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The Gospel Messenger
"SET FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE GOSPEL."— Philpp. 1: 17
Vol. 67
Elgin, 111., January 5, 1918
No. 1
In This Number
in.*!!- in Days of Sorrow
Ph. D., ■ _■■ :■■■■■. i Singing, By ' .....i,l Table,— ,o New Dawn (Poem)
"Big Brother.-' By Mrs. H. M. Sell
The Art of Silence
The Compelling Power of Prayer. By Daisy M. Moore, Her Choice. By Cecil Hayes,
nnttylvnnla Churches, lly John It. Sny ; South as Seen by a Southerner. By A. M. ind Family;, — (Poem),
...EDITORIAL.
" In the Midst of the Years "
It is a wonderful year that lias just gone into the irrevocable past. How wonderful,- it is too soon to tell. To do this correctly will require the perspective of many years to come. But more urgent matters lie to our hand just now. The year which we are entering is sure to be another wonderful one, and our present interest is in that. Like a certain ancient prophet we are standing " in the midst of the years " and, like him, are more concerned about the future than the past.
Habakkuk did, indeed, devote some time to signifi- cant reminiscences, but this was only for the purpose of gathering strength to meet the hard conditions he was facing. The real burden of his heart is seen in the prayer: " O Jehovah, revive thy work in the midst of the years." That " work " he recalled in the beau- tiful lines beginning:
" God came from Teman, And the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens, And the earth was full of his praise." That "work" he longed to see revived. The " praise " of Jehovah, just then driven into hiding, he wanted to see fill the earth again. And there was no wavering in his faith that the years ahead would be as glorious as the ancient ones had been. See with what a high note of confidence his prayer concluded: "Jehovah, the Lord, is my strength; And he niaketh my feet like hinds' feet, And will make me to walk upon my high places."
Can we face the future with a finer spirit? Or a better wish than that in 1918 there may be a great re- vival of Jehovah's work? Or a nobler purpose than, by more complete abandonment to the higher things, to turn the wish into a fact?
Men of Like Passions
The treatment Paul and Barnabas received at Lys- tra, illustrates a very common human tendency. Why is it that we can not look upon our fellow-men for what they really are, that we must make either gods or devils out of them?
Let a man do a noble deed, let him show that God is using him as an efficient servant, and we are ready to get down on our knees before him. But let him give
some evidence of being exceedingly human, like our- selves, lei him make a mistake; and ho« soon we are ready a trample him under our feet. We usually overdo the thing, whether in praise or in blame, ^s the years go on, (ieorge Washington becomes more of a saint and Benedict Arnold more of a scoundrel. With reference tc. our brethren, in particular, let us learn to appreciate without worshiping and to disap prove with charity.
Gathering Strength in Days of Sorrow
There was a paragraph in a recent Sunday school lesson peculiarly pertinent to these days in which so many things are happening to start our tears. On that memorable day when Ezra and his helpers read and explained the law to the people, it is said the peo pie wept. Did the reading tend to freshen up their memories of all the tragedy the nation had gone through since the ancient glory had been destroyed? And did it make them sadly wonder whether the future could ever be so glorious as the past had been? And did it, worst, of all, prick their consciences with con- viction of wrongs committed unci duties left undone? Small wonder that they wept.
But listen now to the counsel of Nehemiah and his brethren: " Mourn not, nor weep. . . . Go your way, eat the. fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared ; for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye grieved; for the joy of Jehovah is your strength."
Do you note the kindly gentleness in that reproof? It ran hardly be called reproof at all.. The people could tint be blamed for weeping, some. I low could they help it } And yet they tnusl not weep too much. It was time t„ cease. TheTe were more important things tn do. They must " scud portions unto him for win, in nothing is prepared," And, most significant of all, they will need strength for the lasks before them. \nd thai is to lie found in " the joy of Jehovah."
How intensely practical this is for us,— for all of us who must do our work even while we carry some load oi personal sorrow. Weep? Yes, sometimes. II will relieve our burdened spirits, Bui this must no! I" i"" Irequent, nor loo prolonged. There is ton much work to do. There are too many people " for whom nothing is prepared." We must send portions to them. We must conserve and gather strength for our tasks of spiritual ministration. And this we can not do with too much weeping. Brace up. Eal and drink. Make merry and lie glad. Smile and go to work again. "The JOJ "I Mini ah is your strength."
Where the Highest Revelation Is and Why
I in m is a revelation of God in nature which we are often loo blind to see. But the highest knowledge of God could mil lie disclosed in the world of nature, For this God must enter into human history. This he did in the life of ancienl Israel and, mosl of all, in the life of Jesus Christ. Hence we find here Hod's crown- ing revelation of himself to mankind-
Missions in War Times
That our beloved country is involved in the world war, that war is actually upon us, is a fact that every sober-minded man keenly feels and sincerely regrets. The nation shudders with a sense of horror. The whole world, in fact, is engulfed in sorrow anil draped in the habiliments of mourning. It is the time of weeping, when the nations refuse to be comforted, because their sons are not. It is the hour of supreme distress, for life,— God's highest gift and man's great- est trust, — is sacrificed like water.
This unprecedented world calamity is father to a state of mind, such as seldom develops, if ever. It is a question whether the mind of the world was ever so unsettled. The wisest know not what to think of the present, nor what to expect of the future. Purposes, matured under conditions of peace, are surrendered, and ideals cherished, when hope promised their reali- zation, are sacrificed to the demoralizing uncertainty of war. Anchorage is broken, and the whole world is set adrift to the wail of destruction and death. The nations know not what, only that they are in the great- est war of the world's history, moving in strife toward a bloody end, and they know not what a day will bring forth. Such is war!
Of this unsettled condition the church is a partaker; not the largest partaker, but a partaker, and the result of it is much to the. disadvantage of her work. Under such stress, attention is diverted, effort is misapplied, purpose is miscarried.
In this time of world-wide distress, there are so many calls for help, and many of them, if not all, arc deserving. And many of them are present, temporal needs, — needs that appeal through the eyes and .cars, and if supplied, it must be done at once or never. The cry of the starving millions rends the air. Many of these are innocent, helpless women and children who have become unfortunate victims of rage which they had no hand in provoking. The blood of the dying
and the groans of the wounded arc in our eyes and ears.
The Red Cross Society has undertaken the task of relieving this distress, lis plans and resources are on a gigantic scale. It commands thousands of workers and millions of dollars, and is railing for more. And who is not ready to respond? The Y. M. ('. A. has undertaken the more serious task of meeting the moral and spiritual needs of the situation. It, too, is calling for men mid money, and is Succeeding in both in a big way. Why shouldn't it ? Who is little enough to with- hold his support? Besides, while these Iwo societies are nol a corporate part of tin? army, the Government has recognized each in its particular field of service and nivcs (o each unrestricted opportunity. In addi- tion to these large societies, many of Hie churches have organized for relief work of many kinds.
Our people have the heart to give liberally to re- lie!" work; in facl, they are already contributing, Ii is right thai they should. And we have not yet done our best, We have not yet done our full duty. The con- ditions demand liberality, such as we have not known in the past.
Hut the monetary needs growing out of the war must not be allowed to detract attention from our mis- sion work. There are many reasons why wc should support our missions more liberally than ever. I can mention only a few of them:
1. The demoralizing influences of the war reach all lands. They affect the mission fields of the world. They must be overcome. Peace must be established, and the spirit of peace must be instilled in the minds of the people. The task is bigger and more difficult to accomplish, More workers and more money are need- ed. This is a general proposition and applies to all alike.
2. We have successful missions in India and Giina. They are growing; their needs multiply us they grow,
THE GOSPEL MESSENGER— January 5, 1918
both for men and money. They must be met. This is no time to retract. Retraction would be fata!. To hold our territory in both fields and develop it, we must continue to grow. Both missions arc fully bom; in fact, they arc good-sized infants; not more. But the growth already made and the promises of the fu- ture challenge the liberality of every member of the Church of the Brethren.
3. Fifteen new workers have been sent to India and China this year, ai the approval of Conference, which will add considerably to the budget of expense, and which was a step by faith. The books of the General Mission Hoard had just been closed for the preceding year with a deficit of a few hundred dollars, but the Board believed the body it serves would furnish the money. The Board believed thai God would, in some way, make plain to us our duty. H was not believed that the church would authorize the sending of work- ers abroad, and then fail to support them, nor is it believed now.
4. War conditions affect prices in India and China as well as in other lands. It costs more to live now, although, let it be said to the credit of our mission- aries, they have up to the present gotten along with their former support, and they are making every edge Cut, in order to squeeze through, Realizing the needs Of their fields, they sacrifice and plan to make every dollar do the work of a big dollar. Their conditions of living do not compare favorably with the abundance, even luxury, of the people they represent.
5. With war come war prices. Big prices for every thing. Much money. Banks are oversowing. The like never was known. In Other words, we have the money to do great things lor God. We are able, as never before, to give liberally to our mission work. We can do much in a financial way to relieve distress resulting from Ihe war, and still do much more than ever before for missions, We ought to give because we have it to give. Are there those who would keep all they have and add all they can at war prices? Is there a man or woman among us, with his or her name on the church roll, who would enlarge his holdings at the cosl of another's blood? The Lord have mercy, and give light and repentance!
6. Money has value only as it contributes to the ac- complishment of right ends. Of itself it is without value. The Government, for instance, believes that its contention in the war is right. See how it sacrifices money to its cause. Appropriations authorized by Congress have never been duplicated by any nation in the history of the world. The Government believes in its cause. It means to win. Are the children of this world wiser in their generation than the children of light? Do we not believe in the cause of winning the world to Christ? Then, why not give as we have means to give?
Israel, under the Law, gave a tenth of their gross income for one purpose, to say nothing of other things. Altogether they gave probably one-fourth or one-third of their gross income tor the support of their religion. They lived under the Law. Remember this. The Law was hut the shadow of the Gospel Age. If the people gave to this extent, by requirement, by law, in the days of the shadow, what ought to be expected in the davs of the substance? Now we are placed upon our honor, with the requirements of the past before us, to give as we are prospered, and how does it work out? If our spiritual advancement is to be measured by our giving, we ought yet to be back under the Law, for we have not outgrown the need of requirement by law. I have always been opposed to the rule of the tenth, be- . ause 1 considered it not good enough, not big enough. Certainly, the Gospel means more than the Law. But if we were all back under the Law and the tithe, what would that mean for the church? Something would happen. That's certain. Do we feel a bit. ashamed that we are so far behind the Gospel measure? Do we pledge ourselves now and here to do better? God help us! _ H. r. e.
Classes in Fundamentals
Our people are bringing out some splendid Sun- day-school literature, and if the good work of mak- ing books continues a decade or two. the time may,
by the future historian, be referred to-as the " book period " among the Brethren. Starting with Peter Mead's book, "Nead's Theological Work," one might prepare an interesting chapter on the history of l».».>k-making by our people. With possibly one or two exceptions, we have copies of all these books in our collection, and it has, at times, been a pleas- ure to look them over and study, with interest, the character of the different works, and compare them in merit. But this is not what we started out to say.
Just now we have before us "Training the Sun- day-school Teacher," Book Two, by Brethren E. B. Iloff, M. W. Emmert and Ezra Flory. This is cer- tainly a valuable addition to our Sunday-school lit- erature, and if the Sunday-school workers among us can be made to understand the importance of fully equipping themselves for the duties falling to their lot, they will see to it that this little volume finds its way into thousands of families in the Brotherhood. We liked Book One, but like this one a great deal better. It will fill a place in our Sunday-school work that no one has heretofore attempted to sup- ply. This is especially true of the doctrinal depart- ment of the work.
Taking the book as a whole, we have lessons on the devotional life as well as on Bible maps, pre- ceded by chapters that deal largely with doctrinal questions. Here most of the doctrines peculiar to the Church of the Brethren are treated in a brief, but a clear manner, bringing the subject matter right home to the clas.s of members needing instruc- tions along that line. It is introducing the doctrine right into the Sunday-school work, and making it a part of our Sunday-school curriculum. If we would keep our people thoroughly indoctrinated, we must see to it that the doctrine is carefully taught in the Sunday-school, as well as from the pulpit.
In every Sunday-school, as near as possible, there should be an Advanced Biblical Class, giving its time, for a year or two, to the study of religious fun- damentals. For a class of this sort Book Two would answer a splendid purpose until something more comprehensive can be prepared. Give the class a well-informed teacher, with this course of study, and a foundation will be laid not easily shaken.
This leads us to say that either Bro. Hoff, or some other well-informed brother, should be encouraged to prepare more extended lessons on New Testa- ment Doctrines, and Biblical Fundamentals gener- ally, and adapt the lessons to a systematic course of study. We were urged to do this when our book on doctrines was in course of preparation, but we told those approaching us on the subject that a book of that class must be left for a schoolman to prepare. All we had in view was a treatise for general reading. While " Training the Sunday-school Teacher," Book Two, is the best work for study along doctrinal lines, still space did not permit the treating of subjects with sufficient thoroughness for a regular course of study. Hence the necessity of another book, planned and prepared for the specific purpose desired.
With a book of this sort, ready for use, a class in some, and, if practicable, all of our schools, should be formed for the study of fundamentals. Then a correspondence department should be conducted for the benefit of those who are. not prepared to attend any of our schools.' The course of study should be so planned that the work of the students can be ex- amined and passed on, and credit given for the work done. Classes might be conducted in all parts of the Brotherhood, and, if wisely managed, we might soon have the best indoctrinated, and the best in- formed body of members, in fundamentals, to be found in the land.
It would be one way of making the best of our claims, and would probably do more in the way of unifying our pulpit than anything that could be introduced. When we look at the subject, it is simply a marvel how our ministers have, through books, tracts, papers, magazines arid lectures, reached out in ever)' direction for the data with which to build up the framework of fundamentals. Instead of relying mainly on writers of our own for material, and the lines by which to operate, they have resorted to the works -of others. And the
sources from which data have been gathered, have been diversified almost beyond comprehension. Just how a religious body of people could have been made so compact with such a diversity of training, respecting the selecting of fundamentals, almost borders on mystery.
But it can not be thus always, and that is why we are urging the importance of making a specialty of our doctrines in some systematic manner. While the unity in doctrine seems almost perfect, on the surface, still there is a quiet disintegration that is alarming to not a few thinkers who have, with more than ordinary care, been studying the conditions. And in order to reinforce our plea, and remove oc- casion for further disintegration, we can not afford long to delay the steps that are being urged in this article.
But we should not think of waiting for another book. The present one is ample for the first course, and classes should be formed with.out delay, while the machinery should be set in motion for the cor- respondence department. J. H. M.
A Central Service Committee
It is now very clear that if our young men are to be uniformly treated as provided for in the Federal laws, there must be a Central Service Committee at Washington. District Camp Visiting Committees are able to give spiritual comfort, but find that when some- thing more must be attended to readjustments must come from the top down.
The church needs to recognize the fact of centrali- zation in the National Government and adjust itself ac- cordingly. This is just where a Central Service Com- mittee would come in to good advantage. Preferably tins committee should have its headquarters at Wash- ington, in order that it could be in the closest touch with those in the highest authority. In personnel the committee should be made up of the most capable and experienced persons possible. The expenses and full compensation of this committee should be provided for by the Brotherhood, in order that the men composing it might give their full time and strength to the work.
A Central Service Committee for the Church of the Brethren, when properly located and paid, could at- tend to the following important matters:
1. The committee should organize a bureau of in- formation for the convenience of parents, friends and men in difficulty.
2. In cases where conditions needed to be brought to the attention of the Government, the Central Service Committee could collect and present the necessary data. It would seem that cases might easily be classified and grouped for expeditious handling. This would not only be more satisfac- tory to the men in difficulty but would doubtless be approved by the Government.
3. The committee should preserve a complete record of all data coming into its hands. With this on file it could prepare, as the last part of its work, a complete report of the relation of the church to the Government and to the great war.
4. The Central Service Committee would be in a position to cooperate with similar representatives from other religious bodies.
5. If any special war relief work should be under- taken, the Central Service Committee could arrange with the Government for it; and, finally, as a special department of its work, the committee could ad- minister the same.
These paragraphs are not written in disparage- ment of the good work that is being done by the Camp Visiting Committees. In fact, these com- mittees would be vitally essential to the work of the Central Service Committee in the capacity of local representatives. Yet one can not help but see that it is the Brethren who get to Washington who are able to get in touch with the highest authorities.
This plan for a Central Service Committee is, therefore, simply a contribution looking toward a more efficient and businesslike handling of a very complicated and important relation, — the relation between the Church and the Government in war times. h. a. b.
THE GOSPEL MESSENGER— January 5, 1918
3
CONTRIBUTORS' FORUM
Beginning Again
Sclwtwl by Agnes M. Geib, Uanhelm, Pa. When sometimes our feet grow weary
On the rugged hills of life. The path stretching long and dreary
With trial and lahor rife — We pause on the toilsome journey,
Glancing backward to the glen, And sigh with infinite longing,
To return and begin again. For behind is the dew of the morning,
In all its freshness and light. And before our doubts and shadows
And the chill and gloom of the night. We remember the sunny places
We passed so carelessly then And :isk with a passionate longing,
To return and begin again. Ahl vain, indeed, is the asking!
Life's duties press all of us on, And who dare shrink from the labor
Or sigh for the sunshine that's gone? And it may be not far on before us
Wait fairer places than then- Life's paths may yet lead by still watei
Though we may not begin again.
For
upv
Be our paths on the hills of life, And soon will a radiant dawning
Transfigure the toil and the strife. And the hand of our Father will lead us
Tenderly upward then. In the joy and peace of a fairer world
He'll let us begin again.
—Author Unkn
Moral and Spiritual Help for Our Drafted Young Men
BY J. C. FLORA
This is truly a world war. The larger per cent of the nations are directly involved and the remainder are affected indirectly. In this war over 40,000,000 men are engaged. In no previous war have there been more than 4,500,000 or 5,000,000 men engaged. This present war costs no less than $130,000,000 daily. This stupendous sum is spent in a material way. It is my intention to call our attenion to what is being done that in part, at least, may be money spent for the moral and spiritual welfare of those engaged.
Our young men are being called. They are making the -greatest sacrifice. We ought to be willing to do our part. It is our greatest- desire that our young men may remain pure. If they are permitted to return to their homes, may they return clean, and with high ideals of service.
The Red Cross is doing a very noble work. We may not be able to approve of everything it does, but in a large measure we feel that the movement is worthy. First, they aim to alleviate the suffering of the wound- ed and sick. Second, they aim to make life more pleasant for the boys who have been deprived of many of their home comforts, by furnishing them extra clothing and some extra eatables. Third, they aim through this sympathy and interest, to appeal to their manhood, and desire to help them spiritually. Dur- ing the summer months there was a campaign on to raise $100,000,000. It resulted in $120,000,000 being raised. The call will no doubt soon come for more.
The Y. M. C A. is the one great organization whose aim it is to help the Protestant young men. The Knights of Columbus is an organization that is doing similar work for the young men of the Roman Catholic church. I am sure there is no place in the Canton- ments, here in the United States or in France, to which our boys are first sent, where they feel more welcome than at the Y. M. C, A. building. The secretaries ar- range for Sunday-school and church. In some camps, I am informed, the men in training must attend Sun- day-school and church in the forenoon. They have reading-rooms with the best magazines and periodicals. They also have a long table with paper, ink, and pens, and they remind the young men not to forget the loved ones at home. They have graphophones, vic- trolas and moving pictures. They also organize quar- tets, choruses and an orchestra, where there are those
who are interested in music. In fact, they are doing their very best to make it homelike for the young men, and to have them remember and retain the high ideals, that have been instilled into their minds, back at their homes or in their home churches and Sunday- schools. Their work is also extending to the trenches, and amidst the most severe danger. The V. M. C„ A. of the United States is not only attempting to do such service for our own boys, but also for the boys of France, Russia, Italy and a number of smaller coun- tries. The number to he served, between now and April 1, will be 24,000,000 men. Up to this time, $10,000,000 has been raised and at the present there is a campaign on to raise $35,000,000. It takes large sums of money to do the work the Y. M. C. A. is doing on such a large scale.
The Pocket Testament League is another very worthy organization. Such men as Chas. E. Davis, Chas. M. Alexander and Philip E, Howard are giving their time and prayer to this work. They go into the Camps and make a plea to the young men to take a Testament, with the promise that they will cany it in their vest pocket and will read it every day. Hun- dreds and thousands of the young men are taking the Testaments and signing the card that obligates them to carry and read it. They go a step farther and make a plea to get the young men to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. They succeed in having some fine revivals and scores of young men are won to Christ. These Testaments cost thirty cents each and they need more than they have money to buy.
We want to serve our country. We want to do something for our young men who must leave home and friends. It seems to me that we can do nothing better than to support the work of these organizations by our prayers nnd means, so that our young men, thrown amidst vile temptations, may be saved for Christ and the church. Johnstown, Pa.
