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Preacher's Magazine Church of the Nazarene

5-1-1947 Preacher's Magazine Volume 22 Number 03 J. B. Chapman (Editor) Olivet Nazarene University

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Recommended Citation Chapman, J. B. (Editor), "Preacher's Magazine Volume 22 Number 03" (1947). Preacher's Magazine. 231. https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/cotn_pm/231

This is brought to you for free and open access by the Church of the Nazarene at Digital Commons @ Olivet. It has been accepted for inclusion in Preacher's Magazine by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Olivet. For more information, please contact [email protected]. May-June, 1947

“Corinthians Thirteen” Charles Henry Mackintosh

A preacher may possess the gift of tongues, A n angel’s voice, with powerful human lungs, And still be tinkling cymbals, sounding brass, If he lacks love, agape, caritas. . . .

Whatever language may supply the word, Unless the fact behind it can be heard Above the preacher’s pulpit eloquence, There will be sound and fury .... but no sense.

Though oratory enters through the ears, It is the inner consciousness that hears. A golden tongue can never gain that goal Until it learns the language of the soul.

No mortal eloquence can rise above The gentlest whisper of Immortal Love. Managing Editor’s MESSAGE NE of the chief tasks of the O church is to reach the unsaved and unchurched people with the gu.s- Volum e 22 Number 3 pel and to bring them to salvation May— June, 1947 through Christ. It is a sad but actual fact that many of our holiness churches are not reaching these unchurched people. This is not an extreme state­ ment; it is based on facts revealed by CONTENTS pastors themselves. Is your church one “Corinthians Thirteen” (poem) of these? Are you reaching the u n ­ Charles Mackintosh ...... 1 churched people of your community? The Preacher’s Health Are you getting any of them saved? J. B. Chapman ...... 3 How long has it been since you have Is It a Pleasure to Preach? had one outside or unchurched per­ J. B. Chapman ...... 4 son saved in your church in revival Don’t Put Out the Fire! meetings or regular church services? Paul S. Rees ...... 5 No doubt a sincere consideration of, and Gleanings from the Greek New Testament an honest answer to, these questions Ralph Earle ...... 8 will drive many pastors to their knees Through the Book of Acts with and to harder work among the un­ Homothumadon saved. J. A. Huffman ...... 11 There is another side to this un­ The Great Alternative churched person problem. Do you R. A. Kerby ...... 14 know what to do with such a person Making the Church Missionary-Minded should he come to your altar or to your Kenneth Sparks ...... 15 home seeking the way of salvation? A The Most Potent Factor in a Minister’s singer recently related an incident Life, F. Lincicome ...... 19 where neither the evangelist nor pastor Keeping Track of Your Tracts were able to deal intelligently with a E. Wayne Stahl ...... 21 person—wholly without religious back­ Do You Steal, Imitate, or Create? ground yet hungry to be saved—who Charsten Christensen ...... 22 had come to the altar during the in ­ vitation. How would you deal with Departments such a person? Better know how be­ fore you go out to do much work Material for Special Days ...... 27 among them. The Theological Question Box H. Orton Wiley ...... 36 Mother’s Day, Pentecost Sunday, Children’s Day—these special days pre­ Searching Truths for Ministers ...... 40 sent a wonderful opportunity for the The Preacher’s Scrapbook ...... 41 pastor to stress great truths during Quotable Poetry ...... 42 the months of May and June, the period A Preaching Program, John E. Riley .. 44 covered by this issue. Also, all Naz­ Illustrations ...... 62 arene pastors should join fully in the Missionary Department ...... 64 holiness emphasis being stressed by Book Notices, P. H. Lunn ...... 65 our church during the month of May, Your suggestions and contributions are always appreciated. By the way, here is something you w ill not want J. B. C h a p m a n , D.D., Editor to miss. In one of the fall issues we D. Shelby Corlett, D.D., Managing Editor will print a symposium giving an­ Published bimonthly by the Nazarene Publishing House, 2923 swers from over twenty-five leading Troost Avenue, Box 527, Kansas City 10, Missouri, maintained by and in the interest of the Church of the Nazarene. Subscription preachers on “What I mean by eradi­ price: $1.00 a year. Entered as second class matter at the post cation in preaching on entire sancti­ office at Kansas City, Mo. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, fication.” authorized December 30, 1925. Address all contributions to The D. Sh elb y C orlett, Preachrr's Magazine, 2923 1 roost Avenue, Box 527, Kansas City 10, Missouri. Managing Editor The Preacher's Magazine The Preacher’s Health J. B. Chapman, Editor

HERE have been preachers who have and stay ahead of it; for pushing your work Tmade a success of their work in spite does not wear you down like allowing your of frail bodies and ill health. But note that work to push you. But much work de­ they succeeded in spite of these handicaps, mands much rest, and “going out for an and not because of them. And, so far as I airing” is a poor substitute for going to know, every such known preacher was weak bed and going to sleep. And don’t forget or ill in spite of his desire and his efforts to that a rested man works much faster than be strong and well. Paul prayed earnestly a tired man. Learn how much sleep it takes for the removal of his “thorn in the flesh,” to . do you. It is wise to start with more and he exhorted Timothy to look out for than you need and gradually come down to his health. Spurgeon, whenever he was able, the right mark (with the average person took his vacations in the south of France the range is from six to eight hours), and in his effort to reduce the bodily infirmity when you find the mark, stick to it. If which dogged his steps during many of his you can’t find time to go to bed, go to sleep useful years. Martin Wells Knapp, though in your chair. But sleep, and work fast given to overwork, did what he could by when you are rested. Learn to read fast. careful eating and frequent rest to ward off The fast reader gets more out of his read­ the collapse which, nevertheless, overtook ing than the slow reader. Write fasW- him early in life. court the muse and then chase her at top But as a rule, useful preachers make a speed—she w ill lead you on. Think fast. point of bodily health and vigor, and it is Learn to concentrate so that interruptions observed without exception that a well, will be few. Train yourself to do your best strong body adds something to the sum total every time and all the time, and then you of the preacher’s powers, and the wise w ill not have to do so many things over. preacher deliberately calculates that he Don’t worry about your work before you needs all the help he can get. Henry Ward get to it. When you get to it, do it the very Beecher, himself an example of overflow­ best you can. Then when it is done, do not ing physical health and vitality, said, “The do it again in regret that you did not do it soul may be likened to a cannon. The body better. Turn now to the new task. It is is like the cannon carriage. And you know with the preacher much like it is with the the cannon cannot be effective without a machine—it is the friction, more than the good carriage to transport it and give it running, that wears out the machine. direction.” Preachers do eat improperly—this too is My ideal for the preacher is a man who proverbial. Some preachers eat too much. is absorbed in his task, and who eats, sleeps, Some eat too irregularly. A few do not rests, plays, studies, prays, visits the people, eat enough. Many eat things that do not and does whatever he does as a preacher agree with them-^-just to be friendly. But and with the thought in mind that he does this whole subject is worthy of being taken all he does with the object of being a better in hand and governed and directed. I became man and a more effective preacher for overweight. I explained to the medical ad­ what he does. viser that it is difficult for one who travels so constantly to find just what he should It is popular for preachers to claim to be have. But the medical man was unsympa­ overworked. But many a preacher is over­ thetic. A ll he said was, “Just take what worried, more than overworked, and if he they offer and then don’t eat all of it.” And would budget his time and take his work now I must say that this plan worked, and in stride, he could do all he does now and is still working. It is a fad with preachers have a lot of leisure, too. There may be other ways to do it, but early rising has to go out for late meals—sometimes for full been a boon to me for forty years, and I meals, after the evening service. I don’t have never known an early riser to be com­ need to tell anyone that this will not help pelled to hurry. But if there are other w;ays the preacher’s health. The preacher does to do it, then it is up to the preacher to have a problem when it comes to eating find one of those ways, and stick to it re­ things that do not agree with him, when ligiously, expecting that, if it is a good way, such things are offered to him in the homes it will enable him to get ahead of his work of his people. About all I can say is that

May-June 1947 (139) 3 I have found that 1 can eat just about any­ seven years in each pastorate. At the close thing, if I take care not to eat very much of the seven-year pastorate, I was given a of it. splendid three-year call to continue, but The preacher’s voice is as essential to his felt the time had come to move on. I know trade as a right arm is to a blacksmith, and God called me to the ministry, and that He the wise preacher will not abuse his voice. has blessed my labors. But here is my The preacher who learns early how to use trouble: Almost every minister says he and care for his voice is fortunate. But in would rather preach than to do anything any case, do not preach in drafts. Take it else in all the world. One man even said hot or cold, but avoid drafts. Reseat the that when God hinted that He wanted him people if necessary, but do not strain your to preach, he accepted, lest God should not voice. Avoid colds as you would avoid call him again. This is not, and never was, cancer. If you catch cold, take care of that my feeling. I fought the call to preach until cold and get over it—do not let it hang on. I felt that I would lose my soul in hell if I People complain that doctors do not know did not obey. I cannot say I love to preach. how to cure a common cold. But that • is The thought of the responsibility, and my in­ not literally true. Doctors do not know how ability overwhelms me. I would rather al­ to cure a cold and keep the patient going ways that some other would do the preach­ at the same time. Any doctor will tell you ing. In the midst of the sermon, I some­ that two or three days in bed with proper times get away from the dread, and some­ care otherwise w ill break up all but a few times at the finish I am happy. What do you colds, and you had better take those two think of my feelings in this matter?” or three days and get over that cold. Your My answer to this brother is that I think calling exposes you to colds and other in ­ he is just approaching the matter from a fectious and contagious diseases, and it different angle than those who talk of their also makes you a carrier of such evil things. joy in preaching. This, rather than any Get well, and to the limit of your ability, fundamental difference in the facts, of the keep well. case. No one who is aware of the respon­ Have the will to be well. Be willing to sibilities involved, and conscious of his own pay the price to be well and to feel well. inability, ever enters this task lightly or Avoid excesses of every kind. Be an ex­ continues it in fleshly pleasure. Even the ample in this as in all things pertaining to knowledge that I am to preach three days the welfare of men. Consider avoidable from now has already cast care upon my sickness a crime. Account unavoidable sick­ way—I would be alarmed if it were not so. ness a calamity. Insist on your right to be I am at this moment away from all normal well and to feel well. Your work demands contacts w ith associates and friends—here it. Dyspeptics are generally pessimistic. in obedience to a “come-ye-apart” call from Your people cannot afford to have a dys­ the blessed Master. Still, I am a preacher, peptic for their minister. Make this mat­ for all that, and my thoughts and plans take ter a subject of prayer. Remember that if color from my calling, so that I am not you are to take Christ for your body, you lightly indifferent, as others could be in like must keep your body for Christ. circumstances. The demands of my calling, and my inabilities sober me. I do have peace and joy, but I would scarcely say, I am happy. Nor would I crowd out another that I might have opportunity to preach. I find something in me which makes me want to Is It a Pleasure preach where there would be no preacher, if I did not go. Yes, I think the brother is To Preach? telling my experience; at least, one phase of my experience. By the Editor But joy has its types and degrees. Some joys are deeper than others, and some joys are more intense than others. The joy the ESTERDAY the mail brought a letter true preacher mentions is so deep and so in­ Y from a preacher in which one para­ tense that a little of it makes him forget all graph reads as follows: the pain and agony that leads up to it. I “I have been in the active pastorate for have spent a day in prayer and fasting and twenty years, and have had a good degree agony of spirit, and have come to the preach­ of success; never have been voted out and ing hour pressed and burdened. Then the never have left a place to keep from be­ Lord came upon me in unction and power ing voted out; have stayed from two to to preach, and at the end, and even in the

4 (140) The Preacher's Magazine midst of the sermon, I have said, "This pays them all under the yoke of Christ,” and hope for all.” I would rather be a mediocre that all the lives represented by those thou­ preacher than a star in any other calling. sand necks could be spent in preaching the And tonight, I testify, after nearly forty- gospel, and bringing souls to Christ. The seven years spent in this holy vocation that I am glad I have been a preacher—a busy, true preacher of the gospel is, I believe, like active preacher—since I was sixteen, and his Master, the saddest-gladdest man in the “if I had a thousand necks, I would put community.

Don’t Put Out the Fire!

Paul S. Rees, D .D .

T ext—Quench not the Spirit (I Thes- Spirit. Fire energizes; so does the Spirit. salonians 5:19). Fire fuses, welds, unites; so does the Spirit. And on one might go with the analogy. SHORT text, this, whose real vividness But here a startling and solemn thing in­ has not been too well carried over from A trudes itself. The text admonishes, “Quench the original. It might be rendered: “Don’t not!” Don’t put out the flame! It is plainly put out the fire of the Holy Spirit!” implied that it lies within your power and The Holy Spirit as fire! It is a powerful mine to hinder, to hurt, and to halt the liv­ figure, but not a surprising one to those ing, loving ministries of the Spirit of God. who are familiar with the Scriptures. Over In this realm of moral relationships and and over fire is taken as a symbol of God: spiritual experiences it is terribly true that His presence and might, His holiness and the human can hinder the Divine, the finite glory. The experience of Moses in the can frustrate the Infinite. Hence the warn­ desert and Isaiah in the temple are only ing: Take care! Quench not! Be sensi­ two among many illustrations in the Old tive—always, at all costs—to the impulses Testament. The symbolism is continued in and influences of God’s gracious Spirit! the New Testament, where it is employed Now what are some of the fiery ministries specifically with reference to God as He of the Holy Spirit which we are in danger acts in and through the Holy Spirit. “He of crippling or canceling? Our answer to shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and this inquiry will be found in a review of four with fire," said John concerning Jesus. remarkable passages from the New Testa­ And He did—and still does. Read the sec­ ment. ond chapter of Acts: the “day of Pentecost fully come”—the disciples “all with one ac­ I cord in one place”—“a sound from heaven Don’t put out the Spirit’s testimony flame! as of rushing mighty w ind”—and then!'— Turning to Acts 5:32, we come upon these “there appeared unto them cloven tongues words: And we are his ivitnesses of these like as of fire.” What an amazing combin­ things; and so is also the Holy Ghost whom ation of scenic symbolism and solid fact! God hath given to them that obey him. It is The towering fact was: “They were all the speech of Peter. It is intended to ex­ filled with the Holy Ghost.” plain to their critics the persistency and Thus we see the appropriateness of the ardor with which he and John and other figure which appears in the text and thus we Spirit-filled ones have been testifying to catch sight of the truth which lies behind their experience of Christ. Previously they it; the truth, namely, that fire is a picture had been told that they must “cease and de­ and emblem of the Holy Spirit as He re­ sist” from their Jesus-propaganda, but lates himself to us in His active ministries neither bans nor threats had silenced their of grace and guidance, His living energies voices. They have been arrested again, and of love and power. The parallel is as the authorities complain, “Did not we strait- splendid as it is obvious. Fire illuminates; ly command you that ye should not teach so does the Spirit. Fire melts; so does the in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Spirit. Fire purifies, refines; so does the all Jerusalem with your doctrine.” Blessed

May-Iune 1947 (141) 5 compliment! To the solemn charge Peter urge or a burden without enlightenment makes brave answer: “We ought to obey God would be a blind and fruitless thing. So rather than men.” In that “ought” is a the Spirit directs our praying in keeping flame of fire. We are Christ’s witnesses; we with the mind and purpose of God. Basic are made so by the revelation of Christ guidance comes through the Holy Scriptures. which has come to us in the gift of the Holy Special guidance comes through that mys­ Ghost. Christ is real! Christ is living! Christ terious play of Mind on mind, that voice of is adequate—all victorious! We have found the Holy Ghost in the soul. it so. We must tell it. That—God help us to see it—is normal Christianity. I cannot tell why there should come to me A thought of someone miles and miles Now, sadly enough, there are many among away, us who have failed to pass on to others the In swift insistence on the memory, Word of Life that has come to them. Their Unless there be a need that I should pray. failure has become their impoverishment. Their delinquency in witnessing has car­ Perhaps, just then, my friend has fiercer ried defeat into the whole of their Chris­ fight, tian life. They have throttled the urge to A more appalliyig weakness, a decay testify until, alas, the urge is no longer there. Of courage, darkness, some lost sense of John Fletcher has left us the record of his right. own unhappy experience in this matter. He And so, in case he needs my prayer, 1 confesses that five different times he lost pray. the assurance of his having been made “per­ fect in love,” simply because he was afraid But suppose I do riot! Suppose I am pet­ to bear his testimony. tily preoccupied. Suppose I am neglectful There is a principle here which even the and heedless. Then what? The answer is psychologists recognize. William James unavoidable: I quench the Spirit; I damp taught that no worthy impression should the prayer flame. And the mischief of this ever be left without its appropriate ex­ sort of thing is that it tends to repeat it­ pression. And someone has more recently self. The Holy Spirit does not leave us on remarked, with a nice play on words, that the slightest provocation (God forgive us “impression minus expression equals de­ if we leave that impression with the peo­ pression.” The vision must have a voice, or ple who wait upon our ministries!), but it will fade. The unacknowledged blessing these failures, be they ever so small, do withers in the heart. The shut-in flame goes have a benumbing effect upon us. Shortly out for want of a draft. “Quench not the the correction and reproof of the inner Spirit!” Monitor must be heeded or paralysis will settle upon our praying. And when this II occurs, the defenses of the sotil go down and Don’t put out the Spirit’s prayer flams' all manner of temptations may tramp in upon us to crush us. A nd when these evil In Romans 8:28 Paul tells us, Likewise intruders reach the Holy Place of the now the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we defeated life, they find upon its cold altar know not'what ice should pray for as we the dead ashes of a once glowing prayer­ ought: but the Spirit itself maketh inter­ fulness. Oh, God, the pity of it! cession for us with groanings which can- not be uttered. Ill The teaching values here are rich and Don’t put out the Spirit’s love flame! varied: real prayer without the Holy Spirit is impossible; our human limitations (“in ­ The next scripture to pass before us in firmities”) are such that, without Him, we this review is Ephesians 5:30-32, which know neither the how nor the what of pray­ reads: And grieve not the Holy Spirit of er; His presence and guidance are given to God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of overcome this handicap. redemption. Let all bitterness, and. wrath, It is the work of the Spirit of God to and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, supply both the impulse and the intelli­ be put away from you, with all malice: and gence for effective praying. The impulse be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, may be common or uncommon: common in forgiving one another, even as God for the constant, gentle, persuasive “push” of Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. the mind toward communion with God; un­ It is possible to make a distinction be­ common in those special “burdens,” those tween the offense of grieving the Spirit seasons of soul “travail,” which come again and that of quenching the Spirit. But the and again in the life of prayer. But an difference is not great, and our present pur-

6 (142) The Preacher's Magazine pose is practical; hence this treatment of is not God’s way with His morally choosing the matter. creatures. You can stifle them all. By your “The fruit of the Spirit is love.” Love is persistent indifference you can kill them at once the inclusive and the indispensable dog-dead within your breast. Consider now grace. Other Christian virtues are phases the peril of it, the shame of it, the ultimate and expressions of love. To allow things and eternal cost of it. that are alien to love to have any place in But this passage before us in the Epistle our hearts is to wound and hinder the to the Hebrews is particularly and properly Spirit of God. Such things as: a warning to the saved rather than un­ Bitterness! You receive some slight that saved. It is a plea addressed to believers is either real or imaginary. Instead of com­ who have begun with Christ in the for­ mitting the matter to God, you brood on it. giveness of sins but are hesitant about go­ Soon you have opened a crack in the door ing on with Christ in the experience of of your mind through which sour-visaged sanctification to all the higher ranges of censoriousness stealthily passes. He begins holy living. By faith they should “enter in” to play a steady stream of ice water on the to that rest that remaineth for the people of fire of your love. There is trouble ahead. God; they should “go on unto perfection”; Wrath! Anger! A critical spirit may they should partake of the “full assurance of easily seek outrush, in some moment of faith”; they should lay aside “every weight pressure, in ugliness of temper. And then and the sin which doth so easily beset” what? them; they should “follow peace with all Clamour! There is strife— in the home, in men, and holiness, without which no man the board meeting, in the church. shall see the Lord.” And evil speaking! How cruel and un­ And what are they doing? Like their fore­ fair and hurtful the tongue that has been fathers who stood hesitant and finally dis­ loosed from the sweet restraints of Chris­ obedient on the borderline of the land of tian love! Canaan, they are failing to advance with Look now. Love’s fire, once a thing of their light and enter into their inheritance kindling beauty, is a smoldering bygone or in the Canaan of full salvation. an ashy deadness. Kindness gone! Tender­ To hunger for heart purity and heart full­ heartedness gone! Forgiveness gone! Christ- ness without light as to the way of satisfac­ likeness gone! Incidentally, is there any­ tion is pathetic; to have such hungers and thing more devilish than a loveless pro­ aspirations with light but without obedience fession of “perfect love”? is tragic. Such hungers, unappeased, will be­ IV fore long lose their strength. Heart harden­ ing is the deadly process by which the once Don’t put out the Spirit’s hunger flame! enlightened soul may go out into a hapless, Finally, we turn to Hebrews 3:6, where hopeless eternity. we read: The Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye But why let that process go on? There is will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, a happy and healthy alternative. Its name as in the provocation, in the day of tempta­ is obedience. tion in the wilderness. It calls for abandonment to God and faith Harden not your hearts! That tenderness in the power of Christ, through the Holy of conscience you have felt toward the truth Spirit, to make us what we ought to be. of Christ was created by the Holy Spirit. Be thankful for it and act upon it, lest it Self is the only prison that can ever bind turn stony within you. Those anxieties the soul, about the salvation of your soul were gen­ Love is the only angel that can bid the gates ' erated by the Holy Spirit. Recognize them unroll: as angels of grace and give expression to And when he comes tn seek thee, arise, and them in earnest prayer, lest they perish follow fast, on the threshold of light. Those urgings The way may lie through darkness, but it of the striving Spirit are no coercive; such leads to light at last.

Henry Ward Beecher once was asked how he managed to get through so much work in a day. He replied, “By never doing anything twice. I never anticipate my work and never worry about it. When the time comes to do a thing I do it, and that’s the end of it.”

May-June 1947 (143) 7 Gleanings from the Greek New Testament

Dr. Ralph Earle

Holiness in the Greek Text

1. V o ca bu lary Its fundamental idea is separation, and, so to speak, consecration and devotion T IS OBVIOUS that a proper understand­ to the Service of Deity. . . . But the I ing of the meanings of the Greek words thought lies very near, that what is set used in the New Testament in relation to apart from the world and to God, should sanctification is basic to our study of the separate itself from the world’s defile­ subject. If we go astray here, we shall lose ments, and should share in God’s purity; our way completely. and in this way hagios speedily acquires a moral significance. The Greek verb “to sanctify” is hagiad- Moulton and Milligan note that “the ad­ zein which comes from the adjective hagios, jective is common as a title of the gods in holy. This adjective is found in the New the inscriptions.” Testament no less than 229 times. In 62 of these occurrences it is used as a sub­ It is clear that the verb hagiadzein has a stantive and is translated “saint.” definite ethical connotation in the New Testa­ ment and means something more than mere­ The primary meaning of hagios is “dedi­ ly “to consecrate, or set apart.” This fact is cated to the gods, sacred.” It is rare in A t­ recognized by all lexicographers. Liddell tic and never used in Homer. The common and Scott’s lexicon defines the term: “to classical word is hagnos, which means “ven­ hallow, purify, consecrate; (2) to cleanse erable, sacred,” and also “pure, pure from from pollution, purify,” and notes these uses carnality.” in both the Septuagint and New Testament. Abbot-Smith, in his lexicon, gives the fol­ Thayer follows suit. lowing treatment of hagios as it is used in Perhaps the best summary definition is the New Testament. to be found in Abbott-Smith. 1. Its highest application is to God 1. to dedicate, separate, set apart for himself in his purity, majesty, and glory. God; .... 2. to purify, make conform­ Hence (a) of things and places which able in character to such dedication: have a claim to reverence as sacred to forensically, by actual sanctification of God; (b) of persons employed by him, as life. angels; prophets; apostles. 2. Applied to There are three main substantives derived persons as separated to God’s service: from hagios. They are hagiasnios, hagiotes, (a) of Christ; (b) of Christians. 3. In the moral sense of sharing God’s purity. and Hagiosune. Scholars are disagreed as 4. Of pure, clean sacrifices and offerings. to the exact distinction in meaning between Thayer’s lexicon translates the word in these words. They are variously trans­ its moral sense “pure, sinless, upright, holy.” lated “sanctification” or “holiness” by differ­ In his discussion of the use of the adjective ent authorities. as a substantive he says: The exclusive Jewish and Christian use Just as the Israelites claimed for them­ of these nouns is stated by Moulton and selves the title hoi hagioi, because God Milligan: “Clear evidence for the verb and selected them from the other nations to noun outside biblical and ecclesiastical writ­ lead a life acceptable to him and re­ ings appears to be wanting.” They also sug­ joice in his favor and protection, so this gest that these four derivatives from hagios appellation is very often in the N.T. were formed when that term “was appro­ transferred to Christians, as those whom priated in Jewish circles to represent their God has selected ek tou kosmou, that special idea of ‘holiness.’ ” The Green al­ under the influence of the Holy Spirit they may be rendered through holiness, ready had hagidzo and its derivatives; “the partakers of salvation in the kingdom of variant words w ith the added -a- answered God. to them in function, but were free from The significant thing about hagios is the pagan association.” progression from a ritual use to an ethical Cremer, in his Biblico-Theological meaning. Trench, in his discussion, writes Lexicon, devotes twenty-five pages to a (Synonyms of N.T., p. 332): treatment of hagios, its derivations and its

8 (144) The Preacher's Magazine synonyms. He enters into the theological Thev write (Manual Grammar of Greek implications of the terms more than is neces­ N.T.. p. 193): sary for our discussion in this chapter. But The fundamental significance of the certain points are of interest here. aorist is to denote action simply as oc­ Attention is first given to the reason why curring, without reference to its pro­ the biblical writers chose hagios. Its use in gress. the New Testament is due to its adoption Burton, in his Syntax of the Moods and by the Septuagint translators of the Old Tenses in New Testament Greek, finds that Testament. They are the ones who chose the the essential idea of the aorist is best ex­ word and invested it with a definite sig­ pressed by the adjective “indefinite” (p. nificance. Cremer points out the fact that 16). As to its most common use in the in­ hieros is the most common word in classical dicative, he says (p. 19): Greek to express the idea of holiness. But The Aorist Indicative is most frequent­ it was rejected—it occurs only twice in ly used to express a past event viewed in the New Testament, according to the English­ its entirety, simply as an event or a man's Greek Concordance—and instead the single fact. It has no reference to the Septuagint translators selected hagios, a progress of the event, or to any exist­ very rare word in classical Greek, as we have ing result of it. already seen. Cremer agrees with Moulton This is what he calls the “Historical Ao­ and Milligan as to the reason for this— to rist.” It may describe: “momentary action”; have a term as free as possible from pagan “an extended act or state,” viewed as a association. single whole; or, “a series or aggregate of acts viewed as constituting a single fact” 2. T h e A o rist Tense (pp. 19, 20). Some grammarians have held that there is That the aorist tense is used in the New not any absolute distinction observed in Testament for “an extended act or state,” the New Testament in the various tenses. as well as for “momentary action” is demon­ Older writers sometimes spoke rather loose­ strated clearly and conclusively by the fol­ ly of one tense being used “for” another. lowing passages: But a close study of the Greek text w ill lead one to feel that the distinctions are so pro­ John 2:20—“Then said the Jews, Forty and nounced and definite in the case of many six years was this temple in building, and passages that we are probably justified in wilt thou rear it up in three days?” Here assuming that, in general, these distinctions the statement that the Temple was forty- amount to real differences. six years in the process of being built is The late Prof. A. T. Robertson, in his expressed by the aorist. And the whole monumental and authoritative work, A point of the assertion is this prolonged Grammar of the Greek New Testament in period of time in contrast to Jesus’ declara­ the Light of Historical Research, voices tion that He would raise this Temple in his disapproval of those who would deny three days. In other words, the aorist tense the distinctive significances of the various is used specifically in a place where the tenses. He believes that such a view does whole emphasis is upon the prolonged length injustice to the Greek writers and violence of time involved in a certain process. This to the phenomena of the New Testament. hardly accords with the idea that the use Writing on the subject, he says (p. 836): of the aorist is restricted to momentary ac­ tion. In general one may say that in normal Greek when a certain tense occurs, that Hebrews 11:27—“For he endured, as see­ tense was used rather than some other ing him who is invisible.” The verb used because it best expressed the idea of the here, kartareo, (found only here in the New speaker or writer. Testament) is essentially durative in na­ What, then, does the aorist mean? Good­ ture. It expresses the idea of patient en­ win’s Greek Grammar was long a standard durance. Obviously, such a thought indi­ authority for classical study. It contains a cates prolongation of time. good summary statement as to the mean­ Hebrews 11:23—“Moses .... was hid ing of the aorist indicative (p. 270): three months.” The aorist tense (hid), is The aorist takes its name (aoristos, u n ­ used here for an action covering a period limited, unqualified) from its denoting a of three months. But the whole period of simple past occurrence, with none of the limitations as to completion, contin­ three months in hiding is treated as a single uance, repetition, etc., which belong to event in Moses’ life. the other past tenses. Romans 5:14—“Death reigned from Adam Dana and Mantey agree with Goodwin as to Moses.” Here a state or condition ex­ to the essential meaning of the aorist. isting over a period of thousands of years

May-June 1947 (145) 9 is expressed by the aorist. The imperfect A. T. Robertson seems to lend some mea­ might seem to us to fit the case more ap­ sure of sanction to this theory when he propriately, but the writer is simply m ak­ writes (Grammar, p. 843): ing a summary statement with regard to The perfect may be said to be a de­ the whole period of time indicated. It'is velopment from the aorist, a more exact the point of view of the speaker or writer expression of completed action than mere that determines the grammatical usage. “punctiliar” (aorist), viz. state of com­ Revelation 20:4—“They lived and reigned pletion. with Christ a thousand years.” This is a Just what is to be our conclusion in the very similar example to the one just quoted matter? We should like to make two or from Romans. The whole period of the mil­ three observations. lennium is treated as a single event. The In the first place, it should be noted that aorist is used because the author did not there is another tense, the imperfect, which desire, in this case, to emphasize the con­ emphasizes continuous action and which tinuance of the reigning. would therefore normally be used to de­ It w ill be noted that these examples have scribe a prolonged process. But the con­ been taken from the Pauline and Johannine sistent use of the aorist in speaking of the literature, as well as from the Epistle to destruction of sin and the death of self the Hebrews. Hence, this usage is repre­ certainly favors an act rather than a process. sentative of the different New Testament That is, we can affirm that the regular writers with regard to the meaning of the practice of using the aorist rather than the aorist tense. It shows that while the action imperfect throws the balance on the side in each case is treated as a single whole the of instantaneousness. aorist does not indicate that the action it­ Second, our belief in sanctification as a self was momentary. definite crisis does not depend on the gram­ Blass, in his Grammar of the New Testa­ matical significance of a Greek tense for ment Greek, emphasizes the idea of com­ its verification. The figures used by Paul pletion as central in the aorist. He writes in Romans constitute much weightier evi­ (p. 190): dence. He speaks of the old man being The distinction between continuous crucified and of the death of self. One and completed action is most sharply would hardly deny that death is a crisis. marked in the case of the imperfect and aorist indicative. A third observation is that the aorist tense seems to imply completion, even if it Again, he says that the aorist “denotes does not emphasize it as definitely as does completion” (p. 193). W ith him this ap­ the perfect. We have seen that Blass finds pears to be the outstanding significance of the idea of completed action as inherent the aorist. in the aorist. There is a difference be­ W ith regard to the question of momen­ tween saying, “I was going to town” (im­ tary action, Blass writes (p. 193): perfect), and saying, “I went to town” A n action which the use of the aorist (aorist). The latter form certainly implies shows to have been completed (to have that I completed my journey. Those who taken place), need not by any means deny instantaneous sanctification also de­ have been a momentary action, but may ny entire sanctification as an experience ob­ have actually extended .... over any tainable in this life. The two ideas stand length of time, provided that it is only or fall together. the completion and conclusion of it which is emphasized, this being just Certainly we shall not be less emphatic the force of the aorist. in preaching entire sanctification as a sec­ It seems to me that his emphasis of com­ ond crisis in Christian experience, received pletion receives some support from the use instantaneously by faith. We can say that of the aorist participle, which is generally the uniform use of the aorist and the non­ translated into English as “having” done use of the imperfect give strong support to so and so. Blass says (p. 197): the idea of instantaneousness. Meanwhile, Actually .... the aorist participle we shall also emphasize such figures as contains no more than the idea of com­ death to show that the experience is both pletion. instantaneous and complete.

