j
FIRST T e c to w fa FILMS IN THE CHRISTIAN FIELD Presented by DILTA Productions • Premiere Showings this month
ru lin g new y u e in B ib le ÎS W Ë m m Ê »vy you’ll never ■ • F o r children S H £ * T C
' t h e Gospel in song ^ and story with a unique Western flavor!
Starring
’ ROBERT SYLVIARos
" ' DARteNE JANZEN PHEN «AIVESSON
Music Scored and Directed by RALPH CARMICHAEL Produced by GREAT COMMISSION FILMS Directed by DICK ROSS
Film Libmies: Write for information concern- _______ ing attractive lifetime leases on these productions. |
I DELTA PRODUCT IONS# Inc*
HEARTS HUNGRY FOR GOD ’S WORD In Israel, Europe, NorthandSouthAmerica
The hunger of the Jews for the Word of God in the Land of Israel is a modem miracle! During Mr. and Mrs. George T. B. Davis’ recent visit to Israel they witnessed this deep and growing eagerness to read the Scriptures among both young and older Jews. J ewish I nterest I ncreasing In order to meet this great need for God’s Word in Israel today, the Million Testaments Campaign is providing tens of thousands of New Testaments in Hebrew and other languages; thousands of com plete Hebrew Bibles containing both the Old and
“Jewish people are finding Christ through the Word of God. Please send me 400 more New Testaments.” M ore S criptures N eeded Large sums of money are required to publish and distribute these tens of thousands of copies of God’s Word in various lands and languages. Your gen erous gift will help in spreading the Word of God that is so urgently needed in Israel, Europe, North and South America, and other lands. And God’s Word needs to be watered with earnest prayer. Send to us for a prayer card with definite requests. By your prayers, as well as your gifts,
New Testaments for Israeli schools; and 100,000 Hebrew- English Scripture Booklets filled with the precious Word of God. A missionary in Jerusalem writes: “ The Lord is blessing His work here. Wonderful testimonies are being given. Souls are being touched by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit. The number of inter ested Jews is increasing.” “ N ever S aw a N ew T estament ” There is also a great hun ger for God’s Word in Eur ope. The Million Testaments Campaign has a lready sent some 200,000 Greek Testa ments to Greece for its spir itu a lly needy people. They are being gladly received by government employees, sol diers, prisoners, and others. A soldier in one battalion said: “Officers and soldiers are con
you will be having a real and vital share in spreading God’s Word, and you will receive rich blessing in your own soul.
A B eautiful I srael B ook F ree
For a limited time a free copy of the new book, “ Sow ing God’s Word in Israel To day” will be sent to donors. It contains ten chapters and is illustrated with many pictures of the Land of Israel. It tells of Mr. and Mrs. Davis’ per sonal experiences during their recent visit to Israel. We re gret that the book cannot be sent free for gifts of less than $2.00. Please make your gift a generous one. Write today, and enclose your gift, and ask for your copy ofthe new book.
— Photo Credit, “ United Israel Appeal" An orthodox Jew, in Jerusalem, blowing the Sho- far (Ram's Horn) to announce the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath Day at sunset Friday evening.
tinually asking for God’s Word. Many of these people never saw a New Testament in their lives. They are spending their time studying the Word.” The Lord is also blessing our second edition of 50,- 000 Italian Testaments in Italy. “ T hey K issed the B ook ” Thousands of our New Testaments in Yiddish and other languages have been sent to South Amer ica for Jews there. Many of them were so delighted to get the Yiddish Testament that they kissed the Book! Here in America there is an increasing eager ness for the Word of God among Jewish people. A worker among the Jews in New York City writes:
P § ..................
CU T ALONG TH IS LIN E
............................
MILLION TESTAMENTS CAMPAIGNS, INC. 1505 Race St., Philadelphia 2, Pa. ; Enclosed find $.............................. for providing Scriptures ; for Jews throughout the world, and for Gentiles in ; Europe in this hour of their great need. ; Please send me as promised a gift copy of the ; new book, “ Sowing God's Word in Israel Tod ay." ; n a m e __________________;_______________ : . ■ STREET AND NO_________ I CITY (ZONE) AND STATE ______________ - ■■'■' I Make all checks payable to: • MILLION TESTAMENTS CAMPAIGNS,INC. "■ K.B. Dear Friends:
■ ■
3
D E C E M B E R 1 9 5 3
The majority of families in Korea today live in squalid huts thrown together of flattened beer cans, straw mats, scrap lumber and cardboard. This "dwelling" is elaborate compared to many, says Dr. Ferguson. They Sing Through Their Tears
Korean Christians Walk Barefooted Through Ten Inches of Snow to Worship Service.
A m is s io n a r y , in an interview with a communist prisoner of war, discov ered he was talking to a former member of a firing squad detailed to exe cute a group of Korean Christians. Said the prisoner, “ I couldn’t understand those people—here we went out to shoot them and they started singing.” Yes, in spite of the indescribable suf fe r in g in Korea this Christmastime— there’s still room for a song in the hearts of the Korean Christians. Says Dr. Fer- This is the third, in a series of messages informing the people at home about the awful postwar con ditions in Korea and to earnestly appeal to the Christians to stand behind these faithful people with their gifts.