Wise and Foolish
BY PAUL MOHLKR
How many fools do you know? How many of the educated men around you have moved out of the fool class, and how many of them have moved in to stay? How many of the leaders of your community arc real- ly living wisely?
Now some more questions : How many men does it take to make a foolish thing wise? If a certain way of living is unwise, unsafe, and wrong, how many people of education, refinement, influence, and general prom- inence, must follow that way to make it wise, safe, and right? If you think these are foolish questions, just answer this one, after you have thought about it a lit- tle: Do you feel safe in following a certain course when you see most of the intelligent, educated, re- fined, and influential people around you, going that way? Does it ever shake your faith in the way you yourself are traveling, to find yourself in the company only of the poor, the uneducated, and uncultured? If you say " yes " to these questions, you had better read what follows.
' I wish you would read, right here, the twelfth chap- ter of Luke. Read the whole chapter carefully. You will understand better what I am trying to say. Je- sus was talking to his disciples in the presence of a multitude. I think he was preparing them for apostlc- " ship. The first twelve verses record his discourse without interruption, — much condensed, of course, in the record. Then comes an interruption from a man in the crowd. Jesus answers the man and seems to leave his former line of thought temporarily, but soon swings back to his task of preparing his disciples for their great ministry, using the interruption most skill- fully as a point of departure for a special line of teach- ing that all disciples need. At the same time he gives the interrupter just what he needs at the time. It is a wonderfully fine bit of pedagogy, to say nothing of its doctrinal value. Don't leave the chapter until you get it all.
Let us notice the interruption first (verse 13) : "And one out of the multitude said unto him, Teacher, hid my brother divide the inheritance with me." Evi- dently his father had died and he could not get from his brother what he thought was his. His claims may
have been just, — we do not know. To get the matter settled aright, required some one with both wisdom and authority, to Uike hold of the affair and to effect a settlement. Evidently the man thought Jesus could do it. and called on him for help. You know the world is full of just such cases as that. It is interesting to see what tin- Lord said and did.
Hut he said unto him, Man. who made me a judge or a divider over you? " That, is all he said to him, as far as we know. Isn't it rather disappointing? Don't you think he ought to have settled the matter without dodging?
Haven't you heard people say that Christians, and even ministers, ought to occupy Covermuental posi- tions so that they could dispense justice and curb the evil-minded? Are they not the very people to do it, — conscientious, honest, impartial, just, ami courageous? Would not that make the world infinitely better? Why did the Lord not see the opportunity and seize it? Was he not born to be a King?
Let us look again. Did Jesus really do the best he could for the man? What was best? Think a little. If you had the smallpox, would you have your doctor
heal the sores mi your face, Or tile disease whieh
caused the sores? If you had consumption, with a hard cough, should lie treat you for a cough, or for tuberculosis? When Jesus treated a sick man, phys- ical or spiritual, he treated tin- disease,— not its symp- toms. Whal was the inuiter with tins man? We can tell what Jesus thought by reading the next verse: " And he said unto them, Take heed and keep your- selves from all covetousness : for a man's life consist- ed! not in the abundance of the things which he pos- sessed!." Jesus thought he had n bad case of covetous- ness. Whal reason had lie for thinking so? Just look al the situation.
Jesus had been speaking powerfully and persuasive- ly to his disciples on a most Important subject. First he warned them against hypocrisy and the tear of men. lie made a most powerful appeal for full faith in (iod's care over them and for a full, free and open confession of himself before men, inspiring them with his promise to toilless them before the angels of heav- en, lie assures them that the Holy Spirit should qualify them for every occasion. All the elements of a great oration were there, — the orator, the audience, and the occasion. I wish I had the whole speech be- fore me, with a vision of Ids voice, u''M<m's. manner, and expression of countenance. What a noble picture he must have presented, with creel, manly bearing, kindling eye, expressive mouth, glowing countenance, strong, vibranl tones, clear, forcible sentences, and the whole atmosphere electric with his marvelous person ality. Truly, "never man so spake." How every open heart and every free spirit must have thrilled with the very glory of the career he opened before them.
How about the man that interrupted him? (an you see his face'' Is he responding to the appeal? If he had done so, could he have interrupted him? Can't you see how hard and fast his love of money was hold- ing him, that the only thing he could think of when he heard that, marvelous appeal, was: " Wen- is the man to get my money for me." And he broke right in,— where an angel would have kept silent, — and demand- ed justice! Now do you know what was the matter with the man? Ho you think the Lord was unneces- sarily brusque with him? Don't you feel decidedly out of patience with such a man?
I suppose some of our evangelists can tell you how if feels to have their best work broken into by disputes about money matters between members in the congre- gation where they are working, so that they have to stop their work of soul-saving, in order to settle these matters.
I don't think Jesus was brusque with him. I don't know just what tone was in his voice when he an- swered, but I am sure it was not unnecessarily severe, and I want you to notice how the discourse, which fol- lows, met the real need of the interrupter. The man had covetousness; there is no doubt about it. It would not really help him to get this dispute settled. The only thing that would help him was to cure his covet- ousness. The address which follows will probably cure any case that can be cured. If you don't believe it, try it,— on yourself.
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THE GOSPEL MESSENGER— January 5, 1918
What a discourse that was ! How completely he covers the ground, meeting every conceivable argu- ment for laying up treasure on earth, and utterly de- stroying it. If Jesus was right in that, and if I could not believe his teaching there, I could not believe him anywhere. The great majority of educated, refined, influential, and prominent people, together with most of the rest of us, are wj-ong, unwise, and utterly fool- ish in their course in life. It is Jesus against them, — simply Jesus alone, with a meager sprinkling of poor folks, most of them without much education (but some of them princes among men of intellect). Is wisdom with the large number, or the small? Think il over!
1210 Twenty-fifth Ave., North, Minneapolis, Minn.
Help in Sorrow
BY R. H. MILLER
\\ hen the world is so filled with sorrow, one nat- urally longs for some adequate explanation for it. Two methods I should like to suggest. One may find in loss a cause to match. Or, again, one may " find in loss a gain to match."
The disciples asked concerning the blind man: " Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered: "Neither did this man sin, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."
The disciples sought in his loss a cause to match. Jesus would divert their minds from that thought. He would have them see in his loss a gain to match. Could Jesus ever have had a chance to correct the same er- ror in you?
Suppose you are sorrow-laden. One comes to you. He finds in your past life some great offence. He holds that up to you as the explanation of youi-suffer- ing. Another points out some great gain that shall come to you and others from your loss. Which anti- dote will you choose for your sorrow?
The one method looks back on the past ; the other On the future. The one is the method of the disciples; the other is the method of Jesus. The one is the method of the judge; the other is the method of the Father. The one looks for a past crime; the other for a future good. One is destructive, the other is constructive.
In considering your own or some others' sorrow, use the fatherly method of Jesus, looking in a constructive way for the future good. It is always present. Would not you rather think of it than of the past offence for which you suffer?
Since, out of the greatest crime of history, God brought the salvation of the world, don't you think he'll cause good to issue from your present pain and suffering? I know he will.
1233 Hasl Fiftieth Street, Los Angeles, Cal.
A Plea to the Drafted
BY LEO BLICKENSTAFF
We, as Christians, who have been called by God to teach and practice the Gospel of peace on earth and good-will towards men, can not willingly enter into anything that would help war in any way (Matt. 26: 52a). We will only contribute to war when we can not help ourselves (Rom. 12: 17, 18). as frofti neces- sity of circumstances.— such as buying our daily bread at the high war prices ; or when forced by the Govern- ment (Rom? 13: 1) to pay war taxes or buy revenue stamps, or to go to the Training Camps to enter non- combatant service. The Government can take our money and property from us, but we dare not give our services in any way that will help war, except when forced to, and only then in the things in which we can work with a good motive (Titus 3: 1 ; 1 Cor. 10: 31).
It seems to me that perhaps the most important thing we can do, who are drafted, is to pray that the choice be left with us, where we feel we can serve God and our fellow-man best. But if the Government steps in, it becomes a question that each of us must finally decide between ourselves and God, as to just where we will draw the line, and in what service we can enter with a right motive and clear conscience be-
fore our God. And so, my brother, we can not an- swer this question for each other, but God will give to each of us the answer if we ask him (John 14: 26).
Whatever happens, we must not do evil. God com- mands us to obey the Government (Rom. 13: 1 ; Titus 3: 1). The Government is in authority over us, but Go# is also, and he is the Supreme Commander both over man and Government. God never gives a Gov- ernment the right to command a man to disobey any of his laws. But if our Government should dare, — as many have in the past, — to do so, what must we do? " We must obey God rather than men," — just as Christ always did, and as the apostles did (Acts 5: 29), and as thousands have done, Who, in the face of Govern- ment, have stood true to their God, even to a martyr's death.
At the beginning God made man with a life after his own likeness, and pronounced it too sacred for man to destroy at his own will. " Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man " (Gen. 9:6); and, " Thou shalt not kill " (Ex. 20: 13). These texts can not, however, be so construed as to prohibit war under certain cir- cumstances, for in a number of cases God's people were definitely directed to exterminate a certain class of people,, and in these cases were necessarily cleared from guilt (Num. 25: 16-18; Joshua 6 : 21; etc.).
But this can give no license for war in our day, liv- ing, as we are, in the light of the Gospel of love and peace. And God did not have to take this way to pro- tect his people. His mighty Hand delivered them out of Egypt. Hezekiah prayed and the angel in the same night destroyed 185,000 of the Assyrians (2 Kings 19: 35). The eyes of Elisha's servant were opened and he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots for their protection (2 Kings 6: 14-18). Jesus said: " Put up ngain thy sword. . . . Thinkest thou that I can not beseech my Father, and he shall even now send me more than twelve legions of angels" (Matt. 26: 52. 53)? Daniel was safe in the lions' den, and the Hebrew children in the fiery furnace. God is just as willing to save the United States from Germany as he was to save Israel from Assyria. " The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and "delivereth (hem " (Psa. 34: 7). Never did God fail any nation or individual when they trusted and obeyed him. As he saw fit, he saved them, or sometimes he allowed them to serve him by dying as martyrs for the cause.
If God is willing to protect and provide, do we need a sword? Christ has directed us both in word and example not to use the sioord. He wants us to use better weapons. He says : " Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword " (Matt. 26: 52). " My king- dom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight" (John 18: 36). " Love your enemies and pray for them that persecute you" (Matt. 5: 44); "Blessed are they which are persecuted . . . great is your reward in heaven " (Matt. 5: 10, 12). Paul says: " Render to no man evil for evil. . . . Avenge not yourselves, . . . Vengeance be- longeth unto me; . . . But if thine enemy hunger, feed him, ... Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good" (Rom. 12: 17-21).
Christ ahuays allowed love rather than anger to sicay his heart and life. This is the teaching and prac- tice of the entire New Testament, and also of the early church. And since that, wherever Christianity has had a chance to get hold of the people, this spirit has prevailed. It would be a boon to Christendom and the world, if all those who profess to be Christ's follow- ers would walk closely in the footsteps of him who, under the severest scourgings and even under death, retaliated not. Many a young man died at the mar- tyr's stake, rather than to join the Roman army, and in every century since then has this spirit been shown. Will the record of the twentieth century be the same? Or will any presume that they know better, or have a new revelation? Beware of the prophet that prophe- sies absolutely in contradiction to the truth that God has revealed and taught by both Word and Life, — even that of his Son. Believe him not!
Many and continual were the strong protests against murder in the Old Testament. And it is interesting to see how the prophets looked forward to an age when wars, in all their horror, would cease. They set forth a great peace program (Micah 4: 1-3; Isa. 2: 2-4). Christ and the apostles applied these prophecies to their day; therefore the peace age of the prophets is the Gospel age (Matt. 4: 12-16; cf. Isa. 9: 1-6).
What is the matter, then, with the attitude of the Governments and many of the churches of today? Though they are called Christian, yet, on this question, they are not practicing and upholding the Word of their Leader. They seem to be living under the Mo- saic* Law, not having caught the spirit and hope of the prophets, nor that of the Gospel. Again, they make a serious mistake in thinking they have a right to do evil that good may come. Paul, in Romans 6: 2, s5ys: "Shall we sin that grace may abound? God forbid. Know ye not that to whom ye present your- selves as servants, his servants ye are whom ye obey?" No principle is more clearly taught in God's Word than this one.
Now, my dear brethren, what will we do? Will we obey God or men? One of the greatest and most precious things in the world is conviction. Without it, little was ever done that was worth while. Knowledge brings conviction, and with conviction the will is able to act. Now, if God has given us the knowledge on this question, and we are convinced that it is right, he then expects us to act and live true to it (James 4: 17). Many people today do not seem to have any con- victions on this question (perhaps largely because they have not been taught), and others who do have, are afraid or ashamed to stand by them. Will you stand by what you know to be right, or will you disobey your God and your conscience?
But do not expect God to exempt you, and the Gov- ernment to overlook you, if you are selfishly using your talents and your freedom for your own pleasure. You do not deserve it.
/ appeal to you: Be true to God, not only because you need him, but because the church and lost souls are needing you. God has saved your soul for a pur- pose,— that hevmight be able to reach other lost souls and save them too (John 17: 18; Matt. 28: 19; etc.}. Men are perishing in darkness and ignorance all about you, because you, who know God, do not love and ap- preciate him as you should. In other lands whole na- tions are dying in darkness, yes, thirty-two millions every year. At every breath of God's air that you are so graciously allowed to draw, four souls perish with- out ever having heard of the Savior. Long have they been crying out for light and life. God has put his blessed Gospel into the world, but he depends upon us to take it to others; he has no other way. Whether they shall have it or not, depends upon your answer.
In answer to the prayers and efforts of his people, during the last hundred years, God has opened the doors of all nations today. They are waiting and pleading for Christ. Will we enter how, or will we let those doors close? One whole tribe came a long dis- tance to a mission and pleaded for teachers, promising to bear all expenses. But being refused, they, in anger, said: " When we see your God we will tell him on you." The door was being closed, as. these disap- pointed ones returned to. their idols.
Christ's thin battle line against sin, in the foreign field,- has been depleted. Many European workers were recalled by their Governments to enter the battle line of carnal warfare. Nearly all the students and volunteers of Europe are dead. Most of those in* America are going into the carnal war. Where is Christ going to get recruits for his battle line? Sure- ly, he is depending much upon those few nonresistant peoples, that are left to him. Will we rally to his ban- ner, or '' will we also forsake him " (John 6: 67) ?
And in spite of the hardships, no life is happier or more real than the one that gives all to the service of Christ, in obedience to the Ruler of life and his laws, neither is any life more wretched and unreal and with- out hope than that selfish one which chooses to reject God's plan for it.
Chicago, III.
THE GOSPEL MESSENGER— January 5, 1918
Two Aspects of the Liquor Question
BY ROGER C. SMITH, PH. D.
Several weeks ago, while lecturing to about three hundred children, I was struck with the dullness of a group of them. They seemed incapable of compre- hending and retaining relatively simple facts or prin- ciples. Their teacher sat with an expression of anx- iety, mingled with a touch of tragedy on her face, as she listened to their answers to some questions I asked, because her heart was in her work.
After the lecture, she came to me and apologized for the poor showing her school had made. Since it appeared that she was putting forth her best efforts to give them the best of instruction, I could not refrain from asking her how she accounted for their unusual dullness. That appeared to come as a relief to her, for she quickly gave me this explanation : " The school from which these boys and girls come is located in a part of the city where there is very heavy beer drink- iu°- on the part of both parents and children. Their fathers and mothers drink surprisingly large quanti- ties daily and have done so during the greater part of their lives. Before these little ones were born their minds had been poisoned and benumbed by alcohol. They have access to beer in their homes and they, too, use it to some extent. So their dullness is due to beer- drinking.— primarily on the part of the parents, but augmented, in many cases, by their own indulgence. I can not get them to connect a new fact with an old one, for it usually occurs that the old one has been forgotten. Yes, they were born into the world with only half a chance. I fear I am making a losing fight."
This said, she hurried off to her group, to take care of them, leaving me to meditate on the eloquent ser- mon she had just delivered. What a tragedy, and yet we are not surprised. Mother nature always retali- ates when her laws and principles have been trifled with. While biologists generally agree that a habit is not transmitted to offspring, yet a blighting influence, such as is herein given, is entirely possible.
So it is with considerable disappointment that I note that Ohio, my native State, will retain the sa- loon as a result of a recent election. It isn't a "matter of rights, nor government revenue, but of life. Let us consider this a problem of posterity, of the race, of life. The tendency of the race is toward mediocrity. All contributing influences must have our disapproval. I wish to make another observation : As I look over the names of the saloonkeepers in our city directory, I note the great majority have names of foreign origin. A considerable portion of these are unquestionably German. The prominent brewers of this city are Schlitz, Pabst, Jung, Gettelman, Gutsch, Schoenhofen. Blatz, etc. Those of Dayton, I recall, were Schantz, Schwind, Burkhardt, etc. The list is largely if not wholly German in nationality. Is this condition a taste of German Kultur, which the Kaiser is so anx- ious to force upon the world? If so, here, again, his brand conflicts with ours. In the prohibition cam- paigns these cry loudest for the recognition of their " liberties." Drinking" is one of the few liberties they had abroad. He says little of liberty there, for the individual counts for naught, but here he clamors for personal liberty, — which means, in this case, to make a hog of himself and dunces of his children.
So the good people must redouble their efforts and work unceasingly to make every community a fit place lo bring up children. " Ye arc the salt of the earth," said the Master, but we are daily reminded that there is a great shortage of. that salt.
146 Fourteenth Street, Milwaukee, Wis.
witness more important rites, but their direct partici- pation in public worship was limited.
Christianity was among other things a protest against the formalism of Judaism, holding that the people, both individually and collectively, had a right to commune directly with the Godhead, without the intervention of any human being whatever. The early Christians had no prescribed forms of worship, but addressed the Almighty chiefly through " psalms. hymns and spiritual songs," in which the congrega- tion took part (Maft. 26: 30; Mark 14: 26; Eph. 5: 19; Col. 3: 16). This was the case for two or three centuries until the power of the priesthood began to assert itself. Before the fifth century, the hierarchical tendency of the church began to be very marked, so that, from the time of Gregory the.Great (about 600 A. D.), the exercises of public worship were almost entirely transferred from the congregation nt large to the priests and their attendants. This restriction was kept up more and more throughout the Middle Ages until the beginning of the Reformation, about 1,500 A. D.
The Reformation, again, was a protest against the formalism and usurpation of authority which marked the church of that day, and one of the most character- istic movements of that time was toward the simpli- fication and popularization of the worship. Every re- former dwelt with emphasis upon that feature of the Reformation and it is from that time that congrega- tional, singing, as we know it, dates.
General Features. — Every movement that tends toward the improvement of congregational singing is a step toward fundamental principles, and therefore thoroughly in accord with the religious sentiment of the times, which, more than ever before, aims, so far as possible, to' pattern after the conditions and cere- monials of primitive Christianity. These democratic and more in accord with Jesu than at any subsequent time.
The observance of the mass, on the cout Greek and Roman Catholic Churches, is just as effective before an empty church ; full. one. The congregation is entirely is the sacrament that counts. Carried
re more teaching
Congregational Singing
BY W. E. BURNS
Historical. — In the apostolic times the people or congregation took part in every exercise of public worship. In the Old Testament the people were a very distinct class from the priests and Levites. The latter classes were the active agents of public worship, offering sacrifices, singing praises, and offering up become petitions in behalf of the people. The people provided the material for sacrifice and were usually present to
msidered before a pcrfluous; it 1 entirely by a priest and a half-priestly choir, there is no room for popular worship. The music in Protestant churches, where the singing is all done by a choir,— generally paid,— is, in spirit at least, but a Protestantized form of Catholic mass. The people have no part in it, and the worship becomes a ceremony which is supposed to be pleasing to Almighty God.
This is radically wrong. As a work of art. the com- plex, prescribed form of the Roman church, as per- formed by highly-trained priests and choir, is all very well, but a work of art is not, necessarily, worship ex- cept at the shrine of art. It is, of necessity, not spon- taneous, and often anything 'but sincere. The very same prescribed form, entered into by the congrega- tion, may be the very culmination of public worship, though not nearly so fine as art.
Why Congregational Singing Is Not More At- tempted and More Successful.
1. If is not always remembered that congregational singing is emphatically an expressional form of music. Its purpose is nof to affect- the auditor, but to utter the emotions and thoughts of the singer. Its best suc- cess depends primarily upon its universality and fervor throughout the given assembly.
Professional musicians are apt to speak lightly of congregational singing as " unbearable or unmanage- able." But they view it from an unfair standpoint. Its hard, trying characteristics may be reduced by pa- tient, tactful effort, that, while its expressional value is preserved, its technical excellence may be gradual- ly improved.
