DEGENERATE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER.
By J. Milton Greene
(By J. Milton Greene, D.D., condensed from Christian Work.) A CHANGE of residence and circumstances is oftentimes to character what the crucible is to metal. It reveals with all clearness what is “precious” and what is “vile.” It leaves no doubt what is real and what fictitious. It makes clear to one’s self, and to others, how much of alloy lurks in the mass, and what proportion of that which is labeled genuine is truly such. Remove one from the restraints of Christian civilization and an atmosphere pervaded by evangelical morality, where public opinion is attuned to a Scriptural key, and a careful distinction is observed between right and wrong, where the truth of God shines abroad like the light of day, illuminating and purifying principles and practise, in secret and in public, . . . and place him in surroundings in which . . . moral distinctions are well-nigh obliterated, and all that remains of religion are certain outward conformities under the leadership of mere functionaries, whose lives and influence are fatal to even an elementary morality, and you apply one of the severest possible tests to Christian faith, personal integrity, and fidelity in the use of the means of grace. Thus the question is often forced upon us here, What is the matter with the Christian character which we are producing at home in these later years? It seems to us like some of the fruit which has recently been shipped in bad order to New York, and had simply to be thrown overboard. Even so we are forced to believe that— In a Vast Majority of Cases the Character that Is Called Christian
will not bear transportation. It spoils in transit. So many of those who at home were regarded as exemplary, and even foremost, never enter the house of God on reaching here, but on the contrary ally themselves openly with the enemies of the Sabbath, the Word of God, and a consistent Christian life. In our mission work we look in vain for officers and Sabbath-school teachers, and even singers in our choirs. Never was a more grand opportunity offered for Christian usefulness than that which is presented to our young Christians when they come to this island. They would find ready listeners and willing followers if they would come into our mission services and give practical testimony to the power of the Gospel. According to most reliable reports, we have from fifteen hundred to two thousand Americans in San Juan, and you can hardly find two hundred of them in any place of worship on the Sabbath day. Base-ball matches, picnics, bathing parties, excursions, masquerade balls, and social visits, leave no time nor inclination for “that direct and immediate relation of the personal creature to the personal Creator, by which all true life can be determined.” I remember well that while in Mexico a young lady tourist visited us who had been the previous Sabbath to a bull-fight, and with the utmost nonchalance she told us how she thought of her Sabbath-school class at home while she was witnessing the cruel butchery, and wondered what they would say if they knew she was there. Naturally enough the Porto Ricans think of our Americans as all Christians, just as we think of them as all Romanists. And by what they see of American character they judge of American religion. Thus, looking upon the practical godlessness of so large a portion of our people, and seeing that they adopt their own customs, and even go far beyond them often, in such forms of sin as drunkenness and lasciviousness, is it any wonder that they look with suspicion on the missions we establish, and on us, the missionaries? Deeply as it pains me to write it, I must give my testimony to the fact that one of our chiefest obstacles in missionary work is the widespread religious indifference, or even open wickedness, of our own people. . . . What is the matter? Are we losing our hold on God’s eternal verities? Is the fault with those who have demanded a devitalized Gospel? Have our pastors failed to set forth God’s view of sin? Are our conversions superficial and spurious? O brethren in the home land, send us helpers in the common walks of life who have backbone, and will adorn the Gospel by consistent living! We are tired of being disappointed. San Juan, Porto Rico, March 25, 1901.