The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1921-06-09
1.-THE ONE TRUE RE-CONSTRUC-
TI0N~

HUN
1t is evident from passing events
and from our current literature that
thoughtful minds everywhere are
thoroughly alive to the fact that the
after-war-world is in a very pitiful
condition, and that "all the founda-
tons are out of course" Some even
go so far as to assert that, in their
opinion, the whole of our boasted civ
ilization Is hopelessly astray and that
the situation is past redemption.
Meanwhile q Kindred schemes are sug-
gested for the reorganization and re-
construction of human life and socie-
ty, and for the healing OF the mani
fold ills of the nations. But IL is
a curious and significant circumstance
that none of these schemes recognize
that one fundamental truth or prin-
ciple which lies at the foundation of
the Christian civilization and upon
which alone a true and enduring re-
construction can be built up. These
very schemes are, perhaps, the moss
striking confirmation of the fact, vag-
uely but increasingly admitted, that
we have slipped back into paganism
and that the world is still far from
learning the lessons which God would
seem to be teaching 1T. The very root
principle, surely, upon which our
Christian civilization has been built
up. is the recognition of the fncon-
trovertible truth that human life has
a tra~nscendental purpose and that the
authority by which that dife is to be
ruled and directed is a divine and not
a human authority. II Is the other
life and the other world which are to
be the objects Of mans serious con-
Germ and activities and to which all
his interests are to be ultimately di-
rected. The entire problem, there
fore, confronting the modern world
turns finally and in reality upon the
most fundamental principles OF reli-
gion and upon the Person OF Jesus
Christ. Was He a divine or a human
person and was His authority a divine
or a purely human one? If the latter
be the case, then, of course, one
scheme of reconstruction is as good
as another and we are justified in
adopting the one which promises the
largest measure of success and of ma
teriaI well-beiny. We then stand on
purely pagan and unitarian ground
and need regard no higher binding
obligations and considerations. The
present life is hen lot a means to an
end, but the end itself, and the law
| which holds sway Is the law OF the
survival of the fttest. 1t the former
is the case, however, Christ is the
Revealer of DDS law and purpose and
Is Himself God as we'll as man, then
one scheme of reconstruction and one
alone becomes thinkable and possible,
II is the one which was brought into
being with rise of Christianity and
which recognizes a law and an auth
ority superior to all human laws and
forms of authority, and laying upon
man the most solemn and binding
obligations.
1T must be evident, therefore, to al
rejecting minds that before we car
seriously consider schemes of recon
struction we must clear the ground by
some logical and accurate thinking
and by reverting to primary and fun
damental truths and principles. But
~conceding the truth of the point Of
view stated-the tr~anscendental ain
of human life and the divine nature
of Christ's authority-the present
state of the world and OF mankind
become wholly understandable, anc
Gods manifest visitation Of 1t appears
fully and utterly justified. And, in
deed, it is understandable and justifi,
ed on no other assumption. IL mar
is really destined for another life II
a spiritual world and order, for thu
adaptation to, and training for, which
the present life with all its compiled
ton is designed, and for the attain
ment of which it is the means, ther
man commits the greatest of all Grim
es IL he refuses to labor for this at
tainment and IL he insults God b,
making the means the end. Then Coo
is wholly justified in melting out :,
him such punishment as will brinl
him to his senses and force him bacl
into line with His designs and pur
poses. Then the present misery an,
anguish Of the world are fully an,