2. It is not always remembered that, since congre- gational singing is essentially expressive, it can flourish only where there is a congregational spirituality that craves expression. It also requires a worshipful con- gregation, which assembly is not made up largely of outsiders, through whom congregational singing has
laughing stock. And there must not be a generally low, spiritual tone, as where the pastor be- comes cold, or wrierc there is a congregational dissen-
sion, and an impossibility of any enthusiastic emotion- al utterance.
3. Congregational singing will not flourish without encouragement by the pastor, and an effort from the individual members of the congregation itself. Every regular worshiper is responsible.
The Part op Pastor and People. — What can the pastor dor He can explain the value and dignity of congregational singing, historically, theoretically, and actually. He can personally supervise and counte- nance whatever efforts are made for technical improve- ment. He can so arrange the details of actual service that the hymns shall be suitable for congregational rendering. What can the people do? They can regard the sincing as a personal duty and privilege. They can conscientiously endeavor to adopt the words of the hymns as their own private utterance, and engage in the singing of those words with the utmost preci- sion and technical finish of which they arc capable.
There Must Be a WiderJ^opular Interest. — Be- fore the habit of congregational singing can he accept- ed as it deserves, there must be a wider popular inter- est in singing. The extended practice of teaching singing in the public schools should therefore receive the heartiest support of Christian people, for such leaching implants musical taste and skill where they will bear the most abundant fruit.
The Hymn Book. — Much of the practical success of congregational music depends on the hymn book used. The best selection of hymns and tunes should be used.
Hymns. — For congregational singing hymns should serve to promote the efficiency of the sermon in every possible way. The hymn should be emotional, wor- shipful, and not exclusively didactic (or teaching), and should harmonize with the sermon.
Tunes. — Tunes for congregational singing should he simple, tuneful, and within the compass of the average singer's voice. They should present no star- tling intervals for a great assembly to sing correctly and smoothly, and, above all, these tunes should be native to the musical thought and impulse of the peo- ple who are to use them. Tunes should be avoided that are sung to secular songs, for they convey to many the impression of the secular song, and hinder the impression that should he made by the snug itself. Rehearsals. — It will be difficult lo have general in- telligent participation in song, if the congregations have no opportunity of learning the practical songs and tunes in the Hymnals. Such opportunities may be made in regular rehearsals.
Congregational rehearsals, or even sight-singing classes, modeled on the old-fashioned singing-school, arc a fine thing. If no other time is available, have those present at a midweek prayer meeting, or young people's meeting, remain for a few minutes' drill in hymns or other service music. These congregational rehearsals are especially useful when it is desired to introduce new music, or brush up the old. It is as- tonishing how much can be accomplished in a few minutes' time at such drills. A few drilled singers, scattered throughout the congregation, will soon work wonders ill spurring on the rest.
Value of Congregational Singing. — It seems that no other devotional exercise of assembled saints can be so pleasing to God as the congregation lifting up its united voice in his praise. The culminating moments in heaven's worship, as portrayed in Revela- tion, occur when the combined voices of the " thou- sands of thousands" of angels and every creature which is in heaven and on carlh and under the earth, and such as arc in the sea, and all that arc in them, yea the great multitudes which no one can number, sang the song of accomplished redemption.
Furthermore, true congregational singing will re- act upon the souls of the individual singers, becom- ing a veritable moment of transfiguration, sharpening their spiritual apprehension, stimulating their religious feelings, and leading to fresh and renewed determi- nation of loyalty to God and his laws. Unless each one feels the stimulus of the added psychic and spir- itual momentum of all the rest, urging him towards a fuller, richer religious experience, this union of voices,
(Continued on Pago 13)
THE GOSPEL MESSENGER— January 5, 1918
THE ROUND TABLE
The New Dawn
I thank thcc for the mo (he promise of the day, the bright and rosy daw
my heart he like the dai
pure and perfect day, my hopes he made to rea
thou strength unto thy cl hem hope, and in thee tr
the
rts with love of fcllow-i read the living Gospel
A True Personal Incident
BY JULIA GRAYDON
Moth iK was worried otic day, for she was always so careful to sec that nothing was wasted, especially in food.
And as she looked nt the large piece of roast heef which was left from a roast, the butcher had sent several days before, and realized that it would not keep another day, she*said: "What will we do with it? We can not begin to use it all today."
Not long after there was a knock at our back kitchen door, and (here stood a very old man, poorly clad, with a basket on his arm.
"" Have you anything to give me?" be asked, and pf course, mother al once thought of the roast of beef and hastened to give it to him.
How her face brightened as she shut the door on him and said: "Providence sent him, I am sure." And we, too, were sure, for we had never seen the old man before, and we never saw him again.
Was he not used for that special time and place?
We will always believe he was. for wc had had no beggars at our door for years.
And another thing we are sure of, — our Lord does not believe in waste at any time: "Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost."
Harrisburg, Pa.
Old-Time Sunday-Schools
FY MRS. ANNA CALVERT MOORE
Several weeks ago I read an article in the Gospel Messenger about a Sunday-school that was organ- ized fifty-one years ago. The writer expressed his willingness to hear from other Sunday-schools that could be traced back to that time.
In February, 1866, Bro. Ira Calvert (who went to his reward in June 6, 1871), father of the writer, of Huntington County. Ind., moved with his family to Lawrence County, III. In March of the same year he called the few members together, — there being six families at that time. — and with the assistance of Bro. Michael Forney, of Richland County, 111., organized a church with fourteen members, known then and ever since as the Allison Prairie congregation.
May 1 of that year he organized the first Brethren Sunday-school, and to my knowledge nine members of that school are still living. It has been an ever- green Sunday-school almost ever since its organiza- tion, and today it is a thriving, growing church, with Bro. Noah H. Miller as the efficient pastor, and a crowd of young people very much interested in the Lord's work.
As time goes on, we expect great things for the Allison Prairie church for which we praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Vincenncs, Ind.
very core of admiration. For there is nothing very remarkable in the thing that you can do; it's the thing you can not do that thrills.
And the mystery of mysteries is that quiet man or woman whom neither fortune nor misfortune, argu- ment or weather can alter in their art of equipoise, — that science of the feelings. It is chief of powers; it stands supreme ns the impressive thing: that beau- tiful calm; that ease in doing.
But once they let things get the better of them, — and a fellow-being sees, — then all the calm of all the future can never make that man forget. He sees you ever and forever as you lost command that day. It clings to him with fiendish accuracy and cunning. He understands.
But the man who never lets a circumstance uproot him is master over everything that comes within his reach. He has that something.
You argue, and he listens; you threaten, and he smiles. And when a man smiles, he wins. What are you going to do about it? What can you do about it?
And that doesn't mean inactivity, passivity. For even while you arc watching the most motionless of oceans, it is moving.
St. Louis, Mo.
Equilibrium
BY ELIZA POPE VAN DYNE
Whenever you lose control of yourself, you lose control of people. They have seen the unalarming human in you; the decadence of a force, as the artist's gift dies, or the singer loses his voice,— the mystery has vanished; that inexplicable something is gone. Es- sentially you are no different, and difference is the
Big Brother '
BY MRS. H. M. SELL
Several weeks ago, the Alioona Times, a daily publication in the city of Altoona, Pa., of which my husband is editor, began a campaign for the collection of funds for the purpose, — as he states it, — to "avoid the tragedy of the empty Christmas stocking." The name "Big Brother" was chosen for the fund, and the men (and women too) were appealed to, to come forth with their cash, and be a " Big Brother " to some poor child, who would doubtless go without a Christ- mas treat, unless some person came to its aid. -
It was suggested that one dollar would be a fair amount to set apart for a Christmas treat for a child, so that persons desiring to contribute, might become a " Big Brother " to as many poor children as they liked. It was pointed out that in ordinary years many poor people are unable to rejoice on Christmas Day, because they have nothing over which to rejoice. Fate has been unkind, and life has become a burden. This year many " Big Brothers " in the flesh are away, and children who otherwise might have had a gladsome holiday, have nothing but a recollection of the way the day should be spent.
Well, the idea was considered a splendid one, if the generous response is a criterion. Men began coming in with (heir dollars. Some wanted the names of chil- dren, that they might go personally, to determine their most dire needs and to supply them. But most of the " Big Brothers " were content to let the " Big Broth- er " editor find the poor children, expend the donated money, and make the little folks happy. And it was astonishing how few of the men who contributed to the " Big Brother " fund would permit their names to be used in any manner with it.
From the start it was stated that this movement would be conducted without expense, — one hundred per cent charity. But a lot of work was 'entailed. A fund of several hundred dollars was accumulated within a very short time. Four hundred dollars meant Merry Christmases for 400 boys and girls, who other- wise would have had no gifts. — perhaps not enough to eat.
Articles had to be purchased, a room secured in which the packages could be prepared, and they had to be delivered on Christmas morning. More than all, the applications of the poor children for a share of the " Big Brother " fund had to be investigated, for, unfortunately, there are impostors, who would prey upon charity, were they permitted. Then, too, gifts intended for poor innocent children might fall into the hands of drunken fathers.
To guard against any misuse of the funds, the good ladies of the "Sunshine Society" were called in. Their work was much appreciated. Unselfishly they worked on the investigation of cases until the last. Then they interviewed leading merchants concerning the goods
needed, — the investigation disclosing what was most needed in the individual cases.
In short, every child to whom some person became a " Big Brother," got something on Christmas. AH got some candy, nuts and an orange, but this was, in reality, the small part, for as the cases demanded, warm underclothing, stockings, mittens, gloves, caps, scarfs and other useful and necessary articles were given, up to the allotment of the dollar.
It was a splendid idea. The " tragedy of the empty Giristmas stocking" was averted in the community, and more than one boy and girl, — men and women too, — taught a practical lesson on Christianity that will never be effaced. The Sunshine ladies distributed sun- shine with the packages, reminding each little recipient of the " Big Rrother," the Son of God, who did so much for all of us, and that, in commemoration of him. the day was being celebrated. A great truth was driven home.
Now it has just occurred to me that this " Big Brother" movement might be spread in our church. There are approximately 100,000 members of our church. There arc thousands more who " lean " to- ward us. There are many orphans, many poor and unfortunate, who scarcely have that which will sus- tain life. There are countless pitiful cases which come under the eyes of our foreign missionaries. Why could not every member of the Church of the Brethren pledge himself or herself to become a " Big Brother," next year, for one of these, or a number of them? An immense fund could soon be raised. Our mission- ary and settlement workers need our most fervent prayers, but they also need our dollars. How easy it would be to give them all they need !
Hollidaysburg, Pa.
The Art of Silence
selected by wealthy a. burkholder Some one has said that the art of all others, which most needs cultivation is the " Art of Good Speak- ing." We differ. The art of all others which most needs cultivation is the " Art of Silence." There is nothing like the man or woman that can keep the mouth shut. Not that people should always keep the tongue still (it is made for use), but there are times when silence is the best and most effective reply. When a boor speaks roughly or uncivilly to you, when you are asked an impertinent question, when a sneer is conveyed under cover of an inquiry for information, or when, having appealed to you on a question of taste, your opinion is met with ridicule, the best an- swer in these or like contingencies, is a masterful si- Silence bespeaks reserve power, conscious strength, dignity, self-command, and nothing is at times so ef- fective as the silence which springs from contempt. The man or woman who can endure reproach silently, or can keep silent when occasion calls for it, possesses something of (bat quality, we call greatness. So the Master was silent before inquisitive Pilate : " He opened not his mouth," and amid scoffing and jeers and taunts, he kept silence, only broken on the cross to bestow benediction and blessing. . . . There is a time to be silent, as well as to talk, and he does well who keeps closed lips before the babbling of the empty soul. Cultivate the habit of silence, and do not defer it till the time comes when the lips shall never more speak, and the busy tongue shall be silent forever. — Christian Weekly.
The Compelling Power of Prayer
BY DAISY M. MOORE
Have you ever entered a mill when the water-pow- er had been shut off, and the tremendous wheel, whose motion sets the entire plant into action, is still?
Idle though it is, one can not but marvel at its great size, and be impressed with the pent-up power in its huge cogs, and the possibilities for the accomplish- ment of a stupendous amount of work which it sug- gests.
Have you realized that not in it, but somewhere back of it, lay the power which would release the energy necessary to move the vast bulk of machinery?
THE GOSPEL MESSENGER— January 5, 1918
liled to
the great sluice gates Clearfield County. This, church ush of water over the
If you hav raised and to note the eagei
wheel, you will have been convinced that the weight of water hack of the wheel, is the dynamo which sets it, and with it, the whole machinery of the mill, into mo- tion, and converts a great mechanical mass into a liv- ing, constructive force.
The water, pouring out through the lifted gates, starts the ponderous wheel, and instantly there is a response, and the entife mechanism rouses from its lassitude and torpor, and sets about its duty.
John Henry Jowett says : " Prayer opens the sluice "atcs, and the water of life floods the sluggish affec- tions, freshens the drovysy sympathies and braces and roa<is speeds the will like the glorious rush of the stream upon the miller's wheel."
And what man, who has prayed earnestly, has not experienced the inrush of gladness, strength and peace which follows a raising of the sluice gat* himself and God, the Fountain-head? Fairfield, Pa.
, located
little
uii-hiii,
heard
I hriek structure, well adapted for Sunday-school and regular church service. We spent Thanks- giving with the Brethren there and found them in a growing condition.— not a large membership but a membership that has a large proportion of workers. The Sunday-school is much larger than the church membership, and ill a prosperous condition. The Thanksgiving service was well attended by the citizens of the village, and all seemed to take a definite interest in the work, although many of thent were not mem- bers. Bro. Jason Hollopetcr is pastor in charge of the work there, and is doing a commendable work.
Our next visit was to the Montgomery church in Indiana
County, where Eld. Oran Fyock has charge. Here we found
a splendid body of Brethren and friends. At a public service,
held in the church, the attendance was surprisingly large. The
acadam or pavement, found in
re they as " level as a floor."
of them • ortunity.
nd limes
uld accept the
rs of the North where they arc.
betwixt
Her Choice
But this docs not keep the people from attending church services. If some of our folks, who live in sections more fa- vored in this respect, would us upon the services in tile housi
pie all conic from, hut the home in goodly numbers. They conic ( gies, as well as in automobiles.
From Montgomery we went to Johnstown, and out to the Roxbury church, where Bro. Galen B. Roycr was ill the midst
of the Lord, there would be
hues wonders where the peo-
the hills turn them out
:oot, in wagons and bug-
of
: bishop in charge.
BY CECIL HAYES
She was a pure, true-hearted girl, fresh i youthful bloom, with_a sweet, tender expressio made you love her. She was not tall, — just of dium height, — with a beautiful, well-poised form, that in its wonderful grace, seemed to move as easily and with no more effort than a straight, unblemished lily sways in the breeze. Her face was delicately cut, and official body thei her sweet, smiling lips were as fresh as the morning dew. Her eyes were of a heavenly blue. As she looked at you, you might think and know that you were gazing into the very depths of purity.
Yes, she was a pure and lovable girl, but as all girls have their associates, so she had hers. Sometimes just the reverse from ourselves is the person to whom our natures cling, and as fate would have it, she clung to one who was not like herself. She had a good en- vironment, good guardians and a good community to live in, but as in the case of others, questionable in- fluences were brought to bear upon her. She got a taste of the world's sweet sin, failing to see what is sure to be the outcome, nor was she able to compre- hend the inevitable end. To be sure, she had a will of her own, but ever the worldly spirit of the other led her to the same worldly goal.
Youth can not see the terrible end of sin, and will not take advice. She had the good advice and tender help of others, but she would not heed it. Then, into her bright and cheery life, the great clouds of affliction gathered. Darker and darker grew her life, as the storm grew and increased in fury. She was blind and deaf to it all, however. She had one more chance to save herself, — no, not now; it was gone. As sin, in all its hideousness, confronted her, and as the tempest of tribulation closed about her, she saw in the dim dis- tance her girlhood shelter against sin, — but too late, now. She is swept to and fro, from one peril to an- other, and now,— yes, long before these awful things, — she sees what she has sacrificed and thrown away. She is gone. Ah. who knows, where? 'Tis the hell of earth !
Oh, what might she have been,— she who, in her youthful purity, was so sweet and tender! The aspi- ration of the loving, the hope of the true, and the love of all. Behold her as she is now,— the keeper of all evil, the image of sin, and a being of earthly hell. It makes us sad, but what is sown is always reaped,— always.
Oh, if we could only hear and understand the plead- ing strain :
" Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling. Calling, oh, sinner, come home!" Miami, Ar. Mex.
:mg i
of
nigs,
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which has been given in these columns. Here w |
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prosperous city church, with a membership clos |
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that |
drcd. The attendance was large and the intcrc |
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dcr the pastorate of Bro. E. M. Detwilcr the elm |
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rapidly and is a slrong factor in the religious li |
this beautiful land
the whole Gospel.
truth if only they h What has been do
can he duplicated a
the proper effort is made. Why could not a number of our minis
and Fast, who might readily be spared
come South and try their hand at building up churches, as
has been done by others? You may not be able to accu- mulate quite as many dollars, but there is no question
about your " laying up treasures in heaven where moth
and rust doth not corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal." You will have the privilege of enjoying a more congenial climate than you have in the North, and the satisfaction and pleasure of knowing that you arc put- ting forth an honest effort to save lost souls.
We arc expecting Bro. Galen B. Roycr. Secretary of the General Mission Board, sonic time this winter, who will be looking into the cause of Southern Missions. We trust that his visit will lie the beginning of a greater work and a larger vision of what may be accomplished by the church with the proper effort put forth. May the Lord so direct that in some way this effort may result in enlarging the field of the church, and that many who are now idle, may he given work where they can, by earnest. effort, be of service to the church in saving many souls through his blessed name. A. M. Bashor.
Lawrencehurg.. Tenn., Dec. 19.
: lb.
al ll.e
lilh of
ngll
for
i the years pass. Eld. N. W. Berk- twecn the elder, the pastor and the lost hearty cooperation, which ac- cess. The church will succeed in the city if we will only adapt our methods to city needs. While in Johnstown we also called on Bro. J. C. Flora and wife, who have recently taken charge of the Moxliam church. Since their coming the work in that section of the city has taken on new life, and there arc indications of a renewal of interest there. Under Bro. Flora's efficient ministry it is bound to succeed.
Our next call was at the First Church of the Brethren, Al- tooua. in the Middle District, where a splendid new house of worship has hut recently been dedicated. At Ihe time of our visit Bro. J. H. Cassady. of Huntingdon, was in the midst of a glorious revival, which is still in progress at this writing, with over 100 confessions and the interest growing. The new church is a model of its kind. Beautiful in architectural de- sign hut not overly ornate, convenient in appointment and equipment, built for the future as well as present needs, it stands as one of the best churches in the Brotherhood. It is something more than four walls with seating space, but was planned with the purpose of accommodating the growing re- quirements of an up-to-date, working church. Bro. Walter S. Long, the pastor, has been indefatigable in bis labors in Al- toona. and is now reaping the fruits of these years of serv- ice. It has increased his labors and brought to him weightier responsibilities, hut he accepts these new duties with a deter- mined purpose and a desire to do what the Lord would have him do Bro. Cassady was preaching the Word with power, and his strong doctrinal tone brought people to the church who knew what they were doing, and were fully aware of what might be expected of them. There is no uncertain sound as to Bro. Cassady 's doctrinal teaching. Wc need more of the same kind in every part of the Brotherhood.
May the Lord hless the labors of his faithful ministers in these churches, and in every part of our beloved church. These are trying tin,, conquerors." if w
faithful
list he has imposed John R. Snyder.
iellefontaine, Ohio.
The South as Seen by a Southerner
,ro. B. E. Keslcr, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., came to this -c Oct. 23 and began preaching at the courthouse in irenceburg, continuing each evening until Nov. ll.^Onc i baptized and other
having
rd the Bible
Some Pennsylvania Churches
My work having called me into Western Pcnnsylv:
I took the opportunity of
a for al of the churches that were convenient. It is always a delight to worship with those of like precious faith, although wc may be strangers in the flesh. It is a means of strengthening one in the faith and it may lend encouragement The first church we vil
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en done |
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THE QUIET HOUR
The Giants and the Grapes
Numbers 13: 17-33; 14: 1-45; Joshua 14: 6
For Week Beginning January 13, 1918
1. What Caleb Thought of the Giants.— To be
lew they
he had faith in God, So he and Joshua made a inicdiate occupation of the
big, hut th
feel biggci strong report ill favor of an land. But they found themselves in the minority. Most of the people were panic-stricken by the mere mention of "giants." so that even Egypt looked good to them, in comparison. But Caleb's speech rang clear, even when confronted by the cowards who threatened to stone him. His fidelity was remarkable, under the circumstances, though not popular. How true, also, the price at which you rate yourself, tl
ally take yc
little
orld will What a 1
(Luke
God's approval of Caleb's whole-lit ncssl Tims Christ commended the widow's mil 21: .11; the cup of cold water (Mark 9: 41); the Samari- tan's kindness (Luke 10: 30-37); the gift of the precious ointment (John 12: 7); the staunch character of the Ephe- sian saints (Rev. 2: 2. 3).
