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Preacher's Magazine Church of the Nazarene

9-1930 Preacher's Magazine Volume 05 Number 09 J. B. Chapman (Editor) Olivet Nazarene University

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Recommended Citation Chapman, J. B. (Editor), "Preacher's Magazine Volume 05 Number 09" (1930). Preacher's Magazine. 57. https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/cotn_pm/57

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| Vo l u m e 5 Se p t e m b e r ,\ 1930 N u m b e r 9

: A monthly journal devoted to interests of the ministers of all denominations -who ';rca< ,h the full gospel | J. B. ChapP£-n*, Editor

p o s it iv e p o a c h i n g I By The'.i xtor | Y T IS always very commendable for the preacher to be considerate on questions of a j I controversial nature if those questions are such that one certain answer is not vital. | But' it is a great mistake for the preacher to place the gospel of Christ on a level | with disputations about science, art and literature. For while he may by such means | gain the sympathy of doubters, he will not be able to save even them. It was the fact that Jesus “taught as one having authority and not as the scribes” | that drew the multitudes to Him and made them willing to follow Him. And a | gospel of speculation has no more force now than it had in those days when rabbis g depended upon the traditions of the fathers to make their theories forceful, i: It is the preacher’s first duty to assure his own soul. And thank God that this 1 can be done. Instead of merely guessing his way along, the preacher can know God i so definitely that it will be impossible for him to discuss religious experience in the I same tone in which he lectures on politics. Then it is the preacher’s duty to know his source book, the Bible, and to depend | upon it for his own guidance and the guidance of others. This means that he is indeed I to “preach the Word." It has been demonstrated time and again that those who I criticize the Bible are not acquainted with its teaching, so the preacher who knows | his Bible is in good relation both with those who know it and love it and with those 1 who do not love it because they do not know it. It is further the preacher’s duty to know the doctrines of the Church which have | been known throughout the centuries and have stood the shock of a thousand attacks, ai Usuallv those who become the victims of current doubts are those who either never I did make a good examination of the foundations of the faith of the saints or those | who have made such frequent excursions into the fields of speculation that their knowl- | edge of the “old way” has become dim and obsolete. The philosophy of the Chris- | tian religion is indisputable to sound reason and there is no occasion for presenting it | apologetically. And finally, it takes positive preaching to satisfy the needs of men. The Roman J Catholics present an infallible pope and an unerring church. And even this mistaken 1 authority satisfies millions in their call for something upon which they can depend. 1 But we have an inerrant Bible and a certitude of Christian testimony that we may 1 offer to those who desire something upon which they can plant their feet without fear i of uncertainty. And the fact that this is an age of speculation and change and uncer- I tainty is so much more the reason for preaching a positive gospel. While others are

Published monthly by the Nazarene Publishing House, 2.923 Troost Ave., Kansas City, Mo., g maintained by and in the interest of the Church of the Nazarene. Subscription price $1.00 a H year. Entered as second class m atter at the Postoffice at Kansas City, Mo. Acceptance for mail- e lug at special rate of postage provided for in Section 1103, Act of October 3. 1917. authorized s December 30, 1925.

lllinilU llililjlllillilllllllllilU IIIIIllillllllH llllllllilllllllllllillllllllllllllllllllllllllM 258 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE slaying, “This may or may not be true,” let us presenf>the “thus saith the Lord.” While others are speculating about hallucinations, let us emphasise the fact that “whereas I was blind, now I see.”

EDITORIAL n o t e s Don’t forget to supplement your verbal Pr^aching by the distribution of good literature. The fear of being dubbed a “book agent” ?keePs back some preachers from doing their duty. Your people are going to read. You may V*ot/De able even to keep them from reading some things that they ought not to read. But you ^an at least help to fill their homes with good books and papers and thus encourage them V0 r-ad what they should.

And while speaking of good literature, ancF somewhat at the risk of being considered “inter­ ested,” I would like for our readers to examine our Nazarene Monthly in which is presented each month a booklet on some doctrinal, inspirational or ethical phase of the general theme of full salvation. The Monthly is for laymen as well as preachers. And from time to time there are abridgments of old holiness classics which we think is a feature within itself.

And now that the people are back from the summer vacations, the wise preacher will “meet them at the door” and get them into a church program so engrossing that the fall and winter and spring will fly by before they have time to think of worldly diversions. There is no cure like positive employment.

Helpful biography is hard to obtain, we therefore take the liberty to mention “The Soul Digger,” by Dr. John Paul, which is a new biography of Bishop William Taylor, and is one of the best books of the kind we have seen There is a lot of illustrative matter which preachers will find usable.

“Preaching out of the overflow” is a wonderful standard. The idea is that we preach better when we can give only the cream of our thought. When the preacher is put to it to “have something to say” his quality cannot but suffer under the strain.

CHARLES M, ALEXANDER As a “Singing Evangelist,” the subject of this sketch ranks with Sankey and Towner. Chas. M. Alexander was born in Tennessee, October 24, 1867. He was not a composer, neither did he lay claim to being a soloist; he was rather a song leader and as such he had no superior. His appeal seemingly was irresistible, his personal magnetism was such that great crowds would do his bidding. In two world-wide evangelistic tours he won his way into the hearts of thousands by his buoyant good cheer and geniality. Underneath his friendliness and personal charm was a burning zeal for the salvation of the lost and a constant desire to win men to Christ. In October, 1920, at his home in Birmingham, England, his voice was silenced in death as he went to sing the song of Moses and the Lamb.

A USEFUL BOOK Last week a preacher said he needed something that would help him in the preparation of sermons and addresses adapted to communion services. Perhaps there are others who have realized the need of help in regard to this special service, and we would like to recom­ mend, “Around the Lord’s Table,” by Goodchild, which can be obtained from our Publishing House for $1.50. ( 2) THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE 259

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SOME GREAT PREACHERS years afterward that “John Barrows preached one I H A V E K N O W N sermon in that pulpit eight times that year, and B y A. M . H il l s it was so fine that we could gladly have heard it No. 16. D r. Jo h n H en ry B arro w s eight times more.” But his fine sermons were yet OHN HENRY BARROWS was born in too few in number to have a continuous pastor­ Medinah, Michigan, July 11, 1847. He was ate of any length. He went abroad for a year’s Jthe son of Rev. John Manning Barrows and travel, preaching for some months in the Amer­ Catherine Paine More, one of the early graduates ican Chapel, Paris. He returned home with of Oberlin College, and a gifted linguist. The more knowledge of the world and men, and pos­ father was also scholarly and taught for years in sibly with a few more sermons carefully written the faculty of Olivet College, Michigan, where and committed to memory. In his foreign travels young John Henry graduated with honor in the he met a very talented American girl, Miss Sarah class of 1867 at twenty years of age. Eleanor Mole of Williamstown, Mass., who could He then went East to study theology and took repeat as much poetry as he could! A small his training at Yale Seminary, Union Seminary mutual admiration society was formed which and Andover. This indicates that he was study­ ripened into marriage June 6, 1875. How long ing men and communities, as well as theology. the honeymoon lasted or where or when he He certainly came under the influence of noble preached his orations, or when he was called to minds in all those institutions at that particular be pastor of Elliot Congregational church, Law­ time. There were President Wolsey and Noah rence, Mass., the record is painfully silent. Porter, and Timothy Dwight and the famous his­ Whether he had a revival or any success or won torian, Geo. P. Fisher at Yale. Henry B. Smith any souls or a long or short pastorate absolutely and Drs. Shedd and Schaff in New York, and the nothing is said. The next brief item is that in giant Parks at Andover, Mass. If, like Beecher, 1880 he was called to the pastorate of Maverick he studied men rather than books, he had a noble Congregational church, East Boston. He was course of training, and perhaps a somewhat mixed there one year and there was a debt of $10,000 th eo lo g y ! on the property. The First Presbyterian church Then the young theologian left the cities and of Chicago, meantime, had heard of those elo­ culture of the East and gave himself to home mis­ quent, masterful sermons of that young John sionary work and school teaching on the plains Henry Barrows. They offered to pay the entire of Kansas, during part of which time he was debt of Maverick church if she would surrender county school superintendent. I do not find in to them her pastor. The church consented and in the records of that period any name of churches 1881 Rev. John Henry Barrows went to his pul­ that he planted or pastored or revivals that he pit throne in the great Capital of the West. He led. I have a dim suspicion that he was not now had a supreme opportunity, which he filled working the preaching business very hard. He for over fourteen years, till February, 1896. His may still have been studying people and out fame as an orator spread over the nation in all among the tents and dugouts and shacks of Kan­ directions. He was invited to address union sas pioneers there was abundance of opportunity meetings and ecclesiastical assemblies, and young at that time. But it is more probable that he people’s conventions and dedications and great was slowly working up fine sermons and com­ occasions where thrilling oratory was in demand. mitting them to memory, for that was his method He had learned to write in noble, impressive of preaching all his life—memoriter preaching. English, and to deliver impressively what he had We next hear of him as pastor of the First written. We once heard him deliver the dedica­ Congregational church of Springfield, 111., for one tory address of a college library building. It year. A member of that church told the writer was a masterful oration half or three-quarters of (3) 260 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE an hour long, with a long quotation from Homer ters of Romans should have com ened a Con­ and it was on sale in pamphlet form at the door gress of Religions, when he was pouring out his within five minutes after his address was finished, life, just as Jesus did. to supplant them all by word for word, as he had delivered it from Christianity. Our religion is and must be essen­ m em ory. tially narrow. It is Christ alone, or an eternal For four years during his Chicago pastorate he doom (John 3:36). We now have in our rich addressed great audiences every Sabbath evening universities endowed professorships to teach in Central Music Hall. The Cyclopaedia men­ Comparative Religions. They might be exceed­ tions some of his specially great oratorical ef­ ingly useful. But, as a matter of fact, many of forts—“His Grand Army Addresses,” a sermon the men who fill those positions, glorify the old on “Municipal Patriotism,” “A Union Thanks­ heathenisms, and damn Christianity with faint giving Sermon,” preached at Plymouth Congre­ praise. The result is the pupils they train come gational church, November 27, 1890; “Oration at out of their classrooms shallow, conceited, con­ Washington Centennial,” 1889; his famous lec­ temptible infidels! ture on “Samuel Adams;” Lectures on Rem­ After leaving Chicago in 1896, he remained for brandt, Shakespeare, and John Stewart Mill, de­ study in Gottengen, Germany, six months. In livered at Chautauqua. Some of these sermons April of that year he delivered in Paris an ora­ and addresses were published. He wrote books, tion in French on “Religion as the Unifier of “The Gospels are True Histories;” “I Believe in Mankind.” The winter of 1896-7, was spent lec­ God,” “Life of Henry Ward Beecher;” “The turing in India. He delivered one hundred and Shakespeare of the Pulpit;” two volumes on “The fifteen lectures all over the Indian empire. The Parliament of Religion;" "Christianity the World Indian Witness in Calcutta said, “We doubt very Religion;” the lectures he delivered in India and much whether India has ever been favored with Japan; “A World Pilgrimage,” his travel around so worthy a presentation of the Christian faith.” the w orld. The lectures are a magnificent contribution to the He originated and was president of the Parlia­ Christian Evidences, well worthy of a permanent ment of Religions which met in Chicago at the place in Christian literature. Many competent Columbian Exposition in September, 1893. It critics pronounced the lecture, “The Universal was attended by representatives of all Christian Book,” the finest presentation of the incompar­ sects and bodies, also Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, able place in the world’s life and literature of the Confucianists, Mohammedans, Jains, and repre­ Christian Scriptures which they have ever read sentatives of Greek and other oriental churches. or heard. Professor Muller of Oxford called this Parlia­ Dr. Barrows delivered lectures in nearly all the ment of Religions one of the most remarkable great cities of the country on “Oriental Religions.” events in the history of the world. Hon. Wm. In February, 1898, he delivered the Morse lec­ E. Dodge, president of the Evangelical Alliance, tures before Union Theological Seminary on, “The said, “There is one man, who, by virtue of the Christian Conquest of Asia.” marvelous ability with which he organized and Thus Dr. Barrows moved on and on, through conducted the great Parliament of Religions, is, an ever advancing career of thrilling memoriter I think fitly entitled to be called the foremost sermons, great lectures, praise-evoking addresses evangelist in the world.” and thrilling orations, which led his auditors to We may observe here in passing that this Par­ stare, and listen, and wonder at the multiplied liament of Religions provoked a conflict among gifts of this remarkable man, who was at least the acknowledged religious leaders of the world. reaping a harvest of golden shekels and earthly Many of the most devout and eminent Christian fame. But one thing 1 miss in this entire story. teachers doubted the wisdom of recognizing the Perhaps I am foolish and narrow and one­ heathen religions and all unchristian faiths, as sided, and put undue stress on the matter of being wholly unworthy to be in any way com­ getting people at least converted if not also pared with the religion of Christ. Salvation sanctified, but no mention is ever made of con­ comes through Him alone and “There is none verts in the record of his life, anywhere, at any other name under the heaven given among men time, or of numbers joining the church, or of whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). It is multitudes turning to God. Somehow it does unthinkable that the author of the first two chap­ not read like “The Acts of the Apostles,” where ( 4 ) THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE 261

