The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-03-19
Religion Only Cure
For Social EUiis

Lesson March 20. quarterly re-
view.
When a teacher approaches tho
teaching Of the quarterly review he
naturally feels called upon TO call
to his aid all the talent available.
lie may have the lessons OF the
quarter firmly fixed in his mind, but
when 1t comes TO speaking of them
as bunch, he Is apt to seek for
somebody who has already formu-
lated such an inclusive view for it
takes more time and study to deal
with review than for "A specific
lesson. As time is a great element
Ia the making up OF a modern daily
newspaper. the writer may be OK
cused IL he enlists the services OF
his good friends, Drs. Brown and
Eaches. in planning out a presenta-
tion Of the comprehensive study laid
out for this day. Like an old-time
editor we used to know who was an
expert with the scissors, we have
found that these men have said
what they wanted to say in Just as
good language as we could have
done It. and we hope our readers
will agree with us.
The Individual Citizen.
Social teachings cannot be sep
arated from personal teachings, for
we cannot have a good society or a
good nation without good indi-
viduals. This Is not to be disputed,
although many who think they are
good people and Jealous for the
prevalence of righteousness hold TO
the vicious practice of trying to
right nation 'or a community by
surrounding them with restrictive
laws calculated 10 force thousands
into rightdoing. IL is the individuals
who make up the nation or the COM
munity, and the nation and the
community will be Just as good, and
no better. than the average of It's
citizenship. The place to reform is
with the Individual, and no lasting
betterment was ever accomplished
by methods of coercion. You may
regulate a mans outward conduct,
but he will not really be a better
man until you have reached his soul
and corrected his motives, and only
the grace of God. not the laws of
man. can ever accomplish that refor-
nation. You may plant the seed of
righteousness, but to God alone is
the power OF making Il spring into
frultage.
Leaders In Social Service.
The social teachings Of the quar-
ter's lessons point out the way
good people will live together and
warn against the way wicked people
live together. They declare that re-
lig.on must be proven by daily con-
duct in the home, in business and
in the community. Those who treat
others cruelty or unjustly are unjust
or cruel in their hearts. On the
other hand, those who are really
good will treat other people well.
There is not and cannot be any re-
ligion II it Is not predicted on the
golden rule. If those prophets were
living today they would be called
leaders in social service and social
reform. and they might receive a lit
tie better treatment than they re-
ceived in their day, for, although
wickedness in high places still dom
mates over mdny aspects OF life,
there is vet evidence that society
has made some progress In its ideals
and practices since their time.
Men OF the Hour.
1t is great mistake to think of
the prophets whom we have been
studying as merely Projectors of flu
ture events. They were rather men
of the times giving a message for
I.gfy aF hA auN g.F
the prophets. Elijah and Elisha
left no literary work; they were men
OF affairs. standing by great moral
principles and opposing social
wrongs. In their functions they diff
fercd from the priesthood. which
dwelt in conformity with the ritual
OF the Old Testament The prophets
minimized this ritual and empha-
sized the right heart in worship and
In Gods service. Outspoken in their
utterances, standing unafraid before
kings and rulers, announcing Gods
laws. reproving violations of them,
urging to repentance, they were
raised up to meet emergencies In
the spiritual life Of the nation. The
greatest work, after all, for human
teachers is the application Of the,
laws of heaven to life on the earth.
Irrcllglon Brings Chaos.
II was intended that Israel. as a
nation, should he under Gods imme-
diate control. But at the beginning
of the national existence It was de-
cided to break off all fellowship
with Jehovah worship at Jerusalem,
as a political expedlent. Straight
way idOlatry OF the grossest form
took its place and piety gave way to
impurity and immortality. As piety
disappeared from the northern king
dom. social unrighteousness devel-
opcd. on a large scale We see I'm