2. Caleb Offers the Evidence of the Grapes.— When he returned with the spies from Canaan, he not only talked optimistically of the country, and urged the conquering of it, hut be brought back a big bunch of luscious grapes from Eshcol. If the giants were great, so were the grapes. Sometimes wc say: "The larger the rose, the larger the thorn," hut the Christian says: "The larger the thorn, the larger the rose— the greater the giants, the greater the grapes" So Cod's goodness today is multiplied to all his children (1'sa. }3: 5; 34: 8; 36: 7; 68: 19; 100: 5; 107: 8, 9, 43; Isa. 63: 7; James 1: 5. 17).
3. God's Approval of Caleb's Heroism and Optimism.— His words are unmistakable: "My servant Caleb will 1 bring into the land, who hath followed nic faithfully," and he was true to his promise. Caleb was rewarded because be deserved it, while the cowards of the camp perished ingloriously in the desert. Our last glimpse of faithful Caleb reveals his pleasant home in Hebron, located in full view of the vale of Eshcol, where he plucked the large cluster of grapes, so many years before. Caleb's reward was abundant because of his faithfulness. His inheritance was Hebron meaning " fellowship." This the Lord's peo- ple have today (1 Cor. 1: 9; 9: 25; James 1: 12; 2 Tim. 4: 8). Incentives to Character Growth
1. Caleb is the
of
al)
:. He was a man of the
h God always makes a decisive
Christian of today, there must be
sus Christ with the whole
mpaign, in patience, prayer
majority. So, for the Christ a faithful patterning after J heart and for the whole life c and persevering work.
2. " There is a prodigious power," says Dr. Cuylcr, ' the singleness- of love for Christ— in doing just one thi: and that one thing a pressing toward the goal of liken to Icsus. Such men never send their regrets when tl are summoned to duty; they never interpret Christ's CO
ands
. lax
and I
the Rockton church,
be lost by the church in taking hold of this great opportu- nity of Southern missions, and of pushing the doctrme of the church with apostolic zeal to the good people of
men the tree of life shall I nd rain at our feet the filo
..mi. ■thine grander than en
THE GOSPEL MESSENGER— January 5, 1918
AMONG THE CHURCHES
The Senior Editor ha spired !>y the recent cap which will appear in ou penally fascinating to Bi
CALENDAR FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 6 Sunday-school Lesson, John Prepares the Way for Je- lls.—Mark 1: 1-1 1. Christian Workers' Meeting, The Untried Year— 1918.
the Holy City, Mis article is cet
favored us with an article in- ire of Jerusalem by the British
next issue. The subject is es- .. Miller by reason of his many
ud lii-
be
Bro. Edward Nelson, of Michigan City, Ind., favored the Messenger" rooms with a call last week. Though not
The Secretary of the General Mission Board was one of the instructors at the Bible and Sunday-school Institute of Northwestern Ohio, held last week at Fostoria. Some of Bro. Royer's lecture subjects were: "Necessity for Missions in the Sunday-school," " Prayer and Missions in the Sunday-school," "The Responsibility of the Hearer for Good Sermons," and " Across Russia and Siberia."
MEETINGS IN PROGRESS Bro. H. S. Gipe, of Palmyra, Pa., at Boiling Springs.
same State.
Bro. S. Z. Smith, of Sidney, Ohio, in the Painter Creek
church, same State.
Brother and Sister Oliver H. Austin, of McPhcrson,
Kans., at Ramona, same State.
ELSEWHERE IN THIS ISSUE Members of Northern Indiana will kindly what the Mission Board of that District announ of the church news items.
GAINS FOR THE KINGDOM Two accepted Christ Dec. 23 at Morrill, Kans. One confessed Christ Dec. 16 at Miami, N. Mcx. One was baptized Dec. 16 in the Fresno church, Cal. Three were baptized Dec. 2i at Colorado Springs, Colo. Three were baptized Dec. 13 in the Indian Creek church,
One
nfessed Christ Dec. 23 in the Plymouth church, ronfessed Christ Dec. 24 in the Miami church.
N. Mex.
One has been baptized in the Libeityville church, Iowa
One has been reclaimed in the Marble Furnace church, Ohio, since our last report.
One was baptized in the Fraternity church, N. C.,— l!ro. John Showaltcr, of Salem, Va., evangelist.
Twenty confessed Christ in the Elkhart City church, lnd..— Bro. Win. Lainpin, of Polo, III., evangelist.
Two confessed Christ in the Rock Run church, Ind.,— Bro. A. L. B. Martin, of Baltimore. Md„ evangelist.
Fourteen were baptized in the Akron church, Pa.,— Bro. W. K. Conner, of Harrisburg. same State, evangelist.
One confessed Christ in the North Liberty church, Ind..
— Urn. Eli Hccsland. of Plymouth, salnc State, evangelist. Nine confessed Christ in the West Goshen church, Ind.,
— Hro. Reuben Shroycr, of New Berlin, Ohio, evangelist. Four have been baptized in the Leanicrsville church,
Pa..— Bro. J. B. Miller, of Curryville, same State, evangel- Eleven confessed Christ in the Elkhart Valley church,
Ind.,— Bro. W. E. Overholser, of Warsaw, same State.
evangelist.
Two were received on their former baptism at the
Mingo house, Mingo congregation. Pa..— Bro. H. B. Yoder,
of Lancaster, same State, evangelist.
Two were baptized and one reclaimed in the Cherry
Lane house. Snake Spring congregation. Pa..— Bro. M.
R. Brumbaugh, of Henrietta, same State, evangelist. One
was baptized in the same church, prior to the meetings
above referred to.
PERSONAL MENTION
Bro. J. J. Hoover changes bis address from Sabetha, Kansas, to Morrill, same Slate.
Bro. H. D. Michael, of Juniata. Nebr.. we arc informed, still has some lime available for use in evangelistic meet- ings.
Bro. Floyd A. Schudtr. of Milford. Ind . Lock Box 21a. will be open for a few scries of meetings during the fall of 1918. Those desiring his services should write him at an early date.
Bro. N. F. Brubaker, having left his interests in Colo- rado and being located at 746 E. Euclid Avenue, McPhcr- son. Kans.. on account of educational advantages for his family, is now in position to give his time to revival work among the churches.
Just as we were going to press we learned of the death, on Thursday. Dec. 27. of our beloved brother. Elder W R. Deeter. of Milford. Ind. We have no further particu- lars at this time. Bro. Deeter has served the church long and faithfully, and we hope to have for our readers, at an early date, a suitable sketch of his life and labors.
CONTEMPLATED MEETINGS
Bro. H. C. Early, of Pcnn Laird, Va., to begin Jan. 13 in Ihe Jonathan Creek church. Ohio.
Bro. D. G. Brubaker. of Ochiltree, Tex., to begin Feb. 1 in the Prairie Lake church. Waynoka, Okla.
Bro. J. L. Guthrie, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, to be- gin Jan. 10 in Ihe Hieksville church, same State.
Bro. W. E. Trostle, of San Gabriel, Cal., to begin in the near future at the Rio Linda church, same State.
The Almanac Has Become
The Yearbook
The annual publication, known as the Brethren Family Almanac, has outgrown the Almanac idea. With the issue for 1918 the Almanac becomes a Yearbook.
The new Yearbook retains all the valuable fea- tures of the older publication. It contains the cal- endar pages, the Ministerial List, and all the other familiar data that have always made the book a
The Yearbook is about forty per cent larger than last year's Family Almanac. The additional space is given over to material under such gen- eral topics as Home and Foreign Missions, Sun- day-School Work, Educational Activities, and General Reforms and Relief Work. Under the last topic come reports of the Temperance, Peace, Child Rescue, and Dress Reform Committees.
Although the Yearbook is so much larger than the Almanac, yet the material is so well organ- ized and indexed that all data are readily avail- able. This last feature is a notable advance as well as a convenience.
No Brethren home can afford to miss getting a copy of the Yearbook. There is no better way to keep in touch with the larger hopes and aims of the Brotherhood than to get and read a copy of this record of the year's work.
In spite of the increase in size, the Yearbook will cost no more than last year's Almanac. Give the local " Messenger " agent ten cents for a copy of the Yearbook or send direct to the
BRETHREN PUBLISHING HOUSE Elgin, 111.
Order Your Copy Today
carries on a large correspondence, and is especially inter- ested in disseminating Gospel truth among those unfortu- nate ones who. like himself, have been denied the gift of
Sister Levi Minnich, of Greenville. Ohio, Secretary of the Sisters' Aid Societies of the Brotherhood, should be addressed for the time being at La Verne (Lordsburg P. O.). Cal.. where she will spend a few months with her parents, Brother and Sister Edmund Forney. Sister Min- nich was accompanied on her trip by her brothers, E. J. Forney, of Elgin. 111., and I. M. Forney, of Waterloo, Iowa. Bro. Minnich expects to go to California early in the new year.
In reply to frequent inquiries concerning his age, Bro. Andrew Hutchison, of La Verne, Cal., states that if he lives until the 15th of the present month he will be eighty- two years old. He has been in the ministry over fifty- seven years. He finds preaching as easy as it ever was, and says he can fall down as quickly as he ever could, but can not get up again so readily. He writes that he is only waiting his turn to cross the river and hopes it may come soon. Our readers will all join in a fervent wish - that Bro. Hutchison's remaining days, whether few or many, may be happy ones.
Isn't it a pity that it is sometimes so difficult to get the proper connection between the right man and the right place? Just now we have a case in mind. A faithful young minister with a college education and seven years of pastoral experience, needs to be brought into touch with the field in which he can do his best work. While not averse to work in the city, he believes his best field is a country church of worth-while opportunities, with a partial support and a chance to do some light fanning, such as trucking and poultry-raising. In all probability there is more than one uncultivated field of this kind need- ing just such a pastor.
Bro. Virgil C. Finnell, as was forecast in our last issue, is now located with his family at 21 Melrose Ave., Elgin] 111. His correspondents will please take note of his com- plete address and make the necessary correction in the new Yearbook. In addition to his work as Field Director of Religious Education for the District of Nebraska and Northeastern Colorado, which position he has been filling for some time. Bro. Finnell has arranged to serve in the same capacity the District of Northeastern Kansas and that of Northern Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota. His work includes the usual duties of Missionary, Sunday- school and Christian Workers' Secretary.
Among the Notes J. C. Swigart. Distri to which members of the Dl
publish an announcement by Br
tary of Middle Pennsylvani
II please give attei
The Mission Board of Western Colorado and Utah de sires to locate a minister at the Mt. Garfield church, ncai Palisade. Colo. Those interested will please turn to Bro E. Frank Weaver's announcement among the Notes.
MINISTERIAL CHANGES, ETC.
Bro. J. M. Boaz, who formerly resided at Lamed, Kans., should now be addressed at 307 Orange Avenue, Long Beach, Cal.
Bro. R. F. Flory, late of Sherwood, Ohio, has taken charge of the Chinese mission and the pastorate at Seattle, Wash., where he should be addressed hereafter.
Bro. F. E. Miller has resigned from the pastorate of the Black River church, Mich., and has accepted a call from the church at Endcrs, Nebr., wheje he took up the work Jan. 3. His correspondents will please enter this change of address in the Yearbook of 1918 for future refer-
MISCELLANEOUS
The members at Ankeny, Iowa, heretofore a part of the Des Moines church, are to be organized as a separate congregation.
The new house, in the Beaver Creek church, Va was dedicated Dec. 9, Bro. H. C. Early delivering the address for the occasion.
We are requested to mention that the rededication of the Baugo church, Ind., announced in a previous issue for Jan. 6, has been indefinitely postponed because of an un- foreseen delay in the work.
Some people complain because it requires an outlay of about ten dollars to save a soul during a revival, but these critics say nothing about the far larger sums, spent by them for the gratification of a perverted appetite.
The Raisin church, Cal., has selected a committee to in- vestigate the question of choosing a pastor for their church as soon as possible. The church would be pleased to com- municate with any minister who may offer his services. Address. W. Harlan Smith, Box 72, Raisin, Cal.
The meeting of the General Mission Board, which is us- ually held in December, was postponed in view of the Goshen Conference. The Board will meet in Elgin im- mediately after the Conference, and any business to be considered should be put into the hands of the Secretary
A correspondent would like to see some encouragement given the young "as to the real good that could be done by keeping away from the use of tobacco." She remarks further: "What a lot of rescue work could be done if all our church members would free themselves of the hab- it." Who knows how to say the magic word that will free us completely of this evil?
Referring to the recent article on "Our Church Liter- ature." a " Messenger " reader writes us to express his appreciation of the paper.' He says that he is not a mem- ber of the Church of the Brethren and that his views dif- fer from ours on some things, but he is a regular reader and finds so many helpful things in it that, after being stirred up by the above-mentioned article, he just had to write and tell us about it.
One of the wide-awake western Sunday-schools has adopted the postoffice system of distributing Sunday- school papers, etc. There arc some marked advantages in this method. To begin with, it does away with the distribu- tion of papers, cards, etc., while the school is in session, thus avoiding much confusion and disturbance in general. Then, too, it affords an excellent opportunity to place other literature, announcements, etc., in the boxes, thus reach- ing every family represented. Of chief value is th» fact that by this system but one copy of each publication reaches each family, thus avoiding all needless duplication.
It is related of a young Quaker lady that she possessed such a lovely complexion that some of her friends were exceedingly anxious to know what means she used to make it so fair. An eagerness was even shown to learn the name of the cosmetic she employed. Her answer, in reply to the many inquiries, is worth noting: "I us» for my lips, truth: for my voice, prayer; for my eyes, pity; for the hands, charity: for the figure, uprightness; for the heart, love." And what better recipe could have been sug- gested? The beautifying of the soul will undoubtedly transform the outward appearance of all who arc in close fellowship with the Lord.
THE GOSPEL MESSENGER— January 5, 1918
AROUND THE WORLD
A Threatening Danger An editorial in the " London Daily News " contains this most significant arraignment : " It is a tragic irony, just as the German armies are beginning at last to stagger under the blows of the Allies, that the spirit of German militarism should be winning its greatest victories in this country [Great Britain]. There arc diversities of operation, but the same spirit." Sure enough, and it would seem that British mili- tarism is not aJjit better than the Prussian variety, especially when it seeks to disfranchise, — as now contemplated, — all con- scientious objectors. Lord Hugh Cecil, in a recent discussion of that question, said, "There is a higher law than State law, and men are held responsible, here and hereafter, in time and eternity, to obey that law."
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Hidden Things May Be Revealed y years archaeologists of all nations have vainly rain permission to make excavations at certain ic Holy Land. At times, temporary permits were granted, but at no time was there a really liberal provision for archaeological research. Arrangements are already on foot by which the Holy City will be explored from center to cir- cumference,— inside of the walls and far beyond the gates. During the various occasions when the city was besieged and finally overcome, much destruction was wrought, and in places the debris— sixty feet in depth— cover much that, if unearthed, would be of the most intense interest. Just what may be discovered by the explorer's spade, we do not now know, but the near future is likely to reveal some interesting
We Must Do Better Than Our Fathers A writer, in the current issue of a popular magazine, re- fuses to believe that " the good old times " were as roseate as they arc often represented. He adduces testimony to prove that trickery and deception were even more in evidence dur- ing the former period than at present. Without attempting to decide whether the former times were better or worse than the present, it might be altogether Appropriate to face the fact that is really vital : " We must do better than our fathers, and prove it by actual results," We arc wholly unworthy of living in an age of progress and intellectual advancement, if we do not, in various ways, show at least some improvement over our parents and grandparents. Tn fact, wc owe it to our better selves to make progress from day lo day, — however
slight it may be.
When Prohibition Prevails Bro. George L. McDonaugh, of Alhambra, Cal., favors us with an extract from the "Los Angeles Times" that tells a story all its own. ft proves that prohibition, prop- erly enforced, actually prohibits in that city. Some years ago, when saloons flourished in Los Angeles, a farm was
edge. (5) Place. plenty of missionary books in the Sunday- school library. Many books of that sort are within range of even smaller children and will prove valuable. (6) A month- ly missionary offering. In arranging for this, full informa- tion should be given as to the place where the money is to go. More funds can be raised for a definite object than for mis- sions in general. (7) Let there be definite and intelligent in- tercessory prayer for the great mission fields, of the world. Most of us have yet to learn the full import of fervent, effec- tual petitions, offered in the full assurance of faith to the Lov- ing Father. If our prayers arc aglow with missionary zeal, there is sure to be a corresponding endowment of power from above, for the furtherance of missionary interests.
All Will Work
few years ago an exper
a generation everybody in the United States will a living," — and he had both sexes in view, his prediction. Judging by present in- dications, his prophecy bids fair to be fulfilled ahead of time. The leisure class is decreasing. After the war, if not sooner, there will be little of it. More than half of the labor in the various industries has hitherto been of foreign birth. Deducting the negro workers, we have only one-third of the native white population engaged in man- ual labor. Where are we to get workers in the years to come, when Europe will need all its man-power for re- constructive work? Obviously every citizen of our land will be called upon to do his share of the nation's toil, and the time is coming when the day labon
the
the
Ihi
Mail Service to Jerusalem Agai Willi the occupation of the " City of David ish forces, orderly condil possible. Of special inter since the beginning of til
by the Brit- being restored as fast as fact that for the first time iil service has been cstab-
for incbrin pose.— the
Los Fcliz Boule
excellent pur- calculated to d life of usc-
Mi.-d
: nd from Jerusalem and such portions of Pal-
c as are being held by the British troops. A general no- lo this effect has been issued by the Postoffice Depart- , and is giving much satisfaction to all concerned. Steps also being taken to increase the transportation facilities ,e Holy Land, with the view of providing better mail serv- making Jerusalem the center of a comprehensive system ailroads. Tt is hard to foretell just what may be done ic fullest development of Palestine, and especially Jeru- n. Some remarkable things, however, may be looked for.
restore the devotees of liquor fulness. With the advent of prohibition, howe order of things gained ground. No longer briatcs be found, so it was decided to utilize as a Municipal Detention Home for Women, v bodily ills may be properly cared for. Surely,
sirable change!
He Had to Search for the Clock Apparently trivial tilings are frequently stepping-stones
Tin.
illustrated most forcibly in the (
■ of
Gifts to Foreign Missions During 1917 According to latest information, furnished by the " Foreign Missions Conference of North America," foreign missions in the United States and Canada received subscriptions aggre- gating $20,407,861 during 1917. Of this amount $19,166,864 was from the United States, and $1,240,597 from Canada. Nineteen organizations in Canada, and 178 in the United States are represented in the figures given above. Under the blighting effect of war conditions, the showing is, perhaps, as well as could be expected, and yet it is far.— very far,— from what it might be, were there a greater realization of in- dividual responsibility for the work of Gospel propagation. May the Lord roll upon us a real conviction of the possibilities that lie within our reach. The fields are white unto harvest, and it is the business of every believer to attend to his allotted
Charles M. Hays, the builde railway in Canada. As a yo' senger department of the Gou general manager of the systeu fideutial secretary, — li.-ippi'iud only one, of scores of clerks,
vho
E a leading transcontinental man he worked in the pas- nes. One day, Mr. Talmage, ust then in search for a con- note that Mr. Hays was the chatting
Guatemala's Destruction by Earthquake Since 1522, when the city of Guatemala, capital of the republic of like name, was first built, there have been more than fifty volcanic eruptions and more than 300 earth- quakes in that vicinity. Under date of Dec. 30 the destruc- tion of the city is reported,— the third time it has thus been obliterated. Many persons were killed, but at this writing the number of dead and injured can not he given. Deep fissures are to be seen in various sections of the city. Panic-stricken, the inhabitants have fled to the ad- jacent country,— eighty thousand of the people being homeless. The earthquakes began on Christmas Day and culminated in the violent shocks of Dec. 29, which com- pleted the work of destruction. The American Red Cross is making every possible endeavor to relieve the urgent needs of the stricken people. Temporary buildings are being erected, and provisions of all kinds arc being rushed to the scene of devastation.
watching the clock. Stepping up to him, Mr. Talmage asked what time it was. Not until the question was repeated, could Mr. Hays be diverted from his all-important task. Looking around three sides of the room, he finally found the clock on the fourth, gave the answer: " Eleven-fifty." and went on with his work. " Thank you," said Mr. Talmage and went his way. Next morning Charles M. Hays, the clerk who had to search for the clock, occupied a responsible position in the office of
the
nager.