I get my (.(inception of preaching. If St. Paul commendation of what prevailed in this great ever spent a week in a city, even under adverse meeting. It was a novel sight that orthodox circumstances, some mention is made of those Christians should greet with cordial words the who “turned to the Lord (Acts 17:34; 13:48; representatives of alien faiths which they were en­ 18:8). Dr. Barrows’ father and mother and sister deavoring to bring into the light of the Chris- and brother-in-law were once my parishioners. tion gospel. Much might be said of the high When he was pastor in Chicago, rising into fame, character and ability of those who composed this he told his mother that he envied her pastor his historic assembly. The Parliament was rigidly success in soul-winning. From this it seems that purged of cranks. Many minor sects tried he himself was conscious that soul-winning was earnestly to secure a representation for which not the chief characteristic of his preaching. there was neither time nor fitness. People sought As a little comment on memoriter preaching, to make the meeting a medium of all sorts of however brilliant it may be, one Sabbath morn­ propagandism, but without success. ing Dr. Barrows forgot what came next in the “Whether we adopt Bishop Dudley’s criticism middle of his sermon. He stood in silence and of the Anglican church and say that it missed a agitated consternation trying to recall, but great opportunity, or say with Mr. Haweis of couldn’t ; and in humiliation and confusion he London that the Church of England made an­ closed the service! But, let ambitious young other of its mistakes, yet no member of the Par­ preachers take notice, a soothing salve was im­ liament will forget the profound impression made mediately applied to his lacerated sensibilities. by those who represented the Anglican com­ The rich admirers in his congregation concluded he m union. zcas tired, and at once contributed an opulent “One American voice silenced by death, that of purse and sent him to Europe to rest amid the Phillips Brooks, would have been most welcome. Alps, his jaded nerves! It was felt by many that to claim everything for This brilliant orator and widely traveled man Christianity, and deny any good in other religions, was made president of Oberlin College in 1898. is not Christian, and is an impeachment of the He immediately undertook the task of giving divine goodness. It was evidence that high Oberlin a much wider influence, and more com­ and beautiful forms of character have been plete educational resources. During his brief ad­ fashioned by the divine Spirit in faiths the most ministration the college added $600,000 to its en­ various. Phariseeism, sectarianism, narrowness in dowment, erected several new buildings and all its manifestations, whether ecclesiastical or dog­ gained wide prominence in the educational matic; were gently rebuked by this Parliament. world. He went East to deliver an address on Comparison and criticism, it was made evident some great occasion, and caught cold on the re­ were helps to religion. turn trip and died from pneumonia, after a “An eminent professor of moral philosophy brief illness, June 3, 1002. Thus this remarkable (Dr. N. J. Morrison of Marietta College) de­ career came to an untimely end at the age of clared that it reminded him of the emotions he fifty-five years. Perhaps his greatest life-work had felt in the great revivals of Finney and had just begun. Moody. Dr. Frederick A. Noble said, ‘There At the close of the Parliament of Religions, Dr. were hours when it seemed as though the divine John Henry Barrows gave a review and summary Spirit was about to descend upon the people in a of results, as he saw them. We copy some of great pentecostal outpouring. Never did Christ his opinions: seem so large, and precious to me, never did “A great variety of opinions has been expressed Christian faith seem so necessary to humanity by leading participants in the Parliament, and and so sure to prevail, as when the Parliament by others as to its nature and effects. To of Religions closed.’ Nagarkar, it is ‘a foretaste of universal brother­ “It is unwise to pronounce the Parliament, as hood;’ to Joseph Cook, ‘A resplendent service to some have done, a vindication or an illustration truth;’ to Dr. Boardman, ‘A lengthening of the pre-eminently of one idea, either the Liberal, the cords of Zion and a strengthening of its stakes;’ Catholic or the Evangelical. The Parliament was to Dr. Schaff, ‘A new epoch in the history of too large to be judged in that way. It did em­ religion, stimulating efforts for the reunion of phasize, as the Liberals so emphatically have done, Christendom.’ Too much cannot be said in liberty, fellowship and character in religion; it

( 5 ) 262 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE did emphasize the Roman Catholic idea of a a true Christianity is the world’s best boon and universal church, and the desirableness of greater hope, they think that a mild and sober Buddhism, unity in religious organization; it did emphasize a self-refreshing and temperate Confucianism are and illustrate the great evangelical claim that the preferable to a brutal, drunken, intolerant and historic Christ is divine, the sufficient and only persecuting false Christianity. The chairman of Savior of mankind. But from the fact that it the Parliament said to the orientals that, ‘While made conspicuous so many truths and phases of Christian disciples will continue to obey the Mas­ religion, the glory of it cannot be monopolized by ter more and more faithfully, and will bring the any one division of the religious world. The messages of Bethlehem and Calvary to those for echoes of the Parliament show that it is destined whom Jesus lived and died, we believe that the to make a profound and ever deepening impres­ gospel, instead of striking mercilessly at indi­ sion on religious thought. It has shown that genous faiths, should adopt them so far as they mankind is drifting toward religion and not away agree with its truths, and should always present from it. It has widened the bounds of human to men the sweetness and mildness and tender­ fraternity and is giving a strong impetus to the ness and grace of Jesus Christ.’ study of comparative religions. It is deepening “Reverend men in the orient have heard the Christian interest in non-Christian nations, Buddha and Confucius spoken against, and have and will bring before millions in oriental lands felt almost as Christians in America sometimes the more truthful and beautiful aspects of Chris­ do when they hear a bitter campaign of infidelity tianity. declaim against the gospel. Christianity never “But to most of I he readers of these volumes had so golden an opportunity to show her true the supreme question regarding the Parliament spirit, and if she had said far less than she did, is that which concerns the relation of Christian­ would have been justified in calling the Parlia­ ity to the other faiths. It may be safely said m ent. that participation in this meeting did not com­ “Dr. Pentecost said, ‘It would have been cow­ promise any Christian speaker’s position as a be­ ardly and contrary to the very genius of Chris­ liever in the supremacy and universality of the tianity to have turned our backs on it.’ There gospel. There was no suggestion on the part of were no scenes in that meeting which for inter­ Christian speakers that Christianity was to be est, general enthusiasm and lofty feeling com­ thought of as on the same level with other re­ pared with the scenes where the noblest Christian ligions. It was gladly seen that some of its truths truths were eloquently uttered. It may be safely are held in common with other faiths, that Mono­ said that Christ was never more effectively theism appears in Mohammedanism, Parseeism preached than when Bishop Dudley and others and original Hinduism; that the essence of re­ spoke to all nations the old evangel. Most men ligion is always the same, that aspiration and who read these volumes will believe, with Dr. dependence are universal, and that ethical unity Hunger, that ‘The Parliament shows that the is more marked than doctrinal unity. world moves, and on the whole moves Christ- w ard.’ “There is no doubt that the Parliament made a favorable impression on those whom it desires “A great volume of Christian evidences will be found in this volume by any reader who will to win. The Christian religion will hereafter be bring together twenty of the leading Christian interpreted by its teachings, and not by the bad addresses; and a true comprehension of Chris­ laws of so-called Christian nations. The orientals tianity will show, although it is exclusive in the learned u-hat is true Christianity, and they can sense that it requires of all the acceptance of speak with authority, and say that these evils are Christ, as the one Savior of the w'orld; yet it is not apologized for, by the real Christian men of also grandly inclusive, in the sense that it em­ America and Europe. The sages of the orient braces within its scope all religious truths. will learn that Christian America and Europe “The general wisdom and humility and cour­ have no sympathy w'ith the abominations which tesy with w'hich all the faiths endured the criti­ falsely-named Christians have practiced, that the cisms which were inevitable, are greatly to be opium trafficker and the rum trafficker, do not commended. Christianity, so serene and impreg­ represent them, and that, while they believe that nable, was able to receive patiently nearly all the ( 6 ) THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE arrows aimed at the imperfections of Christen­ “Many garbled and utterly misleading reports dom. I have said that no other religion made of the Parliament went abroad, but nothing more any serious claim to be the final faith for all incorrect than the statement that little was said mankind. It contains in itself, not as actualized, about Christ. The Christian spirit pervaded the but as revealed in its sacred books, whatever truth Parliament from first to last. Christ’s prayer was belongs to natural religion, and these truths are daily used, His name was always spoken with made vital and vigorous by its Lord and Savior. reverence. No word with a shadow’ of criticism Christianity for hopefulness, for confidence in its was uttered against Him. His doctrine was own resources, for essential catholicity, for adapta­ preached by a hundred Christians, and by lips tion to all men’s needs, holds the field. other than Christian. ‘The Parliament ended at “There are certain characteristics of Western Calvary.’ The glorification of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man shows how Christianity which are peculiarly offensive to eager men were to take refuge in Christian ideas, many Eastern minds—a lack of daily seriousness, and what occurred in the Parliament is mani­ and thoughtfulness and prayerfulness, a rough­ festly taking place in the new sects which are rap­ ness and discourtesy, a fondness for brutal sports idly forming in Hindustan. Good men have criti­ and pleasures. Christendom, as it is nowr organ­ cized the Parliament mercilessly; but all Chris­ ized, is not fitted for the swift or immediate con­ tians should remember that Christianity called it, quest of the globe. The followers of Christ are inspired it, conducted it, has defended it, and is wickedly and foolishly divided, and they thrust likely to point to it as one of its greatest achieve­ their divisions and follies before the eyes of ments, ‘Never since the day when St. Paul stood heathendom. An acquaintance with Christian on the stairs of the castle of Jerusalem, and spoke civilization furnishes many plausible reasons to so confidently of the Way to the angry and tur­ the non-Christian mind for clinging to the old bulent multitudes, have words more positive, clear faiths. Not until the disciples of Christ get and opportune, and, withal, delicately courteous, closer together, and Christian society becomes been voiced.’ more Christlike, not until the Church is radiant “The Parliament has shown that Christianity with more of the beauty of holiness, and returns is still the great quickener of humanity, that it is in meekness to the simplicity that is in Christ, now educating those who do not accept its doc­ and not until missionaries generally are equipped trines, that there is no teacher to be compared with a better knowledge of ethnic faiths and with Christ, and no Savior excepting Christ, that fitted with more Christian ideas in regard to them, there is no assured and transforming hope of con­ will there dawn upon the globe the golden age of scious and blessed immortality outside of the Christian missions. Christian Scriptures and that all the philosophies “W'ithout reserve it may be said that the Par­ do not bring God so near to man as He is brought liament of Religions was as much an achievement by the gospel of Christ. of faith as anything recorded in the eleventh “Before closing my work in connection with chapter of the Hebrews. Christianity alone had the Parliament of Religions, I wish to contribute interest enough in such a conference to insure its my strong - and grateful testimony to the truth success. In spite of its divisions, Christianity and power of the Christian gospel. While I write realized that its essential unity in the person of these words, the body of my eldest son, John Jesus Christ, would enable it to make a distinct Manning Barrows, a noble boy of thirteen, lies and truthful impression on the world. Knowing unburied in my house. From behind this earthly its impregnability in that one divine center, which shadow would that a gleam of heavenly bright­ no other religion has, and confident of its ulti­ ness might fall on these final pages. With mil­ mate victory, Christianity was ready to criticize lions of sorrowing hearts I now know the pre­ itself, its actual condition, while the non-Christian cious and unspeakable consolations of Christ, and faiths said little or nothing critical of the present to all who in the Old World or the New, dwell condition of their peoples. Bravely, and with in death-smitten homes, I would that He might grateful cheerfulness, Christendom took the strong enter who is the Conqueror of death and who blows which her sins deserve. True Christian­ fills the believing heart with sweet and satisfac­ ity has not in this generation been more highly tory assurances of endless reunion and conscious honored than by such criticism. blessedness beyond the grave.” ( 7) 264 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE

EXPOSITIONAL

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STUDIES IN THE SERMON ON THE the expression is "minded to be rich,” that is, they MOUNT make it the one end and aim of their lives; they B y O liv e M . W in c h e s t e r have no thought of service with the riches pro­ False and True Treasures cured. They seek gain for its own sake. To (Matt. 6:19-24) such as these then the warning of Jesus would ASSING from the consideration of the cur­ seem to come, “Lay not up for yourselves upon rent religious standards, and the futility of the earth." Pthe common mode of keeping these rites, In connection with the admonition, a reason is futile because the main objective lay in seeking subjoined; the reason is inferential rather than glory of men and not in the true worship of implicitly stated but its force is pertinent. Treas­ God, Jesus turns to other phases of life. In all ures should not be hoarded here upon the earth ages there has been one besetting snare which has because of their transient and ephemeral nature, seemed to loom above all others, namely, the “Where moth and rust consume, and where love of money or the covetous spirit. It would thieves break through and steal.” The figurative appear that no other evil is so common, and no language takes its form from the day and age. other evil has so many accompanying ills. In those times when no banks existed, treasures While the covetous desire has been general, yet often consisted of beautiful garments which may it has seemed to have gripped the Jew with par­ have been heirlooms, vessels of silver and gold or ticular tenacity. Moreover in the days in which when they took the form of money, for safe keep­ Christ lived, there was the thought that the rich ing it was sometimes hidden in the ground. The man had special prerogatives as regards entering moth might destroy the garments, and the vessels the kingdom of heaven. Accordingly as in the of silver and gold might corrode as also the case of the current religious standards the injunc­ money hidden in the ground. Moreover into the tions of Jesus cut straight across the current mud houses the thieves might dig, and steal their thinking of the time, so did the admonition now. choice possessions. Thus there could be no secur­ To those who made the main objective of their ity in the tenure of such treasures. “Perishable­ lives the accumulation of wealth, Jesus sounded ness is the quality of everything earthly,” says forth a warning note, “Lay not up for yourselves Stier, and he continues, “He who heaps up silver treasures upon the earth.” as the dust and prepares raiment as the clay (Job In searching for the import of this command, 27:16) shall find out that all the earthly and we may obtain help from the reading of the transitory possessions of mortal man pass away original. “Treasure [present tense of habitual and like they themselves, whose foundation is as the customary action] not up for yourselves treas­ dust, which are crushed before the moth (Job ures upon the earth.” The thought would seem 4:19).” Accordingly, because of their uncer­ to be that this is the consuming passion of the tainty, the treasures of earth have no intrinsic life, the dominating principle of action, the esti­ and abiding value. They pass with time. Should mation that earthly treasures are the highest good they remain throughout the life of an individual, in life. In Tim. 6:9-10 we find a passage which they pass on to another generation; they do not sheds some light upon this one. “But they that journey with the individual to another world. are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and They have no value in heaven unless they have a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such been exchanged into the currency of that eternal as drown men in destruction and perdition. For realm . the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil; Therefore in contradistinction to the injunction which some reaching after have been led astray not to lay up treasures here on earth, comes the from the faith, and have pierced themselves admonition, “But lay up for yourselves treasure through with many sorrows.” We note here that in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth con­ THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE 265 sume, and where thieves do not break through of the day. According to Lightfoot, “a good nor steal.” In this connection the first question eye” indicates a bountiful heart, and “an evil arising in ones’ mind might be, What constitutes eye” a covetous heart. This explanation seems treasure in heaven? If we turn once more to to be borne out by Proverbs. In 22:9 we read, Timothy chapter 6, verses 17-19, we receive some “He that hath a bountiful [Heb. good] eye shall light. “Charge them that are rich in this present be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the world, that they be not highminded, nor have poor,” and in 28:22, “He that hath an evil eye their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but hasteth after riches, and knoweth not that want on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; shall come upon him.” With these interpretations that they do aood, that they be rich in good in mind we turn to the parable, “The lamp of works, that they be ready to distribute, willing the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be to communicate; laying up in store for them­ single, thy whole body shall be full of light. selves a good foundation against the time to But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be come, that they may lay hold on the life which full of darkness. If therefore the light that is is life indeed.” Thus we see that the treasure in within thee be darkness, how great is that heaven would seem to be the services rendered darkness!” Thus we see that in these figures to the needy around about us. These do not Jesus couched another reason why the heavenly constitute the ground of our salvation, for that treasure should be the main objective of man’s alone is in Christ, but they are the resultant effect living. If there be a single eye for this one great of our salvation, and give expression to the riches purpose in life, the spiritual vision would be of grace within the heart. clarified, and thus would ensue a proper appre­ As with the prohibition there was subjoined ciation of spiritual values, and they would be an implied reason so with the exhortation. The given the supremacy in life. But if on the other wisdom of laying up treasure in heaven lies in hand the “eye be evil,” that is the soul be the fact that such treasures are eternal, they possessed by a covetous spirit, then within dwell- abide forever. They pass not away with time. eth darkness, and if that perceptive power by “In spiritual structures,” says Jenkins, “there is which we receive the light becomes darkness, then no waste, no loss, no destruction. There is no is the darkness dense; there seems to be no hope change there except the change toward a greater of light breaking in upon the soul. As Carr says, perfection. Nothing there disintegrates or decays. "This gives to our Lord’s words the thought, Spiritual riches abide forever." ‘covetousness darkens the soul more than any­ Besides the reason of the transitory or abiding thing else, it is the medium through which the nature of the treasure as establishing its value, light cannot pass.’ ” Bruce paraphrases and ex­ comes a reason explicitly stated as the ground plains thus: “The eye is the lamp of the body: for the choice of the heavenly treasure over when it is healthy we see to do our daily work, against the earthly. “For where thy treasure is, when it is diseased we are in darkness. So with there will thy heart be also.” Whatever we place the eye of the soul, the heart, seat of desire: the highest value upon in life around that will when it is free from covetousness, not anxious gather our thought life and our heart's affection. to hoard, all goes well w'ith our spiritual func­ If we regard the storing of wealth the objective tion-. we choose and act wisely. When sordid of supreme worth, our heart will cling to this, passions possess it there is darkness within deeper but if we hold in highest esteem the service of than that which afflicts the blind man. We mis­ mankind, to lead them along with us to life take the . relative values of things, choose the eternal, this will be the delight of our heart. worse, neglect the better, or flatter ourselves that “Your treasure is, safely laid up, ■perfectly ready we can have both.” for you, in heaven,” says Stier, “let then your That the truth might be set forth still more heart ever more and more perfectly and undi- explicitly Jesus added still another parable, that videdly be fixed upon it and absorbed with it of “The Two Masters.” “No man can serve two th e r e !” masters: for either he will hate the one, and love Following the plain injunctions, Jesus gave a the other; or else he will hold to the one and brief parable, which might be called “The Parable despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and of the Eye.” To interpret this, one needs the mammon.” “No man can serve two masters,” li"ht which comes from the current phraseology was an old proverb. No doubt the underlying 266 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE

thought is that the masters are of contrary na­ the other, and whichever choice is made will tures, so therein lies the impossibility of serving necessitate a depreciation of the other master. both. Riches as other trusts rightly acquired Therefore we find in this passage several rea­ constitute a gift from God, but they are always to sons why vve should seek to store up for our­ be used in keeping with divine direction and arc selves the true treasure and not to hoard the never to become the master of the soul. Re­ earthly treasures which are false and deceptive. First, because the treasures in heaven are abid­ garding the significance of the idea expressed by ing; second, because our heart’s trend and affec­ mammon, there is some divergence of opinion; tion will naturally go with our treasures, and we some say that Mammon was a Syrian idol, the desire to have the thoughts of our heart set upon god of riches, and others deny that this idol w'as high things, not upon low; third, because a boun­ known in New Testament times. However this tiful spirit clarifies the spiritual vision while a may be, riches when served as the supreme am­ covetous spirit obscures it, and finally because it bition of the life constitute an idol, so the is inherently impossible to serve as an objective thought reached in conclusion is the same. in life riches and at the same time serve God. There has ever been a tendency to personify this In providing homiletical material this passage term, thereby indicating the covetous spirit, and seems to be suggestive. We might take verses idolizing of riches within the heart. So Milton 19 and 20 for a text and use as a theme, “True describes Mammon: Riches.” This could have as subdivisions, their “The least erected spirit that fell nature, their permanence, contrasted with earthly From heaven; for even in heaven his looks riches. Then verses 21-23 could serve as an­ and thoughts other text with "Spiritual Illumination” as the Were always downwards bent, admiring more theme. This in turn might be divided, The re­ ceptive medium of spiritual illumination, the con­ The riches of heaven’s pavement, trodden gold. dition of spiritual illumination, the cause of dark­ Than aught divine or holy else enjoyed ness. Finally verse 24 might be a text with the In vision beatific.” “Paradise Lost,” Vol. 1, theme, “Two Masters,” the main heads under 678. this theme might be, the tw'o masters contrasted With two masters of such contrasting natures in their natures, the respective service they de­ bidding for the affections and devotion of man’s mand, the inherent necessity of a choice between heart, the choice must be made between one or them .

HINTS TO FISHERMEN B y C. E. Cornf.li

Suffering Has Its Recompense like evanescent days of pleasure, not like smoothly “We also exult in our sufferings, knowing as monotonous days of peace; such as these fade -we do, that suffering produces fortitude; forti­ quickly into oblivion and are as if they had never tude, ripeness of character, hope; and that this dawned. But the days of sorrow stand out like .tope never disappoints, because God’s love for cameos against.-the background of. life. They are ..us floods our hearts through the -Holy Spirit the character builders* they are the destiny . which has been given to us” (Rom. S :3 -5, W ey­ makers. What you are, what you..yet may be, m o u th ). depends chiefly upon them. Hail, then, to the Be not utterly cast down when tribulations Angel of Sorrow, W'hen, by the w'ill of God, she come upon you thick and fast, and all the skies comes to us! Dark is the shadow of her wings, seem black with the storm of God’s pitiless anger. but in her face shine the beauty of love and the 4h, it is love and not anger that sends these steadfastness of faith.—S e l . storms of the soul! The dark days are those which some time you will rejoice to remember. A Valuable Book for Preachers They are the days which shall live, which shall Dr. Halford E. Luccock is the author of a make an abiding impress upon your soul. Not valuable recent new' book, “Preaching Values in ( 10) THE PREACHERS MAGAZINE 267

New Ttanslations of the New Testament.” 312 Growth in Grace Takes Time pp. The Abingdon Press. $2.00. T e x t: And the child Samuel grew on (I Sam . Among the titles are, “The Insipid Church,” 2:16). “The Art of Maligning,” “The Generous Eye,” 1. There is a difference between purity and ma­ “Jesus and the Advertising Pages,” “Wise Fools,” turity. Purity is the soil of the heart which “The Wranglers,” “Don’t Get Ponderous,” “The produces most favorable and rapid growth. Commuter’s Sermon,” “The Legacy of a Life,” 2. We do not grow into purity, but we grow “The Big Parade,” and “Creative Living.” in purity. Dr. Luccock is the successor of Dr. Chas. R. 3. This very important truth is put in a very Brown in the chair of Homiletics at Yale Divin­ suggestive form by Dr. Charles R. Brown, ity School. The style of these two men is very- of Yale University, when he says: similar—incisive, arresting, common-sense, prac­ “There are certain values (and these the most tical. This book illustrates, in a happy way, these important) which cannot be weighed on hay scales characteristics. It gives over 150 examples of the nor measured off with a surveyor’s chain. There homiletic use of as many new renderings of are certain processes which refuse to be hurried. familiar passages in the modern translations of They take their time as expressions of the general the New Testament, by Moffat, Goodspeed and method of him with whom a thousand years Weymouth. They form sermonettes, which are are as one day. A century ago men went from packed full of thought and practical application. New York to Chicago by stage coach in ten days. They may be easily expanded into full-size ser­ Twenty-five years ago the express trains of the mons; not that we suggest it should be done! New York Central were doing it in twenty-four hours. The Twentieth Century limited does it The Greatest Dictionary in the World today in twenty hours. The airplane does it in The Oxford Dictionary offers the latest com­ six. pilation of the English language. Its 12 volumes Meanwhile, the corn in the corn-fields, through represent nearly a half century of labor. The which the Twentieth Century Limited runs and last volume made its appearance in April of this over which the airplane soars, does not grow year, just 54 years after the first volume was any faster than it did when Pharaoh saw the published. The complete work contains 414,825 seven fat ears growing by the banks of the Nile. words, 500,000 definitions, and 1,827,306 illus­ The baby boy who is sometimes carried on the trative quotations. It was prepared under the Limited, takes just as long to develop his first direction of the Philological Society of Great tooth as did that babe which slept in the ark of B ritain. bulrushes. The things which are vital, the things The Oxford Dictionary, unlike some other which are not made wholesale by whirling ma­ British works, prides itself on listing American­ chinery, grow, and growth takes time. isms along with words recognized only in the B ritish Tsles. I t also aim s to include the 6,000 The Women and Prohibition W'ords born of the World War, 5,000 words intro­ The political party which fails to take account duced by the radio and other miscellaneous new of the women will have a surprise awaiting them w ords. the morning after the next general election day. The English language now numbers approxi­ It has been stated as a truism that giving the mately 700,000 words, but nearly one-half of ballot to women has not materially affected the this number are obsolete or consist of scientific standing of the two dominant political parties, terms seldom used outside of text books. The for women generally vote the way their husbands dead words alone are put at 250,000, It is to vote. This generally may be true, but it is far bury such words that George. Bernard Shaw re­ from true on the subject of prohibition and law- cently invited fifty Englishmen and fifty Amer­ enforcement generally. Mrs. Ella A. Boole, presi­ icans to meet independently to expurgate the dent of the National Women’s Christian Temper­ English language. ance Union, estimates that a great army of The fact that an average of 5,000 new words women who have hitherto not been interested are coined each year leads some authorities to in the question of politics will take a vital in­ declare the task of modernizing an English dic­ terest in the following election. Mrs. Boole puts tionary almost hopeless.— The Pathfinder. the matter thus:

( 11) 268 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE

Ten million women's votes will be cast in Sing the grand'old hymns occasionally as well support of the Presidential candidate who declares as the new-fangled ones. For a change ask your himself for strict dry enforcement. These votes prayermeeting crowd to read an old hymn rather are controlled by the Women’s Christian Temper­ than sing it. Stress the beauty and significance ance Union, the Women’s Law Enforcement of such a hymn. Have a night when a part of League, and the Democratic Women’s Law En­ the time is given to the singing of a verse of forcement League. They will be cast for either “my favorite hymn.” A solo, duet, or quartet Republican or Democrat. But first we must have in the prayermeeting can be made helpful. Se­ a definite understanding as to his attitude on the lect those who sing in the spirit and not for liquor issue. We are advocating no candidates; show. we will support no party. The 10,000,000 women Prayermeeting prayers ought not to be a mile interested in seeing prohibition enforced are pay­ long. Shorter prayers and more of them will get ing slight attention to wet propaganda. Our more people blessed. This praying business is battle this year promises to be our greatest in difficult to regulate. Sometimes a fervent brother more than fifty years. We know that the wets or sister touches the throne and pulls the fire are trying to align two dry candidates against a down. The whole prayermeeting is blessed. But single wet at the primaries. We shall fight any on the whole short, fervent prayers are preferable. such strategy.— The, W atchm an-E xam iner. Have audible prayers, silent prayers, concert prayers, prayers by selected leaders, prayers about Strength of Locks the altar, prayers where they kneel, and prayers How strong are the locks in your bank? standing. They are modern. They utilize all sorts of me­ Use any good method, or a variety of methods chanical appliances. They utilize steel and elec­ that will get the people blessed. Have the people tricity. They are considered burglar proof. quote the Scripture—perhaps a favorite promise Perhaps they are all that is claimed for them. At —once in a while. Or accurately quote the least you are satisfied. Your valuables are in the verse of a hymn. vaults of security. And yet Roger W. Babson The pastor should remember that the prayer­ said some time ago to the president of a great meeting is not a preaching service. His aim banking institution, “Have you stopped to think should be to lead so as to have the prayer­ that the locks on the vaults are no stronger meeting helpful to as many as possible. For the than the character of the employee in the bank?” pastor to take most of the time with a long That is precisely the truth. The strength of the drawn-out sermonette is not usually the part of locks is exactly equal to the strength of the wisdom. A carefully prepared prayermeeting talk character of the men who carry the keys. There or Bible reading should not be over fifteen or may be exceptions, but this is the rule. The twenty minutes in length. Do not say “a brief, greatest asset in the world, therefore, is sound ten minute talk,” and then proceed with an ad­ character. You can rely upon it absolutely and dress of thirty or forty minutes. Keep your always. Indeed, if it abounded in plenty and word with your people. everywhere, there would be .no . need for any Begin the prayermeeting.service oa~ time. Do other locks or vaults whatsoever.— Kind Words. not begin late, for your people will get into the habit of coming late. Do not drag out your How to Make the Prayermeeting Spiritual, prayermeeting until 9:30 or quarter of ten. All Instructive and Attractive things considered, it is better tor the prayermeet­ The pastor should give more than ordinary ing to close at 9 p. m. This gives time for social attention to the conducting of the prayermeet­ intercourse following the prayermeeting. ing. To rush into the prayermeeting half out of A lively, red-hot testimony meeting will quite breath and then to assume leadership without often put spirit and life into the prayer service. preparation, is ruinous and will sooner or later, But long-winded testimonies have killed many a wreck any prayermeeting. prayermeeting. Skilled leadership is needed here. The prayermeeting should be kept out of ruts. Insist upon the people obeying the leader. Sameness, night after night, soon becomes monot­ Some few things to be remembered: onous without juice or fire. That the prayermeeting is not a preaching Have a good song leader if one is available. service. ( 12) THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE 269

