Editorial October 28, 1911 Issue

THE VITAL MESSAGE

Annie M. Knott

At the present time a great deal is being said, both by the religious and secular press, as to the real function of religion. This discussion is undoubtedly called out by the fact, which can no longer be obscured by a blind determination to follow a beaten path, that formalism in religion can never meet the world's great need of something vital, life-giving. This was clearly perceived by the prophet Isaiah, seven hundred and fifty years before the Christian era, when he wrote, "Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me ... the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting." Then he goes on, "Cease to do evil; learn to do well," and this has been the demand of spiritual sense in all ages. In proof of the awakening of humanity to the need of a clearly defined concept of religion, we have the following from one of the leading dailies of Michigan:—

I wish every clergyman would preach once a year a sermon on the ministry of religion, its place in the world, its objects, and it problems. I suppose they have this in the seminaries, but as a matter of fact the people need to know these points as well as those who aspire to the pulpit or altar. The mechanic, the editor, the artist, the writer, the scientist, the politician, the athletic director, the teacher—every one of them can justify his place in the world, and the minister of religion should give his own economic justification as well. The minister of industry, the minister of art, the minister of literature, the minister of science, the minister of knowledge, the minister of domesticity, some one of these titles fitting us all, can readily state our place, our right, and our service in the world, and I should like to ask the clergy of Detroit, for their own sakes, to do this, too.

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