guson, a representative of The Oriental Missionary Society, “ They are the most loyal, most victorious, the most resistant to succumbing of any people on the face of the earth.” He reports seeing many Korean Christians walk barefooted through ten inches of snow for miles to attend a religious service. “ It is impossible to ex aggerate conditions as they are today in Korea,” says Dr. Ferguson. Because there is no situation in the world comparable to the misery and suffering in Korea, it is impossible to convey to the people at home a true picture of the awful pain in that land of heartaches. This is the fourth year of suffering for these valiant people! They have had more than their share! One missionary reports seeing a Korean tot wandering in subzero weather with just a flimsy ragged jacket to cover his body. Winter is already upon them again and death is stalking in and out of the devastation taking a heavy toll of lives
for whom Christ came to save. Think what it would be like to have subzero winds blowing through flimsy makeshift “ homes” such as you see pictured above— and the hunger of souls for spiritual peace is as intense as physical hunger. We of the O.M.S. are praying to the Lord asking Him to open the heartstrings of the Christian people at home, thus mak ing it possible for us to continue bringing physical and spiritual help during this time of need. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have clone it unto me" Matt. 25:40. Send b edd ing, cloth ing and con tribu tion s fo r K o r ea n r e lie f to The Oriental Missionary Society 900 North Hobart Boulevard Los Angeles • California
4
THE KING'S BUSINESS
Dedicated to the spiritual development of the Christian home
Vol. 44, No. 12
DECEMBER, 1953
Established 1910
ARTICLES GOOD CHEER— E. Frederick Mertens ...................................................... 9 STREETS OF SIN— Jack Holt ..................................................................... 10 A CHRISTMAS BED-TIME STORY (poem)— Fannie B. Brown ......... 12 WHERE IS THE FIRE?— Frank H. E. Wood ............................................... 13 THE DIVINE INDWELLER— H. C. G. Moule ....................................... 14 TORREY CONFERENCE ............... ................................................................. 22 FEATURES UNDER THE PARSONAGE ROOF— Althea S. Miller .......................... 6 FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK ............................... ....................................... 8 WORLD NEWSGRAMS— James O. Henry .............................................. 15 CHURCH OF THE MONTH— First Presbyterian, Tacoma, Wash....... 16 WORDS FROM THE WORD— Charles L. Feinberg ................................ 17 OUT OF THE LAB— Donald S. Robertson ............................................... 18 HYMNS YOU LOVE— Phil Kerr .................................................................. 19 BOOK REVIEWS— Donald G. Davis............................................................ 20 PHILOSOPHY IN LIFE— Paul M. Aijian ................................................. 23 DR. TALBOT'S QUESTION BOX .............................................................. 24 THEOLOGICALLY THINKING— Gerald B. Stanton ............................. 25 TALKING IT OVER— A psychologist answers— Clyde Narramore .... 26 THE SCOPE OF MISSIONS— Oran H. Smith .......................................... 27 JUNIOR KING'S BUSINESS— Martha S. Hooker ..................... ............ 30 BIOLA FAMILY CIRCLE .............................................. 32 IN CHRIST IS LIFE— What Can I Really Believe? ............................. 33 ADVERTISERS' INDEX ............................................. 50 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION LOOKING AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED— Margaret Jacobsen ............ 37 YOUNG PEOPLE'S TOPICS— Chester J. Padgett .................................. 38 SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS— Homer A. Kent, Allison Arrowood .... 42 OBJECT LESSONS— Elmer L. Wilder ................................... 48 COVER Planning magazine covers is fascinating work. The process involved is somewhat of a combination between baking a cake without a recipe and picking out the right dress to wear when meeting a person you've never seen. For Christmas we wanted a cover that would direct our thoughts to Him alone. Let us know if you like it. For articles on Christ mas please see pages 8, 9, 12, 17, 25, 26, 30, 37. — Art: Milton R. Sue.
chancellor LOUIS T. TALBOT
editor S. H. SUTHERLAND
monaging editor LLOYD HAM iLL
copy editor ROSE HARDIE
editorial assistant LUCY R. REDMOND advertising manager MILTON R. SUE circulation manager STELLA KINTER business manager m RUSSELL ALLDER
editorial board Paul M. Aijion • Donald G. Davis Charles L. Feinberg • James O. Henry Martha S. Hooker • Margaret Jacobsen Glenn F. O'Neal • Chester J. Padgett Donald 5. Robertson • Oran H. Smith Gerald B. Stanton
Entered as second-class matter November 7, 1938, at the Post Office of Los An geles, California, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in the Act of February 28, 1925, em bodied in paragraph 4, section 538, P.L. and R., *authorized October 1, 1918, and November 13, 1938. Printed in U.S.A. by Church Press, Glendale, California. ADDRESS: The King's Business, 558 S. Hope St., Los Angeles 17, California.
"The King's ' Business." Date of expira tion will show plainly on outside of wrapper or cover of magazine. ADVERTISING—For information address the Advertising Manager, 558^ South Hope Street, Los Angeles 17, California. MANUSCRIPTS— 'The King's Business" cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to manuscripts mailed' to us for consideration.
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION — "The King's Business" is published monthly: $2.50, one year; $1.25, six months; 25 cents; single copy. Clubs of three or more at special rates. Write for details. Canadian and foreign subscriptions 25 cents extra. It requires one month for a change of address .to become effective. Please send both old and hew addresses. REMITTANCES —- Payable in advance, should be made by bank draft, express, or post office money order payable to
{ f v w f k v t
YOUTH b l a z e s t ra i l s in Christian living There’s a new crop o f pioneers growing up in America — youth ful trail blazers who show the same qualities o f leadership, courage, determination and re sourcefulness as the men and women who settled W estern America. T h ey ’re called " P io neers for Christ.” These "p ioneers” are Christian young people who maintain a high standard of personal conduct and of scholarship. "Pioneers for Christ” pre pare for "full-time Christian living” in all of life’s vocations. Their aim is to lead the way back to righteousness — in their own families, their com munities, the nation and the world. These young people assist in rural Sunday schools, hold youth rallies, teach Bible classes, witness at home and school for Christ. Y ou r prayerfu l support o f the work of The American Sunday-School Union will help us enlist the youth of America as "Pioneers for Christ” and help bring America back to God.