That the prayermeeting is not a singing school. Zion's Herald of February 22. D r. H artm an is That the prayermeeting is nol a testimony not severe but writes according to the facts. m eeting. The report gives “The Fundamentals of Athe­ That the pravermeeting is not a debating so­ ism” as follows: ciety. 1. Materialism —The doctrine that matter, That the pravermeeting is not a controversial with its indwelling property, force, constitutes m eeting. the reality of the universe. 2. Sensationalism — The doctrine that all ideas 1 hat the pravermeeting is nol a reform society. arise out of sensation, and that, therefore, man That the pravermeeting is the spiritual ther­ can have no conception of an infinite God, or of mometer of the church. ultimate causation, or of that absolute moral im­ That the pravermeeting can be. made spiritual perative which certain philosophers have made and attractive. the foundation of theism. That there are a hundred ways to improve the 3. E vo lu tio n —The doctrine that organisms are pravermeeting, providing someone will tackle not designed, but have evolved, mechanically, the job. through natural selection. That the pravermeeting is of immense import­ 4. The Existence of Evil— The patent fact that ance to the whole church. renders irrational the belief in a beneficent, om­ That “most any old thing” will not do. nipotent being who cares for man. That the preacher owes it to the church to 5. H edonism —The doctrine that happiness here have on<; of the most spiritual prayermeetings in and now should be the motive of conduct. tow n. We are still further enlightened on the genius of the association by the “Ten Demands of the Atheism Lifts Up Its Slimy Head 4A,” which are summarized as follows: Within recent years Atheism has secured quite 1. Taxation of church property. a little publicity largely because of its persist­ 2. Elimination of chaplains and sectarian in­ ency and radical, unreasonable utterances. But stitutions from public payrolls. Atheism is destined to failure because it is built 3. Abrogation of laws enforcing Christian upon the sand. It has no solid or enduring morals and restricting the rights of atheists. foundation and is wholly destructive rather than 4. Abolition of the oath in courts and at in­ constructive. It is negative rather than positive; augurations. it would completely destroy the Bible and deprive 5. Nonissuance of religious proclamations by millions of their hope in Christ; it would knock chief executives. the props from under those who lean upon the 6. Removal of “In God we trust” from coins eternal Truth, rob them of their joy in life and and of the cross from above the flag. their hope of heaven; it would completely de­ 7. Exclusion of the Bible as a sacred book stroy Christianity from the face of the earth. from the public schools. In brief, it would damn the entire world. Athe­ 8. Suppression of the bootlegging of religion ism should be avoided as one would avoid a through dismissing pupils for religious instruction viper. during school hours. The second annual report of the American 9. Secularization of marriage, with divorce Association for the Advancement of Atheism, upon request. often called simply the “4A,” has recently been 10. Repeal of anti-evolution and anti-birth issued. It would seem that this dangerous cult control laws. has launched a spirited drive against the Church, The report gives brief accounts of the spread but also against Christianity, as the officers of of atheism in schools and colleges and of the the association understand it. The report is progress of such societies as “Truth Seekers,” made up of nearly 25 large pages setting forth a “Liberal Club,” “Damned Souls,” “Society of the year's activities and of the outlook for the future. Godless,” and “The Hedonic Host of Hellbent Dr. L. 0. Hartman, the cultured and uncom­ Heathens.” It is also stated that an “Atheist promising editor of that excellent Methodist peri­ Training School” has been established in New odical, Zion’s Herald, reviews the report of the York “with meetings for the present once a 4A, in a discriminating editorial in the issue of w eek.” ( 13) 270 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE

Dr. Haitman says: “Much space in the re­ the report, before any sizable group of reputable port of the American Association for the Ad­ scholars in the world. vancement of Atheism is devoted to severe criti­ “Atheism, we also find in the report, can make cisms of the shortcomings of the Church. Some Christians look like amateurs in the field of in­ of the points are well taken, and all true follow­ tolerance. The ‘either-or’ attitude is constantly ers of Christ should be glad to admit such revealed in these pages. The heated language so faults as the ‘bloody record’ of the faith in its characteristic of those not quite sure of their persecutions and proselyting by the sword, the ground is employed again and again. The hyster­ superstitious rites and ceremonies of some sects, ical cry of ‘no quarter’ rings through the para­ the fanaticisms of extreme evangelists, the oppo­ graphs. Boldly declaring on one page that ‘it is a conservative estimate that half the clergy are sition of certain Christian leaders to the new hypocrites,’ the report whines on another page findings of science, extravagant expenditures on that atheists are slandered and persecuted! church buildings, and the narrowness, bigotry Great sportsmanship! Is it because the 4A lead­ and intolerance which frequently have character­ ers fear calm discussion that they are opposed to ized those who profess to be followers of the the plan of ‘religious instruction during school Galilean. But every human organization has its hours’ and want to see ‘In God We Trust’ re­ shortcomings, possibly even the American Asso­ moved from coins? What are the atheists afraid ciation for the Advancement of Atheism. of? The truth? Many of us, with far more information on the sins and hypocrisies within the church than the “No movement ever succeeded on a program of officers of the 4A possess, are fighting these negatives. We therefore question the method wrongs and at the same time seeking to promote employed by the 4A. From bginning to end of open-mindedness and love because we believe its second annual report we are in an atmosphere that in the large view the Church is the best of ‘antis.’ The atheists are ‘ag’in’ too much. instrument known to mankind for the promotion The constructive note is lacking. These self- of a better world. We are thankful for any appointed reformers have nothing to offer. They help that the 4A can render organized Chris­ are strong on tearing down but weak on building tianity in exposing its ignorance and iniquity, up. Not a word about hospitals, homes for provided the criticism is based on facts and not aged or incapacitated persons, no suggestions for upon hearsay, and also provided that such de­ pensions even of worn-out atheists! There is in nunciation is made in good spirit. the whole report no facing of the vast and fund­ amental questions of social and industrial reform, “The dominant weakness of the American As­ no remedy suggested for the economic situation, sociation for the Advancement of Atheism as no vigorous cry for world peace. No, the pages revealed in its report is its intellectual illiteracy. teem with denunciations, allegations of persecu­ No student at all acquainted with the history of tions, and accounts of lawsuits. human thought can resist smiling as he reads the ‘five fundamentals’; for he must instantly recog­ “In the ‘Summary of the First Year’ we note nize the system of Herbert Spencer, long since a brief history of the launching of the organiza­ discredited by the world’s modern philosophers. tion and a statement regarding suits to stop With a dogmatism that would put the ‘narrow religious instruction during school hours in Sault churchman’ to shame, the officers of the 4A Ste. Marie, Mich., and Oak Park, 111., and then throw out this moth-eaten materialism as the last read: word in human research. They apparently are “ ‘An advertising campaign was launched, with not even willing to do us the favor of presenting good results. Certain high schools and colleges their doctrine in the refined form made necessary were circularized and the first “Damned Souls by scientific research in the field of relativity and Society” was organized at Rochester (N. Y.) Uni­ the study of electrons. The atheists laugh at versity. Suit was filed against Rev. Clinton poor Christians, who claim to receive a direct Howard for libel in referring to the Rochester revelation from God, but what of those who atheists as “perverts." We were instrumental in swallow whole the deliverances of the atheist defeating the vicious attempt of the religionists pope, Charles Smith, the president of the 4A? in New York to have the Ten Commandments The ‘five fundamentals’ could not successfully be read in the public schools. When Anthony Bimba defended, in the form in w-hich they appear in was on trial in Massachuett for blasphemy we ( 14) THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE 271 offered Itgal aid. Societies with the avowed pur­ tion is worth gaining, and you may often reach pose of combating us were organized. The Su­ old hearts through young ears. preme Kingdom came out against us. The K. Don’t bawl or scream. Too much water stops K. K. offered opposition. millwheels and too much voice drowns sense. “ ‘The Junior Atheist League was established,and Thunder is harmless, lightning strikes. its best-known branch, the Society of the God­ Don’t ramble. Aim at the mark. Hit it! Stop less, was formed among high school students. and see where the shot struck and then fire an­ Suit was instituted to oust chaplains from the other broadside. Pack your sermons. houses of Congress and the army and navy. Don’t be disheartened if every sermon does Lecturers and debaters were put in the field and not save a soul. Hearts may be pierced though on the radio.’ we see not where the arrows lodge. “That is all. Now, we believe in fighting Don’t tire people out with long introductions. against injustice, but we believe also in stop­ You can spoil the appetite for dinner by too ping long enough to catch our breath for a little much thin soup. constructive work in behalf of an ignorant, bur- rionpd. sin-sick humanity.” Don’t go on after you are finished, saying, “As I said before.” If you said it before, say some­ thing else after. Let the clatter of the mill stop Don’ts for the Pulpit when the corn is ground. Don’t imitate others. Better be a poor orig­ Don’t be discouraged on stormy days. Preach inal than a fine copy. your best to small assemblies. Jesus discoursed Don’t mumble your words. Chew your food to one woman at the well, and she got all but not your language. Samaria out to hear Him next time.— S e lec ted . Don’t preach too long. Better leave the peo­ ple longing than loathing. T he Conies Don’t preach old sermons without revision. The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they Grown men look awkward in boy’s clothes. their houses in the rocks (Prov. 30: 26). Don’t indulge in mannerisms. Simplicity is Professor Leonard C. Brown, San Francisco desirable in high places—the pulpit especially. Theological Seminary, throws some light on Don’t speak in a monotone. The voice has these strange little creatures. He says, “Cony is numerous keys; play on as many as possible. generally understood to refer to the rabbit fam­ Don’t catch the pulpit twang. Talk to men in ily. The Hebrew word used in the above ref­ as natural a tone as you talk with them. erence is ‘shaphan.’ This really refers to Hyrax Don’t indulge in long pulpit prayers. Always syriacus, or rock badger. It is a little beast remember the stranger. something like a rabbit, but of a different order. Don’t introduce politics into the pulpit. He is a direct relation to the rhinoceros, but it would take hundreds of conies to equal one Don’t neglect closet prayer. The finest pipes rhinoceros in size. Conies live in clefts or cracks can give forth no music till filled with the di­ of rocks. Rabbits burrow but conies do not. vine breath. Conies eat grass. When they are out getting a Don’t scold your congregation. Attack meas­ meal a male cony stays on guard at the cleft ures and hit people only when they stand be­ in the rock and whistles a warning when danger tween you and the devil. becomes apparent. They are plentiful in Pal­ Don’t harp too much on one . string. Variety estine, especially in the highlands around Jeru­ is pleasing, and God’s Word has given ample salem and Bethlehem. Some are found in the choice of themes. Palestine country.” Don’t drop your voice at the close of a sen­ tence. Men have as much need to hear the end as the beginning. An exchange says, “Some sermons we have Don’t be satisfied without fruit. The hand heard remind us of the woman who spent all should pluck a few ears, though the sheaves have afternoon shopping. She visited a dozen depart­ to await the havest. ment stores and came ho"ne with a dime’s worth Don’t forget the boys and girls. Their atten­ of gum drops.” ( 15) 27 2 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE

Durable Clothing you, and thy shoe is not waxed old upon thy God's care never wears out. When we read, foot . . that ye may know that I am "My God supplies all your need,” we know that Jehovah your Cod” (Deut. 29:5, 6). And that, that word “all” means not only a complete sup­ surely, is a type of clothing that God’s “peculiar ply for any moment, but a continual supply for people,” the members of the body of Christ in time and eternity. God gave his “peculiar peo­ this age, have in Christ himself, with whom and ple” Israel a very practical illustration of this in whom they are to be clothed. As we “put on during their wilderness experience, when the the Lord Jesus” we find that He is the same “coats of the Israelites did not grow old for yesterday, today, and forever, and that His grace forty years.” God’s own record of this is as is always sufficient. No wonder, as someone has follows: “1 have led you forty years in the said, that “Satan cannot understand the omnipo­ wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon tence of a soul that is homed in God!”

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LIVING WATER 5. Ho! everyone that thirsteth, come (Isa.

