Arizona republican., 1922-04-09
THE ARIZONA REPUBLICAN, PHOENIX APRIL 1922

interest men find in the study of the
scriptures and applied christianity.
The Christian church is the great
est and most important institution |
on -arth. Many of the renowned |
men quoted have emphasized the inn
portance of the church. We sing:
Like a mighty army moves the
Church of Cod This is not true
Christian churches are largely mark
ing time.
First because of covitousness. The
average church member is only con-
tributing 2 or 5 cents per dollar OF
his income and the great educational
and social work of the church can
not be financed on such meager con-
tributions.
Second. because of secterian pref
udice and the lack of cooperation
among the various denominations.
The allies under their several able
commanders in the Great War were
not able to win till they all united
under the leadership of the great
Christian general. Marshal Foch.
We have become the greatest ma
ton because we are the United
States and because the thirteen colo
MES were able to form federal gov
ernment.
The followers of the Cross must do
likewise. Our Lords prayer must be
fulfilled before his church can be
victorious.
Neither for these only do pray,
but for them also that believe in me
through their word; that they may
all be one even as thou. father, art
in me, and in thee. that they also
may be one in us, that the world
may believe that thou didst send
me-"
Abraham Lincoln said, when any
church will inscribe over its affairs
as to its sole qualifications for mem
bership the Savior's condensed state
ment of the substance of both law
and gospel, Thou shalt love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart. and with
ali thy soul. and with all thy mind,
and the neighbor a 8 thy self. That
church will / join with all my heart
and all my soul
Love and loyalty to Jesus Christ,
will ultimately be the only REQUIRE
ment for membership in any Chrit-
ian church.
The first deciples of the Great
Master followed him because OF love
and loyalty to him. They could NOT
nor can we agree on all theologlcal
and doctrinal questions.
Our salvation does not depend on
doctrines, ordinances. or on churcn
rules but on belief in the divinity and
atonement of our Savior. and the
personal experience of pardon. Tor as
Shakespeare says, In the source OF
Justice none of US seek salvation.
Let the various civic. labor and
professional bodies join with the
pastors in building up a great COM
munity bible class. When several
hundred of our citizens meet togeth-
or week after week, month after
month. they will come to know and
love each other. Then we will have
greater cooperation and brotherhood
not only of the churches. but also
between employer and employee. ana
in city government.
Goethe says, ''All Of US by degrees
will learn to cultivate ourselves OUT
of a christianity of pure sentiment
and noble action.
David Stay Jordan says, "The
creed as we know it today IS
historic battlecry of contendlng
hosts. 1t belongs to the war of words
which succeeded the clash of spears
and lances. The place of creeds is in
psychology and history, not in the
religion. of Jesus. To believe Is
surely adequate. We need not go
into particulars"
ANY sincere student OF the Bible
will come TO definite conclusions as
to it's teachings. This will be ms
creed. What he believes, determines
his ideals and motives. These con-
cl,lsions are important to the indi-
fc differ
ences in belief in regard to water
baptism the Lords supper, free VIII.
predistinatione purgatorial puritlca-
ton, holiness and etc. is what today
makes denominational and causes
secterian jealousy and prejudice.
There are several other reasons
why the churches Is not moving for
ward nightly. but I shall only men,
ton one more. Christians are under
nourished. They should try the Billy
sunday plan. If every christian,
and seeker of truth would refuse to
read the dali paper until he had read
a chapter in his Bible. in the course
OF ten years he would experience a
marked growth in his spiritual man
hood
Men are made manly by an appeal
to their manliness; noble sentiments
are begotten by noble sentiments,
when the true patriot speaks, every
body loves Christianity. John Bur-
rows.
Jews, Catholics and Adventists
give their children at least 200 hours
: wear of Bible study Few other
children get more than the Sunday
school instruction, not to exceed %
hours a year.
The week day Bible school in
struction. contemplates giving every
child in the public schools OF Amera-
ca an opportunity for two hair nours
week Of Bible study.
To make this possible in every
city, village and rural community IS
perhaps the greatest work that our
Generation could accomplish. A great
mems class could easily carry
through such program for Phoenix.
Rotary and Kiwanis are ] believe,
destined to become the greatest fra-
ternities of our time. Eighty 70
ninety per cent of their membership
dine together at their weekly lunch-
con. Men will come to love and 70
know each other il they brake preaa
together frequently. Comraoesh
fraternity and brotherhood are pounu
to be the result.
The greatest Ifdtel nleiSS ti1'As -
thus far arisen have given much
! prominence to lesson ana storles
taken from the Scriptures.
The noon hour is too orlet Tor such
work To reach their greatest 0e-
yeloprnent, these clubs must deVelop
Spiritually as we'll as socially and
materially. This is just as true OF
men collectively as of men indiVld-
ually o,raodv,
e,.an4 r-nrls locally and