Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-08-15
BISHOP GAMBLERS MESSAGE

because they cared for Him, but be-
cause they wanted to be fed. They
had no hungering and thr1sting after
righteousness, but desired nothing
Jesus declined to be used as a chief
butler to provide dainties for them,
and refused to supply another NOR
sci to crafty their appetites. Where
upon many turned away, and walk
ed no more with Him." But he did
not seek to recall them by any con-
cessions to their carnal lusts. In
Him they found nothing that they
desired, and He had no desire to
serve them as a mere caterer.
Some preachers and some churches
are dreadfully afraid of losing the
crowd" and seem ready to submit the
claims of Christianity to a popular
vote. But if a crowd comes to church
simply to be amused, 1t is lost al
ready, without regard to whether 10
comes or goes. If the multitude
does not propose to accept Christ
what difference does 1t make where
| it goes? And If man will not ac-
cept Christ unless he is offered with
can the church dishonor Its Lord by
purchasing patronage for him with
| shoW-tickets?
Surely men are forgetting what
the church exists for. 1t is not In
the earth simply to lengthen its roll
of members and serve earthly ends.
1t is the representative of Christ in
the world and His witness among
men. 1t may do many things out
of pity and sympathy for the needy
thing simply to curry favor and Sc"
cure a popular following.
The voice Of the church may not
be heard crying the sale Of sacred
things in the market place: Rather
let it fee the multitude who, would,
thus degrade it to the level of a
huckster, and with the authority of
the prophet of the wilderness cry.
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven
is at hand"
The church of the living God can
not submit to being ordered around
by the world and required to bring
to men this amusement, or that
pleasure, on pain of being neglect-3
ed by them. if it fail to do as they
ton of authority among men,. and
may not accept a place of subser-
vience to their whims.
But we will be told, The times
demand these things of the church.
and the spirit of the age cannot be
resisted" What has the church to
do with the demands of the times,
or with the spirit of the age? The
church speaks out of the eternl-
ties. The spirit of the age is one
of vain conceit and vanity. when it
assumes to order morsels of religion
favored to suit it's taste, and threat
ems the church with rejection unless
the orders are filled.
From what source has this age
derived this wisdom or the authority
necessary for amending Christiani-
ty? How much better Is 1t than
the age of which st. Paul said to
the Roman Christians, Be not con-
formed to this age, but be we. trans
formed by the renewing of your
minds?"
Christ's church is not a time-serv.
er, and when any preacher, or con-
gregation consents, to occupy the
place Of a time-server, our Lord is
thereby dishonored and renounced.
1t is time for this egotistic age to
find out that Christ and His church
are quite above It's commands. The
Carpenter of Nazareth is not going
to turn aside from his royal rule to
erect dancehalls and play-houses, in
order to win the consideration OF
people who refuse to be saved I'M
less they are also amused at tho
same moment.
Community service" with music
and dancing and plays, may serve
some ends, but it has not the remot-
est connection with the salvation OF
souls and the upbuilding of the king
dom Of God. The redemption Of the
world from sin is too serious mat
ter to be mingled with frolics and
fun.
AS Amiel puts the matter most
correctly, religion and amusement
are distinct genres"