Correspondence

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 129, 23 April 1891, Page 2

Correspondence

- m —^~ -■. THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH* TO THK EDITOR OF THE STAR. r Sib,— The letter of ". Looking Forward "in your issue of the 11th instant has just come under my notice. I agre* with your correspondent on three points—(l) That socialism i& of tne. very essence of Christianity ~ r (2) That the true principles of successful socialism are taught in the New Testament j and (3) That Christian socialism is destined to, triumph. I fear, however, that any attempt to define our terms .would at once place.us at variance. For instance he quotes the injunction given to. a certain rich man, "Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor," as if it were a universal principle and that an ideal state of society would be a regular change of places between the prince and the pauper. The theory does more credit to his generosity than to his understanding. He also expresses bisadmiration of the community of possessions which existed among the. early Christians and insinuates that Christianity has failed in its mission because such community has not become universal. Hereagain he errs in mistaking an incident for a principle. There is nothing to indicate that such a system was intended to be permanent and universal. Indeed there is no other portion pf scripture which more directly condemns his position. Let him carefully read the narrative and observe that the rights of private property are there specially emphasised (Acts, sc. 4v.) . The sacrifice was wholly voluntary and, wheneyer. the pressure of example and opinion created a form, of necessity for it, it came to a tragical end. But if your correspondent ia sincere in hisadmiration of the early Christians*- let him do likewise with his possessions and at once profess Christianity. /His experiences of the effects of Christianity have, hitherto been either very limited; or very hapless. He asks "Where are the Christians of to-day ?" He means to say that those who profess Christianity are nobetter than other people, and that: their religion has no influence' oh their charac-' ter and life. Is he capable of judging ? Moral worth : can be estimated only by those better or worse than those judged. Can he modestly say that his superiority entitles him to; judge ? There are certainly many in the world . now who are ready to declare that Christianity is the best thing in all their life's experience. No doubt there is still a yery wide interval between the real and theideaLGhristiari. But who would think of condemning the uses of education because the. majority of the pupils in our schools are not perfect' in skill and attainments ? Similarly, were all Christians perfect the regenerating functions, of religion would cease. He further complains of the suppression of the true doctrines of: Christianity by the orthodox preachers of, today. Does he know anything. at all, from actual hearing, or eyen reading, of what is commonly taught from bur pulpits? It is often found that men in his position reason in this forlorn fashion : Christianity has never done anything for me. , L have never derived from it one hour's living gladness^Eveh when I say its precepts are gooE Sny statement is insincere. Therefore,' rlv half think it : is the/ same with other people. If anyone says ' Christianity has done him good, probably he is a liar or a self-deceiver; : IVith isucb. logic as this, discussion is impossible. One can only hope that a proof by experience of the reality of the blessing may , be given. Your correspondent's allusion to •the book " Looking Backward "confirms my impression that lie is a socialist of /that visiouary' class who expect every-, thing good trom some sudden uncaused impossible change of all men's hearts. Siirely the veriest noyice must see that mere external equality can never possibly produce universal social harmony. — I am, &c, ■•'"..:. ■ ■ .•■ . ■ ■;■■_. ■':■ ;; Geo. Grant. April 18th, 1891. : v "