“Our trials are great opportunities. It would be a haven of rest and an inspiration of unspeakable power if we would recognize every difficult situation as one of God’s chosen ways of proving His love.”

10 (146) The Preacher's Magazine Through the Book of Acts with Homothumadon

J. A. Huffman, D.D.

HIS fair-sized word spelled out into and adjust it. This she continued to do T English, so that English readers may until there was no longer heard the least place the same into their theological work­ sound of disharmony. The music which ing vocabularies if they wish, occurs only then came from that great golden harp was eleven times in the Westcott and Hort Greek well nigh heavenly. There was no dis­ New Testament, and all these instances, with cord, but accord. This is homothumadon. one exception only, in the Book of The Acts, I. one of the two books written by Luke. The Homothumadon as the Pentecostal one exception is found in Romans 15:6. Prerequisite Homothumadon is compounded of the The first use of homothumadon in the Greek words, homos which means together, Book of Acts is in 1:14, where the setting or in unison, and thumos, which primarily is that of the upper room, during the ten means to rush along, or to breathe violent­ days intervening the ascension of Jesus, and ly. The best English phrase with which the Day of Pentecost. “These all with one homothumadon can be translated is, with accord continued steadfastly in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, one accord. In the pronunciation of the word homothumadon the letter u of the and with his brethren.” third syllable is pronounced like the English “These all” refers to the twelve apostles (now eleven, Judas counted out) and the e with a macron over it. other persons mentioned. Keeping the The Greek word itself cannot be said to apostles particularly in mind, there had not be a musical term, but the best English always been homothumadon. There had word with which to translate it, accord, is been wrangling, jealousy, and strife. But decidedly musical. It means, among other these things existed no longer. Confes­ things, to agree in pitch and tone. The sions had been made; apologies offered; old other uses of this word in the Book of Acts scores, whatever they were, settled, and are varied, even including the united op­ now pre-Pentecostally, they were with one position of the people to the preaching of accord; there was homothumadon. The ex­ the gospel as in 18:12, but it is in relation act details of the procedure we are not told, to the church that we wish to examine the but we are apprised of the fact of the ab­ use of homothumadon. sence of all discord. Here is a picture: As Chairman of the Why ten days? God who knows the end Music-Lecture Course Committee of the from the beginning, and all the contin­ College w ith which he has been connected, gencies of the way, knew how to schedule this writer, two or three times, secured the this period between the Ascension and Pen­ services of one of America’s best-known tecost. It was not how long that it would and greatly-loved harpists. She is a small take God, but how much time his people girl, and appeared in a beautiful black, needed to meet the Pentecostal prerequis­ flowing gown, w ith full sleeves. As she ite— hom-othumadon. sat before her great golden harp, which H. towered much above her, she presented a Homothumadon as a Pentecostal Requisite wonderful picture. Before beginning her Dependent upon what English version program, and always as she began a new one is reading, will the phrase “with one series of selections, this harpist would run accord” appear in Acts 2:1. The American her nimble fingers across the strings of the Standard Version reads: “And when the harp, and then, with her delicately trained day of Pentecost was now come, they were ear, would listen intently for some dis­ all together in one place.” The King James cordant sound. Sometimes she must have reads: “And when the day of Pentecost heard some sound not in perfect accord, was fully come, they were all with one ac­ though the audience would not have been cord in one place.” The difference is that able to detect it, for she would take the the phrase, “with one accord,” is omitted large key which lay beside her, put it on in the American Standard Version. The the particular post of the instrument to reason that this phrase is not found in the which the string of the harp was attached, American Standard Version is, that this

May-June 1947 (147) 11 version is an accurate translation here of stood the test of homothumadon even under the Westcott and Hort Greek New Testa­ the irregularities of that day and situation. ment, and the word homothumadon is not IV. in this verse of that Greek text. The rea­ Homothumadon in Post-Pentecostal Prayer son that homothumadon is not found in and Worship Acts 2:1 of this Greek text rests back with the Greek manuscripts where variations are Perhaps the secret of homothumadon in found. Westcott and Hort, the learned col­ Acts 2:46 is found in Acts 4:24, where the laborators whose names this text bears, word is used in relation to prayer and wor­ spent twenty-seven years in the examination ship of the early church. It reads as fol­ of the Greek manuscripts, and found the lows: “And when they heard that, they preponderance of evidence in favor of the lifted up their voice to God with one ac­ text which they produced. cord. . . .” Since, however, homothumadon is found This is the reaction of the early Chris­ pre-Pentecostally, and also post-Pentecostal - tians to the arrest of Peter and John when ly, even if the word itself were not found they had healed the lame man at the Tem­ in Acts 2:1 in the Greek manuscripts, the ple gate. They had preached, had been ar­ King James translators were justified in rested, had been imprisoned, preached some inferring that the Pentecostal prerequisite more, had been threatened, and commanded and the post-Pentecostal requisite must to preach no more in the name of Jesus. have obtained Pentecostally. The logic of They had placed God first, and refused to this is sound, and the conclusion inescapable. become subject to the decrees of the magis­ That the Pentecostal participants should trates. Being let go, they returned to their be in one place is easy to comprehend. own company of believers and reported. Im­ That it is possible for a group of people to mediately the above statement is made by be in one place without being with one the writer of the sacred narrative, in which homothumadon is employed in relation to accord is as readily understood, as most people have seen such situations. But that their praying. the Pentecostal participants should be both This citation should not be passed without in one place and with one accord as an ab­ calling attention to another verse follow­ solute necessity cannot be disputed. What ing, that of 4:31: “A nd when they had obtained in Acts 1:14 must have equally prayed, the place was shaken where they obtained in Acts 2:1. were assembled together; and they were al! filled with the Holy Ghost. . . .” III. Here the baptism with the Holy Spirit and homothumadon are linked together H omothumadon m P ost-Pentecostai. in a post-Pentecostal way, as it was in F e l l o w s h ip chapters one and two, pre-Pentecostally The next appearance of this interesting and Pentecostally. Those persons who had word in the Book of Acts is in 2:46, where been previously filled with the Spirit, as well the verse reads as follows: “And they con­ as those who became filled with the Spirit tinuing daily with one accord (homothum­ on this prayer meeting occasion, were homo­ adon) in the temple, and breaking bread thumadon. from house to house, did eat their meat V. with gladness and singleness of heart.” Here is one of the references which Homothumadon in Relation to shows that even post-Pentecostally the Christianity’s D ifficult Problems Christian religion was a movement within No general body of the Christian Church Judaism, and the Temple continued to be ever met a more difficult problem than that generally recognized as their regular place first gathering of the Christians held in of service. The break which caused the Jerusalem about 50 a.d. James, the brother Christians to abandon the Temple for pri­ of our Lord, was chairman and, besides vate houses for worshiping places, and later others representing the two extreme op­ chapels, came more or less gradually. positions, Paul and Peter were present as Here, however, the Christians are de­ expert witnesses. picted as living with one accord, even in The extremely difficult problem before the midst of the temporary Christian com­ this conference was the relation of Jew munion of goods which was made neces­ and Gentile in the Christian body. Must sary by the unusual circumstances under Gentile become Jew to become Christian? which they found themselves. The acid The detailed minutes of this gathering test of Christianity is not in the temple or would have made a volume of interesting church services, but in the daily grind of and exciting reading. God has seen fit, the commonplace. These early Chris'ians however, to hand down this report in the

12 (148) The Preacher's Magazine small compass of verses 1-35 in chapter istry. Let us give ourselves to prayer, and fifteen of the Acts. get our texts, our thoughts, our words from There was testimony, disputation, a re­ God. Martin Luther spent the best three course to prophecy, and evidently much hours of every day in prayer. If we but prayer and patience, and finally the “Great spent the first of our waking hours of the Magna Charta of Christian Liberty” was day in prayer to God our ministry would agreed upon, emerged, and was written be much more fruitful. down. What the Church needs today is not It was a magnificent technique which was more committees or better ones, not more employed, resulting in a document with organizations or more and novel methods, fundamental applications to all problems but men full of the Holy Ghost, men whom and for all time. the Holy Ghost can use, men of prayer, The whole account of this conference yes, men mighty in prayer. The power of merits very close and prayerful study by the Holy Spirit does not flow through all charged with the solution of the doc­ methods, but through men. He does not trinal and practical problems of the Chris­ anoint plans, but men—men of prayer. tian Church. But couched among the things written down is found again our interesting The character as well as the results of Greek word, hoviothumadon. Here it is: the gospel are committed to the preacher, “It seemed good unto us, being assembled He makes or mars the message from God to with one accord (homothumadon) man. The preacher is the golden pipe verse 25. No, it is not strange, but signifi­ through which the divine oil flows. The pipe cant that in the same document are also must not only be golden, i.e., pure, but found these words: “It seemed good to the open and flawless, so that the oil may have Holy Ghost, and to us,” verse 28. a full, unhindered, unwasted flow. Where there is homothumadon among The preacher is more than the sermon, Christians, there the Holy Spirit is present. for the preacher makes the sermon. As the When men think in the homothumadon way, life-giving milk from the mother’s bosom the Holy Spirit can think with them and is but the mother’s life, so all the preacher inspire their difficult problem solutions. says is tinctured, impregnated by what the In our first homothumadon reference, Acts preacher himself is. The treasure is in 1:14, the Twelve were involved. In the earthen vessels, and the taste of the vessel second reference, Acts 2:1, the one hun­ impregnates and may discolor. The man is dred and twenty were involved. In the sub­ behind the sermon and the sermon is not the sequent references, and particularly the work of an hour, but the outlay of a life. last one the interests of the whole church The sermon is holy because the man is were at stake. W hy not give homothuma­ holy. The sermon is forceful. The sermon don a chance in our churches and con­ is full of divine unction. When there is ferences today? no holy influence and power in the man (All Rights Reserved) there w ill be none in his message. This is I doubtless the reason why so many sermons I are delivered without effect upon the hear­ ers. Holiness of Life When men are filled with the Holy Spirit they practice the spirit of Jesus. He who TUDY, above all, holiness of life. Your is thus filled with the Holy Spirit will give S whole usefulness depends on this, for his time, money, strength, and all for preci­ your sermons last but an hour or two, ous souls. His heart w ill be filled with that whereas your life preaches all the time and warm feeling for all those in distress or in every place you may be. If Satan can danger. That feeling is the feeling whioh make a minister a lover of praise, of plea­ filled the heart of Christ when He wept sure, of good eating, he has ruined his m in­ over Jerusalem.—Way of Faith.

GO DOWN LOWER “I used to think that God’s gifts were on shelves one above the other; and that the taller we grew in Christian character the easier we could reach them. I find that God’s gifts are on shelves one beneath the other; and that it is not a question of growing taller, but of stoop­ ing lower; and that we have to go down, always down, to get His best gifts.”—F. B. M eyer.

May-June 1947 (149) 13 The Final Reading of T h e Gospel Presents The Great Alternative JR. A. Kerby

NE of the chiefest of all the enemies If the holiness of God as mediated by the Son O of true scriptural doctrine is the ill- and ministered by the Spirit does not be­ advised use of the analytical method of come the personal possession of the soul Bible study. This method is extremely skill­ in this life, there remains no other eternal ful with the surgeon’s lance in that it can habitation for that soul but that hell pre­ and does segregate and remove from the pared for the devil and his angels. In body of truth any part it desires to study finality, the Word teaches, “holiness or hell.” or emphasize. It were well if after examin­ This great alternative, holiness or hell, ation of this segment of truth it were har­ should be the foundation, motive power, and moniously fitted back into the general body goal of all our endeavors. It was this of truth. This calls for a far higher order burning concept that motivated the heroes of ability than mere dissection, and in the of the holiness movement from Wesley frequent absence of this ability the truth is down. Only as we gain and retain this con­ often fatally maimed in the house of its ception of New Testament truth shall we friends. The urgent need of the hour is a in any degree whatsoever prove to be their final reading of the holy oracles that will worthy successors. This should fill every dispel the darkness that now covers the pastor and evangelist w ith a flaming zeal earth and banish the gross darkness which to reach the lost and the double-minded. enshrouds the people. This should be the burning point at which A true and final reading of the Word will all church school curriculum should find reveal four great facts: the holiness of God, its true norm. This is the only motive pow­ the corruption of the natural heart, the er sufficient to enable a missionary to leave expiration of probation at death, the ex­ his native land and mold rather than be clusion of every unholy being frort) heaven. molded by the paganizing influences in the These four great facts, considered in their far corners of the earth. This and only this total meaning, will reveal the great alter­ will hold the brilliant divinity student in native which the Spirit sets before every the ministry of the church that gave him responsible human being. This alternative, spiritual birth, nurture, and the opportunity reduced to its simplest form is, “holiness or to develop his powers. Only this w ill en­ hell.” The holiness of God which longs with able the professional man who moves in a longing unutterable to establish itself as larger circles than his brethren to keep the victor over the sin of the natural heart will true spiritual touch. Only this w ill give at length, if frustrated in this redemptive the young man or woman seeking a life purpose, break forth as holy and eternal partner the insight and resolution to found wrath against the sinner. Such an one a holy home or remain single. There is could not, yea, would not desire to, dwell no middle ground in any of these matters; amidst the immortal sanctities and out- it is “holiness -or hell.” beaming splendors of that city where God And now, “venturing to be precise,” we reveals himself in open vision. do not hesitate to declare that only this Until and unless one or more of the four truth, sharply and clearly held, will en­ propositions stated above can be set aside able the holiness churches of our day to there is no possible way of rejecting their hold on their way, retain clean hands, and total meaning. If we reject the holiness of be stronger and stronger. Such is the aw­ God we become atheists, if we refuse to ful confusion of the theological situation believe in total depravity we become Mod­ today that the perils that attend our way ernists, if we extend the bounds of proba­ are neither few nor small. Universalism, tion beyond death we become Restorationists. Restorationism, Godless materialism, and If we lost the divine concept of heaven as many other deadly errors are claiming the an all-holy place, we bring the entire struc­ attention of the millions. And then the be­ ture of truth down upon our hapless heads. numbing and beclouding effects of Anti-

14 (150) The Preacher's Magazine nomian Calvinism are seeping in upon us. oi-hell” crusade that would stir the na­ Many who do not hold these tenets as a tion. The presentation of the truth in this formal article of belief are being effected its final form would act as a “shock” treat­ by the carnal spirit of compromise that ment upon many consciences which have produced them. We feel free to say that almost ceased to function. The devil would anything that dulls the mind and heart to rage, great opposition would be stirred up, the necessity for holiness here and now is of and the timid would take to the brush, but its father the devil. It is the turning of a Almighty God would raise up a glorious deaf ear to the groans and travail cries of standard against the enemy while thou­ the Son of God upon the Cross as He suf­ sands of sinners, church members, and fered to sanctify the people with His own sinner-church-members would fall upon blood. their faces before the Lord. In this manner In this dread hour of the world’s history men would see the great alternative before it is God’s great desire to swing out every them, many would repent, be pardoned, holiness church, every holiness school, every seek, and obtain that holiness which alone professor, administrator, pastor, evangelist, can save the soul from an endless, bottomless and layman on an old-fashioned “holiness- hell.

Making the Church Missionary-Minded

Kenneth Sparks *

HE foreign missionary enterprise is not are to be provided on an adequate scale, T the exclusive business of missionaries the home church must be kept aroused to and boards, nor does it rest solely upon the the need. What it lacks is not ability, but in­ clergymen and women’s societies. It rests terest. upon every individual Christian. I once The lack of interest in a local church can asked Pastor Malof, Russian missionary, usually be traced to the pastor. “The weak what he considered as sufficient evidence spot in missions today,” says Dr. Theodore of a call to the mission field. His reply was T. Munger, “is not in the field...... nor in both interesting and thought-provoking. the administration of the board, nor in the pews, but it is in the pulpit.” Professor “The trouble with you Americans,” said Christlieb asks, “Whence the great differ­ Pastor Malof, “is that you have this idea ence of interest in missions often in one and of a missionary call exactly backwards. the same province? I answer, chiefly from Jesus’ command was to ‘go.’ All who wish the difference of the position taken by the to stay at home, then, must get permission clergy in this matter.” John R. Mott says, to do so from the Lord.” “At those times when the Church made her Well, the Pastor had a point there. Cer­ greatest missionary advances, the pastors tainly there has been too much said about were putting forth their whole strength in visions, dreams, and “calls” in connection the effort to extend her sway...... Wher­ with missionary work. In a very real sense ever you find a pastor with overflowing the cause of missions is the responsibility missionary zeal and knowledge, you will of each and every Christian disciple. The find an earnest missionary church.” fulfillment of Christ’s command to “go ye The pastor is not only a leader of his into all the world, and preach the gospel to members at home, but an advocate for the every creature” requires the co-operation of people abroad. If he does not plead their every Christian and the employment of cause, who will? The multitudes of the every available means. distant nations cannot come to speak for Over one hundred years ago Samuel J. themselves, even were they conscious of Mills said, “We can evangelize the world in their need. Nor can the missionary do so. our generation if we will.” And today, we The missionary visitor may arouse tem­ can if we will. But if volunteers and funds porary interest, but it is the missionary pastor who makes a church a missionary * Student at Nazarene Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Mo. power the year through. He is its ordained

May-June 1947 (151) 15 leader. Making the church missionary - II. Preach Missions. The Spirit-filled minded is his job. sermon is one of the most effective means of inspiring, the .people to missionary en­ Realizing this responsibility, the pastor deavors. By his sermons the pastor can should ask himself, “How can I make my bring the subject before the largest num­ people missionary-minded?” There are ber of members. Probably three-fourths of many ways to do this. We cannot suggest them do not read the missionary literature an ideal program for every pastor to follow, supplied by the church. In what way because each church w ill demand a program save by preaching can we hope to bring the that is suited to its needs. In the following facts to their earnest attention? Experience pages we shall mention what we consider shows that the strong public presentation the five ’most important methods. These of the subject by the pastor is the best were decided upon after discussing the sub­ means of making a deep impression upon ject with several pastors and general officers them. in the Church of the Nazarene. We do not claim them to be exhaustive but merely How many missionary sermons should suggestive. there be in a given year? Bishop Temple of London, England, asked his preachers to I. Sell yourself on missions. Dr. C. Warren preach twenty missionary sermons each Jones, General Secretary of the Department year. Several of the leading missionary of Foreign Missions in the Church of the societies recommend that there should be Nazarene, says, “If he is to make the church twelve each year. Dr. C. Warren Jones sug­ missionary-minded, the pastor must first gests three missionary sermons per year become missionary-minded himself.” He as the minimum. Pastors vary a great deal suggests that this can be done by getting on this question, but all will admit the im­ acquainted with our missionary work. We portance of preaching missions regularly. believe this is right. An informed man is But some will say, “W hat shall I preach?” an interested man. Read a history of mis­ So many and varied are the aspects of the sions, not only of our own work but of missionary work that the problem of de­ missions in general. Read biographies of the termining upon what themes to preach great pioneers of foreign missions. The u n ­ is one of selection. One mistake of mission­ selfish sacrifices of David Livingstone or ary sermons is that they too often treat Harmon Schmelzenbach will thrill you to missions in a general way. Be more specific. the depths of your soul. The pastor should Give the people some detailed pictures of read every book on the reading course of various phases of the work. Such classes the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society. of subjects as the following afford wide They’re not filled with sentimental “sob scope for treatment: stories.” They are interesting and chal­ 1. The biblical basis of missions. People lenging. Know the why and how of our own respect the Bible. It comes to them with mission fields so well that they will supply special force. It is through and through a you with numerous sermon illustrations. missionary book. A fine series of mission­ Read the Bible with the interest of mis­ ary sermons could come from a study of sions in mind. You’ll find that the Bible is evangelism in the early church. The Acts of full of missions. A basic understanding of the Apostles would be the chief source for Jesus’ attitude toward the “other sheep” such a series. Andrew W. Blackwood, in will reveal the fact that Jesus was the his book, Preaching from the Bible, sug­ gests that the Book of Jonah is a good place world’s greatest missionary. to find material for the sermon on mis­ The pastor must be filled with the spirit sions. The Great Commission given by of missions; then every discourse and pray­ Christ is another excellent study. The pas­ er and personal conversation will give forth tor should not have to look long to find a missionary impulse and life. He knows biblical basis for missionary sermons. The that to achieve any purpose among the peo­ Bible is a missionary book. ple, that purpose must be made a part of 2. Definite missionary projects. The his own being. If the pastors are on fire thorough presentation of definite missionary with the missionary passion the churches projects in which it is desired to interest the will be kindled. “For without the mission­ members is effective. Such concrete treat­ ary passion,” says Charles C. Hall, “they ment and specialization informs the people are not able ministers of the New Testa­ ment; they are disabled, deficient, half­ and helps to locate responsibility. equipped; they lack the fullness of the 3. Biographical subjects. Sermons in spirit of Christ.” which biographical sketches are given in-

16 (152) The Preacher's Magazine variably stimulate thought. Caution must is the greatest talent which God has given be taken at this point, however, because us. He has given it to every Christian. the inexperienced biographer may be given Let the people exercise this great gift. Steer to too much detail and too little in ­ it into fruitful channels. Teach them to spiration. Keep in m ind that the primary pray intelligently and faithfully for mis­ purpose of your sermon is not to entertain sions. Give them specific needs for which but to inform, and to move the will to ac­ to pray. Simply asking or urging people to tion. pray is not sufficient to get them to pray. 4. Missions and civilization. It is al­ They must know about the urgent needs, and ways interesting as well as inspiring to the more vivid and timely the information, show how the gospel has affected the lives the better it is. of men and nations. Missions afford op­ The Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society portunity for proving even to unbelievers has a special significance to the missionary the supernatural power of the religion of program of the church. However, do not Jesus Christ. Some of the most effective let them do all there is to do in this great evangelistic appeals have been based upon cause. Some feel that it would be better recent evidences of the working of the to have one missionary society to which Holy Spirit in difficult and unpromising both men and women belong. This plan heathen fields. does have the advantage of securing a more The missionary sermon requires and de­ representative interest in missions. In many serves thoroughgoing preparation. Wher­ instances, however, the women have kept ever one finds a pastor devoting the same up an interest in this work when all others quality of thought and the same amount had forsaken it. of time to work on his sermons on missions The Nazarene Young People’s Society and as he does to other subjects, one does not the Sunday school should work for mis­ hear complaints about lack of missionary sions. The N.Y.P.S. is supposed to have at interest. When the subject fairly lays hold least one missionary program each three on him, his convictions and devotion will months. The Sunday school has no specified become contagious. program for missions except the missionary III. Build missions into the whole pro­ offerings, but both the Sunday school and gram of the church. The cause of missions the N.Y.P.S. will find it profitable to under­ cannot be considered as a mere appendage take some special projects for missions dur­ to the regular program. The missionary ing the year. spirit should pervade the total activity. The expansion of the Kingdom should be the IV. Use special missionary emphases. In ultimate goal of every department in the addition to working missions through the church. regular channels of the church departments, it is good to use any other special means The worship services are excellent op­ to emphasize its importance. The follow­ portunities to stress missions. Inspirational ing suggestions are but a few of the pos­ preaching to the young people on Sunday sibilities. morning may result in several “calls” to missionary service. The prayer of the wor­ The pastor might well set aside a month ship service may be dedicated to some ur­ during some year and call it missionary gent missionary need. Responsive reading month. During this month he would preach of the scripture may be centered around a series of sermons on missions in the a missionary theme. Sunday morning or Sunday evening services, The evangelistic services, can be used to or both. As with any other series, each ser­ present missions. This includes both the mon should be well prepared before the Sunday night and the revival services. series starts. Special prayer would be urged Some of our most successful evangelists for missions that week. It might be pos­ have found it profitable to preach on mis­ sible and profitable to organize a prayer sions one night during the campaign. At band during this time. the conclusion of the sermon they usually The month could be concluded with a ask those to come forward who would be week-end missionary convention, with mis­ willing to go as missionaries if the Lord sionary studies in the afternoon and a mis­ chose to send them. This service of con­ sionary speaker in the evening. On the secration has won many recruits for the last Sunday night of the convention a great field and blessed many lives. missionary offering could be taken for the The prayer meeting affords a time to urge field represented by the speaker. I be­ the people to pray for missions. Prayer is lieve such a program would increase the the greatest force that we can wield. It missionary interest in any church.

May-June 1947 (153) 17 Dr. L. A. Reed tells of a very unique mis­ best, to sacrifice some personal conveni­ sionary emphasis which he used once to ences for the sake of missions. great profit. He arranged to have the peo­ W hat Does the Lord Require of Thee ple of his church buy a large tent and to pay an evangelist to conduct an evangel­ I planned an ultra modem home when istic campaign in India during the same priorities were lifted .... time that their own revival meeting was But a Belgian woman whispered, “I have no to be held. A prayer band met every after­ home at all!” noon to pray for the campaign in India as I dreamed of a country place for luxurious well as their own. Throughout the meeting weekends .... cablegrams were received from the evan­ But a Jewish lad kept saying, “I have no gelist in India telling of the progress of their country!” efforts. Needless to say, Dr. Reed’s church I decided on a new cupboard right now .... received double benefit from their meeting. But a child of China cried out, “I have no cup!” We have already mentioned the use of I started to purchase a new kind of washing missionary speakers in the week-end con­ machine .... vention. Most pastors feel that it is wise But a Polish woman said softly, “I have to have at least two missionaries in the nothing to wash!” church each year. When they come, be sure I wanted a quick-freezing unit for storing to advertize the meeting well ahead of time, quantities of food .... through the bulletins, the newspapers, and 1 ordered a new car for the pleasure of my handbills. We might mention here, too, that loved, ones .... it is a good thing to insert an occasional But a war orphan murmured, “I have no news item in the bulletin concerning the loved ones!!!” progress of our various mission fields and Mayme Carner M iller missionaries. Information received too late (From the World Call.) to go in the bulletin can be mentioned from The pastor should be an example in mis­ the pulpit. sionary giving. This is the real test of his Finally, the pastor should encourage his interest in missions. When he gives to mis­ people to read missionary literature. The sions he is giving to something from which Other Sheep should be in every home, and he will get no return. The missionary gift the pastor should call attention to good ar­ is purely unselfish. If the pastor is stingy ticles in it. If the church has a library, the or hesitant about his giving, he can expect pastor should see that a few selected mis­ his people to be stingy and close, too. But sionary books are placed in it. A notice if he gives freely and generously, his spirit posted on the bulletin board or a special will be reflected in his people. It is an es­ poster will stimulate interest in new books tablished fact that the church that gives recently added to the library. little to missions will have difficulty rais­ V. Give to missions. Our final suggestion ing their own expenses. It pays to be gen­ on how to make the church missionary- erous. minded is: be liberal in missionary offerings. Always present the support of missions Concerning this there are three things which as a privilege rather than a duty. No one we should keep in mind. likes to be bogged down with “duties.” We Take a general budget large enough to all have too many duties now. Giving to make it a real challenge to the people. We missions can be a real blessing if it is pre­ join with Arthur J. Brown in protesting sented as a challenge and through inspira­ against the “two-cents-a-week” plea. It tion. Make the people want to give and they does not secure the gift of the poor, it be­ will give their all. numbs the liberality of the rich, and it be­ BIBLIOGRAPHY littles the whole enterprise. A proportion­ Brown, Arthur Judson, The Why and How of Foreign Missions. New York: Presbyterian ate gift for the average layman is not pen­ Church, 1921. nies at all, nor even silver, but bills or Mott, John R., The Pastor and Modetn Mis­ sions. New York: Student Volunteer Move­ checks. Encourage the people to do their ment, 1904.

