RELIGIOUS AGENCIES 343 



the work of the church is now seen to be much broader than it was 

 formerly supposed to be; the emphasis of its true appeal to men 

 does not now rest where once it did, and there is a question whether 

 its real message and mission are quite firmly grasped to-day by many 

 of its leaders. 



There seems, indeed, just now to be some slackening of its ener- 

 gies, some weakening of its influence. Does not this arise from the 

 failure to realize the changed conditions and to speak the adequate 

 word, the living word, to living men, to preach the Christ of to-day 

 to the people of to-day? 



Surely this failure cannot long be permitted to exist. The horo- 

 loge of the ages never fails to strike the hour. The world never 

 needed a gospel more than it needs it now, and there is a gospel for 

 its need. The religious agencies are here, numerous, well organized, 

 adequate; there are wheels and wheels within wheels, machinery 

 enough and more than enough; all that is needed is the Spirit of the 

 Living Creature in the wheels. 



