Roman Catholic hierarchy, whose rep resentatives are well entrenched in our own State Department. When ac cused of this, these religious poli ticians have explained that since South America is almost entirely Catholic and satisfied with its present religion, it does not want any prose lyting on the part of Protestants. Both missionaries and neutral states men alike admit that this is com pletely false. Recently, the Chilean government stated in the first issue of its 970-page Asuario (a sort of Chilean world almanac) that Chile was not 90 per cent Catholic as it was popularly believed to be. According to this report, the religious make-up of Chile is as follows: free thinkers, 70 per cent; Catholic, 25 per cent, and Protestant, 5 per cent. This is a far cry from the Catholic Church’s claims for this and other South American countries, and offers another chal lenge to Protestant missions to enter these lands with the real Gospel which is the only power able to change men’s lives. ★ ★ Should Atheists Broadcast? A BATTLE is being waged between Robert Harold Scott, 56-year-old army pensioner and militant atheist, and several radio stations on the Pa cific Coast. It seems that Scott has tried unsuccessfully to obtain time on certain radio stations in order to propagate his Irreligious views. His request was denied or postponed on the ground that the radio station lawyers have not had time to study his case, whereupon Scott appealed to the Federal Communications Commis sion, asking them to revoke the li censes of the stations in question. The answer of the Commission was to deny the plea for revocation, but to uphold the right of atheists to express their views over the air. While the Commission may have gone a little too far in attempting to define the various creeds, we do feel that every one should be allowed the freedom of the air. In fact, we know this is one of the ways in which the absurdity of atheism can be clearly shown. Nothing will prove to the rank and file of T H E K I N G ' S BUS I NESS
“ Thanks a Billion ” A RECENT radio news item states that the 1946 fall wheat yield of the United States w ill be over one billion bushels. This is seen as some what of a phenomenon, in view of the ever-increasingly bountiful har vests that were produced during the war years. As a general rule, the earth yields an abundant harvest for a few years, and then a lean year follows. We all know full well the tremendous need of this year’s har vest. To a great extent, the entire world is depending upon what the United States can produce. We are thankful that the officials in our gov ernment have taken from our stores and have shipped thousands of tons of foodstuffs across the sea. Then, again, we must remind our selves that superabundant harvests do not just happen. There are many fac tors, like drouth or storms, which could materially affect our harvests, and we are well aware that it is God Himself who has brought about this plentiful production. If ever a country upon the face of the earth has been signally blessed by God, it is our land. Not only during the last few years, but our entire history gives evidence of His unmistakable guidance. We have been blessed with rich stores of natural resources. We have been blessed with a hardy stock of men and women, unafraid to work. We have been blessed with freedom from quarrelsome neighbors. On the whole, our citizens are thankful to Almighty God for His blessings. At this partic ular time in the world’s history when God has once more unmistakably bared His hand to do us good, we ought to bow low in our worship and heart-gratitude to the Giver of all good gifts. Without doubt, God has approved the generosity of the Amer- .ican people to needy countries and since this is true, our course in the days that lie ahead ought to be charted in similar paths of benevo lence and charity toward the less fortunate. Surely, with the coming of Thanksgiving Day, 1946, there is over whelming cause for us to stop and give thanks to God for the billion- bushel harvest.
Thanksgiving and Growth rpHE CHRISTIAN being a child of God bears a special relationship to his Heavenly Father. Certain things are true of him which do not apply to the unsaved. For instance, God guarantees all things to work to gether for the Christian’s good, and that His benevolence will be un changing. Because of this, the Chris tian’s thanksgiving should be contin uous as well, and his heart should be a fountain of praise ever express ing thanks for God’s blessing. In a very real way, the Christian’s growth is dependent upon his atti tude of thankfulness. For example, in Philippians 4:6 and 7, where the child of God is encouraged to lay every thing in petition before his Heavenly Father, an expression of gratitude is shown to be an integral part of his requests. In other words, thanksgiving is one of the factors of genuine prayer. It can never be said that there is no cause for such thankfulness. The blessings of God are new every morn ing, and fresh every evening. His purposes for His children are loving and constant. Therefore, it is always right and proper to offer our gratitude to Him. I wonder if failure in this exercise is the reason why some Christian lives fall short of their ap pointed purpose, and if the remedy for this lack lies in a consideration of God’s manifold favors. It is true that the most spiritual peopie whom we have ever known have been those whose hearts and lips have expressed a paean of praise to their Heavenly Father. ★ ★ Truth About South America TOURING the last year or two, there has been considerable political intrigue involved in the issuance of passports to missionaries on their way to Latin America. Many have been denied passports and others have been held up without any satisfac tory explanation. It has been revealed that behind the scenes is a policy which, while supposedly representing the governments of South American countries, really emanates from the
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