Abilene Christian University Digital Commons @ ACU Stone-Campbell Books Stone-Campbell Resources 1942 The Sunday Visitor 1942 A. M. Burton Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/crs_books Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Christianity Commons, Comparative Methodologies and Theories Commons, Ethics in Religion Commons, History of Christianity Commons, Liturgy and Worship Commons, Missions and World Christianity Commons, Practical Theology Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Burton, A. M., "The Sunday Visitor 1942" (1942). Stone-Campbell Books. 158. https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/crs_books/158 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Stone-Campbell Resources at Digital Commons @ ACU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Stone-Campbell Books by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ ACU. THE y{unlay<lhs1@11 1942 \ VOLUME7 Again it is my happy privilege to present to you in book form the leaflets that have been distributed at our Bible Class each Lord's Day during the past year with the hope that the truths contained therein will bring comfort and encouragement to its readers. In times like these we are made to ap­ preciate more fully spiritual values. We need a spiritual awakening. Let us reconsecrate ourselves and our lives in the service of our God and Savior so that we may shed an influence for good around those whose hea~ts are heavy, whose family ties have been broken, and those who are out of Christ and thus out of touch with his precious promises. _A r/lJ.Burlon The Sunday · Visitor Published by Bible Study Class No. 13 (Church Auditorium, JO A.M . Sunday) CENTUA.i.. CHURCH Oli' CHRI§T 145 Fifth Ave., N. Nashville, Tenn. As we bid goodbye to the old year and start on the New, it is well to stop for a few minutes and review the things that we have accomplished-or failed to accomplish-and make plans for the New Year. We may not always keep our New Year resolutions, but it is good to make them. A resolution is a firm resolve in heart to do or not to do something. It is the fixing of the purpose of heart to do or not to do . Every forward step in the progress upward in the Chris­ tian life has been measured by a resolution. We may count our steps in our upward progress by our resolutions. No one can afford to refuse or neglect to purpose in his heart every day to serve God and do good to his fellows upon the earth. We should seek to know the purpose of our own hearts and to see that they are in harmony with God's will. We should pray that all of our hopes, ambitions and motives be pleasing to God. It will be noted that in the prayer given us as a model the things of God are mentioned first. This is in keeping with the general principles of Jesus' teachings. If we put the things of God first in our hearts and lives, he will give unto us his blessings in tim e and H eaven in eter­ nity. No bett er motto can be chosen than this: "First Things First." Let us promise ourselves this year that we will not bury our talents, that we will improve and use and pass along to others every blessing entrusted to us. · Let us put aside all feelings of animosity, of ill will, of hatred, of jealousy, all petty rancors, dislikes and prejudices. 4 THE SUNDAY VISITOR Let us feed our soul on good and wholesome thoughts. Let us endeavor to make our lives speak out for right­ eousness. Let us strive · earnestly to increase the happiness in the lives of those with whom we come in contact. Let us pledge ourselves to be a real man, or a real woman, in our home, in our business, in our social relations, in our duties as a neighbor, as a citizen, as a Christian. "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I trust." (Ps. 18:2.) A Morning Wish The sun is rising on the morning of another day. What can I wish that day may bring to me? Nothing that shall make the world or others poorer; nothing at the expense of other men; but just those few things which in their coming do not stop with me, but touch me, rather, as they pass and gather strength. A few friends who understand me, and yet remain my friends. A work to do which has real value, without which the world would feel the poorer. A return for such work small enough not to tax unduly anyone who pays. A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed. An understanding heart. A sight of the eternal hills and unresting sea, and some­ thing beautiful the hands of man have made. A sense of humor and the power to laugh. And the patience to wait for the coming of thos e things, with the wisdom to know them when they come. Excelsior Banner If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury our glory in pro­ found obscurity. Daniel Webster THE SUNDAY VISITOR 5 A Matter of Personal Inventory Wh en Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, God came to them with questions. They were not for information, but for their self-probing. In the wrestling at the Brook J abbok, God asked Jacob what his name was. It was to call Jacob's attention to the fact that his name indicated that he was a supplanter, a cheater. God asked Elijah at Horeb what he was doing there. The question was to make him take stock of hims elf. God sent the wise men to Herod with a ques­ tion, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" The question went home to Herod, as it was intended. We are told to examine ourselves before we partake of the Lord's Supper. We are exhorted not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, but to think soberly. In oth er words , God put s up to us th e hard job of self-analysis. I waited patiently for Jehovah; And he inclined unto me, and l:eard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of a miry clay ; He set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God : Many shall see it, and fear, And shall tru st in Jehovah. Ps. 40:1-3 There are depths into which the soul may descend, horrible pits into which it may be plunged. Like King David, we may be plunged into the depths of shame and sorrow by reason of our own transgressions (Ps. 51). Like the Savior, we may be driven into the garden of grief by reason of the sins of others (Matt. 26:36). Like an innumerable company of others, we may be plunged into the depths of darkness by reason of a great bereavement, some bitter trial, some heart­ breaking experience. This is the dark side of the picture. There is a bright side. To those who have faith in God and the triumph of eternal mercy, streams of golden light appear. From the depths man can see. He can see God. He can see the higher life. Perhaps the man in deep sorrow can see more clearly than the man who is living on the level. "To 6 THE SUNDAY VISITOR those who, at noon day, walk in the green pastures and by the still waters, the sky is an unstudded vault of blue; but to those who, from the abysmal depths of a mine, look through the long shaft to the same sky, it is at that same hour bespangled with sparkling stars." "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." It is the glory of the gospel of our Lord that it stoops to men in sorrow, bringing comfort to their troubled souls. Into the depths God can see. Into the depths God does see. God saw brokenhearted Hagar, weeping for her child. "And an angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, What ailest thee, Hagar? Fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thy hand; for I will make of him a great nation." God sees the prodigal, the penitent prodi­ gal when his face is turned homeward. While the son is "yet afar off," the Father sees him. The Father is "moved with compassion" at the sight of his son. He runs. He meets the son. He embraces th e son. God sees the man who is looking for him, who is looking upward, who is sigh­ ing for mercy. Brother, are you in the depths of sorrow? Look to God in faith and God will see you. Those who look shall live. From the depths men may call. From the depths men do call. While in the pit of sin and sorrow, David cried: "Have mercy upon me, 0 God, according to thy loving kind­ ness." From the depths of grief caused by his own weak­ ness, Simon Peter "wept bitterly." He wept like a little child .