Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-04-16
Men Want the Gospel in
These Distressing Times
By BISHOP W. A. cANDLER

In the lurid light of horrible war,
which was brought to pass by the loss
of faith and the remuneration of moral
principles by the German leaders
thoughtful men are perceiving as never
before the supreme importance of the
Christian religion.
Recently Hon. Henry Watterson, the
able and distinguished editor of the
Louisville Courier Journal, pointed out
that the real issue Of the war in Europe
is Christianity, and that in compariso.
democracy is a side issue. In power
full statements and irrefutable argu-
ments, he set forth this solid and
solemn fact most clearly and convinc-
ingly.
Now comes the Wall Street Journal
with a strong editorial presenting an
other side OF the same truth. The editor
says:
More than three years ago it
was said in these columns that
the spiritual influence of the war
would have an enormous effect upon
mankind and that 1t would mean
revival of religious belief in it's
best and humblest application. 1t
should hardly be necessary to say
in a newspaper which frankly APP
. peals to business men that such
development is of the most pro-
found business Importance.
"It was remarkable how the Ger
man faint had spread among our
clergy of all denominations except
the Catholic and perhaps the Jew.
Materialism, the German substitute
for the God we spiritually conceive,
took the form of what was called
higher criticism 1t reduced Chris
tianity to a mere philosophy, in
ferior to many others of which the
world has had experience. 1t de-
MED the divinity of Christ and it
created a god for itself, which was
about the sort of god which might
be represented by Hegel or even
the kaiser himself, plus omnipo-
tence.
But we are coming back to the
humber view where we recognize
ourselves as creatures and not as
partners with the Creator. We are
learning that death is a little thing
in life. and that the length of life
is of the smallest Importance when
compared with the way We live 1t.
We are beginning to bear our bur-
dens by sharing them. II The dis
tribution is unequal We shall learn
better as time goes on.
I'VE are learning that when GOO
in His Judgment and infinite Wis
dom lays a burden upon our shout
ders, He always places His hands
beneath the burden to steady IT.
We may so live that we only feel
and resent the burden. But the
war can teach us we can so live
bo4 only feel the Hand"
These are wholesome words, which all
good men. including both preachers and
laymen should lay to heart.
The churches ought never again to be
used for exhibiting in the pulpit sec
ond-hand preparations of German ra-
tionalism. by their fruits We shall
know Them" said Jesus, with reference
to false prophets, and by it's fearful
fruits German rationalism stands con-
demned before the world. 1t has brought
forth death and destruction.
Fortunately for the south, this vile
stuff was not put forth in many south
ern pulpits, but it blighted and blasted
the spiritual life of the men and women
whom it touched. In the north 1t was
far more prevalent and pernicious. But
in no section of our country has 1t ever
attained general acceptance, and 1t Is
we'll 4OE Tic llOh .sNAAoN ~ - ~ -
discreditedy
However. it fingers in certain wealthy
owned and controlled by
self-perpetuating boards of trustees who
are responsible to neither church nor
state. Unless a constraining public opin-
ion drives it from these educational
It will send forth its cor
rupting influences again when the war
has passed. It behooves such able and
papers as the Louisville
Journal and the Wall Street
Journal to make war upon it in these
entertainments.
Moreover. business men of intellec-
tual ability should consider that, as the
Wall Street Journal intimates, this is
matter "of profound business i'm
portance." The commercial world can
not prosper in default of morality, and
cannot survive in the absence
of a pure religion. This is too plain
for argument. No principle of economics
or business management is more well
settled.
The gifts of the men Of commerce
have enriched the universities from
which has issued this blighting ra-
tionlism, and these institutions will re-
form when these gifts cease and the