He who walks through life with an even temper and gentle patience—patient with himself, patient with others, patient with diffi­ culties and crosses—he has an everyday greatness beyond that which is won in the battle or chanted in cathedrals.—Selected.

18 (154) The Preacher's Magazine The Most Potent Factor in a Minister’s Life

F. Lincicome

HE MOST potent factor that accom­ It is said of one, “He being dead yet Tpanies life is influence. Influence is speaketh.” We are going to speak whether something we all exert. Some exert more dead or alive, and we are going to speak influence than others. Some are like load­ with the same kind of a voice after we are stones that draw while others are like dead that we spoke with before we died. loads of stones that have to be drawn. Gain is still speaking in his jealous passion; Judas is still speaking in his betrayal; Dor­ For you to exist is for you to do two things cas is still speaking in her alms deeds; Abel and you can’t help yourself. The first is to radiate and the second is to be the re­ is still speaking in his faith. cipients of radiations. W hat are you radi­ Life is serious. I used to think the most ating; is it envy, jealousy, pride, malice, serious thing imaginable was to die and and impurity? If so, those who you contact leave my friends and a few earthly pos­ daily must be the recipients of those radi­ sessions I have been a lifetime collecting. ations and they w ill go a long way toward But not so! The most serious thing is not helping to form their character and to set­ to die; it is to live. There may not be any tle their destiny. moral quality in dying but there is an in­ tensely moral quality in living. It all de­ We exert a twofold influence—the consci­ pends on how I live as to how I die. If I ous influence and the unconscious. We do live right I can’t die wrong, and if I live our greatest work either for good or bad wrong I can’t die right. It’s not dying that in the realm of unconscious influence be­ concerns me as much as it is to live. It’s cause we all accomplish more in what we not dying grace I need; it is living grace. are than by what we say or do. You w ill accomplish as much with your radiations Yes, life is serious—so serious that few as you will with your exhortations. people go through it alive. Some die three days before they are buried, while others It was Stephen’s radiations rather than die thirty years before they are buried. his exhortations that brought Saul under conviction and which led to his conversion. A little girl seven years old, in writing to Did it ever occur to you that Stephen ac­ her uncle, said more than she knew. She complished more by his death than he did said, “Dear Uncle, in closing my letter I by his life. When the death of a man will will say that I hope you live to the end of bring a man like St. Paul to God, he has your life.” done something! On many a tombstone could be truthfully We all exert a positive influence. There written: “Here lies a man who died at thirty is no such thing as a negative influence. but was not buried until sixty.” What kind Every person is positive in the place he of an influence are you exerting? occupies. You are making the world better Are you exerting a bad influence? A or worse by the life you live. You must be bad influence is like letting go of a black­ a blessing or a blight; you cannot be a winged bat that will go on cursing and blank. There are no moral blanks, no blighting and damning the race until the neutral characters. Someone is bound to be end of time, and when the gates of doom fed by your fullness or to be starved by are opened it w ill dart through and curse your emptiness. Somebody is sure to be you all along the craggy coasts of dark lifted by your righteousness or contam­ damnation. Or, are you exerting a good inated by your unrighteousness. influence? A good influence is like loosing We all exert an indestructible influence. a white-winged dove that will be the mes­ Your life is as immortal as God—it can senger of love and good will to all the cen­ never die. Every life sets into motion cur­ turies to come, and after you are dead and rents of influence that death can’t stop. Ev­ gone it w ill live on to bless the world, and eryone lives three lives. There is the life out yonder in the realms of glory it will you live up to the grave; the life you live come to you and make you glad. beyond the grave, and the life of your in­ “Oh, influence, how solemn! Oh, influ­ fluence that will live on after time has ef­ ence, how awful! Oh, influence, how mo­ faced your name from the tombstone. mentous!”

May-Juna 1947 (155) 19 It Is All in Pentecost

ENTECOST changed the world. The that we still have with us, the Church Pchange may not have been as immedi­ made possible and real by the miracle of ately apparent as that produced by a devas­ Pentecost. tating war or the bursting of the first atomic The Church’s hope is in Pentecost—its bomb, but it was just as real and even hope of the future. It can complete its more fundamental. It changed the world world mission only as it is endowed with by changing people, making bad people power from on high. Human strength and good and good people better—the only sort wisdom are not equal to its task. World an­ of change that can satisfy the needs of m an­ tagonism is too great, calling for more than kind. The world is different because of mortal power. The only reason it has made Pentecost. headway through the past dark centuries This difference is positive proof that Pen­ is that God has been with it and within it. tecost was a reality. Something actually It simply must have Pentecostal power. happened. It was not a mere event that Pentecost means cleansing from sin. The might have different explanations and in­ early disciples were made to realize that— terpretations. Facing that event the atheist and experienced it in their personal lives. and the agnostic and the materialist must The quibbles about place and prestige in stand speechless, for even they cannot ig­ the new order disappeared as a new pas­ nore the fact that some mighty thing took sion was created within them. Even the place on what the church designates as the need of patching up their disrupted organ­ Day of Pentecost. ization was forgotten and their thoughts But Pentecost was more than an event, were turned to a greater need. Gone was for events come and go, and are preserved the old political attitude with its hatreds only in the annals of the past. It is some­ and selfishness and worldly ambitions. They thing that abides and is still with us, an ex­ were new creatures in Christ. perience perpetuated in human life. It is Pentecost was the answer to the need of still changing the world. Its work must go evangelism. The whole church was trans­ on until the kingdoms of this world become formed into an evangelistic agency. The the kingdom of our God. disciples—not the apostles only—became Pentecost gave us the Church. Before that flaming heralds of salvation. The people manifestation of power from on high the marveled at their zeal. Indeed they m ar­ Church was little more than an organiza­ veled at the results of their labors, for un­ tion, with the apostles, timid and powerless, godly men said they were turning the world as its administrators. They were held to­ upside down. They were but setting the gether by their fears and their faith. They standard for the Church of all time. It is held prayer meetings, bore a feeble witness, what the Church needs and what the world and did other worthy things, but they lacked needs today. expansive power and the urge to use what And Pentecost is also the answer to the power they had. The commission to go into great need for Christian stewardship. In all the world had not been given, and had the flush of the new experience little was it been given, it would have seemed futile. said about money. Peter was but voicing The disciples remembered their Lord and the condition of all the disciples when he many of the wonderful words that fell from said, “Silver and gold have I none,” but His lips, but those words remained only as he had something better, and with the out­ memories, and with the passing of that flow of spiritual necessities the money prob­ generation doubtless would have vanished lem was largely solved. The fundamental away. That was the hopeless state of the principle of Christian stewardship was recog­ Church devoid of Pentecost. nized when it was said of the disciples: But on that memorable occasion in Jer­ “Neither said any of them that ought of usalem all this flashed into a new reality. A the things that he possessed was his own.” new power and a new life became apparent. They belonged to Christ and everything The little group became the actual embodi­ they possessed likewise belonged to Christ ment of the message that was to save the to be used in His service. That principle ac­ people from their sins, and the Church be­ cepted and practiced, church finance becomes gan its triumphant march across the cen­ an incidental matter. And it is all compre­ turies. Its trek into all the world was begun hended in Pentecost.—Editorial, Religious and never has ceased. It was the Church Telescope.

20 (156) The Preacher's Magazine Keeping Track of Your Tracts

E. Wayne Stahl

N OLD colored preacher spoke like word. On the second card I find the subject A this, “I knows why dey calls it a of the tract I desire. “Maggie’s Gift.” Im ­ track; it dun tracked me.” mediately following these words I find the But the young preacher with whom I notation, Tracts 3.3. This means that if I was conversing wanted a method to “track pick up the large manila envelope labeled his tracts.” That is, some plan by which Tracts 3, in my larger file containing these he could speedily refer to his collection of envelopes (here are various envelopes with religious leaflets. This problem doubtless almost innumerable subjects) I will find has presented itself to many other m in­ the tract I wish inside, with the number “3” isters, old as well as young. Some of the at its top. choicest spiritual messages in print have Suppose I am going to preach on the been issued in this leaflet form. Too good to theme “Consecration Demands Concentra­ discard, the preacher w ill let them accumu­ tion.” Perhaps my text would be Paul’s late in a drawer or box, hoping that the great confession, “This one thing I do.” In day will come when he can sort them, and preparing the message I would think of a make them available for sermonic refer­ most helpful tract I had read sometime pre­ ence. viously, entitled, “Others May—You Cannot.” The day arrives when that drawer or box It stresses appealingly the necessity, for one becomes well filled; but the tracts in it have who is living close to one’s Lord, to re­ not been “systematized,” in many instances; nounce certain things that other professing for a plan of sorting them so that a par­ Christians, who have not had that heaven­ ticular one can be located without much ly vision, or who are not being obedient to expenditure of time has not been decided it, may choose for themselves. upon. I decide I would like to use certain of This problem faced the writer of this the thoughts in this leaflet. Again I have personal experience. Numerous readers of recourse to my card file. On one of the these words have also encountered it, I am cards labeled Tracts, I find the title of this certain. My solution of the problem has one, with the figures 2.10. Turning to been so practically satisfactory that I offer tract envelope numbered “2” I will find in it with the hope that others may find in it the leaflet I seek, with “10” written at its it some helpful suggestions. Of course, I top. don’t claim perfection for it; probably it If a preacher desires, he can list the could be greatly improved upon. But some titles alphabetically, on different filing cards, plan, even though not faultless, is better and thus not be obliged to look over a con­ than no plan at all. siderable portion of the whole list to find But “getting down to cases,” (in this par­ the special one he wishes to use. Also, the ticular instance, a filing “case”), suppose I general thought of any tract may be con­ would want to use in a sermon on mission­ densed into a word or two, and this listed ary giving the story of the little cripple girl on a filing card, with the reference as in­ who offered her crutch one day when an dicated above, and inserted in its proper offering for sending the gospel to the pagan alphabetical order in his card filing case. people was being taken. I recall, we will For example, “Maggie’s Gift” could come assume, the title of the tract that relates under the subject, Missions; Giving to, or this moving incident; it is “Maggie’s Gift.” Giving, Sacrificial. The tract “Others May But to “claw over” a miscellaneous collec­ —You Cannot” could be listed thus under, tion of tracts to find this special one would Consecration, Concentration, or Denial. be time-taking and energy-demanding. More general subjects would of course sug­ But I have devised “a more excellent gest themselves in relation to these tracts, as way.” I turn to one of my reference filing well as for any others. cases, where I have stored my cards, three This plan, it will be found, is also helpful by five inches in size, and on which I have when one wishes to order a supply of a written various topics. I locate those cards certain tract for distribution. The name at the top of which I wrote the word and address of the publishers may have Tracts. I glance over the titles beneath this been forgotten, but by the method I have

May-June 1947 (157) J1 particularized, this information can be se­ The eagerness with which such literature cured in a short time. is received is a reward to the minister for any expense to which he may be put in There was a time in my pastoral labors purchasing it. And, it gives him a real when I would give out each Sunday morn­ thrill when, calling in some home, possibly ing, after the preaching service, some help­ years later, to find, as he looks over one ful tract. Occasionally this would be along of the Bibles there, between its pages, many the line of the thought of the sermon, but of these tracts, treasured up in that Sacred not necessarily so. I sought to choose these Writing. leaflets with wisdom, and to select those Becoming pastor of another church, and that were positively interesting. It was my wishing to give out the same tracts, I would endeavor not to choose lengthy tracts; these, be able to refer to them quickly by the ar­ in many cases, would not be read. Young rangement I have outlined. Such a system folks feel honored to be asked to stand to me is somewhat of an illustration of the at the door of the church, as folks are leav­ wise statement, “Next to knowing a thing, ing, and hand each person a tract. is to know where to find the information.”

Do You Steal, Imitate, or Create?

Charsten Christensen

ORSE thieves have been known to letting some miscellaneous item of furni­ H dye their stolen horses; gypsies used ture, say a sofa, represent (for instance) to disguise the children they carried off; an island, and then having a sign placed the state of Connecticut had an embarrass­ on it, “This is an island.” It is only be­ ing incident with wooden “nutmegs”; but cause the preacher puts up the sign, “This in spite of all such efforts at concealment is a sermon,” that one would even begin and camouflage, detection has always fol­ to suspect that such is the case. lowed in just retribution. Yet how many When does a sermon begin to be our sermons rightfully belonging in this same own? We can illustrate this by a piece category has the laity had the courage to u n ­ of jewelry. We pick it up—there is the mask? Very few, no doubt. The average trade-mark, “Tiffany.” That great firm has congregation is indeed most charitable, and placed its stamp upon it. W hat gave it the ffcel that any deviation in their pastor along right to do so? D id it go out and mine the this line is surely forgivable, working as he precious metals in it? Did it send a man is under such constant pressure. to Africa to find the sparkling diamonds But perhaps there are very few sermons in it? Does it have its own transportation ever actually stolen “whole cloth.” Some­ system to bring the unfinished materials one is sure to ask: Is it possible to steal a together? The answer to all these ques­ sermon? That is, isn’t everything that tions is, of course, no. Then wherein lies comes to the pastor’s study, whether it be the right to stamp the firm’s name upon it? an isolated thought or a complete dis­ In this: Tiffany has gathered the material course, legitimate grist for his mill? There and then made it its own through the finest is much to say on both sides of the ques­ and most painstaking workmanship. And tion, and we are not going to say it—at in exactly this lies that fine borderline be­ least, not more than this: Predigested tween undue imitation or copying and the thought works the opposite to predigested only originality most of us are permitted food: it eventually creates mental dyspepsia. to enjoy. When we use the term original­ Besides, anything predigested is meant for ity we must remember that it is strictly a invalids—and who wants to be an invalid? relative term, for as “I am a part of all that Not stolen whole cloth, we said, but alto­ I have met,” so is my sermon a mosaic of gether too often the “sermon” is a bit o’ all the contacts I have made. this and a slab o* that and a chunk o’ It is for exactly this reason that we t’other, and its only claim to any semblance should subject ourselves to the best in the of unity and coherence is in its name. And line of “mosaics.” That we must have the giving the name sermon to this kind of u n ­ finest materials available with which to assimilated hodgepodge is parallel to the build if we are to build a quality edifice practice in the old Shakesperian plays of is but to state the obvious. But of equal

22 (158) The Preacher's Magazine importance is the plan, or model, which we original minds we think of Homer, of are to follow. Here arises a vital issue— Shakespeare, and of Milton. But the best what is the place and importance of the that the rank and file of us can hope to at­ study of models as a background for ser­ tain will be what we might term an adapt­ mon-making? There are two principal bene­ ive originality. And surely it is the business fits to be derived: First, minds still in the of every conscientious minister of the gos­ plastic stage may be molded to a better pel to develop this faculty to its fullest ex­ style; and second, all minds, plastic or “set,” tent. will be instructed and stimulated. The story is told that when Dr. Cunning­ Biographies of men of letters, orators, ham was principal of the Free Church Col­ artists, bound with illustrations of the study lege in Scotland, he was visited on one oc­ of models in their respective fields. The casion by Dr. Bruce, one of the ablest pas­ greater the man, the wider his field of study tors in Edinburg. Dr. Bruce was asked to with respect to the examples of workman­ preach. So anxious was he to avoid anything ship of fellow artists. Phelps, in his Men that even slightly savored of imitation or and Books, says: “Voltaire used to read plagiarism that he had discarded all books Massillon as a stimulus to production. Bos- but the Bible, Shakespeare, and a news­ suet read Homer for the same purpose. Gray paper, The Witness. In this particular ser­ read Spenser’s ‘Faerie Queene’ as a pre­ mon he was certain he had made a marvel­ liminary to the use of his pen. The favor­ ous discovery of some new scripture doc­ ites of Milton were Homer and Euripides. trine as the unaided result of his own in­ Fenelon resorted to the ancient classics pro­ dependent thought, and presented his miscuously. Pope read Dryden as his habit­ thoughts with a considerable measure of ual aid to composing. Corneille read Tacitus rather obvious pleasure. Imagine his morti­ and Livy. . . . With great variety of taste, fication when Dr. Cunningham directed him successful authors have generally agreed in to a chapter in one of the volumes of John availing themselves of this natural and Owen of Oxford, written two hundred years facile method of educating their minds to previously, in which Dr. Owen had treated the work of original creation.” this same subject in much the same man­ Notice especially the words, “educating ner as Dr. Bruce had that morning. their minds to the work of original cre­ Originality is the most rare quality found ation.” He who reads literally but to “play in the realm of human thinking, but the the sedulous ape” is no more fitted for the adaptation that permits the placing of the work of verbal production—oral or written speaker’s own trade-mark on his product —than a kleptomaniac is fitted for the po­ should be the aim of every preacher of the sition of floorwalker in a department store. gospel. That the study of models to improve one’s style of synthesis has 'had the ap­ proval of master, minds, we agree. That this type of study is necessary, we further submit, and quote Dr. Fiske’s Manual oj Preaching where it speaks of the importance and difficulty of growth in the Christian m in­ A Welcome to Church istry: “There is so much in its varied and pressing duties to make one remiss in pre­ Friend, you enter this church, not as a paration for the pulpit, and so little of out­ stranger, but as a guest of God. He is your ward excitement, and clashing of opposing heavenly Father. Come, then, with joy in minds to nerve one up to high endeavor, your heart and thanks on your lips into that the preacher of all men needs a lofty His presence, offering Him your love and ideal ever before him. By communing daily service. Be grateful to the strong and with the great masters of speech in secular and sacred literature, he both will gain loyal men who in the name of Jesus some just conception of what a preacher Christ builded this place of worship, and should be, and will be constantly stimulated to all who have beautified it and hallowed to effort to become such a preacher.” it with their prayers and praises. Be­ Lest anyone be tempted to become dis­ seech His blessing on those who love this couraged at his lack of originality, we re­ home of faith as the inspiration of their peat that originality is a relative term, and labor, rejoicing in the power of the Holy in its purest form is found so seldom that Spirit, and may that blessing rest on you, these rare cases stand out like buttes above both on your going out and on your the surrounding plains. When we think of coming in.—Selected.

May-June 1947 (159) 23 The Preacher's Wife: Is She Preacher or Layman? An Evaluation

Mrs. L. A . Ogden

PREACHER is a called workman. He the success or failure of their work. We A may be pastor or evangelist. Many are told that when a district superintend­ are used in various branches of church ac­ ent is placing a pastor he is often asked tivity. In the plan of God for the home, a about the preacher’s wife. . This intimates man or woman leaves the former fireside that she should be genuine and real, pray­ of parental love, and becomes united to the ing and boosting for him in any way she one of his or her choice, a choice determined can. by the direction of God and that emotion This wife must take time for her devo­ known as love. tional life. She must “take time to be holy In the life of a preacher, the woman of and speak oft with the Lord.” In motive it his choice becomes immediately the m ak­ is good to ask the question, “Just what is ing or breaking of his career. After the die my motive in this or in not doing it”; the has been cast, then the work of the par­ motive none but herself and God really dis­ sonage begins. Is this wife preacher or cern. Attitudes are nonetheless important. layman? Let us see! She must watch lest she take the wrong The preacher’s wife is recognized as a attitude even with the right. One has said, layman. She transfers her membership from “I ’d rather be on the wrong side of a propo­ one church to another as any other layman, sition and have a right attitude, than be on in other words she does not automatically the right side with a wrong attitude.” In become a member of the church as her trial, when things are moving easy, or preacher or pastor-husband. when they are pulling hard; when the flour Rut, she is more than an ordinary lay­ barrel is empty or when it is full; in op­ man as the term may be considered, for she position or co-operation; even in misun­ is a leader of all laymen of the parish. She derstandings (and these things do come) may not be W.F.M.S. president, or N.Y.P.S. and when not at fault, a good attitude, a president, Sunday-school superintendent, or Christian attitude, will always win. If she even a Sunday-school teacher; yet, she is can say with Paul, “I have learned, in a leader. She, the preacher’s wife, is chosen whatsoever state I am, therewith to be con­ as a pattern or example. She often has to tent,” she has gained a great victory. be a “fill in” until someone else can be In conversation, much could and has been trained or prayed in to fill a vacancy. Peo­ said along this line, but the preacher’s wife ple hold her as an example! Things that should not be a gossiper; all conversation are passed over by and in other laymen are should be seasoned with the grace of the not overlooked in her. Why? Because she Spirit. is the queen of the parsonage. I know God She must be a sympathetic listener. I do doesn’t have double standards, yet often the not mean that her ear should be the dump­ folk of the parish do; maybe this does not ing ground of all the ills of the community, seem to be fair, yet as a leader of laymen yet often some young Christian, say a young she, as her pastor or preacher-husband, girl or perhaps an older person, has some should be able to say, “Follow me as I fol­ real problem they wish to talk over with low Christ.” Even if she wishes this were someone. To the listener the problem may not so, yet this is the way it is. not be big, but to the troubled one it seems In the fair estimate the preacher’s wife as a mountain. Such an one desires to have may be classed as preacher, for her view someone who will listen and then pray of their work is more from a preacher’s about the matter. This may continue until angle; often her burdens are equally as the person learns to go to God and trust heavy as that of her husband. Thus her ex­ Him with all the problems of life. The ample as helpmeet to the husband means preacher’s wife becomes the logical one to be the sympathetic listener and this * Paper prepared and read at the 1946 Midyear pays great dividends. Who doesn’t some­ convention of Nebraska District, and author­ times gain help by or from someone else! ized by that group for publication in this magazine. In friendliness she must also be a good 24 (160) The Preacher's Magazine layman and preacher, a combination to be it all” but with sincere love and a desire sure, even though her heart quakes within to help him do and be better. her. Yet friendliness from the preacher’s To that timid wife, this word may en­ wife must be to all and not just one family. courage you. Some years ago we were on a Patience comes in here. It may take a lot certain district as pastor and on a zone of to deal with some people, but if she can five churches. Three of the pastors had ever keep in mind that it is souls she is wives who were talented; they sang with dealing with, even though it may take their husbands and did other noticeable months to help some get their feet down, it things. After one zone meeting I felt very will be worth it. small indeed. I felt that I was a misfit, for Yes, even in attire the preacher’s wife, is I could not sing or play; I simply didn’t have a leader as preacher and layman combina­ any talent. I couldn’t even go calling with tion. Extremes should always be avoided, my husband any more with three children for they are harmful; if not to the person to care for and two of them twin babies. involved, to some other soul the same may The devil really had his foot on my neck. be a snare. Be as neat as possible. Dress The Holy Spirit, as He had often done be­ as becometh holiness. fore, came to my rescue and whispered, The preacher’s wife, especially if the “You can be a good wife and mother.” I preacher be a pastor, becomes an assistant took courage, and I have endeavored from pastor, assisting in every possible way. that day to be just that. I would say that She can assist even in his preaching. A per­ if the wife cau play, or sing, or do any sonal reference w ill illustrate. I remember other of the many things, do it to the glory as young folks just starting out in the of God. Above all, be a good wife and ministry, I seemed to preach along with mother. my husband. Almost every breath was a In the matter of child training, again the prayer. I so much wanted him to succeed, preacher element enters in. All training not in the eyes of the people, but that he should be careful, for these children are might be a clear, helpful preacher, help­ trusts from the Lord. Do not give in to ing souls see their need and move toward their every whim, for that isn’t being good God, and then afterward that their souls to them. If they are ever to amount to any­ might be fed and grow in grace. If in a thing for Christ, they must learn obedience. holiness sermon something wasn’t just clear, How can we expect them to obey and I would point out to him (when we were reverence God if they do not obey and re­ alone) anything that I felt wasn’t just as spect their parents. plain as it might be. This I did not from a I was astonished one day to hear a young superior attitude, for he was and is my mother with a small son of two years say, superior, but recognizing that oftentimes a “I don’t know what I’ll do with Johnnie preacher leaves things hazy and dark, and until he is old enough for God to sanctify if he realized this was the case the state­ him.” Oh, no, God expects you to train the ment could be cleared up and someone child in love and with prayer in firmness, helped who might remain in an intellectual then He can get to their hearts much easier. or spiritual fog. Criticize your husband’s I heard the sainted Mrs. Edith Vanderpool preaching, not with the attitude of "know tell of a young girl in college who con-

The Home Rules the Nation

For one, I care little for the government which presides at Washington, in comparison with the government which rules the millions of American homes. No administration can seriously harm us if our home life is pure, frugal, and godly. No statesmanship or legislation can save us, if once our homes become the abode of ignorance or the nestling place of profligacy. The home rules the nation. If the home is demoralized, it will ruin it. The real seed corn whence our Republic sprang was the Christian house­ holds represented in the Mayflower; or the family altar of the Hollander and the Huguenot. A ll our best characters, best legislation, best institutions, and best church life were cradled in those early homes. They were the taproot of the Republic, and of the American churches.— T heodore L. C u y le r .

May-June 1947 (161) 25 stantly disregarded the rules of the school of the night and the new resurrection of because she had done so at home. She the dawn both prompt a devout soul to would weep and cry and beg God’s for­ thankfulness. The buoyant heart takes its giveness but often said, “Oh, that I had been earliest flight, like the lark, towards the taught obedience when I was yet at home.” gates of heaven. One might say that this is an extreme One of the finest touches in Bunyan’s case, and maybe so, yet we would be sur­ immortal allegory is his description of prised if we really knew. And, the wife Christian in the chamber of Peace, “Who many times has the heavier responsibility awoke and sang,” while his window looked along this line. out to the sun rising. If ever the stony statue of heathen Memmon made music It is so easy with the many pressing when the first rays of the dawn kindled on duties along the way, to fail here by not its flinty brow, surely no Christian heart taking time with the children. Remember should be dumb when God causes the out­ we have them such a very short time. We going of the morning to rejoice.—Pilgrim must take time to pray for and with them; Holiness Advocate. read and tell them Bible stories and to be sure to assist them in the engagement of fam­ ily prayer. It is surprising how very young they understand the presence of God. I A disappointment, a contradiction, a harsh word received and endured as in God’s think if others say they desire a child only presence, is worth more than a long sermon. until he is seven years of age, and others —Selected. may carry on from there, that it is time preachers’ wives should take heed. This training should also take on instruction in the manner of apparel, for it is hard to take off what we have put on when they Missionary Aviation Course become Christians and desire to become members of the church. A great task, a Winona Lake School of Theology mighty responsibility, but it is a glorious task! The management of this institution com­ I overheard a layman the other day. “I ing to be known as “America’s Unique Sum­ was perplexed,” she said, “because Brother mer Seminary” has just issued its 1947 B did not preach about externals. Others Prospectus which lists the faculty and mention it, too, yet he seemed to be getting courses for the 1947 session which w ill be the job done. Then one day I had my conducted in two distinct semesters from radio on and I listened to an advertisement June 25 to August 1. which said, ‘One demonstration is worth The faculty, under the leadership of the months of advertising.’ ” Then she said, “It President, Dr. J. A. Huffman, numbers nine unfolded to me so clearly as if God whis­ men, who have been chosen from various theological seminaries and colleges, because pered to me saying, ‘Brother B doesn’t of their special fitness for the subjects which need to advertise, his wife demonstrates.’ they are to teach. They are specialists w ith­ That went home to my heart. It struck fire! in their fields. That was just a few weeks ago; I prayed, An unusually large range of subjects is “O God, help me demonstrate Christ’s love being offered this summer, including, for the and His passion for lost souls. Let me first time, the ground school course in Avia­ demonstrate.” And my heart cry today is tion, especially for missionaries. that I might be a good demonstrator. The courses offered are applicable to the regular theological degrees. They may be pursued for credit in either one or both semesters. Prayer in the Morning The 1946 session is reported as one of the best conducted in the twenty-seven years of the school, which was founded by Dr. As the oriental traveler sets out for the G. Campbell Morgan in 1920. Students cultry journey over burning sands by were composed of ministers, teachers, mis­ loading up his camel under the palm-tree’s sionaries, chaplains, and laymen, and came shade, and fills his water flagons from the from twenty states and Canada, and repre­ crystal fountain which sparkles at its roots, sented twenty-five denominations. so does Christ’s pilgrim draw his morning The institution is approved for Veteran’s supplies from the exhaustless spring. Training. Copy of 1947 Prospectus may be had upon Morning is the golden hour for prayer request by addressing the Winona Lake and praise. The mind is fresh; the mercies School of Theology, Winona Lake, Indiana. 26 (162) The Preacher’s Magazine MATERIAL FOR SPECIAL DAYS: Mother’s Day —Family DayChildren’s Day

Mother’s Day should mean more to us A Living Presence than a beautiful sentiment. “Say it with flowers” is a substantial way of expressing (A Parable for Mothers) our feelings, but no mother wants the YOU NG mother set her foot on the flowers if love, thought, and consideration are lacking. And no one but a mother can A path of life. “Is the way long?” detect quite so easily the lack of these she asked. A nd the Guide said, “Yes, and things. The flowers, so beautifully fitted the way is hard. And you w ill be old before for their mission in form, color, and fra­ you reach the end of it. But the end will grance, carry their message only when they be better than the beginning.” act as the interpreters of a real love for But the young mother was happy, and mother. Then it is that mother’s heart she would not believe that anything could sings her song as when she first crooned be better than these years. So she played over the little mite of helplessness God had with her chlidren, and gathered flowers for them along the way. And the sun shone on placed in her arms. That love, undimmed them, and life was good, and the young by the years of pain and trial, is again assured that whatever life has brought, it mother cried, “Nothing will ever be lovelier than this!” has all been worth while for such a moment as this. When we wear our white flowers Then came night, and storm; and the path was dark, and the children shook with for the mothers who are no longer with us, fear and cold. But the mother drew close and the red for those who are still here, to them, and covered them with her man­ we should think of the mothers the world tle, and the children said, “We are not over who have made the great sacrifice and afraid, Mother, for you are near; and no have given their sons and their daughters harm can come to us.” that some great cause might not perish And the mother said, “This is better than from the earth and that the high ideals of the brightness of day, for I have taught men might be realized in a nobler life. my children courage.” From the beginning the mothers of men And the morning came, and there was a have been the inspirers of their sons in the hill ahead, and the children climbed and tasks of life. Hannah, Susanna Wesley, grew weary, and the mother was weary. But Nancy Hanks were more than the physical at last she said to the children, “A little pa­ mothers of their sons, and lived in them tience, and we are there.” in those intuitive powers we sometimes So the children climbed, and when they call feminine. If the mothers of the world reached the top, they said, “We could not should be gathered together on Mother’s have done this without you, Mother.” Day, the fair-skinned mother might not And that night the mother looked up at understand the words of her darker-hued the stars, and said, “This is a better day sister of India, or the straight-haired Eu­ than the last, for m y children have learned ropean might not be able to converse with fortitude in the face of hardship. Yesterday the wooly-haired African, but their hearts I gave them courage; today I gave them would be as one in an understanding moth­ strength.” er love and would be united in a common And the next day came strange clouds prayer for the safety and success of those which darkened the earth—clouds of war whom they have borne. Thank God for and hate and evil, and the children groped mothers? Thank Him for their noble in­ anji stumbled. The mother said, “Look up; fluences! Thank Him fo r' their sacrificed! lift your eyes to the Light.” —Gospel Banner. And the children looked, and saw above the clouds an Everlasting Light, and it guided them, and brought them beyond the In becoming a Christian, a person im­ darkness. mediately comes in contact with the high­ And that night the mother said, “This is est and best that has ever been known the best day of all, for I have shown my to mankind. children God.”

