THE CHURCH AND ART 303 



throughout the world. It has sought to make the art impulse 

 and the love of the beautiful in man the stepping-stone to the 

 knowledge of the Kingdom of Heaven and the golden thread 

 which should bind his emotions to the service of God. We 

 are all in the greater sense "children of God," and the things 

 of this world which in beauty, form and color, appeal to us 

 children through our senses, rather than through our intel- 

 lects, have been utilized by the Church now and in all ages to 

 bring us more closely in touch with our Heavenly Father. 



The Church has been a constant and unceasing patron of 

 art, perhaps in a sense the only real patron. Individuals have 

 been fickle and fanciful ; governments have been changeful 

 and utilitarian ; both have been at times almost inimical to 

 art, and repellent to the artist. But the Church throughout 

 its entire history has encouraged and fostered art in every 

 age, and has always used the creative arts to illustrate and 

 exemplify its mission and to leave enduring memorials of its 

 activity on earth. Its patronage of art, therefore, has never 

 been ephemeral, or bounded by current fashion or caprice, 

 but has demanded and always will demand the highest crea- 

 tive effort in whatsoever branch the artist may follow, or of 

 whatsoever achievement he may be capable. The demand for 

 the artist's service and devotion to the mission of the Church 

 is a continuing one, and will, as the Church itself has done, 

 outlive the transitory tastes of a current age. 



The Church in America, in these United States, has just 

 entered triumphantly upon the second century of its work. 

 By earnest endeavor and ceaseless economy, it has reared 

 churches, schools and institutions on every hand, and now 

 stands clothed in the temporal garments of contemporary use- 

 fulness. Its members have become well supplied with the 

 goods of this world, even if not actually wealthy. The age 

 of struggle and missionary preparation is rapidly passing. It 

 therefore behooves the Church to clothe itself here in the new 

 world, anew, with its traditional splendor for the glory of God. 

 Its temples need no longer be bare and no longer may medi- 

 ocre utilitarianism reign supreme. An intelligent appreciation 

 of the force and power of art rightly directed for the harmony, 

 beauty and elevation of the worship of God will serve effec- 

 tually as an auxiliary to the Church in its relations to mankind 

 in this age, and as a stimulus and incitement to bring forth 



