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11-1-1947 Preacher's Magazine Volume 22 Number 06 J. B. Chapman (Editor) Olivet Nazarene University

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Recommended Citation Chapman, J. B. (Editor), "Preacher's Magazine Volume 22 Number 06" (1947). Preacher's Magazine. 234. https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/cotn_pm/234

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Beautiful Night!

Jean Leathers Phillips

Beautiful velvety dark midnight sky; Beautiful stars in the heavens so high; Beautiful songs float down from above; Beautiful angels tell of God’s love.

Beautiful kindness of shepherds who keep Watch over gentle and trusting sheep; Beautiful shimmering glory that gleams On hills and rocks and babbling streams; Beautiful silvery olive trees stand Catching the brightness in soft leafy hands.

Beautiful Babe in a manger of hay; Beautiful mother kept watch as He lay; Beautiful story of God’s own dear Son, L et’s tell it and tell it Till the whole world is won! Managing Editor’s IreacherfO / J’ MESSAGE Volume 22 Number 6 Wlacjazine c Nov.-Dee., 1947 E have all been greatly saddened W by the homegoing of the editor of this periodical. Dr. J. B. Chapman, w ho passed to his reward July 30, 1947. The Continuity of the Ministry Some have written to know if the J. B. Chapman ...... 3 magazine will be continued. Yes. we The Challenge of Hardship will continue to publish The Preach­ ,/. B. Chapman ...... 4 er's Magazine. We have on hand Sanctification from Augustine to the enough editorials from the pen of Dr. Present, Ralph Earle ...... 5 Chapman for one or two more issues. Carpenter of Lives Then the managing editor will accept Paul S. Ree.s ...... 10 the full editorial responsibility. He The Doctrine of the Kenosis, or What needs your prayers that God may help It Cost God to Become Man, him to fill acceptably and to His glory J. A. Huffman ...... 14 such a responsible position. The Atonem ent in Christ I like to think of The Preacher's P eter Wiseman ...... 16 Magazine as a sort of exchange center When They Tried to Make Christ King for ideas and plans for preachers. The Neal C. Dirk.se ...... 20 work with The Preacher's Magazine All Out for Souls is a part-tim e job for us all. The Man­ W. Roy Stewart ...... 21 aging Editor gives what time he can The Pastor and His Bible take from other duties to look after Granville S. Rogers ...... 22 The Pastor and His Devotions the planning of the magazine, and his secretary squeezes in between meet­ C. O. Christiansen ...... 24 ing dead-line dates of the Herald of A Prayer for Our Ministers H oliness a few hours now and then to A. S. London ...... 26 work on material for the magazine. We Lot: A Borderline Christian desire our readers to put in a little of Edward Paul ...... 27 their time in writing and submitting articles, plans, sermon outlines, illus­ Departments trations, or any other material which The Theological Question Box they consider may be useful in the H. Orton, W iley ...... 29 magazine. We promise that we will Searching Truths for Ministers ...... 32 read and consider for publication each The Preacher's Scrapbook ...... 33 contribution submitted. Also, your sug­ Quotable Poetry ...... 34 gestions for the betterment of the mag­ A Preaching Program, John E. Riley ....3 6 azine are solicited. Illustrations ...... 60 Recently several discerning lay- Missionary Department ...... 62 members requested the M.E. to make Book Notes, P. H. Lunn ...... 65 a plea to preachers to be more definite in their preaching. Their criticism was that some preachers to whom they listen are not clear and definite in J . B. CHAPMAN, D.D., Editor preaching the message of holiness and D. SHELBY CORLETT, D.D., Managing Editor in making altar calls for people to seek Published bimonthly by the Nazarene Publishing House, the experience. We all do well to ask if 2923 Troost Avenue, Box 527, Kansas City 10, Missouri, maintained by and in the interest of the Church of the Naza­ our preaching is as definite and clear rene. Subscription price: $1.00 a year. Entered as second- as w e assume it is. L et’s check up on class matter at the post office at Kansas City, Mo. Ac­ ceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for this matter. in Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized De­ cember 30, 1925. Address all contributions to The Preach­ D. Shelby Corlett, er's Magazine, 2923 Troost Avenue, Box 527, Kansas City 10, Missouri. Managing Editor 2 The Preacher’s Magazine The Continuity of the Ministry

By the late J. B. Chapman, Editor

AST week there came a letter from a abatement. John Wesley said, “God buries L young Christian who thinks he is called His workmen, but carries on His work.” to preach. He has never preached as yet, This means that none of us individually or and feels himself educationally unprepared in generations are complete of ourselves. for the task. And yet of a sudden he is We are part of the past and of the future, made to feel that the call is so urgent and the as well as servants of the present. demands of the work so critical that he is The well-balanced preacher knows that uncertain whether or not he should spend he is not only a prophet of God, but also a any time in school. servant of the Church. He is servant not This sense of urgency is good—even es­ only of the particular congregation which sential—but it has its dangers. Many an lie serves, of the denomination of which he older preacher has looked back upon his is a part, and of the age to which he be­ days of beginnings with regret that he was longs, he is servant of the Church of all the the victim of his own haste or of the shal­ Christian ages. And this well-balanced low advice of well-meaning friends, and preacher knows that the Church comes that he entered into the active work with fust; its welfare comes before his own or insufficient preparation. A call to preach that of his family or his loved ones. is a call to prepare to preach, and the well- No preacher has the right to expect that advised prospect takes all he can get from the church he serves will quit just because the schools, and even then enters upon his he leaves or dies. Moreover, he has no right task with trembling. The times demand to expect that a church will begin all over not only more preachers, but better preach­ again just because he has come to be its ers, and if precedents are asked, let it be re­ pastor. The preacher who disparages his membered that the Master himself spent predecessor or annoys his successor is a thirty years preparing to preach three menace, no matter what his gifts and tal­ years, that the Twelve spent three years in ents may be. It is every preacher’s right to the finest seminary the world ever saw attempt improvements, but, if he is worthy before they took on major responsibility as of the name wisdom, he will prefer reform­ preachers, and that John Wesley was a fin­ ations to revolutions. And when a preach­ ished scholar before he became the apostle er’s day is finished in a given parish, he of revival in England. Dr. Bresee once said should prepare the way for his successor and that if he knew he had but ten years to then get out of the way. It is seldom wise pi each (being a young man ready to be­ for even the preacher who has come to the gin), he would spend the first five years age of retirement to settle within the bounds in preparation, believing that he would ac­ of the last parish he served. complish more in this way than he would I think it was Carlyle who heard the by entering fully into the work without saying, “The Church is on its last legs,” proper preparation. and made this reply: “Indeed it is. It al­ But it is well for us all, regardless of ways has been.” A recent commentator on age or experience, to bear always in mind these words said that the Church is al­ that we and the preachers of our day are ways so precariously situated that if one but links in the chain of the Christian min­ single generation refused to support it, it istry. The chain began with Jesus and the would disappear from the earth. The apostles, and will end only with the con­ Church is indeed, from the human stand­ summation of the gospel age. Our respon­ point, a “self-perpetuating institution.” sibility is to receive the unsullied heritage From the beginning the Church has been from the fathers, and pass it on (still un­ dependent upon its own members to sus­ marred) to the sons who shall succeed us. tain it in a given day and to obtain ma­ And it is our commission to take the foun­ triculations for its projection into the fu­ dation we find, preserve and build upon it, ture. And the ministry is like that. A be­ and then pass the unfinished task on to loved brother wrote the other day: “My the builders of the future in such form little day is about over.” But these need that they can continue the task without not be the words of a pessimist. If we have

November-December 1947 (343) 3 done our work well, among other things, that soul winning is a precious calling, and we have by precept and example, as well as that fruitage in this field is obtained at a by discipline and doctrine, trained others price. (as our Master did) to go on with the task No matter in what age or in what land he we did not have time to finish. lives, the soul-winning preacher is, and This is just another instance in which must be, a pioneer in spirit. He must be a the work of the ministry demands that one lonely man, for there are never too many deny himself. But this denial is not a of his kind anywhere. He must be one to mere negation, rather it is a vacating in whom danger appeals. He must be uncom­ favor of higher values. It is the subjecting promising, and of such independent spirit of himself to a calling and a service that that he is ready to take the consequences is worth the surrender. of his calling in the same spirit that John the Baptist took his rough clothing and In the annals of the history of the Church homespun table fare. He must set his soul there are no sadder paragraphs than those to seek other souls, and must not permit any which record the misdeeds and delinquencies interference with his purpose. of preachers. These items are all the more depressing if they appear in chapters which There are those who can think of hard­ otherwise contain the records of duty well ship only in terms of physical things like done and fidelity well preserved. But it is food and clothing, shelter and modes of to the glory of the Church that it can arise travel. But these represent but the simplest above even these melancholy occurrences and least important items in the category and move on toward its heavenly destina­ of ministerial hardship. In these matters, tion. And in this true apostolic succession, I speak, not as an observer only, but also the preacher of his day is an honored unit. as a partaker. I have preached in patched To him’ comes the call, “Close up the ranks clothing; have fasted three days in the week and march ahead.” To him is the glory of of necessity rather than of choice; have the noblest tradition the world has ever walked to appointments through the mud, known. Upon him rests the heaviest re­ when there were trains but no fare; have sponsibility, and to him is proposed the full­ slept many nights in the straw or on the est reward. boards of a schoolhouse bench; have felt the pinch of cold weather when fuel was scarce. Ah, yes, who that began preaching holiness as a boy of sixteen in a western rural section in a .d . 1900 has not known The Challenge of Hardship these things? But I speak from experience, and say again that these things are ele­ By J. B. C h a p m a n mentary and in the least important category. I would not send every beginner back to Y father used to tell us stories about these things as essential to his apprentice­ M the Civil War. He told us few things ship— not unless I could give him the ad­ that were amusing; usually his stories vantages we had also. W e had the advan­ gathered about battles and danger, sick­ tage of little competition either from world­ ly follies or church programs. W e had the ness and suffering, forced marches and hard­ ships, blood and death. But we all grew advantage of rural conditions where the traveling preacher was a drawing card and up trained to make little of hardship, and a local wonder. W e had, after the first few to meet and overcome difficulties— he made days, big crowds to hear us preach, and such living attractive to us. many other things that a preacher ac­ Even to this day, in the United States counts assets in the promotion of his work. Army, the more dangerous the branch of We seldom paid for a night’s lodging, a the service, the more volunteers there are meal’s victuals, a hair-cut or shoe-shine or for that branch. Men of the world are not any rent for the places in which we deterred from working in forests and mines preached or for any furnishings required. because such work involves dangers and Ah, no, those were good days in spite of hardships. There is a challenge in hard­ the hardships. The hardships were nearly ship that ease and comfort do not possess. all of the simple sort, and we were happy Paul exhorted Timothy to “do the work in spite of them. of an evangelist, and as a prelude to this But they are wrong who disparage the exhortation, he called upon his young friend hardships of the preacher of today. Such to “endure hardness, as a good soldier of people see only the parsonage in which the Jesus Christ.” The arrangement suggests preacher lives, the comfortable church in

4 (344) The Preacher's Magazine which he preaches, and the money support challenge of hardship is just as real in the that is his due. But these things too are average “desirable parish” right today as of small consequence. What breaks the it was in the most pioneer proposition a true preacher’s heart are the things the generation or two ago. There has been average onlooker does not see at all: the change, but from the standpoint of hard­ backslidings of recent converts, the cold­ ship, no improvement; and, what is more, ness of old-time church members, the pray- there likely will not be any improvement. erlessness of some of the most faithful, the In the very nature of the calling, we must human problems which come up in the be always on the way, but never there until homes of the best people, the want of death shall close our day. If a man does fruitage in the revival meetings, the lack not like sweat and toil and suffering and of success in the endeavor to bring certain hardship and blood, he will not like the ones to Christ and into the church. The preacher-calling.

Sanctification from Augustine to the Present

Dr. Ralph Earle

ANCTIFICATION has been a neglected the outstanding peaks can be glimpsed as S doctrine in Christian history. One can we hurriedly pass by. hardly realize how completely this truth has been ignored until an investigation is 1. A u g u s t in e made of standard histories of doctrine. The Augustine was the first to formulate a term “sanctification” is not even listed in definite theory on the subject. In order to the index of Harnack’s seven-volume, understand his position we must remember Shedd’s two-volume, or Fisher’s one-volume that he was in strong opposition to Pe- work. While mentioned by Hagenbach, lagianism. Pelagius stressed the natural Dorner and Seeberg (each two volumes), goodness of man to such an extent that it the subject is not discussed. Only Sheldon, was not difficult for him to assume the the Methodist historian, gives any place to possibility of perfection in this life. He a treatment of the doctrine; and he de­ did not believe in original sin; hence there votes less than four pages altogether to it was no sinful propensity in man to hinder him from attaining to the ideal Christian in connection with the Protestant reform­ life. ers, the Quakers, and the Methodists. It can readily be seen that Pope does not ex­ The grace of God was original in human aggerate at all when he says: “It has no nature and perfection was its instinctive quest and attainable goal; grace merely en­ place in-Histories of Doctrine generally.”1 abled the recipient to reach it more easily. He himself, in his Compendium of Chris­ tian Theology, gives one of the best brief Obviously perfection of this type is naturalistic rather than distinctively historical summaries of Christian perfection. Christian; it was on this account con­ More recently Dr. A . Newton Flew has demned at the Council of Carthage (A. made a thorough survey of the subject in D. 418) .3 his book, The Idea of Perfection in Chris­ tian Theology.2 With this judgment of Pelagius’ teach­ ings, Pope agrees. He says: It seems a pity that so little attention has Hence Pelagius boldly asserted that been given to such a vital matter. The through the use of their natural facul­ church has been concerned too often with ties, and the natural means of grace, lesser issues, and tragic loss has resulted men might attain unto a state of per­ in the lives of its followers. Not until holi­ fect conformity with the law of God, ness is given a place of central emphasis in who prescribes nothing impossible. But our teaching can we expect to see that his denial of original sin, and of the type of holy character which the New sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost Testament enjoins. applying its provision of the Atonement, In this brief introductory chapter it will robbed his theory of entire sanctifica­ not be possible to give any extended treat­ tion of any essentially Christian char­ ment of the history of this doctrine. Only acter.4

November-December 1947 (345) 5 It is natural that Augustine in his op­ posal of the church. The teachings of position to Pelagius and in his strong em­ Aquinas became the theology of the Roman phasis on original sin and free grace should church very largely and were made law deny the essential position of Pelagian by the Council of Trent. Its canons on this thought on this subject. For Augustine the point may be summed up as follows: grace of God was everything; human ef­ According to Roman Catholic teaching, fort counted for nothing. there is no particular sin which may The natural implication of Augustine's not be wholly overcome by sanctifying theory of the sovereign grace of God would grace, and no commandments of God be that perfection would be possible to the which are impossible to the justified; Christian in this life. If God’s grace is ir­ but the pcrfect eradication of all sin in resistible, what is to hinder it from per­ this earthly life implies such a special fecting the work of sanctification in the be­ infusion of assisting grace that it can­ liever’s life? But, “Hesitation in accepting not be predicated of anyone save of the the full implications of his doctrine of Blessed Virgin.-1 grace is a marked feature of his teaching.”'’

Augustine in theory allowed for the 3 . R e f o r m a t io n D o c t r in e possibility of perfect sanctification in a. Calvin. The position of Calvin is so this life through the special operation clearly defined that we notice it first. He of supernatural irresistible grace; but was opposed definitely to any idea of per­ he somewhat weakened the admission by fection in this life. After quoting Paul’s affirming that, by the judicial act of prayer for the perfection of believers, in I God, such entire sanctification had nev­ Thessalonians 3:13, he says: er been achieved.11 These words were strongly urged by the That such was the teaching of Augustine Celestines of old in maintaining the is evident from the following quotation, perfection of holiness in the present taken from his treatise “On the Spirit and the life. To this we deem it sufficient to Letter,” addressed to Marcellinus. It seems reply, with Augustine, that the goal to that the latter had been surprised at a which all the pious ought to aspire is statement in one of Augustine’s writings to to appear in the presence of God with­ the effect that a man might continue with­ out spot and blemish; but as the course out sin in this life. In answer, Augustine of the present life is at best nothing wrote: more than progress, we shall never See how an instance of perfect right­ reach the goal until we have laid aside eousness is unexampled among men, the body of sin, and been completely and yet it is not impossible. For it united to the Lord. If anyone choose might be achieved if there were only to give the name of perfection to the applied so much of will as suffices for Saints, I shall not obstinately quarrel so great a thing .... and that this is with him provided he defines this per­ not realized, is not owing to any intrin­ fection in the words of Augustine, sic impossibility, but to God’s judicial “When we speak of the perfect virtue act.7 of the saints, part of this perfection con­ sists in the recognition of our imper­ In view of Augustine’s great influence on fection both in truth and in humility.”111 all the succeeding centuries of Christian doctrine it seems tragic that he should have Two observations might be made on this charged God with deliberately refusing to statement of Calvin’s. The first is his ob­ permit man to be sanctified wholly in this vious and acknowledged dependence on life. Augustine, w ho was practically his last court of appeal as well as main source of 2. M e d ie v a l C a t h o l i c T e a c h i n g doctrine. The second is his use of the ex­ Thomas Aquinas developed still further pression “body of sin.” He makes this re­ the ideas of Augustine on this subject. “Of fer to the human, physical body. As we all the theologians St. Thomas is most dom­ shall find later, this sort of exegesis is un­ inated by the thought of the ultimate per­ satisfactory. fection of mankind.”s b. Luther. The teaching of Luther on As would be expected, Aquinas stressed the subject is rather more difficult to state the sacraments as the vehicles through with definiteness. He was not the systemat­ which the sanctifying grace of God reaches ic thinker and writer that Calvin was. The the faithful believer. This sanctifying grace late Dr. George Crofts Cell, of Boston Uni­ comes from Christ’s merit and is at the dis­ versity, used to say that while Calvin was

6 (346) The Preacher's Magazine a “systematist,” Luther was a “fragmentist.” some progress in the field of personal sancti­ He preferred the latter type. fication made by the Pietists of Germany The consequencc of this lack of system— and the Quakers of England. Pietism ap­ Luther never composed any systematic the­ peared as a reaction against the formality ology like C alvin’s Institutes— is that there and cold orthodoxy of the Lutheran Church. are seeming contradictions in Luther’s writ­ Perhaps we might say more accurately that ings. He spoke and wrote as he thought, it arose in response to a heart hunger for and his thoughts were constantly progress­ experiential religion which was not met by ing. He seems at times to teach that per­ that church. “Its impulse came from the de­ fection is a state possible in this life. A t sire for personal holiness.”1'1 other times he denies this. Spener was the founder of this movement. As an example of the former teaching we He had a strong passion for practical holi­ might m ention one statement m ade by ness and organized the seekers after holi­ Luther: “The state of perfection is to have ness into collegia pietatis. The emphasis a lively faith, to be a despiser of death, life, among his followers was on devotion rather glory and all the world, and to live in than on doctrine. glowing love as the servant of all men.” 11 Francke, of Halle, became perhaps the It is interesting to find the phrase “Chris­ greatest exponent and exemplar of this tian perfection” in the Augsburg Confession. seventeenth century “holiness movement.” It occurs in a passage w hich is attributed to In his essay on The Perfection of a Christian Luther himself by Lindsay, one of the he taught that there were three stages in leading authorities on the Lutheran Reform­ the progress toward the goal—childhood, ation. The statement runs thus: youth, and manhood. He taught that the Christian perfection is this, to fear God way to perfection was through prayer. sincerely; and again, to conceive great There was a strong mystical element in faith, and to trust assuredly that God is this movement, but definite theological state­ pacified towards us for Christ's sake; ment was lacking. to ask, and certainly to look for, help b. Quakers. The Quakers are often from God in all our affairs according to thought of mainly as stressing the non-use our calling; and outwardly to do good of ordinances. But the central thing in works diligently, and to attend to our Quakerism was the emphasis on the im­ vocation. In these things doth true per­ mediate guidance and illumination of the fection and the true worship of God con­ sist; it doth not consist in being un­ Holy Spirit. It approached the nearest to the Wesleyan teaching on entire sanctifi­ married. in going about begging, nor in wearing dirty clothes.1 - cation of any movement before Wesley’s time. That is perfectly obvious to one who But it is an unquestionable fact that in has been associated with both Quaker and general Luther taught that perfection was Wesleyan groups. But the fact is not com­ unattainable in this life. The main concern monly known to outsiders, and it is in­ of Luther was with justification, not with teresting to read a statement by Dr. Flew sanctification. The German church his­ of Cambridge to that effect. He says: torian, Harnack, charges the Lutheran On the other hand, in religious and movement with a deficiency on this point. ethical insight, George Fox went far He says: deeper than the Reformers, and he did Through having (he resolute wish to go so precisely in virtue of his teaching on back to religion and to it alone, (the perfection. The holiness which he Lutheran Church) neglected far too taught was not imputed but real. The much the moral problem, the Be ye Quaker doctrine has this distinction holy, for I am h oly.r,i among all the types of teaching from So, while on the one hand Luther de­ the third century to the eighteenth, that clared that “the believing soul, by the it returned wholeheartedly to the at­ pledge of its faith in Christ, becomes free titude of the New Testament.17 from all sin”;11 yet, on the other hand, he The main attempt—almost the only one taught the doctrine o f progress instead of —on the p^rt of any Quaker to compose a the possibility of present deliverance from systematic theology is found in A n A pology sin.1"’ for the True Christian Divinity, by Robert Barclay, a Scotch theologian. The work is 4. Pietists a n d Q u a k e r s prefaced by a letter to King Charles II, a. Pietists. In the two centuries immedi­ dated N ovem ber 25, 1675. One section of ately following the Reformation there was the book deals with the subject of per­

November-December 1947 (347) 7 fection. It is a defense of the proposition It has been said that Wesley spent more that sinless perfection is possible in this lime stating what Christian perfection was life. It begins with this statement: not than in explaining what it was. I do In whom this pure and holy birth is not think that this statement is true to the fully brought forth, the body of death facts, but it is noticeable that he gave much and sin comes to be crucified and re­ attention to defending the doctrine against moved, and their hearts united and erroneous view s of it. subjected to the truth; so as not to obey Wesley stated that Christians are not per­ any suggestions or temptations of the fect in knowledge, nor free from infirmities, evil one, but to be free from actual nor absolutely perfect. On the positive side sinning and transgressing of the law of his conclusion is: “A Christian is so far God and in that respect perfcct: yet pcrfect, as not to commit sin.”-" doth this perfection still admit of a growth; and there remaineth always Later on he stated his position rather in some part a possibility of sinning, more fully. He says that he and his broth­ where the mind doth not most diligent­ er had maintained: ly and watchfully attend unto the 1. That Christian perfection is that L ord.18 love of God and our neighbor, which im­ Neither Barclay in his A pology nor F ox in plies deliverance from all sin. his Journal gives any clear teaching on a 2. That this is received merely by faith. second crisis in the Christian experience, as Wesley does. 3. That it is given instantaneously, in one moment. 5. J o h n W e s l e y 4. That we are to expect it, not at It has already been suggested that John death, but every moment.-1 Wesley is the “father” of the many modern It is readily apparent that two problems movements which are generally defined as project themselves into the thinking of the “holiness.” Hence it will be necessary to reader of these lines. The first is the ques­ ascertain rather carefully just what he tion of “sinless perfection,” and the second taught on the subject of sanctification. is that of “instantaneous sanctification.” Fortunately, we are not left in any doubt, We shall take these up more carefully, to for Wesley himself has left us a summary ascertain Wesley’s exact position. of his teaching on the subject, in his treat­ With regard to the former, the problem ise entitled, “A Plain Account of Christian hinges on the definition of sin. Wesley Perfection, as believed and taught by the recognized this. So he writes: Reverend Mr. John Wesley, from the year 1725, to the year 1777.” 1. Not only sin, properly so called, Wesley began quite early in his ministry (that is, a voluntary transgression of a to use the term “perfection” and thereby in­ known law,) but sin, improperly so curred considerable opposition. One of his called, (that is, an involuntary trans­ opponents was Bishop Gibson. Wesley re­ gression of a divine law, known or un­ counts a meeting with him. known) needs the atoning blood.

I think it was in the latter end of the 2. I believe there is no such perfection year 1740, that I had a conversation in this life as excludes these involun­ with Dr. Gibson, then Bishop of London, tary transgressions which I apprehend at Whitehall. He asked me what I meant to be naturally consequent on the ig­ by perfection. I told him without any norance and mistakes inseparable from disguise or reserve. When I ceased m ortality. speaking, he said, Mr. Wesley, if this be 3. Therefore, sinless perfection is a all you mean, publish it to all the world. phrase I never use, lest I should seem If anyone then can confute what you to contradict myself. say, he may have free leave.” I an­ swered, “My Lord, I will;” and accord­ 4. I believe a person filled w ith the ingly wrote and published the sermon love of God is still liable to these in­ on Christian perfection.1!* voluntary transgressions. The sermon written in fulfilment of this 5. Such transgressions you may call promise is divided into two parts: sins, if you please: I do not.-- 1. In what sense Christians are not per­ This is not the place to argue the ques­ fect. tion as to whether Wesley was correct or 2. In what sense Christians are perfect. not in his definition of sin. But this much

8 (348) The Preacher's Magazine can be said: granting his definition, there We believe that entire sanctification is does not remain much room for dispute as that act of God, subsequent to regener­ to the possibility of sinlessness in this life. ation, by which believers are made free from original sin, or depravity, and In 1764, after m ature deliberation, W es­ brought into a state of entire devote- ley wrote: “Is it sinless? It is not worth ment to God, and the holy obedience while to contend for a term. It is ‘salvation of love made perfect. from sin!’ ” - 3 It is wrought by the baptism with the With regard to the question of instan­ Holy Spirit, and comprehends in one taneousness, Wesley has a statement defin­ experience the cleansing of the heart itely in answer. H e says: from sin and the abiding, indwelling Q. Is this death to sin, and renewal in presence of the Holy Spirit, empower­ love, gradual or instantaneous? ing the believer for life and service. Entire sanctification is provided by the A. A man may be dying for some blood of Jesus, is wrought instantane­ time; yet he does not, properly speak­ ously by faith, preceded by entire con­ ing, die, till the instant the soul is sep­ secration, and to this work and state arated from the body .... In like man­ of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness.-1’ ner, he may be dying to sin for some There are other organized holiness de­ time; yet he is not dead to sin, till sin nominations, such as the Free Methodist, is separated from his soul, and in that Wesleyan Methodist, Reformed Baptist, and instant he lives the full life of love.1’1 Pilgrim Holiness. All of these have much But Wesley emphasized a gradual work the same doctrinal statement as that just of sanctification, before and after the crisis quoted. But none of these four mentioned experience. H e w rote in 1767, w hen sixty- are “Pentecostal” (tongues), nor do any of four years of age: them allow any so-called “holy rollerism.” I believe this perfection is always They are all definitely committed to the Wes­ wrought in the soul by a simple act of leyan interpretation of the New Testament faith; consequently, in an instant. But doctrine of sanctification. I believe a gradual work, both preced­ 7. S u m m a r y ing and following that instant. -' It is obvious that W esley believed in a We have traced the history of this doc­ perfection in holiness in this life. His trine from the time of Augustine to the favorite expression for it was “perfect love.” present. We have found that Augustine I think it will be apparent that many ex­ himself saw no inherent impossibility of treme statements about Wesley’s views perfect sanctification in this life. But he would be found unjustifiable if his own felt that no example of such a state of grace words were carefully weighed. had appeared in human history. Therefore, he decided that God had by a “judicial act” ruled out the possibility of such an experi­ 6. T h e M o d e r n H o l i n e s s M o v e m e n t ence. Pelagius had strong faith in man’s A bout 1875, m any of the leaders o f the natural goodness and so saw no hindrance Methodist Church began to discount the to attaining the goal of perfection. Wesleyan teaching of entire sanctification. Medieval catholic theology, based imme­ In 1895, w hen Dr. P. F. Bresee organized diately on Aquinas and ultimately on Aug­ the first Church of the Nazarene in Los ustine, stressed the human factor in sancti­ Angeles, California, the bishops of the fication. The grace of God for this was Methodist Church were divided over the mediated through the sacraments. issue. By that time, there were a number Calvin was sure that perfection was im­ of groups in about every section of this possible in this life. Luther generally country that were seeking to revive the taught the same, although two or three Wesleyan emphasis on “Scriptural holiness.” statements in his writings certainly sound The Church of the Nazarene is by far like an endorsement of the idea of Christian the largest denomination in the United perfection in the present life. But sanctifica­ States today that subscribes to the Wes­ tion was a secondary interest in the thinking leyan interpretation of sanctification. So of the Reformers. we shall quote from its official statement The Pietists and Quakers both gave on the subject of “entire sanctification.” The strong emphasis to practical piety and following is taken from the “Articles of ethical holiness. The former were more Faith” in the 1 9 4 4 Manual. mystical than theological. George Fox did

November-December 1947 (349) 9 not define his doctrines with very great of Christians have found a new purity and clearness, but he gave a large place to the power in their lives as the result of appro­ ministry of the Holy Spirit and to His priating this truth. sanctifying grace in the heart. John Wesley was the first to emphasize 1 Compendium of Christian Theology, I I I , 61. 2 Oxford University Press, 1934. definitely and clearly the doctrine of entire 3 Frederic Platt, Article "Perfection (Christian)” in sanctification as a crisis experience. With Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, IX , 733. 4 Pope, CCT, I II , 70. him, for the first time in Christian history, 5 Platt, in ER E, IX , 733. sanctification was a central interest. He be­ 6 R. H. Coats, Article "Sanctification" in ER E, X I, 182. 7 Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, V. 112. lieved in deliverance from all sin and taught 8 Flew, op. cit., 225. 9 Coats, in ER E, X I, 182. that sanctification was both instantaneous 10 Institutes, II, 412.- and gradual. 11 Quoted in Flew, op. cit., 245. 12 Lindsay, History of the Reformation, I, 367. The modern holiness movement in this 13 Harnack, History of Dogma, V II, 267. country built definitely on the foundation 14 Wace and Buchheim, Luther's Primary Works, 265. 15 Ibid. laid by Wesley. But the doctrinal statements 16 Flew, op. cit., 276, 277. have become more fixed and specific. It will 17 Flew, PCT, 281, 282. 18 Barclay, Apology, 229. be noticed that the conditions of being 19 Works, X I, 374. sanctified—full consecration and faith—are 20 Works, X I, 376. 21 Works, X I, 396. stated definitely today. The past half cen­ 23 Works, X I, 442. tury bears abundant witness to the effect­ 24 Works, I, 402. 25 Works, X I, 446. iveness of this message. Many thousands 26 Manual of the Church of the Nazarene, 29.

Carpenter of Lives

Dr. Paul S. Rees

T e x t — Is not this the carpenter? (M ark The Gospel writer here forgets 6 :3 ). To tell about the Carpenter.

