The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-05-17
Criticisms Of the Church
BY THE REV. L, E MuRRA,


It is our purpose to discuss briefly
but frankly some of the charges made
against the church. If all the charges
are true and the church does not i'm
mediately begin a reformation, then
the church is failure. If the church
fail, upon what agency can our Chris
tan civilization depend for rescue
from the peril which threatens? Prac-
teal statesmen are looking to the
church for answer to the world ap-
peal. Col. House has said: There
can be no permanent peace unless tho
church can Christianize international
relationships" There is a great task
before the church today There is no
other agency upon which We can de-
pend. II the church fail, then truly is
our civilization imperiled. Will the
church fail?
Let us notice first the charge that
the church has abandoned the mass /.
es" for the "elasses" shat the church
is not in sympathy with the laboring
man-that the church is the rich mans
club-that they whom the Master
scourged from the temple are given
the chief seats-places of honor by the
church Of today. There probably car
not be given sweeping denial to this
general charge of the attitude of the
modern church, nor can we give un-
qualified assent to this most serious
charge. 1t is the most serious charge
made against the church, for, il it be
true, then the church of today is not
the church of Christ.
The state church of Europe did
serve the state, or the government. It
raised no voice Of protest against op-
preston. 1t had no word of sympathy
for the oppressed. Political and econ
omic wrongs were unrebuked. The
toiling masses found no advocate In
the church for justice and righteous
ness in the industrial world. The
masses were alienated from the
church. Many immigrants from those
European countries have brought with
them a deep-rooted prejudice against
the church. Much of the actual hos
tility manifested here is from this
source. American 1aboring men are
not, as a rule, hostile to the church
They are the churchs chief support
They direct the activities of the
church. The membership of the aver
age church is largely composed of la
boring men and their families. The
church of Christ in America is very
democratic institution. In the services
of the church all meet on common
| level and sit at the same table and
mingle In social equality.
The pulpit today is preaching the
social Gospel as never before. 1t is
not generally true that the rich re-
ceive special recognition. There may
be exceptions. There probably are
churches that seek distinction in this
way and glory in it. But they are the
exception. The words of Jesus, "One
is your master, all We are brethren"
find frequent echo in the message OF
the pulpit today. A cheap dollar or
social aristocracy is as contemplate
to the average minister Of the Gospel
as it is to the intelligent, self-respect-
ing laboring man. And yet many la
boring men are Indifferent to the
church. The great labor leaders are
working hand in hand with the church.
They are preaching the same Gospel.
Raymond Robins recently said in
great religious convention, Demo
cracy cannot live without a vital Chris
tian conscience" He also said, "The
Christian church, after all is said and
done, is the supreme guardian of the
Christian conscience"
We cannot say that the church has
been as aggressive as it should have
been. 1t has too often manifested a
greater concern for its own comfort
than for that of suffering humanity.
1t has often been more concerned
about creeds than deeds. 1t has jeal-
ously guarded its ritual and ceremony
and has neglected the "weightier mat
ters-justice, mercy and faith" It
has dissipated its energies in contro-
versies and missed opportunities for
service. 1t has been impotent because
Of its divisions. But the church has
discovered its weakness. 1t has ear
nestly set about correcting these evils.
1t will overcome present handicaps. Il
will accomplish the reformation need
ed. 1t will unite for the common task
Under the rightful leadership of Christ
and the religion of Jesus will be tho
religion of the church and OF the
world.