Russia and Germany Agi At date of this writing (fo:
Why Not Extend the "Take-It-Back Day "? In many country communities a " Take-It-Back-Day " ually appointed, on which own looks over his possess!
dent of that particulai nd collects all borrowed arti-
cles for ;
nc.h.
then detei
e.l fr.
Peace Terms of Dec. 31) peace upon by Russia and Germany. ,var prisoners and captured ships will be returned to respective countries,' which virtually puts an end to lostilities between these nations, for the time being, east. The Russians agree to evacuate all occupied tory. and insist that Germany must withdraw troops i Poland. Bulgaria also agrees to the peace program,
All Railroads Under Federal Control What even the most ardent Socialist would have hardly ventured to hope for, at so early a date, has actually hap- pened—President Wilson has placed the vast railway systems of the United States under Federal control-Secretary Mc- Adoo, of the Treasury Department, having he™ chosen as " Director General of Railroads." The immediate result of Ibis action will be the unifying nf the various lines' into one harmonious system, with the maximum amount of efficiency in all phases of the transportation business. It is an under- taking so enormous as to stagger the conception of experi- enced railroad men, even, and yet all feel assured that our be- loved President lias not entered upon this task without a thor- ough study of the problem in all its phases. His words to this effect are reassuring: "A great national necessity dictated the action I was not at liberty to abstain from it." It is antici- of freight shipments will be greatly
pated that the nine accelerated, which, he most acceptable
of the existing coal shortage will
each of these was originally obtained, and restitutio accordingly. A plan of that sort- may be made to serve a very useful purpose, reminding every householder of his duty to relurn borrowed articles at the first opportunity. But wc are thinking of a far wider application that might be made most profitably. Many of us have liad little differences of opinion, —wholly trivial as we admit— with our brother or sister. In- stead of having these matters adjusted, we often carry the grievance around with us. though the offending member : than willing to accept our statement and make
the ha
old be oncilia
By
let
hai
' Takc-It-Back-
of autocratic military the United States, mi will make the world
cistent befor ns to shape itself, the Teutonic na-
two are assuming augmented pro- hoped that the people of Germany selves by demanding an elimination rule, so that the Allies, together with y enter upon peace negotiations that lafe for principles of democracy.
Day
in the spiritual realn
Opportunities That Beckon During the recent week of exceptionally and unexpect- edly cold weather, many poor people in our cities were found totally unprepared for the frigid blasts. Many and harrowing are the stories related by the daily press of ine and even death, that followed in
the sickne
the
,vake of the
old
fact that the
edy
linded of the numerous, of
the
of
are literally without hop. Hungry mothers, clad children— tfr
nd
in be found people who thout God in the world. i, consumptive men, 511— qually wretched,
oth
—struggle for existence. Such peopl they merely exist and cringe. We, — more favorably situated, a towards these unfortunate
lly live- Lord's people, e,— surely have a duty- children of the same
the Sunday-School We are in receipt of an inquiry as to the latest and best methods of inculcating a missionary spirit upon the Sunday- school. Various plans have been suggested, but upon a close study of the problem we give the following, as means to that end: (1) Let there be a pronounced missionary atmosphere. Let it permeate the prayers, the songs, the opening and clos- ing remarks and the lesson recitation,— judiciously and tact- fully, of course. (2) Study the Bible as a missionary book. Many of the lessons naturally lend themselves to that treat- ment, but there is scarcely a lesson that will not, in some way, suggest missionary seed-thoughts to the earnest teacher. (3) Let there be occasional reference to missionary biography and history. The great missionary truths of the Bible are better understood if they are supplemented by the exemplifications of the latter-day apostles— the men and women who preach Christ and him crucified to a sin-stricken world. (4) A course of mission study for teachers. This is imperative, for no one can impart information that he does not possess. Every teach- er, worthy of the name, should have ample missionary knowl-
versal of the usual A young t
A Christmas That Was Worth While In a recent issue of the " Christian Standard " a ' scribes at length an observance of Chrisl unusual,— being such because it was the order of things. Briefly stated it was th and his wife, stationed in a rather unpromising field of labor, were somehow impressed with the thought that this years observance of Christmas should not be devoted wholly to the "nearest" and "dearest." but reach out. rather, to the "farthest" and " undearest." First, on Christinas morning, they paid a visit to a lonely slmt-in, seldom reached by others, and somewhat neglected because she lived m an oal-oM«ff way place Next the pastor's car stopped at the humble abode of a crippled boy, and here, as at the other place, a Jl"*" cheer was left behind that could not be mistaken A hum d ,nd again the car was loaded with sundry parcel . among them a basket containing essentials nner on a liberal scale. This time the pastor ■', aiming (or the abode of a shiftless family, hout the community as "those awful Dawsons^ « task, perhaps, to begin with, but one that pati When, four hours later, the pastor and wife left ons they felt that something really worth while had .mplished, and that the future looked promising for ,e pastor and wife were self-invited guests at the bachelor, a pessimist of darkest hue, and an ob- of the best efforts the pastor had hitherto made. »i„.«> V>s but when at a late hour Did it take courage to Bo *^?-™J™t iend had been
Zl love each other better, if we knew each other more. Oh. for more of the real Christmas spirit!
trip ho,
neverthele the Daws,
supper the pastor
structionis
THE GOSPEL MESSENGER— January 5, 1918
HOME AND FAMILY
Ministry
SpIo-(<-«] by Alia M. Oldham, Brooklyn, N. V. Since sen-ice is the highest lot,
And all arc in one body bound, In all the world the place is not
Which may not with this hlis* be cro\ The sufferer on the bed of pain
Need not be laid aside from this; But for each kindness gives again
"This joy of doing kindnesses." The poorest may enrich this feast,
Not one lives only to receive; But renders through the hands of Christ
Richer returns than man can give. The little child, in trustful glee,
With love and gladness brimming o'er, Many a cup of ministry
May for the weary veteran pour. The lonely glory of ;
akc that a stepping-;
\.i.l
This, by the ministries of prayer,
The loneliest life with blessings croW( Can consecrate each petty care,
Make angels' ladders out of clouds. Nor serve we only when we gird
Our hearts for special ministry; That creature best has ministered,
Which is what it was meant to be. Birds, by their chants, their Maker bles:
By simply shining, sun and star; And we, whose law is love, serve less
By what we do than what we arc. Since service is the highest lot.
And angels know no higher bliss, Then with what good her cup is fraught
Who was created but for this.
The Girl and the Boy
BV ELIZABETH D. ROSEN BERGER
Boys and girls romped and played all through the years straight into youth and girlhood. Even in high school they did not know that the gay, care-free friend- ship might develop into something different. Sally and Gaylord had always been the best of friends, chums,— ready for any fun or frolic the others might suggest.
The two sat by the library table. " Miss Marvin's a peach. She makes me like history ; no other teacher ever attempted that."
" We girls all work hard for her. Now about these experiments in chemistry, — I failed to get them. Could you loan me your notebook ? "
"Sure thing. I've got them all, an' you can work them out for tomorrow's test."
Neither of them noticed Ray, Sally's brother, until he spoke : " Huh ! Looks like two's a company !"
Sally tried not to notice him. But whenever he could do so, he grimaced behind Gaylord's back. He strode around the room, picking up Gaylord's hat and throw- ing it into the air. He was trying to worry Sally, — to tease her.
Sally said nothing about this to her mother. She hardly understood just why she felt so humiliated to have Ray, a boy of thirteen, behave like that. It hurt, —that was all.
After Gaylord happened to be (here several even- ings. Sally's father said: " I don't see why that young galoot hangs around here so much. I am not going to stand for him. D'ye hear? You're nothing but a child yourself!"
Sally's eyes filled with tears of resentment. At that moment she hated her father. She hadn't thought about being anything more than a child. Why should he say those things? The friendly interest she and Gaylord had in each other became a thing to be shunned or avoided. At the very least, all the fun, the sparkle, the gayety, were gone ; she could not enjoy his friendly calls after father and Ray had said many things like this.
And where was mother? Well, she was right there. She thought that all boys of thirteen teased
their sisters, and it was queer for Sally to be so touchy about a little fun. She was so busy about the house that she often forgot that Sally might need her. Long ago she lost the way to Sally's heart. Her affections were overgrown with kitchen cares and small duties. Now her father really did not want to wound her feel- ings. He was only thinking that no man was good enough for Sally, and thus he explosively said more than he intended ; he meant well.
The pity of it is that Sally was hurt cruelly by this treatment. Gaylord never became her lover. When lovers came, she had nothing to say to her parents. She went her way alone; she kept her own counsel; she did not have the joy of talking over the coming of her fairy prince with her mother. They missed the joy of traveling hand in hand through a little world of romance, and wandering there for awhile.
Some mothers say : " Oh, my daughter is only a child yet; she never gives a thought to such things! " The girl may, even then, be thinking often of some boy whom she meets and admires. When the girl asks: "Isn't Jim handsome, mother?" — you want to agree enthusiastically and say; "He surely is hand- some and will make a fine man some day." As the girl relates stories of what Jim has done and said, you want to tell her that you are glad they are good friends, and enjoy happy times together. If you so lake Jim into your home and your friendship, there is little likelihood of any trouble arising from it. You have your daughter's confidence, and together you meet some of the most important events in her life quietly, sweetly, understanding!}'.
How dare parents leave a girl unprotected through the period when the boys begin to linger in the hall and by the garden gate? What have your years of ex- perience been worth? Nothing if you let your chil- dren suffer for your own shortcomings. Every moth- er should know that it is a crime to speak to her daughter in a way she would not speak to any one else. If she scolds and questions only because she is the mother, and the daughter is in her power, she loses the most precious thing they have in common, — that re- spect which every loving mother and daughter have for each other.
What a blessing to be permitted to look at the world through your daughter's fairy spectacles! Surely we can not grow- old in heart while this girl is ours ! She is full of joy, of life, of happiness in simple things. Mere association with her sharpens in us the power to enjoy. Keep your little girl earnest, truthful and unselfish, by keeping thus yourself. Do not let the world come between you. Make that little place around the library table the sweetest in the world for her. There you listen and appreciate and approve. She soon knows whether any one is so ready to be in- terested as mother.
Then bring all the young life possible into your own home. Make the boys and girls so welcome that they will love tcucome. Make possible, the small pleasures your purse can afford. You will receive compound interest on this outlay. The boy and girl problem in your home is a problem no longer if love rules, and common scense holds sway". C-ovington, Ohio.
A Little Sister
BY IDA M. HELM Chapter Three
Somehow, as the days passed, Margaret Anne and Mildred watched for each other, but they only smiled back and forth unless the dressmaker had an errand for the child to do. She noticed how the child's face lighted when there was an errand, and the look of dis- appointment when there was none, so she saved all her errands for her.
She wondered whether she ought to invite the child to stop and eat dinner with her some day. She thought : " She looks so thin and hungry." Then she thought: "Pshaw! How do I know she's hungry? Perhaps she's thin because she's growing fast. I'm just getting sentimental again. I must watch myself."
But, somehow, such thoughts made her uncomfor- table, and in a short while she found herself thinking;
" I wonder whether I ought to move and leave her, when she enjoys the errands and the doll so much? But, goodness me! What am I thinking about, again? How foolish to think of not moving, but staying and . enduring all this noise for the sake of a ragged little girl who has no claim on me whatever. Yes, I'm go- ing to move," she thought, " and when she stops in the morning, I'll tell her."
But Margaret Anne didn't sleep well that night. She wondered whether the child would care that she moved. Yes, she was sure she'd care. The for- lorn child's face haunted her. She hardly knew why she rose earlier than usual that morning, but she was determined to move and she wanted to tell the child, for she was anxious to have it over.
As she sat at the window sewing she found herself casting glances up the street. When at last the little scantily-dressed figure came in sight, she laid her sew- ing aside, and when the child came to the window, the dressmaker opened the door, and said: " Come in."
Mildred came smiling into the room. Somehow her shoes looked more ragged and her dress shabbier than ever. " Mother is so busy she can't take time to patch my dress," said the child, apologetically. Margaret Anne pitied her, but she gathered a bundle of silk and velvet patches and gave them to the child and said: " You may keep them to remember me by. I'm going to move." Mildred's lips became colorless and she said: "I don't understand." Margaret Anne repeat- ed : " You may keep the patches to remember me by. I'm going to move away from here."
The child pressed her hands tightly together and a look of distress came into her eyes. Then she stood and looked at the carpet for a minute. Margaret Anne felt something of the struggle the child was enduring to remain calm. Soon she lifted her tearless but smarting eyes to Margaret Anne and said : " Thank you for these patches, but I'm sorry you're going to move. I must go now." Then she went out the door and was quickly out of sight.
Margaret Anne went back to her work, but sewing was an overwhelming burden. The sad, lonely little figure hovered before her mental vision. Her thoughts went back to past years. She had had a little sister, but God took her when she was about the size of this little girl. She had dearly loved her sister. She could yet hear the sweet, confiding voice and the merry peals of laughter. She knew she would have been broken- hearted if her sister had lived and was today cold and ragged and hungry, and " left out." Suddenly a sen- tence from the Sacred Volume came to her mind, — words she read in one of her " moods " : " All ye are brethren." Strange she had forgotten it.
Impulsively she arose and took the Bible from the shelf and by chance it opened at Matthew 23 and she began reading. She read to the eighth verse ; then she stopped a minute. Then she read and reread : " But be ye not called Rabbi : for one is your teacher, and all ye are brethren." A sudden hush overwhelmed her spirit. Then a feeling of gratitude and responsibility welled up in her heart. " If all are brethren," she thought, " this lonely child, whose happiness so strangely lies in my hands, is my little sister." She wondered whether a kind Providence had directed the child to her door. She read the next verse: " And call no man your father on the earth : for one is your Fa- ther, even he who is in heaven." She thought : "Truly my Loving Father is this child's Loving Father, too."
She read on : " Neither be ye called masters : for one is your Master, even the Christ. But he that is great- est among you shall be your srvant." A thrill of joy that she could not understand gripped her. She was not going to move. She would stay and serve her sis- ter. She would make her happy. She no longer en- vied the rich their fine clothes, or their money, or their pleasures. She realized that the truest joys are found in doing our Father's will. She returned the Bible to its place on the shelf and went back to her sewing. The tumult that had tossed her soul was calmed, and sewing was a pleasure. She would be a friend to the friendless. She was almost startled as the words: "There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother," came forcibly to her mind.
The scenes of the day so long ago when she gave
THE GOSPEL MESSENGER— January 5, 1918
her heart to God and united with the church, came vividly to her memory. Tears came unbidden to her eyes and the fact was impressed indelibly on her mind that God watched over her and cared for her through the years of her rebellion to him. She fell on her knees and renewed her covenant with the Faithful One. Then as she cut and stitched away, she thought of the many, many homeless, friendless children eking out an existence of privation, and sorrow and hunger, and cold in uninhabitable tenements. And whose is the sin? Are we not all responsible for our share in be- friending them? The ciy of these helpless ones goes up to God and he expects his more favored children to yield themselves as instruments in his hands to min- ister to their needs. We stand in God's place.
In the midst of her meditations the sad, familiar face appeared at the window. It seemed to Margaret Anne that the face was more sorrowful and wan than ever. She quickly cast her sewing aside, stepped to the door, opened it and smiled at Mildred. The pretty curves were faintly outlined on her lips. Then she went out and, taking the child by the hand, she gently led her into the house. Then' she said: "Guess what good news I have to tell you."
" I suppose you are going to give the doll to me," said Mildred.
•' No, better than that," said Margaret Anne. " Guess again."
But Mildred could think of nothing better that might possibly come to her, so the dressmaker said: " I'm not going to move. I'm going to live right here and be your big sister, if you'll let-me."
The child looked earnestly into her face for a min- ute. Then it dawned on her mind that it surely meant happiness to have a dressmaker for her sister. Sud- denly she flung her arms around Margaret Anne's neck and exclaimed : " Oh, I'm so glad to have you for my sister, and I'll love you and be good to you, like I am to my mother who works so hard to pay the rent and buy clothes and food and coal." Tears came to Margaret Anne's eyes, as the two talked and talked, — they had so many things to tell each other.
They had created a little loving world of their own and they meant to extend it far and wide.
Finally the dressmaker said : " Now, run home, for your mother will be expecting you, and ask your moth- er if you can't stop with me for supper. And tell her to come too. We'll have fried beef, gravy, mashed potatoes, biscuits, butter, and canned peaches."
The happy girl clapped her hands and exclaimed: " Goody, goody, I know mother'll say : ' Yes.' "
After she had gone, Margaret Anne sat down and counted up her checks, notes and bills. " Only twen- ty-five dollars more," she thought, " then I'll have the four thousand dollars. I'll pay Mr. Goodrich and the stain will be wiped out. Then I'll earn money to edu- cate my little sister. I'll send her to one of our own church schools."
R. D. 2, Ashland, Ohio.
CORRESPONDENCE
A SUNDAY AT HOME
Last Sunday our services were of more than usual in- terest. Bro. Brown Miller gave us a report of the Anti- Saloon League Convention, held at Washington, D. C. Bro. Miller has been a speaker for the League for sever- al years, and has become a proficient advocate of its cause. While at the Convention, he took notes of some of the ad- dresses, which he gave to us in an interesting and in- structive manner. He was impressed with the number of aged people present, and with the messages they gave. Our people were wellrepresented.
In the evening we had an earnest and enthusiastic dis- course by Bro. T. T. Myers, from the text: "Thy King- dom Come." He showed conclusively that this is a king- dom of peace, and that its subjects will not fight nor en- gage in warfare. He referred to the text: "He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one," and they said: "Lord, behold here are two swords." Christ said unto them: " It is enough." The disciples did not procure swords in defense against their enemies, as it is not likely that two of them would go armed, and the rest of the company without weapons. And yet the Master said: "It is enough." The reason for the Savior's lan- guage was given by citations from a, number of different
tors. In short, Bro. Myers showed that the New Testament does not favor war, and the kingdom to which we belong is one of peace.
We are sorry to learn that some of our young men are not as deeply rooted in the New Testament doctrine of nonresistance as they ought to be. We suppose that, dur- ing the years of peace, it has not been taught as it should have been. This shows the importance of teaching all the Gospel. It should be so taught that its principles become part of the life. Then there would be no fall- ing away when the trying time comes.
Huntingdon, Pa., Dec. 22. J. B. Brumbaugh.
SISTER ROSA KAYLOR.— AN APPRECIATION
[The letter given below is by an aged brother. James La Per- sonne, who lives In Bulsar, India, and Is deeply interested in the work of til© Lord. His life Is mi inspiration to all with whom he comes in contact. Ills loiter tom-hitigly refers to the funeral of Sister Knylor, and we publish It: In the hope that It niav bring comfort to her many friend s.-Ed.]
The year 1917 has been a blessed realization of the power of God to his. children in the manifestation of his Spirit. God has heard the prayers of his saints who have consecrated their lives to his service. While all mourn, yet there is joy. Some, who have been taken away from their life partners, are waiting to welcome them to the home prepared by the Father. Others have found a Sav- ior and decided to live a new life. Among the English- speaking people of Bulsar the Gospel has been faithfully delivered, and the cross upheld. Surely the harvest must be gathered in.
I have heard people say that they appreciated the fu- neral service. The only regret was that it was so short, as everything was so nice and appropriate. There is joy in heaven tonight, I am sure. One is with the angels above and others have found a -Savior. Most of those that were in the church, I believe, have decided to follow Jesus faithfully.
A memorable and never-to-be-forgotten Oct. 24, 1917. It is recorded in heaven. There was not a dry eye in the audience that had gathered to honor Sister Kaylor. The presence of the Holy Spirit was there. Amen.
Dear brother, we want the Pentecostal outpouring more and more for our battle with the world. We must plunge into the Fountain filled with blood and be clean, without a spot. Alleluia, glory to God, Amen I J. La Personne.
Bulsar, India, Oct. 24.
GLEANER'S REPORT
The thirteenth annual Sunday-school Convention of the Church of the Brethren in Southern Idaho met at the Fruitland church, Nov. 29. The meeting was called to or- der by Bro. S. S. Neher, retiring president. After a short, inspiring talk, he called on Bro. J. E. Shamberger to read the opening Scripture. Bro. J. H. Graybill, of Nampa, then led in prayer. The address of welcome was ably given by Bro. J. E. Shamberger and responded to by Bro. J. H. Graybill, of Nampa. After the enrollment of dele- gates and election of officers for the succeeding year, the program of the day was begun.
Bro. S. S. Neher was the first speaker. His subject was, "The Sunday-school's Attitude Toward Thanksgiving." He emphasized the many reasons we have for being thankful now. Never before has there been such a gold- en opportunity for work in the Sunday-school.