TUDDERT-KENNEDY, the well-known But that’s just what I want to know. S English preacher and famous chaplain Ah! Christ- in glory, here below of World War I, used to hear certain men Men cheat and lie to one another so; criticize Jesus as being an impractical ideal­ It's hard to be a carpenter. ist. “Jesus,” they w ou ld say, “ spoke in beautiful generalities about beautiful ideals Let no man ever say that Jesus and His which, after all, just will not go in a hard teachings were out of touch with the real­ world such as ours.” Studdert-Kennedy got ities of life. This man of Nazareth did not tired of that sort of talk, for he knew how spend Ilis earthly days ill some ivory tow­ false it was; and, being a poet as well as a er of placid detachment, from whence He parson, he one day sat down and pounded banded down to the sweating, toiling sons of out his protest in a poem called “The Car­ men a certain lovely but impossible pat­ penter” : tern for living. Not Jesus! He, too, knew the sweat of toil. He knew the exertion of I wonder what He charged for chairs at labor. He knew the “headaches” of traffic Nazareth. and trade. He knew the hazards of an And did men try to beat Him down economically precarious existence. Has not And boast about it in the town— Sholem Asch, dealing with that period in “1 bought it cheap for half-a-crown Jesus’ life which we call “The Silent Years,” From that mad Carpenter”? pictured Him as the mainstay and counsel­ or of His mother after the death of Joseph? And did they promise and not pay, Asch suggests that Jesus was reluctant to Put it off to another day; strike out in His public ministry until He O, did they break His heart that way, was sure that His younger brother could My Lord, the Carpenter? take His place as Mary’s chief helper.

I wonder did He have bad debts, So it is Jesus the Toiler, the Carpenter And did He know my fears and frets? of calloused hands, whom we are to think

10 (350) The Preacher’s Magazine about today. It is the Jesus who, again and possible case, it seemed, a torture to him­ again in His teachings, echoed the experi­ self and a terror to the countryside. Jesus, by ences which had been His in the trade of a the word of His power, cast out the de­ man who swung a ham m er and shaped a monic forces, and the man was left, as timber. You hear Him talk about a "yoke" M ark puts it, “ clothed and in his right that is easy and a “ burden” that is light. mind.” It was the restoration of sanity. It You hear Him liken a wise man to one was the Master’s repair-work of putting who “built his house upon the rock,” and things right. a foolish man to one “who built his house Read on in the chapter and you come to upon the sand." You hear Him say, “Which the story of the woman who had been ill of you intending to build a tower.” You for eighteen years. No physician to which hear Him say again, “ This man began to she had gone had been able to cure her. But build, but was not able to finish.” It’s the the day dawned when, amid the jostling Carpenter speaking, you see—the Man of throng that surrounded Him, she made practical skill who, at the same time, won- contact with Jesus, and there came from His drously enough, was the Son of God sent lips, as Mark records it, the healing words, down to redeem us. "Go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” At the point in Mark’s Gospel where we It was the restoration of health. come upon our text we find the Master in Read on still further and you have the the synagogue. Following an amazing suc­ account of the twelve-year-old daughter of cession of miracles, He is now giving the the ruler of the synagogue, into whose dead- people an equally amazing demonstration body the Master put new life. In the pres­ of His insight an_d authority in the realm ence of the father and mother, and three of of truth. "From whence hath this man His disciples, He said, “Damsel, I say unto these things?” is their exclam ation. “And thee, arise. “And,” says Mark, “straight­ what wisdom is this which is given unto way the damsel arose and walked.” It was him, that even such m ighty w orks are restoration from the dead. wrought by his hands?” And then, accord­ Now go back over those three events ing to Mark, they added, “ Is not this the and you will readily discover other view­ carpenter, the son of Mary?” points from which to behold and to evalu­ What they said to belittle Him, you and I ate the amazing repair work of this Car- would say today in praise of Him. We penter-Christ. Take the case of the man would say, because He is the Carpenter— among the tombs. Mark §ays that when the Carpenter of lives------“such mighty works Lord Jesus Christ had healed him, He said arc wrought by his hands.” to him, “Go home!” What power those two words have to kindle one’s imagination! I. What would it mean for the mother and Consider, to begin with, that one task of the children to have a sober, decent, self- a carpenter is that of restoration. He is an respecting, God-fearing father? Visualize expert in the business of repairing and re­ that scene, and you will see how this Car­ newing. A few weeks ago I had dinner with penter of lives takes a broken home and a friend in his delightful lake-shore home m ends it. in northern New York, a residence to Or take the woman who had been ill and which he had moved since I last saw him. handicapped for nearly two decades. Living He had bought an old house which had been was a burden to her. The future was a neglected for years. It was ugly, drab, and dread to her. The past was a nightmare to deteriorated. When he told me what it was her. All that was ended when she got in like and then showed me what had been touch with the great Repairer. Visualize done by the deft hands of the carpenters that scene, and you will see how this Mas- and painters I was thrilled with astonish­ tei-Mender takes a broken life and makes ment and admiration. The old was no more; it whole. the new had been born. A n d it was a re­ Or take the incident of the raising of the pair job! luler’s daughter. Look upon the wet cheeks But there is a higher carpentry than that, of those bereaved parents. Feel with them and Christ our Lord is a master at it. If you the indescribable loss and loneliness which turn back to the chapter which precedes had descended upon their home with the our text, the fifth of Mark, you will find a death of their darling. See those tears of veritable pageant of restorations that the grief suddenly transfigured into tears of Master perform ed. The first is that o f the joy and gratitude as the light returns to wild man who dwelt among the tombs, pos­ the daughter’s eyes and the smile to her sessed by a legion of devils. H e was an im ­ face. Visualize that scene, and you will see

November-December 1947 (351) 11 how this Carpenter of lives takes broken the gospel of Christ. He became the handi­ hearts and mends them. work of this Carpenter of lives!

Will Durant, our popular philosopher who II. specializes in the history of philosophy, has offered a very wise observation on the dif­ Let’s recall, in the second place, that a ference between Caesar and Christ, back in carpenter, in addition to doing the work the days when Christianity and emperor- of restoration, engages in the work of con­ W'orship were locked in mortal combat. struction. Repairs and renewals must be “Caesar,” says Durant, “hoped to reform made, as every member of the carpenter’s men by changing institutions and laws; guild well knows. But what craftsman Christ wished to remake institutions, and would be content to be always at repair lessen laws, by changing men.” It is well jobs? If he is a contractor, he wants to said. build the new thing. If he is a cabinet­ But the practical question is: Have we maker, he wants to assemble and fashion placed our defeated, defiled, disorganized, something constructive and fine. disenchanted lives in the hands of this It is not otherwise with this Master of great Mender of men for Him to remake us life’s higher carpentry whom we are study­ into His own likeness? Have we been ing today. Have you ever looked into the humble enough to admit our failure and Scriptures to see what excellent things He hopeful enough to believe that He, and He m akes? alone, can make us the men and women wc For example, He is the maker, the builder, ought to be? On my desk this past week has of Christlike character. He can forgive a been lying a story of thrilling spiritual pow­ sinner’s guilt and breathe in the life of God er, told by a Baptist minister in the east. in an instant; He can fill with His Holy Spirit An evangelist was conducting a series of the consecrated heart of a Christian in a meetings. One night there was handed to moment; but it requires time, and then him a note which read: “Please pray for more time, and then still more time, for me, for I am an outcast, a pickpocket, and Him to erect the firm, finished structure of utterly hopeless.” The evangelist located holy character. That takes a lot of planning the man, took him to his room, knelt with and sandpapering and polishing—some of him in prayer, and led him into a living faith it not at all pleasant. It takes the round­ in the Lord Jesus Christ our Redeemer. At ing of a sharp corner here, the smoothing the time this event occurred the man's very off of a splintered edge there, and the rub­ appearance was repulsive: close-set, shifty bing down of a rough surface over there. eyes, a low, scowling brow, hands that When a discouraged child of God, in the seemed long and greedy. After his con­ midst of much suffering and distress, sighed version there came, within an astonishingly to a friend and said, “I wish I’d never been brief time, a marvelous change. His whole made,” the wise and faithful friend replied, countenance opened up. His eyes seemed “My dear, you are not made yet, you are to widen. His fingers looked different. just in the making, and you’re quarreling It was not long until the man entered a with the process.” Remember the words of Bible institute. He took every honor in his our Lord, spoken, mind you, to save men, studies. One day he said to his pastor, “I “Follow me, and I will m ake you.” And, think I have a call to preach.” The pastor as a dear old Welsh minister of my acquaint­ said, “If you have, I will do everything to ance used to say, “The making is in the help you that I can.” Later the man en­ following.” tered a theological seminary. Five years And then this Carpenter of lives works later the president of the seminary wrote at another contrivance that all of us Chris­ to the pastor: “Of all the men we have tians need. It is described in I Corinthians here, your man is the leader in spiritual pow­ 10:13, where we are told that He “will with er.” That letter was written on the oc­ the temptation also make a way of es­ casion of the man’s graduation from the cape, that ye may be able to bear it." Per­ seminary with the highest of honors. Five haps you have misread that passage. It years from the time he staggered despond­ dees not promise “escape" from the tempta­ ently into the evangelistic meeting a thief tion; it only promises “escape” from the and a scoundrel—five years to the day—he failure and disaster that would ensue if we was seated in a Christian church as an were overcome by the temptation. If we only ordained minister, celebrating the Sacra­ realized it, those hands of His are very busy ment of the Lord’s Supper. He who had when we, His disciples, are under attack been sent to prison fourteen times turned from the devil or are being lured by evil in out to be a magnificently fine minister of some bright and fascinating garb which it

12 (352) The Preacher's Magazine wears. Busy, I say, are those dear hands of at the undertaking. He succeeds now His, making ways by which we can stand wherever men yield to the touch of His re­ up under the pressure and resist success­ deeming hands. The work of His grace fully the fascination of gilded sin. “Time will go on in this fashion, with every op­ and again,” confessed saintly old Mark portunity given to men to accept Him as Rutherford, “I have known moments of their Saviour and Lord. But one day, when temptation when I would have gone under, men have failed long enough at their mad but the pure, calm, heroic image of Christ attempts to run the world without Him, He confronted me, and I succeeded.” Ah, my is going to land on these sin-wrecked hu­ soul, I too, have known those moments of man shores once more. It will be such a peril and have proved His skill and faithful­ revelation of himself as the world has never ness in seeing me through. The ways by seen. By methods of judgment and sifting, which He does it are legion but, whatever by the twin processes of destruction and con­ the method, the effectiveness of it is what servation that were foreshadowed when Je­ counts. sus declared that the “tares” must be Yes, an amazing builder, a grand construc­ “burned” and the “wheat” gathered into tionist, is this Carpenter of lives. But of his “barn,” he is going to fulfill His prom­ all the pictures of Him which the New ise, “Behold, I make all things new.” Testament holds up to our eager vision, by The curse of war will be swept away: it all odds the greatest is that found in the will be the new reign of peace. The blight Book of Revelation where, in chapter 21, of crime will be swept away: it will be verse 5, we read, “Behold, I make all the new reign of law and order. The ug­ things new.” Why not? Have we not heard liness of famine and poverty and disease St. Paul declare, as he peered back into the will be swept away: it will be the new dimly lit past, “By him were all things reign of perennial health and prosperity. created .... and he is before all things, and The specter of death will be swept away: by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:16- It will be the new reign of immortal life. 17) ? That creation was holy and harmoni­ What is the final ending? ous when first it came from His hand. But The issue, can we know? sin has soaked this earthly sector of it Will Christ outlive Mohammed? with its stain of blood and brutality, its Will Kali’s altar go? flood of tragedy and tears. Faced with this This is our faith tremendous miscarriage of His purpose, the Creator- Our wild hope, who shall scorn, Christ has become the Redeemer-Christ. That in the name of Jesus, He is out to recover the souls of men. He This world shall be reborn. is out to rehabilitate the lives of men. More than that, He is out to destroy finally ev­ Yes, and when that happy, holy con­ ery last ragged remnant of evil and tragedy summation shall stand a reality before our and death and ugliness from the long-tor- grateful eyes, we shall have to bow in lured face of this poor earth. wonder and confess, It was a Carpenter’s And what is more, He is going to succeed hands that brought it to pass!

Let us give The Book its rightful place in our minds and hearts and lives. We pay a terrible price when we neglect it. We reap rich rewards when we accept it and use it for what it claims to be—the Word of the Living God.

We search the world for truth; we cull The good, the pure, the beautiful, From all old flower fields of the soul; And, weary seekers of the best, We come back laden from our quest, To find that all the sages said Is in the Book our mothers read.

—S e l e c t e d

November-December 1947 (353) 13 The Doctrine of the Kenosis, or What It Cost God to Become Man

By J. A. Huffman, D.D.

N the study of the Incarnation—God in reader of the sacred Scriptures for such Ihuman flesh—we come at once to one of an event as the Incarnation. the most difficult subjects, but, at the same Implicitly the doctrine of the kenosis is time, a subject of greatest interest. full and complete in John 1:14, where it is The w ord kenosis is derived from the declared: “And the Word became filled, Greek verb k en o -o , which means to empty, and tabernacled among us, and we beheld to divest one's self of his prerogatives, or to his glory, glory as the only begotten of the abase one’s self. The theological doctrine of Father, full of grace and truth.” It only the Kenosis gets its rather high-sounding remained for Paul to state this doctrine ex- characterization from the great classic pas­ plicity: He emptied himself.” sage of scripture found in the second chap­ The Kenosis, itself, made Christ unique. ter of Philippians, verses five to eleven, in­ He was as no other man. He was truly God, clusive. Concerning Christ, Paul wrote: “He and truly man. He was God in human flesh. emptied himself, taking the form of a serv­ To the synoptists, to John who wrote the ant, becoming in the likeness of men. And Fourth Gospel narrative, and to every other having been found in fashion of as a man he New Testament writer, He was never less humbled himself,” verses 7 and 8. than the Unique Person, made such by the In this passage the Greek word translated fact of the Kenosis. “em ptied” is eken osen, which is the third person singular, first aorist tense, active II voice, o f k en o -o . It is followed by the Greek heauton, which means, “himself,” thus mak­ T h e M y s t e r y o f t h e K e n o s i s ing the clause to read: “He emptied him­ Just as Christ was ever the Unique Person, self. The King James Version translates so was He the mystery person. The peuple this sentence: “He made himself of no repu­ of His day did not understand Him. When tation,” which is a very inadequate trans­ He declared that Abraham had rejoiced lation. The American Standard Version, the to see His day (John 8:56), the Jews ex­ most accurate and trustworthy of all pres­ claimed: “Thou hast not yet fifty years, ent versions, translates the sentence cor­ and hast thou seen Abraham?” (John 8:57). rectly, as above. This mystery of the God-man so con­ fused the early church that for three cen­ I turies a bitter contention was waged in an

T h e F a c t o f t h e K e n o s i s attempt to solve it. It was Carlyle who, embittered as he was against the church of Immediately that the kenosis is declared, his day, accused the church of “having “he emptied himself,” the explanation fol­ fought for three centuries over a Greek lows by the use of three phrases: In “form,” dipthong.” Carlyle’s accusations were true. G reek morphan, of a servant; in “likeness,” The church “fought” over the mystery of G reek homoiomati, of men; in “fashion,” the Incarnation, and employed Greek dip- Greek schamati, as a man. By these three thongs as their verbal weapons. Here were Greek words, the incarnation is graphically the three theological contentions: depicted. God has come into the compass of the human, mysterious and inexplicable 1. H e was homoousios, m eaning same in as that m ay be. substance from the Father. The kenosis doctrine is not, however, a 2. He was heteroousious, m eaning differ­ new one from the pen of the Apostle Paul. ent in substance from the Father. It is written in various ways over much of 3. He was homoiousios, m eaning like in the Old Testament, and over all of the substance with the Father. New Testament. Isaiah’s prophecy of the virgin born Immanuel (Isa. 7:14), and the All of this was the result of the differing Wonderful Child (Isa. 9:6), prepare the conclusions of those who sought to solve

14 (354) The Preacher’s Magazine the mystery of the God-man, or to solve the it, but asks that it be restored to Him. So doctrine of the Kenosis. certain was Jesus that the Father would Men did not understand the mystery of return to Him His divested glory, that the God-man in Christ’s day; in the time when He uttered His climactic petition for ot the early church, nor can we fully un­ all then present and future believers, as derstand it now. But there are certain facts recorded in John 17:24, he prayed: “Fa­ which stand out clearly, and these are the ther, I will that those whom thou hast things to which we may profitably give con­ given me, where I am they may be also, sideration. that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me for thou didst love me before Ill the foundation of the earth.” G lory is a deity prerogative, too great T h e M e a n i n g o f t h e K e n o s i s and grand for the human. Unmistakably, Whatever we may discover the Kenosis to glory was one of the things of which Jesus mean, or not to mean, there are several in the incarnation, emptied himself. things of which we may be certain. There are certain other deity preroga­ Were there no such statement in the Bi­ tives of which Jesus divested himself, as ble, such as is foun d in Phil. 2: 7, 8, declar­ can be clearly seen. ing that Jesus “emptied himself,” a bit of philosophizing would lead to the conclusion D ignity, in the fuller meaning of the that, should deity ever come with the com­ term, belongs to deity. But the human sub­ pass or limitations of the human, something jected Jesus to such indignities as hunger, must of necessity happen, for the human is thirst, cold, weariness, tears, etc. These are too limited for deity. That is precisely what not necessarily indignities to the human, is meant by the Kenosis------an accommoda­ but would certainly be such to deity. How- tion of deity to the human. beit, these are the little human touches which bring Jesus very close to us in our On the other hand, care must be ob­ hum anity. served in our thinking, not to destroy es­ sential deity, while human limitations were Independence is another deity prerogative. imposed. Just as certain as we are, that But we hear Jesus saying: “I have not the self-imposed limitations of Jesus in the come down from heaven that I may do my human were necessary, just so certain may own will, but the will of the one having we be that, while Jesus was in the human sent me” (John 6:38). In Phil. 2:7, we He retained His self-identity, His deity have Paul saying, that Jesus took the form identity, despite the Kenosis or human lim­ of a servant, Greek doulos, w hich is a itations. He was at no moment, in His earth­ bond slave. ly visit, an iota less than the Son of God, Omniscience is not only a deity pre­ who had an eternity of existence, and who rogative, but a deity attribute. Yet, concern­ participated in the creation of the universe. ing one thing at least, Jesus professed nes­ To discover then the real meaning of the cience when he declared that he did not Kenosis, we should return to our definition know the time of his return (Mark 13:32). of the Greek verb, k en o -o , from which the It is impossible to understand this state­ noun form kenosis is derived. “To divest ment of Jesus except in the light of the one’s self of his prerogatives,” is the real kenosis. meaning of the Kenosis. It was not his Deathlessness is a deity prerogative, yet identity, or his deity identity of which Je­ we discover Jesus to have become obedi­ sus divested himself, but some of his deity ent unto death, even the ignominious death prerogatives. of the Roman crucifixion, hanging between Jesus himself gives us the key to this two malefactors, with hands and feet driven whole subject, if we will listen carefully, as through with cruel nails, and side pierced. He prays for himself. John 17 records He was human enough to die, a thing which three prayers in one. In verses 1-5 Jesus could never be predicted of unmixed deity. prayed for himself. In verses 6-19 He prayed In His humanity, Jesus had limitations. for His immediate apostles. In verses 20-26 John tells us of Jesus employing power, but He prayed for all then present and for fu­ speaks of it by the use, not of dunamis, ture disciples. Hear Him as He climaxes the Greek word for inherent power, but by Kis prayer for himself, in verse 5. “And now employing the Greek word exousian, m ean­ glorify thou me, Father, alongside of thy­ ing delegated power. He then makes a self, with the glory which I had with thee statement which explains any limitation before the world was.” Please note: Once which we may discover Jesus ever to have He had certain glory; does not now possess had, by saying: “Because he is a son of

November-December 1947 (355) 15 man” (John 5:27). I have italicized the in­ asked concerning any limitation which Je­ definite article “a” to give it prominence, sus ever had: “Because he is a son of man.” for the statement is incorrectly translated The American Standard Version here, in the King James Version, using the defin­ again, with a fine discrimination, gives the ite article “the,” thus giving a meaning accurate translation. not at all intended. “The Son of Man" Whatever we have found the Kenosis to was one of the Messianic titles for our be, or not to be, whatever we may yet dis­ Lord, "but this passage does not contain the cover concerning it, whatever its meaning, definite article “the,” but supplies the an­ it was voluntary: “He emptied him self.” swer to any question which can ever be (All Rights Reserved.)

The Atonement in Christ

Dr. Peter Wiseman

HERE is perhaps no theme more im­ odus (Exodus 12), in the Levitical sacri­ Tportant and interesting than the atone­ ficial system, the seed of the woman (Gen. ment made by Christ for human redemp­ 3:15), the sin offering, the substitutional Sa­ tion. Many are the aspects of approaches; viour (Isa. 53), the cut-off Messiah (Dan. neither time nor space will permit even 9:26), the smitten shepherd (Zech. 13:7). their consideration in this article. There are about 333 specific Old Testa­ Some aspects of modern thought would ment pictures of the sacrificial death of Je­ lead one to believe that we have a world sus Christ. without a Maker, the origin of man with­ 1. Seen in the Lamb of Passover. out God, religion without the Holy Ghost, (1) The lamb selected for the Passover a Bible without a divine superintendency, had to be without blemish (Ex. 12:3, 5), heaven without hell, Christ without deity, and Peter speaks of the Christ “as of a and atonement without blood. lamb without blemish and without spot” There are said to be three probable ways (I Peter 1:19). of salvation; namely, the claims of the law, (2) The little lamb was slain or killed. the virtue of works, and by expiation. Christ is the Lamb slain (Rev. 5:12); “Ye As to the first, the Word says, “By the . . . . killed the Prince of life,” the apostle deeds of the law there shall no flesh be said (Acts 3:15). justified.” With respect to flip second, it (3) The blood was their protection, says, “Not of works, lest any man should “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” boast.” It must, then, be by atonement or (Ex. 12:13); “redeemed .... with the expiation. precious blood of Christ” (I Peter 1:18-19). This expiation must go from God in or­ (4) The blood had to be sprinkled (Ex. der to be valid and to avail with Him. It 12:7); so the “sprinkling of the blood of must at the same time belong to humanity. Jesus Christ” (I Peter 1:2). Hence the necessity of the Incarnation, God becoming man, the God-man; “For there is (5) “A lamb, according to the house one God, and one mediator between God . . . .” (Ex. 12:3); “This is my body” and and men, the man Christ Jesus” (I Tim. “I am the bread. . . .” said Jesus. 2 :5 ). (6) It was a memorial “for ever” (Ex. May we look at this glorious subject from 12:14); “This do,” said Jesus, “in remem­ the following standpoints: brance of me” (Luke 22:19). (7) “Ye shall eat unleavened bread” (Ex. I. 1 2 : 1 8 ) the unleavened bread of sin­ T h e A t o n e m e n t P r e f ig u r e d a n d P r e d ic t e d cerity and truth” (I Cor. 5:8). The atonement of Christ is both pre­ 2. Seen in the sacrifice of the Passover. figured and predicted in the Old Testa­ The slaying of the lamb has its signifi­ ment. It is seen in the coats of skin pre­ cance, also the body eaten by the family. pared for our first parents (Gen. 3:21), in The words of Jesus Christ on the night the offering of Abel (Gen. 4:4), in the Ex­ of His betrayal are very impressive. He

16 (355) The Preacher's Magazine brake it, and the prophet said of Christ atonement of Christ with respect to Christ, that “he hath poured out his soul unto is found in the following: death.” (1) In His death: “If, when we were The life of Christ was a sacrifice. Thus, enemies, we were reconciled to God by the the Person, Christ crucified, the Person death of his Son, much more, being recon­ and the cross, stand out with emphasis in ciled, we shall be saved by his life.” the Passover and the Lord’s Supper. (2) In His cross'. “We preach Christ cru­ The deliverance is through blood, hence cified.” “God forbid that I should glory, Christ is our Passover, and our Deliverer. save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, The price of our redemption is His precious by whom the world is crucified unto me, blood. and I unto the world.” II. (3) In His blood'. “ This is m y blood .... which is shed for many for the remission T h e A t o n e m e n t in P e r s o n a l R elationships of sins” (Matt. 26:28). M e e t s E v e r y N eed (4) In His very self: “Who his own self 1. To the Father. bare our sins in his own body on the tree” (1) It is the outcome of His love, at the (I Peter 2:24). same time the measure of that love; “God so 4. To various classes. loved the world, that he gave his only be­ The atonement of Christ was for: gotten Son, that whosoever believeth in (1) The world; “Behold the Lamb of him should not perish, but have everlasting God, which taketh away the sin of the life.” w orld.” (2) It is to manifest the righteousness of (2) For sinners; “The just for the un­ God; “Whom God hath set forth to be a just.” propitiation through faith in his blood, to (3) For the individual; “Jesus, . . . . declare his righteousness for the remission should taste death for every man”; “who of sins that are past, through the forbearance loved me, and gave himself for me.” of G od.” (4) For His people; “Thou shalt call his (3) It is the only basis of reconciliation name Jesus: for he shall save his people of man to God, “. . . . when we were en­ from their sins.” emies, we were reconciled to God by the (5) For the Church; “Christ also loved death of his Son. . . .” the church, and gave himself for it; that 2. To the law. he might sanctify and cleanse it with the (1) Christ was born under the law, washing of water by the word, that he “When the fulness of the time was come, might present it to himself a glorious God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any made under the law.” such thing; but that it should be holy and (2) Christ bore the curse of the law, without blemish.” “The atonement is suf­ “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse ficient for the whole world, it is efficient to of the law, being made a curse for us: for it the salvation of those only who repent and is written, Cursed is every one that hang- believe”—Binney. eth on a tree.” 5. To obligation. (3) Christ fulfilled the righteousness of (1) The death of Christ was a necessity. the law, “Therefore as by the offence of one “Ought not Christ to have suffered these judgment came upon all men to con­ things, and to enter into his glory?” “Him­ demnation; even so by all the righteousness self he could not save.” He could not save of one the free gift came upon all men unto himself and the world, too, hence the neces­ justification of life. For as by one man’s sity and the nature of the atonement. disobedience many were made sinners, so (2) The atonement of Christ was vol­ by the obedience of one shall many be made untary, “I lay down my life, that I might righteous” (Rom. 5:18-19). take it again. No man taketh it from me, (4) Christ met all the demands of the but I lay it down of myself. I have power law, fulfilled it, that is, filled it up, and to lay it down, and I have power to take abolished it. The law served as a school­ it again.” master to bring us to Christ. Having found (3) The atonement of Christ was vicari­ the Christ, we no longer need the school­ ous; nothing in the economy of grace was master. for himself; it was for the race. 3. To the Son. (4) The atonement of Christ was a sub­ The cause of the atonement is found in stitute; “a provisory substitute for penalty, our sins; “He died for our sins,” but the and not an actual punishment for sin.”

November-December 1947 (357) 17 III. 4. Another scheme (modern) appears to be that the atonement was made for all, T h e A t o n e m e n t A c c o r d in g t o V a r i o u s and is efficient for all who believe; but, T h e o r i e s when once received, its saving benefits can­ There are many theories of the Atone­ not be forfeited or the individual be lost. ment. Some theologians have enumerated 5. The Arminian position is that the as many as fifteen. There could not, of atonement by Christ is sufficient and effici­ course, be fifteen true theories; for, as one ent for the whole race, “Christ died for all" has rightly said, “All Christian doctrine to —the whole race of morally free beings— be true must be both accordant and scrip­ beings who have power to accept or reject tural. If discordant and contradictory, some the offered provision of the atonement; that one or more must be both unscriptural and all may be saved on the condition of faith, false.” It is not our intention to go into and the danger of final apostasy on the these theories; rather, discuss briefly the basis of unbelief and disobedience. Calvinistic views and then the Arminian. IV. 1. The atonement of Christ is specifical­ ly limited in its nature, in its design, and T h e A t o n e m e n t i n P r o v i s i o n a n d P e r s o n a l in its benefits, to the portion of mankind E x p e r i e n c e known as the elect. Christ died for them, It is comforting to pass from mere theories and them alone. They only are represented lo the fact of scripture confirmed by Chris­ by Christ in the covenant of redemption; tian experience. “neither are any others redeemed by Christ”; hence, none but the elect have any 1. It is the blood of propitiation: “Whom hope of eternal salvation. God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his This, it appears, is the strict Calvinistic righteousness for the remission of sins that view, as set forth in the writings of John are past, through the forbearance of God" Calvin; also, the “Westminster Confession of (Rom. 3:25). Faith.” By virtue of the atonement of Christ, however, all men are favored with 2. It is the blood of redemption: “And temporal mercies, which is termed, a “com­ they sung a new song, saying, Thcu art mon call” of the gospel, but it does not worthy to take the book, and to open the issue into eternal salvation. seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of 2. The atonement of Christ is equal to every kindred, and tongue, and people, and the needs of the whole world, but it is not nation" (Rev. 5:9). designed, nor can it possibly be extended in 3. It is the blood of remission: “And al­ its application, to make salvation possible most all things are by the law purged to any but the elect. with blood; and without shedding of blood This scheme is similar to the first. It is no remission" (Heb. 9:22). differs from it, however, in that it allows a 4. It is the blood of reconciliation, as we sufficient provision in the Atonement to have already seen: “But now in Christ avail for the salvation of all, but that suffi­ Jesus ye who sometime were far off are cient provision must be interpreted in har­ made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Eph. mony with the purpose of God according to 2:13). election. 5. It is the blood of justification: “. . . . 3. The atonement of Christ was de­ justified by his blood, we shall be saved signed and is sufficient for the salvation of from wrath through him” (Rom. 5:9). all mankind; that the gospel should be 6. To justification belongs peace; we have preached to all; none, however, but the “peace through the blood of his cross” (Col. elect can ever possibly be saved by it, be­ 1 :20). cause none other will believe and obey the 7. It is the blood of sanctification: “Jesus gospel. This is certain, because none can also, that he might sanctify the people with believe unless God by His Spirit, gives them his own blood, suffered without the gate” faith. But this He has decreed from eternity (Heb. 13:12). to withhold from all but the elect. 8. It is the blood o f entrance: “H aving According to this view, Christ has pur­ therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into chased a conditional salvation for all men. the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Heb. Faith is the condition; but because of the 10:19). decreed arrangement of God, this con­ 9. It is the blood of cleansing: “If we ditional faith cannot be obtained by any walk in the light, as he is in the light, we but the elect. have fellowship one with another, and the

18 (358) The Preacher's Magazine blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us ton of words. It wouldn’t have hurt the from all sin” (I John 1:7). deacon if he had taken one of his own cows, The cleansing stream, I see, I see; one of his best for that matter and given it I plunge, and oh, it cleanseth me. to the widow. The latter’s children wouldn’t 10. It is the blood that covers ou r in ­ have looked so hungry and the deacon’s firmities: The Jewish high priest went in own soul would have fattened and flourished. “not without blood, which he offered for It is fine to share with others. At this Thanksgiving time “our fire is cold if on our himself, and for the errors of the people.” So Christ, our High Priest, entered for us, hearthstone only, and our bread bitter that and His blood covers our infirmities. only feeds our selfish blood.” I like the 11. It is the blood that makes possible words of an unknown poet: our election: “Elect .... unto obedience What shall I give to thee, O Lord? and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” The kings that came of old (I Peter 1:2). Laid softly on Thy table rude 12. It is the blood of protection: “When I Their myrrh and gems of gold. see the blood, I will pass over you.” 13. It is the blood of victory: “And they The martyrs gave their hearts’ warm blood, overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, Their ashes strewed Thy way; and by the word of their testimony” (Rev. They spurned their lives as dreams and dust 12:1 1 ). To speed Thy coming day. 14. It is the blood that fits us for the city: “. . . . These are they which came out Thou knowest of sweet and precious things, of great tribulation, and have washed their My store is scant and small; robes, and made them white in the blood Yet wert Thou here in want and woe, of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:14, 17). Lord, I should give Thee all.

