of the ordinances. Mr. IIocle.
Teller says that Baptism was made the door
of the church by man" but, as he also says.
Christ commanded" it, and can we therefore
believe in the sincerity Of an applicant for
admission to Christs church who refuses
His command?
Jesus founded the Christian church upon
the truth that He Himself is THE Christ tho
Son of the Living Cod" lie ordained the
Lords Supper and commanded it's observ-
ancc saying of the bread. "rakc, eat this is
My body: and Of the cup Drink We all OF
il for this is My blood Of the new tcsta-
ment, which is shed for many for the re-
mission OF sins can say this IL non
essential to the faith Of His followers and
that remission" Of our sins for which lie
shed His own blood is not essential?
Where may we ask, is the unity of those
churches today which rcpudiate ordinances
and creeds, and why expect "Christlan unity
from their multiplication?
Mr. Rockefcllcr's article offers a splendid
opportunity for bringing the viewpoints OF
the several denominations of the Christian
church before the public and the real division
or lack OF unity Will he found to be largely
between those who accept the obligation
Jesus placed upon His followers 10 show I'm
the ordinance His sacrincial death for re-
mission OF their sins, and those who seem
not to believe lie stressed the point even
though lie gave His life for It,
Again, Mr. Rockefeller speaks of "people
who are leading the Christ lfe but many OF
them don't know It," Christian living, how
ever, in its true sense, can only occur as the
result OF Christian faith. for "all our right
eousness IL as filthy rags" when we stand
before our Maker-"there is none righteous.
no, not one"--and IT Is only your faith In
Jesus Christ as our Saviour by the shedding
OF His blood thar win be accounted unto us
for righteousness.
observation-disclosures OF Chrlst-afe those
who accept His sacrifice and obey His com
nands even though blindiy, rather than
those who seek 70 initiate His works Without
cyF fseelyipg the adopfion ef the Hen