Bro. H. G. Shank on "The Relation of the Sunday- school to Missions" brought out very forcibly the close relation existing between the two. A live Sunday-school is, of necessity, a missionary Sunday-school. The teach- ers must thoroughly acquaint themselves with present-day missionary needs. Otherwise they can not arouse needed enthusiasm to aid this cause.
On the subject of "The Relation of Our Bible Schools and Colleges to Missions," Bro. J. Betts, of Nampa, em- phasized that the vital relation is oftentimes lost because there is not enough missionary teaching in the State col- leges and other schools, hence our young people should be encouraged to go to our own Bible Schools and col- leges. In these colleges our missionaries are trained, as well as our most prominent church workers. A true Chris- tian always has a missionary spirit. Those who can not go to the fields themselves, should realize their duty to support these schools in every way, in order that more missionaries may be trained for the work that is calling so strongly today. Parents should realize their duty and en- courage their children to attend these colleges if it is at all possible.
Bro. W. O. Beckner, Field Secretary for McPherson College, was present at the meeting and was asked to talk further on his subject. The majority of children are carefully guarded from childhood until about fourteen years of age. From the age of fourteen to twenty this training on the higher ideals of life seems to stop, and they are allowed to drift on in their own way. This "teen age" is the time when every influence should be thrown around the boy or girl, in order that the right sort of character may be developed. They should be encouraged to go on to college, when high school is finished, for in college they will prepare themselves for real life. In col- lege they meet noble men and women who inspire them to give their own lives in service for others. Life is, after
all, simply a grand opportunity to serve others. Such an influence in a young life can not be overestimated.
Every one proved to be very much interested in the next number on the program, for the ladies of the Fruit- land congregation served a bountiful Thanksgiving din- ner in the basement of the church. A pleasant social hour was enjoyed, after which the meeting was again called
Bro. S. J. Kenepp, from Payette, then spoke on "The Needs of the Hour Among Teachers and Officers." Punc- tuality is the essential quality for a teacher and officer. It is a great encouragement to the students to be prompt also.
The teacher must be tactful and resourceful. He must study the needs of his class both individually and collect- ively, so as to be able to present the lesson in a live and interesting way. This will enable the pupils to apply the lesson in a practical way to their own lives.
Sister Emma Parriott, of Weiser, then spoke on "The Needs of the Hour Among Students." We need to study more fully the Sunday-school Textbook, the Bible. Many teachers arc not able to discuss, intelligently, the different Bible topics that come up during the class hour. This is a failing that all should strive to overcome. Frequently students do not know how to pray. They have never been taught the power of prayer and its necessity in every Christian's life.
Sister Parriott also brought up the subject of " Graded Lessons," emphasizing their benefits. They are edited so that the little minds can grasp the thought easily. Dur- ing childhood character is molded and every good device should be used to aid in its development.
In the discussion that followed this topic, many practi- cal thoughts were given. We do not realize fully, per- haps, the great need for trained workers. Officers often fail to see their duty and opportunity, for they do not
Teachers must be chosen carefully, preferably by the Sunday-school boards. A corps of strong, efficient teach- ers is one of the main factors in a wide-awake school.
Bro. Harvey Hostctlcr then gave a very interesting sur- vey of the Sunday-school's activity in Chicago. He told of their methods of conducting classes and mission points, which gave many new ideas to those present. If Sunday- schools are conducted in departments, it is possible to use material adapted especially to the different ages. Teach- ers' consecration meetings are a source of much inspira- tion and help to all concerned. He also told of the work of the Chinese Sunday-school, the various mission points and centers for relief work.
Bro. J. H. Graybill, of Nampa, talked on "The Regula- tion of the Study Period." A teacher need have no special time to study, but should always be acquainted with the subject, and study how to bring the lesson before the class in the most helpful way. He must know the environment and character of each member of his class, so that he can more fully understand the needs of all. He must contin- ually strive to make his work more effective. Teachers can find many little fragments of time in which to study these problems.
The writer gave a short talk on " Establishing Sunday- schools in Isolated Places." Many of these places have so few facilities that they lose what spirit they formerly had, and are content to drift along, letting their religion grow colder all the time. It is often very hard to stir up enough enthusiasm to organize. One must be thoroughly acquainted, so that the pupils may realize that the teach- er has their welfare in view. If one gets the cooperation of the mothers, and thereby gets the children interested, the way is usually open.
After the organization is completed, every effort should be made to keep up the interest. The Sunday-schools in the well-established churches can help much by sending small picture cards, Sunday-school papers and various other helps to the isolated schools. Sometimes ministers can be secured to hold services. Again the young people from the towns near by may be influenced to give special programs. All these aid greatly in holding the interest of the people. The need of this work is great in our own State. It is estimated that eighty-five per cent of the chil- dren in Idaho are not in Sunday-school. This certainly opens a large field of service to us.
Bro. J. C. Himler, of Kimberly, was unable to be pres- ent, so his paper was read. He wrote of the "Needs of the Hour Among Teachers." He emphasized the fact that the teacher must allow the Spirit to work completely in his life, and that only by prayer and constant effort can he gain the results of service.
Bro. G. G. Bollinger, of Fruitland, then conducted the Round Table. The subject of "Graded Lessons" proved very helpful. They are in use in several of our churches and have proved very successful, for they exactly fit the children's needs. Many interesting points were given on "Music in the Sunday-school." The main idea was that suitable songs should be selected for each Sunday's les- son. This promotes and develops the truths gained dur- ing the study hour. The children must be given their part by allowing them to sing their special songs.
Much stress was laid on punctuality, for a lack of it is always a disturbance and retards interest. (Continued on Pag© 14)
THE GOSPEL MESSENGER— January 5, 1918
THE CRUMPACKERS' ARRIVAL AT PING TING HSIEN, CHINA
Oct. 17 was the homecoming date of the Crumpackers. Wc had received a telegram on Monday that they would arrive on Thursday, the eighteenth, but on Wednesday morning, about ten o'clock, wc received another telegram, stating that they would arrive that day. Of course, the news spread like wildfire, so to speak, foi all the Chinese Christians and friends were anxiously awaiting their arrival.
The Chinese have a very nice custom of receiving their friends, or bidding farewell to them, as the case may be. They always think it proper to go a long way to meet a friend, or to escort him quite a ways if he is leaving. So there was some rushing around, as it was only two hours then till train time, and the distance of fifteen " li " (five English miles) must he covered by foot, between here and the railroad station.
A number of t^ic Christians and schoolboys went over to
statu
the
the big temple— about half way from here to the station. Mrs. Obcrholtzcr. the writer, and the children were the only foreigners here to welcome them. Wc accompanied the schoolgirls and sonic of the women outside the west- gate of the city. When the party came up. the girls sang songs of welcome for both Brother and Sister Crum- packer. In the city, along the street at different places, were several of the women, who, because of their little feet, were not able to walk farther. All these people greeted our returning missionaries with gladness and hearts overflowing with joy.
Sister Crumpacker spoke of the contrast between this coming to Ping Ting and the first time they' came, in 1910. This time they were greeted by loving friends all along the way; the other time.— about seven and one-half years ago, — people were afraid of them and ran into their houses, closing the doors behind them" when they saw them coming. During these intervening years, Brother and Sister Crumpacker and Frantz have made many warm friends among this people, and they certainly had a warm welcome when they came back to their home.
The Chinese brethren had planned a big feast in their honor, which is also a custom of the Chinese, but as our Annual Conference was in session at Liao Chou,— the oth- er foreigners from here, having left just two days before, — Brother and Sister Crumpacker and Frantz planned to go tn Liao to the Conference. So, the next morning— Thurs- day,— they were on their way to Liao, arriving there on Saturday evening. This three days' donkey trip was quite a contrast to riding in your automobiles, which easily travel this distance in two or three hours.
Upon their return to Ping Ting, the Chinese brethren gave a reception for them. First there was a big feast in the Boys' School dining-room, in which forty-four partici- pated. Then there was a devotional service in the church. There were speeches from several of the Chinese and then from Brother and Sister Crumpacker, after which tea was served to all present, and a social time enjoyed.
Bro. Obcrholtzcr met the Crumpackers, as well as the new missionaries, at Tientsin. Brother and Sister Crum- packer and Frantz came direct to Ping Ting, while he re- mained several days, to see the new missionaries located aitd started in the Language School at Peking. They arc happy in their work there.
Brother and Sister Crumpacker arc happy to be back at their work. And while the Chinese are exceedingly glad to have them back, we foreigners arc equally as glad, so there is gladness all around. Susie Vaniman.
Ping Ting Hsien, Shansi. China.
ANOTHER TRIP TO CAMP LEE According to previous arrangements I started Dec. 13 for Petersburg and Camp Lee. I found our brethren and friends generally well. Three were in the hospital, some- what ill. One brother is in the barrack with la grippe. I had arranged to baptize two young men. One was bap- tized; the other is now in the hospital, but will be bap- tized later. The brethren in the detention camp arc doing fine. The snow has given them a fine opportunity to catch a nice lot of rabbits. They have Bible classes and a peri- od for Bible stories and prayer service. They arc, as we think, doing a good work along this line.
These brethren are very earnest in saying with Gen. Kuhn. Commander-in-charge of Camp Meade, that there is no such thing as absolute noncombatant service under military control, and they certainly do not believe in mil- itarism. They do not mean to be slackers at all, however, and therefore are improving the time as if in school, with splendid instructors. May the Lord abundantly bless them! They are also very much intercstccLin the Special Conference of Jan. 9.
Since returning home. I received a letter, stating that one young brother in Camp has been ordered to take the drill. This, according to Secretary Baker's statement, is not required. I hope we may soon be able to have him released. It appears to us that almost daily some one needs to be in Camp, to aid our boys. Will wc come to their rescue? This, of course, takes means and time. The fathers and mothers of the drafted men are anxious that their boys receive the much needed help. We pray God to bless the Camp visitants in their great work. These
R. D. 1, Box 66. Ca
Notes From Our Correspondents
OUR RESPONSIBILITY
Seated in my comfortable, roohi on Thanksgiving Day, my mind was occupied with many things. One of the uppermost thoughts was : Have we respected the Proclamation of the President of our beloved land, who has set apart one day in each year to be observed as a day of general thanksgiving? Were any of our church doors closed on that special day, and our minds occupied with the cares ofsthis life, not regarding the rulers of our land as we are taught in the Scriptures?
If ever there was a time when our lives should be given to consecrated prayer, it is right now. Think of the multiplied thousands who feel the pangs of hunger and starvation, and arc only pleading for enough to keep soul and body together, while wc arc blessed with plenty and to spare! Can wc sit
out even sending up a petition to God. the Giver of all things, in behalf of suffering humanity, destitute of food and cloth- ing through the cruel hand of war? Have our hearts been closed to their cry. and arc their prayers unheeded?
Dear reader, this is" for you to answer. Let each one of us deny ourselves of some luxury and let us lay by as God has prospered us, to be used as the Lord may direct. The crisis that has come upon other nations may soon have to he faced I iv ns. Wc, too. may cry and not be heard.
Junes Mills. Pa., Nov. 30. Mary A. Nedrow.
CALIFORNIA
church met in
Knnil:iy-s<'hnnl superintendent :
ir services. Last Sunday one dear Thanksgiving Dny we had an ntl- is taken for the Red Cross and for
Siuv,
I. 'II
■it.-,, tin
' Glenn
15, nt 10 A. M„ Inc. Bro. Yount Sistei
superintend-
■rcsted, will plensi
department; the writer, "Mess
nrlnn Smith. Raisin, Col.. Dee. 18.
der. Bro. Blocher, in charge. Four let-
lelp. One more ram
Id e<,ri
J der;
. I L ■ ■ 1 .1
Cliek.
CONSERVATION
Today wc read much about conservation of food and every- thing thai goes to make life more pleasant in this beautiful world in which God has placed us. If everyone had learned the lesson of economy and retained it, and had been consider- ate in passing on the idea, this generation would today more fully understand its meaning. There would be less need of reminding the nation of needed economy.
Those who passed through the Civil War days, learned les- sons of economy to which the world is a stranger. Prices were far higher than today. Coffee sold at $1 a pound and calico was SO cents a yard. Those were trying days. The good housewives resorted to every expedient to cut down expenses. No luxuries were thought of, only real necessities were con- sidered. If the same rigid rule were practiced now, what a difference it would make!
I am grateful that the Church of the Brethren fosters the old-time ideas of saving. The dear mothers in Israel left a legacy to their daughters that is of great value. It is well to avoid every needless expenditure, — theaters, picture-shows. church-fairs, box-socials, gum-chewing and the tobacco habit. All these arc things that do not conserve life and personal well- being. Wc should refrain from things that do not make us better citizens of our Gove/nmeut, and fit us for our citizen- ship in the world to come.
The Master taught ns to conserve the fragments that noth- ing be lost. This should he our motto in these strenuous days when the war shadows arc gathering around us.
Alaniogortlo, N. Mex. Jennie Stephens Fulton.
COLORADO
Cnlnrndo Springs. — On Thanksgiving D;i service nt the Methodist Hiurch. On 1 1 ■ ■
offering, nnd nil
.Timet ion. Cn\<i , nee.
FOR THE BOYS IN CAMP
Boys, I often think of you and remember you in my prayers. Every now and then I find a scripture that makes me think of you and I wish I could hand it to you.
I was just reading in the " Sunday Schoal Times," and was made to think of you again. The thought suggested itself that the " Messenger " be the medium, so here is a word from Ridgway: "What Hamilton Evans does over at the open-hearths with pig iron, Jesus Christ does with pig men. Jesus changes the pig nature to saint nature. . . . He boils us and boils us until we have our impurities in the cinder or up the stack and he can look into the golden luster of us and see his face. But who ever enjoys the refining process! ... If old Mr. Pig could talk, you might hear him cry: ' Now, you Ham Evans, let me alone! ' Some of you, right now, may be having a ' pretty hot time of it' in the refining process. Just remember that you are being made into— oh, well, — it may be boiler plate at sixty dollars a ton or it may be watch springs at sixty, hundred dollars a ton. -Just, praise the Lord you are in the Refiner's hand." (See Mai. 3:^, 3; Isa. 48: 10; Zcch. 13: 9.)
It is very inspiring to sec the firm stand many of you are taking against becoming a part of the war machine- refusing even to do " noncombatanr service." I heartily agree with the officers who say there is no such service. What a pity that the church did not make that declara- tion! May wc all recognize it now! I praise God for modern Daniels, Shadrachs. Meshachs and Abednegos. Yes, boys, " our God whom we serve is able." I am glad that you are trusting him. " Praise him for his wonderful works to the children of men!" Wm. K. Conner.
546 South Seventeenth Street. Harrisburg, Pa., Dec. 22-
day eveninc. Dee. 23. Althmiirl. the uvath-r ":i- iiiele,ne„i. fher was a cood attendance nnd interest.— Norn K. Zimmerman, Row
Reports from 1 him In
Committe< by the clerl
nc- that Hn
li nml elnsses derided to use the money.
(TeriiiL- Armenians nnd Syrians. The to- We feel thnj our girls nnd hoys have ! Christmas spirit. The primary classes
presence and faithful work.— Neil Sites, unell on the evening of Dee. 14. Owing
■ nf nee. 1ft the Mission Hand of M*. Mor-
leedy, if necessary— June Staiifier, Polo. 111., Dec.
INDIANA
Camp (reck church met in council Dec. 15, with our elder, Bm.
How do professors of religion appear in the sight of God and the heavenly host who are constantly saying-: " Lord, Lord," and yet are unwilling to make as great a- sacrifice to bring lost souls back to God, and to lay up treasures in heaven, as they are to gain worldly honor, ifldl lay up treasures on earth?
to have Christian "Workers- Meetings, Bro. fieorpe Hummel ^ ehosen president. Sister Winnie Crtpe was with us on the <*v Inir of Nov. 22 and gave a verv interesting talk. An offering i k. Bro. Hiram Forney ntrs nt this plnee, cloi _
, Etna
End.,
Word with power.— Mina
ty Church er,
.... .-.jmpin. of Pok.
three weeks. Twenty accepted Chrlut during these meetings. A
THE GOSPEL MESSENGER— January 5, 1918
anlfested. Slsl
s'ot. 24, to cull a istry. Bro. Win. Brnbnker was chosen to help vork. Dec. 2 Bro. W. E. Ovcrholser, or the , Winona, I ml., began n series of meetings with ii.— the remodeling of the church having been confessed Christ and more are near the King- was grently benefited by Bro. Overholser's Florence H. Garber, It. D. 3, Box S2, Goshen,
let In council Dec. 22, with Eld. E. N. Goshorn rions committees of the late District Meeting
—We met in council on the evening of Dec. 15. The
ventlier kept many away. Mister Winnie Ryan was nteiideut for the coming year. We organized a kers' Meeting, to begin the first Sunday of the new rpenler was chosen president. Bro. Lewis preached
We agreed to be governed by DIs- ruing the Peace Committee; nlso to nlng yenr by the assessment plan, jnal property are to bo taxed n cer-. e for this work Is Brethren J. K. S. Benl and W. C. Enfield. Bro. D. I Sister t.— Ann
ly-scliool had a Christinas proirniin, which was Interesting. - , M. Baughmnn, 310 Pocahontas Street. S. Ottunnva, Iowa, Dee.
KANSAS
Gospel. '
1', Abilcn-
reorganization of the Mis- ppointed "treasurer. Those ease address him at Waka-
y council Dec. 22. with Bro. right was reelected elder for an- Suih/mv school .superintendent; Russell president. Our Aid Society gave an ex- accepted. Our ehnpel gave a Christmas 31ft" service. A nice lot of gifts was e Chicago Mission; also $7.G0 lu money. -l.eouii Poland, N<
: it is doing; Bro. Ikenbei
mas program Dec. T,\. Mrs. Ileile Weber, R. D. i., Dec. 24.
k church mot in council Dec. 22. Bro. E. D. Stew- d elder for the coining year; Sister Emma Correll, uperintendent; Bro. Guy Correll, president of the ;rB. The Sunday-scho<
?rved a basket dinu>
school seat the hiilhday collect Inn.-, togetlie ferlug, amounting to $25 in all, to the Qliie San. lay-school has adopted the postofflce s
mon on "The Second Coming of Christ."— Amos
llollaii.-hiirg, Ohio, Dec. 24.
fn council Friday, Dec. 21, at 10 A, M., with presiding. Bro. Snider was reelected elder; G. mlay-school superintendent; Alice Bosserman, ■etary and "Messenger" agent; Battle Bnme, The church bought 150 Song
being continued Rawson, Ohio, Dec. 27. urch met in council Saturday
Interest. — Helen
Sunday evening, Dec. 23, ■ » a splendid Christmas program. The s several good Christmas selections, nee our last report. We are thnnk-
have been added to our church by Baldwin, Corner May and Phlladel-
i Eld. C. W. Stuts-
eouncll Dec.
.■elected as our elder for i superintendent of the Sundny-Bchool;
i council Dec. 1!2, with Eld. E. B. Bagwell,
trustee for the coming year; Bro. Marlon iiinday-seliool superintendent; Bro. Homer agent: the writer corresponding secretary.
. O. H. Bechtel, of Bellvllte, Ohio, Secretary, to solicit our members for fund at New Philadelphia, Ohio. Our love feast ro. Jacob Coppock, of Tippecanoe City, was
ith Bro. II. C. Early, of Penn I.alrd, Va.. In Ch
Snider, R. D. 4, Thornville. Ohio, Dec. 24.
subject, " Cedars of I
Wright preached non." His subject ) Is picking
ation for good. On
seriously. Dec.
King. Our primary depn
joyfully placed (lie
it was received. Roy Honeymnn win Christian Workers and also as siiperin ool. We elected our elder for two years
service. — Sylvia
Hill, Ind., Dec. 24.
IOWA i Valley.™ Our church held a meeting <
-Slsl
. Holla.
Ill, I. In
1 for the Ar
at 10 o'clock on Thanksgiving Day it noon and council ii expect Bro. D. W. G;
so sent to the Kansas City Mission. The Sunday-school ;ments for last year are as follows: For Sunday-school int, ¥100; District Mission lioiird, $50 ; Child Rescue Work, lessenger" Poor Fund, $10. We are anxiously waiting new church to be completed. The work has been retarded unt of a shortage of material.— Sister Delilah A. Maxcy,
ans., Dec. 22.
ii,— Since our last writing we have closed a successful re- with Bro. C. S. Garber, of St. Joseph, Mo., as evangelist. d interest was manifested throughout the meeting. Five
iben Shroyer, of New Berlin, Ohio, s at this place. Nine confessed Christ. i special council. Bro. M. D. Stutzmaii
ugh. Coslien, Ind., Dec. 25. icil Dec. 0, with Bro. D. C. Campbell prs was reelected superintendent of "Messenger" agent; Bro. Roy Coy-
|
irougbt something, glad to give their |
||
|
,N |
mighl 1 |
ong those In need. |
also and
Bro, Earl Stroud's letter was granted. We are glad Brother and Sister Robinson enn be with HB, as they will be a great help In our church. Bro. Cecil Sell asked to be received into^he ministry, for which a special council was called on Saturday, Dec, 22. Bro. (ioiighmuir, of Aakcny, who is on the ministerial board, was with elected to the ministry by a majority vote.
afternoon, last report
NEBRASKA i council Nov. 30, with our elder, Bro. J. 3ro. John Kilhcfncr was elected Sunday
|
„;;, |
r. Sunday evening, Di his Illustrated lectures |
the Chrlstlui ion 'of $31 was 8. Bro. W. R Our Sunday |
|
givi NF |
ag US two splendid tnl t, Lincoln, Nebr., Dec. W MEXICO |
8.— Sister Bes- 20. |
|
,'ee, |
Christ as his Savior. |
d of n family On Christmas |
Mrs. E. P. Deeter, Miami, N. Mex., Dec. 21.