+ There came a voice from heavenly height, “Open thine eyes and see; Gifts to the least of those I love, "At This Thanksgiving Time" Thou givest unto Me.” ANY years ago I read one of Bill — condensed from The United Presbyterian Nye's stories. It concerned a widow M + and a deacon. The former was poor in this world’s goods, the deacon was rich. The There is a time when all our service deacon owned twenty cows, the widow should take hold of the coming of the owned one. A cow in that neighborhood Lord. It is not a normal time but an got sick and died and, of course, it was the emergency time. We are not working widow’s. The widow had four hungry-look- according to the normal routine, but we ing children. One cold day the deacon met are working under pressure of an ap­ one of them on the road. “James,” said the proaching crisis, looking unto and hast­ deacon, “I am sorry that you lost your cow. ing forward the coming of our Lord Jes­ Pray to the Lord, James, and maybe he us Christ. Let the watchword, “Unto the will give you another cow.” coming of the Lord,” be as a kind of in­ James thrust a hand in a shabby pocket, scription on everything that comes into looked sagely at the deacon and said, “You daily life, regulating our friendships, af­ give us one of your cows, and you pray!” fections, enterprises, investments, sacri­ Not a Time for Selfishness fices, service, and all our thoughts of the James gave the deacon good advice. The future. Watching, working, praying, liv­ deacon should have taken his own medi­ ing, hasting “unto the coming of the cine. One pound of generosity is worth a Lord.”—A. B. S i m p s o n .

Bible Reading at Its Best The very best way to read the Bible is to read daily with close attention and with prayer to see the light that shines from its pages, to meditate upon it, and to continue to read it until somehow it works itself, its words, its expressions, its teachings, its habits of thought, and its presentation of God and His Christ into the very warp and woof of one’s being.— H o w a r d A. K e l l y .

November-December 1947 (359) 19 When They Tried to Make Christ King

Neal C. Dirkse

HE idea that Jesus can come into a life drinking and some of the other habits of Twithout there being a renovation is as evil, but held on to his tobacco; and this unlikely as the rising sun failing to dispel the compromise in his case brought about his darkness. A clamoring crowd of folks had ultimate defeat. Soon he was back in the been enamored by the ministry and mir­ same haunts of evil as before. But he was acles of Jesus in that distant day. Never dissatisfied and unhappy; he had tasted had such a prophet and teacher been along something better. He came again to the their dusty roads with such a life and mes­ altar, although some three months had sage. He built within their minds a hope separated the first and this coming. As he that had mixed up with it a rather earthly prayed, he said, “God, take everyth in g away; basis. If only this One would allow him­ I don’t want any of it anymore.” He al­ self to be crowned King, surely things lowed a thorough house-cleaning; he gave would be different for God’s chosen people, Christ his all, and he received Christ’s all. so they reasoned. The difference was a difference of victory and defeat; of a satisfied and a dissatisfied And then one day it happened. They heart. captured the moment when Jesus allowed himself to be lifted upon the back of a When Christ comes into the human heart, small mule. Led into the narrow streets He is intolerant of any competitor to His of the city, they proceeded and followed devotion. There is no room in any heart Him, crying aloud as they went, ‘Hosanna for both sin and Jesus; and because this is to the son of David: Blessed is he that so, altogether too many people find it difficult cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna to become Christians. Their reasoning fol­ in the highest.” Here was their king; here lows the pattern that a little of Christ is was their deliverer. good, but too much is not good; the de­ As though going along with their hopes, liverance from some evil is good, but to Jesus seemed to say, “All right, I’ll be your be completely delivered is not good. Christ king; but first, there will needs be some is unable to solve any problem in one’s life changes.” So, going to the temple, He pro­ unless He is allowed to solve all of them. ceeds to overturn the moneychangers’ ta­ Previous to the cleansing of the temple, bles and to set free the sacrificial beasts and no miracles had been taking place. After birds. He was saying in so many actions, its cleansing, the blind had their eyes op­ If I am to be your king, the first thing that ened, the lame walked. When a life is must be cleansed is the house of worship. yielded to the Holy one, that life becomes And though corrupted powers that held a center of blessing. Folks who have been sway seriously objected, they were quelled unable to see into the doctrines and teach­ by the very force of His authority, and the ing of the church, will see displayed and accusation of their own consciences. And personalized those same teachings, and will Matthew notes carefully that following this be influenced to turn God’s direction. It “house-cleaning”—“the blind and the lame isn’t so much that folks don’t understand; came to him in the temple; and he healed rather, it is that they have failed to see the them.” demonstration of what they hold in a men­ Jesus will come into the life of any man, tal vacuum. A practical re-presentation of but not without there first being a cleaning Jesus will do more in moving men than out; all that savors of sin and evil must be the presentation of the tenets alone. put aside. A compromise in this connec­ Then, too, there are folks who are un­ tion is fatal. Jesus will not share com­ able to walk straight. They desire to go in pany with willful evil. a straight course, but find themselves un­ Recently a young man knelt at the altar able to maintain it. They wish to do right, in our church. He had practically lived his but find themselves without an inner dy­ leisure hours in the various bars of the namic. A cleansed life with Christ de­ city; bound by many habits, he had become clared as Supreme Ruler will reveal in con­ a helpless victim of every evil whim and crete terms every man can understand that desire. He professed Christ and His for­ it is possible to walk in a straight course; giveness before he left. He did stop his that it is possible to live clean and above-

20 (360) The Preacher's Magazine board and without willful sin to mar and destroy. Give Me the Ability Miracles can and will happen in the life of the redeemed if he is walking in fellow­ “For to me to live is Christ” (Paul). ship with his Master. Professed Christian lives that are not seeing miracles happen, OME people have ability, but no adapta­ are lives that are living at far below what is S bility. It is hard for them to adjust their privilege to enjoy. One might draw themselves to others. So I pray: the parallel that when the temple was not 1. Lord, give me the ability to be agree­ cleansed, no miracles happened. When able with those who are disagreeable. Christ revealed what Kingship would in­ 2. Give me the ability to concede that volve for the people, miracles happened as there may be truth on the other side. a matter of course. Would it be too dog­ 3. Give me the ability to answer never matic to insist that lives that have been a word when I am misunderstood. touched by the grace of God viust see other lives changed through their influence as a 4. Give me the ability to keep calm and necessary corollary of that grace; and the quiet while under fire. absence of such miracles is an indication 5. Give me the ability to forgive before of need? the other party asks it. G. Give me the ability to grow eternally tall while sitting in an obscure place. + 7. Give me the ability to rejoice when I am set at naught. 8. Give me the ability not to answer an All Out for Souls unkind letter inside of thirty days. 9. Give me the ability to show the right (A Paraphrase o f I Corinthians 13) spirit when I am voted down. 10. Give me the ability to scorn en­ Though I speak with the tongues of thronement at the expense of another’s de­ scholarship and use high sounding phrases thronement. and w ell coin ed sentences, and though I 11. Give me the ability to feel little in have a winning personality, and have the proportion to my growth. art of getting along with people, and fail 12. Give me the ability to shun a needless to win souls to Christ, I am a cloud without argument which might result in estrange­ rain, and a w ell w ithout water. ment. And though I have the best of education 13. Give me the ability to avoid being and understand all of the mysteries of re­ queer and stingy in old age. ligious psychology, and though I have all 14. Give me the ability to love children biblical knowledge, and lose not myself in though they be rude and noisy. the task of winning souls to Christ I become 15. Give me the ability to wait for years as high polished brass and a tinkling cymbal. if need be, before being appreciated. And though I read the latest books and 16. Give me the ability so to behave to­ magazines, and attend church, Bible confer­ ward those of the opposite sex that later it ences, and camp meetings, and yet am sat­ v/ill not bring up unpleasant memories isfied with less than winning souls for Christ should I meet the same parties. and building Christian character, I am a 17. Give me the ability to outwit Satan, wandering star without light or heat. so that in the end he will feel chagrined that he ever annoyed me. He meant my The soul winner doth not behave him­ downfall, but only built me up; he taught self unseemly; doth not make it hard on me valuable lessons which I in turn passed others and easy on himself; is not envious of on to others and thus fortified them against others that seem to be more successful; is his assaults. not puffed up over his own attainments. 18. Give me the ability to get sweet out The soul winner never faileth, but if one of bitter, light out of darkness, joy out of does not win souls he is a failure. Though I sorrow, riches out of poverty; to reign over win the highest positions in the church and others by letting them ride over me, and am recognized and honored by all and fail thus turn everything to my account and to to win souls for Christ what will it profit the glory of God. me in eternity? 19. In short, give me the ability to re­ Now abideth positions, popularity, and per­ produce the life of Christ, and live as he sonal soul winning, but the greatest of these lived.— R e v . E. E. Shelham er, in F ree M eth ­ is soul winning.— Evangelist W. Roy Stewart odist.

Noveraber-December 1947 (361) 21 The Pastor and His Bible*

Granville S. Rogers

F the dangers facing the ministers, one the Word, yet there is a best time to study O of the most subtile is the multitude of the Bible. The Bible must be first in our tasks demanding his attention and time. study schedule. While the mind is keenly The average minister has no grip because he awake, before it is filled with matters of is lost in the maze of his too many duties. lesser import, reach for your Bible; spend In reply to the murmur of the Grecians some time searching it, and let it search against the Hebrews of the early church, you. Arise before anyone else, before there the apostles set themselves to their one out­ are things to disturb, and dip into its streams standing task, . . . we will give ourselves of living truth. Make the Bible first in continually to prayer, and to the ministry your study. of the word.” (2) The Bible must be first in place of Note the Bible’s emphasis of the im­ importance. The Bible must be the major portance of such a ministry. The preach­ reading matter. In this day when good ing of the Word is the most effective weap­ books are easily gotten, there is danger that on of righteousness against sin. “The word of the Bible will not hold the place it ought in God is quick, and powerful, and sharper the reading of the minister. It is doubtful than any twoedged sword, piercing even to that the average preacher can read more the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, than one book a week and give the time he and of the joints and marrow, and is a dis- ought and must to the Bible. In urging our cerner of the thoughts and intents of the preachers to read, have we made them feel heart” (Heb. 4:12). Jesus, when He came less the importance of Bible reading? We to blows with Satan, used the Word as His must read current news, keep abreast of most effective weapon; three times He world trends, but it must not be done at drives back the enemy with “It is written." the expense of our Bible reading. Paul says, “It pleased God by the foolish­ ness of preaching to save them that be­ (3) In every minister's library there lieve.” In giving some last minute advice should be copies of several versions of the to a young minister, he says, “I charge Bible; there should be the best Bible com­ thee therefore before God, and the Lord Je­ m entaries. It is a sad comment to go into sus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the preacher’s library and see book after the dead .... Preach the word.” book of sermon outlines, and few or no commentaries on the Bible. It is rather T h e P a s t o r a n d H i s B i b l e i n H i s S t u d y safe to say that his people have heard the The truths of the Bible are seldom on the rattle of dry bones far too much when he surface. They, like diamonds, must be has stood up to preach. His people cry for mined. They are not only “spiritually dis­ the solid meat of the Word, and he feeds cerned,” but also toilsomely earned. One them the dry bones of sermon skeletons. must pore over its pages if he is to pour The comment was made on the American forth its truths. Scriptural truths are more minister just before the second world war often seen in the light of the burning of that “he had a good car and a very meager midnight oil. One cannot be a Bible student library"; and that, “when he had made the on the run; he must spend hours studying last payment on his car, he confined his the Word if he is to bring “forth out of his book buying largely to homiletical com­ treasure things new and old.” We some­ mentaries, volumes of sermons in skeleton times mistake for special insight into the form and various sorts of inspirational W ord , the product of consistent, everyday froth.” hours of concentrated study. Paul says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God. Every preacher should have in his library a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, books which deal directly with the various rightly dividing the word of truth.” phases of Bible study; books which made a thorough study of Bible history, books con­ (1) The best time to study the Bible. cerning Bible characters, books giving a While one must be a constant student of thorough study of each of the books of the Bible, books which deal with the fundamental * Paper presented at the Florida District Preachers' Meet­ ing, by pastor of First Church, Tampa. truths of the Bible. 22 (362) The Preacher's Magazine T h e P a s t o r , H is D e v o t i o n a l L if e a n d there is a mighty swing back to Bible

t h e B ib l e preaching. The minister who makes any­ thing other than his preaching outstand­ While the Bible is the greatest, most in- ing is defeating the very end for which he exhaustive source book for preaching ma­ seeks. In such a programmed church, the terial, it must not be used solely for that sermon is a “tacked on” part of the service, purpose. Preaching material must, in a and w hen it is delivered, it is done w ith an sense, be a by-product of the preacher’s apologetic attitude. Such a pastor has come reading his Bible for personal devotion. to be little more than a promoter. The hu­ The more he reads it for personal enrich­ man efficiency of a pastor as a promoter ment, the less he will have to search it for and an organizer must increase if we lose texts. A Bible student studying it for his the art of handling the Word of Life. own benefit will always have more preach­ In the early days of the church it was ing material than he can use. For one to said of Apollos that he was “an eloquent say he has run low or run out of anything to preach, is to admit that he has failed to man, and mighty in the scriptures,” and that “he mightily convinced the Jews, and dig into the exhaustless resources which are that publickly, shewing by the scriptures in abundance in God's Word. Let him let down his mental net into the Word of God that Jesus was Christ” (Acts 18:24, 28). Paul said of himself, “I came to you, .... and he will gather such truths in such suf­ not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, ficiency that there will be no dearth of preaching material. . . . . For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Whether it is the lack of ability to dig into the Word, or sheer laziness on the part him crucified” (Acts 2:1-2). of a preacher which puts him constantly on (1) Bible preaching meets the needs of the look for the other preacher’s sermon the people. When a man sticks to the Bi­ or outline, is left to your judgment. ble, he will stick to the needs of his people. The Bible must not become secondary to No book ever was so versatile as the Bible. current publications of devotional nature. While it does not deal with the detail, yet it Devotional publications which substitute for thoroughly covers the field of fundamental the reading of the Bible are a menace rather human needs, and one need not go afar to than a blessing. find the answer to the cry of the human soul. The Bible abounds in needed inspiration (2) Bible preaching furnishes a well- for the minister. In these days of strain balanced preaching program. There will and stress, we must be refreshed often. Do be the blending of both negative and you find such a need frequently? Does positive if one preaches the Bible. One your work tend to grind? Make a hasty cannot preach long from the Bible and not retreat to your Bible, search it. Out of His cry out against the deep-dyed sins of a Word He will speak to you; it will bring modern civilization. There will be thunder­ new life for your near-breaking tasks. ous warnings of impending doom for the unrepentant, the blackness of sin will be T h e P a s t o r , H i s B ib l e a n d H i s P r e a c h in g painted in biblical words: and, with such In a broad sense, there are four sources preaching will come the lifting up of the of preaching material: (1) All nature about glories of a full redemption. It will not be us, (2) books and magazines, (3) the peo­ hard to preach on holiness if one is a Bi­ ple whom we serve, and (4) the Bible. All ble preacher. The marvels of God’s keep­ are important. There must be a combina­ ing grace will stand out in such preaching. tion of all four. There can be a majoring in In all, nothing provides a m ore w e ll-b a l­ one field only, and that must be the Bible. anced preaching diet than does the Word of To major in any other field will cause one God. to be weak, ineffective, and always to be (3) Bible preaching is the only sure way off on a meaningless tangent. We must of building up a congregation. If a preacher major in Bible preaching. will delve into the Word Sunday after Sun­ Failure to major in Bible preaching opens day he will see his attendance grow; the the door for many cheap substitutes. The people want to hear—even in this day of seeming demand of the day for a “differ­ “itching ears”—the Word expounded. Catchy ent type of a ministry” is but an index sermon titles and starry flights of oratory finger pointing to the fact that we have may build a mushroom audience, but Bi­ left off too much the “ministry of the word” ble preaching will build a lasting monument and have gone to “serving tables.” We are of a large hearing. not only doomed to failure, but also to wreck (4) Bible preaching will build the preach­ the church as an evangelizing agency, unless er himself. Bible preaching feeds one's soul;

November-December 1947 (363) 23 keeps alive the intellect, enables one to are rich rewards if we enter it to counsel build such a vast store of rich things in with our people in the light of God’s eternal his mental storehouse that his ministry will Word; if we enter it from the standpoint be increasingly rich as the years pass. of modern psychology, it is decidedly a dangerous field. T h e P a s t o r , H i s C a l l i n g a n d H i s B ib l e The marvel of the Bible is that though it The Bible picture of the pastor is that of was written centuries ago, yet no book is so a shepherd. The equipment of a shepherd modern in its illumination of social prob­ is very simple; his staff is both to help and lems of today. It so covers the basic funda­ correct, and his cruse of oil is to anoint the mentals of social relationships that the pas­ heads of the bruised sheep. tor who knows it can deal successfully with The pastor in his calling has a very like the various social problems he faces. The ministry. The Bible is both a staff and a pastor who knows nothing of technical cruse of oil. Scriptures committed to mem­ psychology, if he will apply himself to ory are very profitable in calling on the close Bible study, can become sufficiently sick and shut-ins. In a moment of prayer versed as to be a wise guide to his people and personal exhortation, God’s Word will in their ever increasing problems. wedge itself in to bless when the busy All in all, the Bible must be to the pas­ pastor is gone. Many never hear the Scrip­ tor what the medical books are to the tures unless read by the pastor in his call­ physician, and what the books containing ing. the scientific laws are to the scientists. We One of the great fields of service of the must not only know the Book, but also it pastor has come to be seen by the profes­ must become a part of us. Jeremiah said, sional world, and is being entered into very “Thy words were found, and I did eat them." profitably. That field is what the world calls It must be said of us, in a sense as it was the field of counseling or psychiatry. It is said of Jesus, “And the Word was made so popular that it is coming to be looked flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld upon as a profession such as is law or medi­ his glory, the glory as of the only begotten cine. The field of pastoral counseling of­ of the Father,) full of grace and truth" fers both a possibility and a danger. There (John 1:14).

The Pastor and His Devotions*

C. O. Christiansen

O any Christian, the neglect of his per­ pastor, priest, or potentate, our first job is Tsonal devotions is spiritual suicide. To being a Christian. And this job of being a a pastor, this neglect is of far greater con­ Christian necessitates a constant main­ sequence, for not only will he himself suf­ tenance of the means of grace. None of us fer, but his flock will slowly and subtly, is a spiritual storage-battery. We cannot though perhaps not consciously, starve spir­ today store up a supply of the spiritual itually and will therefore be subject to all graces that will meet the demands of to­ the aches, pains, distempers and manifold morrow’s drain and strain. We must be like maladies that are ever ready to attack the the humble light-bulb which glows only be­ spiritually undernourished. And further— cause of its unbroken contact with the the “outsiders” that could be touched by a powerhouse. In our early morning prayer fervent, fervid spirit, will remain unmoved and Bible reading, we must turn on the by the lukewarm heart—the lukewarm heart switch that will guarantee a flow of divine of the pastor who fails to stoke the fires of electricity through our being the whole day. his altars every morning. We cannot too frequently call attention to Let us look at this subject from three the danger of the preacher’s reading the angles. I Bible, for instance, with his congregation in mind—that is, reading it for its “pulpit Personal devotions as they affect the pas­ content”—and forgetting that he, the pas­ tor as a private Christian. Whether we be tor, is the first one who should be fed. * Paper read at the Alberta District Preachers' Convention, Red Deer, Alberta. Let us remember------the preacher is not 24 (364) The Preacher's Magazine first of all a preacher. He is first of all a legitimate way for a pastor, or any preach­ Christian, and as such should be as spirit­ er, to preach, and that is—passionately. ual as he possibly can be. This requires con­ Unless we are the inflamed “heralds of a sistent diligence in his personal devotions. passion” we are but sounding brass or a Without doubt, the solution to a good many tinkling cymbal, and shall someday be of our difficulties as pastors could be found called to give an account for the souls we if we would take one hour every morning, have failed to move. The pastor’s devotions forget the fact that we are preachers, and must clarify his vision of the Christ to such spend that hour in Bible reading, prayer, an extent that he shall be able to portray heart-searching, as a private Christian who Him vividly before his Christ-hungry audi­ must one day stand before his God as a ence. And here it is well to remember Jo­ man. Then could we spend the second seph Parker’s warning, “If I have not seen hour in a similar way as a pastor, many of Him, I cannot preach Him.” To present the our problems would be solved before they Saviour in the pulpit, we must be on in­ ever came, for they would be non-existent. timate terms with Him in our study. To pro­ II claim Him triumphantly from the platform on the Sabbath day, we must seek Him The importance, next, of devotions to the humbly on bended knee throughout the jxistor as pastor. Our devotions must so week. sensitize us that our spiritual discernment is at its keenest, so that (first) we may readily + sense the problem of the burdened heart that comes to us. This must exceed mere human sympathy, and must probe down Holiness to the moral and spiritual issues involved. If God in Christ can paint the blush on And then when we have located the trou­ the bud that hangs from the limb of the ble, we must have a solution, or at least rose, and make the dew drops of morning some positive, constructive help, for that tremble like molten diamonds on the virgin problem. Unless we are attuned to the heav­ white lip of the lily; enly wisdom that is ours only through a close touch with the Source, the advice and If he can plant the rivers in lines of rip­ pling silver, and can cover his valley floors “help” we tender will merely be that of a very third-rate psychiatrist. with carpets of softest green, tacked down with lovely daises and laughing daffodils; “It makes but little difference,” says Pro­ fessor A. S. London, “what other qualifica­ If He can scoop out the basin of the seven tions a minister may have, if he has not the seas and pile up the great granite of the heart of the shepherd.” There is on ly one mountains until they pierce the turquoise way for you and me to get that shepherd’s skies; heart, and that is for us to lean constantly If He can send a Niagara thundering on a upon the throbbing, tender breast of the mighty and majestic minstrelsy from cen­ Great Shepherd. Only thus do we become tury to century; proper channels for transmitting the throbs If He can fuel and re-fuel the red throated of His loving heart to our flocks. Whoever furnace of a million suns to blaze His uni­ first said, “All the world is dying for a verse with light; little bit of love,” concisely expressed a If on the lovely looms of heaven He can fundamental and tragic bit of truth. And weave the delicate tapestry of a rainbow often some heartsore member of that world and at eventide fashion a fleece of crimson comes to the pastor for a bit of loving sym­ to curtain the couch of the dying sun, and pathy, a slight manifestation of that Christ- across the black bosom of the night that spirit we preach about, and fails to get it follows, bind a glittering girdle spangled because w e have failed to take sufficient with ten thousand stellar jewels, time in our hasty and careless devotions to Then I do not doubt His power to make become tender, loving, Christlike. us holy, and keep us holy, and ultimately III give us an order of life in which righteous­ The importance of the devotional life to ness “shall cover the earth as the waters the pastor as a preacher: There is only one cover the sea.”— Links.

God never defaults; but He requires that we prove our faith by our works, and that we never ask for a blessing that we are not ready to labor for, and to make any sacrifice to secure the blessing which our souls desire.— T h e o d o r e L. C u y l e r .

November-December 1947 (365) 25 A Prayer Thoughtlessness For Our Ministers T IS given to no one to fully foresee the I effect of the words which are uttered UR Heavenly Father, we remember impulsively and thoughtlessly. They spring O that the Apostle Paul said that he from the lips without intent to harm or thanked God that He counted him worthy even to annoy at times. But, because they putting him in the ministry. We thank have been unconsidered, there is often a Thee for this sacred, holy calling. As Glad­ painful after result to some loved one, or stone once said to his son, “If God has at least to another person to whom they called you to preach, do not stoop to be a have been addressed. And the worst of the king.” situation is that the sting remains in the We prayed for all those who are called to wound, and apology or effort at readjust­ this sacred task of preaching the gospel of ment fails to allay the rankling effects, a living Christ. As they stand between the which may be long continued. living and the dead, we pray that they shall The child of God, therefore, should take feel the seriousness of their calling. heed how he speaks. This is specially true We know that it is not an easy task. We when personal relationships are concerned. pray that Thou wilt help them. Save them We have seen delightful connections, which from being little and narrow, and doing have continued for years, suddenly broken things that will drive people from the house and estrangement follow with bitter heart­ of God. Help them not to be unkind and ache which nothing seemed sufficient to unfair. We pray that not one of them will relieve. The root cause was unrecognized be guilty of taking the pulpit as a place selfishness, the seeking of one’s own inter­ to scold or get revenge upon someone who ests or desires, without any previous con­ has crossed his path. sideration of how they might affect the Sustain our ministers in the hour of other party. Because they have seemed temptation. May they always have the natural, and we wanted them for ourselves, “strength of ten because their hearts are the feelings and rights of another have been pure.” Raise them above little things into invaded. When it: lias been realized that the grand laigeness of soul; lift them from harm has been done, there may come also the realm of the material into the realm the realization that further words will only of the spiritual. make matters worse. We pray that our ministers may be good men, patient men, tender and kind with all But, in the case of the Christian, there is with whom they come in contact. Help the possibility of avoiding such trouble. them to be studious, not slothful, nor re­ “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; ligiously lazy. Save them from stooping to keep the door of my lips,” the inspired petty things, and make them prayerful, penman prayed. And as the whole being is hopeful, inspiring, and challenging in their yielded to the control of the indwelling ministry. Rekindle their hearts that they Spirit, and the law of love has free course may awaken our consciences, and save us within, failure in our contacts or in our from going to sleep as laymen. May they conversation can be eliminated. When the always realize that there are hearts to be "fruit of the Spirit .... self-control,” healed, tears to be dried, hurts that demand abounds, there will be less impulsiveness sympathy, and those who are fallen to be and a mind constantly quickened and in lifted. Help them to encourage the des­ everything impressed by the Monitor with­ pondent and preach in such a manner as to in. Thus hastiness in speech will cease, and save the lost, we ask for Christ’s sake. quietness of spirit will govern all utter­ Amen.—A. S. L o n d o n . ances.—The Alliance Weekly.

“We can educate; we can not regenerate; it is possible to restrain a man from evil; it is impossible to restrain him from sin. We can furnish a man's mind; we can not give him the mind of Christ. We can teach a man good manners; we can not make him a good man. We can rectify mistakes, but we can not produce character. What we can not do, God can do through faith in His Son.” — S e l e c t e d

26 (366) The Preacher's Magazine LOT : A Borderline Christian

A Sermon by Rev. Edward Paul

And when the morning arose, then the ual descendants of Lot who was a servant angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take th y of God, but who had his faults and paid wife, and thy two daughters, which are for them. If we judge him in his day, he here: lest thou be consumed in the in­ comes off fairly well; his outstanding fault iquity of the city (Genesis 19:15). was materialism. He believed in the spirit­ ual and saw its importance, but he never HERE are several different points from was able to put it completely ahead of the which we may look at this Old Testa­ material. Tment character. Once, when I had spoken I. about him and his life, one of the members of the audience suggested that his trouble We have already stated that he was the was due to the fact that he was a “hen­ spiritual father of many children. His er­ pecked” husband. This does not seem to be rors may be classified as follows: far-fetched. It is not impossible to believe (1) He put money and business ahead that Mrs. Lot was influential in their mov­ of more important things. He did not deny ing into Sodom, and that she was well sat­ (lie importance of spirituality. He only al­ isfied witli the social life that resulted. lowed green pastures and luxurious living However, while this may throw a little to become more important. light on the matter, it cannot tell the full Are there things more important than story. money? To read the Bible, we get one It is not unusual to hear Lot preached answer to this problem; and to read the about as a sinner or, at least, a backslider lives of many professing Christians, we get wiio had lost out completely. This picture another. The Word implies very strongly might be justified if we had no more than that one soul is worth more than all the the Genesis story upon which to base our m oney in the world. W hether it is the soul thinking. But when we turn to the Apostle of the individual himself, one of his loved Peter, we find that he, under the inspiration ones, that of his neighbor or fellow work­ of the Spirit calls him “just Lot, vexed with man, or even that heathen who is in the the filthy conversation of the wicked”; and most remote and secluded part of the world, that his final deliverance from Sodom was one soul is worth more than all the aggre­ an answer to his prayers. He was like gate of material things in the world. Micawber—he thought that there would be What is the practice? Many put job a- some happy day in which, with little ef­ head of church; many exhaust themselves fort on his own part, God would make an for the dollar and are easily tired out in easy way for him to escape from Sodom. the task of intercession and personal evan­ While Lot was not all that could be desired, gelism. It is not the bold and blatant athe­ it seems to contradict Holy Writ to make ism of the Communist that presents the him the antitype of one who had com­ church with its greatest peril (to be sure we pletely backslidden. cannot go to sleep and allow Communism, or its champions to do their work unpro­ I once heard a sermon in which all of tested by us); but the kind of atheism that Lot's shortcomings were explained away is most dangerous to the church is prac­ and made virtues. His selfish choice, his tical atheism. I mean the kind that says staying in Sodom and all other undesirable with the mouth, “I believe in God,” but the characteristics were discussed in favorable life says that there is no God; the kind that light. This is easily seen to be an error when says, "I believe in heaven and hell,” but we note that this kind of thinking puts lives as if there were no heaven to gain Lot above David, Moses, and Abraham who and no hell io shun. The kind that says, were God's servants, but who had obvious “I am an immortal soul and cannot be sat­ errors and even sins. isfied with bread alone,” but lives as if ma­ The best modern type of Lot is the bor­ terial things were the most important. derline Christian. There are those who do If we do not become intellectual agnos­ not want the wages of sin, either in this tics, we may absorb, almost unknown to life or in the next, but who do not want ourselves, enough of the skepticism of our to pay the price of genuine spirituality. They day so that we lose a fear of hell for our­ live fairly clean themselves, are rather selves and others. loyal to the church, and many times they (2) He called the wicked “brother.” I profess holiness. It is not our present aim do not blame him too much for taking the to discuss their spiritual condition and plains. After all, Abraham was an old place them as to experience. Let it suffice man and rich; he, Lot, had his life ahead to say that they exist. They are the spirit­ of him, and Abraham gave him his choice.

