King's Business - 1949-11

NOVEMBER, 1949

O N E O F THE GREATEST GO SPEL C A L E N D A R S EVER PRODUCED

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problems and expenses! Now that John is no longer here to look after things, I am putting my money into American Bible Society Annuity Agreements. I receive a surprisingly high income, which is guaranteed never to change even when times are bad. What money is left after I am gone goes to spread the Word of God. Not only do I now have great financial peace of mind, but the thought of this wonderful memorial is an abiding joy. Investigate this Christian Plan which enables you, too, both to give and receive generously at the same time, even entitles you to certain tax exemptions. Write now for the interesting free booklet, “ A Gift That Lives,” telling you all about the Annuity Plan and how it can work for you.

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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S

Page Two

The Press and The Christian W o r ld Irish " Y " To mark the 100th anniversary of the YMCA of the City of Dublin (1849- 1949), one of the largest evangelistic campaigns ever attempted will begin this month. The evangelist is a Welshman, Myrddin Lewis, a gifted singer with a great love for the souls of men. Cheeseman October saw the observance of the 65th anniversary of the Central Union Mis­ sion in Washington, D.C., one of the oldest missions in America. Mr. James L. Kraft, of the Kraft Foods Company, was the speaker at the mass meeting in Constitution Hall, and Homer Rodeheav- er, director of song. Zwemers Sail To attend the 60th anniversary of the Arabian Mission of the Dutch Reformed Church, Dr. and Mrs. Samuel M. Zwemer recently left for the Near East. It is interesting to note that in 1900 Dr. Zwemer wrote “ Arabia, The Cradle of Islam,” in the center of what is now the great oil district. Warning The American Bible Society’s Dr. Eric M. North warns against a racket cur­ rently being carried on by the natives of Nigeria. These natives copy letters that have been successful in bringing gift Bibles from soft-hearted Americans, the purpose being to sell them and make money. Dr. North advises that there is ample opportunity for any sincere native to secure a free or inexpensive Bible from existing sources. Mexican Y FC Alicia de Leon (Biola ’47), present Director of Youth for Christ in Mexico, reports progress in the printing of hymn books and weekly news sheets for Mex­ ican young people. Meetings included a rally with Dr. Walter Montano, with 1500 in attendance. There is still much to be done for 26 out of the 28 states in Mexico have no Youth for Christ meet­ ings. A youth magazine and a radio pro­ gram are also greatly needed. Less Than 10 Dr. Raymond B. Buker, of the Con­ servative Baptist Foreign Mission So­ ciety, warns that missionaries may have less than 10 years left in which to bring the gospel of Christ to Africa and other areas. Government officials expressed their belief to Mr. Buker that the white man’s days in Africa are numbered. There is a rising tide of nationalism and Communism that may soon drive out all foreigners. N O V E M B E R , 1 9 4 9

BUS INESS

T H E K

ty 'i

Official Publication of The Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Incorporated

Louis T. Talbot, D.D.

Betty Bruechert Managing Editor

William W . Orr, D.D.

Editor in Chief

Associate Editor

Copyright, 19U9, The King’s Business No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission. All Rights Reserved. Vol. 40 NOVEMBER, 1949 No. 11 Thanksgiving and Missionary Number

