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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (July 27, 1919)
TIIE SUNDAY OREGOXIAX, PORTLAND. JULY 27, 1919. PORTLAND CHURCHES PLAN MORE ELABORATE FIELD OF WORK Atmosphere of Change and Extension Seems to Be in Air First Christian Is Campaigning for Funds to Erect New. Edifice. 8 rjv I HE old order changeth" is par ticularly adaptable to Portland at this time. There are few local churches which are not contemplating new plans for the future. These plans vary from more elaborate educational work of the present church features to pro posed action In entirely new fields. The p.cmosphere of change and extension seems to be in the air. Foremost among the churches pre paring for new edifices is the First Christian church, of which Rev. H. H. Griffin is pastor. The campaign for building funds already has been launched and the goal seems in sight Interest of state members of this de nomination is evidenced by an unso licited check for $400 received last -week from Albany, Or..' from a. woman who had read of the plans and shed to contribute, although in no vay connected with the Portland in- etitution. r "he Grace Memorial Episcopal ch. of which Rev. Oswald Taylor jstor, launched its campaign for a jhome several months ago. The Jng fund has been in the hands of usually enterprising .committee, W its leaders being E. N. Strong, tonducted the meeting at which natter was first presented to i members, and John L. Ether- . Vrne proposed Grace Memorial i-iurcn is another instance of the wide sympathy with such movements, as many of the subscribers to its funds are not among its own members. Several Portland churches are with out permanent pastors and are closely scrutinizing the ministerial field. The latest large church to enter this class is the First Presbyterian church, its former minister, Ir. John H. Boyd, having closed his pastorate with it last Sunday. The First Congregational church also ia in the same situation. Dr. W. W. Wil- lard having concluded his six months' term with it the first ofthis month. "Until Dr. "Willard came to Portland the church had been without a perma nent preacher since the death of the late Dr. Luther Dyott. Advertising for churches has come to be accepted not as the sign of a sen sational institution, but rather the child of a church filled with a sincere and worthy mission. This advertising is growing in various channels from space in newspaper columns to motion picture slides. Comparatively small, however, are the number of churches who are getting the maximum use of their advertising, who are taking ad vantage of every medium to get before the public as necessary and worth while organizations. A few Portland churches are giving the matter more thought and are daily growing in in fluence and popularity through consis tent methods of education which have replaced former undirected aims. J Rev. Daniel E. 'Williamson, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Peo ria, 111., will occupy the pulpit of West minster Presbyterian church at the morning services during August. The sermon by the pastor today will be on the subject, "Where Is Christ to Be Found?" The Bible school will hold i sessions in the basement during the heated period. Christian Church Quartet to Have Vacation. Sacred Concert Tonight Will Close i Season's "Work. THE First Christian church quartet, which has served efficiently dur ing the past year under the direction of Mrs. Frederick B. Newton and which has been granted a vacation for the month of August, will finish its work for the season tonight by rendering a sacred concert. The programme will include a selection by each member of the. quartet and the anthem, "Babylon (Gounod), followed by a short dis course by the Rev. H. H. Griffis on 'righteousness as an Instrument of Beauty. This morning Rev. Mr. Griffis will speak on the vital place that faith has in the processes, relationships and philosophies of human life, taking for his special topic, "Looking at the In visible." Tuesday evening the officers and teachers of the Bible school will meet for dinner at the church in a workers' conference to consider plans and meth ods for the educational department of the church. A feature of this con ference will be an address by Miss Bernice Adams. Methodist deaconess, on "Music in the Sunday School." Rev. S. Earl Childers, one of the strongest preachers of the Christian church on the coast, now on the fac ulty nf Ftn B-pr A R1M iinfvprsitv will preach at Rodney Christian church this' morning and evening. It is understood the church is extending Rev. Mr. Childers a call. Special music will be rendered by the choir under direction of the leader. Mrs. Maud Watkins Sammon. The Christian. Endeavor society of Rodney Avenue Christian church will hold its regular monthly business meeting next' Wednesday evening in the form of