November-December 1947 (367) 27 What Lot failed to see was that it took imagine the difference if Lot had put down more of God to live the right kind of life his foot and moved from Sodom when he in the plains of Sodom than it had taken first became vexed. God moved him out, but in the hills with his uncle. the moving bill was very high. The sad thing is that many of those about whom we Neither do I blame him completely for are talking will find judgments and re­ moving to Sodom. It makes a good type verses forcing them to take steps that they when we preach, but the facts of the case should have taken as the result of their are, that w e w ho live in 1947 cannot es­ own judgment. cape the contacts with Sodom. Lot failed to see that it took a closer walk in Sodom (5) He let the devil get his children. It is than it had taken in the hills. true that parents are not always respon­ sible for what their children do. Some­ If it were the demand of God (and it is times, so it seems, in spite of all that par­ not), life is so constituted today that we ents do, children seem determined to take cannot seek spirituality in monasticism. At the way that leads to hell. That was not work, in the business places, and in the the case here, for here is a man who thought community, we must elbow citizens of Sod­ more of making money than the spiritual om. We cannot escape. And the Sodom in welfare of the children. Our obligations to which we live is one of the most wicked our children are not discharged until our and most godless that it has been the lot personal lives and our influence upon them of man to live in. How tragic is the error count as decisively as possible for their when we live as if we could keep spiritual spiritual welfare. with less prayer and devotion than was used by cur forefathers. The pitiful plight H. of the church world is an example of the re­ Now let us note the awful price that Lot sult of walking far from God and in a wicked paid for living on the borderline. We will environment. If ever men found a time also note that these are the same prices in which careless persons could be spiritual paid by borderline Christians. and victorious, it is not now! These days (1) He lost his property. Judas could demand more prayer, Bible reading and not keep his silver; neither could Lot keep faithfulness. the material things for which he had given (3) He was vexed iinvardly, but took no so much. As he heard the crackle of the public stand. The inward vexation is spoken flames behind him, he must have thought of plainly. The fact that his friends and that all his possessions were being con­ neighbors laughed when he spoke of the sumed by fire. As the wind blew the smoke angels and coming judgment is proof that by him, it carried to him the sad news that this was a new role in which they found he was losing those things which had meant their fellow citizen. more to him than spirituality. Not always does this happen in the mid­ It is not enough for Christians to be vexed dle of life. If it does not happen as it did with sin. We are not asking for tactless in the case of Lot, every person who puts prigs; we must keep a love in our heart too high a value upon material things will for every sinner. There never should be see things in their true light some day; if any doubt in the heart of any sinner who not in life, at death, all will slip through knows us as to our care for his soul; this our fingers. All we have then will be spir­ includes even the saloon-keeper and the itual values. harlot. Yet it is the duty of the Christian to stand up and be counted for right and (2) Another result was powerlessness. against wrong. Much of the evil of this day Who was responsible for the destruction of is tolerated because the advocates of the Sodom? Was it because Abraham wearied wrong are vocal and those who oppose it and stopped too quickly in his request? Or are silent. could it have been true that Abraham was certain that there would be ten righteous (4) He realized that he stood in need persons in these cities? After all, Lot, his and never did a thing about it. It is my, wife, the three daughters and their hus­ impression that there are many who are bands, made eight. Was it too much for easily brought under condemnation by the Abraham to expect that Lot would have clear preaching of the Word, but who never saved all these for righteousness, and been do a thing about it except to hope that the instrumental in converting two others? It time will come when it will be easy for is not hard to conclude that a powerless them to do what they know they ought to Lot was directly responsible for the fire on do. They do not reject truth, but they do Sodom . not accept it. Do not ask me how long they Who is to blame for the world's con­ can keep a spark of grace in their hearts dition? Crooked politicians, brewers and and live like this; I do not know—but it is saloon-keepers, gamblers, and the immoral? my impression that this is the state in which Does not God promise, “If my people, many are living. which are called by my name, shall humble Let us note that God, in His love for Lot, themselves, and pray, and seek my face, did work it out so that he was impelled to and turn from their wicked ways; then will escape; but look at the consequences. Let us I hear from heaven, and will forgive their 28 (368) The Preacher's Magazine sin, and will heal their land.” Are not those slider. If God had not had Peter clear up who trouble the land those who are powerless the matter we would all have wondered Christians because they live on the border­ about him. In the hearts of the loved ones line? of those who are left behind by the un­ (3) Lost souls. Did Lot hear their cries spiritual, there will always be a doubt above the noise of the fire? Probably not. about their eternal welfare. If we live At least, there are those who never seem clean and spiritual, we can leave such a to be disturbed by the fact that folks die straight trail behind us that folks will have without God under the eaves of the church. no doubt that the end of the trail is on the Those professors who put God’s kingdom other side of the jasper walls. and His righteousness first are interested in III. revivals, intercession, and personal evan­ Did it pay? His possessions are gone. gelism. Those who relegate first things His children have perished. His wife is a even to a close second, are not soul winners. pillar of salt. Let us ask him a question: Here is an example: How many Chris­ “Lot, if you had your life to live over, would tians decide what they shall do about the you make any changes?” He answers, "Yes, questionable things purely from a selfish I would. If I had my life to live over, I viewpoint? If they can eat meat and not would put spiritual things first. I would win the disapproval of their own conscience, still like to have riches, but I would not they eat it if it does offend their brother. seek them first; I would put God and right­ The soul winner is the one who counts soul eousness first. I have been a foolish man, winning his most important occupation, and and have paid for my foolishness.” his influence as the most valuable tool in Does it ever pay? Never! Not then, nor this work. He does not quibble; if his eat­ now! The individual who puts God and ing meat will make it easier for the devil to His righteousness first never regrets it. The drag one soul to hell, he does not eat meat. person who makes it second, even if a very (4) He died under a cloud. It is not any close second, always regrets it. The life of wonder that some classify Lot as a back­ no regrets is a life of abandoned spirituality.

The Theological Question Box

Conducted by Dr. H . Orton Wiley

1. What is meant by dispensationalism? ble study are embodied in the notes, sum­ Dispensationalism in America, dates from maries and definitions of this edition.” This the last decade of the nineteenth century, is briefly the history of dispensationalism. and the Scofield Bible has been largely the Dr. Scofield defines a dispensation as “a instrument of its propagation. We are told period of time during which man is tested by Philip Mauro, that Dr. Scofield received in respect of obedience to some specific his inspiration from Malachi Taylor, a saint­ revelation of the will of God.” In each dis­ ly Plymouth Brethren, who advocated it in pensation therefore, there is a distinct rule New York, shortly prior to, or immediately of life, a specific program for service, which following the beginning of the present cen­ must be carefully differentiated from the tury. On making his acquaintance with ages gone before, or those which are to this teaching, he was so charmed by it, that follow after. Stroh, in his Fundamental he proposed to issue a Bible with appended Truths of the Bible, says that “each new notes and cross references in accordance dispensation begins with an entirely new with this scheme. In this stupenduous un­ order of dealings upon the part of God,” dertaking, he was assisted by such learned each new dispensation beginning in right­ men as James M. Gray and A. C. Gaebelein, eousness and ending in man’s apostasy. although in its final form, it is the work of Other pre-millennialists have followed Dr. Scofield himself. His intention was to the lead of Dr. Scofield, but have used a gather up “the intensity and breadth of in­ different terminology. Thus Haldemann terest in Bible Study,” and to place this distinguishes the dispensations as follows: “new and vast exegetical and expository lit­ (1) Edenic, or Age of Innocency; (2) Ante­ erature" of the last fifty years, which was diluvian or Age of Conscience; (3) Patri­ so inaccessible to the average preacher or archal or Age of Father Rulers; (4) Mosaic laymen, in the form of notes and summaries or Age of Law; (5) Messianic or Age of and include them in an edition of the Bi­ God made visible and Incarnate; (6) The ble. Thus he says that "the winnowed and Church Age, or the age in which we now attested results of this half century of Bi­ live. This began secretly when Christ arose

November-December 1947 (369) 29 from the dead, and publicly at Pentecost; fore up to His final rejection, viz., the cross, and it will end secretly with the rapture, we find that the Gospels have a ‘strong and publicly with the revelation. (7) Mil­ legal and Jewish coloring,' ‘The Sermon on lennial or Age of the Kingdom; and (8) the Mount is law, not grace,’ the ‘doctrines the Eternal Ages to come. of grace are to be sought in the Epistles, Blackstone states them thus: (1) Eden not in the Gospels.’ Since the greater part or aion of innocence; (2) Antediluvian or of the gospels is Jewish, pertaining to the aion of freedom; (3) Post-diluvian or age of law dispensation, it does not vitally con­ government; (4) Patriarchal or pilgrim aion; cern us. It belongs in ‘strictness of inter­ (5) Mosaic or Israelitish aion; (6) Chris­ pretation to the Jew or the kingdom. But tian or aion of mystery; and (7) Millen­ in order to ease the mind after such start­ nium or aion of manifestation. ling declarations, Scofield tells us that such is the ‘revelation of the mind of God . . . . 2. What are some of the arguments urged so based on eternal principles, as to have a against this form of teaching? m oral application to the people of God whatever their position dispensationally.’ While there is some truth in the doctrines This however, in reality is inconsistent with of the dispensations, it is too narrow to his own definition of a dispensation and de­ force all the Scriptures within its confines. feats the pre-millennial insistence that there The Scriptures represent only two great is no ‘com m ingling,’ that each aion is ‘e x ­ dispensations, the Old and the New Testa­ clusive,’ God testing man in that specific ments or Covenants. On the basis of the period on a plan wholly different from the Trinity, we frequently speak of the Dis­ following one." pensations of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. There is no thought, how­ (3) Another objection grows of our gen­ ever, other than setting forth the fact eral knowledge of the evangelical teaching, that at different times or under different that this is the time of salvation through the conditions of thought, the work of the Fa­ preaching of the gospel, and that “now is ther is sometimes more prominent, as in the accepted time; behold now is the day creation and providence; the work of the of salvation.” Hence it is difficult for us to Son in others, such as atonem ent and in ­ bring ourselves to accept such statements tercession; and the work of the Spirit at as these, that it was the express purpose of other times, such as regeneration and sancti­ Jesus to establish the kingdom of God in fication. For instance, the work of Christ the rabbinical sense of a kingdom on earth, did not cease at the coming of the Holy at the time of His earthly life, but having Spirit on Pentecost, His work was merely offered it to the Jews which they rejected. He continued through the Spirit instead of then established the Church and turned to through His bodily presence. Some of the predictive prophecy. Dr. Scoficld further objections which have been urged against states, that had the Jews accepted the offer dispensationalism are the following: of the kingdom made by Christ, that He (1)Dr. Erdmann, one of the consulting would then have swayed the scepter from editors of the Scofield Reference Bible o b ­ David's throne, and the cross would have jected to the narrowness of the dispensa- been avoided, which when pressed, renders tionalists, criticizing their attempt to com­ this construction, that Calvary would have press all the inspired predictions of future been superfluous, and the ‘atonement would blessedness into the millennium. He as­ have been made some other way.’ To those serts that there is a “failure to distinguish of us who believe that the only salvation the ages and dispensations to which the is through the blood of the cross, such teach­ various prophecies point,” a grave charge, ing grates on our sensibilities and appears for the dispensationalist usually prides him­ to weaken the foundation of our faith. self on his ability to distinguish the dis­ (4) Dr. Rutgers also makes the claim that pensations, which he sets forth in charts the Scofield Reference Bible fails to mea­ showing the plan of the ages. sure up to its expressed purpose, of a "new (2) Dr. Rutgers takes the position that system of connected topical references" by “the termini of the different aions are whol­ which all “the greater truths of the divine ly fanciful and arbitrary. One could just as revelation are so traced through the entire plausibly argue other dispensations. Since Bible from the place of first mention to we may not confound the dispensations, a the last,” so that the reader “may for him­ sharp line of cleavage must be drawn be­ self follow the gradual unfolding of these, tween them. This means that in the age of by many inspired writers through the ages." law there was no grace; and in the age of Mauro, investigating these greater truths, viz. grace there is no law, a position which it the kingdom, finds the references cited by may be seen, readily leads to antinomian- the Scofield Bible are found only in five ism. He cites the following references from books of the New Testament, whereas they the Scofield Bible. "Our present age, the are actually found in seventeen of the books, church age, is a parenthesis, fills a gap, is and of the 139 times the kingdom is m en­ the mystery in the prophetic program, veiled tioned by name, this Bible cites only from the Old Testament prophets. Jesus’ twenty-one verses. Why the omission? Dr. mission was ‘primarily’ to the Jews: there­ Rutgers thinks that “there can be but one 30 (370) The Preacher's Magazine answer, and that is, because these other ple, He thereby excluded all infants or im­ references distort their theory they are out mature persons, is illogical in the extreme. of harmony with the whole system.” “It A lady once said to me, “children cannot ought to be a warning,” lie continues, “to believe, and therefore are not the subjects all who apply a man-made scheme to di­ of baptism.” I replied, then according to vine revelation. When we have become so your interpretation infants cannot be saved, enamored of our own little system that for the next verse states that “he that be­ we are unable to see other statements which lieveth not shall be damned.” She ob­ might contradict it, w e are most surely jected to this, but was forced to admit that running the danger of doing violence to the children cannot be saved unless under the truth.” New Covenant of grace. But if they are al­ ready under the covenant of grace, then why 3. What is the scriptural and theological are they not entitled to baptism, as well as basis for the doctrine of infant baptism? an older person, who having sinned out of Historically, infant baptism is a continua­ the kingdom, is brought back through re­ tion in the church of the Jewish practice pentance and faith. of circumcising infants, baptism being the According to the Wesleyan or Arminian Christian ordinance which superseded that type of theology to which our church is of the Jews. Dr. William Wall in his learned committed in its Statement of Belief, Christ History of Infant Baptism makes these ob­ by a provisional atonement for all men did servations. three things unconditionally; (1) He re­ “There never was any age (at least since stored all men to a state of salvability. Abraham) in which the children, whether Without this there would have been no of Jews or proselytes, that were admitted possibility of salvation from sin. (2) He into covenant, had not some badge or sign removed by His own shed blood, the guilt of such admission. The male children of which originally attached to inbred sin, so Abraham’s race were entered by circum­ that children born into the world are no cision. The whole body of the Jews, men, longer guilty for the depravity of their na­ women and children, were in Moses’ time tures inherited from the race. Only as they baptized. After which the male children come to the years of accountability, and of proselytes, that were entered with their willfully reject the remedy for inbred sin, parents, were (as well as their parents) ad­ do they become responsible for it. For this mitted by circumcision, baptism, and a sac­ reason Arminianism has been called “the rifice; the female children by baptism and theory of voluntarily appropriated deprav­ a sacrifice. The male children of the natural ity.” (3) As a consequence of this uni­ Jews, and such male children of the pros­ versal atonement, a measure of the Spirit elytes as were born after their parents’ bap­ is given unconditionally to all men, that tism. by circumcision and a sacrifice: the measure of the Spirit which convinces men female children by a sacrifice offered for of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. them by the head of the family. Now after For this reason Mr. Wesley held that the that circumcision and sacrifice were abol­ state of nature is in some true sense a state ished, there was nothing left but baptism of grace. or washing, for a sign of the covenant and With this doctrinal foundation, to deny of professing religion. This our Saviour infants baptism, we must (1) deny the took, and as being common to both sexes, universal atonement of Christ which atones making no difference of male or female, for inbred or original sin, by removing the and enjoined it to all that should enter guilt which attached to it, and thus deny the kingdom of God. (John 3:5.) And St. prevenient grace; or (2) hold that all are Paul does plainly intimate to the Colos- lost until they come to the place of moral sians (2:11-12) that it served them instead responsibility where they can believe and be of circumcision; calling it the circumci­ saved; or (3) admit, that infants are saved sion of Christ; or Christian circumcision.” by irresistible grace according to the Cal- vinistic scheme as it applies to the elect. 4. If infants were to be baptized, why did Denying these, there is but one other po­ Christ say, “he that believeth and is bap­ sition to be taken, that is, that infants until tized shall be saved”? Can infants believe? they come to moral accountability are un­ The simplest answer is, as the context der the covenant of grace, and only when shows, that our Lord was speaking to ma­ they sin out of this grace, must they be re­ ture people, and such were to be baptized stored by repentance and faith. If then, only after they had become believers. But baptism is the outward sign of inward grace, to contend that because our Lord was at why are not infants eligible as well as re­ the time giving instruction to mature peo­ pentant adults.

In this world is it not what we take up, but what we give up that makes us rich.—H. W. B e e c h e r .

November-December 1947 (371) 31 SEARCHING TRUTHS FOR MINISTERS .

Christmas emphasizes the existence of The Ministerial Deadline another world. The star, the new star, that The deadline in the ministry, as in any guided the searchers for him who was born other calling, is the line of laziness. The King is suggestive of that. It is one of the lawyer cannot use last year’s briefs. The chief features in that simple narrative. The physician cannot depend on last week’s picture is not complete without the star diagnosis. The merchant cannot assume blazing in yonder heavens and telling of that a customer of ten years’ standing will a world, maybe a universe, beyond. God’s not be enticed elsewhere. And the preach­ Word has much to say about stars. As in er must be a live, wide-awake, growing the days when “the stars in their courses man. Let him dye his brains, not his hair. fought against Sisera,” and “the morning Let his thought be fresh, and his speech be stars sang together,” they have ever been glowing. Sermons, it has well been said, God’s messengers to men. They suggest are like bread, w hich is delicious when it that this world, great as it may seem, is is fresh, but w hich, w hen a m onth old, is but a very insignificant part of God’s handi­ hard to cut, harder to eat, and hardest of all work, and lift our faith and vision and hope to digest.—A. J. F. B e h r e n d s . up and out into the eternities.—Religious Telescope. Spurgeon’s Power Charles H. Spurgeon was the prince of A Ripening Process preachers. Years have passed since his sil- I find in all Christians who have passed vertoned voice became silent, yet his genius through much tribulation, a certain quality is still a topic of homiletical conversation, of ripeness which I am of opinion can be and his influence is still a vital factor in formed in no other school. Just as a cer­ the lives of men. Seldom in the history tain degree of solar heat is necessary to of the Christian Church has God raised bring the finest fruits to perfection, so is up such an effective preacher of the gospel fiery trial indispensable for ripening the in­ as Charles H. Spurgeon. ner man.— T h o l u c k . Thomas Phillips, in analyzing the secrets of Spurgeon’s success, said that they could be comprised under the following heads: Glorifying God 1. H e had a G od w orth serving; 2. A gos­ We best glorify God by letting God glorify pel worth preaching; 3. A religion worth Himself in our lives by shining through us enjoying; 4. A church worth sustaining. and being reflected in all we do. The old We have here the fundamental convic­ legend of the architects who were called to tions that a preacher must have if he would build a temple for the sun is in point. The serve God acceptably and his church suc­ first one built a house of stone, splendidly cessfully. We would not have one mold chiseled and highly honoring the archi­ for all preachers. There is room for a great tect’s skill, but showing little of the sun. variety of men in our ministry. On the The second one built his house of burnished other hand, no preacher can permanently gold, and it reflected back the sun from its succeed without having the consciousness resplendent walls. But the third built a that he has a God worth serving, a gospel temple of glass, and the sun shone through worth preaching, a religion worth enjoy­ the entire edifice; the glass was unseen, and ing, and a church worth sustaining. the sun alone was manifested. This was ac­ — Watchman-Examiner cepted as the true temple of the sun. We glorify God best when we ourselves Aim for Souls! are out of sight, and men see Him not only Young man, young woman, make the reflected from our lives but shining through most of your life. Go after souls. Go after them as the life of our life and the inspira­ them. Do not listen to those who warn you tion of all our being. that you will offend and drive away by This was the supreme object of Jesus your persistence. Go after souls. Go after Christ. And this should be the one control­ them the best way you know, but go after ling motive of every consecrated life. The them by public and private testimony. Go main thing is to have it in our hearts and after them by service and by prayer. But minds as our constant thought and purpose. go after them. Go after them with love and — A . B. S im p s o n . a burdened heart. Go after them by kind deeds. Go after them by song and praise. “Make sure that however good you may Go after them when they are bereaved and be, you have faults; that however dull you in sorrow. Go after them when they are may be, you can find out what they are; especially favored of God and men. But and that however slight they may be, you go after them. This soul-winning life is had better make some patient effort to get your life—make the most of it.— The War rid of them.”— Selected. Cry.

32 (372) The Preacher's Magazine THE PREACHER’S SCRAPBOOK

“Christmas comes but once a year,” but Could You Be Stingy or the Christmas spirit should be extended throughout all the year. Greedy with Such a Saviour? He who is the bread of life began His Observing Christmas means more than ministry hungering. exchanging gifts with relatives and friends. He who is the water of life ended His ministry thirsting. He who was weary is our true rest. Each duty well done means increased He who paid tribute is the King of Kings. strength for the next duty. He prayed yet hears our prayers. He wept but dries our tears. The most appropriate exchange of gifts He was sold for thirty pieces of silver, is the giving of one’s self anew for service yet redeemed the world. in the Kingdom and receiving anew God’s He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, supreme Christmas gift to his children. but is the Good Shepherd. — Selected. He died and gave His life, and by dying destroyed death for all who believe. —Author Unknown. The First Psalm, Revised Blessed is the church member who walk- eth not in the way of the worldling, nor Jesus Christ standeth on the baseball ground on Sun­ Outside of Christianity, there have been day, nor sitteth in the seat of a card player. grand spectacles of activity and force, bril­ But his delight is in the worship of the liant phenomena of genius and virtue, gen­ church and to the services he goeth morn­ erous attempts at reform, learned philo­ ing and night. sophical systems, and beautiful mythological He shall be like a worker in the vine­ poems, but not real profound or fruitful re­ yard of the Lord; who bringeth his friends generation of humanity and society. Jesus unto Christ; his influence also is for good, Christ from His cross accomplishes what and whatsoever he doeth is open and above erewhile in Asia and Europe princes and board. philosophers, the powerful of the earth, and The indifferent church members are not sages attempted without success. He so, but are like the chaff which the wind changes the moral and the social state of driveth away.— Exchange. the world. He pours into the souls of men new enlightenment and new powers. For all classes, for all human conditions He pre­ One Church's Experience pares destinies before His advent unknown. He liberates them at the same time that A Baptist church in Oklahoma had a He lays down rules for their guidance; He membership of one hundred and an in­ quickens them and stills them. He places debtedness of about $11,000. The property the divine law and human liberty face to was advertised to be sold to satisfy a judg­ face, and yet still in harmony. He offers an ment, and of course the congregation was effectual remedy for the evil which weighs very much discouraged and unhappy. But upon humanity; to sin He opens the path a tithers' association was formed, which of salvation, to unhappiness, the door of grew to have forty-eight members, nearly hope.— Francois Guizot. half the membership of the church. Money began to come in. There was plenty to pay current expenses, and liberal gifts to mis­ You Are Rich sions. In less than four years all of the in­ debtedness had been paid but $600, and You are rich if you have your self-re­ they had paid out $5,000 for im provem ents. spect, your skill, your experience, and have So they had raised $15,000, besides paying a friend who believes in you, a work that is all current expenses and making large of­ worth doing, and a God who is willing to ferings for missions. They were relieved be patient with you. You are rich if you of the burden of raising money by un- have the power to appreciate beauty, a Christian means, and gave their attention to little time to think about high and noble evangelism. In this period they added 287 things, and a loved one to inspire you to members to the cburch.— Watchvian-Ex- attempt something better than you have yet aminer. achieved. You are rich if you can remem­ ber the past without humiliation, discharge today’s duties with faithfulness and strict Guilt is incurred by every one who accuracy, and face the future without fear. hinders the Church from constantly watch­ “A man’s life does not consist in the abun­ ing for the coming of the Lord.— J o h n dance of things which he possesses.”—R.L. W e s l e y . S., in The Christian Advocate.

November-December 1947 (373) 33 QUOTABLE POETRY

Give Thanks Our Christmas Gifts

In everything give thanks, the Pauline letter We have no gifts, dear Lord, of lavish gold, said, Of myrrh, or frankincense like kings of old, For all that life holds dear, and Jesus the No gorgeous robe of silk or glitt’ring crow n Living Bread. Like Orient kings of wealth and great re­ For the birds’ sweet melodies, and nature's n ow n . beauty rare, For God’s tender love, and His ever watch­ Our gifts quite humble are, but still our fu l care. b est For victories won, and goals achieved, Of faith and love to Thee which stand the For the peace that came, when we first be­ test lieved . O f pain and disappointment, sorely tried, For the tests and trials of life through the And by life's furnace fires now purified. yea rs, For sorrows that blind our eyes with tears, We have no alabaster—perfume sweet— For faith to accept the proof unseen. To pour upon our Holy Saviour's feet; For assurance that nothing can come be­ But xnorship, faith, obedience to T h y light, tw e e n Dear Lord, we pray acceptance in Thy sight. To jar or move us from His grace, Or tempt us to fail in a trying place. The wealth and food we have; we gladly —B e u lah V ictoria B rannon share, Our service, talents, time, and all things fa ir; The Joy of Christmas Give us Thy glory in our soids, we pray, And joy and blessing on this Christmas day. Christinas! What a joy it brings! Within our heart sweet music rings. Let humble prayer be now our incense For the siveet Christ, manger born s w e e t; Doth with His grace our lives adorn. Oh, fill our hearts with grace and joy re­ p le te ; Cradled humbly in the hay Accept our gifts of love, dear Lord, we pray, Christ exalted lives today; And grant us peace, good unll, this Christ­ Lives on high, but even so m as D a y! Lives within our hearts we know. —R ev. M in n ie W alls N oblitt

Glory, joy and peace to those Who the Saviour reafly knows; Hope for those who seek Him now. Glorious Name of Jesus At His cross do meekly bow. “Wonderful Counsellor, Prince of Peace, He is all this sad world needs — Father Eternal, His name shall be; More than guns or wealth or creeds; Government resting upon His grace” So ive worship Him today; This was the forecast of things to be. Trust Him, though the day be gray. —A ilene C rouse Then the fulfillment in God's good time As unto Joseph the angels came, Stating the goal of his life sublime Advent Time Saying that Jesus should be His name. Precious Babe from heaven sent, Glorious names are to Him ascribed — Eternal, by the Father lent; Master and Prophet and Priest and King. Acclaimed by angels: Saviour, Lord, Yet is He, nowhere, so well described Christ, the blessed, e’er adored. As in the Name we all love to sing. E’er adored, yes, e’er adored! Jesus—the theme of our sweetest song; O hear the advent call again: Jesvs—the goal of our life's desire: None other hope for sinful men! Hope of salvation from sill and wrong; Name that can set human hearts on fire. Esteemed as lowly, once was He; Arrayed in splendor, soon ire'll see! Little the ivonder we love to sing Rejoice, ye faithful waiting sheep, Songs of salvation along the way; The Shepherd great His word will keep; "Glory to God’’ let the welkin ring; His word will keep! His word will keep! Jesus our Saviour is born today. —Ilse L . S chlaitzer — C. E. H e tz le r

34 (374) The Preacher's Magazine The First Christmas They Worshipped Him, Flowing through the gates of pearl, “Behold, there came wise men from the The voices of God's choir east .... and worshipped him” (Matt.2: Filled the watching shepherd's hearts 1, H ). With a celestial fire, “They worshipped him”—in breathless awe Driving them to Bethlehem The wise men knelt before Him; To see this wondrous thing, They traveled far with gifts of gold, The Child born in a manger, Their purpose to adore Him. Yet son of heaven’s King. •—F r a n k l in C ollins They worshipped, for in Him they saw The hope of all that’s human; The Son of God—the Son of man— The Scripture's great denouement! Has Come! He has come! the Christ of God; ‘‘They worshipped him” — Lord, make us Left for us His glad abode, w ise Stooping from His throne of bliss, A s once again this story To this darksome wilderness. Is carolled to a needy world, Lest blinded to His glory He has come! the Princc of Peace; Come to bid our sorrows cease; We miss the meaning of His birth. Come to scatter with His light So occupied with giving. All the shadoivs of our night. With tinseled tree and mistletoe, With merriment and living Unto us a Son is given! He has come from God’s own heaven, We fail to see the Gift of God, Bringing with Him from above, Christ crucified—Christ riven; Holy peace and holy love. And, failing to discern His cross —H oratius B onar We miss the way to heaven! —G ene F arrell

All Through the New Year “As thou goest, step by step, I will open The Lord of All up the way before thee” (Prov. 4:12, Heb). Without Him flow’rs would lose their lovely fr a g ra n ce; Child of My love, fear not the unknown Without Him birds would cease their songs m o rr o w , to sin g; Dread not the new demand life makes of And sun a?id moon and stars would lose th e e ; their brilliance, Thy ignorance doth hold no cause fo r s o rro w And every joy-bell hush its joyful ring. Since what thou knowest not is k n o w n to M e. Without Him there could be no cheerful tid in gs; Thou canst not see today the hidden meaning Without Him nothing seen could e’er be Of My command, but thou the light shalt fra m ed ; gain; He made the heavens and the earth’s foun­ Walk on in faith, upon My promise leaning, d a tion— And as thou goest all shall be made plain. H is is the Name above all others, named. One step thou seest—then go forward boldly, —F lorence M ott One step is far enough for faith to see; Take that, and thy next duty shall be told th e e , Discipline For step by step thy Lord is leading thee. The cup Thou gavest me, Stand not in fear, thy adversaries counting, Shall I not drink it, Lord? Dare every peril, save to disobey; Bitter and vile it be, Thou shalt march on, all obstacles sur­ From Stygian waters poured; m o u n tin g , Cruel as Golgotha For I, the Strong, will open up the way. With thorns and nails and sword.

Wherefore go gladly to the task assigned And drinking it shall I, th e e . Like Thee be lifted up? Having My promise, needing nothing more No other deaths to die, Than just to know, where’er the future find No more the burning cup. th e e , Prepared to live am I— In all thy journeying, I go before. Lord, I thank Thee for my cup. — F r a n k J. E x e le y —A lm a J effries S tull

N ovem ber-Decem ber 1947 (375) 35 A PREACHING PROGRAM . . .

Prepared by Rev. John E. Riley

God Bless America (1) God created the human race in His ow n image. (A Thanksgiving Sermon) (2) The race became crystallized into S crip tu re — Isaiah 58. families just as God had desired. Finally, T exts—Blessed is the nation whose God is God chose a family, Abraham, as the re­ the Lord (Psalms 33:12a). pository of spiritual light and truth and Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin said to Abraham, “I will make of thee a is a reproach to any people (Proverbs great nation.” 14:34). (3) God thus chose a nation, the Israel­ Introduction: ites, to conserve and crystalize the gospel. 1. In recent years there has been a grow­ (4) God also said to Abraham, "In thy ing intensity of national spirit—probably seed shall all the nations of the earth be the result of the threat of outside forces. blessed” (Genesis 22:18). We reach again a) Between the havoc of the two world the universality of the purpose of God. wars and during the most recent war there The family and national feeling of the has been a genuine struggle for an inter­ Israelites is constantly seen in the Scrip­ national spirit. All the idealists minimized tures. “Let my hand forget her cunning, if national interests that the greater inter­ I forget thee, O Jerusalem.” national interests might find a place. d) Remembering this scriptural back­ b) But the selfish materialists have be­ ground we can see there is a place for nat­ trayed the idealists (of which group I hope ional loyalties as long as it does not violate I am a member) and have become the high­ the universal brotherhood of man. way robbers to beset the international high­ ways and to force us back upon national 3. It is encouraging to notice in the pres­ loyalties. ent wave of nationalistic spirit a recog­ c) Thus it is that in recent months and nition of the debt we owe to God. The years we have been growing increasingly popular song—“God Bless America.’” Slo­ nationalistic. gan everywhere—“God Bless America.” (1) This may be to some degree the 4. The present world situation causes us work of the isolationists, or on the other to stop and look around with real personal hand the warmongers (who would fan racial and national gratitude. misunderstandings and hatreds). I. We have many reasons for being grate­ (2) But I think it is largely a common- ful as a nation—and we have much of sense recognition of a unit which is a good which we may be proud. and necessary part of human life, at least You will understand, of course, that in in this stage of human history—namely, the some of that which I say here I am pre­ nation. senting my thoughts rather than a “Thus 2. I think it might be well for us to re­ saith the Lord.” I believe that we can mind ourselves of the place of nations in say with some justifiable pride that we the economy of God. are the greatest nation in the world. a) The two absolute divisions of human life are: A. Thank God for our heroic heritage! (1) The individual—every intelligent man Three hundred years ago this was virgin is a free moral agent and God deals with territory unknown to and unexplored by him as a self-determining soul. Individuals civilized men. In these years noble God­ must make the great choice by and for fearing men have faced the dangers of the themselves. frontier and have hewed out for them­ (2) The kingdom or family of God—all selves a kingdom. Today we are the most men and nations are alike in the sight of advanced nation in the world scientifically. God and in the ultimate those who love God We have a heritage of heroism received will be one great family. No other loyalties from all the forefathers coming here from must ever be allowed to excuse the in­ many different nations—the devout Pil­ dividual or obliterate the oneness of the grims and Puritans with prayer book and human race. ax and gun settled the New England shores; b) In between there are some practical the rugged Swedes, Germans, Dutch, French divisions of human society that have a and all the rest came to these shores, virile practical place, chiefly, I would say: men with adventure in their blood and (1) The family courage and faith in their hearts. What (2) The nation men and women they were! c) We can see all of this quite clearly B. Thank God for our brief but glori­ in the Scriptures. ous history!