CONTENTS Around the World with Dr. Talbot...................................................•••• 4 I Talked to General MacArthur, Louis T. Talbot ................................ 5 Editorially Speaking.................................................................................... 6 An American Gives Thanks, Wallace Emerson .................................... 7 Your God Is Still Living, Carol T erry ..................................................... 8 My Covering in the Jungle, Marjorie McIntosh .................................... 9 Blessings and Mercies, Louis T. Talbot .................................................. 10 Young People, God Has the Answer! WiUiam W. O rr ....................... 11 Face to Face, Annie Johnson F lint ........................................................... 12 Junior King’s Business, Martha S. Hooker. Story: Something to Be Thankful F o r— Thanksgiving Acrostic...................................... 13 The Bible in the News, William W. O rr ................................................. 14 Biola Family Circle............................... 15 Dr. Talbot’s Question Box............................................................................ 16 Young People’s Topics, Walter L. Wilson .............................................. 21 Sunday School Lessons, Homer A. Kent, Allison Arrowood ........... 24 Book R ev iew s..................... 31 Object Lessons, Elmer L. Wilder ............................................................... 32 Islam on the A ir ............................................................................................. 34 Picture Credits: Cover, Pp. 8, 10, Eva Luoma, Weirton, W. V a .; p. 5, Courtesy o f the Los Angeles Examiner. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION—“ The King’s Business” is published monthy; $2.00, one year; $1.00, six month; 20 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 new addresses. REMITTANCES—Payable in advance, should be made by bank draft, express, or post office money order payable to “ The King’s Business.” Date of expiration will show plainly on outside wrapper or cover of magazine. ADVERTISING—For information, address the Advertising Manager, 558 South Hope Street, Los Angeles 13, California. MANUSCRIPTS—“The King’s Business” cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to manuscripts mailed to us for consideration. Entered as second-class matter November 7, 1938, at the Post Office at Los Angeles, Cali­ fornia, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in the Act of February 28, 1925, embodied in paragraph 4, section 538, P. L. and R„ authorized October 1, 1918, and November 13, 1938. ADDRESS: The King’s Business, 558 So. Hope St., Los Angeles 13, California. Page Three

AROUND THE WORLD WITH DR. TALBOT

October 6 Bangkok, Siam

September 19 Tokyo, Japan

We have been here four days, and how full they have been! Bangkok, with its population of 1% millions, is a city of contrasts. The temples to Buddha are the most magnificent and colorful in the world. Photographers representing Post, Life and National Geographic tell us there is nothing like them even in India. People at home would not believe the story if we did not have the pictures. The colors are beyond description or imagination, decorated with semi-pre­ cious stones and porcelain, all hand cut, carved and set! Every color of the rain­ bow makes them glitter like a city of another world, covering an immense area. Some of these temples although they were built 600 years ago appear as if they were just finished. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, so-called be­ cause the image of Buddha is carved from one giant block of emerald, is the most magnificent of all. This work is a lost art. The Temple of the Sleeping Buddha is covered with gold leaf, precious stones and porcelain, and inside is the image of Buddha in a reclining position S3 ft. long, 12 ft. high, and covered with gold plate. One must see to believe its mag­ nificence. We got a flashlight of this and colored movies of the exterior. Yet, in spite of all this magnificence, God is not known. The creature, rather than the Creator, is worshipped. In the temple grounds all kinds of carved ani­ mals, birds, serpents, are to be seen, even the pig, because the Buddhists be­ lieve in re-incamation. We have spoken to a few Buddhist priests about Christ but few have ever heard His name. The city is a contrast to the temple in that it is one of filth and this too is beyond imagination. The city thorough­ fare is a system of water canals and there half the people live in the worst of squalor. We engaged a sampan—sat in the prow, and took pictures as we were rowed along, and what pictures! The canals though only about 20 feet wide are a mass of traffic. There in the filthy water we saw people washing their teeth, scrubbing their hair, empty­ ing garbage, washing clothes and bath­ ing. The canal is almost choked with boats, and no one is in a hurry. They just “inch” along, one sells sarongs, an­ other has a floating market, another a floating restaurant, another sells birds of various kinds. A Jew has a sampan loaded with monkeys. He asked our guide whether we would like a few at reduced rates. If anyone at home wants a mon­ key here is your chance—any kind you want. The children are all unclad. The rest wear very little, and who can •blame them when the heat is 106°, and the humidity stifling. I have taken six baths a day to keep alive. (Continued on Page SU) I H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S

