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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
August, 1933
■ rounJ THE KING’STABLE . . . B y the E ditor
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regeneration. This is not merely “ life changing,” it is life beginning, a new and divine life imparted to the soul. The bane of church life today is the substitution o f a vague religiousness for a vital Christian experience. A quiet study of John 3 :1 to 15, together with 2 Corinthians 5 :17, James 1 :18, 1 Peter 1 :23, and 1 John 5 :1, will supply food for thought and material for sermons. A Lost Art T he E pistle to the Hebrews calls us to “ consider him” and also to “ consider one another.” The two must go together in order to produce a well-balanced Christian life. Christian consideration is almost a lost art even though, next to consecration, it is the most desirable and valuable asset in Christian character and service. This quality o f Christian consideration is conspicuous by its absence from our organized Christian activities. Christian churches and institutions have come under the delusion that their busi ness interests demand the direction o f “ a keen business man.” He may be “ a novice” in the things of God, pain fully immature in Christian experience, but if by shrewd schemes and hard bargains he can make ends meet, he is tolerated and even approved. Christian enterprises cannot be conducted as worldly enterprises are. While the best business methods will be adopted, there is a plus, an addi tion, a spirit which clearly and strongly marks the Chris tian activity. If this is lacking, the Spirit o f God is hin dered and limited. Even a great show o f figures is no com pensation for such hindrance. “ The fruit which God looks for,” said Bishop Moule, “ is a life o f holy serviceableness to Him and to our fellows in His name.” Ask God to give us skill In comfort’s art, That we may consecrated be, And set apart— The London Conference T his world conference on monetary and economic problems was convened by the League o f Nations. It is the biggest thing o f its kind in human history, bringing together not experts to pass resolutions, but representatives having power to reach decisions and conclude international pacts. Its representative and comprehensive character is such that the eyes o f the world are focussed upon it. King George o f England in the opening address said: It is with profound emotion that I see around me this august assembly which seems so vast, but which represents an infinitely vaster conception, the hope and wishes of the entire world. This conception is shared by many public men, editors, economists, journalists, and statesmen who have not hesi tated to say that the hope o f the world is bound up with the success o f this conference. Why then was the Lord God ignored and His guidance unsought? Has He no relation to this “ drama o f deterioration,” a phrase used by the presi- Unto a life of sympathy, 1 For heavy is the weight o f ill In every heart; And comforters are needed much O f Christlike touch. For this, we must know Christ as “ our life.”
Two Quotations
nless the hand o f the Lord be with us, the hand o f the strongest man is paralyzed.” So said the late Dr. Theodore Cuyler, an outstanding man of God whose pas toral ministry and pulpit utterances turned many from darkness to light and greatly enriched the lives o f God’s people. Those who gather “ around the King’s table” should turn to Acts 11:21 from which scripture the above quota tion probably grew. It is a good verse for memory and meditation. “ God’s work done in God’s way will never lack sup plies.” These are the words o f the late Hudson Taylor whose memory is cherished by a great multitude o f people, and whose life demonstrates the truthfulness o f his words. With this second quotation, couple Luke 2 2 :35 and Philip- pians 4:19. The Summer Vacation O w ing to the enforced idleness o f millions o f our peo ple, both the need for a season o f rest and the means to procure it will be lacking this year. Nevertheless, there are thousands o f busy pastors and workers who have la bored sacrificially and strenuously, who will need to “ come apart and rest awhile.” How to use such a season to the best advantage o f all concerned is not an academic question, but a vital matter, especially so to pastors o f churches whose obligations to their people do not cease even though they be absent from the routine o f parish activities. Some o f the best work in our churches is the direct result o f the pastor’s renewing o f strength derived from a well-spent vacation. We were impressed with this through the reading of a little book entitled The Significance o f the Cross by Dr, George H. Morrison, published by the Doran Company. It is the best o f the smaller books on that subject we have ever read. It grew out o f the author’s study and medita tion during a summer vacation. In the foreword to the book, we read: The following pages consist o f the notes I made in the quiet home o f the summer vacation. These “ notes” were used in the weeks following the vacation as a basis for week evening addresses to the people. We wish that every pastor and leader in Christian work might read this book, and then “ go and do likewise.” vidual souls to be the primary need.” The conviction is growing among evangelical believers that there is a great need for renewed consecration to the primary aim o f the gospel as the power o f God to save all that believe. Salva tion for the individual begins with the régénération o f the soul and reaches its consummation in the resurrection of the body. Truly it is “ a great salvation.” There can be no consummation, however, unless there is a commencement. Preach the new birth, its nature, its conditions, its results. Look men squarely in the eye and say, “ Ye must be born again.” Where there is no regenerating truth, there is no The Primary Need recent letter from a missionary in Korea contains this sentence: “ We believe a regeneration of indi
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