36 (376) The Preacher's Magazine 1. First homes were built. therhood of God. I am glad I am an Am­ When a young man wanted to get mar­ erican! ried, his father gave him an ax and a piece II. But, while there is much for which of woodland. to be grateful and proud, we still face 2. Then, villages were built, with white- great perils at home and abroad. steepled churches, with little red school- A. The gravest external danger we face, houses, with a town hall where everyone the danger which perhaps has done the most could speak his mind, and with the village to bolster our national morale, hardly needs green. to be named. It is the wave of pagan phil­ 3. Then, cities were built with great build­ osophy, glorifying might, ignoring God and ings, with colleges and universities and right and the peace and freedom of man— factories. a wave which threatens every high and holy principle we believe in and promises 4. Then, states sprang into life and when to make the world more nearly like a outside forces threatened these little states jungle than it ever has been, unless it is united in the common defense and a nat­ stopped. ional consciousness was born. The scat­ tered villages and towns with the rugged The most apparent and most generally as­ men and the sober strong women became a sumed protection against this outside dan­ nation independent, free, and invincible. ger seems to be impregnable defenses. Would God it did not need to be so! And 5. Many times since then dangers have we certainly need to remember that, while threatened within and without but with the we may be able to stop pagan might with fresh breezes of the frontier blowing in our our might, we will only be able to stop faces we have aggressively attacked and pagan philosophy by the vitality of Chris­ defeated them all. tian faith. 6. As the youngest in the family of great B. There are inward dangers we face republics we feel that our history has been which may prove graver than those with­ the brightest, the fairest, the squarest, the out. most Christian of any in the world. Thank God for our history! 1. The loss of true democracy—which is based upon the inherent worth of the in­ C. Thank God for our free democracy. dividual citizen and upon the principle that We have been called the melting pot of government is to be tolerated only so far nations and we are just that and proud of as it is necessary for the good and freedom it. There have been critical hours and there of the governed. Insofar as we can get will be more, and sometimes the worst has along without government, we will get boiled to the top as scum. But out of it along w ithout it. all has been produced a new nation. Coming 2. The breakdow n o f morality. from most of the nations in the world we have been reborn so that the most of us a ) Our glorification of time and sense are no longer English or Scandinavian, etc. and our worship of wealth and pleasure We are Americans. Thank God for the free lead to the very philosophy which ruined the institutions of our democracy! Roman Empire centuries ago and is ruin­ 1. The church ing Europe today. 2. The schoolhouse b ) The Ten Commandments and any 3. The ballot b ox rough approximation of the Sermon on the 4. Thank God even for the soap box. A Mount have been outmoded. What fools man can say what he pleases as long as he we have been! These things are the only doesn't defame anyone’s character or dis­ things which preserve the values we want turb the peace. and yet we have laughed them off. As ex­ D. Thank God for the wealth of our amples of this let me mention some of our great nation. national sins: Divorce and the general I have traveled from coast to coast and breakdown of social standards; gambling; from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and I use of opiates and drugs—marihuana, al­ never cease to marvel at its wealth. We cohol, tobacco, etc.; desecration of the Sab­ have nearly all the gold in the world—the bath day; economic and social unjustice; fact is we are poor with gold. We have pressure groups, each fighting for itself to two-thirds of the world’s coal. We have the hurt of all. two-thirds of the world’s oil. We have two- 3. The loss of our faith in God Al­ thirds of the world’s waterpower. We have mighty and of vital religious experience. more land and more wealth and a better The spider came down from the ceiling. standard of living than any other nation in Concluding that the central thread from the world. We are more nearly self-con­ the rafters spoiled the symmetry of the tained than any other great nation. web, she cut the central thread and the E. Thank God for our position in the whole web sagged. Western Hemisphere surrounded by two great oceans, in the midst of the family If we lose faith in God and lose Him out of American nations who believe in right of our lives as a vital force, we lose: more than might, in freedom and equality a ) The Christian estimate of the value of and in the brotherhood of man and fa­ the individual soul!

November-Deceraber 1947 (377) 37 fa) We lose the restraint which demands I. Atomic power we cannot control. fairness and brotherhood! A. We may, perhaps we should, develop c) We lose our own inner integrity! atomic power for everyday use. In these d) And the world degenerates into worse days of diminishing oil reserves it is stim­ than a jungle! ulating to think of a cupful of Uranium 235 III. And so we pray, “God Bless Am­ taking the “Queen Mary” across the At­ erica!” lantic and back. A. May God protect us by His providence B. Without doubt, we should and per­ from dangers seen and unseen from which haps eventually we shall outlaw the atomic we cannot protect ourselves! bomb and set up an international committee B. May God give us wisdom and over­ for atomic energy control. These mat­ rule if we take a wrong course or do some­ ters are something for the experts to settle. thing unwise! And yet, since all of us have a stake in C. May God preserve our peace and the future and since moral principles are freedom ! involved, we all have a right to speak. D. May God keep us from losing our souls. C. But sooner or later some nation is 1. By reviving vital religious faith—with going to loose atomic bombs over the great vital conversions, family altars, spiritual cities of an unfriendly nation and the in­ churches, and New Testament living. describable holocaust will be on. It may all 2. By helping us to repent of our moral be over before it is well begun. The ex­ looseness and turn back to the Bible, to ample of the international ban on poison Mt. Sinai and Mt. Calvary. gas carries little weight in proving the pos­ Conclusion: sibility of banning the atomic bomb. Had May God begin by blessing me and you! gas been as effective as the atomic bomb, Do you have a need in your heart? it would have been constantly in use. II. Popular purpose we cannot control. A. The mechanics for a world dictator­ The Word of Power for a Power Age ship are here. (Universal Bible Sunday) 1. Radio and television 2. A ir travel S crip tu re —Hebrews 4:12-16. B. Humanity is in a gullible state. T e x t — Not by might, nor by power but by Perhaps humanity has always been gul­ viy Spirit, saith the Lord oj hosts (Zech ar- lible but it is rather ironic that, in an age iah 4 :6 ). when the Bible has been torn to pieces and Introduction: the old-time religion has been frowned 1. This is an age of power. Such a state­ upon and the faith of our fathers has been ment is almost a truism, yet it needs to be tagged “superstition,” mankind has swal­ spoken. lowed whole more theoretical “tomfoolery” a) We have vast varieties of power at than one man could tabulate. It is the our disposal everyday—oil, coal, gasoline, “fool” who says “there is no God”; perhaps water power, electricity, solar energy, ma­ we might say, One who says, “There is no chinery, etc. G od ” becom es a fool. fa) To these has been added the new­ C. Humanity is in a confused state. Hu­ born giant of them all, atomic power. manity is saying, “Information? Please! 2. We must control this power for the Wisdom? No, thank you!” The eyes, ears, good of humanity and for the glory of God. heart and brain of man have been addled by a) There is no use to try to destroy it. 1. Radio fa) We must control it or it will destroy 2. Magazines us. 3. Newspapers 3. William T. Ellis says that there are 4. Pressure groups. three kinds of power. D. In this age, when the mechanics for a ) Popular purpose—social access to all men have been setup and when b) Atomic power—material the mind of man has been battered to a c) Providence—divine or spiritual pow­ pulp and thus conditioned to receive al­ er. most anything, it is terrifying to realize Social power has long been in the control what we should always have known—that of men of forceful speech and organizing there is no man good enough and wise genius. It has reached unprecedented enough to control the rest of humanity! heights during these days of telephone, ra­ III. We must submit to divine control as dio, and television, these days of one world revealed in God's Word. His Word is the through travel and communication. Word of Power for this power age. What a portentous fact that, at this very A. This Word strikes at sin—it is a sharp hour when one man can circle the globe two-edged sword. in three days, we have unlocked the mighty 1. It strikes at the divorce evil. secret of atomic power. Only Divine Power 2. It strikes at juvenile delinquency. can save us from our own evil genius in “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse gaining control of these two indescribable his way? By taking heed thereto accord­ powers. ing to thy word.”

38 (378) The Preacher's Magazine 3. It strikes at low living. mas as such are interested in it for gain, 4. It strikes at injustice. just as a Christian (?) merchant in a for­ eign land might sell masks, etc. on a hea­ 5. It strikes at war and hate. then gala day for gain. B. It meets the soul’s need by bringing (2) For presents. An incident from Amos God to us. “They are they which speak of and Andy—The Kingfish was talking to me,” said Jesus. Andy at the filling station. He spoke of the Said Samuel T. Coleridge, “In the Bible surplus tax and the need of getting rid there is more that finds me than I have experienced in all other books put to­ of cash. Then he preached the doctrine of gether.” giving. Incidentally, he dropped a slip four William Lyon Phelps, the great English or five times on which he had written the professor and lay preacher, said, that given list of nice presents he was supposed to buy for Amos and Andy. Working for a choice between a college education and a knowledge of the Bible the path of wisdom presents, of course. lies in the Bible. (3) For good time. For too many Christ­ C. It stands the test—in two senses. mas is just an opportunity for another good 1. It works—individually and collectively. time—vacation from school or work, chicken Said Whittier: or turkey feast, candy, parties, good time, We search the world for truth: we cull gay holiday. Cashing in a holy day for a The good, the pure, the beautiful; holiday. Selling a spiritual birthright for a And, weary searchers for the best, mess of pottage. We come back, laden from our quest, b) A second reaction—We can catch les­ To find■ that all the sages said sons from Christmas. Is in the Book our mothers read. (1) Can learn the lesson of love. 2. It bears investigation. (2) Of giving—that’s the reason we give. It is som ething like the Irishm an’s wall. God gave and we should. Said wall was three feet tall and four feet wide so that “if the wind blows it over,” (3) Of good will and peace. After look­ said the Irishman, “it will be taller than ing at Christmas, certainly we should not it was before.” turn away and start fighting neighbor or Dr. Clarence S. Fisher, who has been relative again. Christmas in trenches dur­ called the archeologist’s archeologist, was ing World War I was described by Boston asked, “Dr. Fisher, with your comprehensive lawyer visiting Eastern Nazarene College knowledge of archeology, do you know of years ago—soldiers having comradie, ex­ any discovery which in any essential par­ changing cigarettes and stories, etc. Christ­ ticular disproves the historicity of the Bi­ mas was over and then the firing started ble?” He replied, “Not a single one! Not a and those same men took up again the single one! On the contrary, there are business of killing each other. Someone has confirmations without number!” said, “We do not start a war because we D. It is the Word of Power because the hate each other; we hate each other be­ Spirit of God is in it. The sinner reads cause a war starts.” Christmas stands as a and is convicted, the saint reads and is terrible rebuke, a stern yet beautiful les­ blessed, because G od speaks in it. son against war, strife, hate, and selfishness. Conclusion: c ) There is a third reaction—We may I wish to qualify what I have been say­ captivate the power of Christmas, the power ing. The Bible is the Word of Power when which made Christmas (love and grace of it is used. The B ible on the shelf is p ow er­ God) and the power which results from it less. The Word of Power must be used, (salvation from sin). just as atoms must be smashed and re­ (1) God is love—the cause of Christ­ grouped to produce power. The Bible must mas—“God so loved that he gave.” I see be preached in 125,000 A m erican pulpits, great spiritual dynamics here—a love be­ taught in 150,000 A m erican Sunday schools, coming “so” loving, so full, that it finally read and practiced in millions of American cannot contain itself—it bursts out in giving. homes. We can do more than get a lesson out of that love. We can have some of that love itself put within us. The Open Sky (2) Salvation from sin—the result of (Christmas Sermon) Christmas. We can captivate this power, foi that is what Christmas is for. A home­ Scripture—L uke 2:8-20. ly illustration may point up my meaning T e x t —The heavens 'were opened, and I here. saio visions of God (Ezekiel 1:1). Here’s a mother who bakes a loaf of Introduction: bread for a hungry son. He says, “Moth­ 1. There are three different reactions we er, I have learned such lessons from see­ can have to Christmas, ing you bake that bread. I see the love a) W e can capitalize on it. that prompted you to make it. I see the (1) For money. Stores, businesses, politi­ skill, industry, persistence, etc. I am in­ cians, hotels, night clubs—all commercial spired by looking at your beautiful bread, enterprises. Jews who care little for Christ­ etc., etc.” Getting lessons from it he might

November-December 1947 (379) 39 starve. What he ought to do is—eat the Ancient mythology pictures a man call­ bread. Then exemplify the lessons after. ing up a spirit that is too big for him, that What we need is the power of Christmas, captivates him. A man visiting a magician’s the Christ himself, first and foremost. Then, shop starts magic too great to stop. Little of course, we should learn from Christmas boy started a truck, couldn’t stop it, rolled and capitalize upon it also, in a sense. One down hill and crashed into house. But of the elements of Christmas, one of its God is not like that. God is always master. gifts to us is an open sky. The sun, moon, stars, lightning, thunder, seasons, earth, heaven or hell are at His I. First, consider that God always has an command—and I am safe in His keeping. open sky and comes to earth, passes to and fro, as He pleases. (This is not to disre­ 3. The sky is always open to God. gard His omnipresence, of course.) а ) Because of His power. A. He always has when He wished. I remember the heavy door on my home 1. Heaven is only a swinging door for town library in Havenhill, Massachusetts. Him—a curtain that He can brush aside at As a little child I would push but in vain. will. It’s a vast dome beyond our reach Then a grownup would come along and but just a veil for God. push it open. No door stands closed before God. 2. He stepped down at creation into a chaotic universe, put a touch here and б) Because of His wisdom. His knowl­ there and left it a beautiful world with a edge unlocks every large or secret door. He blue curtain over it, then stepped back of holds the key. the curtain again. Somewhat as a woman c) Because of His love. The reason He can step into a home cluttered up by males, comes, the reason He cannot be kept away clean up, set it in order, adjust a picture, from us is that He loves us. Love, infinite put a couple of roses in a vase and step love, knows no barriers. Human love will out again leaving the place transformed. fight across land and sea. If a mother heard God came down and walked in Eden; He her baby cry, what do you suppose it walked with Enoch, Abraham, etc.; met would take to keep her away? When God Moses on the mountain; wrote on the wall hears one of His children cry, do you sup­ at Belshazzar’s feast; came on that great pose there is anything that could keep Him occasion we are celebrating now. Heaven away from us? That may be what Paul opened for a star, an angel choir, and a meant when he said, “What shall separate Saviour. At Pentecost with the sound as us from the love of Christ? shall persecution, of a rushing mighty wind, etc. etc.” (Romans 8:35f). B. God always will come when He wishes. II. But man cannot open the sky when 1. No fear that God shall be kept from he wishes. Man’s open sky is conditional. coming at His dispensational moments— Heaven is like a curtained window. Heav­ heaven will open to Him. Galatians 4:4— en’s occupants can see down all right, but “When the fullness of the time was come, there is difficulty in seeing up through. It is God sent forth his son .... to redeem like a door with spring lock—it opens from them that were under the law, that we might the inside but is closed to those out. It is receive the adoption of sons.” like a rope ladder. Those above can climb Many were discouraged—and but few down from the top, but those below can’t were looking for Him. So shall it be when get up until it is let down. He chooses to open heaven again. Ephesians A. Sin closed man's sky. Adam and 1:10—tells of the plan of salvation—“that Eve walked with God, but sin separated in the dispensation of the fulness of times, them. he might gather together in one all things B. Wherever sin is the sky is closed. Saul in Christ.” —"God is departed from me and answer- 2. Nor need we fear that in any time eth me no more.” Heaven was closed to of distress God shall be unable to come and him. Think of the people to whom heaven help us. “This poor man cried and the Lord is closed—not because they weren’t meant heard and delivered, etc.” “Mine arm is for heaven (hell was for the devil and his not shortened that it cannot save, neither angels—not men); not because God doesn’t is mine ear heavy that it cannot hear.” want them there; but because an open sky “Before they call I will answer and while is conditional and they won’t meet con­ they are yet speaking I will hear.” Psalms ditions. 121:3— (the whole chapter is thrilling)—“he III. God wants us to live under an open that keepeth thee will not slumber, Be­ sky. That is the lesson Christmas teaches hold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither us and that is the power it gives us. slumber nor sleep.” There are times when A. The reason. He opened heaven to the skies would seem brass, when God come down was that He might open heaven seems far away—but never fear! God will for us to go up. II Corinthians 8:9—“Ye bend the heavens and come down. II Kings know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 6—Elisha and young man at Dothan. Moses who though he was rich yet for our sakes at Red Sea, etc. God is not a slave in His he became poor that we through his pov­ universe—it serves Him. He plants His erty might be made rich.” Paraphrase that feet upon the sea and rides upon the storm. —Jesus, though He was up there, yet for

40 (380) The Preacher's Magazine our sakes came down that we through His If heaven and its music are not near to coming down might be taken up. you there may be a reason. Something must B. You can see the consistent carrying be closing the sky and keeping the angels out of the picture. away. 1. Heaven will open to me now only in A rich French nobleman in Paris spend­ one way—by a repetition of Christmas—by ing a few days was charmed one night in another incarnation. “Impossible!” you say. a park by the music of the nightingales. No, for Christ must be born in me today— Thought of his own vast estate and won­ else I have no divine life that will lift me dered why he had none. Investigated and to an open heaven. found that hawks, hooting owls, and birds 2. And, of course, heaven will open when of prey infested his great estate. Set hunt­ Christ comes again—and “we” who are His ers after them and then the nightingales saints, shall be caught up together with came and sang to him. Today his estate is Him in the air. known as the Park of the Nightingales. Maybe the hawks of selfishness and sin have C. But since most of us know this and infested your heart, or the hooting owls of have started on the way I am particularly doubt and fear and worldly care. Open your interested in urging upon us all that we heart to Christ, seek His face, banish every should maintain an open sky at all times. interference and heaven with its music will In Maine we used to talk about “keeping come to you. the roads open” in winter—i.e., free from snow and passable. How much that meant I want so to live that I will not be ashamed in Northern Maine! I am interested—are of my past, so that I will not be afraid of you keeping the road to heaven open? It’s my future—but more than I care for these like the highways during a hard winter— I care that my sky shall be kept open. it will become blocked, drifted, and impass­ able unless you keep it open. No use to say, “God ploughed through and rescued Home Through the Storm me ten years ago, and saved me,” unless (N ew Y ear’s Serm on) you have God with you today, unless you keep the road open. Christmas means noth­ S c rip tu r e —John 6:15-21. ing to the world if it doesn’t mean that God T e x t— And immediately the ship was at opened the sky and came down to save men. Christmas means nothing to you if Christ th e land (John 6; 21). hasn’t come into your heart to save you. But Introduction: that isn’t strong enough—Christmas means 1. Observe the scriptural setting. nothing to you if you haven’t maintained a) Feeding of 5,000 on eastern shore of an open sky and kept in touch with God. Galilee. Is the sky open? Does God hear your pray­ b) Acclamation of crowd. ers? Does He talk to you, and you to Him? c) Jesus praying alone in the mountain. Is your soul blessed? Do you have the bright d ) Disciples toiling in rowing. star of hope? Is God, or heaven and all it e ) Jesus walking across the water. means of spiritual value, near to you? There (1) They are afraid. is a song: (2) Being afraid they are also unwilling to take H im in. Jesus is my neighbor f ) When they received Him willingly He lives next door to me. they were at land immediately. I am not so much concerned about your 2. I am not concerned as to whether there past; and I know the future will be all right, was a miracle here or not. Whether the if you have an open sky. boat in a moment traveled two or three Here we are stuck on this little globe of miles or the disciples were so relieved at ours. We cannot get off it and cannot reach Jesus’ coming that they were at the shore heaven. We can jump just a few feet. We before they realized it—it matters not. The can climb a high building or a mountain important thing is that toil and time and but remain there only under difficulty. We danger were forgotten when Jesus came on can soar in balloon or plane thousands of board. When Jesus comes to us we im­ feet into the air at our own peril and then mediately reach the haven we desire or re­ be forced to come down immediately. But ceive grace to wait for it. Ahead of us is the beautiful thing is that by a right atti­ the Sea o f 1948. tude of heart we can bring God and heaven I. We may face some storms of our own down to us—and eventually be caught up making during this coming year. into them. For the Word says, “Draw nigh The word of the Lord came to Jonah the unto God, and he will draw nigh to you.” son of Amittai saying, “Go to Nineveh.” Clovis Chappell saw a little girl reaching But Jonah booked passage for Tarshish. The and reaching in vain for a mail box. Said Lord “cast forth” a great wind so that the she had a letter for Santa. He put it in for ship was about to be broken. Jonah might her. Letter never reached Santa. But we have said, “The devil’s after me. Pray for can reach up and touch God and He will me. I’m having a hard time.” But he him­ bring to our hearts the Christ born in self, not the devil, was to blame for the Bethlehem’s manger. storm. We are to blame for many of our

Novem ber-Decem ber 1947 (381) 41 own troubles and sometimes for other folks’ the mast in the crow’s nest. We need to troubles, too. watch the barometer and the stars to see Saul kicked and it hurt. He kicked again what the weather is going to be. There’s and again, harder and harder. Then one something wonderful about it—if a man day a gentle voice said, “Saul, Saul, why keeps close to the Lord, he can sense danger persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to when it is near. And he’ll reef his sails, kick against the goads!” batten down the hatches, and get ready for the storm. Wild animal can sense when Birds and butterflies beat themselves an enemy is near. So ought we. On Galilee against the light. surrounded by mountains storms rise very God puts up a sign—Danger, Keep Away! suddenly. We skate nearer and nearer until we fall in B. We will also face the steady unceas­ the icy water and drag someone else with ing winds of opposition. The trade winds us. Or we get closer and closer to the place of the world, the flesh, and the devil will where explosives are kept and suddenly blow every day. We’ll have to face little there’s an explosion. With clothes tattered problems, petty annoying things, physical and torn, eyes bloodshot, face burned, we disabilities and limitations, our own weak­ cry and say, “The devil’s been making it hot nesses and so on. If we do not keep press­ for me. Oh, my”—when we are to blame ing on they will blow us off our course. We ourselves. I play with temptation until I will have to tack into the wind—bear over get burned, then I come crying around hard on the rudder against the things which looking for sympathy. Why didn’t I stay face us. Here’s a mother distracted by fam­ away from it? I climb the mountain and ily, etc. She’ll have to set her soul against start thi-owing pepples, then stones. Sud­ that and determine to find calm and peace denly I start a landslide that engulfs me in the midst of her many duties. and all the village below. I drop a word about someone. Another picks it up and C. We will encounter the hidden reefs drops it, and soon there’s a landslide and of compromise. many people are hurt. I made that storm 1. The surface is smooth—there seems to myself. be no danger or harm. There was an ancient tale of the “cave of a) But experience warns us—negro spir­ the winds.” One day a man carelessly itual loosened these winds and couldn’t catch D e old sheep knows de road, them. They swept over the world bring­ But de young lambs have to learn de way. ing destruction. b) And the Chart (the Bible) warns us. A. Sometimes we run into trouble be­ c) And an elert lookout on the mast cause we leave Jesus behind. That's what (moral judgment) will warn us. From a they did here. That’s what Mary and Jo­ height one can see deep into the ocean; so seph did in Jerusalem when Jesus was if we live high we can see hidden dangers. tw elve. 2. We must guard against compromise. B. Sometimes we drive ahead against a) On Sabbath observance God’s will. b) Conversation C. Sometimes we try in our own c) Reading strength. There are enough storms that face d) Music, ctc. us without bringing any more upon our D. Far from least, perhaps the worst, heads. Let’s mind the Lord and behave our­ danger we face is not a storm at all—it is selves in 1948. the deadly calm of lethargy or indifference. II. But over the horizon o f 1948 I see Down in the South Atlantic is the Sar­ storms approaching over which you and I gasso Sea (means “gulf weed”). Almost an have no control, for which we are not to endless mass of seaweed. A ship or small blam e. boat caught in that cannot move. Has to It says here the sea arose “by reason of lie there under merciless beating sun, while a great wind that blew.” This wind might seams crack open, water and food diminish, here represent the external forces of evil. For the Word says, “We wrestle not against foul odors and fever arise, and death finally flesh and blood, but against principalities and comes. Far more tragic death and far more common than death in the storm or on the powers, against spiritual wickedness in high reef—at least that is true in the spiritual places, against the rulers of the darkness of this world—etc.” There’s open sea ahead life. of us. No coastwise sailing allowed. We If ever we feel the deadly sluggishness of must break right across the open ocean and indifference creeping over us this year we face the onslaughts of the Prince of the ought to call a time of fasting and prayer. Power of the Air. It’s God’s world, but the No one knows exactly what lies ahead of devil has his hand on the world system. us in 1948— but w e do kn ow w e are going There are four dangers we face. to face some trouble. A. We must be prepared for the sudden III. But whether in a Jonah storm of our squalls and terrific tornadoes of temptation own making or in one of the devil’s storms and trial that will swamp us unless we are —if we’ll take and keep Christ on board we prepared. We need to keep a lookout at will safely and speedily land. 42 (382) The Preacher's Magazine A. He is the pilot who will quiet the 1. Born in a large family. storm and keep our bark safe. 2. Of devout parents. He is my pilot on life’s stormy sea. 3. There were troubles in that home of This wondrous man of Galilee. course (it was bad enough as it was but it I'm sa fe i?i His keeping, would have been far worse if God had not Though storms about are sweeping. been worshiped there). This pilot of Galilee. B. Not only that—He’ll bring us to our a ) Polygamy (we do know that they did goal. not have the clear light upon it). 1. We struggle witli our sins—finally give b ) Personality faults in the parents: Ja­ in to Christ and sins forgiven. cob was a grasping man; Rachel, not much 2. We struggle with carnality—finally say against her; Leah, jealous. "Yes" to Christ and peace fills our hearts. c) Clashes of disposition. 3. Struggle with problems and ambitions 4. Immature pride of Joseph. I have al­ —but when we open our hearts to Christ— ways been a little sad and resentful at this. “we are suddenly at land.” Have never been inclined to approve it. A little girl had trouble with a jig saw But I have come to the place where I am puzzle of U.S.A. till she learned the face glad to find it here. It makes Joseph seem of George Washington was on the other real. Furthermore it encourages me with side. She put that together and had the my own failings. For Joseph was so admir­ map. So we'll find that to reach our goal able in every way that if it were not for we’ll have to turn to the face of Jesus. At this we would exalt him out of due mea­ any time, in any circumstances, if we turn sure. to Christ we’ll find ourselves at the land, at peace within though problems may be un­ II. The success of Joseph. settled without. A. Joseph overcame the limitations of his surroundings and reached a larger sphere of usefulness. An Ancient Success Story 1. I do not believe that just changing one's surroundings guarantees success. The coun­ S c r i p t u r e — Genesis 30— 50. try boy wants to go to the big city and some­ T e x t — And of Joseph he said, Blessed of times the city boy wants to go to the coun­ the Lord be his land. . . .(Deuteronomy try. Some people seem to think that just 33:1 3 f). getting out of the home town is a mark of Introduction: success. That is not necessarily so. Some of the greatest men have remained in their 1. The supreme interest we have in the original surroundings. Jesus lived and died world is persons. in Palestine. Shakespeare never got far a) Not things or places, as interesting as from London. William Allen White and they may be, but people. What's the first Emporia Gazette grew to success together. thing a boy does when he finds a new swimming hole? Run and get the other 2. But there are times when success will boys to swim with him. Even if it be some­ be worth while only by rising above cir­ thing he wants to keep for himself he really cumstances. Joseph was in a large and has to tell someone about it or boast about relatively prosperous family. But a great it to be happy—such as a deep pool where famine was coming and God wanted to pro­ the trout are big and hungry. Give a man vide for His chosen people. a palace and gold and food, etc., but not a B. Joseph became a great man when he living soul around him, and he'll be most might have remained small and ignorant and unhappy. selfish. (>) Our supreme interest is, or ought to 1. He became a great man intellectually. be, God. a ) He knew how to manage, to make c) Then ourselves and other people. Our­ money, to organize, to execute. selves—did you ever see a high school girl (1) Successful in home or her brother gazing into the mirror? (2) In jail Others—It is a general rule in newspapers (3) In kingdom to have few pictures that do not have peo­ b ) He knew also how to reason—he was ple in them, for people are the biggest a logician. news. c) He was sensitive to the mind of the 2. That’s the reason that biography is Spirit. Observe his interpreting dreams, etc. so perennially interesting and helpful—it 2. He was clean and strong physically. shows us real people in real life. 3. He was a poised and attractive person­ 3. Today I want to dip into the riches ality. Impressed everyone from Pharaoh of Bible biography for the story of a young to farmers and common people. They loved man back in ancient days who was a real and respected him. A real king doesn’t success. I speak of Joseph. need a crown and robe. He is royalty. I. The story of Joseph. 4. He was a pure and godly man. Clean, This story is so familiar that it needs not to loving, humble, unassuming, courageous. be repeated in detail. We'll just point out a C. Joseph won his way to the top in a few things that will give us perspective. strange country at great odds.

