The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1918-03-29
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
WHAT OF ITS FUTURE?


elapsed after this world war began
before there was presented to our
vision picture so horrible it hardly
seemed that it could be true.
1t appeared that hell had broken
loose and that millions of evil spirits
had become incarnate in human form
and were going about the earth COM
hitting atrocities and acts of cruelty
beyond belief.
In the face of this awful picture we
heard it said on every hand, Christian
ity has failed!
The war has been going on for one
year, two years, three years, and now
it is in the fourth year. And another
picture is presented before our eyes.
In it we see millions of men and wo-
men who are exemplifying in their
daily lives, in tho most commonplace
fashion, characteristics and qualities
which command the admiration of the
world.
First of all is a spirit of self-sacri-
flee and unselfshness. Whether it be
on the battlefield on behind the lines,
in the pestilence-ridden district or
among the starving villagers, the
thought is never of self, but always Of
the other man or wonntn.
We see charity exhib ted, brotherly
love, as it has never been manifested
before. Whenever and wherever hu-
man need appears, the last crust is
cheerfully shared, the last garment is
gladly given to more needy one.
And we see beautiful and countless
examples of humility. Who will for
get the story of the titled Belgian wo-
men? The man in charge of the food
distribution depot in certain Belgian
city needed a number. of women to
work in the depot, scrubbing the
floors, washing the dishes, and serv-
ing the food. He could find none to
perform these mental tasks. He was
directed to the house of noble Bel
gian woman, but it seemed useless to
apply there. However, he was told to
do so, and as he entered he found
gathered a group of titled women,
working diligently, industriously for
their fellow countrymen. He was ask
ed to state his errand. And from that
group there volunteered the necessary
number of women to go to the food de-
pot daily, scrub floors, wash dishes and
do the other mental work required.
This same quality is exhibited as we
see the son of the nobleman bivouac-
irg with the son of the peasant and
each finding that under the coat of
the other beats an honest and manly
heart. The real gentleman and gen.
slewoman in this great host is he or
she who serves best and who serves
most.
And again the characteristics of
generosity is manifested to marve-
lous degree. Many people of means
have long since been giving their en-
tire income and in addition cutting
deep into their principal. Those hav-
ing moderate possessions are making
great sacrifices to meet the demands
made upon them. And the poor, al
ways most generous, are giving their
all.
So, as we look at this picture, we
say, "These people are leading the
Christ.life, their Inspiration comes
from God" Yes, it is true, but many
of them do not know it. We ask, "Of
what church are they?" But the very
thought gives them pause, for they
regard the church as the abode of the
"Better-than-T hous", an organization
In which men and women are gather
ed who profess one thing and from
which they go out to live another. 1t
is, from their viewpoint, an institu-
ton which has little sympathy with
them or understanding of their prob
lens. Donald Hankey speaks of these
people as followers Of "The Religion
Of the Inarticulate." The religion is
expressed in life, not in words.
With renewed faith we turn from
the picture and say with confidence,
christianity has not failed; the
church may have failed, but not Chris
tianity For never in the history of
the world was Christianity a more
vital force in human life than it is
today"
In the presence of this great host
of the followers of the Religion of the
Inarticulate, who, broadly speaking,
did not come forth from the church,
although directly or indirectly all
have been more or less Influenced by
it; many of whom have faced death,
have lived life far worse than death,
have sacrificed their all, we ask,
what of the future of the Christian
Church
Will these people, freed from the
restraint of military discipline, which
numbers of them have been under for
years, released from the high tension
of life, find in the church as it exists
today the leadership, the guidance and
the anchorage which they need and
have a right to expect?
Regretfully we answer, "No." For
the church does not speak their Ian
guage; it does not understand their
needs; it does not sympathize as it
should and must with their problems.
If this be true, one of three things
is inevitable:
First, this unorganized spiritual
force which is silently dominating
millions of lives will not be conserved,
but will die. Such thing is un-
thinkable; it cannot be; it must not be.
For so mighty force, born of blood
shed and suffering, if it can be pre-
served, if it can be nurtured, will more
than repay the world in the days to
come, for the sacrifice and loss of
these awful years.
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