January 1927
T h e - K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
6
now,” says Mr. Waehlte. “Everywhere there is harsh ness, bitterness,; threatening, scolding. In the midst of a world of coarseness, the Lord wills that His people shall walk in calm and gentleness as a testimony against the age in which they are living.” It is interesting to notice that the above precept is enforced with an appeal to the Lord’s corning. A vivid sense of the nearness of His advent will surely help one to do and bear as in His presence, for when He comes we shall give account for every idle word. What Modem Youth Wants a UESTIONNAIRES were recently circulated by the Christian Herald, with the view to discovering the attitude of modern youth to r'eligion. These replies came from 86 churches, 52 communities, 6 Eastern states and 2 Pacific states. A large number seemed to feel that what is most lack ing in sermons today is religion. Several complain that their ministers give lectures instead of preaching the Gos pel. “-I have to listen to lectures six days in the week,” says one. Other remarks were : “Not enough of God in them;” “Lack spirituality and conviction.;” “No bearing on every day Christian living;” “Not enough of . Christ’s redeeming love.” There seemed to be no evidence of a 'désiré for ser mons which are dramatic Of sensational. Constructive teachihg is wanted. Only five cared to hear discussions on Fundamentalism and Modernism. They want more Bible, not less. In particular, they want more Christ'. The life and teachings of Christ, and His saving power, were explicitly mentioned by many. , As one put it: “We want sermons which are not all through when church is over, but result in some form-of action.” Practical Piety T HE more we study the’ Epistles, the more we are convinced that many of us are not insisting, as we should, upon the practical issues of Christianity. he impression seems to be abroad that piety means a knowledge of- prophecy, saying prayers and attending meetings. We may lustily sing about “Higher Ground)” and about “Living on the Mountain underneath a Cloudless Sky,” but if Scripture is to be trusted, God is taking more notice of what we are down on thè' plane where we do business with our fellow-men. Study, services and" supplication are not to be depre ciated, but the world has a right to ex:pect a Christian to be something besides a star-gazer. A Christian is one who goes about the common tasks of life under the control of the Holy Spirit. If a man does not do that, has he any right tojcall himself “consecrated?” A creed is a good thing, for it furnishes a concise state ment of the fundamentals of life. If, however, it becomes a mere quibble in words, that does not result in actual attainment in character, it is worse than useless. Isn’t it time we began to give more attention to the fundamentals of the Christian, life? The first eleven chapters of Romans set forth the won-
___ ' wére distributed in schools and collèges where most who replied were more or less out of touch with church activities. Various denominations were represented and
that way or not. He has made it possible but God will not force us to follow that ¡way. It is simple but seems very difficult. His grace alone makes it possible. Here it is, and every mile of it is practical and leads on to higher and truer things. It is the way of patience and kindness and knows no jealousy. It makes no parade, gives itself no airs and is never rude. It is 1 never selfish, never irri tated and never resentful. It is the way of gladness, char ity and kindly hope. This way can never fail. It is the way of First Corinthians 13, and to reject it is to disobey the solemn command of Christ and to make a sure failure of the New Year. To accept it as our way of life is to make a Sure success of the New Year whatever may be the accidents and circumstances of its secret stores. The thing that determines the year for us in its deeper life and meanings is not the thing we are going to encounter in it but the soul and the resolve that we bring to it—the steadfast gaze we fix upon the goal of His way. Considerateness I N Phil. 4 :5 there is an inspired precept which seems long since to have been forgotten. “Let your moderation be known unto all men.” The word means “considerateness.” ■The French ver sion uses a word which means “sweetness.” ■ This we do not take to mean that a Christian is to be a sort of maple syrup (refined sap) individual, a reed in the breeze. It means that he should be a man who tries to put himself in the place of the other fellow. He real izes that in order to master others, he must first be master of himself. He aims to disarm opposition rather than aggravate it; to compel men with calmness, courtesy and sanctified common sense. Is this considerateness characteristic of orthodox lead ers today? It is to be applied to “all men”—friend or foe, erring Christians or apostates. We were impressed by a recent utterance of Evangelist Charles Waehlte: “Never has there been such a lack of considerateness among the Lord’s people as appears right
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