Article February 20, 1909 Issue

FROM OUR EXCHANGES

with contributions from Francis G. Peabody

[Universalist Leader.]

In the days that are coming and in the changes that are pending religion has a mighty role if its advocates are great enough to play their part like men: To direct the energies of social radicalism toward the eternal interests of men. To illumine the battle-field where ancient wrong is worsted with the light of eternal truth. To teach the victor that his prostrate foe is still a man with claims on him. To make men understand that in all their dreams of progress they are but the children of One who loveth righteousness. To convince the populace that in the end their business is to do His will. To fix in the consciousness of this mighty host of emigrants traveling toward the new world that when there it will require magnificent self-control to build the City of God.

[Congregationalist and Christian World. ]

If the measure of religious devotion is "burnt offerings of rams, the blood of bullocks or of lambs," "new moon and Sabbath, the calling of assemblies," then it must be admitted that Christianity is declining. But if such revival is desired as that which the Hebrew prophet sought—"Cease to do evil, learn to do well, seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow"—then the signs of the time give much reason for encouragement. The true measure of devotion in religion in our time, as in patriotism, is the service rendered to bring in the reign of righteousness and peace and good will among men.

[Christian Work and Evangelist.]

The church will not move the world again; become its great compelling influence; make men stop and listen to it; win the world's admiration and respect, until it dare become as bold again as was its Founder and preach a gospel so astounding and lofty and idealistic that the world will see something new and rich and strange in it, and live a life that becomes separated from even the world's good life by its supernatural beauty. The church will never win the world by offering it only the world's thought and ideals and ethics. It must be brave enough to believe its own divine gospel and order its life by its own great faith.

[Prof. Francis G. Peabody in Boston Transcript. ]

The awakening of the social conscience has been so abrupt and startling, and the reaction from an individualized and self-centered religion so marked and compelling, that the church as a religious shrine may be easily supplanted by the church as a social laboratory: and the practice of the presence of God may be forgotten in the practice of the service of man. The tremendous force of the social renaissance sweeps Christian teachers into restatements of Christian doctrine, which identify a social program with, the essentials of a Christian faith.

[Examiner.]

There are three things that, whatever else he may forget, the preacher of the gospel should always bear in mind: First, that he has a message of life from God to men; second, that he is speaking to those who need the message; and third, that He who commissioned him to speak will require an accounting at his hands.

[Christian Register.]

Spiritual power is flowing through the channels of religion and the thoughts of men concerning religion and righteousness, which make all the organized achievements which we call our victories seem poor and mean compared with possibilities that lie before even this generation.

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