B y J . H . J o n e s 55:1). (Gen. 2ft:to) ft. The Words of Jesui. (John 4:10: 7:37- 39; Psa. 42:1; 63:1; 143:6). I ntroduction 7. Ezekiel’s Vision (Ezek. 43:1-5). 1. Living creatures require water. 2. Esek— C ontention. C o n c lu sio n 3. Sitnah—Hatred. 1. A river went out of the garden (Gen. 4. R o -h o -b o th — Room . 2 :10). 5. A lot of little wells—most folks content. 2. He shew ed me a pure river (Rev. 22:1). 0. Springing or living w ater. 3. Water of life clear as crystal. 4. The Spirit and Bride say Come (Rev. I. I n t h e V alley 22:17). 1. He kept digging—and at last he found —glory to God ! 2. W hy some do n ot find— go on top of a SIGNS OF THE SECOND COMING hill. 3. Dig in the wrong place—Some never dig. B y C y r il A. C r o n k 4. To find—humble yourself—get down— T ext, M a tt. 2 4 :3. d ig ! Lesson, Matt. 24:3-28; 2 Tim . 3 :1 -5 . II . H o w to F lnd 1. Prophecies concerning His coming. f. The way Isaac found it—his servants 1. Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream. , dug. (D an. 2 :3 1 -4 5 ). . 2 . They might have stood and waited. 1. Babylon. Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, 3. They might have' wondered and hoped. and divisions of Roman Empire. 4. They might have looked around. 1. Never another world empire (Dan. They might have reasoned this or that. 2 :4 4 ). 6 . Oh, no!—they digged and found water. 2. Discourse by Jesus. III. T h e K in d o r W ater T h e y F ound 1. “Be not deceived” by: 1. Not a dead, stagnant pool. 1. W ars. 2. But. springing, living water. 1. All were local disputes. 3. As the hart panteth after the water 2. N ot so w ith W orld W ar. brooks. 1. Monarchies, Limited Monarchies 4. My soul thirsteth! Yea—even fainteth. and Republics engaged. (16) THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE 273

2. Pestilence. 2. A falling aw ay {2 Thes. 2 :3 ). 1. Epidemic of Influenza. 2 Christ was not divine. 1. Five times deadlier than war. 1. Worse than Catholics. (Twenty millions slain during 1. Never denied the inspiration of the war. One hundred million would Bible.

have died from influenza if it C o n c l u s io n : Everything points toward the had not been checked.) sccond coming of Christ. It behooves all to be 3. E arthquakes. ready when He comes. 1. From 1714 to 1914 there were 2.5 earthquakes. T H E M A N O F S O R R O W S 2. From 1914 to 1924 there were 13 B y W . B. W a l k e r earthquakes. T ext : Isa. 53:3. 1. (Ratio of 10 to 1. I. C h r is t w a s D espised and R e je c t e d 3. The Angel’s message (Acts 1:11). 1. Coming back as He went. “He is despised and rejected of men.” 1. Surely the day approaches rapidly. 1. Why was He despised? World Conditions. a. The Jews were disappointed in His Running to and fro (Dan. 12:4). birth. 1. Pleasure loving age (2 Tim. 3:4). b. The people were disappointed in the 1. Trains, cars, busses loaded with pleas­ manner of His life. ure seekers. 2. How He is rejected still. 2. Increase in knowledge (Dan. 12:4). a. We reject Him when we fear unpop­ 1. Heady, highminded (2 Tim. 3:4). ularity. 1. Inventions, b. We reject Him when we refuse to 1. Transportation and communication. suffer with Him. 1. Beneficial. c. We reject Him when we refuse to re­ lieve suffering. 2. Too advanced for salvation. 1. Where knowledge is harmful. II. C h r is t w a s a M an o r S orrow s 3. Degeneracy of race. (Weaker and wiser.) "A man of sorrows and acquainted with 1. Trend of modern civilization. g rief.” 1. Dress question (both sexes). 1. The occasion of His sorrows. 2. A m usem ents. a. His own life w’as sorrowful. 1. Movie, bathing beach. b. His care for others made Him sorrow­ ful. His care for bodily suffering 3. Crime. caused Him sorrow. Mental suffering 1. Average age of criminals is 19 years. caused Him sorrow. 4. C oncentration of w ealth. c. He was a man of sorrows because of 1. 90 per cent of wealth owned and con­ His contact with sin. trolled by 10 per cent of the world's 2. The reason of His sorrows. population. a. He was a man of sorrows in order to 1. Command to rich (Jas. 5:1-3). be one of us. 5. Return of Jews. b. He was the Man of Sorrows in order 1. Palestine promised to them (Gen. 13:14, to save us. 15; 17:8). 3. The way Me bore His sorrows. 1. Points to time of His coming. a. He spoke little about them. Spiritual Conditions. b. But His sorrow's did not rob Him of 1. False Doctrines (1 Tim. 4:1). His joys. 1. Christian Science, Spiritualism, etc. c. He was not impatient to be rid of His 1. Originated and owned by the devil. sorrows. 2. M odernism . d. His sorrow did not keep Him from His 1. No experience of Salvation. work. He performed His duty even 1. An impossibility. unto the end. 274 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE

PRAYER THAT CHANGES THINGS IX . T h e S a in t ’s D u t y R egarding S atan

B y R o y F . S m e e X . T h e S in n e r ’s R e l a t io n to S atan

T e x t : The effectual, fervent prayer of a X I. T h e D e s t in y o f S atan 1. In fire (Matt. 25:41). righteous man availeth much (James 5:16). 2. Bound a thousand years (Rev. 20:1-3). I ntroduction : Prayer changes things and 3. Loosed (Rev. 20:3-7). men. Our main interest should be in men. 4. Cast into the lake forever (Rev. 20:10). 1. W h a t is P rev a ilin g P r a y e r ? Take the word devil and leave off one letter 1. More than a benevolent desire. The and you have this: evil, vil(e). unsaved may have that. 2. Prevailing prayer is one that obtains the blessing sought. UNCLE BUDDY’S GOOSE 3. Some things essential to prevailing A goose that was given a preacher one day prayer. Was gladly accepted as he went his way; a. We must pray for a definite object. This preacher is poor but he never begs So they gave, this poor preacher a setting of It is easy to pray at random. Too much saying prayers. egg*. b. It must be in accord with the revealed He arrived at his house, along with his goose will of God. Submission to God is He opened the crate and turned the bird loose is essential. In the process of time, you need never fret, c. It must be from right motives. Sel­ This goose, just like others, concluded to set. fishness too often the motive. d. It must be with perseverance. Like She chose a bare place upon the hard ground, Jacob, “I will not let thee go." She gathered some sticks and whatever she e. We must pray in faith. Expect. found, She arranged them just so, she was doing her best, II. T h e P rev a ilin g P rayer is also a “ F er ­ And she set and she set with no eggs in her v e n t ” P rayer nest. 1. Ardent in feeling. Earnest. Full of fervor. Zealous. Glowing. The preacher observing this large, silly bird, III. God Does not Overlook our Character Of one with less sense he never had heard; When we Pray He got him a barrel and put in some straw, Determined to set her according to law. 1. A righteous man is one that is right with God and right with men. He called to his wife, she put in the eggs, C o n c l u s io n : A little with God cannot be They caught the old goose by both of her legs, measured. How infinite is His “m uch” ! For they were determined to set her this way, But the goose was determined that she wouldn’t stay. T H E D E V IL B y J . W . B ost She got off the nest and looking aro-und T e x t : Rev. 12:8; 20:1-2. She ivaddled right back to that bit of bare I ntroductory : Extemporary on the word ground “devil.” And there she sat down, she set and she set, I don’t know how long, she may be there yet. I. T h e E x ist e n c e o f t h e D e v il (M att. 13:19, 39; John 13:2; Acts 5:3) The moral I think you surely can see, II . T h e O r ig in of t h e D ev il (Isa. 14:12; A lesson intended for both you and me; Luke 10:18) Get off the bare ground don’t set on your legs, I II . T i ie C h aracter of t h e jD e v il (M att. 5:37). But get on the nest that is filled up with eggs. IV. T iie P o s it io n — a P r in c e — and A bode of t h e D e v il If you'd be a blessing or be of some use V. T h e D e v il ’s P o w er Don’t stay in a place where you cannot pro­ V I. T h e W ork of t h e D ev il duce; V II. T h e D e v il ’s D evices Forsake the bare ground and use yo-ur two legs V III . Satan V a n q u is h e d by C h r is t (M att. 4:11) To go to the place where are fresh fertile eggs. B y casting him out of the man in the tombs. —From “Primitive Poems,” b y C. S. L in c o ln . THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE 275

A CHURCH WITH A LARGE OPPOR­ books but few had a greater knowledge of the TUNITY—PHILADELPHIA Bible, its doctrine and theology, than he. And B y C. E. C o r n e l l the powers of his pleasing personality in the de­ livery of his messages are beyond words to por­ T e x t : 1 have set before thee an open door (Rev. 3: 8). tray. No set of notes can re-present the sermons he actually preached. He aimed at men, not I. A Church W ith a Divinely Bestowed Op­ p o r t u n i t y sermons, and always followed the leadings of the 1. “I have set . . . a door.” Spirit as to the occasion and the people before 2. “Key of David.” Door never to be shut, him . key never to be taken away. In going over his notes, I have taken the lib­ Illustration: “K ey” meaning pow er or au th ority. erty of rearranging the homiletical form some­ “The key to the situation, meaning, controlling what, though little of this was necessary. His the situation.” notes of later years seem to have been for the II. A Church that Overcame Great Obsta­ purpose of merely sketching the main points of c l e s the sermon, and with the wealth of his mind, 1. “Synagogue of Satan.” and the activity of his imagination, he preached 2. Deadly enemies near—Thyatira. with the inspiration of the Spirit, and those of us III. A Steadfast Church who heard him can testify that surely he spoke “Thou hast kept the word of my patience.” with authority and fullness, with power and 1. Our commission—a revival church. If we finish. I have W'ritten out and filled in his short­ lose this we lose all; we become non- effective. ened sentences, and have added words as I 2. Doctrine. Regeneration and entire sanc­ found necessary to fill out what I took to be his tification must be preached. We must meaning. His notes were made, not for others, do what others will not do. but for himself, and hence the difficulty en­ 3. Our own hearts must be baptized with countered at times. Many illustrations known the Holy Ghost and fire. to him, I have had to omit, since they would be Some things we might do: of no use to others who did not know them, 1. We might clean the house of the Lord especially as a name, or a few words told the and beautify the premises. whole story to him, but would mean nothing to 2. We might give more to the Church of others. They are, however, as he left them. Be­ God, and spend less on ourselves. Illustration: If 500 persons would give to mis­ lieving that these outlines will afford much help sions an additional 25c a week, it would mean to many, and prove food for study, provoke $6,000 for the year. thought, and result in more good published than IV. Reward—“Pillars” being stored away, and lost, we have culled as 1. God is sure to reward any sacrifice we best we could a number of outlines on practical, may make. “The liberal soul shall be and evangelistic subjects for the benefit of who­ m ade fat.” soever will.

SERMON BRIEFS P ra y e r of the late John T. Maybury, Superintendent (Jam es 5:16 to 18.) of the Washington Philadelphia District 1. N e c essit y o r P rayer A. N o prayer, no blessing. Prepared by his son, B y r o n H . M a y b u r y 1. Acts 1 and 2—Spirit promised—dis­ F o r e w o rd ciples prayed. If these notes are bonier than we wish, we 2. Ezek. 36:37— enqiured of— do. must remember that they are those of one who B. This principle applies to after many years of preaching found it less 1. Personal need. necessary to depend upon detailed sketches, than 2. Revival need, etc. C. If ye ask, I will do, whatsoever ask— younger men are wont to do. The richness of th a t done. his thought, the wealth of biblical knowledge I I. E f f e c t u a l P rayer is t h a t o f F a it h possessed by the man, and the aptness of his A. “I will send rain” (1 Kings 18:1). illustration are lost to us. He was one of the B. The prayer of faith is simply this, we be­ outstanding Bible preachers in our connection. lieve God will be true to His promise— Others may have had a greater command of other “His words abide in us”—John. (19) 276 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE

III. E f fe c t u a l P rayer is t h a t o f R ig h t e o u s or P ow er of G od (vs. 18, 24, c. f. 2:5') J u s t M an W isdom of G od (v. 21, 24 c. f. 2 :7 ). A. Jam es 5 :16. Cross in type (Gen. 3). B. Elijah was an obedient man of God. (Exod. 12). IV. F or a D e f in it e P u rpo se Prophecy (Psa. 22). A. R ain. History—Gospels and Epistles. B. If ye ask anything—I will do it. Thoughts. V. U n t ir in g P rayer Cross on a hill, so on top of the best in human. A. Cloud did not appear immediately. Princes did not know wisdom. B. Kept on. As state line marks where you leave a state V I. E x pec ta n t P rayer behind, and stretches out before you, so at cross A. Said to hi? servant—go again seven time?. you leave world and enter the heavenlies. Not theology but life and power. Pilgrimage to Heaven Gal. 6:14—two works (out of world. A braham (world out of you. 1. The CALL—from God. Crucifixion. 2. The Command—leave all. 3. The Covenant—protection, preservation. Matthew 5;20 4. The Condition—simple trust. 1, W h a t W as t h e R ighteousness of t h e 5. The Compliance—he journeyed. P h a r is e e s ? 6. T he C onversion proved by A. Church membership (Matt. 23:2). a. The tent B. Having and holding Scriptures (Romans 1). The altar 3:2 and 0:4). c. P rayer. C. Prayer—in temple—long, etc. 1). Tithing and alms (Luke 18). Remember Lot’s Wife E. Fasting (Luke 18). (Luke 17:32, F. Morality (Luke 18). I ntroduction . I t is a mercy th a t G od w arn s G. External separation in dress, etc. (Matt. of retribution as rocks and shoals are charted for 23:5). the mariner. II. B ib l e T e a c h es to E xpect D ispl a y of V ain I. R e m e m b e r H er S urroundings ! R elig io n A. Sin is alluring (Gen. 13:10). A. Jam es 1:26 and 3:6. II. R e m e m b e r H er D a n g e r ! B. 2 T im . 3:3. A. In a condemned city—no sinner in con­ C. Gal. 5:4. demned world. D. Rev. 18:4. h e r e in u st ur ighteousness x III. R e m e m b e r H er W a r n in g ! H I. W M O R E ­ A. Escape—delay not—look not behind. ceed T h e ir ’s ? IV. R e m e m b e r H er D e l a y ! A. In its life and power. A. Angels hastened Lot. Procrastination 1. Gal. 5:6. perilous. 2. R om . 13:8-10. V. R e m e m b e r H er D isobedience ! 3. M ark 12:28-34. A. Looked back. IV . H oly G h o s t R e l ig io n t h e O n l y K in d VI. R e m e m b e r H er D o o m ! A. R om . 5:5. A. Your danger is not less. B. Born, led, filled with Spirit. C o n c l u s io n . Above the doomed city of sin C. Are you? towers the mountain of mercy. 1. See Rom. 8:16. 2. 1 Cor. 2:12. Miscellaneous Notes 3. Heb. 10:15. Founded on 1 Cor. 1:18. Cross stands for threefold death to A COMMERCIAL COMPARISON ( wisdom Mark 8:37, etc. Human ( power —as a factor in salvation, I ntroduction . We live in the most commercial (righteousness as;e of the w orld’s history. (Foolishness of God, wiser, etc. Note trade words: Gain and loss; profit and Proof (Weakness of God, stronger, etc. exchange. (Faith should not stand in wisdom of I l l u s * r a t io n . A s comparative exchanging of (m en, etc. real estate. Christ is all, getting Christ you get wisdom, etc. 1. W h a t is t h e V a lu e o f T h is W o r l d ? Call of God (v. 26 c. f. 18). A. S700 billions is material value. ( 20 ) THE PREACHERS MAGAZINE 277