NORTH CAROLINA nIty,_Sept. 1 we met at the Maple Grove house (a brand
; Fraternity church) in « called nicetl rick, R. D. 4. Lexington, N. C, was cull. Brethren Ceorge Reid and S. W. Byerly They were duly installed. Sept. S we met
IS Br.). John Showalter, of Salem, Vo., began a se- ngs here and continued two weeks, preaching with was baptized and the church has been strength. ■'nil.
|
ding seer. cure a ja —J. P. R< |
er year; J. P. Robertson d E. H. Robertson, ""Mes- tary, respectively. A eom- bertson, R. D. 1, Wlnston- |
|
OHIO |
undnyschool. nfter which ol and Christian Workers' |
|
Waller S |
■a^hwooTchrlstian Work - |
Suml RldKO nicuiljcr* met in council Dec. 22 wltli Bro. niwnnt In i-U:i r^r Tin- free-will od'crloii ixix, which wns | I the church on trial, has come to stay, as It has proved I (Continued on Page 10)
Congregational Singing
(Continued from Page r.)
in the service of the sanctuary, again becomes a use- less exercise of the pulmonary muscles. . The influence of really successful congregational singing is exerted also upon the unsaved persons in the assembly. Even in the realm of natural psychic law, aside from the spiritual and divine influences that are above natural law, such a union of mind, feeling and will, sublimated and concentrated, must have an extraordinary influence upon outsiders. Herewith we give some instances that can be explained only in this way:
A young man, who seems wonderfully convicted by an intense meeting, comes forward to the altar and seems brightly converted. Within twenty-four hours he is leading in a low dance in the neighborhood, wild- er and more reckless than ever. Is it not psychic force rather than the Holy Spirit's power that pro- duced the temporary results? But far above such ele- ments of power, heartfelt congregational singing will bring genuine spiritual forces to bear upon the un- saved that will bring them at least vague apprehen- sions of desirable spiritual things, and generate in them genuine religious impulses to lead them to God.
Sabbath-school Music. — Solo music, rendered by persons not a part of the school, often affords an op- portunity for general conversation and relaxation of discipline. When rendered by members of the school, it is liable to lead to too much self-esteem upon the one side, and jealousy on the other. As a general rule, congregational ^singing is the best for the Sabbath- school.
Conclusion. — Much could yet be said about con- gregational singing, especially the way it should be conducted ; but let this suffice to give a desire, at least, to want to return to this part of primitive worship.
York, N. Dak.
THE GOSPEL MESSENGER— January 5, 1918
GLEANER'S REPORT (Continued from Page 11)
The subject of "Efficiency" was talked on extensively. The world is calling today for efficiency experts. Every line of business demands a high rate of efficiency. God's business is the greatest on earth, why should we not all labor to make our lives as efficient as possible to advance his Kingdom?
Special music from Bowmont and Fruitland was en- joyed throughout the day's program.
Bro. W. O. Beckner gave a very instructive talk on Thursday evening on "Some Things the Sunday-school Has Done." This was well attended and thoroughly en- joyed by all.
Report of Christian Workers* Convention
The fourth annual Christian Workers' Convention was held the following day. After the devotional exercises, led by Bro. H. G. Shank, the officers were elected for the coming year.
After a quartet from Welser, and the enrollment of del- egates, they were called upon to give a report of their society's activities. All seemed to be doing better work this fall, but there was a general falling off reported dur- ing the hot weather of last summer.
Many interesting and practical thoughts were given dur- ing the open discussion. There was a general plea to give the young people more work, and to train them for their future responsibility.
At the afternoon session the subject of "How Best Get Dormant Talent Stirred to Activity" was ably discussed by several speakers. It was suggested that those who are not sure of their talent and ability should be given small duties to perform, and should be urged, in every way, to take a more active part. This aids greatly in the develop- ment of their initiative.
Sister Jane Shamberger then talked on "Means by Which Missionary Interest Can Be Stimulated." She gave many practical suggestions, such as organizing Mis- sion Study Classes, preparing special missionary pro- grams, and having special missionary sermons. Much can be done by giving reports of various needy mission points. Funds should also be raised for the war sufferers.
Bro. A. L. Gorham talked on "The Value of Giving to Missions." and of how we should strive to promote a greater interest along this line.
Mrs. Maggie Eldredge gave a very interesting reading, which was followed by an instructive essay by Mrs. M. E. Bowers on " The Value of Reading."
Bro. Alva Long impressed "The Value of Good Lead- ership." To be a leader one must develop his life in every way, thus setting an example to his fellow-men. All are not born to be leaders, but all have an influence and should strive to make it as beneficial as possible.
This afternoon program closed the meeting, and all went to their homes feeling that they had indeed been blessed by the associations together. All had a stronger desire to work, and a firmer resolution to be of service to the Master. Nellie E. Burnett.
Weiser, Idaho.
of the material operated upon. (3) A knowledge of the method of teaching." " We can not properly teach what we do not know. The teacher does not dare to pretend, for there is no keener critic than the young people. Never tell the pupil what he can tell you." " The saying that ' one can learn to teach only by teaching' is all right for the teach- er, but not for the pupil, if the waste of the material oper- ated upon is considered." "A certain man decided to be an eye doctor, put out his shingle, and began to experiment on eyes, and later became a success. Upon being con- gratulated, he confessed that he had spoiled hats full of eyes learning how." "We have the books for study, we have the young student; why not have them in training?"
Another speaker quoted the following, in reference to teachers' responsibility: "Fools rush into responsibility where angels dare not tread, to make or lose a soul's wel- fare." Our effort, as teachers, is practically lost unless the pupil is closer to Christ after the teaching. " People get the mistaken idea that they must do God's job over, in the bringing up of the youth, — that God must have made a mistake in their construction."
The Aid Society held a very interesting session in the afternoon. Saturday evening was the Temperance Meet- ing, in which the sentiment was equally as strong against the use of tobacco as it was against liquor. Sunday after- noon was devoted to missionary endeavors. At the close an offering was lifted to the amount of $33. Sunday even- ing was the Christian Workers' Meeting. All these gath- erings were well attended. The one encouraging feature of the conference in general is, that we are getting away from the spasmodic, hurried up way of doing things, and reaching the more conservative and substantial way of work. The next meeting will be held in the First Grand Valley church. H. C. Wenger.
Grand Junction, Colo.
DISTRICT MEETING OF WESTERN COLORADO AND UTAH
It is generally understood that this District is favored with splendid climatic conditions, and this year was no exception. When the spiritual atmosphere is brought to an equal uniform standard, this District will be ideal. Doubtless this standard will be raised if the proper stim- ulus is given to the work of the District.
Those who attend District Meetings know it is the usual thing for endeavors of the right sort to reach the climax of enthusiasm during the session, only to wane, or to be cherished as a treasure until the next District Meeting. That condition was not so prominent this year, so we may expect the climax yet to come, not only in splendid, enthusiastic speeches, but also in active service.
We met this year at Fruita, Colo. The Conference proper convened Nov. 30, with eight delegates, represent- ing four churches as the voting body. One isolated con- gregation was not represented. The organization was completed with Bro. J. R. Frantz, Moderator; J. D. Coff- man, Writing Clerk; E. Frank Weaver, Reading Clerk. No queries were sent to Annual Meeting. Eld. J. E. Bryant was chosen as member of Standing Committee. He was also selected as a trustee of McPherson College. The District will raise $500 for home missions this year.
Saturday forenoon, Dec. 1, was spent in discussing min- isterial problems. Many helpful ideas were presented, which will prove beneficial not only to the preacher but also to the hearer. On the topic, " In Conducting Our Services. Should We Be Governed by Custom Or the Needs of the Occasion?" it was made very plain that the needs of the occasion rise above custom, provided no principle is involved.
A few hints to ministers were given: "They should make no apology, be prompt, watch daily events for ser- mon material, fill up, and let the Spirit drive it out. De- pend upon God, and not upon self."
On Saturday afternoon the Sunday-school Meeting was favored with a splendid talk on "The Art in Teaching." Three prominent essentials were considered necessary: (1) A knowledge of the matter taught. (2) A knowledge
SISTERS' AID SOCIETIES
;-President, Sister '.
elected: President.
Cesson. We enrolled fourteen membei
reorganized, ster O. S. M Riley; Trent
iug for the Red Cross, since n number of our boys are in the army. On account of the higii cost of living and the scarcity of fuel we get many calls for help here in the city. If any of the Aid Societies feel like donating clothing or food, we could use It to good advantage. We appreciate the zeal with which the mem- bers go about their work. They carry their week-day enthusi- asm into the Lord's work and we feel that the church is pros- >re.— M. Alice Miller, 35S Sixtieth Street. Brooklyn, N. Y..
[',-.:. 22.
-The
Timenclng Dec. 8. 1916,
the Sisters' Aid Soclet
and ending Dec. 8, 1917: Average attendance. 18;
ulnr meetings, 19; business meetings, 5; visits made, 30; g
ments received, 207; garments made, 54; also six quilts and '
comforts, and a box_of fruit and jellies: To Marion, consisting of 02 articles of clothing and two comforts; To Mexico, sixteen articles of clothing and some shoes. Christmas Donations
for 1917: To Lognnsport, one barrel, eighty-four garments and one comfort; to Hastings Street Mission, Chicago, 110 garments.
. ?4.\1.2!t;
1 received, $108.-
frt
$4.10; from collections and dc
21). General expenditures, $37.70; India orphan, §20; Mary Quln-
tor Hospital. $28; Logansport church, $5; Chicago Mission, $5;
total expenditures. ?»r..70. Balance on hand, $12.58; received at
last meeting, $15.44 ; amount in treasury, $28— Sister Emma
Bowman, President, Sister Clara John, Secretary.
RICHLAND CENTER, KAN'S. — The following is the report of our Aid Society, which was organized Sept. 15, 1910: We held fifteen meetings, three in private homes. The attendance of mem- bers was 173; visitors, 20. We made thirty-six comforts; quilted four quilts; sent a box of clothing to Kansas City; served ten sales. Tolal amount of money received, $192.33. Amount paid towards church debt, $128; to Quinter Memorial Hospital, $10. The following officers were elected: Clara Miller, President; Liz- zie Canfield, Vice-President; Dora Shower, Secretary and Treas- urer.— Dora Shower, Summerfield, Kans., Dee. 22.
ROSSV1LLE.— The following is the report of the Sisters' Aid Society for 1917 : Number of meetings held, twenty-two, with
(Jointer Hospital; $2.50 to Bro. Helm, at Daytc paid out. $12.33; balance on hand. $30.78. Balance from 1910, $12.13, making a total of $48.89. The following officers were elected for 191S: Sister Ella Hatcher, President; Sister Hannah Metzger, Superintendent: Sister Laura Gripe, Secretary; Sister VtTiui MetzKer, Treasurer; .Sisters Eliza H u fiord and Rosa Hai
Dec. 10.
I'cjnm
MATRIMONIAL
se note that the fifty cents required for the publics
i:irriiiKi' notice may be applied to a four months' "Go !gcr " subscription for the newly-married couple. Ren- in' made at tlie time the notice is sent, and full add
: the home of the bride'
15, 1917. Mr. Chni
itcbins, of RIppey, Iowa, and Sister , Iowa.— O. W. Diehl, Beaver, Iowa, undersigned, at the home of the . Robert Nctzley i
Cal— Geo. H. Basho
(lie undersigned, at the , Bro. Walter M. Rakes
. Seniors and Sister 1 Iinritairi, Greene, Ioi
FALLEN ASLEEP
the dead which die In the Lord"
County, I nil., .inn. 22,
Cor.
the Goshen City church. In August, I'll...
lust clause. Services by the i
F. W. Kltson, Goshen, Ind.
Bayer, Jacob, born in Lancaster County, Pa., Jan. 26, 1824, died it his home near Arcadia, Ind., Dec. 7, 1917, aged 93 years, 10 months and 11 days. In 18(54 lie was married to Mattie Burg. I'o them were horn two children who died in Infitncy, and short-
i of the Brethrt
stepdaughter survives.
and remained
services for
by. — Sarah Kinder, Arcadia, Ind.
Clark. Sister Louisa, wife of Eld. Dennis Clark, died at her home of typhoid fever, Nov. 12, 1917, aged 55 years, 8 months and 21 days. She was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joah Sell ell. Two brothers nnd one sister survive her of a family of six. She was married early in life to Bro. Dennis Clark. To them were born five sons and three daughters. She united with the Church of the Brethren early in life nnd remained a faithful member. She expressed a strong desire to live, feeling that her life work was not yet finished, hut the call came and she had to go. She bad many excellent qualities, not the least of which was her love for children. Services by Bro. Israel Welmer. In- terment In the McDonald cemetery at Maysvllle. — Ollle F. Idle- man. Maysville, W. Va.
Dickey, Margaret Josephine, Infant daughter of Brother and Sister Howard Dickey, born near Burr Oak, Ind., Feb. 6. 1917, died Dec. 11, 1917. In Woodlawn Hospital, at Rochester, Ind., after a two weeks' Illness of pneumonia, aged 10 months and 5 days. She leaves her father, mother, one brother and one sister. Serv- by Kid. Ell Heestand.— Florence Dick-
died nt bis home Pec. 7. 1817. He was the third son of John and Elizabeth Fisher. The family left Pennsylvania when he was a small boy nnd moved to Springfield, Ohio, for a few yeftrs. From there they went to Bluffton, Ind., where he grew to young man- hood. Then he moved with his parents to Darke County. He was united In marriage with Mary Katherman Jan. 10, 1876. In April, 18S0, he, with his wife nnd two daughters, moved to Woodland, Mich., on a farm where be has since resided. Tues- day evening he retired, apparently in his usual health, but was stricken with npoplexy at 2 o'clock, which left him paralyzed. He
Woodland, Mich, r, Bro. William A., born *d Dec. «, 1017, nged 30 ;
County, Va., Sept. 5.
nths i
1694 lie, with his parents, moved to Allison Prairie, Lawrence Co., III., later moving with them to Decatur, same State. He was married to Edna Hart, of Allison Prairie, Aug. 10, 1904, mak- ing their home In Decatur until fifteen months ago, when he, with his family, moved near Dudley, Mo., where he died. He leaves his wife, three children, his father, Eld. S. W. Garber, of
nttiui
ini(.<<l >
' the :
! Of t
R. D. D, Vlncennes Geliman, Sister i 1917, aged 70 years, C months and 21 days. While i
to monthly missionary meeting, she l
April 22, 1847, tli.-.I
s Lancaster church and a very consistent mem- ber. She leaves two sons. Sen-Ices at the Earlvllle church by Bro. J. W. Myer and the writer. Intermept In cemetery adjoin- ing.—H. B. Toiler, 343 Charlotte Street. Lancaster, Pa.
Hiirnlv, Sister Susanna B., widow of John H. Harnly, born July 8, 1849, died Dec. 7, 1617, nged 68 years, 4 mou " days. Her husband passed jnviiy ten weeks ago. She ferer of dropsy for over one year. She was n devot of the Lancaster church. Kister Harnly leaves four so daughters. Services nt Krelders church by Breth:
j -Ofld 2»
Lvrlter. Interment In the , 343 Charlotte Street, Lancaster,
Hufford. Box 184, Rossville, Pa.
i, Susan Mildred, diiiijihter of Sister Susan A. Hess, died Dec. 11, 1017. She bad been an invalid for several years, but was seri- ously HI only one week. She leaves her mother, two brothers and three sisters. Services by Brethren H. D. Enimert nnd W. C. Wertz. Interment in Green Hill cemetery. — Jessie Demutli, Waynesboro, Pa.
KauITman. Emma, wife of Eld. John Kauffman, deceased, born In Lancaster County, Pa., April 12. 1841, died in the bounds of Bremen congreKatlou, Marshall County, Ind., Oct, 10, 1917, aged 70 years, C months and 4 ilavs. She was united In marriage to John Kauffman May 22, 1800. No children were born to this union. She nnd her husband united with the Church of the Breth- ren in 1800, In which she remained true till death. At her death she lenvea two brothers nnd three sisters. Services at South Union by the undersigned assisted by Joseph Sain, of Bremen,
J. It. Miller, of Nnppanee, Ind.— Daniel Wj
ee, Ind.
.vtneaton. Bro. William
Nov. 11, 1860, died Dec. 17, i days. Services at the Tire mahonlng congregation, by the writer, assisted by Bro. . Blough— S. P. Zimmerman, Hollsopple, Pa. ■y, Ralph George. Infant son of Mr. and Sister McCom-
Illverside cemetery.
I Chnrlotte Street, Lancaster, wife of Lloyd McKIm-
THE GOSPEL MESSENGER— January 5, 1918
mplary Christian life. She n. She was a great sufferer, close of her earthly pllgrlm- sufTering and be with Jesus, I gain. Services in the Salem 5: 20.— Perry Arnold, Beaver-
1840,
.itrrk'i) to : mill, ,1 » ii
eA with the Clm 1 was a faithful daughter. Serv:
by the writer, assisted by Bro. Join of the Mennonlte church. Text, : : 10.— I. L. Berkey, R. D. 10, Goshen
i July 22, 1855, died at his home ii d 02 years, 4 months and IT days of the Brethren about three years mber. He leaves his wife, Ave eon: : at the Upton house by Eld. D. A
metery. — Van B.
Wright. Peeuh iorn In Missou 1017, aged 30
he age of fifteen and ) ad suffered for three years, complafned. Her
. 0, 11117, aged 8-1 :
Illterilll'lll
Church of the Brethren life. Services in D e Dayton cemetery.-
ivife of Absalom Shue,
' Koudabush ^ n by Eld. J.
; Grove, Pa., Dec.
' of the church :
untsdule. She is •wvllle cemetery .-
■atly missed :
Carlisle, 3
jcth K., nee Longenecker, 48, died at her home near the oldest daughter of El acker. She with her part d located four miles north B. Woodard, July 31, 1ST. they owned near Gowrie, . Dak., where they reiuaim iirs in Des Moines, Iowa, wrie farm. They we
I four grandchlldre by Bro. Lee Fluke lurch, north of Pa
County, Ohio, during
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY
1.— H. C. ICui-ly, CIk,
Kuyr.
ough, 1315 Grant j
Will.]:,.
Md.;
, Waterloo, Iowa; Chaa.
Mem
Miller, Mt. Morris, 111.
. Sunday- School Board.—
" .; Lafayette Steele. V___ _ Secretary, Elgin, 111.; Jas. Leeton, Mo.; Ezra F- lkt-tiliiTry, Dalevllle,
K. Ober,
, Walkerton,
. Va.;
. C. Heber,
1'a.i
-P. J. Blough. Chain
Wright, Secretary, North Manchester, Ind.; Jacob Funk,
ico, Ind.; I'. S. Tlioi
Committee on Dress Reform — K. M. Studebaker, Chairman,
M, lMin-Miii, Kims ■ l.v.lln I-:. TiivhH', Secretary, Mt. Morris, 111.; Kva Trontli-. :m::;'> V;m iiur.ii Sln^t. riilungo; Mary Polk Ellen- ■berger, Mound City, Mo.
-B. B. Hoff, Chairman, Maywood,
"' 'ago; T. T. Myers,
Edgar Rothrock,
WllllamK, Secretary, Elgin
., Philadelphia. Pa.; Mrs. Retta , Itlythc, Cat; Mrs. Levi Minnich, Secretary-
Services at the and on Monday ra, by Eld. Irv- e other home ministers, after by the side of her children who
h.'lbu.w ii. I'ii.; LsM'ayette SU'.-le.
■etnry, Lli.'in, in. , Flory. 3435 Van Bureu Street, Chicago;
Kurtz, President, McPher- ^rotwood, Ohio; J. H.
i;iKia. HI.; J- S. Flory, Bridge-
," Secretary, McPherson," Kans.; J. Carson Miller, -W. J. _SwIgart, Chalrman,_ Huntingdo: "Wiley, Colo.