Just a word to report our safe landing in Tokyo, a city of 7,000,000 people. We were met by missionaries and are loca­ ted in a quaint Japanese hotel. The need is tremendous. Shintoism is again mak­ ing a strong bid for followers, and so is Communism. But the people want to know what Christianity is. Yesterday we preached in an open air meeting and hun­ dreds gathered to listen. It is not unu­ sual to see as many as ten thousand lis­ tening to gospel messages. We attended church service yesterday and the atten­ tion and reverence were marked. Every place is too small to accommodate those who want to hear. Yesterday I had a two-hour conversa­ tion with General Whitney at General MacArthur’s headquarters. I received a very gracious reception and learned much about Japan. We may see any part of Japan we like. We are going to Kyoto which is one of the most fanatical cen­ ters of Shintoism and Buddhism. We should get good pictures. All former stu­ dents and graduates of Biola are getting together for a Biola rally; there will be about twenty-five in all. I am amazed at the splendid work General MacArthur is doing to restore order and to give the people a hopeful spirit. Under his guidance the people are learning to appreciate the American way of life and what true democracy is. The spiritual need is very great but the opportunity is correspondingly great be­ cause the people have open minds and hearts to the gospel message. I am thank­ ful for the part the Biola graduates are having in moulding the future of this great nation. When I told General Whit­ ney that we had almost a thousand stu­ dents in Biola all training for the Lord’s work, he became intensely interested and expressed the hope that many would come to this great land. He has arranged for me to have a conference with Gen­ eral MacArthur. Kyoto is ten hours from Tokyo and is the cultural center of Japan and the home of the emperors one hundred years ago. All of them, including the present emperor, were crowned here. We saw the building where the coronations took place, also the largest Buddhist temple in the world, and another that has 38,000 im­ ages of Buddha in it. We secured pic­ tures of these temples, and of thousands of children on their way to the Shinto shrines. I had a long conversation with a Buddhist priest. The people bow as a greeting of re­ spect and I have bowed so much since my arrival that the muscles of my back are beginning to hurt, but I will have to keep it up till I leave. I wish all of our readers could have attended the open air services. What attention! What results! September 20 Tokyo, Japan September 23 Kyoto, Japan

On September 12th Dr. Louis T. Talbot, President of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles and Editor in Chief of this magazine, set out on a .modern missionary journey around the world by air, to visit the mission stations where graduates of the Bible Institute are laboring. W e will publish month by month ex­ cerpts from his letters in order to furnish our readers a view of the needy harvest fields as seen through his eyes. September 15 Honolulu, Hawaii Our Pan American Clipper was a monster ship, with two decks and one hundred passengers. We had a perfectly smooth trip all the way—not a single hump. Arrived here safely and met by Christian leaders. The two days’ stay on the Islands has given us an opportunity to see the great need for the gospel. The two most outstanding testimonies are directed by graduates of our school. The largest Protestant testimony in Honolulu is Kawaiahos and the pastor is Edward Kahale, a native Hawaiian and a 1921 graduate of Biola. This church seats about a thousand and has had a testi­ mony for Christ for over one hundred years. The building is of coral blocks, cut by the natives from the ocean bed. The last of the Hawaiian kings attended this church and the royal pew is still preserved. I preached there last night; it was a joy to proclaim the gospel mes­ sage in such a historic spot where one of our own Biola boys is pastor. I will show pictures of this work when I re­ turn. There are forty Buddhist temples in Honolulu, but only the middle-aged and elderly people are any longer in­ terested in idol worship.

Dr. Louis T. Talbot

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I TALKED TO GENERAL MacARTHUR By Louis T. Talbot, D.D.

