Article October 30, 1902 Issue

Religious Items

with contributions from Charles G. Ames, Hodge, Canon Farrar, Hinton

Christian life, so far as it is genuine, is a manifestation of God. His spirit witnesses through men of the beauty of holiness. It is imperfect witness, for Christians are imperfect men, but in so far as it is genuine it is effective. God himself is the supreme attraction for those who are made in His image. Where He is known and manifested men will be drawn together as iron is drawn to the magnet.

The increase of machinery counts for little where abundance of power is wanting. Do we not often make the mistake of elaborating worship, enriching art, multiplying attractions, studying advertisements, and forget the power of God's presence with His people? The life of the Church is the indwelling of God in the hearts of His children, manifested to men in holy, cheerful, fraternal, helpful lives. Have we anything better than this to offer to the world? Is there anything which can take the place of this in mere diligent use of the many inventions of our modern Church activity?

The Church is attractive when men feel that God is with its members—meets with them in their worship, goes with them to their business, is invited to be a sharer of their pleasures. God, as of old, is revealed through man to man. There is no better way of revelation. The measure of our power with others is the measure of our clear transmission of the light that God has put within our spirits. If we are Christians, the light is ours. The problem is to make our visible lives transparent mediums, free from all stains and spots of injustice, unkindness, selfishness, and pride, that the light may shine through them for the attraction of the world.

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