A ll Through the W eed s W hat are your favorite chor uses, Paul Kent?” Daddy asked this question of his young son on one of his rare evenings home with the family. “ I like ‘When the Roll is Called up Yonder’ and ‘All Through the Weeds’.” “ D on ’ t you mean ‘ A ll Through the Week’ ?” “Uh huh. ‘All Through the Weeds’.” Mother smiled at Daddy with the comment, “ I’m afraid there’s some truth in the lad’s use of a wrong word. The lives of some Christians seem to be thickly covered with weeds. They’re tall and prickly, too. Even God must have a difficult time pene trating the weeds.” Pondering on the subject of weeds we decided they are something a garden would be wonderful without. How they choke out what is good and profitable! They mar beauty. They are costly, too. Men ex pend time, energy and money in a futile fight against them. “Well Mommie, how can I have weeds in me? How can a Christian have weeds growing up in him?” “The weeds I’m thinking of aren’t like those which grow in the fields, or on the lawn or among the farmers’ crops, my boy. They are the things which come into a Christian ’s life which mar God’s perfect work. Like prayerlessness and worldli ness. These go hand in hand. Or what about a sharp, bitter tongue? And doubt, which dis torts the molded vessel into a shapeless mass of uselessness? The list is almost endless.” Dear Lord, what contentment is mine in the knowledge that “ all through the week my Sav iour has been watching over me.” Give me determination to keep the weeds out by staying close to Thee. “ In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength” (Isa. 30:15).
ite title i n s t i t u t e hour IS
* Heart searching messages • Thrilling testi- momes • Outstanding features » Inspiring music
MONDAY
■
WEDNESDAY FRIDAY
8 ^ 3 0 a - m .
MUTUAL
Send for your copy of THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL MISSIONARY and read thrilling reports of this work.
DON LEE
NETWORK
FOR FREE
'ÊBÊ
STATION LOGj write to BIBLE INSTITUTE j HOUR LOS ANGELES 17, CALIF. 0
m m
Write to Dept. K
' ?
Department of Missions AMERICAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION 1816 Chestnut St., Philadelphia 3, Pa. "THE PIONEER SUNDAY SCHOOL ORGANIZATION OF THE USA'
THE KING'S BUSINESS
6
Your editors have a Christmas gift for you T hink back carefully over the last three months. Now we have a question we’d like to ask. Has your prayer-life been everything that it could be? Think about it. terpiece. This little book is our Christmas gift to each of you who give three gift subscriptions to the K ing ’ s B usiness . (Remember the special Christmas gift rate is only $ 2 .)
• • •
inexpensive and so easy to order. And it’s a 12-time gift that keeps coming every month throughout the year as a reminder of your love and thoughtfulness. Of course we’ll send an attractive gift card signed with your name— timed to arrive just before Christmas. Thank you for ordering, this week. (P.S. Don’t forget you’ll get the book on prayer absolutely free— our gift to you for your thoughtfulness.)
Prayer . . . vital prayer . . . the right kind of prayer . . . prayer with power, is what every Chris tian wants . . . is what ydu want. Andrew Murray has written about such prayer. His book, The Prayer Life, is in every sense a real mas
We wish you could see the heart touching letters that come in telling what a blessing the magazine is. Can you think of a more Christ- honoring Christmas gift for three of your loved ones or friends? So
PLEASE PRINT IN INK OR USE TYPEWRITER
- - - - - ................-—- — -...............---...........
Your Name .............1---- ................... .—r-...........—- .......-........ -f—I— ---- ——------
Your Address ............................-.....................................-....................................................-.......-............---........................... -........ -......... street city zone state
Gift orders Special — $2 Each
Name ...........................................-.......-.........................——............................................ Street City ........................................................................................... Zone ............................. ... State □ Send Gift Card signed ...............................................-....................................................— This is a new order □ a renewal □ (please cheek one)
Name ............... ,.......................................................—-........ -
-...........-----........-—- Street
City ....................................................................... ______ |....... Zone ................................ State □ Send Gift Card signed ................................................................................................ ......... This is a new order Q a renewal Q (please check one)
Name
......................—................................ ......... -..........—............ .......——-
—- Street ......
City ........................................................................................... Zone ................................ State ...... Cl Send Gift Card signed ...............................................................................................———------ This is a new order G a renewal □ (please check one)
| | P lease send me free bonus book , "T h e P raye r Life .”
King’s Business Magazine 5 5 8 So. Hope St. Los Angeles 1 7 , Calif.
