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CHRISTIAN SCIENCE would have regarded as somewhat too secular to be the religion which took its rise among the Semites has worthy of Christian zeal. Societies like the Kyrle become the religion of the most powerful branch of the Society have sprung up, and endeavoured to brighten Aryan family ; and, lastly, the race which is possessed of the and beautify the life of the poor. The very remarkable greatest power of expression, the keenest sense of liberty, movement known as the Salvation Army (q.v.) came under which possesses the freest institutions and the most the influence of the practical spirit we are speaking of, and marked individuality, is the race which includes the the social side of its work has been in some respects its churches of the Reformation. It is in this race of strongly marked individuality that, as might be expected, the largest most successful and satisfactory achievement. The signs of this practical spirit meet us on all sides variety of denominations is to be found. These divisions —at home in orphanages and asylums; abroad in dis- are partly a strength and partly a weakness; in the past pensaries, medical missions (of which we have spoken), they have been of service in preserving intellectual inand leper settlements. Looking at these facts, observers dependence, liberty of conscience, and religious toleration. of history have pointed out that the guiding force of It may be doubted, however, whether, now that the cause Christian life has passed through the hands of various of freedom has been won, these divisions may not be a races. The Hebrew race gave it inspiration, the Greek source of growing weakness, but against any possible ill gave it intellectual expression, the Roman gave it oppor- results must be set the unifying influences now at work, tunity of world ascendancy, the Teutonic intensified its the desire for reunion, the pressure of political circumspiritual individualism, and the Anglo-Saxon race is now stances, and the experiences of missionary enterprise. The giving to it wide and varied practical application. How- modern spirit, moreover, if we may use a vague but useful ever this may be, the practical work is now multitudinous term, tends to treat ecclesiastical and dogmatic differences and its development rapid. Toynbee Hall, the first of the as matters of lessening importance. The value of denomisettlements, was started in 1885 ; and there are now more national barriers is depreciated in public esteem. With than 70 such establishments in existence — 35 in the larger views of life and nature, of the world’s history and United States; the resident workers in these are reckoned of human interests, the minds of men are seeking th'e to be at least 300. It would be impossible to chronicle common principles on which the denominations are united, all the forms in which the practical energy displays itself. and are willing to minimize matters of difference. There It is enough to notice that it includes reformatories, homes is arising a powerful religious movement which is bent on for waifs and strays, rescue societies, inebriates’ homes, service and not on controversial theology. Vast organizacharity organizations, nursing institutions for the sick tions on this basis are appearing in all parts of the world. poor, holiday funds, boys’ brigades, working men’s clubs, In the view of some these non-denominational organizareading rooms, athletic associations, homes for working tions are the seminal principles of the future Christian girls, newspaper boys, bootblacks, drift children’s missions, brotherhood—the church of the latter days—destined to and others too numerous to mention. The work, though grow larger and more vigorous while the more formal mainly directed towards the poor, does not overlook the ecclesiastical systems slowly wither away. These are conwealthier classes: the sea-side camps and public school jectures. The simple and striking fact which meets our view is not merely the widespread character of Christianity, but missions are evidence of this fact. (ii.) Individualism in Work.—The practical direction of the marvellous way in which the forces and influences of Christian activity has been accompanied by a great out- the world are gathered into the hands of Christian nations. burst of free and individual effort. The various Christian Literature.—Missions and Social Progress, by Dr Dennis.-— bodies have their agencies and societies for practical work, The Growth of the Kingdom of God, by Rev. S. L. Gulick. ReliTract Society.—Gesta Christi, by C. Loring Brace. Hodder but one feature of modern Christian enthusiasm is its gious and Stoughton. — Christianity and Social Problems, by Lyman strong and marked individualism. Many of the most Abbott. Messrs James Clarke and Co., 1896.—Superstition and remarkable and successful efforts of practical energy have Force, by Henry C. Lea. Philadelphia, U.S.A., 1878.—Historical been due to individual rather than ecclesiastical initiative. Essays, by Bishop Lightfoot. Macmillan.—Industriesand Wealth Nations, by Mulhall. Longmans, 1896.—Practical Christian Mr Muller’s work at Bristol, Mr Quarrier’s in Scotland, of Sociology. Rev. Wilbur F. Crafts. Funk and Wagnalls, Dr Barnardo’s in London, the enormous and world-wide London and Toronto.—Civilization of Christendom, by Bernard organizations known as the Young Men’s Christian Asso- Bosanquet. Swan Sonnenschein and Co., 1893.—Influence of ciation, the Christian Endeavour Society, the St Andrew’s Christianity on War, by J. F. Bethune-Baker. Macmillan, Brotherhood, all owe their beginning to personal devotion. 1888.—Problems of Religious Progress, by D. Dorchester, D.D. York, Hunt and Eaton, 1895.—Influence of Christianity on (iii.) Interdenominational Movements.—There is a certain New International Law, by C. M. Kennedy. London, Macmillan, quantity of Christian energy and force which does not seem 1856.—Social Evolution, by B. Kidd. London.—The Forward able to work through existing organizations. It is not for Movement, by Rev. G. T. Pikksok.—Christianity judged by its by Dr Croslegh. S. P.C.K.Spiritual Expansion of the us to suggest reasons—we can only chronicle results. It Fruits, London, S.P.G.—History of Church Missionary Society, may be that the advance of critical thought has made it Empire. by Eugene Stock. London, C.M.S.—Modern Missions and Culimpossible for certain minds to accept the real or supposed ture, by Dr Warnack. Edinburgh, Gemmell.—Christianity and theological bondage of the churches, and that, as a con- the Progress of Man, by Prof. Douglas Mackenzie. Edinburgh, sequence, a considerable portion of Christian and philan- Oliphant, Anderson, and Ferrier.—Missionary Conference, 1894. S.P.C.K. thropic earnestness has escaped into other channels; it London, S.P.GM.—History of the S.P.C.K. London, (W. B. R.) may be that the discords or jealousies of the denominations Christian Science, a system of theosophic and have alienated certain ardent natures; but however, this may be, there is no doubt of the great increase of inde- therapeutic doctrine, which was originated in America pendent and undenominational religious and humanitarian about 1866 by Mrs Mary Baker Eddy, of _ Lynn, Massachusetts, and has in recent years obtained a WOr ^‘ IY. Conclusion. number of adherents both in the United States and in The present force of Christianity in the world is the European countries. Mrs Eddy based her teaching on result of a steady growth in numbers and influence. The the Bible, and on the principles that man’s essential religion which was the religion of an obscure handful nature is spiritual, and that the Spirit of God being Love of men is now, after a lapse of nineteen hundred years, and Good, moral and physical evil are contrary to that the religion of a third of the human race and by far Spirit, and represent an absence of the True Spirit which the most vigorous and influential nations. Further, was in Jesus Christ. There is but one Mind, one God,
