DIVINE REINFORCEMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1941, Page 6

DIVINE REINFORCEMENT

WHAT CHRISTIANITY OFFERS. Those who disparage Christianity often describe it as a mental opiate, ■ deadening perception of unwelcome facts, writes a correspondent of “The Times.” “In days like these." a writer has stated lately, "religion appeals powerfully to many people as a form of escapism. To exhibit ‘faith.’ it avers, is to become secure against normal sorrows and anxieties. Such peace of mind may well be termed 'beyond understanding,’ since it is wholly irrational." At least the charge of irrationalism cannot be brought against those who wish to compare this imagined view of what Christianity offers with the actual language of the New Testament. They will find a remarkable contrast between the two. In the prospects held out by Our Lord to His disciples there is no hint of "escapism.” On the contrary, they are told that the test of discipleship is willingness to bear the cross, that they! must be ready to make great sacrifices and to face every kind of persecution. "In the world ye shall have tribulation” is their Master's candid prediction. To pass on to the writings of St. Paul is to meet a long list of physical and mental' sufferings from which he has not found, nor hi this life expects to find, any means of escape. What ho has found is. a super- , natural strength, given him from with- , out, which enables him to endure. . When persecution or depression recur, I ! he will be “persecuted, but not for-1 saken; cast down, but not destroyed." I , The Christian gains, in short, not aP road by means of which he can re- ! treat but a reinforcement by the help of which he can conquer. | '