The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1921-07-21

NteTetuts 'Nt"ut' TvptNrVutiHH WV
church. which dealt with those un-
conventional ideas that have such
vitality in our time. IL may be said
that all such unconventional people
should be ignored by the church, that
we need not be bothered much about
them. but !, is worth while TO remem-
Der that while Christian scholars have
allowed themselves 10 be hemmed in
by orthodoxies Of creed. convention.
and authority. even the most liberal
accepting formal restrictions, Zee
teachers % the type 81 Bakunin and
Nietzche. not TO mention many 9TH
ers. have been shaping the religion.
or the irreligion. Of a great part ~
thinking Europe. Revolutionary
thinkers and leaders, whose very
names so-called Christian leaders
have hardly though, /, worth while
TO know. are discovered now 10 have
been influential in ways and depths
quite unforeseen. II Christian teach
ing ever had even n scmblancc %
chance Of struggling with atheis,ic in
fuences for profession Of the soul Of
young Europe. II was due largely TO
the limitations Of the atmosphere
and environment Of so-callcd CHRIS
,ian thought"
Few will deny that these serious
sentences contain much truth. though
many will not accep, all that is said.
All will agree with the editor that
religion ough, to come on, in the
open and give and take with the 9TH
er interests Of life. A thing which
asks for dominance and claims TO be
all-important, as does religion. must
no, shrink from the white light Of
elimination. refuse the ,hrus,s Of
criticism or ask for any exemption.
But il should be borne in mind. on
the other hand. that religion in it,
essence is intangible. I, can no, be
measured or weighed. The scalpel
does not reveal what Is sought a il
generally does when the surgeon
goes probing into the human body
Proof canno, always be furnished be-
cause religion has to DO with the
emotions
Here is fundamental principle IN
religion which is at times alluring
10 the religious worker and a, other
times utterly discouraging. !, i true
that conduct Is visible and measur-
able, in n way. though much con
duet i known only to a compare.
lively few. Besides. conduct in mos,
Of Us is frequently such an admiN-
ture Of good and bad that II il dif-
ficult 20 decide whether good or bad
is dominant. But wha, had in
mind 10 say was that while we view
with pleasure and hope the DISPOSE
ton Of the modern church 20 claim
no exemptions in the hurly-burly Of
life, the disposition TO consider the
attitude and thought Of the most
radical and antagonistic. this dispose.
ton on the part Of some church lead
ers at least is not altogether new.
And in confederation OF this state
ment would bring TO the readers
mind a very interesting event in the
life Of Alexander Campbell.
One hundred years ago Campbell
was the outstanding leader in a re-
formatory movement whose chief
tenets were Christian union and the
restoration Of apostolic doctrine and
practice 20 the church Of today. Out
Of this movement has grown the body
Of Christians known as the Disciples
Of Christ. body numerous and in.
iluential in the states about the geo
graphical and population center Of
the United States. Campbell's tai
ents and work have never received
due recognition from the religious
world. feel. but that il merely an
aside.
About 1884 Campbell visited New
York City. Robert Richardson. his
biographer. relates some Of the
events which characterized that visi,
az follows:
while here, he (CampbelD adj
dressed numerous skeptics Of the city
az Tammany Hall and Concert Hall
on several occasions. obtaining a very
respectful hearing and making pro-
found impression. At the close. Mr.
Often. in behalf Of one Of their So
cieties. presented him with the fol-
lowing thank-oifering.
'Sir: The trustees and members
Of the society Of Moral Philanthropy
lists tof which ! am also a member)
have deputed me TO present 10 you
their thanks for your friendly visit
TO Tammany Hall. being highly pleas
ed with the splendid talents they have
witnessed, connected with erudition
. L