B. But note limitations thereto: THE FAVORITE SON 1. Can’t get clear title. B y W . B. W a l k e r 2. Can’t insure (against fire). Joseph was the son of Jacob. He was the son 3. Can’t enjoy (only one suit and pair of his father’s old age. It was very natural that shoes at a tim e ). his father was so foolish about him. W'e shall 111. J. D. Rockefeller spends IS cents consider a few things concerning Joseph’s char­ a day for food. acter. 4. Doesn’t satisfy, illus. Alexander. 5. C an ’t retain. Illus. Undertaker. I. H is E a r l y U npopularity N o t e . T he proposition is, to balance tip He was not as popular as Santa Claus. merits of exchanging soul for world, and 1. He was his father’s favorite, which is a vice versa. heavy load for any child to bear. He lived in a I I . W h a t is t h e V a l u e o f t h e S o u l ? family where there were four sets of children. A. Note its immortality (Luke 16, etc.). He was the son of Rachel, who was Jacob’s wife. B. C apacity. 2. Joseph was a talebearer. He looked with 1. T o do. unconcealed contempt upon his half-brothers 2. T o know . who were the sons of the housemaids. We read, 3. To choose. "He brought unto his father their evil report” C. Its cost to redeem (of God's estimate). (Gen. 37:2). The tattler in school and on the Wind, w'ater, fire, blood. street is in contempt. 3. This young man also had his share of self- III. C o n c l u s io n conceit. He had his day-dreams. He told his A. Choose you. brothers that he would be the tallest sheaf in B. This meeting a life boat, will you step in ? the field. In these expressions we have all the in­ gredients for a family explosion. Any young man THE CROSS OF CHRIST who is a favorite son, and a talebearer, and is tilled with self-conceit, he has in him the sulphur, 1 Cor. 1:17. the saltpeter, and the charcoal, which make up (Preached at Richmond. Va., October 10, 1020.) gunpowder, which is likely to blow him up at I ntroduction . Corinth a Greek city. any tim e.

Paul a diminutive Jew with an unpopular II. J o s e p h W as S e n t E a r l y i n L i f e to t h e message. S c h o o l o f A d v e r s it y Cross appointed (Exod. 12 and Psa. 2 2 ). He took all the grades in the commonest of all I . P e c u l ia r P o w e r o f t h e C r o s s common schools. He was under the tuition of A. Not the power of (worldly) wisdom. struggle and difficulty. His college colors were 1 . There is a great power in wisdom. black and blue, because the lessons were learned —Edison, Ford, surgery, science, etc. by hard knocks. B. Not the power of religion. He was tried in three different ways: 1. Eucharistic congress. 1. By being sold as a slave boy into Egypt. 2. Mohammedan, praying toward Mecca, His brothers said we will sell him, and his life etc. will gradually be worn away in hard toil. The C. God’s power. same is being done in the factories of today. The D. God’s plan, not according to man’s. pace is so sharp that the man in middle life can­ not hold his job. Then he will be cast aside I I . P r e a c h in g o f t h e C ro ss for younger men. This same hellish practice still A. By one converted from the world. holds back part of the working girls’ wages and 1. See 2 Cor. 2 :1 0 an d c. f. Gal. 1 (not keeps her so close to the danger line that she after man). must be well fortified to keep her virtue. The a. In manner received. voice oj Judah is still heard in the land. b. Matter, illus. Koran, etc. 2. Joseph was also tested by the accusations B. Offends carnality. of an evil-minded woman. He was a house serv­ 1. To Greek foolishness. ant in Potiphar’.s house. We are told that the 2. To Jew stumbling block, etc. "Lord was with Joseph and he was a prosperous See Gal. S. Why—persecution? etc. man.” He was a man of principle wherever he C. Power of God. was placed. 1. To save and sanctify, A rich Harvard student was in the dormitory e. g. Greek architect, of that institution shaving one morning in his e. g. Roman maiden, room with the door open. A wretched woman of e. g. English saints. the street slipped into his room. She closed the ( 21) 278 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE

rloor behind her and backed against it. and said a bell over this rock in such a way that it was to the young man, “Give me fifty dollars in­ swung by the motion of the waves. stantly or I will scream for help.” The young When the rock was hid by the tempest’s swell, man looked around and said, “Yell away.” The mariners heard the warning bell. 3. He was also tested by the ingratitude of those whom he had befriended. In prison he did One day Ralph the rover in sport not for one moment give up his hope for advance­ Cut the warning bell from its float, ment. His instructors were faithful. Their names And sailed away and scoured the seas were Prof. Difficulty, Prof. Adversity, and Dr. For many a day. Discipline. Returning richly laden, he finds himself near the Joseph did not spend his days behind the bars Scottish shore in laziness and in crime. In the fog and in the swell of a gale. a. He so conducted himself in prison that he won the confidence of the warden and was made “Cans’t hear,” says one, “the breakers roar? a kind of overseer among the prisoners. From yonder methinks should be the shore." b. He also won the regard and confidence of “Now, where w»e are I cannot tell, the prisoners by his sympathetic interest in their But I wish we could hear the Inchcape bell.” welfare. When they were perplexed they came They were wrecked on the very rock where to him. But Joseph was forgotten by the butler. they had destroyed the warning bell. This was ingratitude to the dregs. The mills So with every one who fails to heed the warn­ of the gods grind slowdy, but surely. ing G od’s W ord. I II. J o s e p h W a s A d v a n c ed t o t h e T h r o n e o f E g y p t The way to the throne was slow but sure. SOME PREACHED SERMON OUTLINES Thirteen years of discipline was sufficient to pre­ ON PENTECOST pare him for the second position in the land. B y B a s il W . M il l e r Character ripens in adversity. The most delicious The Meaning of Pentecost apples grow where the cold weather is the most T e x t : And when the day of Pentecost was severe. 1. This man owed his ultimate success to the fu lly come (Acts 2:1). fact that he w'as a man of vision. When he was I ntroduction : This year there has been con­ sold into slavery his mind was busy in studying siderable talk concerning the foundation of the the stars. Church, and its empowerment. Much has been 2. Joseph was a man “in whom the Spirit of preached and more written on this important sub­ God is.” That was Pharaoh’s verdict when Jo­ ject. Let us go back to the fundamental issue seph skilfully interpreted his dreams. To reach of this great experience. Note: the throne of success it is very necessary to have 1. T h e N e e d o f P e n t e c o s t . This stands out the Spirit of God within. paramount among the needs of the age. (1) 3. He was also a man of faith. He had faith in God. He believed God was an almighty Cre­ Ten thousand churches last year did not have a ator who could overrule in the providences of his single convert. This weakened spiritual condi­ life. He also had faith in his fellows. He tion indicates a need of this experience. (2) had not lost faith in his brethren. And he had The general spiritual decline in church and state, faith in himself. and the moral breakdown indicate also this need. (3) Finally, the “let-down” among holiness peo­ MALIGNANT UNBELIEF ple concerning things which once they held as B y C . E . C o r n e l l vital moreover shows the need of Pentecost.

T e x t : Mark 3:20-30. 2. T h e H e a r t o f P e n t e c o s t . The essence of 1. There is a point on the Niagara River called Pentecost is: (1) A heart of divine love. God Past Redemption Point. When once a boat or is love. To His children H e imparts His nature— individual has passed this point, there is no hope love. The 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians is the for them. They are doomed to dash over the heart of Pentecost. (2) It is a heart aflame with falls below. divine zeal. Study the first pentecostal experi­ 2. Those w;ho refuse to heed the warnings of ence—zeal for souls, zeal at the cost of life, prop­ the Bible are doomed to destruction. Better take erty, etc. (3) Finally, it is a heart of purity. w arning. Purity is the foundation of Pentecost. Purity I llustration : “The Inchcape Rock,” Southey’s Poem . comes through the incoming of the Spirit in The Holy Abbot of Averbrothock had placed sanctification. ( 21) THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE 279

3. T h e S u c c ess o r P e n t e c o s t . Pentecost suc­ witnesses. Power came then, and power always ceeds. It will revitalize the dying churches. (1) comes today through this experience of Pentecost, The experience succeeded at the memorable day which we term sanctification. Moody before of Pentecost. Three thousand converted—the sanctification was powerless—but when Pentecost church scattered to the ends of the earth. (2) came upon him, he moved the nations of the it succeeded in the Wesleyan revival. The Meth­ earth. The story is the same—Finney, Bresee, odist church was raised up to scatter holiness “to Inskip, Phcebe Palmer. The powerful church is the ends of the earth.” Pentecost as an experi­ the pentecostal church, the church which is bap­ ence brought about the progress of that “holi­ tized by the Holy Spirit and fire. ness church.” (3 ) Pentecost succeeded in the C o n c l u s i o n : Pentecost must be sought after early days of the holiness movement which gave as a definite experience which shall come person­ rise to the Church of the Nazarene. (4) Pente­ ally upon the soul and purify the entire nature. cost will succeed today—if our churches will experience it. Seek for it through sanctification, through the incoming, purifying, empowering Holy ILLUSTRATIVE MATERIAL Spirit. Prepared by J . G l e n n G o u ld C o n c l u s i o n : Pentecost is the one need of the Devotion to the Death church. It will inflame the hearts of pulpit and Some years ago I was a guest at a small wed­ pew alike with a new zeal. It will bring re­ ding dinner party in New York City. A Scotch- vivals, spread the kingdom, build up the waste Irish gentleman, well known in that city, an old places. frend, spoke across the table to me. He said he had heard recently a story of the Scottish hills The Essence of Pentecost that he wanted to tell. And we all listened as T e x t : And when ike day of Pentecost was he told this simple tale. I have heard it since fu lly com e (Acts 2:1). from other lips, variously told. But good gold

I ntroduction : On every hand the question is shines better by the friction of use. And I w7ant being asked, What is Pentecost? What message to tell it to you as my old friend from the does it have for the modern church? What ele­ Scotch end of Ireland told it that evening. ments go to make it up? I s it an experience to It was of a shepherd in the Scottish hills who be possessed today? Let us briefly answer such had brought his sheep back to the fold for the questions. night, and as he was arranging matters for the L The Personal Element of Pentecost. night he was surprised to find that two of the Note the reading, “And it sat upon each of sheep were missing. He looked again. Yes, th em ” (A cts 2 :3 ) . Pentecost is nothing unless two were missing. And he knew which two. it is personal. It is not a mass movement in its These shepherds are keen to know their sheep. origin; but it begins in the heart of the individ­ He was much surprised, and went to the out­ ual, They prayed together—but they wrere bap­ house of his dwelling to call his collie. tized with the Spirit separately, or as individuals. There she lay after the day’s work suckling It must be sought personally, as a definite experi­ her own little ones. He called her. She looked ence, through the incoming of the Spirit of sanc­ up at him. He said, “Two arc missing”—holding tification. up two . fingers—“Away by, Collie, and , get

