The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-03-06
(spccial Die.2atch % West Virginian.l

Especial Dispatch to West EiTginian.j
MoRGANTOWN, w Va. March g.
In addressing the school OF religious
training here. Prof l. NJ. Bristol.
PhD.. OF the West Virginia Univers-
ity, urged the religious leaders 10 Pre-
pare for a5teG-the.Tar conditions by
giving proper attention TO life in this
world by seeking 10 improve all the
working and living conditions in the
community rather tl.2n devoting their
entire time TO the question Of saving
the soul Tor the lie u come. In DIS
cussing the social side OF Sunday
school training. he said IN part:
Love VIII never reign supreme on
earth until there IS greater soc!dl
equality. Sow This is problem OF
economies; problem OF sociology; 4
problem OF education; a problem OF
government. but it Is 20 less r prob-
lem OF religion: and unless our re:ig-
;ouS leaders. our pastors, GU" SuCda"
school teachers, our conGcc-ated. IN
telligenC laymen. understand some OF
these vital social problems and pciIci-
piles. and inspire the people with 4 vis-
ion Of social service and then lead
them N sociM reorganization. Christi
2nit= viii become an ever-decre&s:ng
factor in social progress """%"
IF we would follow Jesus. as
teachers. VIC TauSt be interested IL
men and IN all that conditions tieic
lille. If 50. We shall nave no difficulty
in presenting the social aspects OF the
lesson
But not only should we give social
emphasis to the lesson because sucE
is demanded il one would be in her
mony With the lie and teachings OF
Jesus. but because on.y 50 can we
be true TO human nature, and develop
in its fuIlness the divine possibilities
OF every life.
az used to be taught that man was
conceived and born in sin: but That
was blaSfphemy against the work Of
God. We used 10 be taught and are
sometimes told today that it is natur-
al for the developing child to yield
to the demands Of the lower nature
and become sinful, and then. Iorsooth.
trary to the teachings of Jesus; is
phychologically false, and has come
to be considered a moral heresy and
theological fTctlon. Goodness is as
real an endowment Of man as bad
ness Aitruism is as truly instructive
as selfishness. The fact is that the
new born babe is non-moral as the
term is used in ethics. 1t is neither
good nor bad. The babe has tenGel-
cieS that under normal conditions inn
pell to the good. The child is can
didate; but his election. like that OF
many others, depends largely on cir
cumstances: and it is the business
OF the church and the Sunday school
and the public school-and the whole
community-to 80 organize the forces
that play upon the child's life from
the cradle to the grave as shall tend
to develop the very best Of which that
immortal soul is capable. and make 1t
world
Thus the teacher should emphasize
the social aspects OF the lesson for
the good OF the scholar. The problem
of holding our boys in Sunday school
would be largely solved if our teachers
knew how to give proper social en-
phasis to the lesson and then organize
their class for service. And what
would this mean to the Sunday school
and to the church.
"The hope OF the church is not In
the conversion OF adults, nor even in
the conversion OF children in the gem
orally accepted meaning OF the term.
The hope OF the church Is in such
moral and religious education OF our
children as shall Issue in definite
decision on the part OF each to lpS
his life with the eternal life OF God
as revealed in Jesus the Christ, and
to cooperate with God. under the lead
ership Of Jesus, In Bringing the KING
dom Of God on earth.
The religious leadrS who are clos
- to tho: heart @ the ;WlEz glt1a1t4oR44