| Show the decline of pure religion we often hear persons speak as it christianity had grown weak or had fallen in into to a heavy slumber and needed to be aroused into activity this la Is a hasty and therefore surface view we think ot of the unsatisfactory condition into which wo we have fallen christianity as a system of ethics steadily and rapidly gains the consent of the world and many who stand without see more clearly than those within that its ultimate conquest of the nations Is an assured fact houses rouses of worship are built every year and their cost and beauty are cited in la proof of the culture and prosperity of the age christian asks new channels tor for its activities and a lavish of its wealth we carry on war of mercy and tenderness for its ts victims there has never been a century when the religion of christ had so great respect paid to it but that which christ came to put away has not been put away war is recognized in its legitimacy aa as much as in christs day we have seen a war in the most st christian nation ot of the world in defense of 0 slavery the antagonism between the rich and the poor has penetrated even into the sanctuary and never before in the history of the world has the house of god been farmed out to the rich and pros porous as it now Is fashion has invaded the sacred places and made the sabbath a galaday gala day and the services arf an artistic enjoyment joy ment there is not the ribald denial of christ and religion that was waa heard a century ago but there Is no more respect cifor for sor professional following of the church h than then what is lacking Is the spirit of christ we rep repeat p at his words unceasingly and reverence his name but the spirit that animated him has died out of the chur church chas ehas as a church romanism today to day I 1 is nothing thing more than a struggle for tor temporal power and throughout europe the church clings elings to the estate state with unaffected weal weakness mess no honest man will pretend that it is any true representative of christ it Is the best institution that the world has bas but lacking the spirit of its founder and master it does docs not furnish the world the spiritual nourishment for which its ita heart is saint taint and its head bead sick spiritual religion not ecclesiasticism can heal beal the breach beti between teen veen the church and th the tho world practical benevolence has its uses in a return to the original intention of the church but men are not won to love lave or reverence by church poor rates men do not object to be poor if they are treated as christ treated the poor there is no unfortunate for condition of life that cannot be cheerfully borne born when ewhen it has ministries of love but wanting these the most favorably circumstanced life la Is a burden for our spiritual condition falls falla as much to satisfy the rich as thedoor the poor but the world csc is confident that the spirit of christ will be restored to the church and walts waits for its return to a better life only the ignorant and utterly depraved dream ot of its extinction the poor 0 o and downtrodden with just Impat impatience ienco waft wait af ifor for the presence of the master waster when they are conn cond confident dent their wants shall be satisfied and their rights and privileges restored central christian advocate |
