wore “vile” raiment doesn't indicate that it was immoral or vulgar in any sense. Vile in the original suggests that which is humble or lowly. In their advertising campaign, one large clothing manufacturer had as its merchandising trade mark the phrase, “Clothes Make The Man.” As far as Scripture is concerned this just isn’t, or shouldn’t, be the case. Keep in mind that it is not what you put on, but rather what you put in what you put on that makes all the difference in the world. Continuing the illustration, verse three of James chapter two admon ishes, “Ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my foot stool.” Having respect for persons as James warns means judging one another. It suggests eying others with envy. Have you ever looked at anyone, thinking to yourself, “If only I had what he has!” Do you know of those better off than y o u are ? They have a newer and bigger car; a larger and more impressive home; a better and more impressive job;
pen to notice that woman two rows in front of us? She had on the most gorgeous mink coat. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her the entire service. What did you think of it?” The hus band shook his head, saying, “You’ll have to forgive me, dear. I’m afraid I didn’t see much of anything today. You know I’ve had a hard week. I guess I slept th rough most of church.” His wife responded in dis gust, “Humph! A lot of good attend ing church does you!” That does illustrate the fact that true goodly apparel does impress people. There are some churches we have attended, where if a wealthy person came in, the first idea was to get him on the board. After all, if he had money, perhaps he’d channel some of it into “our projects.” Give this kind of in dividuals a place of importance and prestige, and surely they’ll reward such thoughtfulness with their gen erosity. It is sad to think that in this modern age of convenience there are those who have continued the sin of snobbery or giving preference to those who have more than others. James definitely condemns it as we see here in the first few verses of chapter two. But the rich man is not the only one who comes into the assembly as we see here in the illustration. There is also the poor man. Notice, it states that he came in in vile raiment. That means he had to come in his work clothes. Today, in almost every man’s wardrobe, no doubt much smaller than his wife’s, there is at least one good suit which he wears on Sundays and other special occasions. In the days of the early church, all that the poor people had were their robes in which they carried oh their daily menial tasks. They had to come to church dressed in this manner. Isn’t it sad to realize that there is nothing a man fears more than pov erty? Sociologists show that he will break every commandment rather than to be poor. That this poor man
Each year. Biota's President, Dr. Samuel H. Suther land, and his wife, host the entire seminary faculty and students for breakfast of french toast, ham and al the extras. Dr. Sutherland is shown welcoming the group to another year of preparation at Talbot Seminary.
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