a picnic on the banks of the Willamette. All members are re quested to be present, and a hearty welcome and a good time will await all those -who care to attend. Services will be held at the Universal Messianic church at 11 A. M. and 8 P. M. today. The subject for the morn ing will be "Action and Inaction." Study classes meet on Wednesday even ings at 8 o'clock. All services are held in room 318 Abington building. J. H. Mohorter of St. Louis. Mo., was in the city Wednesday in conference with C. F. Swander, state superintend ent, and other leaders of the Christian church work in Oregon. Plans for rais ing a missionary budget of $o0,000 were discussed. This amount is almost double that asked of Oregon churches by their national boards. Evangelist L. K. Dickson, who is now holding every night meetings in a large tent pavilion, corner Thirteenth and Morrison streets, on the west side, will speak Sunday night on the subject "The Christian Sabbath The Day Which Jesus Kept." Many are attend ing these lectures each night and a deep interest is shown in the study or the Bible. The meetings are for the public and'are preceded each night by an up lifting song service directed by Profes sor Colcord, the well-known song lead er. The hour is 7-.4d o clock. At the Spiritual Church of Eternal Light, 1340 Division street. Rev. May A. Price, the pastor, .will conduct serv ices at 8 P. M. PORTLAND PASTOR AND LAYMEN WORK FOR NEW BUILDING FOR FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, CONSTRUCTION OF WHICH WILL START EARLY NEXT SPRING. Trip to Alaska Shown in Motion Pictures. Special Evening; Programme at the Sunnyside Congregational Church. FOR the benefit of those whose vaca tion does not permit of a visit to other lands and scenes the Sunday eve ning programme at the Sunnyside Con gregational church has made a special and generous provision. By means of motion pictures every attendant is transferred to the bracing atmosphere of the Northland, where nature excels in her manifestations of God's won drous creation. The land of the mid night sun, a summer day in Skagway, over the White pass, will be made al most as realistic as an actual trip through the famous Alaska. In a short sermon ivhich precedes the pictures the pastor. Dr. J. J.- Staub. will speak on "The Christ of the Bible and the Christ of Modern Preaching." The topic of the morning service w ill be "The Power of the Surrendered Life." The Rev. Edward Constant of the Highland Congregational will preach this morning- on "Two Great Factors in Life," during which sermon he will comply with the government's sugges tion in advocating thrift. The last of the summer vespers will be conducted at S o'clock and the subject of the short talk will be "Blessings of the Night." During August there will be a suspen sion of evening services. At the Arleta Baptist church Rev. Owen T. Day, pastor, will speak at 11 A. M. on "The Spirit of the Church in the New Age," and at 8 P. M. on "Free dom for All, Forever." ' At the First Methodist church today Dr. Stansfield. who will preach morn ing and evening, will speak in the morning on "The Mighty Acts of God" and in the evening on "A Strange Bible Story." At the Sunday school general session, 12:10 to 12:50, will be fine stereopticon centenary views of home mission work and movements . in America, Comforter Center at Hotel Portland assembly room will conduct services at 11 A. M., the speaker being Florence A. Sullenberg; at 8:15 Mrs. Melva J. Merrill of San Francisco will speak. "anBM """""TTT MaBHBBBanannnannanvnB"""! pSWrtA:W:;AX4?:'J-r''; ,-!'' V -; ' . " : .. W. ' ' ,AS, ' " ' ' - - Y ; ( ' ; Prominent Educator Visits ' jry - United Brethren Churches First Presbyterian. --'- pU-''' ' ' A11 HoId Service III t' a " I I II AU AetlTles Coatlnae Tkrosch I I' i-? ; ' -3 I I II ( Snmrner Mnntas. I I . . , vmr .. . ? ill ."'I'V'M:'"' h ..Zi-c' , jy Jtev. Silas Evans, President of Ofi dental College, to Preach Two Sermons. ODAT the First Presbyterian church will have as visitor in its pulpit a promtnent educator from southern Cali fornia. This is Rev. Silas Evanaf D. T.. LL. D., president of . Occidental col-1 ege in Los Angeles. In the morning j Dr. Evans will preach on "Vision of God," and In the evening on '.'Wayeide Ministries." ' Dr. Evans ha been B-ivlna Bible lec tures at the meeting of the synod In Eugene during the week Just closed, where all were delighted with his quaint philosopny and his originality. This is the first lime that Dr. Evans has been in the Pacific northwest and Presbyterians are looking forward with great eagerness to hearing him. At 7:30 in the evening Edgar E. Cour sen will give a 15-minute recital on the great pipe organ. Mizpah Presbyterian church. East Nineteenth and Division streets, will hold regular services Sunday, July 27. Preaching at 11 A. M. by Rev. T. W. Hughes: Sunday school, 10 A. M.: Christian