May-June 1947 (163) 27 And the days went on, and the weeks, as long as he lives, a sense of the higher, and the months, and the years, and the spiritual privileges and values of life. mother grew aged, and she was little and “Let her own works praise her.” Let a bent. But the children were tall and strong, mother be one of strong personal convic­ and walked with courage. And when the tions, and the child will benefit accordingly. way was hard, they lifted her over the rough We believe it to be very essential for the places. At last they came to a hill, and be­ individual to be possessed of a strong sense yond the hill they could see a shining road of duty and personal responsibility. Such and golden gates and they flung wide. a woman was Ruth, whose convictions of And the mother said, “I have reached the the reality of the God of Naomi were so end of my journey. And now I know that strong that she broke every tie which bound the end is better than the beginning, for my her to Moab. And in doing so, '‘her own children can walk alone, and their chil­ works” praised her in the lives of her dren after them.” worthy descendants. And the children said, “You w ill always Mrs. Susanna Wesley, the famous mother walk with us, Mother!” of the famous John and Charles Wesley, And they stood and watched her walk was likewise a woman of strong personal through the golden gates, and the gates convictions. A t the early age of thirteen, closed after her. And they said, “We can­ we are told, she resolved to learn for her­ not now see our mother, but she is with us self the evidence of the religious truths still—she is a living presence.”—From Sun­ she was required to believe, and as a result, shine Magazine. settled her church connections for herself. Afterwards she examined the evidences of Christianity with assiduous attention, and formed a little manual in which she wrote Let Her Own Works down the principles upon which her faith was built. Praise Her” After she became a wife and mother, she urged her children to like investigation. It T IS customary, at this period of the year, is not strange, then, that the gospel trum ­ to pause for a little time amid the or­ pet was blown with no “uncertain sound” dinaryI duties of life and pay a few words, by her sons, who knew “the certainty of at least, of heartfelt tribute to Mother. those things, wherein” they had been “in ­ Wherever she may be, and however remote­ structed.” ly separated we may be from her, our Then, if the “works” of a mother are the thoughts wing through space to her; and things which really “praise her,” what it is right that it should be so. A sense of grounds for greater certainty could there gratitude is one of the finest of human be that they would do so, than that the qualities; and as much as we may owe to the mother herself have an experimental knowl­ influences of the church and the gospel, edge of God? In other words, that she be many of us realize that, blessed as they are, truly converted? they probably would not have meant so It could be safely said that the reason Mrs. much had it not been for the early train­ Wesley was able to contribute to the world ing we received from Mother, disciplinary, such saviors in the form of her two famous religious and otherwise. sons was that she knew God herself in reality, and as a consequence constantly And so we thank her for what she has impressed her children with a sense of the done for us, and then remind our readers, unseen and the divine. perhaps particularly the mothers of our We are told that it was the daily prac­ connection who read these lines, that after tice of this godly mother to spend an hour all it is their “own works” which really morning and evening in private devotion, “praise” them, and not the words of com­ prayer, and meditation, and that at such mendation and tribute which we might times she often wrote down her thoughts tender. on various subjects. It is the natural privilege of any mother to leave lasting impressions upon her chil­ The following has been preserved: dren. But we are interested in those qual­ “To know God only as a philosopher; to ities in a mother that w ill imprint upon have the niost sublime and curious specu­ her offspring a Godward and spiritual tend­ lations concerning His essence, attributes, ency. For if she will, she can write upon and providence; to be able to demonstrate the plastic clay of formative years such His Being from all or any of the works of characters as will impress upon her child. nature, and to discourse with the greatest

28 (164) The Preacher's Magarine propriety and eloquence of His existence whose personal convictions are weak and and operations; all this w ill avail us nothing, shallow, swayed by the changing circum­ unless at the same time we know Him ex­ stances and tempers of life, will condemn perimentally; unless the heart know Him to her. So will the “works” of an uncon­ be its supreme good, its only happiness; verted mother. And likewise, those of the unless a man feel and acknowledge that he mother who fails to consecrate herself, her can find no repose, no peace, no joy, but time, her influence, and her children to in loving and being loved by Him, and God. They w ill arise and condemn her does accordingly rest in Him as the center during this brief span of life in the godless of his being, the fountain of his pleasures, lives of her children. And at God’s awful the origin of all his virtue and goodness, and solemn tribunal on the last day, she his light, his life, his strength, his all; in a will realize the fullest measure of guilt and word, his Lord, his God. Thus let me ever condemnation. know Thee, O God!” May every mother who reads these lines It is possible that any unconverted moth­ see to it, by the help of the almighty God, er who perchance reads these few lines that her “works” are such as will “praise could rest longer in that state, devoid of her,” now and hereafter.—Exchange. grace and spiritual life, when she bears such tremendous responsibility to the chil­ dren God has given her? Truly, without Influence That Counts God, how little can she do for the welfare of immortal spirits, given by God, and who HERE is something very beautiful about must someday return to Him who gave T such a friendship as that of David and them. If a mother is converted to God, her Jonathan, with their unswerving devotion “own works” w ill “praise her.” and fidelity to each other. Yet we should say, without question, the happiest associ­ The “works” of a consecrated mother will ations of this present life are those of the “praise her.” Such a mother was the worthy family circle— provided, of course, that God lady to whom we have already referred. is the center of it. Although she had the care and training of at least ten living children, she extended her Father, Mother, brother, sister, son, daugh­ influence beyond her own home in an ef­ ter—how much these words can mean to fort to instruct her neighbors in the things us, when all is as it was divinely intended of God. to be. And what is that which will make such relationships so happy—almost all that Her husband was often away on business one could wish for in the present order of of a clerical nature, and in his absence she things? It is supreme love to God in each conducted Sunday evening services in her heart; if that is present, all else will adjust own house, both for the sake of her own itself into complete harmony. children and for the benefit of neighbors, who she felt needed instruction in the things Happy the home where Jesus’ name of God. When Mr. Wesley objected to the Is sweet to every ear: irregularity of such proceedings, her answer Where children early lisp His fame, was that it afforded an opportunity of do­ And parents hold Him dear. ing good which she felt she could not neg­ If you can look backward in reflection lect. upon childhood days, and recall memories Her consecrated life had great weight of a praying father and mother whose lives with her son John in his ministry. When truly adorned the gospel of our Lord and the first layman in the Methodist connec­ Saviour Jesus Christ—if you yet remember tion preached, John Wesley hastened to the salutary impressions made upon you by London, determined to stop such a pro­ their lives and their admonitions to seek ceeding. He conversed with his mother the Lord and live but for the skies—then about it, telling her of his intention. Her you have been left a legacy of love and god­ answer was, “I charge you before God, take ly influence which makes the fabulous care what you do, for that man is as much wealth of East Indian princes seem worth­ called to preach the gospel as ever you less in comparison. were.” And the practice was continued, We are sadly aware of the fact that the and blessed of God to the salvation of many home which we have described, and which people. The “works” of a consecrated moth­ at one time was quite commonly found, has er w ill “praise her.” been a vanishing feature of our national life And we add one more thought, which is for many decades. Gradually the world, that, conversely, the “works” of a mother the flesh, and the devil in general have (165) 29 gained the ascendancy. For lack of "vision" G. Finney was an example of this. After with regard to parental responsibility, “the he was converted, he went to the old home­ people perish.” stead to visit his parents. “Father,” he But what a powerful factor for sobriety, said, “I have never heard prayers in your honesty, and godliness is the occasional house.” And the father feelingly replied, home where God is still loved and feared! “I know it, Charles; come in and pray Here truly is an influence that counts. It yourse]^.” speaks powerfully in its immediate circle But the majority of men and women who and radiates abroad. have done the most to influence this world for good have come from homes conse­ Matthew Simpson, friend and adviser to crated to the true service of God. Their Abraham Lincoln in the trying days of the lives have forcefully illustrated the mean­ Civil War, said he never forgot his moth­ ing of the Saviour’s words, “Ye are the salt er’s prayers. Throughout his life, he re­ of the earth.” Only with God in our lives membered even the intonations of her voice; can we have an influence that counts for apd again and again he seemed to feel her righteousness—Arthur Mitchell, in The hand upon his head, as she prayed for her Burning Bush. son. Richard Cecil, the celebrated London preacher, tells us that he tried to be an in­ fidel in his youth, but could not, for he .Children's Day Values found obstructing his wayward course his mother’s beautiful piety. Francis Asbury, HE chief value of Children’s Day is whose name is emblazoned upon the annals of early American Methodism, says of him­ T not merely in an interesting service of self, “I was called to preach in my four­ entertainment on a Sunday morning. That teenth year. I began my public exercises has its value and is not to be lightly re­ between sixteen and seventeen. A t twenty- garded. Let the church make the most of one I entered the traveling connection. At it. The children’s program should have twenty-six I.cam e to America.” rich meaning for both children and parents, leaving an influence that will be whole­ He obeyed the call, when it came, to “re­ some and abiding. It should be prepared gions beyond,” but it was not without cost with that in view. to himself. He left behind him parents whom But the real value of Children’s Day he dearly loved, and whom he was never to is in the idea back of it, an idea that see again. W hat his mother’s influence had should be uppermost in the special features meant to himself and to others is shown in of the entire day. It is first of all a con­ his beautiful tribute to her: fession of the Church’s faith in children. “For fifty years, her hands, her house, That faith is an integral part of Christianity, and her heart were open to receive the though even in the Church it often has had people of God and the ministers of Christ; to struggle for existence. and thus a lamp was lighted in a dark place. That was true in the time of Christ’s She was an afflicted,* yet a most active earthly ministry—even among His immedi­ woman, of quick bodily powers and mascu­ ate followers. That familiar scene of “the line understanding; nevertheless, so kindly child in the midst” of the apostolic group all the elements mixed in her. Her strong revealed the adult mind of that period. mind quickly felt the subduing influences Some of the straight-jacket older heads made of that Christian sympathy which weeps complaint and would have had Jesus dis­ with those who weep and rejoices with miss the entire procedure w ith a wave of those who rejoice. As a woman and a wife, the hand. Jesus was indignant at the sug­ she was refined, modest, and blameless; gestion. as a mother—above all the women in the Few cases are on record indicating in­ world would I claim her for my own—ar­ dignation on the part of Christ, and this is dently affectionate. As a mother in Israel, one of them—and the most conspicuous one. few of her sex have done more by personal It called forth a stinging rebuke to that labor to support the gospel and to wash ugly attitude and led further to the specific the saints’ feet. As a friend, she was gen­ injunction which must have rung in the dis­ erous, true and constant.” ciples’ ears ever afterward: “Suffer little Some have found the Saviour, and have children, and forbid them not, to come unto lived to become extensively useful in the me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” vineyard of the Master, who were not nour­ The church too often has acted upon the ished up as the plants of the Lord. Charles assumption that evangelism is an adult af­

30 (166) Tha Preacher's Magazine fair. Some evangelistic efforts made pro­ vision for children but it was incidental and Three Nobodies subordinate— a sort of side line. Thank God, we are growing out of that. We are dis­ A Y I tell you a story, the story of a covering the child in its relation to the M farmer’s home? The children were church and the kingdom of Christ and are numerous and vigorous as became the farm acting accordingly. That is at least one of life. At length the oldest son and daughter the meanings of Children’s Day. We are were through the district school. Both coming to see more and more clearly that were eager to go to college. But how? That “of such is the kingdom of heaven.” was the question that has puzzled many similar homes. One day, Anna said to her We have been forced to the conclusion that parents, “If you can give John an educa­ the best adult church members are not the tion I will not ask for one.” And so they ones brought in late in life through the began to economize. John left for college. special revival efforts, but those who be­ The meals were not quite so good. They come members in early childhood and grow wore plainer clothes. Two years passed up in the church. Invariably they are the and Robert was ready, and then James, most faithful and the most dependable. The and soon the younger girls. Each year the heart of the pastor can freely trust in them. self-denial became more rigid. Delicacies This may be put down as a general truth, were banished from the table and old recognizing that there are exceptions to clothes were made over. The same bon­ the very best of rules. We do well to keep nets were worn summer and winter and in mind, however, that in order for one the same hat. Finally John and James to enter Christ’s kingdom he must be­ reached theological seminary and Robert come as a little child. was in a law school. They had studied Children’s Day is an acknowledgment of hard and laid the foundation for useful work. the wealth the church has in its childhood. The younger girls were off to the seminary A childless church would be a doleful af­ or college. fair, with only a toe hold on the present and C h il d r e n A c h ie v e S uccess no promise for the future. The poet sounded a clear note in the words taken from a At last when all had been graduated, more extended effusion: John was called to a large city church, James had volunteered for the foreign field, A dreary place would be this earth, and Robert became an honored lawyer in Were there no little people in it; the city. They had all studied hard and The song of life would lose its mirth, were well fitted for their fields. It was a Were there no children to begin it. sad day and yet a glad one when James left. It was hard to give him up but they felt Yea, verily! Of greater importance than that a grander life no one could live, a houses and lands, stocks and bonds, political sublimer death no one could die than that prestige and leadership, modern gadgets for which would come to one preaching Christ making life easier are the boys and girls in a heathen land. As the train moved off who are soon to take over the affairs of they lifted their tearful eyes to heaven, church and state— to run things, we hope, saying, “O Jesus, we do it all for Thee.” far better than their predecessors are doing. They are the world of tomorrow, the world John wanted his parents to visit him, but that in large measure is in the hands of the they hesitated to go among his wealthy peo­ church of today. It is a tremendous thought, ple. They knew their clothes were out of a challenging responsibility! The kind of style, their forms bent, their hands rough world that is to be, is being determined and knotted. They had been in society so now—being determined by what is being seldom that they felt they would be ill at wrought into the minds and hearts of the ease and feared that he would be ashamed boys and girls by the church into whose of them. They did not know that he loved hands they are entrusted. Children’s Day them more dearly for those reminders of is a recognition of that staggering fact.—Re­ the sacrifices they had made for him. At ligious Telescope. length they went. They heard him preach with power in his great church, saw his work and influence in the city and were thankful. Then came word from the foreign Pain is sweet when it is for Christ’s sake. field that James was doing a great work for Only those who have been sufficiently Christ. Many converts had been made. close to Him to realize His personal touch Robert, in the meantime, had made dis­ know this secret.—Selected. tinguished progress in law and stood for all that wat> highest in life. He was a leader Saviour who had found him on a sickbed, in every worthy reform. The younger girls through the memories and prayers of the married and became leaders in the social old home. Their joy seemed full but it was and religious life about them. All were a happier day when he returned to the old devoted Christians. home and a happier hour when kneeling at Only one cloud was in their sky. The the family altar he thanked God for the youngest son was “wild.” He was a prodigal love that would not let him go. away from home. He was oftener in their This seemed all these saints were waiting minds and his name lay longer on their for and with tears of joy, they said, “Now, lips in prayer than that of any other of Lord, let thy servants depart in peace for our their children. He had wandered far from eyes have seen thy salvation,” and the gates his early training but the memory of his old swung open and let them into the sunshine home held him back from vital sins. and the springtide of heaven. Soon Anna Three Old Folks in the Home followed them. When they entered all The years crept slowly on. There were heaven seemed ready to greet them and three old folks in the home now, for Anna hailed them as those through whom they had carried heavy loads and was stooped had been saved. In wonder they asked when under the burden. The parents worked no they had done such work, and the Master more. They sat in their easy chairs and said, “When you made is possible for your lived over again the past and prayed for children to do so.” A t last the children were their children, lingering longest over the gathered home and before the throne there prodigal. The beams of heaven’s morning was a glad reunion. There, too, were many were twining themselves in their locks. Anna dusky Hindus whom James had led to had inverted the order of nature and had Christ and those whom John in the great become a mother to them. Gently she led city had shown the way, and those to them down the western slope of life. The whom others had pointed the way. And dusty years stretched far behind her. Her the harpers lifted their harps, saying one to beauty had departed. She was faded and another, “What shall we sing?” and Christ careworn. She had refused a home of her whispered, “Let it be ‘The Harvest Home.’ ” own and with white lips had said “No,” The Three Brightest Crowns when her heart had said “Yes” that she And then were given to all, crowns flashing might care for her parents. like the midnight with stars, but lo, the Joy Over Returned Prodigal crowns of these three old “nobodies” out­ One day a letter came in the handwrit­ shone all the others for they had made ing they had not seen in many a day. The their work possible.—J.D.R., in The United prodigal wrote from a hospital to tell of a Presbyterian.

The Child in the Midst"

(A Children's Day Message)

BACKGROUND for this meditation is gling of the disciples as to which would be A found in Matthew 18:1-3, “A t the same the greatest in the Kingdom. They were time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, engaged in the very poor and disgraceful Who is the greatest in the kingdom of business of seeking to advance their own heaven? And Jesus called a little child un­ personal interests. In one account we read to him, and set him in the midst of them, that they reasoned about who would be the and said, Verily I say unto you, except ye greatest, but in another account we read be converted, and become as little children, that this argument had become a dispute. ye shall not enter into the kingdom of To teach the disciples and us a much heaven.” needed lesson He called to Him a little Thinking of the “child in the midst” we child and placed him in the midst. realize that the child can teach the adult G reatest L esso n s L earned f r o m L ittle and that the adult must teach the child, but C h il d r e n most of all both child and adult must In this the Master shows that the great­ learn at the feet of Jesus. The occasion for est lessons in the Kingdom of God are to this teaching came because of the wran­ be learned from a little child. What a poor

32 (168) The Preacher's Magazine world this would be were it not for the close circle of grownups. John Quincy fresh start that each generation gives! Adams declared, “All that I am I owe to my How happy and delightful is the company mother.” Emerson said, “Men are what their of little children! The beautiful lessons of mothers make them.” President Lincoln, love, humility, confidence, perfect trust, and remembering the great influence of the obedience may be learned from little chil­ pioneer mother, said, “A ll that I am or hope dren. (Of course, there are some of our to be I owe to my angel mother.” Mr. D. L. neighbors’ children who are not as obedi­ Moody, whose evangelistic messages shook ent as we would like for them to be!) Mr. the continent, paid this tribute: “All that I Wordsworth said, “Heaven lies about us in have ever accomplished I owe to my moth­ childhood.” The poetry of life is found in er.” Benjamin West said: “A kiss from my the world of little children. Robert E. mother made me a painter.” Speer tells of his little son who, waking in a dark room, called out, “Father, are you Adult Influence Upon Children Is there? It is very dark in here.” The fa­ Far-Reaching ther said to him, “Yes, my son, I am here, and it is very dark in my room, too, but The power of adult influence in the life my face is turned toward you.” Mr. Speer of the child is set forth in the words of the said, “In a few moments I heard the deep proverb maker: “Train up a child in the breathing of my little son as he slept, con­ way he should go, and when he is old he fident that his father would take care of will not depart from it.” The saintly Dr. him. Long I lay there wondering if I Archibald Alexander, of Princeton, was fond trusted God as my son trusted me.” of this proverb and when asked about his One of the delightful things about child­ wayward son, said, “My son is not yet old. hood is its willingness to share. A pastor The promise is that in old age well-trained called in a certain home and a little four- sons will be found in the way of the Lord.” year-old girl came in to welcome him. She It is interesting to remember that this son, gave the minister a piece of candy, which the subject of so many prayers and earnest he proceeded to eat, and then she said: training, in later years came back to the “That candy was white when I began to right way and achieved a reputation for suck it!” To share good things and good piety and godliness as great as that of his news is one of the happy traits of child­ distinguished father. hood. A little five-year-old boy recently an­ As we approach this Children’s Day let nounced, as he went out of our church, us gratefully remember that the child can shaking hands with the pastor, “How do you teach us; that we must teach the child, like my new shoes?” A ll of us are proud of and that, at the feet of Jesus, both child and new shoes and would like to tell the world, adult may learn great Kingdom lessons. So but it is the little child who makes the an­ will the distressing problem of delinquency, nouncement and “gets by” with it. both in children and parents, be solved in

J esus E x t o l s N at ura l Tr ait s o f C h il d r e n the light of Him who said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”—Dr. Ernest Neal Jesus teaches the disciples, and us, that O r r , in The United Presbyterian. the lovely traits of childhood are the qual­ ities that he desires in the Kingdom. The way into the Kingdom, the method of ad­ vancement is through the spirit of the little child. The Master identified himself with We are to live by faith, but unless we this spirit when he said, “Whosoever re- are watchful, our very faith in God may ceiveth this little'child in my name receiv- have the wrong effect in our lives. It eth me, and whosoever receiveth me re- may become, as someone has said, “a ceiveth him that sent me.” The unbroken pillow on which we go to sleep.” Need­ line is the child, the Christ, the Heavenly less to say, that was not what our Lord Father, the kingdom of God on earth and meant for us when He said, “Have faith in heaven. It is only in the religion of in God.” Faith rightly used is a challenge Christ that childhood is given a prominent to “attempt great things for God.” Such place. is the faith that moves mountains. It hesitates at no difficulty, it recognizes no P arents, E s p e c ia l l y M o t h e r s , G rea t ly failure, it is hindered by no discourage­ I n f l u e n c e C h il d r e n ment. This is the faith that leads us to The adult must teach the child. There is exclaim with the apostle of old, “Thanks no influence in the life of childhood that ap­ be unto God, which always causeth us to proaches the influence of parents and the triumph in Christ.”—Christian Observer.

Moy-Iun«, 1947 (168) 33 P r e a c L iin cf HOLINESS

May 4, 11, 18, 25

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

• Announcing

The preaching emphasis on the subject of HOLINESS beginning with Sunday, May 4, and concluding with Pentecost Sunday, May 25. All pastors in the Church of the Nazarene are requested to share in this church- wide emphasis. Many pastors will want to deliver a series of sermons on holiness and related themes. Others will co-operate by presenting at least one message each Sunday during the month of May.

• Memo to Pastors

Sermon Outlines, suggested books for the month, Bible readings and other suggestions will be found in the letter and outline booklet sent to all pastors in the. denomination. If you have not received your copy, write at once to General Stewardship Committee, 2923 Troost Avenue, Kansas City 10, Missouri.

34 (170) The Preacher's Magazine • Special Days

Mother's Day, May 11, and Pentecost Sunday, May 25, will be important days during this emphasis. Leaflets have been prepared for distribution to your congregation and sent direct to pastors. Your co-operation in giving these out on the days indicated will be appreciated.

• Distribution

Of holiness literature is important! In the material sent to all pastors, sug­ gestions have been made regarding special booklets prepared for this occasion. W e urge church boards to authorize the purchase of this ma­ terial in guantity so church members may be given a copy without charge.

• Books-of-the-Month

Are suggested for reading—both for pastors and people. Please check your letter for suggestions.

• A Challenge

Amid the confusion of our times, we have a glorious privilege as well as a solemn responsibility to herald the gospel of full salvation to the millions who are in darkness. United in this important mission, let us proclaim the message of entire sanctification with clarity and power. God grant that it may be the beginning of a world revival!