. 2. ■ .The. P urity. o f P e n t e c o s t . Again note the them.” Without moving, she looked up into reading, “Tongues as of fire” (Acts 2 :3 ) . T hro u g h ­ , his face, as though she. would say, “You out the Bible fire is a symbol of refining, purify­ wouldn’t send me out again tonight?—it’s been ing. He shall sit as a refiner, a- purifier. Pente­ a long day—I’m so tired-—not again tonight.” cost comes as an experience to purify the soul. So her eyes seemed to say. And again as many This is where most seekers after Pentecost fail— a time doubtless, “Away by, and get the sheep,” they want the power, but are unwilling to pay he said. And out she went. the price for the purity. No power comes, with­ About midnight a scratching at the door out first experiencing the purity. aroused him. He found one of the sheep back. 3. T h e P o w e r of P e n t e c o s t . Read through He tared for it. A bit of warm food, and the the entire chapter and note the success of the like. Then cut again to the outhouse. There witnessing. Jesus said that they should be His the dog lay with her little ones. Again he ( 23) 280 THE PREACHERS MAGAZINE called her. She looked up. “Get the other that with a frail body that often failed him, sheep,” he said. I do not know if you men he flogged himself into service. His spirit was listening are as fond of a good collie as I am. in his body like a flame, and, if I may so put it, Their eyes seem human to me, almost, some­ it burned the body out. He was always work­ times. And hers seemed so as she looked up ing and planning beyond his physical endur­ and seemed to be saying out of their great ance. His very eagerness and the flash of his depths—“Not again—tonight?—haven’t T been spirit were his own enemy.”—C. H. N a b e r s . faithful?—I’m so tired—not again!” And again as many a time before, “Away by. Christ’s Only Plan and get the sheep.” And out she w'ent. About Somebody has supposed the scene that he two or three, again the scratching. And he thinks may have taken place after Jesus went found the last sheep back; badly torn; been back (to heaven). The Master is walking down down some ravine or gully. And the dog was the golden street one day, arm in arm with plainly played. And yet she seemed to give a Gabriel, talking intently, earnestly. Gabriel is bit of a w'ag to her tired tail as though she saying: would say, “There it is—I’ve done as you bade "Master, you died for the whole world down me—it’s back. there, did you not ?” And he cared for its needs, and then before “Y es.” lying down to his own rest, thought he would “You must have suffered much,” with an go and praise the dog for her faithful work. earnest look into that great face with its unre­ You know how sensitive collies are to praise movable marks. or criticism. He went out and stooped Over “Yes,” again comes the answer in a won­ with a pat and a kindly word, and was startled drous voice, very quiet, but strangely full of to find that the life-tether had slipped its hold. deepest feeling. She lay there lifeless, with her little ones tug­ “And do they all know about it?” ging at her body. "Oh, no! Only a few in Palestine know That was only a dog. We arc men. Shall about it so far." I apologize for using a dog for an illustration? “Well, Master, what’s your plan? What have No. I will not. One of God’s creatures, hav­ you done about telling the world that you died ing a part in His redemption. That w'as to for, that you have died for them? What’s save sheep. You and I are sent, not to save your plan?” sheep, but to save men. H ow m uch then is a “Well,” the Master is supposed to answer, m an better than a sheep, or anything else?—S. “I asked Peter and James and John, and little D. G o r d o x . Scotch Andrew, and some more of them dowm there just to make it the business of their lives Spending Oneself for God to tell others, and the others are to tell others, Dr. James Black recently paid a tribute to and the others others, and yet others, and still Dr. John Kelman, late pastor of Fifth Avenue others, until the last man in the farthest circle Presbyterian church, New York. He said, “I has heard the story and has felt the thrilling am speaking of him, and loving him, for the and thralling power of it." heroic use he made of his great gifts, often in­ And Gabriel knows us folks down here pretty deed amidst weakness and w'ith a frail body well. He has had more than one contact with that was sometimes a drag to his soul. In this, earth. He knows the kind of stuff in us. And I think, he had some of the dominance of spirit he is supposed to answer, w-ith a sort of hesi­ that distinguished Robert Louis Stevenson, tating reluctance, as though he could see diffi­ whom he loved and whom he so much resem­ culties in the working of the plan, “Yes—but— bled. I remember speaking with him, many suppose Peter fails. Suppose after a while John years ago, at a big meeting in Edinburgh. He sim ply does not tell others. Suppose their de­ looked so tired and wan in the committee room scendants, their successors away off in the first before the meeting that I inquired anxiously edge of the twentieth century, get so busy about about him. He turned to me with that quick things—some of them proper enough, some may smile of his and said, ‘Man, I am flogging my­ not be quite so proper—that they do not tell self to this.’ That is one secret of his bigness, others—ichat then?” ( 24) THE PREACHERS MAGAZINE 281

A nd b a c k comes that quiet wondrous voice I Will Fear no Evil, for Thou Art with Me ol Jesus, “Gabriel, I haven't made any other A man got up in a meeting to speak. It was plans— I’m counting on them.”— S. D. G o rd o n ’. down in Rhode Island, out a bit from Providence. He was a farmer, an old man. He had become Prayer Answered by God’s Providences a Christian late in life, and this evening was While God cannot consistently save certain ones at present, He can, bless His name! keep telling about his start. He had been a rough, bad them within the reach of salvation—He can man. He said that w'hen he became a Christian surround them so graciously that the end will even the cat knew that some change had taken be reached by and by. place. That caught my ear. It had a genuine Let me bring this instance from my own life ring. which I regard as an illustration of this matter. He said that the next morning after the change I was converted when some past twenty-one of purpose he was going down to the village a years of age. I ought to have yielded to God many years before. I had a chance. Gracious little distance from his farm. He swung along influences were about me. But 1 resisted. the road, happy in heart, singing softly to him- When about eighteen years old I was kicked selt, and thinking about the Savior. All at once by my horse. He put his heel squarely in my he could feel the fumes coming out of a saloon face. The only apparent reason why I w'as not ahead. He couldn’t see the place yet, but his killed was that it was a “spent blow”—had I keen trained nose felt it. The odors came out been an inch nearer him, he would have finished strong and gripped him. me. As it was, it knocked me down, cut my He said he was frightened, and wondered how cheek and chin (the scars I now have) broke he could get by. He had never gone by before, several teeth, and left me bleeding and uncon­ lie said; always gone in; but he couldn’t go in scious. now. But what to do, that was the rub. Then W h y was I not killed? Let m e answer and he smiled, and said, “I remembered, and I said, I say God in His infinite mercy and ministry prevented! He had not been able to bring me ‘Jesus you’ll have to come along and help me to repentance, but He could (and I humbly be­ get by, I never can by myself.’ ” And then in lieve did) surround me by His good providences his simple, illiterate way he said, “and lie come and protect my life and health till I would — and vie. went by, and we've been going by ever repent.—C. J. F o w l e r . since.”— S . D. G o r d o n .

PRACTICAL

A SUGGESTION ture. I would not say that the proper care of

B y H a ro ld C. J o h n s o n the body was as necessary as the proper care of the soul, for if I had to choose one of the two HERE are two conditions that must exist I would choose a healthy soul a hundred times with any preacher in order for him to be quicker than 1 would a healthy body. But with­ successful. One is soul health and the T out a shadow of a doubt it is right and religious other is physical health. That is, he must have to take proper care of the body, for it is the a vital experience of salvation and a normal greatest of all earthly tabernacles, and the sown healthy body. Many of our preachers today are seed of neglect will result in much suffering failures because of their need not of soul health and a shortened life. And the more good health so much as physical health. And very often and strength you enjoy the more careful you their broken physical condition is due to their ought to be to retain it, for God has given it to neglect of some of the fundamental laws of na­ you, to be used for His glory. 282 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE

James Oliver Curwood, that great literary man paragraph of a dozen lines, keeping at it until I (not genius, for lie obtained his ability in the thought my head would split, but determined to school that brings perspiration and blood from get the effect I wanted now or never.” the brows of its students—work is its name), How many of us preachers are that careful in writes the following: “In order that my work the preparation of our sermons. Certainly if a shall be as good as I can make it, I keep myself man will put forth that much mental energy physically and mental]}' fit. I rise from my bed to prepare a novel, we ought to work equally as at sirf o’clock every morning of my life, seven hard to prepare our messages. days a week, when I am at home, except in Let us notice how this man spends the rest of spring and summer, when I may rise an hour the day. He says, “I am at my typewriter from earlier. I immediately drink two large glasses two to three and a half hours doing original of water. After the calisthenics I take a shower, wrork, and as my dinner is at twelve o’clock I finishing with cold water. Then I have my have just about enough time in which to stretch breakfast, which usually consists of a half bowl myself and walk briskly for a few blocks. This of bran with cream and milk. I walk for no dinner with occasional exceptions is very largely longer than ten minutes, but as fast as I can, as of vegetables and green stuffs, with dairy prod­ slow walking is no exercise at all, and am at ucts and nuts furnishing the necessary proteins in my studio ready for work at half past seven.” the place of meats. I return immediately to my It seems to me that if a man will be so con­ studio, and until half past four my time is occu­ sistent as this in the care of his body, in order pied in dictation, plotting and planning tomor­ to make of himself a successful novelist, surely row’s work, reading, editing, gathering facts for a preacher ought to be as careful in order to the skeletons of future work and attending to the make himself as successful as possible in the hundred and one details which come up in an work of God. The preacher who drags himself authors’ life, as in any other man's.” The rest out of bed at eight or nine o’clock, neglects these of the day he says is taken up in wholesome simple body builders and then starts out with recreation and before bed he takes from five bacon and eggs and possibly a cup of coffee or to ten minutes of brisk calisthenics. two inside of him. is not making himself as Mr. Curwood’s brilliant success as a writer is efficient in the work of God as he could and due In a great extent to his proportional care of should. mind and body. Truly every preacher can get The novelist continues. “Arriving at my studio some good suggestions from this man’s life in the at half past seven, I have a fifteen minutes’ c6n- preparation and executing of his own daily pro­ ference with my secretary', then disconnect my gram. Let us do everything possible to make telephone, lock my doors, and from eight until ourselves more efficient and better qualified to eleven-thirty bury myself in my work.” If do the great work of the Master. every preacher that reads this would adopt such a plan, spend three hours and a half every morn­ DEPARTMENT OF EXCHANGES ing in prayer and study, no doubt better ser­ AND SUGGESTIONS mons would be preached and more success in the work of the Lord, be accomplished. And now B y B a s il W . M il l e r the novelist says, “There are mornings when this work comes easily and spontaneously and many others when I seem to drag forth my thoughts FROM MY BOOK SHELF word by word.’ And so will there come morn­ S e r m o n R e a d in g M a t e r ia l that is helpful, ings with you, my fellow-minister, when it will enlightening, and yet of the workshop nature is be hard to pray and difficult to study, but deter­ scarce these days. Last month I ran across sev­ mination of purpose will result in abundant re­ eral books of this most delightful type. While I ward. Mr. Curwood continues, “Yes I have am unable to recommend all that the authors say, found that spontaneity, in my case, has almost still one finds some most beneficial suggestions in never meant best work; in other words, the more them. One of these is What To Preach, by Henryr I find it necessary to concentrate and toil the Sloan Coffin. Dr. Coffin, as we know, is presi­ more finished and satisfactory is the work which dent of the Union Theological Seminary, here in results. I have spent an entire forenoon on one New York City. For the past number of years ( 26) THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE 283 he has lectured to preachers studying in Union This is ethics—religion or salvation working it­ and Columbia University. While much that he self out in character. There may be a danger of says is tinctured with modernism, still he lays emphasizing the great crises of the experience of a true line on the various types of preaching. His salvation to the utter exclusion of the ethical or chapters proved so stimulating that I will outline character element. Note along this line the sub­ them briefly. It may be well to note that these title of Dr. Williams’ book on “Sanctification.” chapters were delivered to a number of the lead­ It is the ethics of the experience—this is man’s ing seminaries both here and in Scotland. relation as a sanctified being to his fellow-men. In his chapter on Expository Preaching he lays Run through in your mind the many subjects the foundation of all preaching in the Bible. Con­ which w'e have never used on ethical lines—my cerning the use of a text, or a longer passage, he neighbor and myself, my ethical relationship to says, “A text seems to have three uses: (1) It the church brethren, etc. Coffin notes a line keeps a preacher in line with the historic spiritual on “Wisdom’s Ways,” such as in Friendship, Con­ past. (2) It sums up in a striking and memor­ versation, Hospitality, Self-control, Business Life, able form the main point of his message. (3) Social Life. The book of James, or that of It almost invariably enriches the sermon from Proverbs will furnish texts galore for such ethical the wealthy life with God in the the Bible.” He sermons. Think of the field opened up in such makes the oft repeated remark that every preacher a theme as “A Christian’s LTse of His Posses­ should keep a note book beside his Bible, and sions.” Here are sermons on His Health, His jot down every suggestive text, and add a theme Abilities, His Wealth, etc. On the “Virtues of to it for future use. After all most of our ser­ a Humble Life” furnish many happy morning ser­ mons are born from illuminated texts, or gripping mons. passages, or alluring themes. A new key was struck in the lecture on Pas­ The second chapter deals with Doctrinal toral Preaching. We have never heard it named Preaching. Herein many of us fail altogether. in this manner before, but here is certainly un­ Two extremes seem to mark most doctrinal ser­ explored territory for us preachers. Themes such mons which we have heard: Either they become as “The Churchmanship of Jesus,” “His Loyalty dry, bone-dry as a lecture on theology, or shal­ to the Temple,” “His Responsibility to the Syna­ low without the backbone of doctrine. But we gogue” open a mine of religious thoughts which need doctrinal sermons which are interesting, yet should be struck,home to the hearts of the con­ powerful in their dogmatic elements. Coffin says, gregation on “The Church as an Institution.” "We are surfeited w'ith what are termed ‘in­ Various sermons could be worked out, or spirational sermons'—exhortations with a maxi­ “prayed down,” such as “A Soul Saving Institu­ mum of heat and a minimum of light.” The tion.” “A Teaching Institution,” “A Missionary true sermon as the Editor of The Preacher’s Institution,” etc. Themes along lines of personal Magazine points out “consists of both light and responsibility, through attendance, tithing, loyal­ heat”—truth and inspiration, or shall we say, ty, and so on, make excellent starting points for doctrine and exhortation. Horace Bushnell the growth of pastoral preaching. We are build­ wrote, “Preaching is nothing but the bursting out ers of the kingdom, and this comes best, as of light, which has first burst in or up from where Jesus indicated, through the building of the God is, among the soul’s foundations.” One can church. The Church is Jesus’ way of extending easily plan a series of doctrinal sermons which the kingdom. If we preach on various other will cover all our fundamental positions, but still lines of religious thought, doctrine, ethics, evan­ add such “fire of enthusiasm” as will “put them gelism, then why not give more attention to pas­ over with the congregation.” We ministers must toral activities? give the people a rich subsoil of doctrine, and The final lectures on the series is devoted to then add the inspiration. Evangelistic Preaching. There are two general The chapter on Ethical Preaching struck me as types of preaching—that which aims at personal a new line. We preach theology, doctrine, in­ commitment to Jesus, or the salvation of the spiration, but in the w'ild rush to be in tune with soul, and that which seeks to build up those either the older style of preaching or the newer who have already found Jesus as their Savior. method of brief inspirational addresses, we are We cannot forget the first type of ministry, or wont to forget the relationship of man to man. what we term evangelistic preaching. I have 284 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE been struck recently while reading the sermons the average. Dr. Reisner of the New York of numbers of our outstanding preachers of the Broadway Temple has employed an unusual land. Through them all rings the evangelistic scheme for a special service during the hot days note. The messages may vary. Some are a little of July or August. The plan started while he “off color” as to the type of evangelistic ser­ was pastor in Denver. One summer he brought mons we are accustomed to hearing; while others a car load of snow from the mountains nearby are old-fashioned in their nature and appeal. and piled it around the pulpit, and as a result Still through them all sounds the call to accept those from the hot countries round about flocked Jesus. Read for instance “The Old Gospel at to the “snow service.” This summer he is work­ the Heart of the Metropolis,” by the late John ing the same plan in New York City. Artificial Roach Straton, sermons preached at the Calvary snow is piled around the pulpit, and huge blocks Baptist church in New York City, or Dr. Daniel of ice, with flowers frozen in them, are stood Poling’s “Adventures in Evangelism,” preached nearby. The program is started by singing, in the same city. They strike the old, old note “Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.” of “yielding to Jesus.” The gospel preacher at After which Dr. Reisner preaches from the text the heart must be evangelistic. in Job 20:13, “As snow in the time of harvest, Dr. Coffin says that we should select for the so i« a faithful messenger.” Of course the pro­ work of evangelism, two types of themes, great gram throughout is builded around the idea of ones, and m oving ones. These shall not be trivial snow, and its message to the soul. or light, but the tremendous themes and texts Then recently while in our assembly at Cleve­ of the Word, and ones which will tend to move land, Ohio, the Young People’s Society of this men to Jesus. The text should be either haunting church presented a program based upon the idea or wooing—texts which cannot be easily shaken of auctioning off children to the highest bidder. off the mind. “Be sure your sins will find you It was advertised as “The Auction.” R. G. out”—how haunting this is. “Greater love hath Hampe acted as the auctioneer. Several children no man than this”—how wooing can this be were seated on the platform, who were to be made. auctioned off. In the audience a number of peo­ In conclusion may we note: First, our sermons ple were seated who formed the bidders, each m ust be challenging, worthy of the attention, not one in turn arose and representing some type of light, frothy, but such as will stir the souls, en­ life, such as pleasure, business, morality, and gage the mind, and move the life to action. Sec­ finally Christianity, spoke and gave their bids. ond, we should viv ify our preaching. Paint pic­ The children went to Christianity. The program tures in your preaching. Note how Jesus did proved quite interesting throughout. This is an this. He was out-of-doors all the time in the adaptation of Roy L. Smith’s “Auction” as given use of illustrations, and the deft drawing of pic­ in his “Plays and Pageants for Pulpit Use.” tures. The prodigal son—what a soul stirring Bill Stidger made it a practice during the sum­ picture this is! Ofttimes we are satisfied by mer months to sing old songs which would sug­ making our messages less vivid with the thought gest the out-of-doors. Some nights he would se­ that we are being deep. While a deep sermon lect songs of water, the sea, such as “There is a may not be very vivid, still a shallow and muddy Wideness in God’s Love,” “On Jordan’s Stormy one would rank about the same. Some writer Banks I Stand,” etc. Then he would speak on put it thus: “What the preachcr cannot vivify some such topic as “The Sea of Life.” The idea let him leave out." of the mountains will work in very well with I "think—while certainly I do not agree with such a program for the mid-week service. The the theology of the writer—it would be a pleasure central idea could be “As the mountains are to sit under Dr. Coffin through a course of lec­ round about Jerusalem." The songs could be tures on the noble art of preaching. He so lec­ those of the mountains, as “From Greenland’s Icy tures here in New York City every winter. Mountains,” or “Beulah Land,” where it runs, “I am dwelling on the mountains.” “Lilies of the METHODS THAT HAVE WORKED Valley” could also be used for a midweek prayer S p e c ia l S e r v ic e s f o r t h e S u m m e r have been service. The song could be “The Lily of the worked out by various pastors throughout the Valley.” The text, “Consider the Lilies.” Such country as a means to keep the attendance up to programs as these must be made entirely spiritual. ( 2 8 ) THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE 285