Endeavor, 6:45 P. M. Ho evening church services. At Piedmont Presbyterian church, corner Cleveland and Jarrett streets, the Sabbath school meets at 9:45 and the morning service is at Jl o'clock. Itev. W. V.. Shirey of Chicago will preach on "The Hope of the World." ... The Calvary Presbyterian church. corner Eleventh and Clay streets, will be addressed by its pastor. Rev. Frank J. Meyer, at 10:30 this morninir. "A Good Conscience" will be the topic for the morning sermon at 1 1 o'clock, and "A Wayside Ministry" the evening topic at 8 o'clock, by the pastor of the Forbes Presbyterian church. Ward Willis Long, the pastor, has just re cently received and accepted a unani mous call to the pulpit of Forbes church. At the Kenton Community United Presbyterian church the following pro gramme will be given this week; 10 Bible school. 11 "Are We Chasing Bubbles?" ser mon by Rev. S. K. Du Bois. Dr. Du Bois has Just arrived from an eastern trip that took him into Ohio. He was a" delt-pate tjo the annual meeting of the church. 6:45 C. E. meeting. Maurice Caudy leader. 7:45 "The Line Fence Between Mine and Thine." George N". Taylor. The Community . church choir sings at every service. The church picnic will he held Wed nesday, July 3o, at Columbia Park, from 2 to 8 P. M. At the Clay Street ' Evangelical church. Tenth and Clay streets. Jacob Stocker, pastor, will preach at 10:45 on "What Is the Relation Between Patri otism and Christianity?" and at 8 P. M. on "What Think Te of Christ?" August 3 there will be no Sunday school and church services on account of camp meeting at Jennings Lodge. 1 R- B. McCIobc, eaatodlaa of new rhurrh fund. 3 FU Karl Kelke, clerk of fund. 3 A. H. A vert 1 1, general chairman of church bnildlna; commit tee. 4 Kcv. H. II. Orlffla. paator of Klrt Christian church. Rev. Dr. Hinson Declares He Needs No Vacation. Pulpit Will Be Occupied Every Sua dir Durlna; July and, AuituiI. T THE East Side Baptist church Dr. Hinson will preach each Sun day during July and August, having declared himself in need of no vacation at the present time. Sunday morning Dr. Hinson will preach about the "King of the Many Crowns.'" At night the theme of Dr. Hinson's sermon will be "The Second Coming of Christ." and he will show how there are five judgments in the' future in stead of the "general Judgment," as is often mentioned. The Rev. Herbert T. Cash, the asso ciate minister of the church, has been away during July, but will resume his ministry with the beginning of August Services at this church on Sunday are at 11 and 8 o'clock, with Sunday school in the morning at 9:30 and tha young people's services at 6:4a in the evening The church Is situated on East Twen tieth and East Salmon streets and may be reached by Mount Scott and Haw thorne, as also by Mount Tabor and Sunnyside cars. Rev. "William G. Eliot will preach this morning for the last time before a month's absence from the city, at tha Church of Our Father. Broadway and Yamhill street. The service la at 11 o'clotk and the subject, "The Earning and Spending of Money." The evening forum and Sunday school are inter mitted. "Wisdom" will be Dr. Morrison's sub. Ject In Trinity church. Nineteenth and Everett streets, at the 11 o'clock serv ice. In the evening a short, simple service will be held at 8 o'clock with a talkon "Visions." Durlna; the month of Auftust the evening service will be omitted. four United Brethren churches the city will continue all activi ties right through the summer months. and all report no letting down of Inter est or attendance. First church Corner of East Flf- teenth and Morrison streets, Byron J Clark, pastor. Morning theme. "In dustrial Deliverance." Evening, 'The Other Side." Second church Corner of Sumner and East Twenty-seventh streets. Ira Haw ley, pastor. Morning, "Enemies of the Cross of Cnrist." Evening, "Christians Beware of Dogs." Third church Corner of Sixtv-fifth anu 1 Dirty-seventh avenue noumeast. rc. O. Shepherd, pastor. lorning. -Message to the . Church. Evening. "The Message of the Master. Fourth church Corner of Slvtv-sov. enth avenue and Seventy-fifth etreet noucneast. Mrs. C. P. Blanchard. pastor, nui occupy the pulpit morning and evening. The Liberty Friends, men's Bible class or me r'lrst Cnlted Brethren church elected new officers last Sunday ai follows: Preeident, W. H. Moore: vice- president, ur. ired Sasman: secretary, .