jelly-fish Christianity will suffice for any weak soul; it will not serve to make a robust Christian man or woman. People to be trained up as Christians, must have something definite to believe.
(b) Hence it seems to me that any and every merciful institution should be Christian. It should not be a theological institution, but it should show forth Jesus Christ, clearly and distinctly, as Prophet, Preist and King, the great God-Man, who came to save the souls and bodies alike of human beings.
(c) Such institutions then should be under the care of the Churches; churches not afraid .to inculcate definitely in prayers and exercises, and the observance of the Christian Sunday, and the two Sacraments; and, in the case of orphans, definite Christian catechising.
8. It is, without doubt, a duty to make a beginning in the work of organized charity. If we do not, our religion will soon run to seed. What is our professed faith? What our asseverations of Christian love? What our blatent declarations of assured hope, if there is none of the fruitage of noble, loving works for the good of man and for the glory of God? if their largest outcome is but bricks and mortar? What will an observant world characterize it but pious platitudes, or rhapsodical religiosity?
The plea which perchance may arise, in many quarters, is that of poverty.
The large and stately church edifices in every state and city, erected by our people, negatives the plea. Poor as we are as a people, we are rich in picnics, parades, excursions, church entertainments, and the upbuilding of temples. Now let some of this zeal and expenditure run in the channel of benevolence.
And be it noticed there is nothing formidable and unattainable in such a venture as this. While indeed large and extensive establishments, are needed, for the large population which we make in the large centres; yet we must not despise the day of small beginnings. All institutions of mercy began on a small scale. So should ours be. But a beginning should be made, and a beginning can be made in a simple and almost inexpensive manner.