7
D E C E M B E R 1 9 5 3
mm the editor’s desk T he glorious .prophecy concerning our Lord which is found in Isaiah 9:6 reads, in part, “ For unto us a child is bom, unto us a son is given . . . and his name shall be called Wonderful . . .” Isaiah uttered this 700 years before the birth of Christ actually took place. And yet, when the clock of time struck the zero hour, the Saviour was bom and the manner of His birth corresponded exactly with this marvelous prophecy. It is significant to note that a child was bom when Jesus Christ came to the earth. But the only begotten Son of God was given. It at once speaks of the human and the divine natures combined in one person, the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. No wonder that His name was called Wonderful. He was wonderful in His birth. Who can explain the in effable mystery of the interweaving of deity and humanity in the person of this little babe lying in a manger? Men of God have spent the lan guage in an effort to explain the birth of Jesus Christ. Destructive critics have said that because it never happened before and because it never- happened since, therefore it never did happen. The late Dr. Howard A. Kelly of Johns Hopkins Hospital and Medical College has said, in effect, that if the virgin birth had ever occurred again it would take away all the significance of the virgin birth of Christ. The virgin birth is unique because the Lord Jesus Christ is unique. He was indeed wonderful in His birth. We must use this word wonderful in its absolute sense. He was won derful also in His life. He went about doing nothing but good. At the end of 33 years, foe and friend alike could find no trace of any fault in Him. He presented to the world the only perfect life; a life so perfect that the intervening centuries of time have only served to make it shine the brighter. He was wonderful also in His death. No man ever died as this One. He tasted death not for Himself, but for the world. The sin which is in the evil heart of man was put upon Him in order that the righteousness which is in Him be put upon those who believe. He tasted death that, through faith in Him, we might never know death. He was buried, but all of the power of the Roman government could not hold Him. But He came forth victorious over death and the grave, and because He lives, we too shall live. He was wonderful also in His resurrection. No man ever arose from the dead in the manner such as did the Lord Jesus Christ. Human beings were brought back to life by His power, but from all indications, they died again. His resurrection is unique in that He arose nevermore to die. After He arose from the dead, He ascended on high and took them which had formerly been held captive by death into the glorious captivity of Himself. He is wonderful, furthermore, in His life after death, for He is seated, now, at the right hand of the throne of God, and making intercession as the great High Priest of all who have put their faith and trust in Him. And He is wonderful, too, in His com ing again. The Lord Jesus Christ is coming; just as surely as the sun arose this morning, so will the Lord Jesus Christ come again. He prom ised so to come, “ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). The men who stood by the apostles as they watched the Lord ascend, also said, “ Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Won derful, indeed, is this One whose birthday we celebrate each year on December 25. May the living presence of the Lord of glory fill the hearts and lives of all who name the name of Jesus Christ at this glad season of the year. In that way it will be a “merry” Christmas to all.
CHRISTMAS LJ -thanks to you! *This month Christmas will be celebrated for the first time by Hebrew Christians in Louisville, Kentucky; London, Eng land; San Francisco; Frankfort; Jerusa lem — and many other cities throughout the world. During the last year these Jews have found Christ as their Saviour- Messiah through the gospel efforts of missionaries of The American Association for Jewish Evangelism. Your prayerful support o f this w orldw ide Christian ministry to Jews will mean that many Rev. A. B. Machlin, Field Secretary THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR JEWISH EVANGELISM, Inc. Winona Lake, Indiana Let Symbols Help You Understand— A BRUISED REED By Dr. Thomas A. Lambie The strange word pictures of Cloth Scripture will become more mean»- binding ingful— and your Christian experi- $2-50 ence richer—as ' you read this series of delightful essays. "A Bruised Reed/' "Grass Upon the House tops," "On Eagles' Wings"— these and many other symbolic phrases are interpreted by the author from his own experiences and observa tions as a missionary doctor in Africa and the Middle East. A thrilling book to give or receive. Bookstores: Feature A BRUISED REED for Christmas giving. Order now for the holidays. Order from: Dept. K fs f l ioizeaux Brothers, Inc. 19 WEST 21st STREET, NEW YORK 10. N. Y. more Jews will be rejoicing in the birth o f Christ by Christmas 1954. Help us win them for Him! Send for a free booklet describing our **>ork. W rite to Dept. K
Your e d i t o r s have a Christmas G i f t f o r you . See page 7
8
THE KING'S BUSINESS
Christmas Meditation
So often we tenderly nourish our small selfishness and sins, hug to our bosoms the dead hopes and heartaches of yesterday and the still unborn cares of tomorrow. This is the season when we need a fresh view of how we can have real inner peace and . . . GOOD CHEER
B y E. Frederick Mertens
overcome the world” (John 16:33). Good cheer! Good cheer! “Good tidings of great joy . . . for unto you is born a Saviour. , . Christ the Lord.” Little wonder that Heaven’s borders bent and spilled over an angel host in rapturous song; that radiant spir its winnowed the midnight silence and black night burst into blinding glory with celestial praises. Had the skies remained still, the very stones beneath the w ondering shepherd’s feet would have cried aloud for the unspeakable joy and marvel of it all! And yet the foolish and slow of heart to believe soon forget the splen dor of that sight and ever turn their eyes to the engulfing gloom. We ten derly nourish Our small selfishness and sins, hug to our bosoms the dead hopes and heartaches of yesterday and the still unborn cares of tomor row and cherish our feeble helpless ness. Oh, for the simple faith of a shepherd to whom God can speak and unveil His majesty. Oh, for a willing heart that says, “ Let us now go and see . . . which the Lord hath made known unto us.” Oh, for feet that hasten to obey His word, for eyes that behold the King in His beauty and hearts that eagerly enthrone Him. Good cheer! Good cheer! We who live upon the threshold of His glad return cradle in our hearts a Saviour and King—Lord of all creation, Lord of all time and space, Lord of our little lives. Here and now He reigns triumphant and supreme throughout the whole realm of our being. The
nd there were in the same country shepherds ab id ing in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them . . . And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is bom this day . . . a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord . . . And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the high est, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:8-14). On that first Christmas long ago an angel said “ Fear not” and a mul titude of the heavenly host pro claimed “ Peace” . Down through the centuries these words have echoed joyously in the hearts ofxthose who have dared to believe! In this year of 1953, we, too, can find glorious reality in the precious possession of an abiding peace—not a state of mind or a philosophy of life, but a Person! “And his name shall be called Won derful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). While a troubled world about us trembles in dread of unknown terrors of the approaching night, we of the upward look gaze steadfastly into His face and know the strong sure com fort of His Words, “ in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribula tion: but be of good cheer; I have
alarms of life, the unrest and dark ness of this age are powerless to pierce the armor of His peace. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isa. 26:3). Philos ophy, religion, science of mind and soul all strive in endless quest for the answer, but none but the Prince of Peace can say: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me . . . Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:- 1,27). Yes, peace is a person, and to know and possess Him in all the recesses of our lives is to be garrisoned with deep ineffable peace of mind and heart, regardless of fears that would beset us without and within. “Ye [who] were without Christ . . . hav ing no hope, and without God in the world . . . now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace” (Eph. 2:12-14). Good cheer! Good cheer! “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord” (2 Pet. 1:2). “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7). The only real peace is that which comes through Christ. “ Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace” (Job. 22:21). END.