-. j. wnj; treasurer. Hay McCauley teacher. Dr. Byron J. Clark. The claae meets for the -study of the Bible every Sunday morning at 10 o'clock in their own special room and all men are vited. This class has many ex-soldler ana overseas men as Ita men bers and otnera will find a welcome. e The camp mee'inr, summer Bible school and conventions of the woman's missionary society of the Sunday school League and conference branch young people's alliance of the Oregon conference of the Evangelical assorta- Holee In It." Theae two themes will be presented at the Atkinson Memorial Congregational church today by the Rev. Kioert E. Flint. The one has to do with making the church equal to its task, the other answers the question. "Why the world, may utterly starve." At Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church, corner East Pine and East Ninth streets, the pastor. Dr. J. C. Rol lins, will speak la the morning on "At the Springs and "Beside the Palms." Good music. At the evening hour. 8 o'clock. Dean William Pickens, the noted colored orator, will speak on The Negro and Reconstruction." . . At Our Savior'a Lutheran Church, cor ner East Grant and Tenth streets, the paator. Rev. M. A. Chrlstenson. will preach at 11 A. M. In English, on the theme: "Gaining Christ." The subject of the morning discourse at Grace Baptist Church. Montavilla. all 11 o clock. Is "How May the Christian Receive the Holy Spirit?" Evening eub- Ject at 8 o clock. "l-esacns I Am learn ing From the War." The old soldiers quartet will sing at the evening serv- ce. Rev. Fred Berry will rreach at both services. The Realisation league will meet to day at lt Fifth street. Rev. H. Ed ward Mills-will speak at 11 A. M. on Profiting by Lxample." Sunday services at the Third Baptist church, corner Knott street and Van couver avenue. Rev. Webley J. Baavcn, pastor, will be as follows: Bible school, :45; Baptist. Young People's Union. 6:30. Morning sermon topic "The Prayer Lite of Jesus': evenin topic. "God's Word Revelation or Opinion." Rev. Clarence True Wilson. P. D.. general secretary of the board of tem perance, prohibition and public morals of the Methodist Episcopal church, is In town and Is to preach at Wilbur church In the auditorium of the Mult nomah hotel Sunday morning at 10:30. At Trinity Lutheran church tMissourl synod), corner Williams and Graham avenues. J. A. Rimbach, pastor, Sunday school meets at 9:15. There will be preaching in English at 10:15; no even ing service. A business meeting will be held Monday at 8 I M. fro race and an orator of -national rep utation, will speak at Cer.tensry Meth odist church, corner East Pip and East Ninth streets. Sunuay ever.in ji 8 o'clock. Dean Pickers has a tt'wly message with the theme: "The Nejrro and Reconstruction." The public la In vited. The central convocation of the Epis copal church Is to meet In Newport o Monday next for a two days' session. . The conference opens Monday nlht with a mass meeting held on the beach, addressed by the Right Rev. Walter Taylor Sumner. Bishop of Crecon. woo Is holding confirmation at Toledo ni Newport on Hundiy. The meeting will be presided over by Rev. E. T. SimpsTJ. dean of the convocation of Corval'j. assisted by the vicar of Newport. Rev. Homer E. Bush". Tuesday morning there will be a celebration of the bx:y cr munlon. the bishop being the ue'.ehrant. assisted by the dean and the visiting clergy. During the day there will be various meetings addrenecl by the rector of et. Mary's church. Eugene, who will speak on "The Church's Work In Oregon a Educational Cer.te-s." Rev. Charles U. Powell, rector of St. Paul's. Salem, will speak on "The Church's Work in the Scattered Communities." Mrs. J. S. Whiteford. field secretary of the rev ersl board of missions of New York, will speak on "Woman's Work In the Church." Rev. E, T. Simpson will pse side at all the sessions. The even ing meetinu. will be addressed by Venerable Archdeacon Chambers on. "Misstona-y Work In the Cities." and Rev. John D. Rice, general missionary, on "Missionary Work in the Outiytnsr Communities." The bishop will make the closing talk after adJnes.es lion other visiting clergy. , It expected that a large, number of persons present from all Mer the state who are summering at Kewport will be interested in the subjects pre sented at the conference, and the at tendance will be large. "Truth," Subject in Christian Science Churches. Testimonials of lleallas Given la Wednesday !:!( Meetings. f4-jI RUTH" will be the subject In Christian Science churches to day. Seven churches of Christ, Scientist. In Portland will hold regular services this morning at 11 o'clock ajid Sec ond and Sixth churches will hold serv ices this evening at t o'clock! At the Wednesday evening meeting, which is held at 8 o'clock In all the churches, testimonials of healing in Christian Scince are given. Two sessions of Sunday school are held In eac"h of the Christian Science churches. Classes for the older pupils In all except Third and Fifth churches are held at 9:45 A. L and for the younger' classes at 11. In Third and tlon. will he held at Jennings Lodge ' Fifth churches the sessions are at :S0 camp ground beginning Tuesday, July 29. and continuing until Thursday, August 7. There will be evangelistic services every evening opening at 7:30. Board will be available for 15 cents a meal. Rev. L. M. Nanninga, Montana, will be the evangelist, and