Article May 26, 1917 Issue

From Our Exchanges

with contributions from H. Maldwyn Hughes, William A. Elliott, Arthur Pringle, J. Stuart Holden, Charles Brown

[Rev. H. Maldwyn Hughes, D.D., in The Methodist Recorder]

The church is confronted today by difficult tasks, perhaps more difficult than any that have faced it since the early days when it set out to vanquish the Roman Empire. It is called to Christianize civilization, to bring the great discoveries of the intellect under moral restraints, and to baptize all the complex relationships and activities of modern life into Jesus Christ. And there are many who feel that the church is unequal to this high task. Instead of gaining strength, it seems to be losing power. The word is going forth from all the churches that things are not well with them. It is difficult to diagnose the disease, but I will venture to say that one cause of our weakness is that we are relying, I will not say too much on ourselves, but far too little upon God. Our conception of the calling of the church is too humanistic. We think of the salvation of the world too much as a task which we are to achieve. Our fathers used to teach that salvation was of the grace of God. They did not regard the victories which they won as their own achievements, but as triumphs of grace. They were but the channels and recipients of the divine grace and power. And our fathers were right. It is God who saves, and not man.

[Rev. William A. Elliott in The Biblical World]

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

From Our Exchanges

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access