The General Stewardship Committee 2923 Troost Avenue Kansas City 10, Missouri The Theological Question Box

Conducted by D r. H . Orton Wiley

N OUR LAST article, we dealt with cer­ the mind and the understanding, sometimes tain errors concerning the reception of for the will, sometimes for the affections, theI Holy Ghost which we found in a manu­ sometimes for the conscience, sometimes for script sent to us for review. Since that time the whole soul.” we understand the manuscript has been pub­ Laidlaw says that the term heart is drawn lished, although we have not been able as from a metaphor of the physical heart which yet to obtain a copy. In the present article, forms the center of distribution for the blood we shall deal with another class of errors in which is the life, and therefore occupies found in this manuscript, viz., errors con­ the most important place in the whole sys­ cerning the nature of sin. tem. By easy transition, the “heart” came The Rev. John Fletcher of Madeley, the to signify the seat of a man’s collective en­ apologist of earlier Methodism, makes the ergies—the focus of the personal life. As statement that there is always a leading from the fleshly heart goes forth the blood error which, like the first link of a chain, in which is the life, so from the heart of draws all other errors after it. In the criti­ the human soul goes forth the entire men­ cism of Christianity he says that the lead­ tal and moral activity. Now, because it is ing error is a false conception of the na­ the focus of the personal life, the working ture of sin. Closely related to this will be place for the personal appropriation and as­ found a false conception of the Atonement, similation of every influence, in the heart and this in turn is followed by certain im­ lies the moral and religious condition of the putation theories which represent wrong man. Only what enters the heart forms a views of the application of redemption. All possession of moral worth, and only what of these errors will be found in the paper comes from the heart is a moral production. under discussion, but we can notice only a On the one hand, therefore, the Bible places few of them in the limited amount of space depravity in the heart, because sin is a prin­ which we have at our disposal. These are ciple which has penetrated to the very cen­ as follows: ter, and thence corrupts the whole circuit of life. On the other hand, it regards the , 1. Holiness people teach that inbred sin heart as the sphere of divine influences, ,is an entity or principle entirely separate the starting point of all moral renovation. from our bodies called, “ the carnal mind," The Bible teaches that the heart is de- "Adamic nature,” “our old man,” “the body deitful and desperately wicked; and Christ of sin,” etc. They say that the words “ body” said, “For out of the heart proceed evil and “flesh" of Romans and Galatians, do thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, not refer to our corporeal body, but to that thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matt. separate entity which they call “the body of 15:19). Over against this, we read of those sin.” This is another pure invention of whose hearts were purified by faith, (Acts theirs. The word “flesh” is the same word 15:9); and of the new law written in the in the original every place in the New Testa­ hearts and minds of those who enter into ment but two (sarx is the word in Greek), the fullness of the new covenant. (Heb. and always refers to our physical bodies. 8:10-13; 10:14-18.) The two places where other words are used are Romans 14:21 and I Corinthians 8:13, (2) But there is an inference in the where it refers to the flesh of animals. Like­ statement to which we object. The writer wise the word “body” (soma in the Greek) states that the holiness people teach that is the same everywhere in the New Testa­ inbred sin is an entity or principle entirely ment but two, and always refers to the separate from our bodies .... that separate physical body. entity which they call “the body of sin.” In ■ This is a confused statement and must be a later paragraph he speaks of “that in­ separated into its component parts before vented entity which they call the carnal it can be properly answered. mind.” The inference is that the holiness (1) He states that the holiness people people teach that there is an entity of some teach that inbred sin is an entity or a prin­ sort, something separate and apart from the ciple entirely separate from our bodies. real self which may be extracted or eradi­ Most certainly holiness people do not teach cated, and for which the real self is not re­ that sin lies in the body. On the contrary, sponsible. Contrary to this, we teach that it they teach that it belongs to the spiritual is our very self, our own nature, that is nature of man and has its seat in the heart. corrupt and depraved. Our creed makes Not the physical heart, but the moral center this clear. of man. “The heart,” says Dr. John Owen, “We believe that original sin, or de­ “is variously used in the Scriptures for pravity, is the corruption of the nature of 36 (172) The Preacher's Magazine all the offspring oi Adam, by reason of hereditary corruption. What then is the which every one is very far gone from or­ reason of the sarx to denote man’s sinful­ iginal righteousness, or the pure state of ness? Humanity, which on its natural side our first parents at the time of their cre­ owes its existence to the sarx, is itself called ation, is averse to God, is without spirit­ sarx. Natural and sarkikal are therefore ual life, and is inclined to evil, and that con­ convertible terms in reference to man. On tinually; and that it continues to exist with the other side, the spirit (or pneuma) is the new life of the regenerate, until eradi­ that through which man is connected with cated by the baptism with the Holy Spirit.” the divine and supernatural, especially in This is historically related to Article IX of the New Birth. It is that, therefore, through the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Anglican which the Divine Spirit works, imparting the Church, and Article VII of the Twenty- germs of a new life, and so spiritual and Five Articles of Methodism, both of which divine are also convertible terms in regard state that original sin is the corruption of to man. To this let it be added that the the nature of every man that naturally is natural man connected with the race through engendered of the offspring of Adam. the sarx, is sinful, while the new man con­ nected with God through the pneuma is Here it is clearly taught that depravity holy; and does it seem strange that the is not some entity, infused into us and apart sarx should itself be used to denote the sin­ from us, which may be taken out. This is ful natural man, and pneuma, the holy re­ the man of straw which those who should newed man? The body (or soma) is not sin­ know better have set up in order to attack ful. Any view of sin as the inherent evil of our position. Original sin is an infection matter is radically opposed to the whole of our nature, a corruption which must be biblical philosophy. Christians are to pre­ cleansed or purged away. It is of the na­ sent their bodies as living sacrifices to God ture of a disease which must be healed. We (Rom. 12:1-2); the body is for the Lord and ask, If physical disease may be healed, the Lord for the body (I Cor. 6:13); the thereby bringing wholeness or health, why body is a member of Christ and a temple may not spiritual disease be healed, bring­ of the Holy Ghost (I Cor. 6:15, 19). ing spiritual wholeness or holiness? That the term “flesh” does not always re­ 2. The Bible teaches that inbred sin is fer to the physical body is very easily in the flesh. When we receive the Holy proved. Note the following: Spirit in the New Birth, He takes up His (1) St. Paul, in Romans 8:5-8, says, “For abode in our hearts, and neutralizes and they that are after the flesh do mind the annuls our physical “ body of sin” so that things of the flesh; but they that are after we do not “ live in the flesh,” nor “walk the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be after the flesh,” but “w e live in the Spirit,” carnally minded is death; but to be spirit­ and “we walk after the Spirit.” If you have ually minded is life and peace. Because the any doubt about our bodies being sinful, I carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is ask you to observe the following references: not subject to the law of God, neither in­ Rom. 7:5; 7:18; 8:3. When we are saved we deed can be. So then they that are in the have a dual nature— two natures in our flesh cannot please God.” Try now to sub­ being— the flesh and the Spirit. Our spirits stitute the word “body” for the flesh or are purified when we are saved, by the the carnal mind, and it will be readily seen baptism with the Holy Ghost, which is the that the apostle does not identify the terms washing of regeneration. Thus our affec­ flesh and body. tions, motives, and wills, in fact our whole hearts are made clean and pure. But the (2) But the apostle himself answers this “flesh” is sinful. Our hearts are made alive question directly when he says, “But ye in Christ, and have everlasting life; but are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so our bodies are “dead” because they are sin­ be that the Spirit of God dwell in you” ful. (Rom. 8:10.) Our hearts are alive be­ (Rom. 5:9). Most certainly the author of cause they are “in Christ”; our bodies are this manuscript would not read this: “But dead because they are still “in Adam.” Our ye are not in the body, but in the Spirit, bodies will not be redeemed into Christ if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.” until His second coming. (3) St. Paul in Galatians enumerates According to Laidlaw, the term “flesh” seventeen items as works of the flesh, and occurs in the Old Testament more than 260 ten of these are in nowise associated with times to denote the corporeal element in the body—hatred, variance, wrath, strife, human nature, in its various shades of seditions, heresies, envyings, idolatry, emu­ lations and witchcraft. These are sins of meaning. In its secondary or ethical sense, the spirit, not of the flesh if the latter term the term “flesh” is used for the principle, be interpreted to mean the physical body. or the seat of that principle which in fallen human nature resists the divine law. It is (4) Both our Lord and St. Paul His no objection to this view, but rather a con­ apostle speak of the redemption of the body. firmation of its correctness, that it grounds Christianity does not regard the body as the Pauline use of the sarx for sinful hu­ sinful, but as the instrument of sin when man nature on the underlying doctrine of under the control of the carnal mind. They (173) 37 teach, also, that the body will be finally re­ other than the body, that is, he admits tilt- deemed from the consequences of sin. In this ethical significance of the sarx or flesh. connection Dr. Laidlaw says, “If sin were the (3) He says that Christ in supplanting inevitable outcome of man’s possession of a Adam as the head of the race has potential­ body, redemption ought to culminate in his ly done away with original sin, taken away deliverance from it, instead of in its change the sin of the world, and we have nothing and restoration to a higher form. (Phil. to do in regard to its removal. This is a 3:21.) To say as St. Paul does, that the strange saying, Christ has taken it away, last result of the Redeemer’s Spirit in­ and yet it remains, and we can do nothing dwelling us shall be to quicken these mortal about it. His taking it away is therefore, bodies would be a flat contradiction” (Laid­ on this theory, mere fiction. Why not say law, Bible Doctrine of Man, pp. 80-81.) that Christ made provision for the removal 3. Inbred sin is in the bloodstream of the of inbred sin, and commands us to close in physical man, and passes upon the race with the remedy which He has provided, through the natural processes of genera­ and thus be actually cleansed from all sin. tion. There is nothing mysterious or inex- (4) He says Christ “will redeem our plainable about this. But the teaching of bodies from sin when He comes the second the eradication of inbred sin naturally gives time.” Previously he has said that the physi­ rise to the question, “W hy are children who cal body is the “body of sin” or the carnal are bom to two holy people born with a mind, and that it has its seat in the blood­ carnal nature?” The holiness people attempt stream. Now he holds that it is to be re­ to answer this by saying that sin does not deemed from sin. If the body under death come through the bloodstream, but is is the cause of sin, it is strange to teach merely blanketed upon the whole race be­ that now it can be delivered from sin. cause Adam was its federal head. Why not teach that the body dies as a con­ Perhaps no better answer has ever been sequence of sin, not that it is the originator given to this question than that of Mr. of sin. Wesley in his Plain Account of Christian 5. Holiness people teach that old “old Perfection. He says, “ Sin is entailed upon man” dies within ourselves here and now. me, not by immediate generation, but by B y the “ old man” they mean that invented my first parent. ‘In Adam all died; by the entity which they call the carnal mind. disobedience of one, all men were made The Bible teaches that our old man was cru­ sinners’; all men without exception, who cified with Christ nineteen hundred years were in his loins when he ate the forbid­ ago. The expression “old man” simply den fruit. We have a remarkable case of means our human nature as related to this in gardening; grafts on a crab stalk Adam. Our saving faith identifies us with bear excellent fruit; but sow the kernels of Christ’s crucifixion, so that we died with this fruit, and what will be the event? Him. “Because we thus judge that if one They produce as mere crabs as ever were died for all, then did all die” (II Cor. 5:14). eaten” (p. 49). Here we have the groundwork of the im- 4. We have neither the ability nor the putationist theories. Christ died on the responsibility to destroy in us this carnal Cross nineteen hundred years ago, and we nature. It will be dealt with as God deals died with Him. The scripture used to sub­ with the body in the resurrection. It is ours stantiate this theory is grossly perverted. only through the power of the indwelling He says, quoting the marginal reading, “If Spirit “ to walk not after the flesh” nor Christ died for all, then all died,” instead of “mind the things of the flesh,” but to live “all were dead” as given in the text. This and walk after the Spirit. Our guilt and our reading would destroy the argument of the responsibility rest only upon our own trans­ apostle. The meaning o f the text is this: gressions. Christ, in supplanting Adam as “ The first position the apostle takes for head of the race, has potentially removed granted, viz., that Jesus Christ died for all original sin, taken away the sin of the mankind. This no apostolic man or prim­ world, and we have nothing to do in regard itive Christian ever did doubt, or could to its removal. He will redeem our bodies doubt. The second position he infers from from sin when He comes the second time. the first, and justly, too, for if all had not (1) He says we have no responsibility been guilty, and consigned to eternal death, as to the destruction of this carnal nature. because of their sin, there could have been Yet the Bible tells us “to put off the old no need for His death. Therefore, as He man,” “to put on the new man,” to crucify most certainly died for all, then all were the flesh,” “to go on to perfection,” and “to dead and needed His sacrifice, and the present our bodies a living sacrifice, that quickening power of His Spirit. The third we may prove what is that good and ac­ position he draws -from the preceding—if all were dead and in danger of endless per­ ceptable and perfect will of God.” dition, and He died for all to save them from (2) He says that God will deal with this that perdition, then it justly follows that carnal nature when He deals with the body they are not their own, that they are bought in the resurrection. It is evident that the by His blood and should not live unto them­ writer here conceives of sin as something selves” (Dr. Adam Clarke).

38 (174) The Preacher's Magazine The theory of imputation just mentioned, to Mr. Wesley who met this same type of may appear to do away with sin legally, but antinomianism in his day. His sixth ob­ actually does not cleanse the heart from sin, jection to the teaching of the Moravians as St. John teaches in his first epistle. (I was this: They say “ that a believer is never John 1:7, 9). Instead we have the various sanctified or holy in himself, but in Christ suppression or counteraction theories. Hence, only. He has no holiness in himself at all; we have the statement that if Christ dwells all his holiness being imputed, not inherent.” in our hearts He “neutralizes and annuls His answer is this: “Scripture holiness is our physical body of sin.” This is a counter­ the image of God; the mind which was in action, theory where one hostile force is Christ; the love of God and man; lowliness, pitted against another in ceaseless conflict. gentleness, temperance, patience, chastity. No wonder Dr. Oswald Chambers exclaims, And do you cooly affirm that this is only im­ “Is that all that God can do for me? Destroy puted to a believer, and that he has none at unity in my life, make me a divided per­ all of this holiness in him? Does a believer sonality, and make me sick with conviction love God or does he not? If he does, he has for sin?” But St. Paul says that “we are the love of God in him. Is he lowly, or crucified with him, that the body of sin meek, or patient at all? If he is, he has might be destroyed,” not counteracted, “that these tempers in himself; and if he has henceforth we should not serve sin” (Rom. them not in himself, he is not lowly, or meek, 6:6). Now, if the “body of sin” is not the or patient. You cannot therefore deny that “carnal mind” as we teach, but the “physi­ every believer has holiness in, though not cal body” of sin, that is, the present body, from himself; else you deny that he is holy how can it be destroyed, and we still live? at all; and if so, he cannot see the Lord. “But now being made free from sin,” St. And indeed, if holiness in general be the Paul continues, “and become servants to mind which was in Christ, what can any­ God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and one possibly mean by ‘a believer is not holy the end everlasting life” (Rom. 6:22). in himself, but in Christ only? that the 6. Holiness people say that we are holy in mind which was in Christ is in a believer ourselves, and perfect in ourselves, of course also; but it is in Him, not in himself, but allowing that it is God’s power that must in Christ!’ What a heap of palpable self- make us so. contradiction, what senseless jargon is this!” This statement is but one of many similar ones in the manuscript, and is the logical Every circumstance in my life has come, outcome of the positions previously taken. not that I may fail in the Christian life, but We have a “standing” legally, but actually no cleansing from sin in our “state” or con­ for the express purpose that I may suc­ dition of heart. Here, again, we may refer ceed.—Selected.

A Prayer for Parents

God, our Father, we bring to Thee our deepest longings for these young O lives Thou hast given us. We bring to Thee our responsibility for them, and our weakness, asking Thy help. We come to Thee realizing our need for ever-growing sympathy and pa­ tience with them, for more self-forgetting love, for wisdom to guide them. Thou who knowest them altogether, in every possibility of their lives, teach us to understand their need and their experience. We face with them the changing, troubled world of our time. Before them lie new problems, wide opportunities, great tasks. We ask Thee, our Father, for wisdom and courage to use this present time in making them ready for high achievement and service to their fellow men. Bless, we pray Thee, the church school teachers who labor earnestly to help us, and Thee. We are depending for success not on our own skills and abilities, but on Thy unfailing help so freely offered. Make our home Thy dwelling-place, our Father, that our children may here be made ready for the work, the discoveries, the problems, the joys and achieve­ ments Thou hast in store for them. O loving Father, cleanse us from selfishness, from weakness, from fear, that we may not fail these children Thou hast given us. Amen. — Michigan Christian Advocate

(175) 39 SEARCHING TRUTHS FOR MINISTERS

Thy Will Be Done and wary in speaking. “In a multitude of words there wanteth not sin.” Do not talk To be what God wills us to be, and be­ much; neither long at a time. Few can con­ cause He wills it—this should be our verse profitably above an hour. Keep at the supreme thought and aim, and the main­ utmost distance from pious chit-chat, from spring of our Christian life. The sanctified religious gossip.—From Wesley’s Plain A c­ instinct which leads us to ask, not first of count of Christian Perfection. all for our daily bread or the forgiveness of our trespasses, or the avoidance of temptation even, but which places in the forefront of our most passionate longings The Value of Expository Preaching and pleadings, “Hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as Those setting out to serve the Lord’s peo­ it is in heaven”—the supplication which puts ple by preaching do well to covet earnestly the divine will “in the beginning” will lead the best gifts; and no gift can surpass in to the purest and loftiest experience pos­ solid usefulness that of opening up the Word sible to man on the earth.—A . B. S im p s o n of God to the minds of the Lord’s people. If you want an ever-fresh, ever-whole- I have been in that old church in New some, ever-powerful ministry, ask the Be- England where Jonathan Edwards preached stower of gifts to give you one “instructed his great sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of unto the kingdom of heaven, an house­ an Angry God.” He had a little manuscript holder which bringeth forth out of his which he held up so close to his face that treasure things new and old.” they could not see his countenance. But as The topical preacher soon wears himself he went on and on, the people in the crowded out; the “text-tag” preacher soon wears church were tremendously moved. One man his hearers out; but the true expounder of sprang to his feet, rushed down the aisles, the Holy Writ has a field so wide and rich and cried, “Mr. Edwards, have mercy!” that one lifetime is not long enough to till Other men caught hold of the backs of the and reap it!—The Witness. pews lest they should slip into perdition. I have seen the old pillars around which they threw their arms, when they thought the ‘ My brethren, let me say that it is our day of judgment had dawned upon them. privilege, as ministers of the gospel, to live The power of the sermon is still felt in the near to God. Then why don’t we live near United States today. But there is a bit of to God? There are three things that draw history behind it. For three days Edwards us from God. First, the gravity of the had not eaten a mouthful of food; for three world. We are drawn away to the world’s nights he had not closed his eyes in sleep. manner and thought and feeling, and to the Over and over again, he had been saying to world’s purposes and ends. We ministers God, “Give me New England! Give me are prone to become worldly men. Second, New England!” and when he rose from his we are apt to be drawn by the fascination knees, and made his way to the pulpit they of the glittering. I have succumbed to that say that he looked as if he had been gazing temptation, my brethren. For instance, I straight into the face of God. They say that have been tempted by the praise of men to before he opened his lips to speak, conviction forget the honor of God. I have been tempted fell upon his audience.—J. W ilbur Chapman to think more of full pews than of redeemed souls. I have been again and again tempted to prefer eloquence to real power. Third, Sins of Omission we are drawn away from God by what I Beware of sins of omission; lose no op­ call the stupefactions of the priestly office. portunity of doing good in any kind. Be Truth itself can be so dealt with as to be­ zealous of good works; willingly omit no come a drug. We can so busy ourselves work, either of piety or mercy. Do all the with truths as that they will become opiates. good you possibly can to the bodies and “When we are drawn away from God and souls of men. Particularly, “thou shalt in communion with God, certain things take any wise reprove thy neighbor, and not place. First, our characters lack spirit­ suffer sin upon him.” Be active. Give no uality. Second, when we are drawn away place to indolence or sloth; give no oc­ from God we lack the luminousness of the casion to say, “Ye are idle, ye are idle.” pure heart. Third, when we are away from Many will say so still; but let your whole God our speech lacks the mysterious im­ spirit and behavior refute the slander. Be pressiveness. We cannot define it. It is quite always employed; lose no shred of time; independent of academic learning. Fourth gather up the fragments, that nothing be when we live away from God our very en­ lost, and whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, terprise becomes a pastime instead of a do it with thy might.” Be slow to speak crusade.”—D r . J . H. J o w e t t .

40 (176) The Preacher's Magazine THE PREACHER’S SCRAPBOOK

Work with Children he will ever be able to preach. And you A Precious Privilege can preach such a sermon.— Religious Tele­ scope. How wonderful, how precious, how im­ portant is the soul of a child. We salute Do you know a book that you are will­ the teachers in the Sabbath schools, and es­ ing to put under your head for a pillow pecially those teachers and leaders who pa­ when you lie dying? Very well; that is tiently and faithfully work with and for the the book you want to study while living. little ones. Time may never reveal the re­ There is but one such book in the world. sult of their work; but eternity will. Daniel —J o s e p h C o o k Webster once wrote: If we work upon marble it will perish; If we work upon brass time will efface it; If we rear temples they will crumple into Finding a Man dust; Diogenes walked about the streets of If we work upon immortal souls, Athens with a lighted lantern in daylight If we imbue them with immortal prin­ searching for a man. Christ came centuries ciples, with the just fear of God and love later on a similar errand. The man was not of fellow men; found. But there was this difference be­ We engrave on those tablets something tween Christ’s search and that of Diogenes: which will brighten all eternity.—Selected. Christ took what He found and proceeded to work it over into the sort of men He was seeking. Diogenes couldn’t do that, and so In Clusters of Three his mission was in vain. Today Diogenes is Three things to govern: Temper, tongue, but a name among those who gained a and conduct. little niche in history, remembered for his Three things to cultivate: Courage, affec­ eccentricities more than for any great con­ tion, and gentleness. tribution to mankind. Christ continues to Three things to commend: Thrift, industry, live and grow and to reconstruct people into and promptness. the kind of human specimens they ought to Three things to despise: Cruelty, arro­ be. The only way to have true men is to construct them according to God’s pat­ gance, and ingratitude. Three things to wish for: Health, con­ tern through the grace of our Lord Jesus tentment, and friends. Christ.—Selected. Three things to admire: Dignity, intellec­ tual power, and gracefulness. Three things to give: Alms to the needy, When Christianity Really Succeeds comfort to the sad, and appreciation to the worthy.—Selected. A business man in Wales spoke to his of­ fice boy about his soul, and from that word a work began which won his entire office The Sermon That You See force to Christ. Yes, it is possible to see a sermon as well A merchant in England determined that as hear one. The sermon that you see is no day should pass without his speaking to likely to make a deeper impression than someone about Christ; in one year he had even the best one that you hear. It is a led scores to the Master. “vitalized” sermon—made alive in the face and in the behavior of the one who preaches it. That sermon is expressed in the joy Drop It! that shines through the countenance, the sense of repose and comfort and joy that is We cannot grasp everything that life pictured in glowing colors on the face, offers within the span of one brief sojourn whether that face be wrinkled with the upon earth. years or yet buoyant in the springtime of Drop all that you cannot carry into eter­ life. The sermon that you see is preached nity. by faithfulness in service, loyalty to God Drop pretense; be fearlessly what you and His cause, in devotion to the church are; cease trying to appear what you are in all its interests, but more especially in not. the unwavering devotion to Jesus Christ Drop self-seeking; the good things of life our Lord and Saviour. Someone has well flee from the grasping, selfish snirit. said that as the pastor looks into the faces Drop discontent. “The thing that thou of his congregation, the faces of godly men seekest is within thee (this is within thy and women, on Sunday morning, he sees grasp), couldest thou but see.” sermons that are more powerful than any —Gleanings May-June 1947 (177) 41 QUOTABLE POETRY

The Happiest Place on Earth Mother A face of kindest beauty, B y E l iz a b e t h M a e C r o s b y A heart of tenderest grace, I know a place, the happiest on earth, A voice of sweetest cadence, Where joyous children live with faces bright; A love -none can efface, Their carefree spirits full of bubbling mirth, Hands tireless in loving service, A place where tender love guides them Feet swift to come and go, aright Ears tuned to faintest whispers, And life is built according to God’s will, Eyes keen to see and know, A place where peace and harmony abide; A love unlike all others, When older grown, the mind will picture A friend of all most true, still O mother! precious mother! That place the heart could never put aside, All honor be to you. Home, happy home, where loving parents — Selected guide. •—The Watchman-Examiner Give Us Great Dreams Give us great dreams, O God, while Thou art giving, Gardening for God And keep the end; it is enough if we Live by the hope, nor falter in the living A Christian mother, sowing That lures us on from dust to dignity. Good seed from day to day, To keep her garden growing Give us the courage of the soul’s high vision, Must often kneel to pray. Though its fulfillment here we never see; The heart to make and keep the brave For praying brings God’s showers decision, Which little gardens need And, faith to leave the ultimate with Thee. To fill them with His flowers —M a r ie L eN art And banish every weed. The Good Shepherd God’s Word is Mother’s treasure; I walked in Palestine one summer day, Its precious seed she finds A flock of sheep gazed at me with mild To sow in fullest measure eyes, In fertile little minds. And cropped the green banks where still water lay The Holy Spirit, leading, Beneath the peaceful skies. Directs her loving toil, A s daily Bible reading From out my world the shadows seemed Sheds sunlight on the soil. to flee, —*.Author Unknown From off my heart the burdens seemed to roll; The spirit of the flock encompassed me, The Home Where Christ Abides And peace reigned in m y soul.

That home at Nazareth must ever speak Then passed time’s pageant of the crowding Of peace and love and work for all to years share; To days when on those hills the Shepherd It must have held all lovely, worthy things, trod, Because our Lord lived there. The Christ who came to soothe our griefs and fears That home at Bethany that Jesus sought And lead us back to God. To rest awhile away from pain and care, Must ever have a glory ’round its door, I saw Him searching for the one lost sheep, Because He rested theret I heard His voice still pleading, " Follow me,” And homes today where Christ is glorified He knows His own, and these His love will Are homes of love and peace and toil keep and prayer; Through all eternity. “Thy Kingdom come,” we pray—and it will come Today, as far away in Palestine, When Christ abides in all homes every­ He leads His flock as in the days of old, where. And offers to your wayward soul and mine —Lillian Collier Gray, in Christian-Evan- The shelter of His fold. gelist —The Northern Messenger 42 (178) The Preacher’s Magazine For Our Children True Riches

Father, hear us, we are praying; There are many things more precious Hear the words our hearts are saying; ■Than frankincense and myrrh, We are praying for our children. Or diamonds of great value, But we often err Keep them from the powers of evil, In thinking of our riches From the secret, hidden peril; As gold laid up in store, From the whirlpools that would suck them, When happiness within the heart From the treacherous quicksand, pluck them. Means ever so much more;

From the worldling’s hollow gladness, The joy of peaceful living, From the sting of faithless sadness, Of work we like to do, Holy Father, save our children. The joy of lasting friendship, Of love and laughter, too. Through life’s troubled waters steer them, The man who loves his neighbor Through life’s bitter battle cheer them, And seeks to do good things, Father, Father, be Thou near them. Has wealth that is more precious Read the language of our longing, Than all the jewels of kings. Read the wordless pleadings’ thronging, Holy Father, for our children. There is wealth in one’s surroundings— —A m y C a r m ic h a e l In sunshine on the sill, In beauty of the flowering shrubs, Wild flowers upon the hill. There’s beauty in all growing things, In All Humility And in the fresh turned sod. True riches lie within the soul— Mine is the ministry of little things; A soul attuned to God. A cheery word to men of every kind —B e u l a h W i l l ia m s A llen Is all I have to give, yet slaves or kings React alike to kindness, so I find. The Joy of the Lord M y ministry is small, m y mission great; I’m rich in friends, in pounds and pence J o h n N e w t o n I’m poor, And yet I would not change m y low estate Joy is a fruit that will not grdw For this I find, in reckoning up the score: In nature’s barren soil; All we can boast, till Christ we know, No austere prayer nor fire-invoking cry Is vanity and toil. Hath ever yet the hearts of mortals stirred More lastingly than such are hallowed by But where the Lord has planted grace The benediction of a kindly word. And made His glories known, The fruits of heavenly joy and peace —War Cry Are found, and there alone.

A bleeding Saviour seen by faith, A sense of pardoning love, The Years of Man A hope that triumphs over death The years of man are the looms of God, let Give joys like those above. down from the place of the sun, Wherein we all are weaving, till the mystic To take a glimpse within the veil, web is done, To know that God is mine, Weaving blindly but weaving surely, each Are springs of joy that never fail, for himself his fate; Unspeakable! divine! W e may not see how the right side looks, we can only weave and wait. These are the joys which satisfy But, looking above for the pattern, no And sanctify the mind, weaver hath need to fear; Which make the spirit mount on high, Only let him look clear into heaven— the And leave the world behind. perfect pattern is there. —In Heart and Life. If he keeps the face of the Saviour forever and always in sight, His toil shall be sweeter than honey, and From silken self, O Captain free his weaving is sure to be right. Thy soldier, who would follow thee; And when his task is ended, and the web From subtle love of softening things, is turned and shown, From easy choices, weakenings, He shall hear the voice of the Master; it From all that dims Thy Calvary, shall say to him, “ Well done!” O Lamb of God, deliver me. — A n s o n G. C h e s t e r A m y C a r m ic h a e l May-June 1947 (179) 43 A PREACHING PROGRAM . . Prepared by Rev. John E. Riley