George D. Reep, the musical director and saxo phone player. -a, This will be a representative gath ering of the membership of the evan gelical church of Oregon and Washing ton, the members gathering from as far north as Kclllngham. and south as far as Sweet Home, Or. e Rev. J. E. Thomaa, pastor of the Calvary Baptist church east Eighth and Grant streets, will speak at 11 o'clock thin morning ort "All In One Boat" and at ( o'clock this evening on Toor Business." Sunday school' will le held at 9:50 o'clock this morning and the young people will meet at t P. M. ' At the Church of Christ. East Seventy-ninth and Glisan streets, the morning service at 11 o'clock will be on "The First Resurrection." by Ira S. Buchanan, while at 7:30 P. M. "The Second Coming of Christ" will be the subject of a, sermon dellAred by C U Folds. "The Task and Glory of Rebuilding the Church," and "A Pocketbook With and 11 A. M. The churchea are located as follows Ktnat church Temporarily fecotuih Kite Cathedral. Mrend ehuren Kent Rlth and Hollacsy. Third cbilrtji Twelfth and Salmon Fourth church Vancouver avenue and Emerson. Fifth rhureh 6!xty-iecond street and For tjr-"cnnd ivrnw P. K. Sixth church Maaontc temple. SS Yam- hiir. Pvnlh rhurrh Ho'brookj block. St. Johns. A free Christian Science reading room is maintained In tho Northwestern Bank building, where the Bible and authorised Christian Science literature niay be read, borrowed or purchased. The public is cordially Invited to at tend the church services and visit the reading room. see Tho First Divine Science church. Rev. T. M. Minard. pastor, haa discontinued services until fceptember 1. ... At the Glencoe Baptist church, cor ner East Forty-fifth and Main streets. Dr. E. H. East, well-known physician and missionary, will preach at II o'clock next Sunday. At 7:43 Rev. F. C. Laslette will give the seventh sermon In the John 111:16 scries: "The Way Out." These sermons are attracting much attention and Interest. Good music by the chorus choir. Dean William Pickens, one of the most outstanding educators of the ne- 1 60 irU cents: under third. under third. IS First. 60 cents: IS First, BO cents: II; second. 60 SUNDAY SCHOOLS TO PICNIC Clackamas Association to Frolic at Gladstone July 2 9. OREGON CITY, Or, July 2S. (Spe cial.) Arrangements are being made for the picnic to be given at the Chau tauqua park at Gladstone July 29 under the auspices of the Clackamas County Sunday School association. Among the features of the day's pro gramme will be races. The events and cash prises offered follow: 100-yard dash First prise. 11; sec ond. SO cents: third. 15 cents. 80-yard dash, boys over 15 First. II : second. 78 cents; Ihlitl. to cents; fourth, 5 cents. 50-yard dash, girls over $1; second. 75 cents; third. fourth. renta. 60-yard dash, boys $1; second. "5 cents; fourth. IS rents. 60-yard das'i. girls 11: second, la cents; fourth, mi cents. Potato rac First. cents: third. 25 cents. Three-legged race First, 81; second. 80 cents: third. IS cents. Sack race First. 81; second. SO cents; third. 2& cents. SO-yard dash, women's race First, . 2: second. II; third. iO cents. Tug-of-war, six on sido First, 83; second, SI BO. Shoe-snd-stockinr race First, fl; second. 80 cents; third. 80 cents; fourth. 40 cents. Broad Jump First, $1; second. B0 cents; third. 25 cents. Standing Jump First, 81; second. 60 -cents; third. 15 cents. Running hop. step and Jump First, 11: second. 50 rents; third. 25 cents. Baseball a 4 me. CHURCH HAS BIG BUDGET "WcMoyan Methodist Votes Million, Largest Sum in History. MARION. Ind. The largest budget ever voted by the Wesleyaa Methodist church, now holding Its annual con ference at Itirmount, near here, totals 11.000.000. The appropriation will be available the ensuing year for the following irses: Education, 1400. 0n0: missions, 1400.000; ministerial pensions, loo.0: general evangelism. 175.000, and Sunday achool work 125.000. The money will he expended through 23 state organisations, and w-lll be based on the membership, with Indiana getting the largest share. North Caro lina second and New Vorkthird. PROFITABLENESS OF GODLINESS IS TOPIC OF SERMON Dr. Stansfield Finds Food for Much Religious Thought in Editorial of Wall Street Journal. BY rR. JOSHUA STANSFIELD. Pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church. TKXT "Ooodliness is profitable to all ihlnss having promise of the lifo that now is and of that Inch is to come." 1 Timo ihy lv:S. STKAK this morning on "Be lief and Character, or the Prof itableness of Oodliness," the ser mon havinsr been called out by a re markable editorial in the Wall-Street Journal. Some of the best teaching and preach ing, religiously and morally, that we have in America comes through our daily papers and great Journals. While the press of America, in a large meas ure, has fallen from the high standard of newspaper duty which is not alone to