I N MY current trip around the world in the interest of foreign missions, a real highlight has been my audience with the distinguished and beloved Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Japan, General Douglas MacArthur. This honor which I had coveted since the close of World War II took place at 6:30 P.M. on September 23rd. Dr. Bau­ man and I had been allotted twenty minutes for this impor­ tant interview and we determined to make the most of it. If we had any misgivings about meeting this imposing military leader, they were dispelled as soon as we were ushered into his presence. Although he is just as impressive a personality as the American press had led us to expect, he put us at ease at once with the gracious words, “Welcome to Japan! Come over and sit on the davenport, and we’ll have a talk about the Japanese problem.” We began to converse as if we had been friends for years. The General’s direct question, “ What brings you to Japan?” opened the way for us to tell him about our schools. I described the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, with its one thousand stu­ dents in training for Christian service. His eyes kindled when I stated that twenty of our graduates were laboring as mis­ sionaries in Japan, and hundreds more all over the world. He was greatly interested to learn that the Board of Directors of our schools had commissioned us to visit these mission fields to photograph our graduates in action, and to acquaint our­ selves at first hand with the needs of these lands in order that we might better equip our students to serve the people. I explained further that the films would be used to challenge others to join forces with them for the evangelization of the foreign fields. Then I asked General MacArthur: “What is the very best equipment we can give our students to fit them for service in Japan?” To this he replied that it was his conviction that the only permanent solution for Japan’s problem was to put the Bible in the hands of the people. In order to accomplish this, he has called for 3,000 missionaries and for 10,000,000 Bibles for Japan within the next three years. Later he will ask for 8,000,000 more copies of God’s Word, or a total of 18,000,000. Never in the history of any land has a topflight general, or any military power, ever made such an astounding request! I was deeply impressed with the General’s unequivocal declaration that he believed the Bible to be the Word of God, the foundation of all lasting government. He said that after the Scriptures were placed in the hands of the Japanese, it would then be “ up to the Bible to demonstrate itself.” He added, “It is my firm conviction that there is power in that Book, for it has never failed.” Then he became very grave indeed and he spoke with deep emotion: “Now is the time to strike. The Church has the greatest opportunity of her career right here in Japan, and if she fails to rise to it, history will write it down as the greatest tragedy since the beginning of the Christian era. God will hold us responsible.” Dr. Bauman and I both felt that General MacArthur was expressing convictions he felt very keenly, hut at the same time we sensed deep disappointment and discouragement be­ cause the Church’s response to this wide-open invitation for Bible distribution and evangelization had not come up to his expectations. We told him about our Bible Institute in China and asked his opinion of the future of that war-torn land, hut his only response was, “ Japan is the land of opportunity today. Send your graduates out here.” As we were leaving, I said, “ General, when you return to the United States, the people will give you a great welcome home.” He replied seriously, “ I have a job to do and I must complete it first. I long to see the homeland again. My eleven- year-old son has never seen his country, and it is hard, but the job is yet unfinished.” What a lesson to ministers and missionaries! We assured the General of our prayers and N O V E M B E R , 1 9 4 9

General Douglas MacArthur co-operation, and promised to convey his challenge to the Christian youth of America, and to urge them to have a share in enabling him to realize his dream for Japan. We shook hands heartily, and with a parting “ God bless you” we went on our way. As we were escorted down the elevator by a Lt. Colonel, we looked at our watches in astonishment. It was 7:30; we had been with the General a full hour! Surely he is one of the greatest men of our nation, and I wish there were more like him! The very next day we had a fine talk with Lieutenant Colo­ nel John W. Stewart, judge of the Provost Court, who, al­ though he did not know of our visit with General MacArthur, expressed the same views with regard to Bible dissemination. He asked me to recommend a course of Bible study which could be translated into Japanese and distributed among the university students. I assured him the Bible Institute would place such a course in his hands. Through his influence, Rev. Timothy Pietsch, one of our graduates, will be permitted to place a New Testament in the hands of every policeman in the city of Tokyo. The ten days spent in Japan have been filled to the brim with unforgettable experiences. We have visited temples and shrines, witnessed heartbreaking sights, and heard stories of untold woe. On every hand we have been appalled by the bewildered spiritual and economic condition of the people. The brightest spot has been the fellowship with the brave mission­ aries, including many of our own graduates, who have the real key to the situation. Wherever we have preached, to university students, to peasants, to prisoners—hearts have been open to the gospel. So, although the need is overwhelm­ ing, the Spirit of God is working, and something is being done to dispel the darkness. The church of God must not pass up this unprecedented opportunity to give the Word of God to a new Macedonia which is stretching forth her hands for the gospel. If we do not fail in this task, it may be in deed and in truth that a “ nation will be born in a day.” &aqe Five

