The Evening Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1917-1920, 1920-04-27
~NOT BY BREAD ALONE

NUT B1 BREAD ALONE"
The most daring program ever out
lined by Christian leaders IS in pro
gress. The awakening of the church
es has come to a climax in the Inter
church World campaign launched q
few months ago. The churches have
long been criticised FOR being behind
the times. Much criticism has been
just, but often it has been made by
those who stood on the outside.
The church now appears to be
cleansing itself of sectarianism and
putting on strength by uniting its re-
sources for the teaching of Christian
ity.
Economic reasons alone are suffi-
cient to show the benefits of Chris
tianity Theodore H. Price, who some
years ago startled the world by his
Herculean effort to corner the cotton
market makes a strong appeal an
The Outlook, of March 3, 20 hard
headed business men. He urges an
acceptance and pratice of Christian
ity to save the world from Bolshevisrn.
He shows that in the lands and among
the peoples that compose Christen-
dom, self government has attained 4
higher development; science has had
a greater. advance; wealth has in
creased more rapidly: life has been
made more comfortable; there is less
disease and misery, and higher de-
gree of physical well being than any
where else"
Quoting former Secretary of State
Lansing that "the reconstruction of
society is the mighty task of the
church." Mr.. Price produces this ar
gument:
mo one knows, but from the low
standpoint of self-interest alone the
experiment seems worth the effort and
the cost II will involve. The people of
the United States pay about $1,000
100000 a year for insurance against
fire. casualty, dishonesty. accidents at
sea and the other hazards to which
they or their property are exposed.
This does not include ordinary life in
surance, for which another 100000
900 or more is paid.
1T is asserted that a universal ac-
ceptance of the Christian relig ION will |
not only insure us against the losses |
of d sorder. strife, andwar. but that it |
will prevent them. The cost of the |
great war now ended has been esti-
mated at 1887 .G46, ,179.657 by Professor
Bogart, of the University of Chicago.
The losses caused by the 3,1S1 strikes
and lockouts reported in the United |
States in 1918 are estimated at more
than s2,OOO.OOO,OO
"It is impossible to specify the hun
dreds of ways in which economic loss
and waste would be avoided if the |
Christian religion ruled the life of
Christepdom. The total sum saved
would be so enormous that the war
debt would seem trivial beside it; and |
to the economist or the business man
the vision of a thoroughly Christian
ized world ought to be so enhancing |
that he would be willing to waive all
his theological quibbes, dismiss his
doubts, and devote himself whole
heartedly and unreservedly to its re-
alization."
But in addition to economic reasons
why the church should be re-organiz-
ed to more efficiently perform its
function of teaching Christian ideals
is the truth that there are higher
things in life than food and clothing
and other material objects. 1t is as
true today as when it was first utter
ed that nan shall not live by bread |
alone"
The restoration and practice OF
is the heed of the world
today. The great leaders OF the
church are accepting the challenge |
and the gigantic movement which has |
been launched is to create a sense OF
on the part Of every per-
son for the sacred gift Of life.