echo thougrht, but to develop thought there are some of the great journals of this country that are setting forth, day by day and week by week, some of the wisest, clearest and finest truths of Christianity and righteousness. Some of the groat preachers of Christianity of todav are in journalism. This editorial 1 will read: Is There a Decline In Faith? "He who believes in a future life is a citizen of two worlds. He moves in this, but his highest thouaht and in spiration are fixed on the future. He is not inditierent to the rewards which may come in this world to industry, en deavor and opportunity ; but failure, illness, poverty, abuse what do these amount to to a man who believes he is to enjoy the sublime privileges of eter nity? He measures everything by the infinite. "Faith In eternal life smoothes out every inequality and injustice of the present life under tho great weight of the infinite. It makes the poor feel rich and gives to the unfortunate a sense of heirship to the Almighty. It makes the rich feel a sense of grave responsibility in trusteeship. "If there has been a marked decline In religious faith, the fact must be of profound, far-reaching significance. It . alters the basic conditions of civilisa tion; becomes a factor of the markets; it changes the standards and affects the--values of things that are 'bought and- sold. It concerns the immediate Interest of those who never had such a laiiii. almost as much as it does the' lives of those who have had the faith and lost it. "The question, therefore, is of prac tical, immediate and tremendous im portance to Wall street, quite as much as any other part of the world. Has there been a decline in the faith in the future life; and, if so, to what extent is this responsible for the special phe nomena of our times, the eager pursuit of sudden wealth, the shameless luxury and display, the gross and corrupting extravagance, 'the misuse of swollen fortunes," the indifference to law, the growth of graft, the abuses of great corporate power, the social unrest, the spread of demagogy, the advances of socialism, that appeals to bitter class hatred ? "Perhaps, if it were possible to probe deeply into the subject, it might be found that faith still abounded, but it is no longer expressed in the old way. But we are obliged to accept the surface in dications. These include a falling off in church attendance, the abandonment of family worship, the giving over of Sun day, the more and more, to pleasure and labor, the separation of religious from secular education under the stern de mands of r.on-sectariapism. the .grow ing up of a generation uninstructed as our fathers were in the study of the Bible, the secularization of a portion of the church itself, and its inability in a large way to gain the confidence of the laboring people. If these are really signs of a decay of religious faith, then. indeed, there is no more important problem for us than that of either dis covering some adequate substitute for faith, or take immediate steps to check a development that has within it the seed of national disaster." Faith Powerful Fact In Life. The text for this evening from the scripture is a most familiar one God liness is profitable, having the promise of the life that now is and for that which is to come." The relation of belief to conduct oP faith to character is most vital. What a man really believes, he is. Faith is a most powertul fact in life- It is a strongest dynamic a greatest deter rent: a most powerful incentive to action. So that if there be a decline in faith, it will mean a deterioration of moral character whatever be the seem ing. In one of his last T-rlttngs. "Studies Subsidiary to Butler,. William Ewart. Gladstone deplored what- he called a "decline of the 'sense of sin.' He said that among his own people the Eng lish it was very noticeable. Men were speaking and thinking of sin in modi fied terms. They- were calling things by other names. There is not anything that will show the development or the degeneracy of an individual or of a people more than the growth of their language. Take your latest dictionary and note the new words of the last 15 years and you may get a better view of the development (or otherwise) of America than from any other one source. Whether in the realm of reli gion, or politics, or statecraft, or eco nomics, or science, or in literature, slang or elsewhere it is equally true. Men are talking of sin and estimating it otherwise than our fathers did. Take the word "g-r-a-f-t." It was not in your newspapers a few decades ago: it was not in your language. It used to be called "stealing" now it is "graft-" Moral Sense Blunted. , After the days of the reconstruction, when there came into our national life the abominable Idea and practice that "to the victor belong the spoils," men developed a new conscience or rather a "multiple" conscience. And