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THE ICING’S BUSINESS
the third' verse having special meaning on that December night: From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence, Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defence; Thy true religion in our hearts increase, Thy bounteous goodness nourish! us in peace. The gathering broke up with the hymn o f Christian fellowship, “Blest be the tie” that binds.” Two years ago the foregoing suggestions- were tried in a modified way in a New England town o f about 15,000. Then, how ever, it was a union service o f half a dozen churches, and^ each minister took some part in the program. Three delivered addresses, in saddition to one or two readings; No refreshments were served. The attendance
was poor and confined mostly to old saints. Last year the writer was again asked to lead the service. It was a small New Eng land hill village with two churches which united for the occasion. The other pastor made an address, and there were readings and hymns followed by refreshments pro vided by a committee o f ladies and served standing. Though the snow was several feet deep on the ground, and a snow storm was raging, over fifty persons were present, mostly young people. The situation and circumstances did not favor the out-door features but otherwise the plan was a good success. By some such program as the foregoing, many a church could offer an attractive counter to the midnight revels that dis grace the New Year welcome in some. cities.
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L I GHT ON PUZZLING PASSAGES and PROBLEMS By R. A. TORREY
Will you tell us what the benediction may bring to pastor and people? Sometimes it brings a rich, full blessing to me to take home. Another time it made me think o f the tossing o f a bundle o f old straw one ■ side. Probably in many cases we pastors are to blafne that the benediction means so lit tle to our people. Not infrequently it means very little to us. That is to say, we pronounce it as a mere matter o f form, without thinking o f its significance, just do it to close the service in a stereotyped way. Years ago while preparing for the ministry, the writer o f this answer was deeply moved by the pronouncing o f the benediction by Hr. Leonard Bacon, and from the very. beginning o f his ministry the benediction has meant much to him, and probably has meant much to his people. There is no
part o f the service in which the pastor should be more thoughtful o f what he is saying and more serious than when he raises his hands and looks out over - the people and says, “ The grace o f the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love o f God, and the communion o f the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” As a matter o f personal experi ence, I have again and again found a greater blessing in the pronouncing o f the benediction than in any other part, o f the service. As I stood and looked out over the sea o f faces and raised my hands and looked into the eyes o f the people and said these words, realizing what they meant, a deep sense o f awe has come over me, and I believe over the people. I remember on one occasion when I was speaking on the subject o f The Personality o f the Holy Spirit, and I had not seemed to have the
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