N ovem ber-Decem ber 1947 ( 383) 43 1. Entered as a slave into a country and to God, kindness. He clung to them so that civilization different from his own, with a he almost knew no fear. different religion, etc. D. The greatest secret was that he kept 2. Handicapped by Potiphar’s wife’s ac­ in touch with God. cusation and a jail sentence. A slave and a 1. So that his greatest loyalty was to God. jailbird. 2. God gave him strength in temptation. 3. But he became second to the king 3. God gave him wisdom in test—dreams with power over the lives of all Egypt and for jailer, dreams for Pharaoh, handling his its wealth. Yet with power over all around brothers. him he commanded the good will and re­ spect of all but a few. 4. God gave him eternal salvation. D. He saved the lives of all his family 5. God has made him a blessing to men and became one of God’s key links in His ever since then. dealings with the chosen people. He found such a place in history that hundreds of years later when his people left Egypt they The Task of Missions took his bones with them—Exodus 13:19. That is quite a measure of success to have S c rip tu r e —Matthew 28:16-20. your own people remember you like that. T e x t ------Awake to righteousness, and sin (Of course, our mothers are proud if we not; jor some have not the knowledge of get a college degree or put on a uniform God: I speak this to your shame (I C or­ or get our names in the paper even if it is inthians 15:34). only in connection with an automobile acci­ Introduction: dent.) 1. The chapter from which the text is E. Even down to this day Joseph is an taken is the great classic chapter on the honored name and his memory is revered. Resurrection. F. He won God’s blessing (the text). a) But right in the middle of it is cast this abrupt warning against sin. III. The secret of Joseph. b) Perhaps that might indicate that un­ A. One of the contributing factors to Jo­ belief and unrighteousness often go hand seph’s success was the blood that flowed in in hand. his veins. 2. I wish to lift up this text and hold it 1. One’s family has quite a bit to do against the light so that we may see its with one’s future; not everything, of course, missionary meaning; perhaps somewhat as but much. Joseph’s mother and father were one sees the watermark on paper when it is good solid people with faults but with some held against the light. strong virtues. An artist was asked to paint a picture 2. Joseph was a Jew. The Jews always o! a dead church. He painted a beautiful have had and always will have that driving stone edifice with magnificent entrance, im­ persistence that makes for success. Many pressive interior, stained-glass windows, the Jewish cobbler who has become a bank­ beautiful pews, pipe organ, indirect lighting, er, etc. etc. Back by the door in the corner he B. Another factor was his dream (dreams, painted a box with an opening in the top if you insist). and the words “For Missions” on it. Over 1. We speak with scorn of “dreamers,” the box was a cobweb. and so did Joseph’s brothers. A church that is not missionary is not 2. But every man who has done some­ alive. And so, since this is a vital matter, thing big has first dreamed it. Alexander, I bring to your attention—“The Task of Napoleon, and Hitler dreamed of world em­ M issions.” pires. They did not get them, but see what I. First, the task is extensive. they did! Lincoln dreamed of liberty and A. M issions is as broad as the human justice and brotherhood. race. C. Another factor (somewhat related) Oh, spread the tidings round was his idealism. Ideals are stars by which Wherever man is found, to steer. No sailor can get along without Wherever human hearts and human woes the stars. No man building a life can get abou n d , along without ideals. In Joseph’s hour of The Comforter has come. temptation his ideals shone still like stars— There is absolutely no possibility of lim­ he thought of God; he thought of his mas­ iting our task—it is to evangelize all na­ ter, and he said, “How can I do this great tions, the whole race. r wickedness, and sin against God?” Convic­ 1. Because the com m and o f Christ is that tions and ideals must be burned into our we should go into “all the world.” He came consciousness. We must live with them to save the whole world. He gave His life day after day if we expect them to stay that “whosoever will” might be saved. And with us in the test. In your thinking let having suffered as He did He certainly would down and question ideals, and when the not limit the field into which He sent His test comes you will fall. Joseph’s ideals or disciples. He said, “Ye shall be witnesses convictions were related to: Purity, honesty, unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, industry, loyalty to father and brothers, love and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost

44 (384) The Preacher's Magazine part of the earth.” “Go and disciple all na­ lions spent on every imaginable luxury and tions— Matthew 24:14—“And this gospel vice—and mere pittances given for world­ of the kingdom shall be preached in all the wide missions. Shame on Christian Am­ world for a witness unto all nations; and erica! Do you know there are places where then shall the end come.” Whatever ex­ the people are so poor and hungry that cuse you may make for not laying to and you can hardly find a bug or a creeping lifting the load of missions is swept aside thing or any bark on the trees? Do you by the specific command of Christ. From know that there are some people who never now till eternity dawns, from the rivers to have tasted meat, who never get a square the ends of the earth we are to spread the meal? And yet we talk about not being able gospel. to support missions! As long as the Bible is true and Jesus Christ is real then the 2. Missions is as bread to the human race task of missions is as broad as humanity. because the hunger for Christ is that ex­ tensive. II. But the task of missions is also in­ I have yet to meet the man or woman that tensive. Either it is done thoroughly or it I did not feel needed Jesus Christ. I have is not done at all. It demands all the Chris­ met few men that in the right circumstances tian’s devotion. There is no missionary work did not confess a desire for Jesus Christ. without praying, groaning, sacrifice, and ef­ And those few had the desire that they did fort. Missions takes a paramount place or not confess. It gives the Christian a de­ none at all. It demands concentration and cided assurance to know that no matter intensive work. how widely separated men may be by The story is told of an ancient king in customs, conduct, and dress that the hu­ China who asked to have a bell made for man heart and the human need are the him. The man whose task it was finished same. Whether the skin is white or black the bell, but it was imperfect and sounded it does not matter. You may don a high cracked and dull. He made a second one. silk hat, pick up a gold-headed cane, step It was the same. The king said if the third into a beautiful limousine, and sit in a did not satisfy that the man would be hired pew in the cathedral, but you are killed. Trembling for his life he went to the still a sinner and, if you w ou ld be honest, wise man who told him there must be a your heart is hungry for Jesus Christ. You sacrifice. This man’s daughter heard what may rise high or sink low—your need is the wise men said and while her father the same. You may be ignorant or learned, was melting the iron she cast herself into gullible or skeptical—your need is Jesus the molten heat. Then the bell rang sweet­ Christ. Sometimes we forget this and try ly. And the gospel bell never rings sweetly to apply some other remedy to the human unless there is sacrifice. need only to find that it fails. Only the Over in Korea a missionary stood up to grace of our Lord Jesus Christ can meet preach in a crowded tent. He opened his the human soul. You can go to the squalor Bible and began to read in the Gospels. of the big city slums or to the filth of Every time he read the words “Jesus” or heathen kraals. You will say, “These peo­ “Christ” there was a woman in the audience ple need hygiene, food, education, etc.” who gave a terrible scream. He began to You can go to the mansion on the drive preach, but every time he mentioned the and you will say, “These people need noth­ Saviour the woman would scream. Final­ ing.” But I say unto you, “Both classes need ly, he knew it was little use to go on, so he_ Jesus Christ, the latter at least as much as dismissed the service and sent four Bible the former.” Missions is as broad as the women back after the poor degraded de­ human race because every human soul is mented woman. Her hair was matted and hungry for God. she was filthy. It took four Bible women to hold her as they prayed. She screamed 3. Because there is no other way of sal­ and frothed at the mouth. They prayed for vation. “There is no other name under her for hours and were so exhausted that heaven given among men whereby we must they could do no more. Then they started be saved, but the name of Jesus.” to sing some songs. The woman’s face re­ B. There are so many objections brought laxed, she quieted, she shouted, “He’s gone.” against Christian missions. Her eyes opened and she looked up and 1. Some say, “There are so many heathen said, “He’s gone.” She was wonderfully here at home.” I never yet have met the saved. No halfhearted effort, no smooth person that raised this objection who was running organization, no afternoon tea would doing as much as he should have done here. ever have saved that woman. When we If you will sacrifice and pray and get peo­ challenge sin and the devil anywhere we ple saved here and put so much in here at are going to have a fight on our hands. home that there is not the least possibility Missions is intensive. of your doing anything for foreign lands A. Because of the degradation of the peo­ then you are all right. But generally those ple. who do the most at home are the most mis­ sionary minded. B. Because of the physical handicaps of 2. Some say, “We don’t have any money climate, etc. to support missions.” Shame! Shame! Bil­ C. Because of the lack of funds.

November-Deceraber 1947 (385) 45 One Korean mission church was crowded The Bitterness in Success so that they needed more room. The peo­ ple sacrificed and saved. They sold clothing Scripture—The Book of Esther. and furniture, hairpins, etc. They lived, T e x t — Yet all this availeth me nothing, so some of them, on one meal a day. Still they long as I see Morclecai the Jew sitting couldn’t get money enough. They pro­ at the king's gate (Esther 5:13). claimed a day of prayer and fasting. They Introduction: prayed through. One man thought of all 1. The story of Esther. the stone in the mountain. Everybody a) Vashti's deposition. worked and built the new church. Now b ) Esther’s exaltation. they have outgrown that. They have es­ 2. The story of Haman. tablished one outstation and are looking a) His exaltation. for another. God is able, but His people b ) Mordecai's refusal to bow to him. must come to grips with the situation. c) The servants’ "tattling.” III. The task is unfinished. d) Haman’s anger. (1) Casting of lots. For every Christian there are thousands (2) Resultant decree that all Jews are of heathen. For every village where the (o be destroyed eleven months later. gospel is preached there are many that do e) Esther’s first banquet with King Ahas- not hear of Jesus Christ. uerus and Haman. A. There never was a time when the /) Hainan's joy of success galled by Mor­ foreign fields were as ripe as they are now. decai's scorn—his determination to have In India there is a receptiveness never before Mordecai hanged; the erection of fifty-foot shown and in our own Nazarene work there gallows. has been a gracious revival. In Japan and One of the most vivid Old Testament China and Africa and around the world stories begins with the description of a people are being saved. In this “atomic” “one royal banquet. King Ahasuerus, one of the world” age world-wide mi ssions is the greatest monarchs of ancient times, ruling only answer. from India to Egypt, was giving a feast to his princes. Being proud of his beautiful B. But the task is not completed yet. queen, Vashti, he sent for her that her There are more heathen today than when beauty might be seen by his guests. For Jesus died upon the cross. The percentage some reason or other the queen refused to of nominal Christians is greater, but there come, thus arousing the anger of the king are more heathen. Every day thousands and his nobles, though the latter very dis­ die and yet we drift along unconcerned and creetly kept theirs covered. But when the taken up with petty childish things. king asked what should be done, his attend­ IV. And finally the task is ours. ants, “wise men,” replied that he should send forth a decree that all wives should A. It is not simply the missionary's. The obey their husbands and that he should en­ missionary is doing his part and more. We force it by making an example of Vashti cannot say, “You take care of those thou­ by deposing her and finding another queen sands there. All alone in an unfriendly cli­ in her place. Being a man accustomed to mate, weakened by fever, struggling with accept tile advice given him ("for so was disease and superstition, with just a few the king’s manner toward all that knew paltry dollars. You take care of that. And law and judgment”), the king did so now. we hundreds of folks here will take care Among tire beautiful maidens brought be­ of our little local churches. We will live in fore the king was Esther, a Jewess, the nice homes, give a little bit when we feel niece of Mordecai, a powerful Jew of Shu- like it and try to get along.” We cannot say shan, the palace city. The king favored her that. and gladly made her his queen. B. It is not only the task of the young Even while Esther was being exalted to people, though generally speaking it is young be the queen, there was a man in the court people who must actually go to the foreign that was rapidly rising in the king's favor. fields as missionaries. Haman was set above all the princes and was made second only to the king and be­ C. It is the chief task for all of us! There fore him all the servants and lesser men are no exceptions! The task is ours! bowed. But there was a proud capable Jew Shall ice whose souls are lighted that refused to bow and his head remained With wisdom from on high. erect when all others were lowered. Shall we to men benighted Haman did not notice this till some of The lamp of life deny? the other servants envious of Mordecai's Salvation, oh, salvation, strength and despising his Jewish blood told The joyful sound proclaim Haman about this incivility. Then a storm Till earth’s remotest nation of wrath broke in his vain ambitious heart. Has learned Messiah's name. Scorning to lay hands on Mordecai alone Conclusion: he dccidcd to have all the Jews in the king­ ‘For some have not the knowledge of dom killed. But being superstitious he cast God: I speak this to your shame.” lots every day for nearly a year until he

46 (386) The Preacher's Magazine decided that fortune was with him. Then Because of their vanity, their superficial approaching the king suavely he proposed ambition, their satisfaction with material the destruction of a people that were harm­ things, their hatred for those that oppose ful to the kingdom, offering himself to pay them how many Hamans there are around for the services of the wholesale murderers us. 10.000 talents o f silver. It reflects upon the ruler and the times that he should take I. But Haman’s fortune was embittered the official ring and grant the request with­ by the presence of Mordecai. out much thought. The day of doom was Every time Haman came and went from set for some months later. Then the king the palace all the servants bowed and and his favorite sat down to drink, “but the scraped. All the common people and the city Shushan was perplexed.” less favored princes were obsequious to When the decree became known the Jews him—all, but one. Mordecai looked at him wept in sackcloth and ashes. Mordecai with scorn, or what is worse, paid no at­ sent to Esther for some action to save her tention to him at all. And Haman in bitter­ people, but she replied that to go into ness said. “All this availeth me nothing, so the throne room uninvited was to meet long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at death. Mordecai sent back a second mes­ the king’s gate.” The more reverence others sage, “Think not with thyself that thou gave him, the more irritating became this shalt escape in the king’s house, more than Jew’s scorn. It angered him so that at time all the Jews. For if thou altogether hold- he forgot his joy of power in the hatred of est thy peace at this time, then shall there his enem y. So is it true of every man whose enlargement and deliverance arise to the heart is not right with God—there will be Jews from another place; but thou and thy bitterness that will spoil the sweetness of father’s house shall be destroyed: and who success. knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” She re­ A. How true it is—“There's always some­ plied, “Fast and pray for three days and thing to take the joy out of life." It mat­ then I will go to the king, and if I perish, ters not how good your fortune may be, I perish.” how great your possessions, how happy your Received with favor she invited the king love for your friends. If your soul has not and Haman to como to a banquet she would been cleansed from sin there is always prepare for them. As ever delighted with something bitter being cast up on the shore the queen, Ahasuerus asked what her re­ of your thinking. The sinful are like a quest was. She said, “That you come to troubled sea. There will be just enough another banquet tomorrow.” And so the hatred to spoil your love, there will be group parted in the best of spirits, the king jealousy, envy, worry, troubled conscience. more than ever in love with the queen, the All of us know that there are times in our queen hopeful of saving her people, and souls, if we are not saved, when there is Hainan riding on the crest of the wave raging of these elements until we are shaken which was to make him a great man. throughout. Much of our activity is just Passing the unbending Mordecai, Haman to get away from ourselves. It would not hurried home. He called his wife and his be half as bad to be shut up with an in­ friends around him and had them sit down sane person as it is sometimes to be shut up to listen. Then he settled back and “told with our own bitter thoughts, envy, jealousy, them of tile glory of his riches, and the hatred, resentment, worry, and troubled con­ multitude of his children, and all the things science. As long as we restrain ourselves wherein the king had promoted him, and and our lives compare favorably with the how he had advanced him above all the average citizen we are fairly well satis­ princes and servants of the king.” Haman fied. But if we would lay bare our hearts said moreover, “Yea, Esther the queen did to ourselves and compare ourselves with let no man come in with the king unto the Jesus Christ we would prostrate ourselves banquet that she had prepared but myself; in the dust in shame. and tomorrow am I invited unto her also with the king.” His cup was filled to the full, B. These bitter things in the soul grow his joy was supreme. Every ambition he until they grip every thought. Like cancer, had was attained. He had been lifted to they will spread and stretch out their fingers the peak of power and was reveling in the until the whole heart is filled with them. favor of the greatest of kings. So wonder­ King Saul was exalted above all his fel­ ful had been his fortune that he could hard­ low men; then one day a little shepherd boy ly believe it, so wonderful that he must happened to visit his brothers in camp. That tell of it, he must speak o f his glory and day there was sown in the heart of the big his felicity to his wife and his friends. And strong king a seed of poisonous jealousy so he sat there and gave an oration on him­ self much the same as the rooster stretches that finally consumed him and hurled him into a suicide’s grave. its gaudy head to the sky and crows, or as much as the jungle animal roars the note Worry will creep in on you. It will begin of victory upon its vanquished foe. And to trouble your sleep, upset your nerves, how much like men of all times! How much put lines in your face. It will reach you like the twentieth century man! just as quickly in a mansion as in a cot­ November-December 1947 087) 47 tage; it reaches the man with a bankbook couraging to feel some change is in your just as quickly as the poor man. Enjoy pocket, but the human soul is too big to be all the sweetness you can. Without Christ put in a pocketbook. There are always there’ll be bitterness that will spoil it. It some that are deceived into thinking that will be just a ripple at first, but sooner or wealth and ease are more necessary than later it will beat with troublous waves on love, and these people marry for money or your soul. A little leaven will leaven the position. But the world knows that two whole lump. I have seen things grow on lovers with spirits that are akin and with people like that—a little worry, or re­ upright lives are infinitely richer in a cot­ sentment, or misunderstanding, something tage than the loveless rich in their man­ said or done. They started to think about sions. But the human soul is too great to it and resentment grew until it colored be satisfied even with human love. The soul their whole lives. is made for God; gold or silver, houses or A fly got into the oil of a giant locomotive lands, friends or fame, possessions or pow­ and stopped its slow drip, drip. Friction de­ er, home or family, work or play can never veloped and the giant locomotive was satisfy the human soul. King Midas, you stopped—b y a fly. may have the power to turn things to gold by your touch, but we prefer to have some Until your heart is cleansed you are not ■simple food for our bodies and the love of proof against things spoiling your life. But our families and friends. Sinner friend, you when the Holy Spirit fills you, then, you may have the best this world has to offer of are preserved, kept sweet, “kept by the possessions and companions and culture. power of God through faith unto salvation Your soul will still be empty for these things ready to be revealed.” will still leave the vast longings of your II. Haman illustrates the fact, as have men spirit unsatisfied. ever since, that God is the one indispensable There was a man who was king of a small of happiness. With all that a man may powerful nation. He was the popular idol of achieve, or gain or possess, without God he the people, a poet and a warrior. He had will have an empty heart. And he will wealth and a beautiful palace, unnumbered say with Haman, “Yet all this availeth me friends and a large family. One day he nothing, so long as God is not in my life.” saw one thing that he desired, and, ac­ A. If it were possible for a person to customed as he was to having his wants have everything which could be desired for satisfied, he reached out and took it. He human happiness—wealth, friends, health, should have been satisfied then—but lis­ some kind of happy work, a good disposition, ten to David’s prayer: “Create in me a and pleasant relationships—still that person clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit would have an unsatisfied heart and he within me. . . . Restore unto me the joy of would not be as happy as a saint of God thy salvation. . . . As the hart panteth after who was poor and sick and alone. For the the waterbrook, so panteth my soul after heart is made for God and until the soul thee, O God.” dies that hunger for Him remains. B. Look over your life and possessions King Midas loved his gold. He gloated over now. View every phase of your life, taks the glittering coins, running them through into consideration every good thing, your his fingers like sunbeams, kissing them, ex­ family, health, fortune, heritage, etc. Don’t ulting in his riches, deifying and worship­ miss a single thing. Ask your soul to lis­ ing his gold. He thought of and prayed for ten to you and then tell your soul all the more gold and fancied one day that the glories and joys that you have. When you height of bliss would be to have the power are through your soul will whisper back of turning everything he touched into gold. to you in a faint sad whisper, “Yet all this So much did he think of it that one day availeth me nothing—so long as I have not the gods bestowed on him the golden touch. G od.” That morning when he rose he thrilled at the magic transformation that took place III. And the last thing I want you to in the objects he touched. In ecstasy he notice about Haman is this—his hatred led picked up the spoon and saw it transmuted him to erect the very gallows on which he into solid gold, but when his food touched himself was hung. his lips it became gold also—he had gold, His friends and his wife said, “There’s no but he had no food to appease his appetite. reason that you should endure the pain of His little girl came bounding in and he seeing this insolent Jew every time you go threw his arms around her and picked her in and out of the palace. You are in such up to kiss her—but he kissed gold. The favor with the king that he will do what­ warm blood of his own offspring was turned ever you ask him. We suggest that you into that which he had thought to be all- erect a fifty-foot gallows and have Mordecai important. King Midas found that even hanged on them.” He responded. “That’s more than he needed gold to gloat over he just what I will do.” And Mordecai would needed food for his body, and even more have been hanged the next day before than that he needed love for his heart. Queen Esther knew anything about it. Money is necessary as a medium of ex­ But the king could not sleep that night. He change but it can never satisfy. It is en­ rolled and tossed; and, finally, to pass the

48 (388) The Preacher's Magazine time away, he commanded that the book of Conclusion: records be brought and read to him. As the Friend, look at all the good in your life! important and trivial events of the palace Be honest enough to know you’re not sat­ city were being read it was found written isfied! Be wise enough to know you’re sin that a certain Mordecai had disclosed to will find you out! Then be humble enough the king a plot on his life by Bigthana and to turn to God for mercy and cleansing! Teresh, two of the royal chamberlains. The king said, “Wait a minute! Has anything been done for this man that saved my life?” They answered, “No.” Early that morning The Boundaries of the Kingdom the king heard somebody in the court out­ S c rip tu r e — Hebrews 11. side and learning that it was Haman he sent T e x ts — Jesus said unto him, if thou canst for him. His first word was, “What shall believe, all things are possible to him be done unto the man whom the king de- that believeth (Mark 9:23). lighteth to honor?” Haman, thinking it He shall have dominion also from sea to was himself who was meant, advised the sea, and from the river unto the ends of highest honors that could be given to any th e earth (Psalms 72:8). man. The king said, “Go and do so to Mordecai,” and chagrined beyond words, Introduction: he went to do the king’s bidding, then slunk Let me speak to you of faith. home to bow his head in anger, grief, and 1. Faith is not erratic and irrational. It shame. is not blind and unreasoning. It is a reason­ able thing to look ourselves over once in a His friends sadly pronounced, “If Morde­ while and find out just where we stand. cai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom Jesus said, “Which of you men intending thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not pre­ to build a house does not first sit down and vail against him, but shalt surely fall be­ count the cost? Or if you go to attack the fore him.” Even then Haman was called enemy do not first determine the strength to the queen's banquet, and, when the of your army.” It is reasonable and honest queen revealed his plot against the Jews to sit down occasionally, or better regularly, and herself, the king wos so angry he was and balance assets and liabilities. I can speechless. When he spoke it was to have count on so much, and this is what I owe. Haman hanged on his own gallows. It is not displeasing to God to do this. In A. Friend, if you are not a child of God, fact it is quite in accord with His wishes. the sin in your heart will as certainly be 2. But the place we fail and displease the means of your destruction as Haman’s God is in claiming too little for our assets and for the Kingdom. was. That is a principle as universal and a ) The world is covetous, grasping avari­ unfailing as the simplest mathematical ax­ cious and acquisitive. It seizes what does iom. If your temperament is such and the not belong to it. But we sin in the opposite circumstances arise you will be led by your direction when for the kingdom of God we sinful heart to commit a crime that will take so little and let the devil run away land you behind prison bars. But whether with the rest. When we figure up our as­ or not you ever land there and most of sets we simply count that which we pos­ us probably will not, there are hatred and sess and not what God has promised, that jealousy, selfishness, anger, envy, and pas­ which is human and not the divine, that sion enough in your heart just now to em­ which we can see and not what we can be­ bitter your soul and lead you to say and lieve for. We say, We have so many mem­ do things that will be followed by lifelong bers. We have so many men, women, and regrets. There are some of you that would children. We have so many musicians, so cut off your right hand if you could undo many exhorters, so many teachers. We can some things you have already done. You count on so many in prayer meeting, Sun­ may be one of the even-tempered, quiet day school, young people’s meeting, etc. individuals who never get into much trouble, We have such and such a building, etc. If but though you be as pleasant and as well- we keep on the way we are going for ten spoken of as an angel, unless your sins years we will be such and such. This way have been forgiven and your heart cleansed, of figuring things out reminds one of grade you will as surely meet a day of reckoning school arithmetic. If two men could do so as the criminal. For sin is its own worst much work in five days, how much could punishment and sin grows. Haman looked ten men do? It is something like the old at his glory and riches but said, “All this Quaker who counted the church members to availeth me nothing so long as I see Morde­ see how big to make the cemetery. cai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” He b) This is all very good. But remember, might have gone on to say, “Moreover, all when you start listing your assets, what these things shall pass away. Moreover, I John Wesley said, “Best of all God is with shall meet the reckoning for my hatred of us.” God is our greatest asset. We need to Mordecai and the Jews.” get ourselves down to systematic hard work B. The only remedy for the bitterness but, bless you, we must have more than and destructiveness of sin is the grace of that. We have left out the divine equation, God. the divine multiplication of strength. We

N ovem ber-Decem ber 1947 (389) 49 have not figured faith in our assets. The he started from by sunset and so received Word says, “Without me ye can do noth­ not a foot of land. ing” (no matter how many of you there But, oh, it is just the opposite with us in may be)—but “I can do all things through our work and vision for the Kingdom. We Christ which strengtheneth me” and “One are afraid we won’t gel back by dark and shall chase a thousand and two shall put ten we are sure we should conserve our strength. thousand to flight.” I have hands that can So, we walk around a couple of city blocks, do so much work. I have feet that can get back by eight o’clock and sit down the run errands for the church. I have a tongue rest of the day wondering how we ever to tell the story and call men to the King­ made it. God give us faith! dom. I have a mind to reason with them There is a scriptural basis for the above and a heart to love them into the Kingdom. story—Joshua 1:3—“every place that the But best of all I have faith in God that will soul of your foot shall tread upon, that have put springs in my heels in all my work for I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.” the Master and will bring God down to supplement my labors. I. Faith is a necessity— “w ithout faith it is impossible to please God.” 3. This is another way we compromise A. In its lowest form faith is mere be­ our faith. We say, “I believe that God some­ lief, or perhaps, acknowledgement of fact. day will rule and have complete sway. Oh, I believe in Niagara Falls in the sense of yes, I believe that. But just now the devil acknowledging their existence. I believe is running things and there is not m uch there are icebergs up north, and so on— we can do now.” Faith does not destroy mere acknowledgement of facts may not God’s plan nor belittle His wonderful fu­ mean very much. ture reign, but it does bring God down to our help today. B. But faith is more than that. There is in it the element of trust or reliance. I Jesus said to Martha, “Thy brother shall not only “believe that God is." I believe rise again.” Martha saith unto Him, “I also “that he is a rewarder of them that dil­ know that he shall rise again in the resur­ igently seek him.” There is no faith with­ rection at the last day.” Jesus said unto out trust and reliance. her, “I am the resurrection, and the life.” A man and woman in the United States In other words I am here now, present, able Mint in Washington were watching the to resurrect. Martha’s faith looked toward workmen melt silver. An attendant said, the future last day, but Jesus said bring “If you dip your hand in water, you can your faith down to the present. pour molten silver on it and it won’t burn Man’s way of thinking—with so many you. Would you like to try it?” The man members and so much money we can do replied, “I’ll take your word for it.” His about so much. God’s way—if you have wife said, “I’ll try it,” and so she did and faith in God you can do anything. That found it to be true. The attendant said, “You doesn’t mean that God would rather have accepted my word, but your wife relied one man than ten. He would rather have upon it.” one man of faith than ten fearful and un­ John G. Paton was translating the Bible. believing. But even better He would like He couldn't find the heathen word that to have ten men of faith. would adequately translate “believe” or Someone says, “How about Gideon and “ trust.” Finally, one day a native cam e in, the three hundred (Judges 7) ? The Lord tired from working and flung himself on wanted few so the people wouldn't take the the floor to rest. In a moment of inspiration credit.” Yes! But it would not have been the missionary asked him the word that simply the small number that would have meant “lie down.” Then he translated "be­ made them refuse to take the credit for the lieve” as “to lie full length upon.” Thus we victory over the Midianites; it would have ought to rest on the promises of God. God been also their attitude of heart. One thou­ cannot be pleased with us unless we trust. sand believers would have given glory to II. But faith is more than that. It is ag­ God while ten unbelievers would have gressive, achieving, commanding. vaunted themselves and failed to give God A. It is the means by which we receive the glory. things from God. Conclusion: Then the boundaries of the 1. We are saved by faith. Kingdom should not be set by lame, near­ 2. “Sanctified by faith that is in me.” sighted Old Man Reason, but by winged, 3. We are enriched by faith. "What farsighted Faith. things soever ye desire when ye pray be­ An old story says that a man was told by lieve that ye receive them and ye shall have a certain king that he could have as much them.” Isaiah 45:11—“Thus saith the Lord, land as he could run around from sunrise the Holy One of Israel, and his maker. till dark. The man took a lunch. He ran Ask me of things to come concerning my till noontime, ate lunch, ran till the middle sons, and concerning the works of my hands of the afternoon. He saw the sun starting command ye me.” God has deposited grace down and so he headed back for goal. which we may receive on the order of Wearied, he could not get back to the place faith.