now we have the sad spectacle in many cases of men who in their own personal and family life are clean, straightforward men. but in official life otherwise. There seems to be little sense of sin in the matter at all. The thing has grown and spread until we are told that the average man or woman feels that It is "perfectly prop er" If they can gain any advantage over any corporation or highly organ ised company. One never "roba a street car company," or "steals from a rail road." There Is no moral sense in these matters at all. We have developed a "multiple" conscience: and it is be cause we have allowed ourselvee to think and speakiof things Jn modified. minified and misleading terms. And. with" the decay of the sense of sin. there is a deterioration of moral character personal and public. It used to be thought that the destruction of life either before birth or after was murder. That was what your grand fathers and grandmothers thought. We now come. In the "modern growth of knowledge." to think otherwise of the destruction and prevention of life. We can discuss the matter now in such highly eulogistic and euphemistio terms that we are really "somebodies'" and quite scientific But we have gotten a long way from the sense of sin In the matter of child murder. One could mention a score such things. There has been a certain swift, widespread deterioration, and "smartness" does not excuse it; a wonderful ability to do things in some other .directions does not minify it. c6dly Standards Changed. . I am not surprised that the "Wall1 street editor- writes as he does, for these are most palpable facts, .well known by thoughtful and observant men or women. As to our standards of Godly lives, they are wonderfully changed, or would It be nearer the truth to say they have been "shame fully left behind"? And what has taken their place? As the editor said, "Religion and the religious sense are not expressing themselves In the same way In these days." Well, in what way are they express ing themselves? For life expresses it self. But now to the text: - "Godliness Is profitable for the life that now is and for that which is to come." What is Godliness? Godliness Is God likeness in human life. N'o man hath seen God at any time, the only begot ten of the father he hath revealed him. The clearest view or expression of God was in Jesus Christ. He was God manifest In the flesh. He was God in human life. One of the best things about the God-life in Jesus Is that it la imltable. Godliness is the imitation or following of the God-life in Jesus Christ. A real Christian Is a Christianized person, one who has the spirit and manner of the life of Jesus. So that Godliness is first a spirit and then a life. First, a character; sec ond, conduct. Think of what Jesus the God-man was and the way he acted toward folks and things and times and eternity, and to Imitate that, to at tempt that, to follow that Is Godliness. Not. indeed, that any one of us will ever equal the Christ-life never. But we may be like him after his spirit and manner and way of living and doing and that Is Godliness. It i God-likeness in human conduct and life. To be Godly is far more Important than to be religious. person may be Intensely religious and painfully pious and not very Godly. Some there are so Intensely religious and offensively pious that you could not well live with them. But "Godliness" is never offensive or intolerable. The God-man Jesus "was "full of grace and truth." So is Godliness. The truly Godly per son is not alone good, but good for much. "Godliness." primarily, la for this life, and is a final outcome for the life to come. "Godliness", is first for the here and now, and I bad almost said, "only incidentally" is it for the life to come. And yet I must confess that in the interpretations of religion for centuries past the stress has been on the "life to come" rather than on the "life that now is." The doctrine of future life is. without doubt, brought before us by Jesus Christ and the New Testament writers, and we believe It most fully and firmly. But it is not made the basis of ethics or of human conduct In any part of the New Testa ment. Do-rtrlne of Hell Powerful. The doctrine of hell and future pun ishment for the wicked, and the doc trine of happiness and future bliss for the good, had had. and does have, a great power upon the minds and lives of men. But that is not the primary pur pose of the doctrine. "Godliness" is not the fear of hell or a yearning desire for heaven. God liness Is Ood-llke-nesa. And the New Testament teaches that It is possible, and obligatory, and imperative upon every man. No human life comes to its highest and best except in 'Godli ness.' Godliness is profitable for the life that now is. No person can live in the sense of kinship and conscious fellow ship with God, without being finer and cleaner in physical health as well