Article June 4, 1927 Issue

Signs of the Times

with contributions from William C. Isett

[From an editorial in the Christian Leader, Boston, Massachusetts]

Although for convenience we divide church life into two main divisions—"Worship" and "Work"—it is not confusing to say that the building up of worship, both public and private, is the main work of the church. To make men believe in the reality of the unseen, learn to commune with it, and feel a continual inrush of divine power, is a fundamental task. Other tasks relate to wise conduct of the practical business of the church, its financing, its advertising, its social life; to community service, promotion of philanthropy, and good government. Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick recently pointed out two other phases of church work not always kept in mind. "We need," said he, "a kind of Christianity that will bring people together instead of tearing them apart." . . . To bring men together we need to make them see clearly the difference between the temporary and the permanent elements in religion—the superficial and the essential elements. The teaching business of the church is a main business. The great emphasis on religious education shows that we are waking up to it. Nor are our ministers behind in making clear the difference between living the life of Christ and holding some theory about Christ. Both the organization we call the church and the individuals who make it up must live up to their professions if the work is to have any influence. What paralyzes missionary activity in the Far East to-day is the feeling of the Chinese and Indians that Christian America needs to Christianize itself. We cannot do a better thing for the Christian cause than to be consistent Christian men and women. They also serve who simply are their highest and best.

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