The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-05-31
Criticisms Of the Church
(By The Rev. L. E. Murray

(By The Rev. L. E. Murray
One of the most embarrassing cri-
ticisms of the church and one of the
most persistent is that concerning it's
numerous divisions into competing
seets. 1t is embarrassing because
there can be no denial of the fact
nor of the evil consequences. Along
with this comes the charge that the
message OF the pulpit is still a de-
tense Of party shiboleths and out
grown creeds.'' To this charge We
may enter at least a qualified denial.
We are quite sure that it is not gen
orally true that the pulpit of America
is guilty of this charge. The message
of the American pulpit is rather a per-
sistent appeal for a larger, fuller ex-
preston of the Christian life
But we will not, nor does the church
attempt any defense of its divided con-
dition. It confesses the sin and admits
for this generation a large share of
the responsibility The church of the
past is responsible The church
knows that division is the source Of
its weakness. The failures of the past
and present may be safely charged
10 the sam esource.
The answer to this criticism is
found in the fact that the church does
deplore its divisions. Those who are
acquainted with church activities and
current religious literature know that
the dominant thought in the religious
world today is the question OF re
united church Much has already been
accomplished. The sentiment il favor
of union is almost universal. There
are very few defenders OF present con-
ditions. The leading denominations
have standing commissions on Chris
tan union. Frequent conferences are
held. Many opportunities for cooper
alton have been discovered and uti-
liked. The Federal Council of the
Churches of Christ in America" whose
! social service platform was given last
week has for its ultimate objective
the organic unity Of the church. The
more recent movement known as The
Inter Church World Movement" seeks
to bring all churches and other relig-
ious organizations into cooperation for
more effectively meeting the imme-
date needs of the world IN this period
of reconstruction. 1t will afford an
| agency for cooperation. Its aim Is not
organic unity but harmonious coopera-
ton In these two movements We find
a SUFFICIENT answer TO this most Just
criticism. II the maintenance Of &C.
! clesiastical institutions was largely If
/ not primarily the concern Of the
/ church Of the past 1t shall not be SO
! IN the future. AS a result Of that
policy thousands Of communities are
! overchurched while other thousands
are neglected There is abundant evi-
! dence that the church recognizes the
shame and sin of this condition. The
fruits of repentance are evident IN the
new spirit Of cooperation in which the
church is seriously undertaking the
task Of building up the kingdom Of
God, instead Of UNCONVENTIONAL instt
tutions, In all the world. All the
great Christian bodies are banded to-
gether for the purpose Of evangelizing
the whole of human life. The church
today is more Christian in its doc
| trines, its ethics, and In its preach
ing and practice than in any period
of its history. The church Of the
/ future will be more democratic In its
organization and government. Demon
national rivalries will cease and a
reunited church viii be a dominant
force for righteousness. justice and
peace in all the world.