A Neglected Spiritual Force.
By A. J. Gordon
WHAT we have most reason to fear is that subtle materialism which is creeping into our church life and methods. How much we are coming to lean on mere human agencies! upon art and architecture, upon music and rhetoric and social attractions! If we would draw the people to church that we may win them to Christ, the first question with scores of Christians nowadays is, What new turn can be given to the kaleidoscope of entertainment? What new stop can we insert in our organ, and what richer and more exquisite strain can we reach by our quartette? What fresh novelty in the way of social attraction can we introduce; or, what new coruscation can be let off from the pulpit to dazzle and captivate the people? Oh, for a faith to abandon utterly these devices of naturalism, and to throw the church, without reserve, upon the power of the supernatural! Is there not some higher degree in the Holy Spirit's tuition into which we can graduate our young ministers, instead of sending them to a German university for their last touches of theology culture? Is there not yet some reserved power treasured up in the church which is the body of Christ, some unknown or neglected spiritual force which we can lay hold of, and so get courage to fling away forever these frivolous expedients on which we have so much relied for carrying on the Lord's work?—Dr. A. J. Gordon.