Refined or Destroyed— (2) But there are different capacities in By Fire the saints and there are rewards—hence there must be degrees of blessedness. Cer­ Scripture—I Corinthians 3:9-15. tainly that is the meaning of this scripture. T ext— Every man’s work .... shall be re­ d) This testing of Christian labors has vealed by fire (I Corinthians 3:13). been called “the judgment of the saints.” That may not be the most fortunate term Introduction: to use, but certainly there is something here 1. The occasion of the scripture we are to startle us out of our complacency and to studying today was the appearance of the lure us into “labors more abundant” for partisan spirit in the church at Corinth. Christ. a) This partisan spirit and its consequent “envying and strife, and divisions” were the I. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ. outcroppings of the carnal mind with its- “For other foundation can no man lay than pride and pettiness. that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (I Cor. b) Paul rebukes the people with such 3:11). words as these, “Is Christ divided? Was A. Men have tried by thought and deed Paul crucified for you? or were you baptized to find the way to peace with God and them­ in the name of Paul? .... Who then is Paul, selves. and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom 1. Some have tried to cover their sins by ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every a blanket of omnipresent good nature, by man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but looking at their own sins and those of others God gave the increase.” and saying very magnanimously, “We meant 2. Then Paul proceeds to state for the all right. There is nothing really bad after Corinthians, and for everyone since, the all.” concept of the Christian life. 2. Some have striven by good works to o) We all belong to God. The church is fulfill the law and thus to qualify for saint­ God’s garden, or God’s building. hood. But “by the deeds of the law shall no b) The ministers are but day laborers, flesh be justified.” tilling the soil or constructing the building. 3. Some have tried by purgatorial self­ c) All Christians, in fact, are laborers punishment and sacrifice to atone for their in God’s garden or temple or kingdom. sinfulness. Goethe’s Faust was supposed to (1) The foundation on which we labor have found salvation by sacrificing for a is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the basis on needy people. which we are saved and by whom we trust to enter heaven. 4. Some have thought to explain every­ body into heaven by a theory of “auto­ (2) But we use different materials in matic evolution.” building and shall be rewarded or shall suf­ fer loss according to the kind or quality of B. But salvation can come only through our labors. personal acceptance of the atonement of Jesus Christ. 3. There are some people who seem to feel that there are no degrees or distinctions with 1. Everywhere and at all times real Chris­ God, but there are. tians have cognizance of the fact that Christ a) There are degrees of sin, and one sin­ and He alone has brought them salvation. ner may be better or worse than another (See Titus 3:5.) sinner; though, of course, all sinners are 2. The theory of the Atonement is the lost, and our standards are not the stand­ attempt of Christians to explain just what ards God uses in measuring sinners. Christ did for us. There may be some varia­ b) There are degrees of punishment, tion in theory even among devout Chris­ though the easiest place in hell is infinitely tians. But we know that we would still be and terribly lower than the gates of heaven. in dark condemnation had we not looked “It shall be more tolerable for the land of to Him in faith and found glorious sal­ Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judg­ vation, instantaneously by faith. ment, than for that city” (Matthew 10:15). II. But salvation, in the usual sense of c) There are also degrees of bliss being saved and sanctified wholly, is only (1) We are saved by faith and through the groundwork, the foundation of eternal the merits of the shed blood of Jesus. We life and perfected character. are either saved or lost and, if we get to A. The ultimate purpose of our salva­ heaven, we shall find it more wonderful tion is that we shall grow eternally. Even than anything we could have dreamed when we have been glorified, we have just about. begun. 44 (180) The Preacher's Magazine “That in the dispensation of the fullness a) Absolute revelation—there is nothing of times he might gather together in one hid which shall not be revealed. Brighter all things in Christ” (Eph. 1:10). than X ray or the flare of an atomic ex­ “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, plosion, the fire of that day will reveal and of the knowledge of the Son of God, every secret motive. unto a perfect man, unto the measure of b) Perfect truth. There will be no false the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph. standards then. 4:13). c) The holiness of God—a burning, blaz­ ing thing in that day, it will consume all but B. In this sense initial salvation merely agape, perfect love. sets us up in business. Both the parable of d) The love of Christ—possibly the hot­ the pounds and the parable of the talents test blaze of that testing day for the Chris­ teach us this. tian. 1. When we have been saved we must be­ 2. The Scripture reveals the results of gin immediately to capitalize on our re­ that fire test. sources. “We must be good stewards of a) Certainly anyone not on the founda­ the manifold grace of God.” tion, i.e., not saved by faith, will be lost. 2. We must develop our own character b) One class will be saved “yet so as by and personality and talents—“that we may fire,” i.e., their works shall be destroyed. be to the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:12). (1) Because they were superficial. 3. We must labor to build up God’s build­ (2) Because they were careless and ing, i.e., His church—this is our contribution shoddy. to the accomplishment of God’s will on (3) Because they were based on inferior earth. In a qualified sense, this is our work, motives. Perhaps all of us should trem­ while the salvation of our souls is God’s ble, not lest all our works be consumed, work. In the sense of this scripture—we but lest some of them be consumed. are given the foundation; it is already laid c) Those whose works have been gold, for us, but we must erect the building our­ silver, or precious stones, shall be saved and selves and we have the choice of materials. shall be rewarded. III. We and/or our works are to be tested Conclusion: with fire. “Let every man take heed how he build- A. There are many different kinds of eth thereupon.” tests for materials, for finished products, for intelligence, for personality quotient, etc. 1. One of the newest involves the use of A Finished Work polarized light to show strain patterns. With his bare hands a man can take a heavy piece S c r ip t u r e —Hebrews 10:1-14. of steel and press upon it with enough force T e x t — I have finished the work which thou to strain it. To be sure the naked eye gavest me to do (John 17:4). would never see the strain, but polarized Introduction: light shows the pattern of strain in the 1. There is a divine finality about the steel very clearly. Bible that is always assuring to the human 2. There are water tests, acid tests, road heart, especially in days like these. tests, striking tests, dropping tests, musical a) There is a great uncertainty about tests, etc. things in general—economics, social trends, B. Paul here speaks of the fire test. international affairs. 1. Gold and silver are separated from b) The tragedy is that too often there is other substances by fire. uncertainty about religion as well. 2. Character, too, must undergo the fire (1) It is not always a mark of intelligence. test. (a) Sometimes, of course, it is the part C. We must all undergo the fire test of of wisdom to say, “I do not know”—in re­ life. gard to fancies, mysteries, and incidentals. (b) But there are great fundamentals 1. The fires of temptation. concerning which it is folly to say, “I do not 2. The fires of trial—discouragement, know.” disappointment, bereavement, misunder­ (2) It may rather be a mark of standing, opposition, and ridicule, etc. (a) Spiritual blindness. 3. The fires of temporal loss of health, of (b) Or unwillingness to take God’s Word possessions, etc. and God’s way. 4. There is no fleeing the testing fires of Says Homrighausen in Choose Ye This life, for the very fleeing reveals the flaws in Day: “It has become fashionable to reserve our characters even before we get into the judgment. It is not intellectually respect­ fire. able to take a stand. To do so is to become D. We must all undergo the fire test of fanatic, to give up the scientific approach “the day” of which Paul speaks, i.e., the which always involves a tentative attitude.” judgment day. It is not punitive fire. It is All this results in spiritual ignorance and testing fire and all Christians must under­ moral indifferentism. go it. c) But the Bible has a positive finality 1. The elements of that fire will be: that gives a glorious sense of assurance. Moy-Iuno 1947 (181) 45 (1) The fickleness and folly of sin are of eternal salvation” (Heb. 5:9). “This he seen just as clearly in the Bible as they are did once, when he offered up himself” (Heb. anywhere else. 7:27). (2) But they are seen against the back­ See the picture here of the long line of ground of the eternal purposes of an un­ sacrifices from Abel’s lamb down through changing Sovereign God. endless Jewish sacrifices. Then, when Christ How different the experience of listening died, all of that was finished—atonement for to a preacher who does not know and then all sin, past, present, and future, was com ­ listening to one with a “Thus saith the pleted. Oh, glorious thought! Lord.” “By his own blood he entered in once into 2. This very quality of finality is worthy the holy place, having obtained eternal re­ of our careful examination. I think that no demption for us” (Heb. 9:12). “But now place is it seen better than in the Book of o?ice in the end of the world hath he ap­ Hebrews. Here, then, let us study what we peared to put away sin by the sacrifice of mean by “a finished work.” himself .... Christ was once offered to I. There is a sense in which the work of bear the sins of many” (Heb. 9:26, 28). God is finished. “I have finished the work Compare this emphatic “once” with the which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4). “continually” of chapter 10:1. “Once for A. The work of creation is finished. “Al­ all,” “one sacrifice,” and “one offering” (Heb. 10:10, 12, 14). “Jesus the author and finish­ though the works were finished from the er of our faith .... is set down” (Heb. 12: foundation of the world” (Heb. 4:3). 2). All of this language suggests finality. 1. This is not to espouse a crude me­ 2. The rest of Scripture and certainly our chanical view of matter or reality, for we own church Manual confirm this truth. believe that reality is dynamic and de­ “We believe that Jesus Christ .... made pendent upon God for existence. The fur­ a full atonement for all human sin.” ther scientific understanding of atomic structure proceeds, the closer we get to the Oh, glorious thought that Jesus died comprehension of a dynamic, God-depend- once for all for us and that one offering is ent universe. suffcient for the sins of the whole race! 2. But it is to say that God made the uni­ II. But the glorious provisions of that verse and that He made it wonderful and “once for all” atonement are not made ac­ complete beyond our wildest imagination. tual in the lives of all men. The atonement All of our vaunted advances in discovery is finished provisionally, but not actually and invention are simply finding out what in application. God has long since made. A. To begin with those not yet bom into B. The work of revelation is finished. the world cannot actually be born again until they are actually living free moral 1. This is not to say that God does not agents. There is a logical inconsistency here reveal himself today, for He does and will for those who talk of the finished work of continue to do so. the Cross in such a way as to deny the dif­ a) In nature. ference between “provision” and “applica­ b) In the hearts of His children. tion.” His blessings are new every morning and There is so much preaching of “the fin­ fresh every night and the Spirit gives us ished work of the Cross” among eternal flashes of insight that are like a vision of security people that is illogical and unreal. heaven. It is perhaps an overzealous effort to mag­ 2. But Jesus is the climax of God’s nify the Lord’s part in salvation and mini­ revelation and the Bible sets the bounds of mize man’s part. revelation. “Hath spoken unto us by his son” (Heb. 1:2). The evolutionist, to be We believe the blood which was “shed” consistent, must believe that eventually provisionally must be “applied” in actual there will appear a man that is greater and personal salvation. It may. be true that more perfect than Christ. The fanatic is some people have underemphasized the quite certain that God has spoken to him finality and completeness of the provision for in a vision and committed to him more ad­ sin, but we must not go to the opposite ex­ vanced truth than the Bible gives. Both treme and deny man’s part in accepting sal­ are contrary to the Christian position. vation. C. But most significantly the work of B. There are conditions for receiving the atonement or redemption is finished. benefits of the glorious finished work of 1. The Book of Hebrews confirms or af­ Christ. The Bible explicitly states the con­ ditions for receiving salvation. firms this truth. “When he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right 1. Repentance. “Except ye repent, ye shall hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:3). all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). That is “He left nothing that is not put under him true even though Christ did die for us. . . . . that he by the grace"of God should There must be a godly sorrow for sin, a taste death for every man” (Heb. 2:8-9). forsaking of sin, and willingness to make “That through death he might destroy him restitution. that had the power of death, that is, the 2. Faith. “Believe on the Lord Jesus devil” (Heb. 2:14). “He became the author Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16: 46 (182) The Preacher's Magazine 31). “For by grace are ye saved through Faith of Our Mothers faith” (Eph. 2:9). (Mother’s Day Sermon) 3. Confession or witnessing. “That if thou S c r ip t u r e — I Samuel 1. shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, T e x t —And Hannah prayed, and said, M y and shalt believe in thine heart that God heart rejoiceth in the Lord (I Samuel 2:1). hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt Introduction: be saved” (Romans 10:9). 1. One of the greatest institutions in the 4. Complete consecration of self, and world is the home. faith also, of course, is the condition for re­ a) Because in the home the stream of ceiving the mighty cleansing baptism with heredity begins, and heredity is one of the the Holy Ghost. “I beseech you therefore, determining factors in life. brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye b) Because the home offers the greater present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, part of environmental training for the first acceptable unto God, which is your reason­ twenty years of a person’s life. able service” (Romans 12:1). (See Hebrews c) Because most of the habits of life are 13:12, 13.) formed during the home years. (1) Personal habits C. The great and unavoidable condition (2) Concepts and ideals of faithfulness to the end is imposed upon (3) Likes, dislikes, and ambitions us if we would keep the benefits of this fin­ d) Because about the time one leaves ished work. That salvation can be kept or the parental home one usually establishes lost is very evident here in Hebrews. “There­ a home of one’s own and begins passing in­ fore we ought to give the more earnest heed fluences on to the next generation. to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip” (Heb. e) Tell me what the homes are like and I will tell you what the nation is like and 2:1). “Lest there be in any of you an evil what its future is likely to be. heart of unbelief, in departing from the 2. The most significant factor in the home living God” (Heb. 3:12). “For we are made is the mother. partakers of Christ, if we hold the be­ a) There are many other factors, of ginning of our confidence unto the end” course, which make for a better or poorer (Heb. 3:14). “Let us labor .... lest any home. man fall after the same example of unbe­ (1) The father lief” (Heb. 4:1, 11). See Hebrews 10:23, 38, (2) The location and neighbors 39; 12:15, etc., etc. (3) The income D. Furthermore, we know that the pro­ (4) The schools visionally finished work of Christ could not (5) The laws and customs of the com­ possibly be actually finished in us as long munity as we are yet unglorified. b) But with everything favorable and “He which hath begun a good work in the mother worthless the home is about you will perform it until the day of Jesus ruined, and with everything unfavorable Christ” (Phil 1:6). (Weymouth: “will go and the mother a strong noble intelligent on to perfect it in preparation for the Day Christian the home still has a good chance. of Jesus Christ.”) “Waiting for the adop­ 3. The “faith of our mothers” has had tion, to wit, the redemption of our body” quite as much to do with our salvation and (Rom. 8:23). the preservation of the church as the “faith of our fathers” has. Mother’s faith is less 1. In the life and death of Jesus theological, but more practical; less dog­ a) All sin was atoned for matic, more patient; less self-centered, more in the interests of others. b) All the benefits of God’s loving pur­ 4. Let us look at the faith of one famous pose were provided for. mother of sacred history—Hannah. 2. Thank God that as we meet conditions I. See Hannah, the woman, for you can­ we may be saved, sanctified, and kept vic­ not consider her faith apart from her char­ torious. acter. A. She was happily married—she and her 3. But there is yet more for us in that husband loved each other dearly. provision 1. Marriage is not essential to happiness, a) A new abode—heaven. for one may live and die happily alone, though that is the exception that proves the b) A new body “like unto his own glori­ general rule. ous body.” 2. But harmony and love are absolutely c) A new life in new surroundings. essential to marriage and home and to any enduring civilization. Conclusion: B. But there were some difficulties in her “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed life. about with so great a cloud of witnesses, 1. She was married to a priest—and, as .... let us run with patience the race that wonderful as it sometimes can be, being is set before us, looking unto Jesus” (Heb. married to a preacher can be far from an 12:1, 2 ). enviable lot. May-Juns 1947 (183) 47 2. What is more, the priest had another bridge club or some civic improvement wife—despite certain groups to the contrary, organization. monogamy is the only happy, normal, right C. Hannah believed in children’s loving relationship. and respecting their parents. 3. Added to that was the fact that the 1. Not much is said about this point but otlier wife was mean, a woman with a nag­ from little Samuel’s prompt response to what ging disposition, a sly cutting tongue. he thought was old Eli’s call and to the 4. Added to that was the fact that she had voice of the Lord with his, “Speak, Lord, children, while Hannah was barren—an af­ for thy servant heareth,” it may well be in­ fliction to any Jewish wife. ferred that Hannah trained him in obedi­ C. Here was the making of a storm of ence and respect. trouble. Right here is a point at which any preach­ 1. Widespread conditions like that have er might well take some time to speak con­ ruined nations structively to himself and to his people. 2. And could have easily wrecked this This is the most apparent point from which home. “juvenile delinquency” springs. II. But Hannah had faith, a faith that 2. Samuel retained his obedience to God carried her through and lifted her to a high and his unimpeachable honesty until his pinnacle among the great women of all death. In his old age at the coronation of Saul he challenged the people to lay any time. charge' against him. A. She believed in the sacredness of the D. Hannah believed in a just and loving home— God (see chapter 2 particularly). 1. That marriage was a lifelong part. 1. This was more than a cold theoretical Just last evening four young people came faith. to the parsonage, one of the couples to be a) She loved God. married and the other two as witnesses. b) She rejoiced in God. Upon carrying on a little conversation to 2. She believed in the sovereignty of God get acquainted with them so that I might —“There is none beside thee.” marry them conscientiously and with some a) The power of man is as nothing. personal interest, I discovered that there b) God sets up and puts down as He was a divorce situation. When I explained pleases. that I was sorry but that I could not marry c) He is Creator. them, one of the young men said, “What d) He is Providence. difference does that make? If a man gets e) He is the All-Wise. tired of living with a woman why shouldn’t 3. She believed in the goodness of God. he get a divorce and marry someone else?” a) He is holy and righteous. I answered him by explaining the Chris­ b) He is the rock of protection to His tian idea of marriage as a lifelong union children. and one not to be broken casually by c) He will keep the feet of His saints. divorce. I had no sooner finished than the d) He will exalt the horn of His anointed. girl who was asking to be married added e) He hears the prayers of His children. a further word in defense of the perman­ (1) He gave Hannah a child. ence of marriage. “I am a Catholic,” said (2) He controls the destinies of men like she, “and even though I am going to marry a father. this divorced man, I believe my church is III. The “faith of our mothers” and noth­ right in frowning upon divorce.” ing less will save the world today. 2. That difficulties and heartaches were A. Will serve as a leavening influence in to be borne with patience in a loyal effort the whole wide world, upholding: to hold the home together, Hannah did not 1. The sacredness of marriage. believe that petty quarrels or incompatibil­ 2. Parenthood as a divine trust. ity were to be a reason for divorce. 3. Faith in God as a just and loving Re­ B. Hannah believed in the divine bless­ deemer and Ruler. ing upon parenthood—she prayed earnestly B. This faith will preserve our own for a child. homes. 1. Not that every child born into the Conclusion: world is prayed for nor that God’s blessing If each mother and father would pray rests upon eyery union of man and woman. Whittier’s prayer, homes and nations would 2. But that, rightly viewed, parenthood be different. a) Is in obedience to the divine will O Thou whose gracious presence blest b) Shares with God in the creation of The home at Bethany, the world This shelter from the world’s unrest, c) At its best is the richest expression of This home made ready for its Guest, mankind and the greatest gift to the future. W e dedicate to Thee. 3. See how God blessed Hannah and what a great man her son became. W e build an altar here and pray 4. See how the home is threatened today: That Thou wilt show Thy face. with decreasing birth rate, much of it pure­ Dear Lord, if Thou wilt come to stay, ly blind and selfish; with children relegated This home we consecrate today to the maid while mother gads off to the Will be a holy place. <8 (184) The Preacher's Maqcntoe The C’anaunile B. Israel never lost her hope of a king. What despair she had been in and still was, in the House of the Lord and yet in an optimistic note Zechariah cries S c r ip tu r e —Luke 1:67-79. out, “Behold thy King cometh unto thee!” T e x t —And in that day there shall be no C. The spiritual Israel of God has never more the Canaanite in th e house of the lost her hope of her King. She has known Lord of hosts (Zechariah 14:21). oppression, opposition, and exile. She has known the mandates of kings, the lions’ Introduction: dens, the fiery furnaces, etc. She is doing 1. The longing of the Jews for a home­ her best now under handicap to build the land free from strangers and oppressors walls of Jerusalem, to do His will on earth has persisted through the centuries. The as it is done in heaven. But she has a present conflict in Palestine between the great hope—her King cometh—“and his Jews, the Arabs, and the English calls that dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from afresh to our minds. (Joel 3:17; Isa. 35:8.) the river even to the ends of the earth.” a) From the time that Abraham left Ur / of the Chaldees for the promised land, the II. But the vision that Zechariah had of children of Israel have had their eyes on Israel’s coming king was marred by the Crucifixion, chap. 12:20. (See chap. 13:7; their inheritance. John 19:37; Matt. 26:21.) “And they shall (1) We see Abraham going after the five kings who had captured Lot. look upon me whom they have pierced, and (2) We see Isaac having trouble over they shall mourn for him.” “Smite the the wells. shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.” (3) We see Jacob taking his family to A. Zechariah was under no such delusion Egypt. as the Jews of Jesus’ time were. They (4) Approximately 400 years later we see looked for a temporal kingdom and be­ the Israelites, now a great nation, strug­ lieved that Jesus would carry His power gling to drive out the Canaanitish tribes. to a grand climax. But the prophet saw (5) We see that for about 800 years under deeper. As he looked down across the cen­ judges and kings they have war and oc­ turies he saw on the horizon of Palm Sun­ casional peace because they did not destroy day the gathering clouds of hatred, pre­ the Canaanites when they returned from judice, blindness, and materialism. Egypt. B. The crucifixion of Christ seemed to (6) We see them spend 70 years of cap­ be the blasting of Israel’s hopes for a ma­ tivity in Babylon with the Temple and the terial king. And it was, but it was also the city destroyed. way for a spiritual king and a spiritual king­ (7) Now after their return we hear the dom. And after all, the only way for God prophet Zechariah telling of a great day to to do anything for us is to destroy what w e come when the Canaanite shall no more be have so that we may turn to Him. Our found in the house of the Lord. idols, our ambitions, our pride must be de­ b) If we remember that the Canaanite is stroyed. It was not until the Jews sank to a type of sin or uncleanness, we can see the depths of despair about a temporal that there is a message here for us. kingdom that there began to open upon their 2. Let us first refresh our minds on the eyes the vision splendid of the kingdom of prophecy of Zechariah. the God in the hearts of men. We must a) First part—chaps. 1-6. Giving en­ have a funeral for the “old man” before w e couragement to the Israelites under Zerub- will truly live unto Christ. babel as they were rebuilding the Temple. III. The next thing that Zechariah saw b) Second part—chaps. 7 and 8. Teaching was the destruction of Jerusalem, chap. 14:2. concerning fasts, righteous dealings, etc. There was a dual result of the Jewish re­ c) Third part—chaps. 9-14. Prophecy jection and crucifixion of Christ. concerning the coming of Christ and His A. The destruction of Jerusalem by Titus kingdom. in 70 a.d. The Romans sacked the city a n d It is in this latter part of Zechariah’s mes­ slaughtered the people. The Jews have b e e n sage that we wish to find something of help wanderers on the face of the earth e v e r today. since. I. The first glimpse that Zechariah gives B. The second result, even more tragic us is that of the triumphal entry—chap. than the first, is the spiritual loss of the 9:9. (See Matt. 2:5.) Jews. Israel was cast off from the tree and “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; the Gentile world as the wild olive branch shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold thy has been grafted in (Rom. 11:17). King cometh unto thee.” There was a baby born in Judea one day, A. He does not prophesy of the birth of in the humblest of surroundings, because Christ, of the star in the east, of the child­ there was no room in the inn. He was sub­ hood of Jesus. He takes us immediately jected to many humiliations and to bitter to the height of Jesus’ popularity, to the hatred, and finally He was murdered. But climax of His career—the unbounded ac­ now after 1900 years some of the Jews are clamation of the people as He entered Jeru­ beginning to realize that the baby they left salem on Palm Sunday. on the doorstep of the rest of the world was May-June 1947 (185) 49 a child of royal birth. They have ever since (2) Because there is always expectation. been treated as they treated Him, while He We speak of hoping against hope. The only has become the most potent figure in all alternative of hope is despair and the human history, He whom the world received from heart turns to despair only in terrible ex­ the Jews. tremities. IV. But Zechariah saw farther than the (3) Because of the uncertainty of life. crucifixion of Jesus and the destruction of No matter how things may have been there Jerusalem; He saw the spiritual kingdom is always a chance that they may change set up by Jesus Christ in the hearts of men. for the better. Suddenly his eyes are opened and he sees (4) Because there is a feeling deep in all the deeper moral and spiritual meaning of of us that the universe is good. the Cross. b) But all hope is not the same. (1) Hope is found in all of our lives— A. “In that day there shall be a fountain that it will be a fair day tomorrow, that busi­ opened to the house of David and to the in­ ness will pick up, that fortune may smile habitants of Jerusalem for sin and for un­ upon us. cleanness” (chap. 13:1). (2) But there are fundamental differ­ He saw that all of God’s dealings with ences between the hope that actuates a the Israelites were not that He might make a Christian and that moves a sinner. great nation, but that He might save men from sin and set up a kingdom of perfect 2. Let us look at the Christian’s hope. love in their hearts. I. There are three chief distinguishing B. As a result of the cleansing fountain, qualities in the Christian’s hope. Zechariah saw a purified Jerusalem (chap. A. The Christian’s hope has a different 14) and a purified people. object than the world’s hope has. 1. Since in this chapter we have a proph­ ecy of the second coming of Christ it could 1. What is the w orld’s hope? It is hard be that the text and the preceding verses to say in one word, but it is revealed in describe the millenium. every conversation, on the radio, in the lives 2. But, of one thing we are sure—they and activities of people, the busy rush, the describe God’s people, for they are His struggle and strife. House (Eph. 2:19-22, “Ye are .... an holy The world’s hope is for things. Happi­ temple”). God’s people today, then, should ness? Yes, but happiness interpreted large­ well be described by Zechariah’s termin­ ly as the possession of things. ology. 2. What is the Christian’s hope? To say a) “Holiness unto the Lord” should char­ it in one word, it is Jesus. He is the “hope acterize everything we do. of the world” in a different sense from the b) “There shall be no more the Canaan- way in which we have been using that ex­ ite in the house of the Lord of hosts.” We pression. In Acts 28:20 Paul says, “For the should have a glorious freedom from the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.” “old man” of sin. a) It was the hope of Israel that Messiah Conclusion: would come. 1. The Canaanite is a type of sin and un­ b) It is the hope of the Christian that He cleanness, a type of the carnal mind. will come again. 2. Zechariah’s vision was of a people c) It is the hope of the Christian that sal­ washed in Jesus’ blood and delivered from vation will be completed. sin. He saw the vision splendid of a “glori­ (1) Salvation is completed now in the ous church, without spot or wrinkle, washed sense that everyone may be delivered from in the blood of the Lamb.” Oh, my believer the act and the moral taint of sin. friend, that vision may be our real pos- * session today! x (2) But it is not yet complete in the sense that we have reached heaven and that Jesus Christ has put every enemy under The Test of Practicality His feet. This, then, is a spiritual hope, the hope of Applies to Hope heaven and a holy society. S c r ip t u r e —I John 3:1-10. B. The Christian’s hope has a different T e x t —And every man that hath this hope ground or foundation. in him purifieth himself, even as he is 1. The w orld’s hope is founded on: pure (I John 3:3). a) Continuation of life—when death Introduction: comes all hope terminates. “While there is 1. Hope is defined as “desire accompanied life there is hope,” says the world. The by expectation” (Funk and Wagnall’s Dic­ Christian’s hope lives on after death. (Prov. tionary) . 11:7.) a) There is a common saying—“Hope b) The power of self. “My hope will be springs eternal in the human breast.” realized through my own power.” (1) This is true chiefly, I suppose, be­ c) The wisdom of man. cause there is always desire. One cannot 2. The Christian’s hope is founded on: renounce all desire, since it is an attribute a) Eternity of life—spiritual, mental, and physicnl. b) The never-failing Word of God. 50 (186) The Preacher's Magazine “Heaven and earth shall pass away but my a) It strives for the betterment of this word shall never pass away.” present world, an effort which is second c) The character of God. only to (1) His matchless love. b) Soul preparation for the future world. (2) His infinite power. Conclusion: The hope of the wicked shall perish. (Job The most practical force in all the world 8:13; 11:20 and Prov. 11:7.) But the hope is the Christian faith. of the righteous is upon a foundation that can never be moved. God that cannot lie has promised and His power is unlimited. Imputed and Imparted Holiness “I know whom I have believed, and am per­ suaded that he is able to keep that which S c r ip t u r e —Luke 1:67-79. I have committed unto him against that T e x t —That we .... might serve him with­ day” (II Tim. 1:12). out fear, in holiness and righteousness C. The Christian’s hope is different in its before him, all the days of our life (Luke effect. 1:74,75). 1. The world’s hope leads to sin and self­ ishness—to pride and then to despair. The Introduction: world talks of practicality and yet its hope 1. Observe the story behind the text. leads to impracticality, to waste and ruin a) Zacharias, because of his unbelief, has and destruction. been dumb for several months. 2. The Christian’s hope leads to practical­ b) Now at the birth of his son, John the ity, to unselfish effort, to worth-while en­ Baptist, he opens his mouth and praises deavor, enduring investment, to purification God. of self. 2. Observe the thought of the text. II. Everyone who has this Christian hope, a) In the midst of praising the Lord, i.e., the appearance of Jesus Christ and our Zacharias declares that God’s purpose in being made like Him, prepares himself to calling Abraham was to prepare a holy meet God. people. A. Notice that it does not say that every­ b) This is corroborated by other scrip­ one that believes that Jesus is coming again ture. (Eph. 1:4.) purifies himself. Everyone that hopes for “This is the will of God, even your sancti­ Jesus’ coming purifies himself. Hope is “de­ fication” (I Thess. 4:3, 7). sire accompanied by expectation.” “Follow peace with all men, and holiness B. The measure of our love for Jesus without which no man shall see the Lord” Christ is our desire to see Him, and the (Heb. 12:14). measure of our desire to see Him is our “And the very God of peace sanctify you purity of heart. wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit C. The standard of purity is Christ—“as and soul and body be preserved blameless he is pure.” unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” 1. Not in degree (I Thess. 5:23). (See also II Thess. 2:13; II 2. But rather in quality. Tim. 1:9; etc.) D. “Purifies himself” is not salvation by- 3. Observe the differences of opinion in good works or by self-cleansing, but rather regard to this holiness (by which term we the meeting of human conditions so that the mean a state free from moral and spiritual Holy Spirit may perform His gracious office e v il). work of cleansing. a) There are those who are disinter­ ested. III. This Christian hope goes even far­ b) There are those who, though inter­ ther in practicality. It leads one to his ut­ ested, believe that this is something which most endeavor to get others prepared for can be enjoyed only in heaven. They feel the coming of Christ. this way for different reasons. A. It was this desire that moved Paul to (1) Either their concept of Christian holi­ say, “I could wish that myself were ac­ ness is too high; they believe it precludes all cursed from Christ for my brethren, my mistakes and limitations. kinsmen according to the flesh” (Rom. 9:3). (2) Or they minimize the grace of God And also: “I am made all things to all believing that God is unable to deliver us men, that I might by all means save some” from sin in this life. (I Cor. 9:22). (3) Or they believe that we grow into the B. The Christian’s hope is practical in experience and never obtain it until the hour that: and article of death. 1. It wishes and works for good. Evil is c) There are those who believe that destructive. Good is constructive. holiness is a blessing to be enjoyed in this 2. It wishes and works for good to all life. As I see it, there are two classes in men. It is universal, unhindered by racial this group. or class distinctions. (1) There aae those who believe that 3. It wishes and works for each good in while man is never actually free from sin its own place, the highest good first and all in this life, he does have the holiness of else to follow. Christ imputed to him. May-Iune 1947 (187) 51 (2) There are those who believe that man II. But if holiness is only imputed, then can actually and truly have the holiness of it is no longer holiness. God imparted to him so that he actually be­ A. It is revolting to think of the holiness comes holy in motives and disposition. of Christ covering but not curing our sin. It is particularly with these two groups To say that God looks at me through the or two doctrines (imputed holiness and im­ blood of Christ and considers me holy when parted holiness) that we are concerned He knows I am not reflects seriously on today. The harmony and conflict between 1. The moral consistency of God the two need to be called to our attention. 2. The intelligence of God I. There is a measure of truth in the B. Such a position cultivates moral ir­ thought of imputed holiness—this truth, that responsibility. God considers us favorably if we trust in 1. It does not matter what we are Christ. We cannot stand on our own merits 2. Jesus is our holiness. alone. C. It is based upon the assumption that A. We are all sinners, condemned and the righteousness of Christ’s life is the merit­ unholy in the sight of God, but Jesus the orious cause of our salvation—whereas the spotless Lamb of God took our place and Scriptures teach that it is the death of Christ suffered and died that we might be de­ which atones for sin. We “have redemption livered from the guilt and penalty of sin. through his blood.” “Wherefore Jesus also, “He hath made him to be sin for us who that he might sanctify the people with his knew no sin; that we might be made the own blood, suffered outside the gate.” righteousness of God in him” (II Cor. 5: D. It denies probation and free moral 21). agency. 1. We know that Adam sinned and that 1. If I am guilty for Adam’s sin sin and death passed upon the whole race. 2. And freed by Jesus’ righteousness a) Not that all men are personally guilty 3. Then, to say the least, that minimizes for Adam’s sin, though all men would have my own choice and practically denies my been legally liable to penalty if atonement probation. had not been made. b) But that the virus of sin entered the III. God not only imputes holiness in human race so that all men universally are that He grants us favor for Jesus’ sake; He born with “original sin.” also imparts holiness in that He actually makes us holy. 2. We know, in a sense, Jesus was the A. God’s grace is not only the cover for second Adam. We cannot accept either the sin; it is also the cure for sin. absolute imputation of Adam’s sin or of The old illustration of the red cloth look­ Christ’s righteousness, for in either case we ing white when viewed through a red glass would not be free moral agents. But we do is not quite good enough. The Lord or­ know that through the first Adam we are iginally looks at us with mercy because of born sinful; and we also know it is through the blood of Jesus. But then by the power the second Adam and only through Him of the blood He actually makes us white. we find deliverance from sin. We must con­ fess and renounce the first Adam. We must B. Perhaps we might say that imputed confess and claim the merits of the second and imparted holiness are related some­ Adam; there is certainly something of impu­ what as justification and regeneration are. tation in that. 1. We are justified through the blood— a) Jesus offered a sinless life to fulfill but also actually receive new life. all righteousness. 2. So holiness is imputed to us through (1) He fulfilled the ceremonial law. (Matt. the blood—but also actually imparted to us. 3:15.) (2) He fulfilled the moral law. “Who did no sin” (I Pet. 2:22). “Christ .... the end Life from Above of the law for righteousness” (Rom.l0:4). S c r ip t u r e — John 3:1-17. (3) So that He became T e x t —Except a man be born again (from (a) The second Adam obeying God. (b) Our example (I John 2:6; I Peter above), he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). 2 :21 ). (c) Acceptable as our sacrifice, a lamb Introduction: without spot or blemish. 1. All life is from above rather than from b) Jesus offered His life as a sacrifice for beneath. There is not enough below to ex­ our iniquity. “Without the shedding of plain life satisfactorily. blood there is no remission” (Heb. 9:22). a) If you approach life from the base and (See Rev. 1:5.) materialistic point of view you find noth­ (1) He took our place of shame and was ing satisfactory. scorned. b) If you approach life even from the (2) He took my place of guilt and was scientific point of view you do not have an punished. adequate answer. (3) Because He finished the work He has (1) You do not have an adequate cause been exalted to the right hand of the Fa­ for intellect, for personality, for moral qual­ ther. ity. 52 (188) The Preacher’s Magazine (2) You do not have a guarantee of the 1. It cannot be the origin of a new sell. fulfillment of life’s goal. That would be a denial of the continuity of (3) You do not have a satisfactory goal. the self even in sin, and also a denial of the c) Only by looking at life from the point restorative power of grace. (It would imply of view of righteous personality can you that God could do nothing for the old self, find anything— and so He just creates an altogether new (1) To account for the past self.) (2) To give the present meaning 2. It is the origin of a new life in the (3) And to make the future worth living old self. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Some­ for. Life is from above— its origin, its values, thing must happen in your life so transform­ its sustenance, its promise of the future. ing that I can best describe it by the term While forces may well up from below to ‘new birth.’ ” tempt us as individuals and to cause our C. A theological description—the new world to shake with the tidal waves of hate birth has three phases which always occur and violence, that life is from above, and simultaneously and never occur separately. “high things” shall eventually win. 1. Justification—a changed record, some­ 2. Against this general background we thing done for us in the courts of heaven. want to set the specific teaching of the text, We are all familiar with the story of Martin i.e., to this sinful fallen race life from above Luther and the devil’s visit to him. His comes in a crisis experience, conversion or satanic majesty listed all the former monk’s regeneration. sins, and Luther had to acknowledge them all. But then Luther said, “Write across 3. Observe the setting of the text. them all, ‘The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s An older man, a respected member of the Son, cleanseth from all sin.’ ” Jewish Sanhedrin, has sought out a young 2. Regeneration—a changed nature, an wandering Preacher (an upstart some called act of God in us. It is here that our Roman Him). He has heard much about the young­ Catholic friends make one of their most er Man, may actually have heard Him grievous omissions. preach, and his heart has been gripped, as 3. Adoption—a changed relationship. I believe the heart of every man is gripped 4. Perhaps we should mention here also when he takes a look at Jesus, the Son of —Christian assurance or the witness of the God. Spirit. “And because ye are sons, God hath There is something significant in the fact sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your that Nicodemus represents the best of that hearts, crying, Abba, Father” (Gal. 4:6). day in religious education. Yet here he “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our comes seeking help from a young Man spirit, that we are the children of God” whose education from both a secular and (Rom. 8:16). religious angle has veen very meager. It D. A psychological description—it is the indicates to us that spiritual values are divine reorganization of the soul from self- found not so much in the cold syllogisms of centeredness to Christ-centeredness. logic as in the swift intuitive rush of the 1. The psychologists have brought back in soul (that is what we call faith). the old orthodox teaching which theological­ Let us come now to an old-fashioned out­ ly self-conscious preachers have thrown out line. the window. People need some power to I. The necessity of the new birth. This give them release from resentments, fears, and guilt. Says Henry C. Link, “Knowing is revealed in the emphatic words of Jesus, “Ye must,” “Except.” Jesus brushes aside truth does not mean we will do the good. all other theological discussion and polite We need a moral and spiritual power poured into us from God.” avoidance of the older man’s need and says, 2. Medical men, especially in psycho­ “The real issue is a moral and spiritual transformation.” somatic medicine agree that some spiritual change must take place. A. The universality of sin. “For all have 3. Even military men like General Mc­ sinned and come short of the glory of God” Arthur call for “spiritual recrudescence.” (Rom. 3:23). “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own III. Prerequisite of the new birth way; and the Lord hath laid on him the in­ A. Repentance. iquity of us all” (Isaiah 53). B. Faith. B. Spiritual death because of sin. Why must men be born? Because they are dead. The Double Standard The sinful state is a state of disintegration, disease, and death. New life must be im­ S c r ip t u r e —I Peter 1:13-25. parted that we may be raised in newness of T e x t s —Be ye therefore perfect, even as life. your Father which is in heaven is perfect II. The nature of the new birth. (Matthew 5:48). A. We need hardly be reminded that this “Be ye holy; for I am holy (I Peter 1:16). is a spiritual not a physical birth. Introduction: B. We need hardly be reminded that “the 1. I do not believe in “double standards” new birth” is a metaphor. in the ordinary sense of the term. They May-June 1947 (189) S3 are usually dangerous and morally detri­ were rather repulsive and I have smelled mental. old pipes that would nearly knock a man a) Double standards in one’s life are cold. But all users of tobacco are not filthy; contradictory. in fact some of them are less filthy than (-1) Different standards for weekdays and some non-users. Sundays. Certainly there are some things I have heard lodge membership spoken one can do during the week which one would of as “immoral” by people who spoke in not wish to do on Sunday; such things, for hushed tones of the terrible things that go example, as picnicking, unnecessary labor, on in secret societies. If I know the stand­ etc. But to have two different moral stand­ ards of the Church of the Nazarene we are ards means hypocrisy. One of the greatest not against lodges because they are immoral; drawbacks to the church has been the in­ our objection is a matter of loyalty—we are consistency between Sunday profession and citizens of heaven and the lodge demands a weekday practice. worldly loyalty and runs contrary to our supreme devotion to God. (2) For home and church—pious and (2) Enable us to cultivate our spiritual courteous in church; disagreeable, selfish, life fnore effectively. discourteous, and loose-talking at home. 3. With this in mind let us again remind (3) For home and work. There is noth­ ourselves that ing that preys upon one’s peace and poise I. Perfection or holiness is the standard. like duality in one’s life. Nothing so dis­ There is no question about that—be perfect, tresses young people as being held to cer­ be holy. tain standards at home and professing them while at school or elsewhere they embrace A. “As God” different standards. 1. Not as to degree (God is absolute) The poor minister who smokes secretly is 2. But as to kind (motive perfection or a pathetic and cowardly creature; he ought perfect love). Not perfect in thought, word, to quit smoking or else come out in the open. deed, or even mood, but pure in motive. One b) Double standards in a group are de­ man has defined the New Testament word, structive of morale and of common good. agape (love) as “nothing sentimental or primarily emotional at all; it means under­ (1) The Roman Catholic church is a case standing, redeeming, creative good will.” in point in that it has a different standard for priest and people. Perhaps the reason B. There is no place here for sinful for this is the teaching that the flesh is sin­ thoughts, feelings, or actions. It may seem ful. Since the race must be propagated, let a high standard, but there it is. the people marry, but only for the purpose 1. How about your thoughts? of propagation. And let the priests keep 2. How about your feelings? holy by celibacy. 3. How about your deeds? (2) There are two opposite results of C. This perfection must be found in God's this. way, not in man’s. Colossians 1:28 tells us (a) The standard is too strict and un­ that we are to be “perfect in Christ.” Colos­ natural for many priests, with the result sians 4:12 tells us of the prayer that “ye that there are serious moral breakdowns. may stand perfect and complete in all the (b) The people submit to a moral leth­ will of God.” The God who demands per­ argy, feeling that the priests will be holy fection provides the way by which we may enough for themselves and the people, too. attain it. “By the which will we are sancti­ fied through the offering of the body of Jesus 2. But I have been thinking about a cer­ Christ once for all” (Heb. 10:10). tain double standard or, perhaps better, about two phases of the single standard for D. But someone says, “How shall I know human life. what to do and how to go?” There are o) The standard is Christian perfection several agents by which we may know, and or holiness. these should harmonize. b) The two phases are moral and re­ 1. The Bible ligious. 2. The Holy Spirit To be sure this is a practical distinction, 3. Moral judgment not an absolute distinction. I would like to 4. The preaching and teaching of God’s make it primarily for emphasis. We are people not only to ask ourselves concerning courses II. There is a moral phase of this stand­ of action, “Is it wrong or immoral?” but ard. “Be ye therefore perfect.” For the also to ask ourselves, “Is it irreligious? purpose of this sermon I would like to give Does it threaten my spiritual life?” “perfect” a moral tone. c) My purpose in this distinction might A. I am not using “moral” and “im­ further be clarified by saying that it might moral” in the narrow sense of the terms, but (1) Keep us from using false or super­ rather in the wide sense as referring to all ficial arguments against practices we do right and wrong. A man is immoral if he not believe in. For example, I think it is steals. hardly the wisest thing to attack the to­ B. God’s standard of morality includes all bacco habit on the basis that it is “filthy” of man’s standards. or “nasty.” I have seen tobacco chewers that 1. Honesty 54 (190) The Preacher's Magazine 2. Uprightness by xitual and ceremonies and by keeping a 3. Purity holy place into which no one but the priest 4. Courtesy could go. 5. Regard for the good of others (2) Now, while we have churches and C. But it goes far beyond man’s moral altars especially dedicated to God, the deep­ standards. er meaning for us is to set ourselves apart, 1. It demands rightness of motive as well to give ourselves to God and to reserve for as of deed. Man says, “Do not murder, but Him the highest place in our lives, the place you have a perfect right to hate an enemy.” of worship and reverence. The New Testament says, “Whosoever hat- b) This means then that not only must I eth his brother is a murderer.” be morally perfect; not only must I main­ tain righteous motives—I must also main­ 2. It is also much more exact in measur­ tain a supreme personal loyalty to God; I ing the moral qualities of actions. The Bible must be religious; I must have a sacred, Christian has moral reasons for refraining supreme place in my heart and affections for from dancing, card playing, tobacco using, God; I must remember the first and great cocktail drinking, and attendance at the commandment, “Thou shalt love the Lord moving picture theaters. The fact that we thy God with all thine heart.” are Christians does not give us any license Moral, right, pure, good—yes! But also in morals; rather, it demands even more of religious, reverent, prayerful, worshipful, us morally. God help us to have and keep pious, devout, loving God and living in His a high moral tone! presence. III. But there is another phase of this Conclusion: standard, i.e., the religious or spiritual. 1. Such a dual emphasis upon the standard A. In the Scriptures “holy” has the mean­ for the Christian almost frightens me, and ing not so much of righteous as of sacred, it certainly offends the lazy worldly Chris­ set apart for God, divine, awesome. tian. 1. There are a number of scriptures which 2. But when I remember that the second seem to indicate this. Isa. 6:3 and Rev. 4:8 emphasis on the “holy” provides the dynamic (“holy, holy, holy”). The vision here seems for the first emphasis on the “perfect.” My to be not only of a righteous, good being, but loving relationship to my sacred Lord pro­ also (perhaps even primarily) of a great, vides me with the moral dynamic to be divine, perfect, awesome Being—smoke filled righteous. the temple, the posts of the temple were Praise the Lord! Loving Him makes it a moved, and the whole earth was full of delight to do His will. “I delight to do thy His glory. “Put difference between holy and will.” unholy” (Lev. 10:10). The priests put no difference between the “holy and profane” (Ezek. 22:26). The Price, the Prize, 2. In the early part of the Old Testament and the Prospect “holiness” (“sacredness”) was thought of S c r ip t u r e —Hebrews 12:1-15. chiefly in connection with places and ritual. T e x t —Follow peace with all men, and holi­ It was largely external and ceremonial. ness, without which no man shall see the a) The court was holy—to be used only Lord (Hebrews 12:14). by Jews. b) The tabernacle was holy—the holy Introduction: place was only for the priests; the holy of 1. There are two shadows in this chap­ holies was only for the high priests, and ter that give background and relief to the then only once a year and with the utmost text. precautions. (Exodus 28:33.) The shew- a) In the first several verses, after an bread, incense, anointing oil, and fire were exhortation for the race, we find a warning holy in the sense that they were dedicated against discouragement. Verses 3 through to the Lord. All of this is not moral in 13 offer encouragement to those who evi­ meaning; it is rather religious or sacred. dently were getting weary and discouraged— c) Disregard for sacredness was a ser­ “lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” ious thing. (1) Consider Christ—“looking unto Je­ Uzza putting out his hand to steady the sus.” ark was smitten dead. (I Chron. 13:9, 10). (2) Consider His promises. Nadab and Abihu were slain because they (3) Consider His paternal love. offered strange fire before the Lord. (Lev. (4) Consider those who follow after you, 10:1 and Exod. 30:9.) “and make straight paths for your feet, lest d) The Lord in these vivid ways was that which is lame be turned out of the trying to teach the people the lesson of way.” Not only “straight,” but also “even” reverence for His exalted deity. (marginal translation); not up and down 3. In the New Testament “holiness” has because of discouragement. Discouragement to do more with the heart, the motives. and wavering are contagious. a) We are told in I Pet. 3:15, “But sancti­ b) The second shadow that looms in the fy the Lord God in your hearts.” background here is the danger of backslid­ (1) In the Old Testament this was done ing—“looking diligently lest any man fail May-June 1947 (191) 55 of (marginal—"fall from”) the grace of A. If we think of price as being the God; lest any root of bitterness springing up equivalent in value, then we can never pay trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” the price of this experience of heart holi­ Certainly the believer is beset by these ness. (In these days, of course, we are two dangers more than any other—discour­ even accustomed to paying far more for agement and carnal disturbance. This is just things than they are worth.) the position some of us in this congrega­ 1. You may say, “Why urge upon us tion are in this morning. Troubles pile up something that we cannot acquire?” We against us on every hand; the ordinary bat­ can acquire it, though we cannot pay the tles of life, the persecutions of the righteous full price for it. (“all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall 2. For the real price for “holiness” was suffer persecution”), and the chastisements the atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ. of the Lord make us to be weary and faint “Ye are bought with a price” (I Cor. 6:20). in our minds. And all the time these things “Ye know that ye were not redeemed with are pressing us from without, there is corruptible things, as silver and gold, froih trouble on the inside—mutiny, rebellion, your vain conversations received by tradi­ fear, anger, bitterness, and all the rest of the tion from your fathers; but with the precious carnal dispositions. blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I Pet. 1:18, 19). “Where­ 2. Here in the text is a sure cure for the fore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the unsanctified believer’s propensity to dis­ people with his own blood, suffered without couragement and to carnal feelings. the gate” (Heb. 13:12). a) Will it bring to a close the bombard­ Let us remember, in seeking this blessing, ment of trouble, tribulation, and discipline? that we can never pay the price as the full Oh, no! But it will provide an inward grace value of it. Just because we have been to to throw them off and make them your the altar or have done this or that, it does friends. “Nay, in all these things we are not mean that we deserve the blessing— more than conquerors through him that never. It is the gift of God! loved us” (Rom. 8:37). It is one thing to conquer an enemy and leave him dead on B. But sometimes we can buy things “be­ the field; it is another to vanquish him and low cost.” Sometimes “price” means, not then make him fight for you. the value of an article, but the amount at which it is offered. “Terrible as an army with banners” is an expression that calls to mind the custom of 1. Holiness of heart is so precious an ex­ the Roman army to carry the banners of perience that we could never afford to buy conquered foes. it. I think that is what Isaiah 55:1 means— “buy wine and milk without money and My love of the sea calls to mind the picture without price.” of a sturdy little seaworthy craft fighting with ocean waves. Threatened by tower­ 2. But while we could never buy it, we ing walls of water as she plunges down into can meet certain conditions upon which it the dark green trough, she shakes her bow is “given” to us. When we talk of “paying throwing the water off and still rides on the price” let us remember that God has top—more than conqueror. put the “price” of this inestimable treasure so low that we can reach it, so low that in b) Will it remove all the tantalizing, try­ reality it becomes a gift. ing, nerve-wracking things so that life will C. The price, while low as far as value be all sweet and calm? Oh, no! But it will immunize us; that bent or twist or carnal received is concerned, is nevertheless ter­ reaction that would spring up and cause ribly high, for it demands absolutely all we have and are. trouble is gone. Just as there are injections which will immunize man or animals against 1. It means that we surrender all to God certain diseases, so, too, the Lord can im­ and become absolutely bankrupt. We are munize us against sin. He will cause us to so totally in debt to the Lord that we are undergo the burning fever of old-fashioned no longer in business for ourselves. conviction for carnality. Our heart is 2. It means death, crucifixion, or de­ wracked with pain: our pride—how it suf­ struction. fers; our anger, our self-will—how we suf­ a) Not the death of self, for that would fer when dying out to self as king. But be obliteration and the Lord has made us then by the fiery baptism the “old man” dies immortal and carnal stirrings are gone. If the doc­ b) But death to self. “Yet not I, but tors are happy when they make a discovery, Christ liveth in me.” Christ, not self, is now then how ought we to rejoice that we have the center. found an antitoxin for sin. “This is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye (1) A painful separation from, but final should abstain from fornication” [that is, unresponsiveness to, the old life. from sin] (I Thess. 4:3). The dearest thing anyone has is “self.” But now we are released from self-centered- 3. Let us fix the truth of the text upon ness. The old story of the dead monk il­ three words: price, prize, and prospect. lustrates the point pretty well. The Abbot I. The price—“follow.” said to the monks who were about to bury 56 (192) The Preacher's Magazine a brother, “Praise him.” There was no re­ phones on Dr. Williams and he smiled for sponse. “Villify him.” There was no re­ now he heard beautiful music coming in sponse. over the air. The world does not under­ (2) An aliveness to the new life, to stand why we sing and shout and pray— Christ as Lord, as emperor, as dictator. but we know that we “hear” and “see.” II. The prize—“holiness” (“the sanctifi­ B. But someday we shall see Him with a cation”—m argin), vision unspoiled by 1. It is sometimes called “ rest.” “There 1. The results of the Fall which remain remaineth therefore a rest to the people of even in the saint God” (Heb. 4:9). a) An impaired mind (when he fell, he a) When w e remember that the wicked fell on his head). are like the troubled sea, that nervous and b) An imperfect body mental disorders are tearing humanity to c) An unbalanced nervous system with pieces—how desirable this rest is. its attendant temperamental quirks. In Dante’s Inferno we find that social 2. The limitations of this psycho-physical sinners are blown here and there by a cease­ relationship in which we are tied, at least less wind, never able to rest. What a pic­ during this probationary period, to a tene­ ture of this lustful, avaricious age. ment of clay. b) This rest or peace is not indolence. It Someday we shall have a “glorified” “spir­ is the possession of adequate resources, a itual” body; what it may be like I am not at rich harmonious integration of the soul. all sure, but I know' it will be better than 2. It is sometimes called “power.” “But this. ye shall receive power after that the Holy 3. The sinful environment which now Ghost is come upon you” (Acts 1:8). surrounds us in "this present evil world.” 3. It is sometimes called “freedom.” “But “For now we see through a glass, darkly; now being made free from sin. and become but then face to face: now I know in part; servants to God, ye have your fruit unto but then shall I know even as also I am holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Rom. known” (I Cor. 13). 6:22). 4. It is sometimes called “purging” or “sanctification.” “And every branch in me The Sensitive Spot that beareth fruit, he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit” (John 15:2). S c r i p t u r e — I Samuel 10:1-9. “Sanctify them through the truth” (John 17:17)-. ' T e x t — And Saul also went home to Gibeah; 5. Sometimes it is understood most and there went with him a band of men, plainly as unspoiled fellowship with God. whose hearts God had touched (I Samuel “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a 10:26). man love me, he will keep my words: and Introduction: my Father will love him, and we will come 1. See Israel’s first king, Saul. unto him and make our abode with him” a) Saul is out on the search for his fa­ (John 14:23). This wonderful prize is all ther’s asses when he meets Samuel this and more. (1) No one can be sure just where he III. The prospect— “shall see the Lord.” will find success. A. We see Him now with a vision un­ (2) But people usually find success w'hile spoiled by they are in the line of duty. 1. The clouds of carnal doubt b) Ythe crucified. (e) Saul is anointed king at Mizpeh 2. See Saul’s companions—“there went We endure “as seeing him who is in­ with him a band of men, whose hearts visible.” God had touched.” Dr. R. T. Williams used to tell of his first a) Man is a social creature. experience of listening to the radio with (1) Men work together. That is the rea­ earphones. A friend invited him to “listen son that most of the people of the world in” on his crystal set. First, the friend live in small villages from which they go tuned in, and as he smiled, frowned, and cut to farm each day. That also is the rea­ chuckled, Dr. Williams thought he must be son we have cities and factories. slightly “touched,” for he himself could hear (2) Men play together. There is real nothing. But then the friend put the ear­ benefit in children learning to play together. May-June 1947 (193) 57 (3) Men worship together. We are urged aware of social evils such as: war, economic “not to forsake the assembling of ourselves injustice, etc. together.” b) But strangely enough this genera­ b) A man is elevated or degraded by his tion that speaks of international morality is company. “A man is known by the com­ pathetically pagan in personal morals. See pany he keeps.” these glaring evils: (1) Man is a sympathetic creature. Like (1) Divorce—the alarming rate of one a pearl he takes life and color from his sur­ in four marriages broken and still getting roundings. It is said that the stronger of worse. two plants or animals will absorb the (2) Drink, tobacco, and drug addiction strength of the weaker. in the U.S.A. 7% billions for liquor last (2) The fact that man has selected a year; half that much for tobacco; billions certain type of company indicates that he is more for other evils. ready to accept its standards. 2. The other aspect of wrongdoing is that c) Some things can be accomplished only it is an offense against God, i.e., it is sin. by a group. The world seems to have forgotten some Jesus left some fishermen to carry on for very fundamental truths. Him. George Washington depended upon a) There is an infinite God of holiness Lafayette in war and on Jefferson and Ham­ and love that created man for holy living. ilton in politics. Charles G. Finney rested b) This holy God in matchless love gave heavily on the prayers of Father Nash. His Son to suffer that men might be re­ God’s Word says that “one shall chase a deemed. thousand; two shall put ten thousand to c) Any wrongdoing by man is: flight.” (1) First, a defiance of the authority of God. A father dying called his sons to him and (2) Second, a spurning of the love of gave them each a stick. Each broke his God. stick easily. He tied a bundle together and (3) Third, a rejection of His beloved Son. none of them could break the bundle. The Jesus Christ. moral is—“God’s people should stick to­ (4) Fourth, a choice for sin and against gether.” holiness. Here was a band of men whose hearts B. This generation needs a tremendous God had touched. conviction for sin. I. Had the Lord touched their hearts in 1. It needs to see the character of sin. the sense of stirring their feelings? Un­ a) It is bad enough to sin against law. doubtedly yes! b) It is worse to sin against human love. A. This is a sentimental age. People are c) It is even worse to sin against divine always wanting to have their feelings love. stirred. Some folk have no greater delight 2. It needs to see the consequences of sin. than listening to a sad story so that they a) Sin blights the personality. may have a good cry. b) Sin finally damns the soul in hell. 1. People want sentimental books. III. Had God touched the hearts of these 2. They want sentimental movies. men enough to change their hearts? Prob­ 3. They want a thrill at any cost. ably yes! For in verse 9 of this chapter it B. Too often this sentimental feeling is says concerning Saul, “God gave him an­ not carried into action and for this reason other heart.” produces pyschological harm. 1. Causes moral flabbiness A. God does more than stir men with great ideals and new emotions. 2. Or moral callousness. For example, if a group of women were to hear of some B. He does more than induce them to starving children and do nothing to help turn over a new leaf. them either one of the above results would C. He gives men a new heart, a heart of have to take place. Either they would be­ flesh instead of a stony heart. He offers men: come professional tear-shedders, expending 1. Justification—a changed record with all their emotions in tears rather than aid, or the sin of the past blotted out. they would become hardhearted. 2. Regeneration—a changed heart with C. Without doubt these men were stirred new life imparted. with admiration for Saul and with the ro­ 3. Adoption—a changed relationship. mance of service for the king. There is an­ Conclusion: other, a greater King who has stirred every one of us! 1. Has God touched your feelings? Has the story of Jesus appealed to you as it did II. Had the Lord spoken to the moral con­ to the old African chieftain? He listened for sciousness of these men? Without doubt! the first time and seemed rather indiffer­ A. There are two aspects of wrongdoing. ent. Then the story gripped him and he 1. There is wrongdoing against one’s listened with rapt joy while it was re­ fellows. peated. His eyes softened and tears rolled a) Our generation is somewhat awakened down his cheeks. Finally he said, “I give to this aspect of wrongdoing. We are quite Him my heart, too.” 58 (194) The Preacher's Magazine Oh, there was a time when the gospel some were armed; some slept and some story brought tears to your cheeks. Can watched; some labored with the spade or you listen unmoved because you have hard­ trowel in one hand and a sword in the ened your heart? other. 2. Has God touched your conscience? B. There are different points one might There was a time when your conscience was take from this. tender and sin weighed heavily on you. Is 1. First, there is the suggestion that the it so now? Christian life must have both positive and 3. Has God changed your heart? He will negative sides. That is, we must denounce do it tonight if you will give Him an op­ sin and protect ourselves from it even portunity. while we are building by the positive prin­ ciples of goodness. 2. There is the thought, too, that the The Spade and the Sword Christian life must have both the defensive and offensive sides. S crip tu re —Nehemiah 6:1-11. 3. Certainly there comes to our minds Texts—For the builders, every one had his the question of military service for the sword girded by his side, and so builded Christian. All of us have had to think and (Nehemiah 4:18). pray about this matter in recent years. I am doing a great work so that I can­ Perhaps we could hazard a few brief con­ not come down (Nehemiah 6:3). clusions. a) War is a murderous business. Introduction: b) There is a well-nigh universal blame 1. The background of the texts is the lor war, though some must bear the lion’s story of the return to Jerusalem from exile share of blame. in Babylon. c) Christians should do everything con­ a) Around 536 B.C. the first return under sistent with right to avoid war. the leadership of Zerubbabel saw about d) There will always be wars until sin is 50,000 come back to their homeland and out of the hearts of men. start the rebuilding of the Temple. e) There may be times when right is so b) The second return under Ezra was predominantly on one side that the Chris­ about 458 b.c. tian may find himself forced to fight against c) Then about 444 B.C. came Nehemiah the forces of wrong, just as he might be to rebuild the wall. forced to aid the police in protecting society (1) We are all familiar with the various against the criminal or insane. threats and oppositions which faced Ne­ C. The thought I would like to emphasize hemiah is this—since being a Christian is a normal (2) Also with the temptation to com­ healthy thing, there are many things which promise. are quite consistent with a devoted Chris­ 2. I see here a likeness to the situation of tian life. There are some things which are Christians today, and I see some lessons not “coming down from the wall.” which we might learn. 1. Living a normal personal life is one. I. First, we see the primacy of the “great God calls some to a special sacrifice, but work” in which we are engaged—building these exceptions simply prove the rule that the kingdom of God and bringing people to the normal life is the best ground in which Christ. Christian fruits may grow. The Monastic A. There are many great works in the conception of life is artificial. world: scientific, political, educational, medi­ a) Work is quite consistent with piety. cal, social, etc. Sweat, toil, planning, laboring, do not harm B. But this is the greatest work of all— spiritual growth. the spreading of the gospel. b) Marriage and home are highly con­ 1. In some places there might be some ducive to Christian service if they are Chris­ disagreement about this. There might be tian. A peculiar attitude here will produce some so married to an extreme social and funny, nay, tragic twists. On the other evolutionary concept of life that they would hand, I could not imagine a home more insist upon such terms as “ building a better conducive to holiness than that in which I world,” etc.—all in terms that are “this- was reared. The greatest godliness has had worldly.” its birth not in cathedrals or in monastery 2. But in our church we all believe that cells but in God-fearing homes. getting men saved and sanctified is the c) Laughter and joy are natural Chris­ supremely important task. tian qualities. Some frown upon all fun and II. A second lesson I take from this old say that Jesus never laughed. This latter story is this—there are some things which statement may be true, but it must have are entirely consistent with the “great been indescribably wonderful to see Him work.” smile. A. You will observe here that those who The effort to banish the natural joyful were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem were spontaneity of life may produce irritability also prepared to fight. Some worked and or unattractiveness or spiritual pride. May-June 1947 (195) 59 2. Living a normal church life is an­ I. Conviction of need for holiness. other. A. Holy Spirit will convict the newborn As a church we must let our healing, soul for the need of heart cleansing and lifting ministry spread to every phase of filling. life, helping boys and girls and young peo­ B. Must get sight of your soul’s depravity. ple and homes and the community and hav­ C. Grieve before the Lord over the carnal ing all our efforts baptized with holy fire. traits in your heart (anger, pride, impa­ III. But there are some things which are tience, peevishness, self-righteousness, tor­ inconsistent with the Christian life, with menting fear, etc.). the “great work”—things which constitute D. Let the light of the Holy Spirit show “coming down from the wall.” I have de­ up your wicked self. liberately separated these from the others II. Confession of your need for holiness. so that I might hit these hard. A. Turn “state’s evidence”—tell on your A. To allow any legitimate thing to take self. first place is to come down from the wall. B. “As guilt to be forgiven must be con­ 1. That becomes an idol which takes first fessed, so pollution to be cleansed, must be place—work, children, home, opinions, plea­ confessed”—Adam Clarke. sures. C. Confession of the presence of the “old 2. The everlasting order is “Seek ye first man” will lead to his execution; “Knowing the kingdom.” this. . . .” B. To break down the separation be­ III. The step of crucifixion of the “ old tween the church and the world is to come man.” down. A wall is to separate and protect. Sanballat said, “ Come down for a confer­ A. Paul took the crucifixion route, “I am crucified with Christ. . . .” ence. We are the same.” Nehemiah said, “Oh, no!” Let us preserve the truth of B. Crucifixion is a painful process; 1. The sinfulness of man “Knowing this, that our old man is cruci­ 2. The definiteness of the new birth fied with him” (not “happified”). 3. The glory of the baptism with the Holy C. Truly saved people need crucifixion; Ghost and fire “They that are Christ’s have crucified the 4. The victorious life of the saints flesh with the affections and lusts.” 5. The peculiar quality of the holy life D. Too much shallowness in present-day seeking of holiness. C. To relinquish the plain unpopular doc­ IV. Appropriating faith in the seeking trines of the Bible is to come down. of holiness D. To adhere to holiness in theory but to A. Seekers after holiness should not be be selfish and worldly in heart is to come hurried through down. B. When conditions are met, faith comes E. To adopt any other motive other than easily the glory of God is to come down. This C. Then, and only then, will faith meet must be our dominant motive. its reward F. To do anything that takes the keen D. Faith needs the background of com­ edge off one’s experience of grace is to plete consecration! come down. — H . B. G a r v in Conclusion: Ours is a glorious work! Let us main­ tain it undeterred! The Holy Ghost Power When Carey’s son was offered a position For Christians as an ambassador for the King of England, his father wrote to him, “Son, God has S c r i p t u r e —Acts 1:1-8. called you to be a missionary. Don’t drivel into being an ambassador.” T e x t —But ye shall receive power, after that Don’t come down! the Holy Ghost is come upon you : and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Steps in Seeking Holiness Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8). S c r ip t u r e —Isaiah 55:1-6 Introduction: T e x t — But if from thence thou shalt seek Book of Acts a record of evangelistic ac­ the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, tivities of the Early Church. if thou seek him with all thy heart and Purpose and passion of Jesus was that with all thy soul (Deut. 4:29). His Church should have power to conquer Introduction: sin. No soul ever sincerely seeks God in vain. The Holy Spirit was given to the Church Steps are usually the same in seeking for this purpose. pardon or purity. Apart from the Holy Spirit we are without Four steps in seeking holiness: (1) con­ power. viction; (2) confession; (3) crucifixion; (4) The Church’s triumph is in the holiness appropriating faith. of God. 60 (196) The Preacher's Magazine In the final analysis it will be either I. The home embraces sacred and holy holiness or hell. beginnings. I. The fight against sin is a real and vital A. The home gives birth and nurture conflict. to genuine love. A. Devil is the cause of all sin—he hates B. The home offers the beginnings for God and good. law and obedience. B. There is no triumph without conflict; C. The home embraces the kindlings of we must fight. both faith and hope. C. Powers of hell are arrayed against D. The home lights the fires of holy wor­ God’s cause. ship and service. D. Conflict of the ages has been to de­ stroy sin: “For this purpose .... that he II. The fundamentals of Christian home- might destroy the works of the devil” (I making. John 3:8). A. Calls for a serious and responsible II. Holy Ghost experience is God’s plan fatherhood: head of the home, example in for Christians. labor, love and patience. “I will pray the Father, and he shall give B. Requires a loyal and loving mother­ you another Comforter.” hood: pattern in love, grace, and service. A. He commanded His followers to C. The aim is for obedient and industri­ “tarry” and seek the Holy Spirit. ous children: the joy of the father, pride B. He promised that they would be bap­ of the mother, and owned and blessed of tized with the Holy Spirit; “ye shall be God. baptized with the Holy Ghost. . . .” III. Homekeeping is a sacred and holy C. Sanctification is clearly God’s will for task. us. 1. “This is the will of God, even your A. Our home should be anchored by the sanctification.” strong cable of love. 2. “The promise is unto you, and to your B. It should be sheltered by the blanket children, . . . .” of forgiveness. 3. “The very God of peace sanctify you C. Must be united with the cords of wholly. . . .” tenderness. 4. “Faithful is he that calleth you, who D. Its memories and impressions are like also will do it.” recorded pictures. III. Obtaining and retaining the experi­ E. The influence of a Christian home lives ence. on forever. A. Must be a complete consecration to God; “I beseech you .... that ye present IV. Both heaven and home have much your bodies . . . .” (Rom. 12:1). in common. B. Must be a conviction for the need of A. Each offers rest, shelter, and hope. holiness. B. Each holds promise of blessed fellow­ C. Must be a genuine, desperate seeking ship. of holiness. D. Only faithful obedience to God re­ C. Definitely, each are creations of love. tains holiness: “If we walk in the light, as D. Christ gives us promise of a heavenly he is in the light, . . . .” home: “In my Father’s house are many IV. What the experience of holiness will mansions: .... I go to prepare a place for do for us. you. . .. I will come again, and receive you.” A. Cleanse the heart. —H. B. G a r v in B. Give purity and power. C. Perfect peace. — H . B . G a r v in SERMON THEMES “Spiritual Architecture” (Eph. 2:19-22), The Sacredness by Rev. H. H. Ford. of the Christian Home “The Crucible of. Faith” and “The Mak­ Scripture—Titus 2:1-8. ing of a Man of God,” by Rev. Kenneth Peterson. T e x t —To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, . . . that the word of God be not “Leanness of Soul” (Psalms 106:15) and blasphemed (Titus 2:5). “Ever Present Evil” (Romans 7:21), by Dr. W. R. McGeary. Introduction: “The New Contract” (I Cor. 11:25) and Home is God’s cradle for all things good “The Fundamentals of Our Religion” (II and great. Cor. 5:19), by Rev. Lester C. Taylor. Love is the fundamental law of the home. “The Secret of Courage” (I Samuel 30: We are architects of our own homes. 6), by Dr. W. R. McGeary. The Christian home is worthy of the “God’s Minute Men” (Acts 8:5), by Dr. best from both God and man. Wm. T. Lytle.—Selected. May-June 1947 (197) 61 ILLUSTRATIONS