A Revised List of Books for the Sunday-School Workers' Library
. GOOD BOOKS ARE A GOOD INVESTMENT ANY OP THESE BOOKS MIGHT WELL BE PLACED IN THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LIBRARY
The Superintendent
"Special Days" in the Sunday School
ID. M. Butterbaugh, Warsaw,
How lo Conduct a Sunday-school, Ma- rion Lawrance, ..$1.35
How to Run a Lit- tle Sunday-school. E. M. Fergusson, .75
A Model Superin- tendent. H. Clay
Trumbull 60
Organizing and Building Up the Sunday Schgol. Jesse L. Hurlbut, .65 Sparks fiom the Superintendent's Anvil. A. F.
Schauffler 1.00
Special Days in the Sunday-school. Marion
Lawrance .- 1.35
The Successful Superintendent. Amos R. Wells. .75
Cradle Roll
The Cradle Roll Department. Elizabeth W.
.$0.40 Primary Department
All About the Primary.
Elizabeth W. Sudlow. $0.50 The Beginners' Depart-
m e n t. Angelina W.
Wri
.50
Our Primary Depart- ment. Win. D. Murray, .50
Practical Primary Plans. Israel P. Black 1.15
The Primary Depart- ment. Ethel T. Archi- bald 50
The Sand Table. Lillie A.
.65
Junior Department
After the Primary, What? A. H. McKiuney, ..$0.60 All About the Juniors. Elizabeth W. Sudlow, .50 Handwork in the Sunday School. Milton S.
Littlefield iM
Object Lessons for Junior Work. Ella N. Wood, .60 Our Boys and Girls. Mrs. M. G. Kennedy 75
Intermediate Department
The Boy and the Church. Eugene C. Foster, . . .$0.75 The Boy in the Sunday-school. John L. Al'
ande:
1.00
The Boy Problem. Win, Byron Forbusb 60
Boy Training. John L. Alexander, 75
H The Girl and Her Religion, Margaret Slattery, 1.00
The Girl in Her Teens. Margaret Slattery 50
> God's Book and God's Boy. A. F. Schauffler, 1.15 Your Boy; His Nature and Nurture. By Geo. A. Dickinson 1-00
Adult Department
Adult Class Study. Irving F. Wood $0.75
The Adult Class, Its Organization and Work.
W. C. Pearce 30
Fishin' fcr Men; or the Redemshun of Jeriko
Kort House. Joseph Clark 1.00
The Ideal Adult Class. Amos R. Wells 55
Missionary Department
Why andfHow of Missions in the Sunday- school. Win. A. Brown, $0.50
Missionary Methods for Sunday-school Work- ers. Geo. H. Trull 50
Home Department
Home Department of Today. Flora V. Steb-
bins J0.25
Religious Education in the Family. H. F. Cope, 1.25 The Sunday-school and the Home. Frank L.
Teaching and Teachers
How to Become an Effi- cient Sunday-school Teacher. Professor Wm. A. McKeever, .$1.10
How to Plan a Lesson.
Ma
.60
llu
day-school Lesson. H.
E. Carmack 75
Knowing and Teaching the Scholars. A. F.
Schauffler 50
Living Teachers. Mar- garet Slattery 35
Making of a Teacher. M. G. Brumbaugh, 1.00
it of Contact. Patterson DuBois 75
:tical Pedagogy in the Sunday-school. A
. McKiuney 60
'ets of Sunday-school Teaching. Edward
eigh Pell, 1.15
ining the Sunday-school Teacher. Book I, .40 ining the Sunday-school Teacher. Book II, .50
The Sunday School
The Church School. W. S. Athearn $1.00
The City Sunday-school. Frank L. Brown 25
Efficiency in the Sunday-school. Henry F.
Cope 1.00
The Modern Sunday-school and Its Present
Day Task. Henry F. Cope 1.15
Present Day Sunday-schools. P. E. Burroughs, 1.00 Personal Appeals to Sunday-school Workers.
Oscar L. Joseph 1.00
The Sunday-school Organized for
Ma
Lav,
.55
The "How to Conduct" Series
The Devotional Life of the Sunday-school. Charles W. Brewbaker $0.50
The Elementary Division Organized for Serv- ice. Mary F. Bryner 50
The Secondary Division Organized for Serv- ice. John L. Alexander, 50
The Sunday-school Teacher at His Best, A. H. McKinncy 50
The Why and How of Missions in the Sunday- school. William Brown 50
Lesson Commentaries
mold's Pi
leal
Commentary on the International Sun- day-school Lessons.$0.70 Coon's Self-Pro-
tary on the Sun- day-school Lessons. Cloth, 2Sc, Moroc- colene $0.35
Peloubet's Select Notes 1.35
Tarbell's Teachers'
Guide 1.35
Pocket Lesson Commentary, 25
e Gist of the Lesson 25
lUtEl'IlREX PUBLISHING
'tijz:.z- "::: ' ' -"- ' ' -■~""^^:.
THE GOSPEL MESSENGER— January 5, 1918
THE GOSPEL MESSENGER
Official" OrEan of the Church of the Brethren
A relleious weekly published l>v llretliren l'uMtsblng House,
It! (,.■■(" iso.iit! si,.;. sire,,, i:inii, 111. subscription price. J1.G0
per annum, in advance. (Canada subscription, llfty centB «xtra.)
D. L MTLIEB. Editor EDWARD FHANTZ, OKlce Editor
Special Contributor..: H. B. Brumbaugh, Huntingdon, Pa.; J.
n Moor.- S.l.rniL- Kl:i.; II. <*. llnrly, I'l-iin l-nlr.l, Va.; A. C. Whtsnd, Clii.-Hf.-o. Ill ; I). W. Kurt/. Mcl'herson, Kans. ; H. A.
*., CI
Elgin. III.
Entered at the PoBtofflce at Elgin. 111., ns Second-class Mattir
Notes from Our Correspondents
(Continued from Pago 33) cess Uru. Win. Roberts is Sunday-school superintendent for the
-Elizabeth Hunsberger,
ening until April,
■■■■
. G. CrOBawlilte mid w. S. Long, te'rnates. Persons having boys In Campr will do well to cor- ■spond with these brethren, giving names of boys and Camp ad- :ess. — J. C. Swigart, Secret nry. MatUwmiu, Pa., Dec. 22. Pleasant Hill.— Services were held nt this place oa Thanks- vine Day as usual. The attendance was not so large. How- I for Home and Foreign Mis- received later from absent members, ; a total of $03,20. Half Foreign Missions, On nci
i offering of $85.20 l
1 drifted roads,
for
M.,
■Olll.-.l.
rt-ill
Wright presided.
Sinking Spring, Ohio, :
i felt the ueod of a pas- D. M. Garver, to this work. Bro. Sunday-school superintendent.—
• Cherry Lane house. He preached baptized and one was reclaimed.
G. Koones, R. D. 2, Clearvllle, Pa., Dec. 22.
TEXAS
. 10 and began a singing school. He was with us two weeks. We feel that we hnve been much benefited by his good work. Bro. J. A. Miller, of Manvel, Tex., came In Nove:
Inspiring i
held
ons. Our love feast the Lord's table. Some ; meetings closed Sunday nigh
IS by also organ-
, pictures of mission:
■o. Eby is the Gospel Message to heathen s'hlm in his labors!— I. B. Nlswander,
OREGON i. IS. Decker, of Ashland, Oregon, begun the Alluiiiv church, preaching twenty- - .-tniiglit Gospel trutli without fear of .,., ,.,i (.'hri.^t ii ud were baptized. The
. 1,,,-l ior examination services and later -unmiinlcd tlie Lord's table. Bru. Deck- ,. [ Meeting of Oregon Is to be held in ugUSt, I8ia— LethO Hoover, Albany, Ore-
i Thanksgiving Day for services and bus-
-iu\ i. '.^tilled to the Lord's goodnesB. Eld. ,1 iln' HTiici's. A Thanksgiving offering cker, Ashland, Oregon, Dec. 27. council Dec. 10, with our elder, Bro.
ward, janitor; Sisters McGraw and
„„,_irlng a C 143, Baudon, Oregon,
PENNSYLVANIA
f protracted meetings on Sunday
; of meetings. — Nannie Bonds, Spring, Tex., Dec. 22.
VIRGINIA
—Dec, 9 will long be remembered by those inter- Underwood, R. ested in the history of the Beaver Creek church. With the ground covered with snow and the thermometer hovering )
ducted the opening exercises ant) Eld. H. C. Early followed with a forceful sermon. Elders H. G. Miller and Caleb Long took part
service the nam
church record. Dec. 10 was a glad day for the Sunday-s
when we were permitted to enjoy the first meeting in the new
class-rooms. Bro. Long followed with another of his splendid
sermons. The meetings closed on Sunday night because of the
cold weather.— Nannie J. Miller, R. D. 1, Bridgewater, Va., Dec.
20.
Mine Run church met In council Dec. IB, Eld. D. M. Qllck pre-
was decided to purchase half an acre of land from
Quann for the cemetery. Bn
! held <
,. Hurley
siding. It
periutendent of the Sunday
l elected Bro. D. M. Gllck elder In charge. — R. Anna Britton, R> D, 1, Rhoadesville, Va., Dec. 24.
WASHINGTON Seattle.— We are very glad to have with us Brother and Sister It. F. Flory, of Sherwood, Ohio, who have taken charge_
i. and pastorate at this place, iv service we took an offering of ?8 fo On Sunday evening, Dec. 10, Sister 1
i India, who arrived ahead of the others, gave is a very" helpful talk.— Mrs. E. J. CUne. R- D. 0, 8022 First Ave- me, N. W., Seattle. Wash., Dee. 17.
Sunnyside church met in council Dec. 15, with our elder, Bro. r. A. Eby, in charge. Bro. Eby was elected elder for another -ear; Bro. M. E. Oswalt, Sunday-school superintendent; Bro^Wal- Sniitb. president of the Christian Workers; Sis
wait, :
; Of i
i for Christina i
Dec. 24.— David H. Snader, Jr., Akron, Pa.,
iaptlzed Monday, Wash.,
■iptlons of her work an
;se converted natives in; yesterday was $25. La nessage, having served expressed their desire
NOTES NOT CLASSIFIED Fernald.— Christmas dinner was enjoyed at the church on
Christmas Day by about fifty members and friends. In the
evening a Christmas program was given by the Sunday-school.
—Sister Orra Stevens, Nevada, Iowa, Dec. 26, Plymouth.— Our Sunday-school gave a " White Gift " Christmas
program on Sunday evening, Dec. 23. At the close of the serv-
,sive service. On YVedncsd;)} evening, Dee. -II, the i special meeting, to reorganize for the coming A Buff was chosen superintendent. — E. L. Hee-
lossible.— John S. Hershberger, Everett, Pa., Dec.
uncll Dec. 22,
i held Dec. 8,
i hold a Bible institute 1
will be used for Foreign and half :
niiiil report. They
Price
ichool superintendents alternately for Delp are presidents of the Christian
r. of Curryvllle, Pa., be- uued until Dec. 10, elos- i added to the church by-
Mabel Weaver '
Ind., Dec. 28.
Denver. — Dec. 23, while onr pastor, Bro. Burgln, was called to Arriba, this State, to fill an appointment, Dr. Beckner, of Mc- Pherson, Hans., preached for us. His "story" at the close of Sunday-school, was applicable to all, and his splendid— Christ- mas sermon was much enjoyed. In the evening our Sunday-
Sunday-school Is preparing
Dec. 23. On Friday evening, i College, will begin a series of
until Sunday evening follow-
> received on their former received. Bro. Eugene Hoff-
28 Bro. Culler,
man was reelected superintendent of the Skippack Snnday-E Dec. 22 we took an offering of $21.63 in the Sunday-school for the Armenian and Syrian sufferers. This, with the money already appropriated for this cause, will make about ?00 to be sent to
EYES ON THE BIBLE
he Oldest ami Newest and Creates! Honk is God's Revealed Will to Man. Every m choose hi* eternal destiny. God has giv
study and to help ui i might
nd If
e It will be because that which will perish.
LIFE OF CHRIST
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Sunday-achoo |
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of the first b |
'our Gospels i the Study f .Mark. Th |
Chris. Is the |
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of Study by |
hill by |
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Birth |
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seated |
'you'can^ise |
ll.spcls it with |
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better |
esiilts? 34S p |
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ok. 100 eve |
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aecompaulec |
by 11- |
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1 Life of Jesus. Semi |
Some Necessities for the Home
FOR REFERENCE
YEARBOOK FOR 1918
10 cents
The Brethren Family Almanac is now published as a Yearbook. In making this change it has be- come more than ever a record of the work and prog- ress of the Church of the Brethren.
You know from experience that the information given in the Yearbook will save you many times the price of a copy. But this is only one reason why the book should hang at its accustomed place in
ethr.
Yearbook
year, so also this year price conditions compel us to make a npminal charge of only ten cents per copy.
FOR DATES, APPOINTMENTS, ETC.
SCRIPTURAL CALENDARS
Each, 25 cents
There is nothing much more convenient in the home than a good wall calendar. The figures should be large and clear in order that they may be read across a room. You can save steps and worry by hanging a Scriptural Calendar in your living room.
The pictures on the walls are a pretty good in- dex to the character of a home. You will appreciate the quiet beauty and dignity of the Scriptural Cal- endars.
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calendars are useful in other ways for they subjects of the International Sunday-school together with the necessary scriptural ref-
FOR YOUR READING
THE CROSS AT THE FRONT
By Thomas Tiplady. $1.00 Do-you want to know something of what millions of men in the trenches are thinking as they face death from day to day? Would you like to get that word from one who has spent many months with the men in Flanders as a field chaplain?
Thomas Tiplady in The Cross at the Front writes of his quaint and humorous experiences as well as the thrilling aspects of his life with the soldiers. The book is a gripping account of first hand experi- ence at the front.
The Cross at the Front is a fine piece of work from the literary standpoint. The chapters are brief and compelling. If you get hold of a copy the chances are you could not be persuaded to give it up for twice the price.
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BRETHREN PUBLISHING HOUSE
Elgin, 111.
The Gospel Messenger
"SET FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE GOSPEL."— Philpp. 1: 17
Vol. 67
Elgin, 111., January 12, 1918
No. 2
In This Number
Busy Brooks and Stagnant Swamps, What About the " Down-and-Outs" (letting the Other Man's Viewpoint,
"Agflln the Shadow Mm-.-th t»r !(..■ Dhilpliite nf Tim
The Quiet Flour
Among the Churches
•I'll.- Saddest Words (I'oem). By IVIkiu Nightingale.
The Sw«,rd Passage. By Amos H. Haines
A ('Impel Talk on Onnciiig. By Laura E. Haugh. .
But he was, nevertheless, led to see at last that God is no Respecter of persons, but that in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is accept- able to him.
But do we realize through what pain and travail our own prejudices are often broken down? And do we actually believe that God loves all men, all classes of society, that he desires the salvation of all, that all are equally precious in his sight and equally welcome into his fellowship? If so, why do we not act like it?
False Econoiii
! Armor. By .T. B. Brumbaugh,
Forever (Poem)^
(Jrandmother Warren.— 10. By Bess Bates
Father's Duties In Hip Home. By Nellie T. Townseud, The Little Ones. By May Troxel ,
...EDITORIAL...
Busy Brooks and Stagnant Swamps
If you have ever been in the mountains, you have surely seen and enjoyed the beautiful brook of spar- kling water that comes tumbling down the mountain side. How fascinating was its music as it splashed over the rocks and leaped down the waterfalls! How pure and clear it looked ! And how good to drink, — indescribably, satisfyingly good!
Writing on " The Spirit in Which You Work," in a recent article, Dr. Orison Swett Marden tells of such a mountain stream near his native New Hampshire home, which ran out into a valley from which there was no outlet. What a remarkable transformation it underwent! It lost its sparkle. Its music ceased. Its freshness was gone. A green scum gathered on its surface. Frogs, lizards, water snakes, muskrats, all sorts of vermin and insects gathered there. What had been a thing of joy and beauty became a most re- pulsive sight, — a foul, malaria' swamp.
In this little nature-sermon, Dr. Marden finds a most instructive parable of the happiness and health- fulness of useful work in contrast with the wretched- ness and mischief-breeding tendencies of idleness. He writes of" work in general, any useful, honorable ac- tivity, and #f the perpetual pleasure of the man who loves his daily work. But is not his thesis more em- phatically true of the spiritual world? What marvel- ous capacities for health and happiness are found in that work which pertains most directly to the up- building np the Kingdom! And what wonderful pos- sibilities of misery and mischief are wrapped up in the Christian ( ?) who refuses or^neglects to put his shoulder to the wheel!
Would you avoid becoming an unsightly, malodor- ous breeding ground for all kinds of spiritual diseas- es? Recall the fate of the_ little mountain brook. Would you like to be a really happy Christian, pulsat- ing with the vigor of abounding spiritual health? Let the life within you have an outlet. Keep moving! Keep busy ! __ __ ,^__^^_
What About the " Down-and-Outs "?
"There is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all and is rich unto all that call upon him."
How hard it was for Peter to believe. How could anything so out of line with all of his previous edu- cation, possibly be true? Never before had he dared to mingle with Gentiles on terms of social equality.
Getting the Other Man's Viewpoint
If you want the other man to get your point of view, you must first get his. This does not mean that you must agree with him, but it does mean that you must understand him. Perhaps it is a better, truer con- ception of a Christian doctrine, such as you yourself have, for instance, that you want him to get. Well, you may be sure you will make no headway in convinc- ing him that your view is better than his, unless you have first convinced him that you understand his posi- tion, and that you are, therefore, competent to com- pare it with yours.
This may require a little effort on your part. For there is some explanation of his peculiar altitude, — something in his make-up, education, surroundings or experience, that causes this view, which seems so un- reasonable to you, to appeal to him as being correct. You must find out what that is. You must look at the matter through his eyes. You must ask yourself whether you might have thought that way about it, if you had been in his shoes. Such an attitude will en- able you, if anything will, to reach him and show him that your way is better.
What a wide field there is for applying this prin- ciple! Why have the great unchurched masses so lit- tle interest in the appeals of the churches? Why are the toilers in the shops and the mines proverbially ir-
religious if not atheistic? In large measure because we who try to preach to them will not take the trouble to look at life as they know it. We go to them with ' a creed which we ask them to accept, while we refuse to concern ourselves with the problems which are for them the sternest of daily realities. We do not try to find out why they have such a poor opinion of our claims. And so we fail to touch them. We fail be- cause they see we do not sympathize with their situ- ation. We take no interest in their point of view and they fully reciprocate by taking no interest in ours.
Incidentally we should not overlook another reason for getting the other man's viewpoint. It is the pos- sibility of stumbling upon something useful for our- selves.
Is the Young Man Safe?
What a vivid picture of the true father heart is found in the story of the tragic end of Absalom! Not even his base treachery cOuld make David wish ill to his son. While the latter had been scheming to take l\is father's life, and seize the throne, how different the father's feeling toward the rebellious son! Greater even than his desire for victory in the final struggle, was Ins concern for Absalom's personal safety, and when his worst fears were shown lo be well-founded, his grief was uncontrollable.
Fathers and mothers will have no trouble in under- standing David's feelings, but we can not help won- dering whether David might not have been spared this grief, if, in earlier years, he had put squarely to him- self the question: " Is the young man Absalom safe?" Did he begin to think about this when it was too late? Nothing can excuse Absalom's base treason, but there are hints that the father's treatment of the son -was not as wise as it might have been.
The time to be concerned for the safety of the chil- dren is when they are yet under the parental care. It is not enough to weep over their ruined lives.
Jerusalem Captured, — the Moslem Driven Out
" If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand for- get her cunning. If I ^lo not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy" (Psalm 137: 5, 6).
No event in modern history has caused so much uni- versal interest and joy among professed Christians, the world over, as has the confirmed report that the Holy City has been taken by the British troops, that the un- speakable Turk has been driven out, and that the Eng- lish have entered the city in triumph. And the Jews take a deeper interest, and experience a greater joy in the news, than do the Christians. To them it holds out the promise, in fulfilled prophecy, that they may soon realize their long-deferred hope of a Jewish State in their ancient home. It is authoritatively stated that the holy and sacred places in the city were not dis- turbed, save that the Turks despoiled the Church of the Holy Sepulcher of some of its valuable treasures.
It is said that the Allies will, when a treaty of peace is made and signed, stipulate, in the strongest possible terms, that the Moslems shall be prohibited from ever entering or possessing Jerusalem again. It is most sin- cerely hoped that this will be one of the results of the present war.
Under the special providential blessings of Almighty God the writer and wife enjoyed the great privilege of visiting the Holy City six different times, and to abide there for some time. No other country or city visited had such an absorbing interest as Palestine and the