9
D E C E M B E R 1 9 5 3
STRUTS
An American serviceman just back from Japan tells a story of an appalling condition and how a group of GIs banded together and did something about it Pho to S tory b y Jack H o lt. USX
/ just recently returned from Japan. Like a lot of other young service men I found out about conditions there that I never dreamed existed. When we arrived, some of my Christian buddies and I looked around for a Christian service center. There was none. And yet there were thousands of us with plenty of leave time and nothing to do but roam the streets. We were in Yokosuka, a large shipbuilding center near the mouth of Tokyo Harbor. I guess Yokosuka would make Las Vegas look like a sleepy eastern vil lage. We were told there are 8,000 prostitutes. We saw them roaming the streets like hungry vultures searching for prey. And what we saw made us go to our knees and pray for a Christian service center. After we prayed we went to work. People in the States sent us money and we pooled our service pay. We bought property and found the low est bid for converting it for American- style living was $5,500. We paid the contractor $1,000 and he went ahead. When it was finished in April 1953 everything was paid for. Since serv icemen can’t own property as a group we placed the title in the trust of seven missionaries. THE KING'S BUSINESS
Before and after views of building servicemen bought.
This is dedication service for new Christian center. Full-time director is Byron Ryals of Navi gators. Much stress is placed on definite Bible study plan and memorization of scripture.
D E C E M B E R 1 9 5 3
“Darling, the story of Jesus Is the sweetest that I could tell; Always it fills me with wonder That He to our earth came to dwell. (The Story) Joseph, with Mary on donkey, Came to Bethlehem’s little town Hungry and dusty and weary, Entered stable and laid them down. Sweet was the smell of the fresh hay But sweeter the Babe she bore; Entered the shepherds with reverence, In humility knelt on the floor. One brought a lamb from the sheepfold, Sang of goodwill, and peace, so sweet. Told of the wondrous, glad tidings, That the Babe was the Saviour, the Lord; Mary with bright eyes, and sweet smile, Closer drew Him, whom she adored.” (Story is ended) Softly the child drew a deep sigh, Closed her eyes and was soon asleep; “ Father, I pray you now, bless her, May your Angels their vigil keep.” And placed it at Jesus’ feet; Told how the angels in chorus
Eva Luoma Photo
Here's a story—written in the language of the salesman— that
will set your heart on fire B y Frank f l . E. W o o d Pastor, Union Church of Bogota, Colombia you think about that idea, Jones?” “Well,” comes the reply, “J guess that’s right, but — I don’t know — somehow it’s kind of embarrassing to try to convince somebody he’d be better off with something he doesn’t want — even though you know he needs it. After all, everyone has a right to his own opinion.” “ I think I know your trouble, Jones,” says the sales manager. “You’ve just plain lost your enthusiasm.”
S ays the sales manager, “ Jones, your record for this last month wasn’t so good, was it?” “Well,” says Jones, “I’ve done bet ter.” “What seems to be the trouble?” says the sales manager. “To tell you the truth I don’t know, Chief. Just didn’t sell as much, I guess.” “Well, surely there must be some reason for the slump,” says the sales manager, “ Isn’t the product any good?” “Oh, no. It’s not that, Chief. It’s a good product, all right. We use it at home a ll the time. Tfie wife wouldn’t be without it.” “Maybe the p rice is too high, then?” suggests the sales manager. “No, that’s not it, either,”.^ says Jones. “You know as well as I do that nobody can compete with us when it comes to price.” “Could it be, then, that the people don’t need what we have to sell?” “Well,” says Jones, “ that might be one of the troubles, I guess. A lot of people think they don’t need it.” “ I have no doubt of that,” replies the sales manager, “but it impresses me that’s the salesman’s main job— to convince people they can’t get along without our product. What do
“Well, maybe you’re right, Chief. But, at least, I still use the product. And you can’t say I don’t turn in my reports properly. And I always at tend the sales meetings. And I cer tainly know how to fill in all the forms as well as any of the other salesmen. And . . .” “Wait a minute,” interrupts the manager. “Filling in the, forms is all well and good, and I’m very pleased you like our product—but, Jones, your job is selling and if you don’t get back .a little of the old fire you aren’t going to be much use to us.” Well, you know, Jones’ trouble isn’t really so unusual. We all lose our fire every so often. And every time we do it has the same result — a slump in sales. You just can’t get around it. It always works the same way. No fire—no sales. And to tell you the truth, that’s the big trouble with the Christian church today. Not just your church or mine, but the whole Church all over the world—this great fellowship of God’s people that ought tt> be sav ing the world. No fire—no sales. We have plenty of people who fill in the forms, but somewhere along the line the salesmen have lost their enthu siasm. We’re overstaffed with clock- continued on page 33 13
Kinsey and the Christian
Due to the lack of vital data at press time we are withholding Dr. Clyde Narramore's repo rt on Dr. Kinsey's book on the sexual behav ior of American women. Dr. Nar ramore's splendid review from the standpoint of a Christian psycholo gist will appear next month. For Dr. Narramore's monthly question and answer column please see page 26, this issue.