50 (390) The Preacher's Magazine B. We have thought too much of faith as Man, the human personality, is an in­ a defensive weapon, as the shield of faith. divisible unit, a center of energy, intelli­ It is also an aggressive weapon. We ought gence, and feeling. He lives in a physical to do more than defend ourselves. We ought bedy with a marvelous, mysterious relation­ to do exploits for God. We ought to be ship between himself and the body. But mighty through God to the tearing down of he, man, is a spiritual being, a soul. The strongholds (II Corinthians 10:4).' Read in potato and toothpick conception of man is Hebrews 11:33 of the worthies who through outmoded. Man is a spirit in relation to dif­ faith “subdued kingdoms, wrought right­ ferent forms of reality or expressing him­ eousness” etc.—all positive work. These are self in different ways. In a practical sense not defensive verbs. Faith is triumphant, we often speak of the soul of man as the jubilant. Psalms 2:8—“Ask of me, and I higher forms of his life and activity. For shall give thee the heathen for thine inherit­ example we say, “He is neglecting his ance, and the uttermost parts of the earth soul,” meaning that he is giving too much for thy possession.” Proverbs 13:22—“The time and thought to physical, material, self­ wealth of the sinner is laid up for the ish things and neglecting the higher moral just.” “The cattle on a thousand hills are and spiritual values. But we want to re­ mine.” Whatever place the soles of our member man is a soul, a moral and spirit­ feet shall tread is ours. ual intelligence. III. God has set the bounds of His king­ 3. The object of our search is the souls dom not by reason nor by strength, but by of men, the reclamation of spiritual beings. faith. a) There are many things which men A. He has not said, “Wherever you send pursue. battleships and armies and subdue the peo­ ple that belong to you. Wherever you Am­ (1) Things of ruinous and evil effect. ericanize the people they are yours.” (2) Things small and petty. B. But He has said, “Ask of me, believe (3) Things fascinating and good. me. and I will give thee the heathen, etc.” b) But wc are after souls. Faith always makes us work. (1) To remind men who and what they C. Faith is the most far-reaching human are. faculty. It is the scout, the advance agent. (2) To save them from the disintegration It leaps the chasm while reason stops to of sin. build a bridge. God has said, “According (3) To help them by the grace of God to to your faith be it unto you.” Faith deter­ become their best. mines how much we shall have. Let’s ask I. The value of the soul is seen in its for and receive much from God. eternity. A. The span of a human life on this earth is so short that by comparison many other Personality— The Supreme Value things seem enduring. The average length of life even in America is something less or The Value of a Soul than forty years. We are so frail at birth. S crip tu re —Matthew 6:19-34. Our maturity is so short-lived, and our T e x t— W h a t is a m an profited, if he shall decease comes so quickly as compared with gain the whole world and. lose his own the seeming permanence of the things about soid? Or what shall a man give in ex­ us. change for his soul? (Matt. 16:26).. 1. Man and man-made things seem to be Introduction: the most fleeting of all things. The steel 1. The word “soul” in scripture is used and stone of man’s construction crumbles in several different senses. and falls. Man craves immortality, craves to a) It sometimes means the reasonable, be remembered, but it all seems to be in spiritual, and immortal part of man’s na­ vain. Man will expend millions on build­ ture. ings and monuments, to remind the future b) Sometimes it refers to the whole per­ generations of himself. But if rust and rain son, both soul and body. (Gen. 14:21; Gen. and revolution do not destroy his monu­ 12:5.) ment, future generations will be so ab­ c) Sometimes it refers simply to our life sorbed in their own business, and love af­ here. fairs, their families, their problems and ac­ d) Sometimes it means the feelings or tivities that they will give little thought to desires. this man that wanted to be remembered. e ) Certainly we must take cognizance of A time capsule was buried at New York the similar term, “spirit.” Some would say World’s Fair in a deep well surrounded that “soul” refers to human reason and life, by an enduring composition so that hun­ while spirit refers to the divine spark of dreds or thousands of years from now men life given us by God. will know what kind of people we were 2. According to our best understanding of and what kind of razors and toothbrushes this term, soul, we would say that it refers w e used. to the w hole personality of man. That is, 2. The sun and stars and the swirl of we would say, Man is a soul, rather than the planets seem to be ageless. The Bible man has a soul. does not tell us how old the universe is

N ovem ber-Decem ber 1947 (391) 51 and science says that it is many millions of b) But man with a kinship to the upper years old, insofar as science knows. world, knowing and feeling that he is made B. But the soul of man is more enduring for something better stoops to lust, and than all else. selfishness, and murder on a grade far lower and a scale vastly greater than the animals. 1. To be sure greater endurance is not What animal could be thought of as blow­ the only factor to be considered in values. ing into tiny bits the homes and bodies A rich full life of twenty-five years is cer­ of mothers and babies he had never seen tainly more to be desired than a small un­ before? The dirty cruel beast with dripping happy life of twenty-six years. red claws is a poor innocent animal far 2. But when the difference is one not of higher in our admiration than the vile sin­ a few years, but a difference between time ners who have blotted our human history. and eternity then that is a factor that can­ not be ignored. What is five years or a 2. No other creature may rise as high thousand or a million years of sinful plea­ as man. sures compared to the endless eternity of a) Man is an animal in the sense that he the soul? Lazarus was poor and sick and shares physical life with the other animals. hungry, an outcaste. But that brief mo­ ment of suffering was nothing as com­ b) But when man rises in the moral pared to the eternity of the Paradise he realm he is a different being. Courage, won by faith. purity, love, noble thoughts, worship—all these and more give wings to man and 3. Life is so fleeting and changing that lift him into a different state. By God’s the wise man is always looking for endur­ grace man can soar until he becomes like ance. He looks for clothing that will wear God—“Behold what manner of love. . . .” well, for machinery that will stand up, for Think of Florence Nightingale, St. Francis a home that will last. If his wife could of Assisi, John the Beloved, St. Paul, and really find “wearever” aluminum she would all the rest. be exceedingly happy. The child and the ignorant eat up all their food today and B. For suffering and bliss. never think of tomorrow. The wise man 1. The animal may be crazed with physical and woman know the value of preserve pain but only man can carry something in shelves, of bank accounts, of real estate, of his soul, unseen by the naked eye or the x- solid investments. Who said these had no ray or microscope, that brings excruciating value? A man is a child who says that. A suffering and drives him to madness. And in wise grown man knows they have value. its eternal existence the finally impenitent 4. But the most enduring of life’s values soul will suffer remorse and the sting of are fleeting so compared with the soul. When memory forever and ever. Physically, man banks have failed and empires have fallen; suffers only until unconsciousness or death when the stars are dark and the suns have comes. But in his heart and mind man has burned to a crisp; when all that we think capacities for suffering that we cannot even of as permanent, suns and stars and the dream of. swirl of planets, has passed away, the soul 2. The animal gulps a meal and sleeps of man will still be in its infancy. It will go lazily in the sun. B ut the man gazes in on forever and forever and forever. Space rapture at the beautiful sunset, or pours over and time are too big for us to understand. books in his zest for learning, or gives gladly Eternity is infinite. for charity, or kneels in adoration before If a great bird swift of wing had started the God of the universe and the Christ of to fly at the speed of light, 180,000 miles Calvary. It is only man that does not live per second, back at the creation of the by bread alone. The soul’s capacities? It world thousands or millions of years ago, is made for heaven or hell. that bird would be no nearer the edge of space or the end of eternity than it was III. The value of the soul is seen in the w hen it began. struggle for its possession. Like the beat of the drums of God, may A. Consider the personal powers inter­ He press in upon us the endlessness of the ested in man. That which petty men strug­ soul’s existence, until all our conceptions gle over is petty. The greater the individu­ of values change and souls became the only als involved the greater the values must be. things of consequence. B. Consider the struggle for the soul of II. The value o f the soul is seen in its cap­ man. acities. 1. The wiles of Satan A. For good or evil. 2. The love of God a) Creation 1. No other creature may sink so low as man. b) Providence c ) Redemption a) True, nature is red in tooth and claw. d ) Glorification But the cruelty and killing of the animal are usually because of a kind of necessity Conclusion: and it is all without moral quality because These are the stakes we are after—souls! the brute beast does not understand. How much concerned are we?

52 (392) The Preacher's Magazine The Universality iquity; and in sin did my mother conceive and Individuality of Sin m e.” 3. This fits in with the truth of a certain S c rip tu r e — Isaiah 53. emphasis on the new birth. A man is T e x t — All we like sheep have gone astray; guilty before God—then he is justified. He we have turned everyone to his own way; is dead and polluted—then he is regenerated, and the Lord hath laid on him the in­ he is given new life. (Not enough for a man’s iquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6). sins lo be forgiven—unless the man is changed he will keep on sinning. Further­ Introduction: more, that brings up the thought that while 1. Two great phases of the work of Christ we must distinguish between state and are revealed to us prophetically in the Old standing we must not separate them.) Some Testament, namely, of our Calvinist brethren will say that when a) The sufferings of Christ—Isaiah 50:6; a man is justified in God's sight it does Jesus behind closed doors—Luke 24:46, not matter what he actually is or what he “Thus it is written and thus it behoved docs. They say that God looks at his sins Christ to suffer.” through the blood of Christ. That is a b) And the glory which should follow— dangerous half-truth. God does save us and I Peter 1:11—“and the glory that should forgive our sins for Jesus’ sake—but for­ follow .” giving us He imparts a new nature to us, His nature, so that we are actually changed 2. But nowhere in all the Old Testament in state as well as standing. (Of course, are these two spoken of so plainly as in this our regenerate state is a divided state and wonderful chapter. In a world of hate and needs the baptism with the Holy Ghost.) selfishness this chapter along with I Cor­ inthians 13, ought to be read over and over C. The wording of the text (this first again. We ought to read this until its part) suggests weakness rather than wicked­ phrases are so familiar that they ring in ness. our ears. This is so clear in its portrayal I. By weakness I mean moral and spirit­ of Christ that it might almost be called ual inability to do the will of God, i.e., to the Gospel according to Isaiah rather than live up to the law of God. This is sug­ the prophecy of Isaiah. (I have no sympathy gested by the very wording of this part of with the suggestion that this picture of the the text: “like sheep”—helpless, ignorant, suffering servant is of Israel alone, and silly, dumb. not of Christ.) I heard an English preacher, Dr. F. John 3. There is so much in this chapter that Scroggie, tell of being in Scotland, sitting one hardly knows where .to begin, but I on a barred gate. A shepherd came along, would like to take verse six as the key let down bars but held up his staff so that verse and let it bring to us the theme the first few sheep had to jump up over it. around which to gather everything else. Then he took the staff down and all the “All we like sheep have gone astray .... other sheep kept jumping high in the air etc...... ” I see here the universality of sin, as if over the staff. Silly! Just like men! the individuality of sin, and the provision “Have gone astray”—seems to suggest wan­ for sin. dering in inattention or ignorance rather I. The universality of sin—“all we like than wickedness. Romans 7:18—“but how sheep have gone astray.” to perform that which is good I find not.” A. Lest you think this is an isolated Romans 3:20—“by the deeds of the law shall truth unsupported by the rest of God’s no flesh be justified.” All men are not word let me call to your attention: Romans wicked to the same degree, but all men 3:22, 23—“. . . . For there is no difference: are lost in the sense that the very word For all have sinned and come short of the “lost” implies—they cannot save them­ glory of God”; Romans 3:10f.—“There is selves. They cannot justify the past. They none righteous, no, not one.” cannot live up to the law without sin. They cannot cleanse their hearts from sin. B. I believe the old theologians were correct when they delineated between state II. The individuality of sin—“we have and standing. We cannot fully understand turned every one to his own way.” the nature of sin until we see the difference. A. While the thought of the weakness or 1. Fallen man’s standing before God— moral helplessness of sin is fresh in our guilt. Romans 3:19, 20—“Therefore by the minds, let us notice that this phase of the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be text speaks of wickedness rather than justified in his sight .... that every mouth weakness. The very phrasing suggests wil­ may be stopped and all the world may be fulness—we have turned (not wandered or guilty before God.” drifted), every one to his own way (self­ 2. Fallen man's state or condition—spir­ ish, stubborn, rebellious, determined). The itually dead and morally polluted. Ephe­ phrasing suggests to me a balky horse. sians 2:1—“dead in trespasses and sins”; I used to sit on the hayrake behind Old Romans 8:2—“law of sin and death”; Ephe­ Charlie on the farm at West Bath, Maine. sians 4:18 — “understanding darkened”; That stubborn horse would let you pull his Psalms 51:5—“Behold I was shapen in in­ head but wouldn’t turn himself. One day,

November-Decem ber 1947 (393) 53 when his head was pulled around so that d) And also offered to us the pattern of he could not see where he was going, he a perfect life. I John 2: 6—“we ought also to fell down over the bank with the hayrake walk as he walked.” I Peter 2:21—“Christ into the salt water of the New Meadow's also suffered for us, leaving us an example, river. that ye should follow in his steps, etc.” (In B. Each one of us makes his own pattern this very passage we see the truth we are of sin and rebellion. Like children writing trying to bring out here: His life before on the steam on the window or tracking us—His death for us.) muddy feet on the clean kitchen floor—so 2. He offered the sacrifice of His death we make our own pattern of sin. for all iniquity. Rev. 1:5—“washed us from 1. Until God’s grace lays hold of us we our sins in his own blood.” Luke 24:47— all think the other fellow is worse than “that repentance and remission of sins should we are. How often people have said to me, be preached in his name among all na­ “Well, I am pretty bad, but I would never tions." Hebrews 9: 22—“without the shed­ stoop to things that Tom so and so and Jim ding of blood there is no remission.” Ob­ and Mary do.” The moral man scorns the serve how the context describes what He drunkard. The drunkard with his free hand did for us. and irresponsibility scorns the moral man He took my place, His life He freely gave; with his selfish pride and contemptible He took my place, my soul from sin to save; tight smugness. Denominations, races, ages, classes, different grades of culture, different He took my place upon the cruel tree; types of sinners, all look down on each He took the guilty sinner’s place and I am other. But, if they are sinners, they are fr e e . sinners and God doesn’t make the distinc­ a) He took my place of shame and was tions that we do. He has said that whoso­ scorned for me. “Hath no form or comeli­ ever keep the whole law and offend in ness—and when we shall see him there is one point is guilty of all—James 2:10. no beauty that we should desire him” (v. 2); 2. When God convicts us of sin then, like grave with wicked—crucified with thieves. Paul, we think we are the chief of sinners. b) He took my place of guilt and was C. The great sin of which all men are punished for me. Verse 4—“smitten of God.” guilty^ and which will be the real reason Verse 5—tormented for our transgressions, for their being eternally lost is the refusal etc. Verse 8—“hath made the iniquity of us to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. John all to meet on him.” 16:9—“of sin because they believe not on (1) Physical punishments, wounds, bruis­ me.” John 20:31—“these are written that es, stripes, imprisonment, death. Isaiah 52: ye m ight believe that. Jesus is the Christ, 14—“Many were astonied at thee; his vis­ the son of God, and that believing ye might age was so marred more than any man, and have life through his name.” Paul said to his form more than the sons of men.” Mof- the Philippian jailer, “Believe on the Lord fatt—“disfigured till he seemed a man no Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved.” Be­ more, deformed out of the semblance of a lieve on Him with saving faith. Believe man.” What our Lord suffered for us be­ on Him as the one described in the third cause of sin! and last portion of the text. (2) Mental and spiritual anguish—when III. The provision for sin—“and the Lord He died it was not of physical wounds, hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” but of a broken heart. A. Notice that three times there is em­ He thought of you, He thought of me phasis on the universal—all are lost; every­ While hanging there in agony; one wicked; Jesus bore the iniquity of us all. O, wondrons grace for you and me; B. Here is the wonderful provision for It broke His heart on Calvary. sin. C. Because He “finished” the work the 1. Jesus offered the sacrifice of a sinless Father gave Him to do God hath highly ex­ life to fulfill all righteousness. In order to alted Him and given Him a name that is be Saviour Christ had first to be an obedi­ above every name that at the name of Je­ ent Son. Adam sinned. The second Adam sus every knee should bow and every tongue had to prove His obedience and then stoop confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory to save others. of God the Father—Philippians 2:10, 11. a) Fulfilled the ceremonial law—said to •* 1. He shall be restored to the unspeak­ John the Baptist, “Suffer it to be so now: able glory He had with the Father before for thus it becometh us to fulfill all right­ the foundation of the world—“a portion with eousness” (Matt. 3:15). the great.” b ) He fulfilled the moral law—Isaiah 53: 2. To that shall be added the glory of 9b—“because . . . .” I Peter 2:22—“who His mediatorial office. did no sin, neither was guilt found in his a) His atonement shall justify many and mouth.” Romans 10:4—“Christ is the end “bring many sons to glory.” of the law for righteousness to everyone b) He shall be satisfied when He sees that believeth.” the travail of His soul. Hebrews 12:2—I c) So that He became the second Adam have often thought of that scripture—“who obeying God where the first had disobeyed. for the joy that was set before him”—I be-

54 (394) The Preacher's Magazine lieve part of it is the joy of seeing men military piece and every soldier is keyed saved. up to rapid orderly motion while the on­ Hallelujah, what a Saviour! Is He yours? lookers thrill with the sight and the music. His blood can go deeper than the stain of Every youth thrills to the magnetism of sin has gone! a big school game with cheer-leaders and band. 2. But these things arouse only a passing The Trumpet Call enthusiasm. If a call is to arouse a per­ manent, deep, devoted action it must appeal Scripture—I Corinthians 1 4 :1 -8 . to the deepest springs of human thought and T e x t — For if the trumpet give an uncertain feeling. sound, who shall prepare himself to the a) It must be right. Wrong may make ba ttle (I Corinthians 14:8). a crowd sway and stamp for a while, but to Introduction: awaken heroism and lasting action right is 1. Every group or movement has a rally­ demanded. ing call. This rallying call has a varied b) It must be compelling, must have ur­ purpose. gency behind it, must have supreme claims. a) It is to remind the members and those c) It must have as its object the good of outside the group that this group has com­ others. Such a call as this was: That given mon interests and beliefs. by Jesus—“Go ye into all the world, etc.”; b ) It is to reveal these com m on prin ­ the cry of John Knox—“Give me Scot­ ciples. land or I die"; that of Martin Luther—“Here c ) It is to awaken enthusiasm and to I stand. So help me God. I can do no call from other interests or occupations. other”; that of St. Paul—“I am not ashamed 2. There are numberless illustrations of of the gospel of Christ”; that of noble men such calls. and women for a slaveless and saloonless a) There is the one mentioned in the world. text—the trumpet call. Who has not known II. The kingdom of God call is the great­ the thrill of hearing a clear ringing bugle- est that ever fell on the ears of men. call? It makes one’s blood tingle to think A. Because it comes from God and is re­ of it. In the days when there were no big echoed by the noblest men of all time. It is guns and air raids and gas attacks, the not born of the selfish senseless cry of a re­ trumpet or bugle has always called men to volting few, nor of the impractical theoriz­ battle. ing of removed-from-life thinkers, nor of b) Indian beacon fires, lighted on high the insane lust of a pleasure-mad throng. It hills. Warrior who saw one gleaming, light­ was born in the heart of the eternal God and ed his and soon from one high hill to another made vocal in the life of the spotless Son of went the message of the beacon fire. God. And in the din and confusion of myriad c ) Hollow log drums. cries it rises eternal, clear, and strong. d) Paul Revere’s Ride—lanterns in the B. It encompasses all people and all cir­ belfry—“One if by land, two if by sea.” cumstances. 3. There have always been war cries, 1. Men often err by failing to recognize party slogans, and mottoes. “Remember the the local color in Christianity; but it is sure Maine”—in the Spanish-American War. that Christianity is universal in its scope “Full dinner pail”—Republican slogan. “Am­ and appeal. It is for all the sons of Adam’s erica for Americans”—Monroe Doctrine race and if translated into any language or zealots. “New Deal”—of more recent days. life will become the gospel of salvation. I. There are certain qualities essential to 2. Other cries have been for only one a rallying call. It must be group of people and for a locality. A. Clear and intelligent. a) Civil War—North for itself and South 1. Observe the background of this verse. for itself. The tongues discussion. Talk is to con­ b ) World War—blind selfishness more vey meaning. Even instruments have to than altruism. make a distinction in sounds or how shall c) Party platforms and programs, etc.— it be know n w hat is played. mostly for a limited group. 2. A muddy, unintelligent, untrue call C. It is eternal in significance. may appeal to a few non-thinking people, 1. All other cries are passing in sig­ but it will appeal only to them and that only nificance. The thrill of the army call soon for a short time. vanishes in the monotony of drill and the 3. A call must be based upon facts and suffering of battle. The world is suffering must be able to survive cold, keen analysis. in awful reaction to two world wars. How B. Forceful, persuasive, moving. awful that reaction is no one can know 1. You cannot imagine a military band completely. The alluring call of sin brings playing in slow tempo, “Tenting on the Old a sad heart, an aching head, and an empty Camp Ground,” when it wished to arouse life. in the soldiers alert minds and bodies. As 2. This call to things that are unseen is the band swings along the street erect, snap­ eternal in its appeal, in its dividends and py, and in step, it strikes up some stirring in its principles.

Novem ber-Decem ber 1947 (395) 55 D. It has a tremendous urgency in it. It The Missing Link in Missions points to the eternal value of the human S c rip tu r e —Mark 10:46-52. soul, to its possibilities of right and wrong, T e x t - -And Jesus stood still, niul command­ of joy and suffering. It cries with the strin­ ed him to be called (Mark 10:49a). gency of it all, “Oh! It would be better for Introduction: a man to lose an eye or an arm or all he 1. It seems to me that there are three had than to be cast into hell. Why shall different attitudes toward foreign missions. it profit a man if he should gain the whole a) The derogatory attitude—which can­ world and lose his own soul?” It is in­ not see the value of and sometimes ridicules comparably the most urgent call in the missions. world speaking of and warning against the (1) Worldly-wise traveler or trader. most serious dangers in all time and eternity. (2) Non-Christian or unbeliever. It is a call vocal, not in a sound or a truth, b) The semi-indifferent attitude—those but in a person, in the Truth, in Jesus who believe in foreign missions and may Christ. pray and give a little. 1. Sounds, after all, are physical and have c) The zealous attitude. None of us could meaning only as they express truths. be put in the first class, I hope. Some of us are probably found in the second class. 2. Even truths are partial and may be Some of us may waver between class 2 and dangerous. Morality may become self-right- class 3, but I hope there are some of us cousness. Self-respect may become pride. who live in class 3. I never drop so that I Etc. lose my zeal for missions, but I confess I do 3. But persons are eternal and this per­ get tremendously stirred up sometimes son is the “express image” of the Father, about this vital field of world evangelism. the exact revelation of God. He will al­ I pray that we all might be stirred this ways have claim upon us. m orning. 2. I wish to call your attention to this old III. The call coming down from the church story of Bartimaeus. And I would have you of the past and from present living truth to think of this incident as a description of must be re-echoed by us. the foreign mission work. A. If we would re-echo the call intelli­ Blind Bartimaeus represents the heathen gently and persuasively, purity is demanded world. Jesus—the Holy Spirit in His en­ o f us. deavor to save men. Disciples—the Chris­ 1. Y ou say, “ I don’t see that purity is es­ tian Church. sential to re-echoing the trumpet call of I. First, I would ask that you see Blind the Kingdom. If I know the theory of Bartimaeus as representative of the heathen Christianity and can talk persuasively, then w orld. whether or not I am pure I can re-echo A. "The son of Timaeus sat by the high- well the Christian call.” You may seem to wayside begging.” but in reality you are not. You have been What a picture of heathendom. In the to parties where the game was played in Orient by the thousands the ragged boys which, unbeknown to you, somebody smeared and girls, men and women throng the charcoal on your face. You thought your streets and roadsides begging. With gaunt face was clean and what you could see of faces and sore eyes and unkempt clothing, your face was clean, but everybody laughed having slept wherever it was convenient, at you and when you looked in the mirror they plead with every traveler for a penny. you learned the truth. The same is true In every condition they sit by the road, or of Christianity—you may talk of clean run along by the carriages or dog the faces and you may make some forget your footsteps of travelers calling for a penny, own dirty face—but only for a while. for a bite of food. Millions do nothing but beg. In India there are unnumbered holy 2. No one can represent Jesus ( and that men with matted hair and filthy bodies sit­ is what re-echoing the call means) unless he ting on spikes or broken glass or standing is pure. One may wear the same clothes on their heads begging. and grow a beard to look like the ar­ In China millions that are driven periodi­ tists’ conception of Jesus, but unless one cally to the southern cities by the famine is pure and loving men will say the same or flood in the northern fields beg, beg. as the poor demented man in Ephesus said They throw some ragged blankets over a of the sons of Sceva—“Jesus I know and few sticks and make a covering for the Paul I know, but who are ye?” (Acts 19:15). family near the city wall—but on the out­ B. There is also demanded of us a pil­ side. A t dawn or before, w hen it is not so grim self-denial, a rugged soldierly sub­ cold that they have to stay in bed, the fam­ ordination of everything else. ily creeps into the city and the children and mother beg a bit of bread or fish or a Conclusion: coin and steal what they cannot beg until Luke 22:36—"He that hath no sword, let late at night they gather over a poor re­ him sell his garment and buy one.” “For past. The father has spent the day trying if the trumpet give an uncertain sound who to earn a little. Possibly, he has been con- shall prepare himself for battle?” sci'iptcd by the soldiers. Possibly, in des-

56 (396) The Preacher's Magazine peration he comes home to take his little 3. Unbelieving, but so-called Christian eight-year-old girl and sell her. nations are opposing the heathen. In en­ There is a great heathen world begging, deavoring to bring up-to-date truth they begging for bread, for food, for drink, for are snatching from those blind millions nourishment. the only hope they have. Denying the Bible, ridiculing the blood religion of Jesus Christ, B. He “began to cry out .... Lord, that making a mere man of the incarnate Son of I might receive my sight.” The heathen God they are taking the life out of the world is blind, but calling for sight. gospel, the saving merits out of Christianity, 1. B lind physically. and blasting the hopes of lost men. The diseases of the eye in the Orient are General Feng, the once Christian general appalling. It is one of the commonest af­ of China, sent three bright young men over flictions to be blind or to have some pain­ here to be educated. They lost their faith, ful repulsive eye trouble. Trachoma is a became atheists, made Feng the same, and common terrible disease of the eye and it now he has thrown his armies open to is spread every place. Thousands of little Communistic atheism. children running the streets, old men and The Laymen’s Appraisal Committee, called women, and young, blind or suffering with by many the “Betrayal Committee, decided their eyes. So much so that it seems a that the gospel is failing. We need education miracle that many of them have escaped and a synthesis of Christian teaching with this. They are calling for the kind ministra­ heathendom’s belief, so it said. tion of doctors and nurses. What a sad picture—a great proportion of 2. Blind intellectually. the world’s population is blind, suffering They are bound by superstition, fear, and physically and spiritually, beginning to dread. They do not know the simplest awaken and call for help, but being hin­ things. Minds untrained, unable to read dered by those who have greater light. or write, they are calling for the light. II. But along the road from Jericho comes 3. Blind morally and spiritually. Jesus, the world’s Healer and Saviour—and There is little need to lay upon you fur­ He brings hope. ther knowledge of the terrible darkness A. See the scriptural setting. Jesus was that rests upon this heathen “Bartimaeus” nearing the end of His earthly ministry. He sitting by the roadside. The whole heathen had spent over three years in public activi­ world, from the lordly Japanese and the ties, healing the sick, raising the dead, noble Brahman to the lowest outcaste, lives feeding the hungry, teaching the people of in perpetual fear and superstition and fan­ God, and bringing salvation. Never had a tastic spiritualism. needy honest individual been turned aside. Stop and look and listen, all you in a Now He has turned His face to Jerusalem Christian land today with privileges that to be crucified and by His death to open never man had before, and from shadowy men’s eyes to the way of salvation, to give lands across the sea you will hear a pitiful himself a ransom for many. Leaving Jeri­ groan and cry. But above the begging for cho He hears the cry and heals Bartimaeus. bread or fish or pennies, you will hear the B. Jesus is the world’s only Saviour by brokenhearted plea for light, for mental and God’s plan. He is not simply a genius or spiritual healing, for hope, for the gospel. another good man, but the scripture tells us, I believe the thing which pulls most mis­ “There is none other name under heaven sionaries back to the field so soon is the given among men whereby we must be memory of that sad pleading mass of black saved” (Acts 4:12). He and He alone can or yellow faces urging them not to fail them, bring men to God. No one can forgive but come back soon with the gospel. Oh sins or quicken and cleanse the human that we might see it clearly enough so that heart but Jesus. it never w ou ld leave us! As Jesus walks along the dusty road the C. But “many charged him that he should heathen world cannot consider Him as one hold his peace.” I would have you see in of their chances of sight. He is their only this the tragic opposition that has arisen hope. against the heathen world finding the light. C. I would ask you to see what Jesus 1. Those who would exploit them. It is Christ has done for these sitting in dark­ terrifying to think of the depths of wicked­ ness. ness to which men will go to enrich them­ 1. Wherever He has been received into selves at the expense of the ignorant and men’s hearts begging has virtually ceased. unsuspecting. Converts have found work, their needs have 2. Fanatical Russian atheistic Communism been provided for. is opposing the heathen “Bartimaeus” as he 2. The heathen blindness has been largely calls for light. Russia, out of centuries of dispelled. suffering and poverty under a rich nobility and an apostate church, has flung from her­ a) Hospitals, doctors, and nurses relieve self every vestige of religion and reverence. the physical blindness. She is trying to make the sleeping giant of b) Schools and books and Bibles lift the China an atheist, too. cloud of ignorance and illiteracy.

November-December 1947 (397) 57 c) The Word of God and the lives of the can minister kindness, bind up wounds, and missionaries bring moral health and spirit­ pour in oil. They can teach men how to ual light. Hope and peace displace despair work and women how to keep house. They and fear. can break the bread of life. Are we re­ I want to tell you that the grace of God sponsible for holding back these tongues can transform men from the depths of sin and feet and hands from doing His will? to the heights of glory. For this sin-cursed Instead of laboring selfishly we can labor heathen world there is hope, for Jesus of for Him. Nazareth is passing by. 3. He needs ou r lives. III. But I would ask you again to look at I wonder this morning if there isn’t some­ the narrative. “And Jesus stood still.” one who feels God’s call upon you just now. A. The road was narrow, perhaps ten or You have been saved and sanctified, but you twelve feet wide. Jesus could have spoken can hear Jesus saying, “You go. You tell to him or touched him, but He stood still. him to come to Me. I need your tongue W hy? and feet and hands to labor for Me.” It is tragic to think of the situation today He had something for the disciples to do. —over there and everywhere millions per­ He told them to call him. If they refused to ishing without God. And all around us do so then blind Bartimaeus might have millions of young people educated, prepared, remained sightless and begging beside the knowing the gospel, but not feeling any road. urge to go to these lost millions. And B. And the missing link of missions comes some that do have the desire to go cannot when Christians refuse to go and refuse to because the rest will not give to send them. give that the heathen may have the gospel. Oh, that God would lay His hand upon You say, “There is no missing link in mis­ many young people to go and upon the sions, for we are sending the gospel.” Some rest to send them. individuals may be but the church as a I believe every one of us should have a whole is not. Let me give you a few things call to something, a real divine passion, a to think about. tremendous sense of urgency to do some 1. Do you know that there are more kind of work for God. heathen in the world today than there ever w ere? 2. Do you know that the American peo­ Christ the Open Door ple have money for everything else, but practically nothing for the salvation of the S c rip tu r e — John 1 0 :1 -6 . heathen? We spend billions of dollars for T e x t —I am the door: by me if any man tobacco and beer every year, and very little enter in, he shall be saved (John 1 0 :9 ). for foreign missions. Does that sound like Introduction: we are carrying the message to Bartimaeus? Jesus is the soul’s open door to God. No, we are the missing link and we are Only those who enter through Jesus will responsible for those millions of benighted reach God. souls. When Jesus opens the door no man can There are some folks who are doing their shut it. best but we might as well face the facts All are invited to God through Jesus the that the so-called Christian Church as a open door. whole is failing God. We are the missing I. W hat Jesus is to the seeking soul. link of missions. A. He is the open door to the kingdom of Conclusion: grace. Let us not fail God. We are the go- B. He is the Living Water to the thirsty between for Jesus Christ to a blind, beg­ soul. ging heathen world. C. He is the Bread of Life to sick and 1. He needs ou r m oney. hungry men. D o y ou know that $5.00 a m onth w ill put D. He is the True Vine in the garden of a native preacher through school and pro­ God. bably be the means of saving hundreds of E. He is the “Way, the Truth, and the souls? Life” to wandering men. D o you know that $100,000 put the printed II. Jesus Christ our open door. gospels in every one o f the over 10,000,000 A. He is the only door to eternal life homes in Japan? And yet some congrega­ (John 3 :1 6 ); also “None other name given tions will spend more than that building .... whereby w e must be saved” (Acts a church that probably never will see a 4 :1 2 ). convert. B. He is the door of rest to the soul, 2. He needs our hands and feet and “Come unto me, all ye that labour and tongues. .... I will give you rest. These tongues can tell the story to thous­ C. He is the door of peace to the heart. ands who will rise up in the judgment and “Let not your heart be troubled: . . . call us blessed. These feet of ours can “My peace I give unto you . . . .” carry the message. These hands of ours D. He is the door of protection to His

58 (398) The Preacher's Magazine sheep, for the “Good Shepherd giveth his ing right conduct may be denominated as life for the sheep.” spurious. Holiness may be explained as III. Salvation through Jesus the “Open one’s attitude toward God; righteousnes, as Door”—“shall be saved.” conduct toward fellow men. A. To be saved, men must hear and fol­ III. The Audience—“before God.” low the voice of Jesus; "My sheep hear my voice .... they follow me.” God is correct in His estimate of human B. Must forsake sin and enter the sheep- condition and conduct. The true Christian fold; "By me if any man enter in . . . .” is both holy and righteous in God’s sight C. All who “enter in” through Jesus will up to the light he has. While man may be saved; “By me if any man enter in, he have his opinion that pureness of heart and shall be saved.” rightness of conduct are not possible for a D. Jesus will give both life and “abun­ human being, God, who knows what pure­ dant life”; “I am come that they might have ness and righteousness are, evidently sees life, and that they might have it more some people of that kind on earth, or he abundantly.” would not have recorded in the Bible these E. “Life” is regenerating grace. words of Zaeharias. Even, if it can be F. “Abundant life” is sanctifying grace. proven that there are no such people, God (Illustrate.) has made it possible for a man to be both — H . B. G arvin righteous and holy in His sight. IV. The Continuity—“all the days of our life.” The Privileges and There are people who think such grace Responsibilities of Holiness as we have mentioned only comes shortly before death to prepare the departing soul T e x t — That he would grant unto us, that for heaven. If there are cases when that we being delivered out of the hand of our is true, it evidently is not the normal ex­ enemies, might serve him without fear, in perience God intends His children to have. holiness and righteousness before him, all God desires holiness and righteousness in the days of our life (Luke 1:74, 75). His people as an exhibition here on earth. Introduction: All will be holiness in heaven, but God de­ Zaeharias, the father of John the Baptist, sires it on exhibition on earth so that it had been silent for some time, but when may cast a light before men and cause them he named his son John his mouth was op­ to glorify our Father which is in heaven. ened and he spoke words of praise, among Then it is not intended to be fluctuating, which were the words of the text. Since on exhibition one day and absent the next, these words are recorded by inspiration in but it is to be manifest “all the days of our the Scriptures we may assume that they life.” God, who knows just how wicked have an application to ourselves. Let us this world is, and how numerous are the study them with that end in view. temptations of the Christian, has neverthe­ I. The Deliverance—“out of the hand of less provided power for His people to so live our enemies.” that they may exhibit and represent Him Deliverance from sin is of God. We are correctly on earth. It is too bad that many not able to deliver ourselves from so pow­ professing the name of Jesus do not so erful an enemy. But God, through the represent Him. atonement made by Jesus on the cross, can Jesus said, while on earth, speaking of His justly deliver us and set us free. Not only is relation to the Father, “I do always those there deliverance from the power of sin in things that please him.” Christians should the present life, but there is release from endeavor to do the same. With only one the penalty of sin in the next world. Surely life to live, let us live it in holiness and this was great cause for rejoicing on the righteousness before Him all the days of part of Zaeharias, and is for us also. cur life. Then, when through here, enter II. The Obligation—“serve him.” joyfully into His heavenly courts— W m . M. Salvation brings with it responsibilities. S m ith in The Gospel Minister. The weary and the heavy-laden are re­ leased from their burden, but then they are expected to take on the easy yoke of Jesus. These duties are twofold. A. Inward condition—“holiness.” It is The Reigning Life the privilege of the Christian to obtain by the baptism with the Holy Ghost a pure heart. 1. The promise (Rom. 5:17). When it is known that this is one's priv­ 2. The way (Rom. 6:5, 6, 10, 11). ilege it then becomes a duty to seek that 3. The reigning over sin (Rom. 6:12). experience. And who can reasonably object 4. The manifestation (Rom. 8:36, 37). to seeking and receiving so great a blessing? B. Outward con d u c t— “ righteousness.” 5. The false reigning (I Cor. 4:8-13). Any professed inward holiness that does not 6. The future reigning (II Tim. 2:12).— produce in the outward life a correspond­ The Overcomer.