without the bizarre, the clank of the adventurous. It is ofttimes a good thing to have the choir They must be in a natural setting, where the sing a verse of some song, and then tell the story pecple can enter into the spirit of the songs and of the composition of this hymn. My little book the message. Many of our V. P. S. are using on Stories of Sacred Songs, though small in size, such for their services. We must remember that can work in well with such a song service. Have our goal is twofold: that of saving the soul, and you ever tried to have the congregation sing the of throwing around that saved soul such influ­ benediction? Or have you asked the pianist, or ences and environments as will cause it to ma­ where we have one, the organist, play some such ture in Christian graces. old hymn as “Sweet Hour of Prayer” very softly while the benediction was being pronounced? This works well, and leaves the impression of the S p e c ia l S in g in g if worked wisely can add song on the audience. Personally, I like to read much to the spirit of the service. We must do my scripture lesson while the piano or organ is all in our power to create a spiritual and an allur­ being played. It subdues the spirit of the meet­ ing atmosphere. We are not to close up like ing, and seems to create a worshipful atmosphere. rlams, and be selfish, and lose a vision of reaching If the church is so arranged, different lighting out to attract others to our gospel. In this ag­ effects can well be used with the song service. gressive program isinging has a needful place. Colored lights thrown on the choir or special Antiphonnl singing can be used to good advantage singer, or quartet, with the lights of the build­ in the meetings. Put a soloist in your basement ing out. create a good effect. and let him or her sing one verse, say, of "Rock of Ages.” Then let the choir answer with the second verse. Then outside through a window, A C h u r c h S lo g a n for advertising literature let a quartet sing the third verse. The plan and is a g o o d thing for the church, “The Friendly the song can be varied. A junior choir can tit Church,” "The Revival Church,” “The Old- into this nicely. fashioned Church,” “The Church with the Cor­ Another plan that can be worked is to have a dial Welcome,” are just a few of the more com­ soloist or a quartet sing some old hymn along m o n ones. But a new thought came recently the line of the message, and while they do so, and that was why not have some type of con­ have the congregation hum softly. Homer Rode- test in the Church school, or the Y. P. S. to select heaver visited our Pittsburgh District Assembly the slogan for the church ? A gripping slogan last month, and sans for us. One thing struck has brought to our attention various wares of the me forcibly. He sang some old Southern melody, manufacturers. “Not a Cough in a Car Load." and had the congregation hum during the time. brings the story of a cigarette to us. “There’s One can turn out all the lights of the church, and a Reason” is the story of Grapenuts, and on with one light trained on the singer, let him sing through the list. S o why not drive the story of some old solemn song as, “Jesus Shall Reign.” your church home to the minds of the community This creates a solemn atmosphere, where the by m eans o f some meaningful slogan? minds of the people are concentrated upon the

thought of the song. G eographical D iv is io n s in your church may Prayer hymns are effective. At the close of facilitate the work of organization for service, the prayer, a soloist ran sing some such song as publicity, prayermeetings, or such like. The "I Need Thee." Then at the last verse let the scheme is easily worked. Whether the church congregation join in softly on the chorus. Or is large 01 small makes no difference. Select the have the entire congregation sing on their knees number of people you want in a group, and with that prayer-hymn—for such it is—“Wash Me and a map of the section where your people live, I Shall Be Whiter Than Snow1.” Repeat the divide the church accordingly. In each geograph­ chorus softly. During our Mother’s day service, ical division it is well to have a captain or chair­ at the close of the prayer, while everyone re­ man of the group, who is conversant with all mained in the altitude of worship, the soloist those living in his or her group. This captain sang, “Tell Mother I'll Be There.” The effect was can have oversight of visitation, or other type of gripping. Needless to say we had no trouble in pastoral activity, such as reporting cases of sick­ catching the attention of the people for the ser­ ness or the absentees to the pastor and his assist­ mon. The proper atmosphere had been created. ants. Prayermeetings in the different groups can ( 2 9 ) 286 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE be worked out during special revival campaigns, ranks by far as the best of all the modern -transla­ or the same divisions can be used for cottage tions. meetings. All church publicity can be handled in these groups to a good advantage through the T h e A o r is t T e n s e a n d t h e D o c t r in e o f chairman. This is one of the easiest methods by S anctification have been connected together in which the sick can be looked after, or new peo­ our various doctrinal statements for our belief ple checked up on, or new prospects found. The in the instantaneousness of this experience. The key person of course in each division is the chair­ thought has been that the aorist tense in the man or captain. The succesful church of today Greek has always referred to any act occurring is the spiritual, working church. Spirituality and in the past instantaneously, and that this tense is work go hand in hand. Such an organization used to indicate acts which have taken place “all makes it easy for the pastor to deputize others to at once.” The aorist tense at present is known assist him in looking after the people of his par­ to be of three distinct classes, while its very ish. The wise pastor would rather put ten peo­ early meaning in the rise of the Greek language ple to work in ten geographical divisions than to was that of point action, or any action which do the work of ten people himself throughout the took place “at a point” or at the same -time. church. These three classes are: (1) the constative aorist, G r e a t D a y s i n t h f . C h u r c h S c h o o l s can be which refers to action taking place all at once; remembered much to the advantage of the church (2) the ingressive aorist, and (3) the effective and school. Every “great day” of the year offers aorist. There are two types of verb stems in the an opportunity for a “rally” in the church school, Greek, those denoting linear or durative action, with a special program prepared by the children. and those having to do with point or punctilar In such a plan there come Christmas, Easter, action. The aorist is of the second class. And Decoration day, Children’s day, Independence in the aorist there are these three classes. day, Armistice day, Thanksgiving day. The The constative aorist refers to simple point wise Sunday school superintendent and pastor action, or action taking place, or being thought of does not allow a single one of these days to slip as taking place in a point, or at once. Origin­ by without special attention, and a suited pro­ ally the aorist referred only to punctilar action gram, with an effort to rally the forces of the and was formed only on verbs referring to punc­ Church school. tilar action, but as Robertson remarks, it was gradually made on verbs which denoted durative HERE AND THERE REMARKS action. So the constative aorist treats the act as a single whole irrespective of the parts or time J ames M offat’s N ew T estam ent which was involved. In Jno. 2:20 -the constative aorist is on sale at the bookstand of one of our recent used and the forty-six years is here treated as a gatherings brings to mind the author of this point. Another example of the constative aorist translation. Dr. James Moffat for some twenty referring to a period of time as a point is found years or more was Professor of Church History in Rev. 20:4. Here the thousand years is re­ in the Edinburgh University of Scotland. He has garded as a point. It is well to note that in this but recently come to this country and at present case the aorist is used. is professor of the same subject in the Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Dr. The ingressive aorist refers to point action, but Moffatt is a scholar beyond question, but there the emphasis is upon the beginning of the process, are serious dfefects in his translation of the Bible. while the effective aorist emphasis the effect of The first one is that he used as the basic Greek the action, or the point action. text for the New Testament that of a German Since this is the case in the use of the aorist scholar, Von Soden, who has allowed to creep we cannot argue that the aorist tense, where em­ into his Greek Testament elements which are ployed in reference to sanctification, means a anti-supernaturalistic. In one passage he uses point, punctilar, or instantaneous act. For it the Greek text which makes Jesus the son of may refer as well to a process, or a period of Joseph. This alone is enough to condemn his time, as in case of the forty-six or the thousand edition, as well as Dr. Moffatt’s translation. years period. Though such errors have found their way into Then someone who has based his belief and this translation, still it is a notable work, and theory of sanctification as an instantaneous act THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE 287

upon the use of the aorist, asks does not the books, while thirty-three per cent named Shake­ Greek tea:h sanctification as a definite work? speare's works as second. In answer, it does. The aorist tense denotes point action, completed action, action as taking In eight years some 10,000,000 homes have been place and finished. Here is the emphasis— equipped with radios. There are around seven sanctification is action completed, thorough, done hundred broadcasting stations in America. It is once for all. Besides our argument for sanctifi­ estimated that there are more than 25,000,000 cation from the Greek does not have to be based listeners. entirely upon the aorist. The meaning of the verbs for holiness and sanctification and purity In 1896 there were produced in the United is such that none can doubt the truthfulness of States approximately 500 motor cars. Registra­ the doctrine. tion increased last year to 17,677,000 motor In case one may doubt my authority in the vehicles. matter of the aorist, he can easily verify my statements by turning to the following, Davis, According to the statistics of church member­ Beginner’s Greek Grammar, p. 122, R obertson, A ship recently published by the Institute of Social Grammar of the Greek New Testament, pp. and Religious Research, about one-third of the 830-35. church members, omitting children under thirteen, NEW YORK CITY are Catholics; one-third Methodists and Baptists, and one-third are represented in the various other FACTS AND FIGURES denominations. The Supreme Court of New York has recently declared that the reading of the Bible and the One million were hurt and thirty-one thousand singing of sacred hymns based on the teachings of killed last year in automobile accidents. 190,850 the Bible do not constitute an attack upon re­ deaths in ten years are attributable to automo­ ligious freedom as claimed by the free thinkers. biles. The economic loss is estimated at $850,000,000.

36.500,000 Bibles and Testaments were sold According to recent statistics the people of the during 1929 in the world, 14,000,000 of this num­ United States spend yearly for operation of auto­ ber being sold in the United States. mobiles about $3,500,000,000; for tobacco over $2,000,000,000; for candy over $1,000 000,000; Forty per cent of the students of Chicago Uni­ for soft drinks over $750,000,000; and gave to versity named the Bible as their first choice of the Church $469,000,000.

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.31 288 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE

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