D E C E M B E R 1 9 5 3
The Divine I Indweller By H . C. G. Mou le This is perhaps the most important article in this issue. I f you have time fo r nothing else , won’ t you read it? From "Christ and Sanctification," Pickering & Inglis Ltd. Fleming H. Revell Co., American agents.
grace is unwelcome, impossible, but which the Spirit makes to be a thank ful opening of the doors in peace to the infinitely w orthy and welcome presence of the King. For if Christ inhabits the heart, it must be not only to console, but to take power and reign. And it needs a divine force beneath our will to make us, without reserve and with open eyes, assent to this and welcome Him in. These things, at least, I read in this wonderful phrase, and they all bear upon Christian holiness. Realization of eternal life in the Lord is here. Spiritual love to the holy Christ—- love, the idea with which the context glows—is there; love continually re generated as faith lays hold on truth and promise. And the solemn peace of self-surrender is there, the opening of the heart’s door to One who must be Master where He dwells. Touching upon another point, we briefly notice the Greek original of the word dwell. It denotes perman ent, settled residence. “Why should . . . [He be] as a wayfaring man that tumeth aside . . . for a night?” He is to be at home. The experience is to be, not intermittent, but equ able; and this passage, infallible with the voice of Almighty God, is war rant that it may be. Realization of spiritual fact, the sense of spiritual love, spiritual self-surrender, may be for us, beginning now, permanent realities. Then note the tense of the Greek verb. It is the aorist, and this marks a point, a crisis, a step. Not neces sarily a solitary point or crisis in the history of the soul. The idea rather is of point and crisis in the abstract, realized it may be in many steps of consciousness, many upward growths and openings, a climbing ladder. Each step will be an advance so true as to be expressed in terms of a new beginning, a new entrance of the really ever-present Lord. The thought points to blissful facts of holy experi ence, definitely deepening views of the King in His beauty, and definite development of that likeness to Him which comes of seeing Him as He is. Deep indeed is this one brief word of God. How much remains beyond analysis and explanation? Let us leave the subject thus, or rather let us take it up here, each for himself, in the immediate presence of Christ. With Him all thoughts of the way .of holiness must begin and end. Well said the Scottish saint, Robert Mc- Cheyne, one who lived in the inner sanctuary: “Christ for us is all our right eousness before a holy God; Christ in us is all our strength in an unholy world.” END.
T hat he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith” Eph. 3:16,17. Christ dwelling in the heart; what is the special bearing of this deep phrase as indicated by the surround ing words? Is it just a large re-statement of the mighty truth “that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates” ; that, in the sense of the mystical union, He is in us and we in Him, as the tree is in the branch, its cause of life, as well as the branch in the tree, its living effect? This is, indeed, an infinitely precious fact. It needs to enter far more than it often does into the daily food of the believer’s spirit. True, it is a. thing which ul timately passes all understanding, all analysis, so that it is soon best to pause and say, as Hooker says in another connection: “O my Lord, Thou art true; O my soul, thou art happy.” United to Him in regenera tion, in re-creation, I have from Him, in no figure of speech, life, life etern al, in all the meaning of that aston ishing phrase. I have the Son, and He is my life. From Him to me flows the virtue which is so widely differ ent from the mere finite forces of myself. For peace, and strength, and purity I draw upon, I drink into, that Source unfathomable, “ the un searchable riches of Christ,” who is now, even now, realized or not, in me, and I in Him. I am “ joined unto the Lord” ; He and I 'kre one spirit. Has this marvellous union been, in deed, effected? Then let me use it; let me reckon on it in every need. In temptation, in spiritual languor and decline, in care and perplexity and toil, let me draw upon the fact—not the feeling but the fact—of Christ in me. The mystical union, doubtless, un
derlies the passage before us. But yet it scarcely forms its special teaching. For St. Paul is writing to those who undoubtedly had the Son. And for them he prays for a new beginning, a new development; that Christ may “ take up His abode” (so literally) “ in their hearts by faith.’’ For one thing, then, this surely means the warm personal realization of this mighty positive fact which we have just re called, this vital union o f the Lord with the regenerate. It means the deep reception into the inmost heart of the certainty that Jesus Christ is in the believer, after that indescrib able but real manner. But it means other things besides this. . It means the divine reality of the love of the new heart to this great and blessed Christ; no more emotional tenderness towards a hu manitarian aspect of the name Jesus, but, observe, towards the Christ, the King Messiah, the anointed One of God. It means the ocean-tide of the regenerate affections heaving towards Him. It means — what the context seems specially to indicate—an intui tion, a direct gaze, into the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, into the personal application of that love; who loved me. But is even this all? I think not. Observe the phrase, that you may “be strengthened with might by his Spir it.” Here is a something then, that needs not illumination only, nor ex planation, nor invitation, but streng thening with might, if Christ is thus to enter in. What does this imply? That this indwelling is a thing from which the heart without such streng then ing shrinks; beneath the holy weight of which it would falter and succumb? As in other things, so in this, the Spirit must help “ our in firmities” ; and here I see the truth that in this dwelling of Christ in the heart there is involved that self-sur- render which without the Spirit’s
14
THE KING'S BUSINESS
WORLD mSGRAMS
James O. Henry, M.A., Editor, Associate prof, of History, Bioio Bible College