November-Decem ber 1947 (399) 59 ILLUSTRATIONS

Helpful Discipline lather’s presence. I believe it was meaning as much to the lad in bringing about re­ A loose wire gives out no musical note, covery as did all the healing medicines of but fasten the ends, and the piano, the harp, the surgeon. or the violin is born. That little, holy drama in the hospital Free steam drives no machine, but ham­ ward is one of my “treasures of memory.” per and confine it with piston and turbine, After seeing it, I know belter what God is and you have the great world of machinery like, when He says, “Like as a father piti- made possible. The unhampered river drives cth his children, so the Lord pitieth them no dynamos, but dam it up and you get that fear him” (Psalms 103:13). power sufficient to light a great city. And another declaration glows with a So our lives must be disciplined, and our richer beauty for me since that Sunday af­ thoughts be kept under control if wc are ternoon; it is, “In all their affliction he was to be of any real service in the world .— W ar afflicted, and the angel of his presence C ry. saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old” (Isa. 63:9). — E. W a y n e S t a h l What Is Your Delight?

You can tell a man by his pleas­ Are We Too Busy? ures. In what does he take keenest de­ Dr. Campbell Morgan told the story of a light? Where does he go, what does he do little girl whose mother had died in giving in his leisure time? That is the index as her birth; and she and her father were in­ to the identity of his treasure and his heart’s separable. The father seemed to center all desire. The deep Christian regards the law his love upon his little girl. After a time of his God and all other divine things as a he realized there was a strange indefinable genuine pleasure; the nominal Christian separation coming in between them. He considers them a duty—perhaps vital, im­ wondered whether as the child was grow­ portant, essential — but nevertheless only ing older, she would require some other a duty, not a delight.— Presbyterian. little companion; and whether he could still fill a mother’s place as he had tried to do in the old days. And that consciousness in­ God’s Paternal Pity creased and it gave him a tremendous heartache. If I ever saw tenderness in action, it was On his birthday his daughter came bound­ that Sunday afternoon in the children’s ing into his room before he was dressed. ward of a great hospital. Although the “O daddy,” she said, “I wish you many incident took place sometime ago, it is to­ happy returns of the day,” and she smoth­ day a m em ory as beautiful as it is vivid. ered him with kisses. “And, Daddy, I have I had occasion to be in that ward on some brought you a lovely present,” and she laid pastoral service. Seated near the bed of on his bed a very clumsily-packed parcel one of the little boys, I noticed a father, a with the string tied up in all directions. close friend of mine. The small patient Wise man as he was, he took a long time had had an operation a short time before. to open that parcel, often saying as he did Oh, the affection, the pity, the solicitude, so, "I wonder whatever it can be!” At last in that parent’s tones as he said, “Well, Son, he opened it, and foun d it contained a pair how are you today?” of slippers. “It is just what I wanted. But you should not have spent your money Such a sweet compassion vibrated in that buying these.” “I did not buy them; I father’s voice, such a yearning eagerness made them,” she said. “I shall appreciate for the boy’s welfare, that it seemed as if them ever so much more now,” her father one were listening to heavenly music. said, “but you know I would much rather What must not those tones have meant, in have had you than your slippers. All the the way of comfort, to the small prisoner of time you have been working these slippers pain! Daddy has been desolate. You have done And the bodily attitude of that father to­ this because you wanted to show your love ward his suffering son! As he leaned over for me, and all the time you have been toward him, sitting on the chair at the edge withdrawing yourself from my presence.” of the bed, as he looked at him with eyes I wonder if God has to say to some of full of inexpressible benignity, something us busy men and wom en, “ I know you are shining seemed to dominate the scene. What working those slippers to show your grati­ a rich and lovely sympathy glorified that tude to Me for the wonders of My grace, father. What peace was upon the boy’s but I would rather have you than your slip­ face as he drank in the benediction of his pers.” Have we been so busy that we have

60 (400) The Preacher's Magazine not kept tryst with Christ? He wants us. request was “Wherever you go tell the peo­ That is the mystery. No man or woman ple that Christian Science may be good can be what God wants them to be unless enough to live by, but it will not do to die they are continually in His presence. If we by.”—J. W. S tiv e rso n . have been guilty of embezzlement towards God, let us face up to it. The world out­ side wants true-living men and women of God. God knows the powers of evil against The Preaching Postal Cards us, and w e want to be right w ith Him. — S elected . A day or two ago I received a communi­ cation from the secretary ol an organization to which I belong. He wanted some infor­ mation from me as to my attendance at a Stop Fussing certain gathering to be held next week. An early reply was desired. “To make assur­ A dear old lady from the country went ance doubly sure” that this would be the for the first time on a railway journey of case, that communication came in the form about fifty miles through an interesting and o f a reply postal card, or as they call it at beautiful region. She had looked forward the post office, where I frequently buy to this trip with great pleasure. She was them, “a double card.” to see so much and enjoy it all so greatly. But it took her so long to get her basket On one of those rectangles of stiff, cream- and parcels adjusted, her seat comfortably colored, government paper I read the mes­ arranged, the shades right, that she was sage from that secretary. The other card only just settling down to enjoy her trip was detachable from the first; and this when the conductor called out the name of second one was addressed to the sender. her station, and she had to get up and All I had to do was to fill in a blank, or hustle out. “Oh, my!” she said, “if I'd only write a brief message, sign my name, and known that we would have been here so mail the card. This I have done. soon, I wouldn't have wasted my time It seemed something like a parable of fussing.” prayer, that reply card. The man who sent Dear friend, the wheels of time are fly­ it wanted to make sure that I would re­ ing; the last station is at hand; these things spond, and so invested an additional cent are so trifiling. Get your mind on the main for the reply. business of life. Live as you would wish to I wonder if, when we pray, do we always have lived when the porter calls out the make certain of a reply from heaven? last station, and don’t waste any more Faith insures the reply. Jesus said, “What time “fussing.”— A . B. Sim pson. things soever ye desire, when ye pray, be­ lieve that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:24). “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). “Wherever You Go, Tell It” “Lord, increase our faith” (Luke 17:5). E. Wayne Stahl One morning about 9:00 o’clock I re­ ceived a call to come to a certain home in the city where I was pastor. I found the mother sick in bed. She was upwards of Jesxis Desires fifty years of age and above the average in appearance and intelligence. All Men for His Brethren She told me that she attended a funeral that I had conducted, and that she had con­ Brotherly kindness is limitless in its ex­ fidence in my religion, and that was why she pression. We cannot stop at Jerusalem or sent for me at this time. The doctor told Samaria. We must go into all the world her that she had not long to live. to fulfill the requirements of the Great She had been a member of a prominent Commission. Thus we have gone and must church in the city, but through the in­ continue to go into the needy places of fluence of a close friend she had joined this country, into India, Egypt, the Sudan, the Christian Science church. When the Ethiopia, into any door that our elder reader heard that she was sick he came a brother, Jesus Christ, opens for us. number of times and read passages from A father and son went to a small west­ “Science and Health” and tried to answer ern town to find an uncle they had never questions that came out of her restless soul. seen. Standing in the square the father “The other day when he was leaving he pointed across the street and exclaimed, told me that I had better get someone else.” “There goes my uncle.” The puzzled son “That is why I called you. Will you come wondered how the father could tell. The occasionally and pray? Will you read from reply was, “Son, I know him because he the Bible and help me find the light?” I walks exactly like my father.” As broth­ said, “I surely will and let us begin right ers in Christ, we, too, can walk like the now.” heavenly Father, exhibiting His mercy and About two weeks later she died in the kindness to all of humanity in distress.— peace that passeth understanding. Her last Selected.

November-December 1947 (401) 61 MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT

How I Became a Christian:

('Testimonies from six delegates to International Missionary Council held in Whitby, Ontario, Canada. Jidy 5 to 18, 1947— Released by Publicity Committee of the Conference)

Chen, Bishop Wen Yuen, Ph.D., Dean of the As time went on, I had my ups and downs. School of Religion of Yenching University But God’s Word became a living, dynamic I was brought up in a Confucian family. word to me. It was unlike the word of Con­ My father was a Confucian scholar. We fucius or Mencius. I became restless to de­ were a large family of more than thirty clare it to my own family and went first to members. All of us, parents, children, uncles, my grandmother and persuaded her to at­ aunts and cousins, lived under one roof. tend a Christian church. She became a My grandmother was the head of our fam­ Christian at 64. Then she, the oldest member ily. At thirteen I entered a Methodist Mis­ of our family and I, the youngest, began sion School, the Anglo-Chinese College of to win the others. She worked from the Foochow. This provided my first contact top and I from the bottom. And now, not with a foreigner, with the Bible, and with all, but the great majority of my family the Church. All of these were often hostile are Christians. to my thinking, and I became the leader of an opposition student group. It was be­ fore the establishment of the Republic of China, and all students in the school wore I l a n o , M iss J o s e f a M „ M.D., Manila, Philip­ the then common Chinese queue, or long pine Islands hair-braid—all except one who wore his hair short. This man was the president of I grew up in a devout Roman Catholic the student Y.M.C.A. and leader of the family, but was sent as a student to Silli- Student Volunteer group. I was greatly at­ man University. While there a series of tracted to him and we became roommates evangelistic meetings were held. I went for with the understanding that he would not six nights, but was not specially interested. talk to me about the Christian faith. This On the seventh night, I heard the words: agreement he faithfully kept. About six “I am the resurrection and the life.” “I am months later, however, I decided to go the light of the world.” Then a hand out­ with him and his group to conduct a street stretched and there was a voice saying: meeting. A Chinese man present at the “Come unto me all ye that labor and are meeting began to berate my friend for not heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” wearing his hair long. He said the fact Suddenly I felt myself very tired and weary, that he did not do so indicated that the searching and groping in the darkness for Christian faith which he proclaimed was the light. The grandmother with whom I a foreign religion. had grown up was a devout Catholic; but my father and other relatives were among At that point I stepped forward and de­ those who had rebelled against the church. fended my friend, arguing that the custom My life had been sheltered, and I had been of wearing the queue was itself foreign and provided with every material thing I needed. had been imposed on the Chinese by the Yet something was lacking; life was empty Manchus about three hundred years ago. because I did not have a personal Saviour. Then I went on, almost without being aware This I knew on that seventh night of the of it, to defend Christianity. A missionary meetings, and so I accepted Christ as my teacher, who was present, asked afterwards Saviour. whether I meant what I said. That night I did not sleep and was quite miserable. I After I left Silliman, to take my medical was brought to a consciousness of my own course, I was persecuted, and difficulties sin. In our room was a picture of Christ and obstacles were put in my way because praying in Gethsemane—my roommate’s I had accepted the evangelical faith. Then picture. When the first rays of the morning I began to write to my minister, and he an­ sun entered the room, they touched that swered me in Bible verses which led me to picture and illuminated it for me. I went search and read and study the Bible. In this over and knelt by my friend’s bed before w ay I felt som ething grow ing within me. that picture, and something there and then and with each passing year of my life, I happened to me. I told my friend that I had knew that I was experiencing a slow, yet become a Christian. When I went outside, steadfast and ever increasing spiritual the whole universe seemed wonderfully dif­ growth because of Him who was my Lord ferent, more beautiful. It was a new world, and Master, my guide and friend and per­ and I was a new creature in it. sonal Saviour.

62 (402) The Preacher's Magazine Rameseshan, Rev. Paul, P rin cip a l, S outh meant to me the appeasing of a divine dic­ India Training Institution, Guindy, Madras tator. Now it was different. I was gripped I grew up in a Brahmin family which by the love of Jesus, and the cloud which had was so close to the kingdom of God that it hidden the real God was swept away. I was was difficult for any member to enter into a sinner then and I am a sinner now; but it. My group were and are the bitterest then my whole nature was unregenerate; opponents of the Christian faith and the now I have Christ when I fall and He lifts Christian church. In that- group I was me up. How He saves me is still a mystery, nurtured, educated, and inspired. Then but He does. something happened to me that changed my whole life. It was not a reasoned argu­ ment; it was a deep experience. Garcia, Rev. Francisco, Member Cuba. A preacher came to our village regularly, Council of Churches and just as regularly over a pc'riod of six months, a gang of boys made it their sport I was born into a Roman Catholic family to stone him and his party. I was the leader and was baptized into the Roman church, of that gang. One night after we had which I attended until I was twelve years thrown our stones, I failed to run soon old. From 12 to 20 years of age, I had no enough or fast enough and was caught by active Christian life except that I counted one of the preaching party. This man, in­ myself a Catholic and said my prayers. I stead of cuffing me, treated me kindly and knew nothing of the Bible; I had only a spoke to me lovingly. In response I prom­ faint idea that there were certain Christian ised to read whatever he would give me, documents, documents of the church. and received a copy of one of the Gospels. One day a friend asked me to come to his This I read, always with this man’s kindly home for a meeting of Christians. I did face before me. I could not understand all not go at first but the invitation was re­ I read, but I found someone to help me. This peated over a period of between two and one became my father-in-Christ. In his fel­ three weeks. One night I went. A Cuban lowship I found the meaning of love—of minister preached, and I was interested that love w hich I had seen in the face of enough to return to several meetings. Then that first Christian who spoke to me. Since a New Testament was given to me. Later I then, life has not been easy; I gave up all responded to the invitation to accept Christ. notions of a legal career and I have made I did this because I had come to know that other sacrifices; but in return I have found I was a sinner and needed a Saviour. For Christ as Lord. three months I was a member of a train­ ing class for church membership and after this 1 was admitted into the church. Rezavi, Rev. Mahmood, Pastor, St. Luke’s Church, Isfahan, Iran My home was one with an erroneous con­ Van Goethem, Colonel Robert Ernest, C h ief ception of God. My whole heart and mind Protestant Chaplain. Belgian and Colonial became permeated with the Moslem faith. F o rc e s With this faith I was complacently satisfied. 1 regarded Christians as infidels. When my It is said that a fortune is made and lost father died, I was sent to a school in . . . . in many families every four generations. and was enrolled in a class in ethics. In One generation is very poor and works reality it was a Bible class. I was not in­ hard. The next becomes very wealthy, and terested; nothing gripped my heart or mind. the third becomes very lazy and careless and However, I did see that the man teaching the loses the family fortune. The fourth gen­ class was different from other men. I could eration then starts over again. My great see that he loved me. I knew it every time grandfather was converted by a colporteur he smiled. of the British Bible Society, and was an Then a man who had formerly been a active Christian; my grandfather was a Moslem but who had become a Christian nominal church member; my parents were took charge of the class. I asked him why free-thinkers; I am a Christian minister. he had changed his faith. His answer helped, In my home no discussion of religion but I was still puzzled and I lacked courage ever occurred. I was educated in a liberal to face the truth. Then I began to go out school. All of my friends were liberals, and for long walks to read both the Bible and all w ere anti-Catholics. In 1916 I was taken the Koran. I went also to Moslem teach­ prisoner by the Germans and was not lib­ ers with my questions in order to answer erated until in 1918. A t that time m y one my own teacher, the Moslem who had be­ consuming desire was to be free, and I was come a Christian. In him I saw the same fast becoming wild and reckless in my liv­ love that I had seen in the missionary teach­ ing. For this reason, my father thought it er. The Allah of Islam was transcended by would be well to send me to Canada to live the God of the Christian faith, and this the life of a farmer. He bought for me a God became real and near to me. He, I large farm in Alberta. It was 160 acres of came to believe, had in Christ visited and bush and called only for hard work. I redeemed His people. Previously, worship spent most of my time in the town and in

November-Decem ber 1947 (403) 63 a little while lost all I had, including the under marching orders always. They are farm. Then I went to Alaska hoping that commanded to “Go!" in a new environm ent I w ould be able to 4. If I advance my offering beyond form­ make a new beginning, but I was still er years, then I favor an advance move­ restless and went down the coast as far as ment in the conquest of new territory for Los Angeles. All the time I was vainly Christ. Shall I not join this class? searching for something that would satisfy Resolved: I do believe in greatly increas­ me. It never occurred to me, however, to ing the present number of our missionaries, search for it in the church. therefore I will increase my former offer­ One evening, on the streets of Los An­ ings to missionary work.— S elected . geles, I ran into a group of young people who were conducting a Christian meeting. One invited me to come with them into the church. I went and listened, but all that A Burning Appeal they said was as if they were speaking in “Not called!" did you say? “Not heard a language which I did not understand. the call,” I think you should say. He has All the terms they used were strange to me. been calling loudly ever since He spoke your Even so, the Spirit of God convicted me of sins forgiven—if you are forgiven at all— sin. When the good man in charge of the entreating and beseeching you to be His meeting asked if anyone present wanted ambassador. Put your ear down to the Bi­ to believe in “Jesus as Saviour,” I said ble, and hear Him bid you go and pull “Yes,” for those words were a light to my poor sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your soul. In an after-meeting he asked me if ear down to the burdened, agonized heart I wanted to pray. I replied that I did not of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail knew how. Then he taught me the prayer for help. Go and stand by the gates of hell, of the publican, “Lord, be merciful to me and hear the damned entreat you to go to a sinner.” This became my prayer, and I their fathers’ house and bid their brothers went home knowing that something had and sisters and servants and masters not changed me. I continued to go to the meet­ to come there. And then look the Christ ings, and I read the New Testament. in the face, whose mercy you have pro­ Later, I returned to my home in Belgium. fessed to have received, and whose words No longer was I seeking a change of en­ you have promised to obey, and tell Him vironment, for I had experienced a chance whether you will join heart and soul and of heart. God’s Word continued to be life body and circumstances in this march to to me. During the war I was put in prison publish His mercy to the world.— W illia m for preaching. A fellow prisoner said, “It B o o t h . is hell to be alone with oneself.” I replied: “It is wonderful to be alone with God.” Our communication had to be in secret through prison walls. I managed to lend Challenge him my Bible. This he read and when he B a rb a ra E. C o r n e t was put to death, he said: “It is wonder­ If I can live without my Lord ful to be alone with God.” Or feed my sonl without His Word; In this and in many ways I have learned: If I can walk from day to day (1) that we must not rely on the experi­ Without His presence on my way; ence of past generations; (2) that the Spirit If I can face the vast unknown of God applies the Word of God to the human heart and makes it the word of life; And have no fear to walk alone, (3) that the Word of God is not bound. Without a Lord who loves and cares, Who honors faith and answers prayers; If I can face the hour of death And draw in peace my parting breath, How Much Shall I Give My substitute for heavenly dress This Year for Missions A ragged robe of righteousness, Then I can ask the heathen drear (A Little Argument with Myself) To live and die—and never hear.

1. If I refuse to give anything to missions But how shall they across the sea this year, I practically cast a ballot in fa­ Believe He died upon the tree vor of the recall of every missionary, both In love to rescue them from hell, in the home and foreign fields. Unless someone shall go and tell 2. If I give less than heretofore, I favor The wondrous news of life and love? a reduction of the missionary forces pro­ portionate to my reduced contribution. My Lord has laid His wounded hand 3. If I give the same as form erly, I favor Upon my life. At His command holding the ground already won, but I The charms of earth have fled away. disregard any forward movement. My song “Whom shall I send?” I hear Him say. is, “Hold the Fort!” forgetting that the Lord What other answer can there be? never intended that His army should take Here am I, Lord, send me! refuge in a fort. All of His soldiers are —Heart and Life.

64 (404) The Preacher's Magazine BOOK NOTES By Rev. P. H . Lutin

The Christian Worker's Manual The Church Functioning Effectively (Christian Publications, $1.50) (Bethany Press, $1.50) By H. S. M iller By O. L. Shelton This is a reprint of a reference book that A handbook of church administration cov­ has been out of print for some years. Under ering every phase of this subject. There six divisions the book presents the teach­ are chapters on organizing a church, duties ings of the Bible from the Christian work­ < f officers, membership, worship, education­ er's point of view. Part 1: The Bible and al responsibilities, finance and stewardship, Christian W ork; Part 2: Sin; Part 3; Sal­ evangelism, world relationships (foreign mis­ vation; Part 4: The Christian Life; Part 5: sions, we would call it), the church board. Excuses; Part 6: Attributes of the Trinity. Were it not for the fact that the compiler’s idea of sin and holiness is Calvinistic rath­ Christian Minister's Manual er than Arminian this would be a m u st (Standard, $1.50) volume for every minister and Christian By James DeForest Murch worker. As it is, the book is invaluable to A quite complete manual of forms for a minister for sermon preparation for pray­ the minister. It starts with suggestions for er meeting and Bible study outlines. It daily devotions, pulpit decorum, pastoral would not do to recommend to the laity. duties and other matters of personal advice. We hope that someday we can have a book There is a section on ministry to the sick, of this type written from the Wesleyan the bereaved, the troubled. Following this angle. a department on worship with suggested pro­ grams, prayers, benedictions, and reception of members. A helpful division is on com­ Emblems in the GosrELs munion services. Baptism, marriage, funer­ (Kaufmann, §2.00) al helps arc given. An unusual department By L. B. Buchheimer is one of consecrations including installa­ The purpose of this rather unusual book tion of a. minister, church school workers, is to illustrate a few of the many striking missionaries, breaking ground for a new emblems contained in the Gospels. These church, laying a corner stone, dedication Bible metaphors are rich in meaning and of a pulpit, a baptistry, an organ. The final in teaching value. There are twenty of them section is one of administration with ad­ as follows: The Light of the World, The vice on incorporation, conducting business Dayspring, Living Water, True Manna, The meetings, church finances, etc. Good Shepherd, The Vine and Branches, The Salt of the Earth. Mustard Seed, Two Sons, The Mote and Beam, The Sparrow, The Preaching Ministry A Child in the Midst, Pearls Before Swine, By J. B. Chapman, D.D. The Gnat and Camel, The Leaven, The This is a significant book for more than Draw Net, Building a Tower. The author one reason. It is the first volum e in a p ro­ is a Lutheran minister. From the stand­ jected series of books on preaching to be point of orthodoxy it is one hundred per sponsored by the Nazarene Theological cent sound. Seminary. From time to time outstanding preachers will be invited to deliver a series The Coming of the Perfect of lectures on preaching to the seminary (Bethany Press, $2.00) students. The lectures will be published in By Edgar DeWitt Jones book form by the Publishing House and This volum e of serm ons is a 1946 p ro­ in that way be made available to minis­ duction. Inasmuch as it has not been listed ters of our own and other denominations. with our new books we include it here. This volume contains the first series to Dr. Jones is not a newcomer in the field be published. Another series by Dr. Paul of authors. This happens to be his ninth Rees has been delivered and is scheduled volume of sermons. He is pastor of Central for publication in the near future. Woodward Christian Church of Detroit. He It is extremely fitting that Dr. Chapman's is a brilliant, scholarly, eloquent speaker. lectures should initiate the series. The Sem­ There seems to be a lack of evangelistic em­ inary itself is the result of his vision and phasis in these messages. Someone has said it was his suggestion that first brought the that every sermon should have something need of a graduate theological school to of comfort for God's people and something the attention of the church. of warning to the unsaved. Who am I to Dr. Chapman has always practiced a suggest a criticism of this acknowledged high type of preaching; never careless or un­ pulpiteer but these seventeen sermons seem prepared or superficial. To him preaching to be rather lacking in both. was a serious matter. He always insisted

N ovember-Decem ber 1947 (405) 65 that we needed better, stronger preachers. Under “The Force of Preaching” Dr. The lack of them bothered him. Chapman considers four essentials (1) The The first chapter is a dem and "for su b­ clarity and timeliness of the message, (2) stantial preaching. Our author asserts that the adequacy and timeliness of the language the church itself, the community outside employed, (3) the ability and adaptability the church, and the preacher’s own soul of the prcacher as an instrument and (4) demand substantial preaching. the presence of spiritual unction. In chapter two the substance of preach­ Chapter four defines effective preaching. ing is appraised. We are told that the preach­ What a task the author imposes upon him­ er is the measure of the sermon. Also that self. He starts by presenting the threefold the most common weakness in preaching task of the New Testament preacher (1) is its want of “soul.” The substance of to lead the lost to Christ for salvation, (2) preaching is comprised in the Bible and in to inform and indoctrinate those who have Christian doctrine. Christian living coming become children of God, and (3) to in­ more accurately within the scope of ap­ spire and direct the church in faith, unity, plication than of substance. and good works. This calls for the three Chapter three estimates the force of orders of the ministry: evangelists, teachers, Christian preaching. Jesus is cited preach­ and pastors. ing “as one with authority.” Also His In the final lecture, number five, the prac­ direct methods prefacing his statements tice of preaching is illustrated. First, by with “But I say unto you.” An apropo Jesus the Master Preacher. Then follows warning is given in the statement that the chronologically: The Preacher’s Beginnings, positive preacher must confine his dog­ The Preacher’s Opportunities. The Preach­ matism to his own field—religion, and in er's Care, The Preacher's Efforts. a more restricted sense to revealed re­ No preacher with the least spark of de­ ligion. The pitfall is in endeavoring to set sire for a better m inistry can read this himself up as an authority on matters con­ book without much benefit to himself and cerning which he is not thoroughly versed. to his congregation. (Price $1.25)

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IMPRINTING Your name may be imprinted at the following prices: Minimum charge for imprinting (100 or less) 50c. Each additional hundred, 25c.

NAZARENE PUBLISHING HOUSE 2923 Troost Ave., Box 527. Kansas City 10, Mo. 1948 "Triumphant Life" Calendar with Scripture Texts

We again offer the “Triumphant Life” Scripture - Text Calendar featuring Sall- man's masterpieces. These pictures are lithographed in five dainty colors on ex­ pensive background stock. Artistically Designed Throughout Featuring Sallman's popular "Head of Christ,” “Christ at Heart’s Door,” "The Lord Is My Shepherd,” "Christ at Dawn,” and “Jesus, the Children's Friend.” Each calendar is a w ork of art deserv­ ing a choice space on the wall of any room in your home or office. New Analytical Features Unlike ordinary calendars, “Triumphant Life” calendars fold and fit neatly into envelopes furnished for ready mailing. There is a MOTTO “Theme Thought” for each month of the year. In connection with this there are five Scripture verses Choose one or more of the (one for each week). Each MOTTO famous SALLM AN Subjects “Theme Thought” is analyzed by the five scriptures given. For example: Theme There are five outstanding pictures — all Thought, THOU, O LORD, KNOWEST from the brush of Artist Warner E. Sallman. ME. My Name, My Thoughts, My Ways, The over-all size is 6V4XKH2 inches, and folds My Path, My Needs. Each of the twelve to size S'/ixG'^t. themes (one for each month) is analyzed CHOICE OF PICTURES in this manner, thus increasing the in­ (or you may have them assorted) terest and forcefulness of the subjects. No. 1—Sallman’s “Head of Christ” Underneath the pad is Church Attend­ No. 2—Sallman’s “ Christ at Heart’s Door” ance Record Chart, a list of “Where to No. 3—Sallman’s “The Lord Is My Shepherd” look in the Bible” in time of need, and No. -1—Sallman’s “ Christ at Dawn” space for special telephone numbers. No. 5—Sallman’s “Jesus, the Children’s Moon phases, flower and stone of each Friend” month are also given. Price 15c a single copy A Light to G uide Throughout the Year Only tic each in 100-lots The whole world today needs the gos­ pel of Christ. Send “Triumphant Life’’ LOW QUANTITY RATES 5 calendars $0.70 100 calendars ___ $11.00 Scripture-Text Calendars to your friends 10 calendars ...... 1.25 200 calendars ___ 20.00 at Christmas or for New Year remem­ 25 calendars ...... 3.00 300 calendars ... 29.00 brances. Place the Word of God in their 50 calendars - 5.90 500 calendars 45.00 homes to help and guide them through Folds Neatly—Mails for V/* Cents their daily lives. Use like Greeting Cards Your Own Name or Special Copy FREE on 100 Copies Upward Use the “Triumphant Life” Calendar with your ^ Wau&l (%at/er.76n.o okwsQ own special imprint. We will personalize these A \ U A !, ' calendars with your own name, free of charge, 011 & ■?*'■? 12 5 orders for 100 calendars upward. For less than 4 5 6 7 S *> 10 j | 100, an extra charge of $1.00 will be made for II 12 13 14 15 16 I? i f IS 19 20 21 22 23 24 ‘ imprint. There is ample space for three lines of 25 y > 27 26 2V 30 il copy, but two are more desirable. Note: We cannot guarantee Christmas delivery ip? • /jgj© 011 imprint orders received after November 15.