Christ Manifested To many people life is just drawing up with much effort a bucket at a time, where­ “One of the bitterest moments of my life,” as, if we dug channels of prayer and faith said a missionary, “was when an earnest through which the overflowing river of young Buddhist boy said to me, ‘I want to God’s grace could inundate us we would believe in Christ, but I have never seen find the life abundant.— Pentecostal Herald. Him in those who profess Him. How can I believe in one I have not seen?’ ” When Prayer Changed Lives Props—Human or Divine? , The following story is told by a mission­ A woman came rushing to her confessor ary. exclaiming breathlessly, “I have broken my I remember fifteen years ago, before go­ china crucifix, and have nothing but the ing out to India, sitting down with my room­ God of Heaven to trust!” John Wesley dry­ mate, now in China, and saying to him: ly commented, “Poor woman! What a sorry “What are we going to tell them out there spectacle, with nothing but the God of on the field? What message have we got for Heaven to look to for her help.” men? Are we merely going to tell them We fear too many have a religion that is about Christ? If so, it would be cheaper to devoid of a spiritual foundation and must send out Bibles and tracts. Can we tell constantly be bolstered up by human sup­ them that we know Jesus Christ saves and ports. Then, when the props are suddenly satisfies, that he keeps us more than con­ withdrawn from them, how swiftly their querors day by day?” flimsy structure crashes! I said, “I am not satisfied. I do not feel Christ asked certain Jews how they could that I have a message such as I need for believe, when they received honor and ap­ men out there, nor the experience, nor the proval from one another and sought not power. If we have not, is not the one great the approbation of God only. With such a thing we need before we leave this country foundation, how could they expect to stand —to know Him?” in the storms of life? From that day to the end of our student It is the privilege of one and all to come days we rose every morning at five o’clock. to that place spiritually where every “china From five to six we had an unhurried hour crucifix” is broken. Then, divine help and for the Word of God, and from six to seven spiritual deliverance will come swiftly and an unhurried hour for prayer. These two decisively. What a glorious revelation that hours each day changed our lives, and we is which God makes to the soul, that there were unspeakably blessed. Not only the is a place beside Him on the rock. “He . . . . missionary but every Christian needs this set Iny feet upon a rock and established my communion.—Pentecostal Herald. goings.”—C.W.A., in The Burning Bush. Seeking the Lost God’s Grace A student of human nature, visiting a Abounding grace is illustrated by a preach­ prison one day, found his greatest interest er who was spending some time in Egypt. in trying to read the faces of the men be­ He said: “I was going along the banks of hind the bars. One of these faces, the story the River Nile and one day I noticed a man runs, affected him strangely, so gentle was irrigating the land; he had a long pole it, so sensitive, so delicate. fastened into the muddy bank, and along “Friend,” he said, “you have no look of the top of it was fastened another pole, to a criminal. Why, may I ask, are you here?” the end of which were suspended two ropes; “I am here awaiting trial,” was the an­ at the end of one rope was a heavy stone, swer. “I am unjustly accused.” and at the end of the other a bucket. He “You have the appearance of an artist,” was spending his day pulling the bucket said the visitor. This was true, for the man’s down into the water, lifting it up and pour­ coat was of velvet, his hair was long, and ing the contents into the channel through his fingers were bedaubed with paint. which it flowed on to his land. He was thus “I am an artist,” he replied. “I was taken able to irrigate by a continuous, laborious from my studio while at work. Do you not day’s work about a quarter of an acre. As see my palette and brushes?” He pointed week by week I cycled along the path I to where they lay in a corner. noticed the Nile was steadily rising, and “Is there no small service I could do for one day I watched the man as the Nile rose you?” asked the stranger. above the level of the land; he pulled up his The artist’s eyes filled with tears. “I pole, threw his bucket to one side and dug would to God,” he said, “that I had but a a channel through the bank; immediately the piece of canvass.” water flowed over the land; instead of wa­ The visitor knew that it would be im­ tering an acre, it irrigated miles of land. possible to bring anything from outside for 62 (198) The Preacher's Magazine a prisoner, but he saw on the floor of the How many times, when one has torn him­ hall a soiled and wrinkled napkin, dropped self from some apparent good to do what it from a tray. “Take this,” he said, smooth­ was his duty to do, has he found joy con­ ing it out and pushing it through the bars. tinuing—unimagined satisfactions! “Paint me a picture upon it.” Lord, help us that we may not be seeking Every day while the artist awaited his for delights for ourselves but rather go trial, the stranger came to see how his pic­ about our ministry to needy men and wo­ ture grew. The napkin was nailed upon men and children—and how many there the wall, and every day the artist prayed as are of these. Not that monk only but also he painted, “Lord God, help me to paint others have found the blessed face of the a picture of Thee that shall win men to Lord when the task and the day are done! Thee.” —Selected. And every day the touch of the brush brought out more clearly against the dull wall of that cell the radiant face of Christ Growth of the Kingdom in a picture so beautiful that afterward it was hung high in a cathedral to draw the (Matt. 13:31-33) reverent gaze of thousands. Yet before it Dr. G. Campbell Morgan points out that was touched by the transforming genius of the mustard plant was a shrub, and not the artist it was only a soiled and wrinkled a tree, and that the Lord is here “describ­ napkin, tossed aside into a dusty corner. ing something out of the ordinary, some­ The story is a prison parable. There are thing unnatural. If it so happens that the lives, soiled and wrinkled and dusty, tossed mustard plant, which is naturally small and aside, outcasts from the world, waiting only unobtrusive, pass out of the stage of the to be lifted by some friendly hand into the yellow flowering herb of beauty to that of presence of the Master Artist to be trans­ a great and mighty tree with branches, formed by Him into His own glorified like­ then both process and results are abnor­ ness. mal and unnatural.” Christendom, the Pray for the vision and the passion, then term that is applied to the nominal Chris­ will come the peace and the power.— Selected. tian world, is not true Christianity. Out­ wardly it would appear that Christianity has had a much larger growth than what is I had a friend in Boston who one day was really the case. How many there are who calling upon an aged Christian woman. call themselves Christian and yet know She was bent with sickness, and the years nothing of the new life throbbing within. had left creases on her forehead and about Their lives are not motivated by Christian her eyes, while the few straggling locks principles and they have no time for the upon her temples were white as snow. true worship of God. We must distinguish Her granddaughter sat at her feet as between the outward, nominal Christianity he entered, and, looking up, he saw on the and the true life that is “hid with Christ wall a picture of a young girl. And to the in God.”—Selected. child he said, “That is your picture, is it not?” But the aged matron answered, “No. That was my picture when I was How God Told Her young, sixty years ago. But it only seems like yesteday when I was young.” And Watts-Dunton once told this tale of an the child by her side answered, “Yes, Grand­ Italian girl whom an unbeliever found read­ ma, and it will only be tomorrow when ing the Bible. After asking her what she you shall be young again.—David DeForrest was reading, and hearing that it was the Bi­ B u r r e l l , in The Presbyterian. ble, he inquired why she spent her time reading a book like that. “Because, sir,” she answered, “it is the Word of God.” Beautif ul Vision “ Nonsense!” he said, “ Who told you that it is the Word of G od?” There is a legend of a monk who was “God himself, sir,” she replied, in no wise enamored of a beautiful vision of the Sa­ abashed by his manner. viour given to him in his cell. The time “Bah! Impossible!” said the man. “How came when it was his duty to feed the poor could God tell you?” at the convent gate. He tore himself from the blest experience and went to the per­ For a few moments the girl was reduced formance of the work of benevolence. to silence, but only for a few moments. Upon his return he found the vision still “Sir, she asked, “who told you that there there and also a voice which said, “Hadst is a sun in the blue sky?” thou stayed I would have gone. As thou “Who told me that?” replied the man. hast gone, I have remained.” “Nobody. I do not need anybody to tell me. How many times have men placed their The sun tells me.” own pleasure first, only to find the pleasure “Yes,” said the girl, in triumph, “and that gone—the promised fruit an “apple of is the way God tells me. As I read I feel ashes” ! His warmth and light.”—Selected. May June 1947 (199) 63 MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT

