in other fields of operation. What, then, is the reason that General Mac Arthur is head and shoulders above his contemporaries? It is because un der the most trying circumstances he constantly seeks the wisdom that only God can give. We feel sure that the General is a real Christian man, for his public utterances are filled with quotations from the Book of Books. Surely this is one man of whom our nation may be justly proud, and for whom we should unite regularly in prayer. ★ ★ Record TJTHE state of California, which has set so many records discloses a new one! ■ It seems that during the last 12 months, the “Golden State” has en joyed (?) the “wettest” year in her history. The State Board of Equalization re cently announced that liquor tax col lections for the fiscal year ending June 30 totaled $17,953,076, represent ing tne consumption of 22,441,000 gal lons of whiskey, gin, brandy, rum and other distilled spirits. The figure for 1945 was $17,562,413. One would think that in a state, where in natural beauty and equable climate the evidences of God’s wisdom and power are overwhelmingly mani fest on every hand, the citizens would certainly seek to honor their Creator. But such is the depravity of the hu man heart that the more blessings it receives, the harder its attitude toward God becomes. We often wonder how long a just God will endure such sin ful indifference to Him on the part of the creatures of His hand. ★ ★ Crusade W E understand that the Protestant churches o f Los Angeles are planning an evangelistic crusade which, it is said, will surpass any thing ever held in this country. Min isterial associations will be allotted territory, and each church will be as signed a particular area in its Sec tion. There will be inspirational con ferences for ministers and laymen where training will be offered in the fine art of visitation. The final phase will include mass meetings in large auditoriums, radio sermons, shop meetings, street meetings, and rallies in clubs, schools, colleges, and fac tories. Surely in “the city of the an gels” there is desperate need for an advance of this sort. Our prayer is that Christ will be given His rightful place, as the absolute center of this commendable movement. 3
Men Wanted A RECENT article in His magazine, ^ from the pen of director Kenneth Strachan of the Latin American Mis sion, sounds a note which should be echoed in every church and in every youth gathering across our land. The mission fields of the world today need men, strong men, intelligent men, red- blooded men. Do not misunderstand me. We thank God for the women who have so heroically and unselfishly given themselves for Christian service. I do not know how the missions of the world could have ever carried on with out this band of godly women who have labored so faithfully and wrought so nobly. But missionary service is a man’s work, and it requires the physi cal stamina that God has imparted only to men. The last few years we have wit nessed the possibility of armies of men uniting under a common cause to bring about a desired victory in an amazingly short space of time. The United States government recruited, trained, equipped, and sent forth an army of nearly 10,000,000 men, who under terrific handicaps and hardships brought peace to our land. Now, if young men can thus be recruited and trained for military service, and by their courage and devotion secure such results, surely there are enough young men in the churches and Christian homes of our land to answer the call to the battle against the forces of evil. This is a far greater struggle than the one through which we have just passed. Perhaps the reason for the comparatively meager results on the mission fields of the world is due to the fact that the young men of our land have not been enlisted to serve. Today is a day of great crisis. Never before in history was the need so tre mendous. Never have the doors been so wide open. Never have Christian circles felt so overwhelmingly the sense of urgency. But it will be possi ble to meet this mighty challenge only as men in large numbers dedicate themselves to Christ for this impor tant task. ★ ★ MacArthur rpHE record of General Douglas Mac- -*- Arthur, both in the war as a com mander of troops, and in peace as the supreme authority over the Japanese nation, is one of honor and commend able achievement. In spite of bitter criticism, which is always the lot of men in positions this prominent, he has conducted himself on the highest level of honesty, integrity, and fair ness. In every case, he has acted like a Christian gentleman. This is in striking contrast to military authority
Literary Garbage TT IS a matter of utter amazement ■*" to many right-thinking people today that the moral conscience of our land does not revolt against the filth that is being printed in our newest books and magazines. We must confess that we have not examined these books, but frequently we read the reviews pub lished in the news magazines, and are shocked to learn that some of the “best sellers” contain descriptions of vile and suggestive scenes and blas phemous language that would have been prohibited from the printed page twenty-five years ago. There seems to be no objection to these things on the part of the reading public. Not only are these books permitted, but the publishers cannot seem to keep up with the demand for them. Coupled with this are picture maga zines and comic books that sink lower and lower into the cesspool of unre strained license. Surely the educators and thinking men of our land should recognize this deplorable situation and do something about it. The Bible long ago declared that “as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” You cannot have our citizens indulging in literary filth without reaping the harvest of morally wrecked lives. This condi tion of the so-called civilized world leads us to believe that we are ap proaching days similar to those of Noah and Lot. The world is ripe for the outpouring of God’s judgment. ★ ★ Time to Raise Wages I N SPITE of what opposing sides have said, there is no reasonable doubt but that the cost of living has risen more than 25% since the war. For those in the higher income brack ets, this increase can be absorbed without serious trouble, but for that group of people whose expenses have always taken all of their income, a rise of this sort brings serious difficulties. A recent study of churches through out a certain denomination reveals the startling fact that fifty per cent of the ministers receive an average an nual salary of only $1,035. The re mainder receive an average of $2,129 per year. For incomes of this size, a general rise in living costs sometimes means either the breaking up of the home or malnutrition and other suf fering. The minister, because of his position, cannot very well ask for an increase in salary. Someone on the church board or in the congregation should see that a salary increase is granted. How long has it been since your church has given your minister an increase? Perhaps it would be a good thing if a committee were appointed immediately to look info this situation. OCTOBER, 1946
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