August 1927
478
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words of Eph. 5 :4, which warn Christians against filthi ness, fo o lish talking and jesting. This empty kind of talk is not infrequently heard among the young people in our churches, and we believe they should be taught that the use of the world’s shady talk is ruinous to spiritual life. Some have taken the words of the text as prohibiting all joking and merrymaking. This certainly does not appear in the original Greek words. There is a wit and humor that is wholesome, that does not break down moral and spiritual life. Pleasantry itself is no sin, although it may run into sin if carried to extremes. Some people employ it so much that they lose the power to consider anything seriously, and their acquaintances learn to expect nothing from them but nonsense. The word “filthiness” means “gross sensuality.” It cannot be denied that this very thing underlies much talk of today, especially jokes. We have heard even ministers make remarks or tell stories that were disgusting to those who have no relish for filthiness. “Foolish talking” has reference to “talking as a fool,” especially about sin, treating sin as a joke. “F ools make a mock at sin” (Prov. 14 :9 ). We hear much of this today. When wit begins to make light of evil, when there must be allusions to the impure in one’s pleasantry, it is time to call a halt. The word for “jesting” means immoral pleasantry, covering all trifling talk. The term would certainly gather up many of the nonsensical expressions of modern “jazz hounds.” Let us have a reasonable amount of pleasantry, the fruit of a buoyant heart. It is not at all necessary that it should be the vehicle of impurity in order to furnish cheer. Certainly any talk that would tend to bring sacred things into ridicule should have no sanction from one who pretends to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. One version renders the above te x t: "L et there be no coarseness nor vapid and gossiping conversation.” JSE? Fraudulent Trustees “O Timothy, guard the truths entrusted to you:” (1 Tim. 6 :20. Weymouth trans.) W HAT an appeal is this to you, O Preacher, in these days of thirst after shallow speculation and mere
Lord and Master without involving the acceptance of everything He taught, including His unqualified endorse ment of the Old Testament Scriptures and His predic tion that others after Him would complete the record of His Gospel? One would scarcely need to be a logician to settle these questions. Christ and His teachings can certainly not be divorced. And what of the contention that if a system of beliefs were necessary, there would be as many different varieties of Christian life? We have the various sects parading under the banner of Christianity: we have our different evangelical denominations. Does one’s doctrine have any bearing upon his deeds? It certainly must be admitted that we have many varieties of Christian life. The easier one’s belief, the less spiritual is his life. Dr. Talmage years ago observed that “higher criticism makes for lower religion.” There are few who would challenge the statement of “The Pres byterian” that “the best Christians are those whose beliefs are most in harmony with Christ and His apostles.” The purest type of Christianity produces the purest type of Christian life. It is true that we are sometimes faced with the enig mas of men of high profession who bear little resemblance to Christ, and men of rationalistic persuasion who seem far more Christian in their dealings with men. The one, in spite of his profession, has little belief below the collar; the other has probably been favored by an inherited sweet disposition or an excellent environment. Nevertheless, it is not a sign of mature thinking to pit deed , and creed against each other. “Creed is the dynamic of deed.” What one believes is certain to work itself out in what he does. One who believes nothing does nothing worth while. Lofty creed-—and there is nothing more noble and pure in substance than New Tes tament doctrine—will issue in Christlike living, if “with the H EA R T man believeth unto righteousness." 1 BfWI sfe a» Vapid Conversation A S one is forced to listen in these days to the vulgar jazz terms that punctuate the conversation of young people, he cannot but feel that it is a time to emphasize the
W h a t ’s a H e a d G o o d F o r A n yw ay ?
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Gilliam's Service HERE IS A FREIGHT TRAIN IN THE SUDAN. HEAVY BOXES ARE BALANCED ON THE HEADS.
IN PALESTINE FRUIT AND VEGETABLES ARE BORNE TO MARKET ON THE HEADS OF WOMEN
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