Article April 30, 1910 Issue

FROM OUR EXCHANGES

[Standard.]

Men are saying that the church is declining while religion is growing. They talk of a church outside of the church. It is asserted that there is a growing disinclination on the part of religious people to identify themselves with the church. If half of that which we hear is true, then the church should set herself to discover the cause. Many will answer that the church has too neglectful of social needs; has failed to serve humanity in practical ways; that we must relate ourselves to the humanitarian and philanthropic undertakings of our time if we hope to restore confidence in the church. Doubtless the church must express her life through ministry, and ministry that keeps in view every need of man. But first she must have life, and that can come only from God. The fundamental need of the church today, that which will do more to quicken her life and give her power than anything and everything else, is a keen sense of God. [New York Observer.]

The cross of Christ is not only a concept to our thought, a moment in our theology, but is also a power and process in our life. Its influence is continuous, its grace is inexhaustible. In a lesser sense, too, if we are really Christian, there will be a cross in our lives, and our careers, as we enter into the fellowship of Christ's sufferings, will go out in holy ministry to the needs of others. If we are not willing in this sense to have the cross in our lives, it is useless for use to stand contemplating Calvary. Every truly consecrated life has in it a Gethsemane, a resurrection. There is only one Christ who redeems a race, but the Christ-spirit of consecration and vicarious suffering is found in some degree at least in any life that is genuinely Christian, and that will be owned as such in the great "last day." [Congregationalist and Christian World.]

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