greeted their unbelieving eyes. The radio programs, great department stores, the innumerable gadgets for comfort, and, above all, freedom of religion! A look through the eyes of these touch­ ingly grateful people is both a new and much-needed view for many of us. The United States is the greatest nation on the earth today and God has made it that way! The greatness of America is 100 per cent derived from the hand of God. But let Americans not forget that one cannot receive God’s favor without the corresponding responsibility of genu­ ine thankfulness. It is sin of the worst sort to open one’s hand to bounties from heaven while closing the heart and mouth to an expression of proper grati­ tude. God is not unmindful of the lack of a thankful spirit. History is strewn with nations that once enjoyed God’s gifts and then forgot the Giver. Let us solemnly consider and be warned. Add this up on our country’s balance sheet for one year: 59,000,000 people gainfully employed; $254,000,000,000 in retail sales; $7,000,000,000 going into new homes under Government auspices. The American people themselves own $48,000,000,000 in Government Savings Bonds and a total of bank deposits of $165,000,000,000. This cannot be matched anywhere on the earth or in the pages of history. This month brings a day of national thanksgiving. Let America with her whole heart save some of the time on Thanksgiving Day from football and tur­ key and meeting of friends to offer sin­ cere and heartfelt thanks to the God who has dealt so bountifully with our beloved land. Cheap “Sacred ” Music T HE criticism is justified. It is true that far too large a percentage of church music is cheap, “jazzy,” unscrip- tural and dishonoring to Christ. A listener to the Bible Instituie Hour radio program points out, after modest­ ly telling of 54 years of study and ex­ perience, that so much of the music in churches and over Christian radio pro­ grams is entirely unsatisfactory. Appa­ rently some musicians attempt to be dif­ ferent or sensational. Others imitate modern dance bands and orchestras. Still others play to the galleries where young people sing, with the result that instead of making melody in the heart to the Lord, they produce a hodge-podge of dis­ cord and untruth which must sadden His heart. It is not that there is a scarcity of noble and inspiring music. Our hymnals are filled with compositions which are both musically sound and spiritually uplifting. Let those who have the direc­ tion of sacred music resolve that their choice shall not be to tickle the ears of the jazz-jaded listeners, but to raise sweet and worshipful harmonies to the Lord of heaven and earth.

of events connected with the great tribu­ lation which is to come upon the earth. Yet for the child of God freedom from anxiety and genuine peace of mind are promised. The formula is given in Isaiah 26:3 where we are told that God will keep us in perfect peace if our minds are stayed upon Him. The way of peace is a conscious and constant application of our hearts and minds to the truths of Scripture. There is no need of dis­ tress—it is even a mark of lack of trust when the child of God is alarmed about world conditions. The general outline of what is to come is one of Scripture’s main revelations, and it is the ministry of the Holy Spirit of God to inform us of coming events (John 16:13). So, rather than be excited or perturbed, the Christian may rest upon his diyinely- given knowledge of coming events, re­ membering all the while that these form the setting for prophecy’s greatest jewel, which is the glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God’s love. This new development in Russia, which will tax the minds and nervous systems of worldly people is to the Christian just another of God’s reminders that the day of His coronation is not far off. America Must Thank God — or Else A RECENT magazine article related the story of a couple who had just arrived in the United States from Ger­ many via Bolivia. This consummated a dream of more than fifty years. Their arrival in Philadelphia seemed almost like a fairy tale to this man and woman. Actually they could go into restaurants and buy anything their hearts desired, with no one to say “ nay,” and no limits put upon a single article! They had never seen so many kinds of bread— white, rye, whole wheat, pumpernickel and many others, with every loaf neatly wrapped and sliced! What a paradise! For their little dog which they had brought with them from Bolivia there were rows and rows of especially pre­ pared foods all done up in attractive packages. The dog was so overwhelmed that he even refused certain brands, per­ haps as a bit of a canine joke, thinking it was fun to be choosy! More wonders

Russia Has It— Now What? T HE world is being subjected to a new case of jitters over the recent announcement that now, four years after the close of the last world war, Russia has, at long last, succeeded in putting together a successful atomic bomb. Fear once more grips the hearts of men. One Southern California college professor took two lives including his own, with the only available explanation that the strain was too great. What is the answer to this new threat to peace and well-be­ ing, and how should God’s children re­ gard it? It is well-known to Bible students that one of the characteristics of the age in which we live is constantly recurring conflict. The Lord himself, describing our age, as recorded in the 24th chapter of Matthew, warned that we would have wars and rumors of wars, and that nation should rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. However, these are general characteristics of the age and do not necessarily constitute a sign of the immediate consummation of it. The truth of the Lord’s statement is abundantly verified as we consider the pages of history from that day to this. So in one sense the possibility of the immihence of another war should not surprise us. Then, too, it is to be remembered that there are several important prophetic passages, including Ezekiel 38 and 39 and Daniel 9 and 11, which apparently set forth the growth and importance of a great Northern Confederacy headed by Russia. Bible students have long be­ lieved that in the end times there would be two great coalitions of nations, one occupying somewhat the same geographic sphere as the ancient Roman Empire and led by the Antichrist; the other a group of nations not formerly in the Roman sphere, but comprising the Teu­ tonic and Slavic people of Northern Europe and, of course, headed by the Russians. The recent announeement concerning the Russian accomplishment with regard to the atomic bomb is but another step in the advance of Russia toward the goal of this Northern Confederacy. It is indeed a very remarkable sign of both the fulfillment of the prophetic Word and of the imminence of the Lord’s return and