parks, but pot from the churches,” said Melvin Schlake of St. Louis, Mo., head of the television committee of the Lutheran church’s Missouri Synod recently. Schlake reported that attendance during the last year in creased twice as much as the aver age for the previous 10 years. “The increasing use of television by organized religion to reach and attract the interest of the unchurched is bearing fruit,” he said. “Churches and church groups all over the na tion are finding’ television a direct aid in awakening greater religious consciousness.” . P ion e e r in Cosm ic S tudy D ies On September 29th Dr. Edwin Powell Hubble, famous scientist, died at the age of 61 Dr. Hubble was known as “ the man who carried the study of astronomy beyond the star system into outer space.” ' He had been on the staff of the; Mount Wil son Observatory for 34 years and dis covered and gave to the world the knowledge that the earth’s stellar sys tem, the Milky. Way,' is but one of hundreds of star systems. He showed that millions of patches of eerie light were other Milky" Ways many tril lions of miles distant. Other astronomers who pursued his work estimated that there are 100 billion Milky Way systems in sight of the Mount W ilson telescope. When he studied the famous “ red shift” of the outer nebulae he opened the question of the mysteriously ex panding universe. Man is slowly d iscovering the truth of the Word of God as recorded in Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” N ew F riend s Am ong Old Enem ies On the 26th of September the Unit ed States and Spain signed a 20- year defense agreement which gives us the right to develop and use naval and air bases on Spanish'soil and assures Spain of military equipment from the United States. The historic action brought Fran co’s Spain, formerly shunned by the
victors of World War II, into part nership with the United States in the West’s defense against the danger of Soviet attack. The alliance covered three agreements, the texts of which were released by the State Depart ment together with a statement say ing that assistance to Spain totaling 226 million dollars will be supplied under the Mutual Security Program during the fiscal year. Catholics Jailed in Poland About 2500 Roman Catholic priests and laymen were thrown into Polish concentration camps during the two weeks, following the arrest of Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski last month, ac cording to-the German Catholic News Agency (KNA). The cardinal was arrested on direct orders, from Soviet Premier Geqrgi Malenkov to Russian-born Marshal -Konstantin Rokossovsky, now com- mander-in -ch ief of Polish armed forces* KNA said. The news agency also quoted unconfirmed reports that the 52-year-old cardinal has been tak en to Moscow.- . S oviet W h istle sto p “There will be no lasting peace in Korea, which is just a whistlestop in the Soviet’s timetable . . . the United States will have to keep forces in Korea for a long time . . . Indo- China will be the next scene of the Russian attempt to dom inate the world.” So said Col. James McNa mara, personal press representative of Gen. James Van Fleet. “The Russians,” he said, “moved too soon in June of 1950. Had they waited a year before attacking South Korea, using North Korea and the Chinese Reds as cats-paws, the United States would probably have been able to put up only a token resistance. But luckily they were too impetuous and we were able to hold them. We will have to stay until the threat of Rus sian domination of the world is def initely quashed.” 1Colonel McNamara said that “ any one who says America has suffered a defeat in Korea is mistaken. We did what we set out to do—we threw the invaders out of South Korea.”
N am eless Children The cold war has produced an im pact upon European and Asiatic countries because of the long dura tion of the presence of American, French, British and Russian troops in other countries, introducing not only new customs and traditions but pro ducing many illegitimate children. According to an editorial in a local daily newspaper “ It is estimated that 29,000 children were bom of Russian fathers in East Berlin.” All these children are regarded as Russians and come under the educational processes by which the Kremlin hopes to create a Marxist world. The editorial states also that “ It is estimated that 100,000 illegitimate children have been fathered by Amer icans in Japan, 50,000 in the Amer ican zone in Germany and 70,000 in Great Britain.” Representative Francis P. Bolton, in discussing this question before the House of Representatives, said: “ I would like to urge you to join me in the thoughtful consideration of what we as Americans can and should do to give these thousands of youngsters a constructive childhood.” In su ran ce and N on -D rinhers A reward for the non-drinking driver is the basis of the newly organ ized Central Security Mutual Insur ance Company with home offices in Chicago. The company has been formed to sell automobile insurance to non-drinkers only. Because pres ent insurance statistics reveal that a large percentage of major tragedies involving high costs are caused by drinking drivers, the Central Secur ity Company finds it is possible to insure selected insurees at lower premiums. P lann ing to sell any where in the United States with a low cost direct mail program, the new company, formed by Christian businessmen, will offer all types of auto insurance.
T elev ision and Church A ttendan ce
“Television may be keeping peo ple away from the movie and ball
15
D E C E M B E R 1 9 5 3
First Presbyterian Tacoma, Wash.
A Program Geared To The Times, Based On Word of God
R ising high on the Tacoma, Wash, skyline is the imposing tower of the First Presbyterian Church. This beautiful building is appraised at over one million dollars and is considered one of the best equipped on the west coast. Each year there is an increased missionary interest on the part of these people of the northwest and the annual missionary conference is one of the highlights of the church calendar. At present they support either entirely or in part 17 mission ary workers serving on at least 12 fields. A vision for the church of tomor row is expressed in the Sunday school which is growing and has doubled its attendance in the past two years. It now has a membership of 700. This emphasis on youth is carried on with two children’s church meetings each Sunday (primary and junior) and afternoon Christian Endeavor meet ings. There are at least three annual youth conferences and a two-week Daily Vacation Bible School. Seven times each week there is a radio broadcast direct from the church over station KTAC. There is a fine music department under the direction of K. Mulder Schuil. They now have a weekly telecast and are the first church in the northwest to engage in this type of ministry. The pastor, Dr. Albert J. Lindsey, came to this church in 1949. He is president of the northwest organiza tion of the National Association of Evangelicals and author of the books, Wilderness Experience and Lifted to Heaven. Assisting in this church program which is geared to the times and based on the Word of God are min isters Carl E. Wichem and Robert C. Duhs. The church now has 1600 members. THE KING'S BUSINESS
Dr. Lindsey; congregation at worship in spacious First Presbyterian sanctuary.