After Many Days Today, in the town where five years ago not a single soul dared to identify him­ RAYER Changes Things.” This is not self with those who preached “the Jesus merely a decorative motto, but a glori­ way,” there is an aggressive group of Chris­ ous reality; not merely mind over matter,tians. Delight was written on the pastor’s butP the supernatural over the natural; a face as he recounted the victories over sin manifestation made possible by the merits and superstition, adding triumphantly, “And of the shed blood of Christ. Once again a they really know how to sing the praises of little story, “Grapevines,” finds its way out God in that church!” of one of the darkest sections of Congo to “Prayer Changes Things!” It is not a bid us take courage. We have a God who decorative motto; it is a glorious reality! delights in performing the impossible. •It is not merely mind over matter; it is Several years ago we purposed to strike the supernatural over the natural! It means out off the beaten trails and touch some of results. It means trophies for eternity!—R e v . our rarely visited hinterland. We still have N a t h a n L. T y l e r , Congo Beige; in The vivid memories of that trip. In one town Alliance Weekly. we asked if “a doctor of God” had ever been there before. The aged chief replied, “Yes, once.” Naming a missionary who had spent over thirty-five years on the field, he Infidelity Fails added, “He passed this way once when he was a young fellow.” What had impressed Judson, the great missionary, was a bril­ the old man most about the missionary was liant young man and had been reared in a that he had a long red beard. Christian home; but in college he came un­ In another town we ran across an old der the influence of a young man as bril­ woman, who, because of her confessed faith liant as himself who destroyed his Chris­ in the white man’s God, was poisoned by the tian faith. His father and mother were witch doctor and thereby lost her sight. brokenhearted when he came home with At one of the quarterly meetings only one the announcement of his infidel sentiments. man was baptized. The service was held He broke the sorrowful news to them just near the spot where they used to burn the before starting on a long pleasure trip witches, and I counted many scars on an through New England and New York. old nkasa tree where bark had been re­ In the course of his journey he stopped moved to be used in the preparation of the one night at a country hotel. As the land­ poison cup. lord showed him to his room, he apologized One Sunday morning we held a service for placing him next to a sick man who in a centrally located town. The teachers might be dying. Judson assured him it from the area gathered with their families would make no difference. He put out his and a few adherents. We made a special light and got into bed, but the sounds from effort to personally invite everyone in that the sick-room fastened upon his ear and heathen village to the meeting, which was suggested the most agitating reflections. to be held out-of-doors to help the super­ Was the dying man prepared for the change stitious townfolk to attend. I shall not soon that awaited him? He blushed as he felt forget that experience! In spite of all our the faith of his childhood again creeping efforts,. not a single person came! Their over him. Prepared! What preparation was fear outweighed even their curiosity. needed for an eternal sleep? But still the So impressed was I by the satanic op­ question would return: Into what scenes is position that I took a picture of the town. his Spirit to pass? The landlord had spoken During our extended furlough, I threw this of him as a young man. Was he a Chris­ picture on the screen several hundred times, tian or, like himself, a skeptic, the source with the plea to pray for towns such as of unutterable sorrow to pious parents? these, steeped in sin and bound by super­ What were the feelings of the dying youth stition. I am positive that many of you ac­ in this testing hour? What would be his cepted the challenge, for today echoes from own in like situation? Suppose he were that quarter tell a very different story. now stretched on the bed of death, could he I visited the old blind woman’s town the look with philosophic calmness toward the other day. Only three months ago she final moment, sure that the next instant went to be with the Lord. And on her his soul with all its capacities for joy and deathbed she praised God for allowing her sorrow would have gone out like an ex­ to be instrumental in bringing the light of tinguished candle? Ah! there was a shud­ the gospel to that dark corner of Africa. The dering in his soul which prophesied of a man who had the courage to follow the future either of conscious bliss and love or Lord in baptism at that quarterly meeting of just retribution. He tried to rouse him­ was the firstfruits of a now growing self from these fears by recalling the argu­ church. ments which once had seemed so convinc- 64 (200) The Preacher's Magazine ing. But they would not work there in the to my father.” In the hour of his spiritual dark with the tragedy of death being en­ distress he could think of no place so good acted a few feet away. He thought of his for him as the old home fireside, with his infidel friends and asked what they would Christian father and mother. . . . His de­ think of such weakness, especially the witty cision to go back home at once and tell and brilliant friend who had been the chief his father and mother about his change of agent in leading him to throw over the faith purpose was his salvation, and led to his of his father and mother. The poor youth happy conversion and glorious life.—B a n k s . cowered in his bed as he imagined the pity­ ing smile and the keen shafts of ridicule with which that firm mind would meet Only Six Boys such nursery superstitions. But all would not do, and through the whole night his A worker of the Central American Mis­ spirit was tossed upon a restless sea of dis­ sion in Guatemala tells in Central American quietude and doubt. But when the morning Bulletin of holding two evangelistic services came, he sprang up relieved and was ready in Alzatate, to which not a single unbeliever to smile at what he deemed the fancies of came, except a half dozen boys. Though dis­ the night. On leaving his room, he went couraged the workers held a service. The immediately to the landlord with kind in­ native worker began by seeking to teach quiries after the sick man. “He is dead,” the boys a chorus. They showed unusual was the reply. “Dead!” “Yes, he is gone, interest and co-operated seriously and mag­ poor fellow; the doctor thought he could nificently. They also learned several verses not survive the night.” “Do you know his of scripture. A meeting for the boys was name?” “Oh, yes! he was from Brown announced for the next afternoon. They all University; a fine young fellow; his name came with several other boys, and again was E——------,” mentioning the name of in the evenings, each time manifesting an Judson’s brilliant friend who had led him eagerness to hear more. The result was away from Christ. He needed no one to that on the final evening six boys accepted preach to him in that hour on the evidences Christ as their Saviour. These boys had of Christianity. He felt all his infidelity not come for diversion or out of curiosity; slipping away from him and he despised it they were saying by their attitude, “Sirs, we as a lie. He went to his room and spent would see Jesus!” hours in a state of wretchedness bordering on stupefaction. The words, “Dead! Lost! The consecrated spirit is wholly united Lost!” rang continually in his ears. He gave up his intended trip, and said, in the to the divine will. It chooses it, delights language of another poor prodigal who also in it, and wants to meet it in all its fullness. found the husks bitter, “I will arise and go —A. B. S im p s o n .

BOOK NOTICES ...... By Rev. P. H . Lunn

C h a p m a n ’ s C h o ic e O u t l in e s a n d most of special days. Another chapter Illustrations speaks of means of capturing youth for God. By J. B. Chapman, D.D. (Zondervan, $1.25) Still another discusses the reclamation of Here General Superintendent Chapman lost members. What a neglected field is this, enters a new field—that of outline and anec­ in any denomination. Parish visitation is dote, in both of which he has few peers recommended and suggestions for doing it and no superiors. This volume has con­ are given. This volume is not designed to siderable scope; besides the outlines and comfort the afflicted rather to afflict the suggestions it has a number of selected quo­ comfortable. In any case it should stir the tations, a generous selection of illustrations, complacent minister and furnish the alert and a few poems. pastor with a hatful of ideas.

A Crowded Church New Testament Evangelism By Eugene D. Dolloff (Revell, $1.50) By Arthur C. Archibald (Judson Press, This is a volume of practical plans for in­ $2.00) creasing church attendance—a worthy aim A very thorough and sane discussion of in these days of indifference. The field of the important problem of evangelism. It is advertising is covered, in a general way, of not a book of generalizations and theories. course. There are suggestions of enlisting It deals with the working problems of the co-operation of church officials. A per­ evangelism. Certainly the days of haphaz­ tinent chapter tells of how to utilize the ard evangelism should be painful mem­ calendar; in other words, how to make the ories. Planning, preparing, spade work, fol­ May-June 1947 (201) 65 low-up programs—all are necessary. Should an outstanding authority on the subject we not in our evangelistic endeavor, work maintain that the main sources of John’s as if everything depended upon our efforts thinking are to be found in the Old Testa­ and when we have done our best step aside ment rather than contemporary Greek liter­ and in faith ask God to come upon the ature. scene with His power and blessing? W. F. Howard is a Methodist leader in the British Isles and a professor of New Testament. He is thoroughly versed in his The Right and Wrong in Divorce and R e­ subject.—Ralph E. Earle. m a r r ia g e By William Evans (Zondervan, $1.50) The divorce and remarriage problem cer­ tainly has invaded the church. Here at last A d v e n t u r e s i n t h e S p ir i t u a l L if e is a book presenting this serious question By Charles E. Brown, D.D. (Warner Press, in its many ramifications from the point-of- $1.50) view of Bible teaching and Christian prin­ This is an informal, pictoral exposition of ciples. It seems to us that there is a place many of the events in the journey of the in every minister’s library for this book. children of Israel from the crossing of the Red Sea, which the author aptly refers to L if e ’ s G o lde n H o u r s as “spiritual engineering,” to crossing the By Hobart D. McKeehan (Revell, $2.00) Jordan which he calls the “Gateway to Ten sermons dealing with the eternal val­ Canaan.” His imagery is vivid and appealing ues of faith. As with all good sermons these and the truths deducted are timely and pen­ are characterized by inspiration, insight, and etrating. illustration. Dr. Sockman writes that Dr. The thesis of the book is that genuine McKeehan represents the American pulpit spiritual living is thrilling and venturesome at its best. in the highest degree stretching out to in­ finity. We are accustomed to think of the thrill of achievement that lures and drives Among recent reprints are three of es­ the captains of industry, the leaders in pecial interest. Dr. A. M. Hills’ Holiness and finance, the inventor, the searcher in the Power has been out of print for several scientific realm, the traveler in faraway years. A new edition in paper covers priced at $1.00 is now available. places, and even those who are victorious in the exploits of war. None of these are One of the best volumes ever published on comparable, the author maintains, to the the fallacy of Seventh-Day Adventism is D. beckoning calls of spiritual living and M. Canright’s Seventh-Day Adventism Re­ achievement. nounced. It has been out of print for ten Preachers will find the book stimulating in or more years. The author was for many sermon preparation. Familiar events are in­ years a zealous proponent of this errone­ terpreted in a manner that grips the attention. ous teaching. A new edition has recently been printed, priced at $2.50. The language is modern and yet cheap sen­ sationalism is avoided. The healing of the Of interest to every pastor and Sunday- waters of Marah, for example, is referred to school worker is a new edition of Marion as “spiritual chemistry.” The staying of Lawrence’s My Message to Sunday School Moses’ hands by Aaron and Hur is the Workers. This book contains more helpful basis of the chapter on “The Labor of material for teachers and workers than any Prayer.” You will greatly profit by study­ book in its field that this Book Man has been privileged to read. The price is $1.50. ing this chapter, especially the treatment of “prophetic prayer” which is characterized as “active, dynamic, urgent, fervent, and Christianity According to St. J o h n passionate.” By W. F. Howard (Westminster Press, “Holiness in Blossom,” is based on Aaron’s $2.75) rod that budded. Other striking captions The Westminster Press has been making a are “Gods of Gold,” “The Peril of Wild­ very valuable contribution in the last few fire,” and the “Innocent Image of Sin.” years by making available to the American The chapter on “The Thunders of Sinai” public reprints of significant books being will require careful reading lest the author’s published in England. This volume by W. F. interpretation of the Ten Commandments, Howard is one of that rather numerous particularly the Sabbath, as belonging only group. While not ranking in importance to the Old Covenant be misconstrued. An with the Westminster books by such British excellent parallel is drawn between the scholars as H. H. Rowley, T. W. Manson, Sabbath rest of the Old Testament and the and Archibald Hunter, yet for the careful spiritual rest of believers in the gospel dis­ student this study of Johannine theology has pensation. The entire chapter is worthy of something worth while. careful study. One of the main emphases of Dr. Howard Dr. Brown is true to the fundamentals of is on the Jewish background of John’s Gos­ holiness and we believe the book will be pel. After the incessant talk of many years found to be interesting and profitable both about the totally Hellenistic character of to the minister and to the layman.—J. F. the Fourth Gospel it is refreshing to have L e is t . 66 (202) The Preacher's Magazine llliliUM

■<1 \ . The crLjunainic Series

Three volumes by A. Paget Wilkes, one time missionary to Japan under the Japan Evangelistic Band of England. These books have had a wide cir­ culation in England and some have "been imported for the States. We consider ourselves fortunate in obtaining permission to publish and dis­ tribute these excellent titles in our own United States. The Dynamic of Redemption Virtually a treatise on the blood of Christ. Here is considered the pur­ pose of the pouring forth of the life blood of our Redeemer; the “why” of the Atonement. It sets forth a comprehensive picture of God’s redemptive plan. There are sixteen chapters: the first, The Blood Shedding of Christ. Fol­ lowing are fourteen chapters discussing the blood as related to Revelation, Conviction, Propitiation, Peace, Forgiveness, Regeneration, Sanctification, Redemption, Consecration, Access, Assurance, Victory, Life, Condemnation. Price, $1.25 The Dynamic of Service The author’s thesis is that the Spirit of God offers every Christian the dynamic of a commission. We cannot escape it. It isn’t enough to live in peace with your neighbor and to love others in an abstract way. It is spiritual bank­ ruptcy to evade the imperative of the Lord’s “Go ye.” It is a solemn yet blessed duty to save men. This book deals with fundamental, not surface aspects. Three chapters on Diagnosis of Man: The Desires, The Understanding, The Will, are peerless. Two other chapters, The Sense of Need, The Sense of Sin, are classic. No sin­ cere Christian can read this book without great profit. Price, $1.25 The Dynamic of Faith No spiritual person would question the importance of faith. “The most vitally important matter in spiritual life is faith. All depends upon faith. All the treasures of heaven are open to faith. All power is given to him who can believe. Therefore every Christian may well ask, ‘What is it to believe? How can I have faith?’ ” This volume is an effort to point the way, not only to sav­ ing faith but faith for holiness of heart. Cloth board covers, attractive jacket in colors. Price, $1.25 Dr. J. B. Chapman's NEW BOOK HOLINESS TRIUMPHANT and OTHER SERMONS ON HOLINESS

Chapter Titles ® Holiness • Holiness Conditioned • Holiness in Introspection • Holiness Imparted • Holiness in Extroversion • Holiness Exhibited • Holiness Instrumented • Holiness in Crisis • Holiness Imputed • Holiness in Process • Holiness Triumphant Eleven sermons; 128 pages. Cloth cover; attractive jacket Price, $1.25

NAZARENE PUBLISHING HOUSE 2923 Troost Avc., Box 527, Kansas City 10, Mo.