Page Six

T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S

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By W A L L A C E EMERSON, Ph. D. Member of the Faculty of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles

O UR country has taken part in two great world wars within the last quarter century, each one of which was designed to bring about stability of government, and to promote everlasting peace in the world. We have been disap­ pointed to discover that neither of these bloody conflicts has settled anything. Our world is in a state of greater con­ fusion, uncertainty, and turmoil. Those of us who look back to the days before 1914 with nostalgia can scarcely believe that there could ever have been a world so peaceful, so full of seeming certain­ ties, and apparently so safe. As we approach another Thanksgiving season we seem to have few causes for gratitude as we consider the possibilities for future evil inherent in the present world situation. We could recall that we live in a world where force and trickery, treach­ ery and violence have come to be the accepted mode. We live in an age whose gospel is not that enunciated by the four evangelists, but which draws its inspira­ tion from the unmorality of Machiavel- li’s Prince. We could say that we live in an age which will go down in history as one in which many of our spiritual leaders were apostate, our wise men our greatest fools, our young men with­ out vision, our business ethics unethical, our governmental arrangements short­ sighted and oppressive. All of these things would be true, and certainly no cause for thanksgiving. But there is, on the other hand, that which should make the heart of every Ameri­ can Christian rejoice. First of all, I thank the Lord that I live in a land into which all of the na­ tions of the earth have poured their chil­ dren, have contributed their culture, and have brought their separate talents and racial contributions. Americans should be in a position above all peoples to understand all peo­ ples, to enjoy all peoples, and to have a tolerance for and love of all that is best in every race and in every culture. It is true that we have been so friendly to other peoples that our enemies have used it against us—have even used this tol­ erance of ours to set one group against another. But I thank the Lord that it is the genius of America to be the meeting place of all nations, analogous in this lim­ ited sense to that great city of God in which all of the nations go in and out, walking in the light of the city, which is God and the Lamb.

but we have been so far removed from general famine that we hardly under­ stand what such a thing means. There are people in this country who are not properly nourished, but to see any one die of starvation is an unusual rather than an ordinary sight; certainly, to see thousands die, a thing which is common in Asia, yes, even in Europe, is un­ heard of in America. “ I will abundantly bless her provi­ sion: I will satisfy her poor with bread” (Psa. 132:15). We live in a country in which the subsistence standards are higher than anywhere else in the world. Much as we can rightly deplore the extremes of in­ equality between the very rich and the very poor in America, even so, the poor have better food than the well-to-do in many parts of the world. The day labor­ er rides to work in an automobile. Tene­ ment houses have bathtubs, and tenement districts have playgrounds and parks. Those things which are considered luxu­ ries elsewhere are thought of as abso­ lute necessities here. “ Blessed be the Lord; who daily load- eth us with benefits” (Psa. 68:19). We live in a land where great plagues sweeping the country to the destruction of a large part of the population are rare and far between. To be sure, we have had epidemics of influenza, epi­ demics of infantile paralysis, epidemics of sleeping sickness; but a very small part of the population has been affected. To have widespread bubonic plague or cholera or malaria of a fatal kind is unknown. We have to thank the med­ ical profession directly for this, but even the medical profession should be remind­ ed that it is only out of Christian civi­ lization that conditions have arisen to make a medical profession possible. “ He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destruc­ tions” (Psa. 107:20). “ Thou shalt not be afraid for the ter­ ror by night . . . Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee” (Psa. 91:5-7). I am thankful that we live in a coun­ try in which there are Christian insti­ tutions, the freedom to worship, the freedom to establish Christian colleges and educational institutions; a country in which there is a minimum of govern­ mental control over these institutions.

