The northwestern bulletin., 1922-10-07
RELIGION AND THE PRESENT DAY.

More frequently former years complaint
of individuals which formally filled Especially this
able among the falling off in church attendance and the
apathy with which appeals for its support and increase are
Varied reasons are given of interest
que that religion commerczed that appeals
funds take precedence appeals for souls others that
the life made conform nearly enough to the
day life and its doctrines do not help its members to live in this
That condition wide spread affects American
church life generally expressed IN all religious Journals and
leaders everywhere studying to correct it.
The which they believe responsible for it vary but
that the ssenng public the
of the church to be found in the methods OF the church
itself.
of the utterance along this line that of DR.
Chas A. Ewood writes in the Southwestern Christian Re
cord under date of August oath as follows:
he crisis the religious world has been brought about by
failure existing religion adapt itself to the two outstand
ing facts civilization and democracy The church
learn to adapt itself to these two mighty forces which are
building civilization Of these two science is the more out
standing and dominant 1t is the foundation Of our views Of life
and of the well of material and
has largely created the conditions which favored the rise OF mod
democracy Yet the maadJusmen OF religion with science
remains pronounced Often are we assured by one In the
of science that science can find nothing In religion except
while the other hand the OF religion not IN
frequently proclaim outside of the field of science and resent its
scientific evauaton species of sacrege Both attitudes
have made difficult the attainment of rational religion that is
religion with the established facts of human experience
But religion vital element in civilization then the at
tanmen rational ethical religion of the greatest and
fundamental of social needs and nothing could be more
shorghted and stupid than irrational attitude toward
gn whether the part of its defenders of its critics In
reconstruction civilization which face time
hands seeking the development of rational religion
the worlds supreme need.
For shall not be able to construct civilization without
the reconstruction of religion and the first thing to be aimed at
the reconstruction of religion to make rational Science
noted the outstanding and dominating fact modern
civilization religion which adapted to the requirements of
modern life must first of all be adjusted to modern science
religion which not in harmony with modern science cannot
sby remain the religion of the thinking class of the future The
hope for religion for social life generally must lie in fol-
lowing reason, not in thwarting it."
Certainly religion like science has been determining factor
civilization and it must continue to be-
Those direct destines may well study make eff
it's service of the people of this day and time
TIL difficulties which meets greater than those
of former times.
People less lacking soul than in former times
They be reached They be interested They be
converted that the church. the medium through which the
to this service will become prominent in their affections
But this condition maintain only church leaders study
to efficiently the needs of this day. Dallas Express