Signs of the Times [SAN JOSE (CA) MERCURY-HERALD]          There is a growing inclination among the people to demand that the church address itself more to ministering to the needs and welfare of the people in this world and less to the contemplation of the blessings to be experienced in the world to come; to demand proof of the change in the life of one who joins himself to the church, and evidence of an increase of ability to minister to the needs of men as Jesus ministered by those who profess to be his followers.          Churchmen cannot ignore the demands being made upon them for proof of the possession of a religious quality different from that possessed by the non-churchman if they expect to attract those who now profess no religious belief. The church must give evidence of being something more than a temperance society, civic federation, or association for human elevation and betterment if it is to justify its claim that it is the representative of the teachings, ministration, life, and divine power of Christ Jesus. If the church differs from other organizations of men, it is because it stands for spiritual ministration, for divine power, for a quality of helpfulness that is not human but divine.          The appeal of Jesus to men lay in his ability to do for those in need what no human could do. He brought to the world a wisdom more than human, a love and tenderness all-embracing and divine, and inspiration so elevating and compelling that it turned men away from sin because it revealed to them the quality and the beauty of the divine Spirit. His life and ministrations were a revelation and exemplification to the world of the higher, the spiritual, the divine life, and he invited all men to share this life and receive its blessings, and promised that they might do so if they followed him in life and conduct. He did not teach by word alone, but he illustrated his teachings by acts and verified his promises by results accomplished. Now that the world has thrown off the fear of questioning religious things, it is asking to see the proof in deeds, in power, in spiritual qualities, of the claim that it is the church of Christ Jesus and the present day embodiment of his teachings and life.          The skeptic asks to see the works that Jesus promised should be seen accompanying faith in his followers. The church will make a grave mistake if it does not address itself to the task of showing to the world the evidence of the possession of the power and spirit of Christ that it may convince the most skeptical that it is his church. If it is to content itself with profession of faith with no deeds following, more and more will thinking men turn from it, more and more will they charge its professions to be confined to lip service only, more and more will it lose influence and power in the world, and louder will be the demand going up from sincere hearts all over the world for a manifestation of the spirit of Christ to be evidenced by works, by love, by the power to cleanse and heal and spiritualize the lives of those to whom it ministers.   San Jose Mercury-Herald Quoted in "Signs of the Times" Christian Science Sentinel, September 6, 1919

 

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