mm
WORDS
The best commentary for YOUR Sunday School classes
from the
WORD by Chorles L. Feinberg, Th.D., Ph.D., Director Talbot Theological Seminary
Beth lehem
T he eyes of the yvorld may be turned all through the year to Washington, London, Paris, Berlin, Moscow or Tokyo, but at Christmas time all gaze toward Bethlehem. Of the more than twoscore place names in the Old Testament which are com pounded with the word beth, the name of Bethlehem is the most out standing. This city in the territory of Judah was called Bethlehem of Judah (Judg. 17:7, 9; Ruth 1:1,2), as well as Bethlehem Ephratah (Micah 5:2). It was the family home of Da vid (Book of Ruth; 1 Sam. 17:12) and the b irthp la ce of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 2:1)'. Now known as Beit Lahm (house of flesh), it is sit uated some five miles south of Jeru salem. Bethlehem was also the name of a town in the tribe of Zebulun (Josh. 19:15). Because the birthplace of our Lord was so small, it does not appear in the list of towns of Judah mentioned in Joshua 15 and Nehemi- ah 11. What is lacking in size, is compensated for in fertility. The re gion has been, and still is, one of the most fertile in Judea, although it is not supplied with springs of water. Orchards of figs and olives and vine yards surround the thriving village. The first Biblical allusion to this town (Gen. 35:19) is connected with the death of Rachel. In the time of Rehoboam, son of Solomon, it was a fortified stronghold (2 Chron. 11:6). Near Bethlehem' the Jews who fled to Egypt in 586 B.C. found a refuge along the way (Jer. 41:17). More than 100 of the population returned from Babylonian Captivity (Ezra 2: 21; Neh. 7:26). In the time of the Crusades the first concern of the war riors was to care for the safety of the Christians of Bethlehem in A.D. 1099, before Jerusalem was captured. The town remained under Christian rule after the overthrow of the Latin Kingdom set up by the Crusaders. Today it is one of the most prosper ous of all Christian communities in the Holy Land. One never ceases to marvel at the appropriateness of the fact that the Bread of Life was born in the House of Bread, Bethlehem. Three vital truths are involved. The figure of
bread implies suffering. Bread is a fit symbol of the Person of Christ. It combines elements of heaven (sun shine and rain) and of the earth (soil and seed). Christ came both from heaven and from earth, from the Father and from the line of David (Romans 1:3,4). He was both divine and human. The manner in which bread is made is instructive of the way in which Christ became the Bread of Life. There must be death in the seed (John 12:24). Christ died for us. The grain must be ground in the millstones. What trials and agonies He underwent (Isaiah 53: 10)! Bread requires kneading on the board. In His afflictions our Lord was pressed again and again. Then there is the heating in the oven. Christ bore the wrath of God on Calvary (Lam. 1:12,13). All these features bring out the work of Christ at Gethsemane (oil press) and Calvary (or Golgotha from the Hebrew word to roll). If there is to be bread, these processes must be carried out; if Christ is to be the Bread of Life, He must under go this suffering for us. His death makes Him the Bread of Life for the world (John 6:51). The symbol of bread reminds us of sustenance or strength. Man needs bread for the strength it furnishes (Psa. 104:15). Without Christ, the Bread of Life, man is desperately weak (Rom. 5:6) and w ithou t strength (John 15:5). Think of the way in which bread is assimilated and incorporated into the body. This is no more wonderful than the "proc ess by w h ich Christ imparts life through Himself and sustains it in communion with Himself. The rea son there are so many starved-looking Christians is that they have not been feeding sufficiently on the Bread of Life. The figure of bread, finally, por trays satisfaction. There are few arti cles of food that satisfy like bread. Christ is the Bread of Life, because He can satisfy (John 6:35; Phil. 4:12, 18). When Christ designates Himself as the Bread of Life, there is implied the hunger of the soul. He can sup ply the hunger of the heart and the soul. In the wilderness there was no
Make your Sunday School classes more helpful, livelier, more inspired —with this famous commentary on the International Sunday School Les sons. Bible-centered, evangelical in emphasis, The Douglass Lessons, 1954 offers an abundance of concrete, use ful ideas, including the famous Hints to Teachers, striking illustrations, practical applications and—new this year—audio-visual aid suggestions. $2.95 at your bookstore or write £j/ie '/(/rfr'int//« h 60 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK 11, N.Y. grass nor water for Israel. They had to look to God for everything. It is the true spiritual position for all of us. God did feed them with bread from heaven. The manna in the wil derness satisfied the hunger of Israel. The' loaves in Christ’s day satisfied the 5,000 and on another occasion the 4,000. Likewise this spiritual Bread of Life can satisfy any soul that will eat Him. The enjoyment and satis faction of it go on into eternity. Note last day in John 6:39,40,54. It is everlasting (John 6:49,50). Satisfac tion and appetite go on hand in hand with this bread. For us who know Christ as the Bread of Life by faith, this truth means we must feast on Him daily. Yesterday’s bread will not suffice for today. To the unsaved about us we must declare that God, if He be asked for bread, will not give a stone in stead. Bread profits not at all unless eaten. Christ can do no heart good unless He is appropriated by faith. With Isaiah we can say: ‘Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken dili gen tly unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul de light itself in fatness.” Thank God for the Bread of Life from Bethle hem’s manger.
17
D E C E M B E R 1 9 5 3
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs