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October, 1945
the faith, exhorts him to give atten tion to reading. Of course, the reading which the Apostle P a u l endorsed was that which is clean, high and noble, as well as that which was in spiring and soul-thrilling. Recently the editor was reading “Goforth in China,” by Mrs. Jonathan Goforth, now in the sixth edition. Our attention was arrested by a statement to the effect that Dr. Goforth, when a young man, was inspired to begin his remarkable life of unselfish serv ice in China by the reading of the memoirs of Robert Murray McCheyne. In this day of abundant literature, we find a large percentage of it “trashy” and worthless, if not down right vile and salacious. However, this fact should not discourage the distribution of fine, worthwhile books. Christian leaders, p a s t o r s , Sunday School teachers and all who have opportunity should purchase for loan or gift, great and enduring stories of missionary heroism. Tens of thou sands of young people resolutely have turned their faces toward misionary services by reading the inspiring book from the pen of Mrs. Howard Taylor, entitled, “Borden of Yale.” Girls by the hundreds have resolved, God help ing them, to emulate the nobility of Mary Slessor of Calabar after reading her story. Who of us do not thank God that someone took the time to record the exploits of Adoniram Judson and his brave wife? In this day of great youth movements, decisions for service should be followed by the distribution of great missionary literature. It would safeguard the dedication of these young people for the service of Christ. ★ ★ Men Wanted Without a doubt, the end of the war will add impetus to the movement by missionary boards to get our Christian youth into service on the far-flung battle fronts of missionary enterprise. We thank God for the energy of these mission boards during the war years when they attracted and sent forth young people to carry the ageless story of God’s great love. However, often our hearts were sad dened as we looked at the lists, and viewed the pictures of those who were going out, to note that young men comprised a very small percentage of the candidates. By far, the greater numbers were young women. We thank God for these brave girls who, in loyalty to the heavenly vision, were willing to leave a life of ease and security for the hardships and handi caps of missionary service. All honor to them! We pray God’s richest bless ing upon them. At the same time, our cry is for men—red-blooded men, men with con viction, who are willing to endure
hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. Missionary victories would be far more frequent and decisive were there more volunteers from the young men of America. Let us ask God that from the ranks of our returning sol diers, there may be a re-enlistment in the army of the Son of God. May the returning Christian service men joy fully carry the banner of Christ to the lands beyond the sea. God give us men! ★ ★ Bad News From China As this issue of THE KING’S BUSI NESS goes to press, we have just re ceived a cablegram from Dr. Charles Roberts, superintendent of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles China De partment, in which he tells us that the buildings of Biola-in-China were seriously damaged. This information has been secured from an aerial pho tograph which is accurate insofar as the general destruction is concerned. We have yet to obtain details regard ing the actual extent of the damage. Many of the friends of the Bible In stitute of Los Angeles are deeply in terested in this challenging work in China to which they have been loyal over the years. We urge these to join us in prayer asking God for wisdom and strength and financial assistance to start this work going at the very earliest possible moment. ★ ★ MacArthur on Armageddon In the memorable speech of Gen eral Douglas MacArthur at the oc casion of the formal surrender of the Japanese, these significant words were spoken: “Military alliance, balances of power, League of Nations all in turn failed . . . We have had our last chance. If we do not now devise some greater and more equitable system, Armagadden will be at our door. The problem basically is theological, and involves a spiritual recrudescence and improvement of human character, that will synchronize with our almost matchless advance in science, art, lit erature and all material and cultural developments of the past two thou sand years. It must be of the spirit, if we are to save the flesh.” While this subject has been the basis of prophetical sermons for a number of years, without doubt this is the first time that an American General has called attention to the coming final battle between God and man. What the General perhaps does not know is that, according to the Scriptures, the Battle of Armageddon will be the last great revolt, of not one particular' nation, but of the com bined God-hating and Christ-rejecting forces of the world.
Christian War Veterans of / America Along with other organizations for returning servicemen there is ùtiè which certainly deserves the support of all Christian people. It is à nevy kind of American Legion, called the Christian War Veterans of America, and it is opening its ranks to Veterans Who know and love Jesus Christ afe Saviour. Memberships are coming in from all parts of the world and local groups are being set up in all sections of Our land. The objects of this rtéw organization are commendable, and in clude not only personal growth in grace but combined Gospel testinfony to the unsaved. ★ ★ -, Multiplication A retiring pastor of a large church in Los Angeles was being congratu lated on the completion of sixteen years of fruitful ministry. During the time he had been pastor, the member ship of his church had increased from 1,000 to 4,000 members. When ques tioned regarding this, he admitted it was a nice increase, but suggésted that it be looked at in another light. Suppose that when the church had à thousand members, he had been able to impress upon his people the duty and glorious privilege of winning oth ers to Christ. Suppose that each of the thousand members had won an other person to Christ during that year. Surely that is not too much to expect of a Christian during 365 days, each with 24 hours in them, that he win ohe soul to the Lord! What Christian in all this land could not do this if he were really in earnest? Suppose, further, that each year this church in Los Angeles were ablé to ,do this: that is, each of the members win at least one to Christ. How many do you think would be on the church rolls at the end of sixteen years? Well, figure it out for yourself, and you will find that the number would have been not 4,000, but 65,000,000! Most of us are merely playing at being Christians. May God give us a zeal during this coming year that .will be productive in bringing hundreds to a saving knowledge of Christ. ★ r ★ The Judges The newspapers have related an In teresting transition. A private in thè U. S. Army, in returning t o . civilian life, changed his G. L uniform for the black robes of a Superior Court Judge. This reminds us of a similar transition in store for the Christian when Christ comes to reign. “ Do ye not know,” asks the Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, “that the saints shall judge the world?... Know ye not that we shall judge a n g e ls ? .,.”
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