Article August 4, 1906 Issue

From our Exchanges

with contributions from English, E. A. Beaman

It is quite true that we have become, as a people, too reckless in the pursuit of wealth, that the nation "needs a new baptism of the old virtue of honesty." But it is not recklessness or dishonesty alone; it is the love of money and power that has undermined the character of a nation hypnotized by material prosperity. Mere honesty, fair dealing between man and man, the law might conceivably secure, and yet our national life be as materialistic as before. "The one solvent of all these evils is justice, absolute justice," says President Schurman. The Christian cannot be content with that answer. For him the one solvent is the gospel of brotherly love. The Church, guided by the revelation of divine Fatherhood and inspired by the conception of human brotherhood, has before it the task which it had in the first century and will have to the last, that of redeeming society and saving the world.—The Churchman.

The churches have sometimes been narrow. They have lacked real sympathy with men. May it not be that any and all failures of the churches are due to this lack of vital sympathy? Will not the genuine spirit of Christ in men and women infallibly win other men and women? It is worth a thought, at least. Concern for traditions and usages and old forms of words and antiquated opinions on theological subjects is idolatry the moment that it stifles that warmth of human affection which is the first element in winning souls. Love has the right of way in the Christian scheme. Conformity to the past is good, but Love's first commandment is, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."—Western Christian Advocate.

Every Christian becomes a minister by virtue of his relation to Jesus Christ. If that relation is vital, the aims and purposes of Christ pass over into his life. The expression of the Christian purpose is ministry. There are no conditions that nullify the obligation, because there are none that make helpfulness impossible. In the measure that we recognize this obligation and discharge it does the kingdom of God advance. Others may have their larger ministry, but that does not render ours any less real or important.—The Standard.

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