as in personal morale. The so-called "New Thought." and "Christian Science," and aome other cults that one could mention today, are right at this point There is a vital relation between "godliness" and personal health. Fur ther godliness Is profitable to keen, clear, fine thinking. There la no theme that quickens the Intellect and inspires the higher genius of man more than the theme of God and immortality and eternity. Godliness Is profitable for the lire that now la. Now, a person may be In tensely religious painfully so and not. very godly. Godliness is conduct and character in conscious relation to God. Godliness makes for a high, clean, strong personality: it is "profitable for the life that now is." Godliness Held Remedy. Godlinesa is profitable for the life that now is because it helps one to un derstand and interpret and explain and live under the most trying relationships. Godliness could do more for your divorce evil than all your legislation. Godlinesa could remedy, utiite largely, the evils of legislation and of politi cal graft, and grafting in general. Godliness could do more to give a sure foundation of confidence in financial and social economics than any other one fact of life. Godliness is vital and fundamental and whether In the the Catholic church, or the Methodist, or the Friends, or the Episcopalian, or the Congregationalist. or in any and all the other churches of this conti nent If It be true that people, are losing themselves In religion, but losing out In "sodllness," they are surely coming to trouble. But they are not doing this much in the churches, the trouble is not so much with the folks in the churchea as it is with the folks who ought to be there. In mod ern American life with the changing conditions of today conditions in which social standings are sometimes changed in a month and In which men are suddenly brought into power, wealth and prosperity if there Is one thing that is needed more than any other, it ia more of the religious life that makes for -godliness." If is not prayer meeting going that Is profit able It is what prayer meeting going may bring. It is not reading the Bible, primarily. It la what the reading of the Bible brings. It Is not devotion and piety it la what devotion and piety make for. Religion, anywhere, and in any church is In part, and usually In a large way making for -godliness." And "godliness is profit able." Religion as a means to godliness is the best way that haa been practiced through all the past. e Bease Qnestlens Pertinent. The editorial says that we have gotten away from Sabbath services. What have we In their place? Have we gotten somsthxc else? And la that something else tending to make us godly? These are the days of the out-of-doors, and with our interurban cars and automobile facilities, we can hardly keep to the house or even in the city. It takes a pretty firm pur pose these days to stay at home. It used to take effort to get away from home and church. Today, it is an ef fort to slay Inside. And. without awy criticism now on Sunday trains or automobiles, etc, I want to ask true if we have gotten away from the old way. is the new way getting us any where religiously? If it is not. some body Is going to lose out. And we may be the somebody? The end of religion Is "godliness." And "godliness is profitable." Tou may say it is a fine thing to worship God "out in the open." Well, see that you do It there, my friend. Though it doea not seem to be as easy with gaso line, and sometimes without and one in a while, a blowout, to worship there, a it waa in the old meeting-house. If you can worship well out there, all right for true "worship." In the church, by the riverside. In the park, in the fields, on the ship, or anywhere "worship" makes for "godliness." and godliness Is profitable. What I am distressed about, is not the fact that we are getting away from religion but we are not getting anything worthy in its place. That is the sad thing. I have said to some of my professional friends here in the city. "Tour euc cesses keep you in your offices Sunday mornings and afternoons, and you are so busily crowded that you are losing out religiously." I did cot say they were wicked they are losing out "religiously." Religion Is the only thlnT thus far that has successfully worked to pro duce "godliness." If you can find something else to take Its place, and do its work, all right. But. up to date, we have not. If you can find anything other or better than religion to pro duce god!y character, report It- Make It known, for godliness ia profitable to all things. To personal life, social life. Industrial life, rational life, in ternational life, or business life It Is profitable through time nd eternltv today, tomorrow and forever. The proper functioning of "faith" Is a large asset in the life of a free people. When r1h 1 sen, when honor died Ibt aiaa is dce4.