“ The Lord . . . gathered them, out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south" (Psa. 107:2, 3). I am thankful that we have been brought into a land that is indeed a goodly heritage, one which is diverse in its climate and in its products, one that is self-sufficient as to its basic needs; a land in which wheat fields wave over layers of, coal; in which orange groves bear fruit over the oil of hidden sands; in which the forests grow above the mines of iron and coal. God has been gracious to this land. Its resources are two and three layers deep. “He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings. And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may pre­ pare a city for habitation; and sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase. He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease” (Psa. 107:35-38). I am thankful that I live in a land where there has never been a general famine. There have been local short­ ages in this country of ours, crop fail­ ures due to drought and insect pests;

N O V E M B E R , I 9 4 9

Page Seven

YOUR GOD IS STILL LIVING

We have heard much of the encroach­ ment of government upon the affairs of private individuals. In spite of this, we may thank God that there is still a large measure of individual liberty, of freedom of the press, of free speech, of freedom to gather ourselves together for whatever lawful purpose may unite us. So long as there remains even a residue of Christian influence in the very structure of our governmental in­ stitutions, we owe thanksgiving to God for the degree of liberty we enjoy. “ Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Cor. 3:17). I am thankful that so far we have been saved from the curse that follows upon the persecution of God’s ancient people. In a world in which there is a growing tide of anti-Semitism, I count it as one of the major blessings that we have been saved from persecution of those people, and that we have per­ mitted thousands of them entrance to these shores when they have been per­ secuted elsewhere. I shall always feel that God still has a measure of mercy for our shortcomings as long as this iniquitous thing does not happen to us. I am thankful that I have lived to see the day of the re-establishment of Israel when the promised return of the Jewish people from exile to the land of their fathers has begun, and that even though that return does not yet signify a reconciliation of Jehovah and His people, it is one of the steps that precedes it. I am glad that many of God’s ancient people are beginning to understand that the fall of Jerusalem and the age-long scattering of the He­ brew people was somehow connected with their failure to recognize Messiah when He came. “ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psa 122:6). I am thankful that after centuries of neglect and misunderstanding and mis­ use, the Word of God today is more thoroughly understood by those who love Him than ever in the past. In spite of a spreading apostasy, there is a greater knowledge of the Bible by the redeemed, a greater understanding of its message, especially the prophetic message, and a greater corroboration of its authority. For a century the papyri, the stone in­ scriptions, the clay tablets have all es­ tablished the historicity and indirectly the validity of the Word of God. When the church of Christ was silent, even the stones have cried out. We live in a day when the love of many has waxed cold, when wickedness has increased, when men have denied the Lord who bought them, even those who have been ordained to preach the gospel. But these very things have by contrast to those who are wise made even more clear the righteousness of God and the value of the salvation which we have received through Christ. “ Bless the Lord, O my soul: and for­ get not all his benefits” (Psa. 103:2). Page Eight

By Carol Terry

Ramabai Mukti Mis­ sion, Kedgaon, Poona District, India

A heart-moving glimpse of India’s need

I N the darkness the people sat, hun­ dreds of them, all over Mukti’s front yard, all over the road, all over every available place, while their eyes never turned from the gospel pictures before "them. The only interruptions were when bullocks came up from time to time bringing cartloads of Indians from other villages, but quietly and quickly thq people found their places in the throng, looking at and listening to the gospel. Our speaker, the Rev. Fred Schlander, had brought with him moving pictures and stereopticon slides to portray to the Indians the story from Bethlehem to the Cross, but there was no electricity in Mukti. Seven miles away is the big shrine of Narayan, a leper who had called him­ self a god. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the country had come to wor­ ship him. A big temple, dining hall, and other buildings were erected, elaborate lighting fixtures were installed, and the fame of the shrine spread all over In­ dia. But the leper Narayan died. The people stopped coming. The elaborate temple and other buildings became de­ serted, and the whole place stands va­ cant and empty, a testimony to the fact that the god is dead. We went to ask if we might borrow their electric dynamo, unused since Narayan died three years ago. The Brahman trustee, who made possible our borrowing it, said, “ Yes, you may use it. We have no need for

the dynamo, for the god is dead. Your God is still living. That is the difference between your religion and ours.” As we watched that dynamo giving the power to portray the message of life and salvation to our Indian people, we could not help but think of the tes­ timony of that engine, for every “ thump, thump” of the dynamo told all who came that the Hindu temple was empty, while the church of Christ was filled to overflowing; it told all who came that the temple courtyards were deserted, while our Lord’s courtyards at Mukti were thronged; it told all who came that the ashes of the Hindu god in the temple offered no comfort and therefore pilgrims no longer went there, while Christ arose again and is the key of life and death; it told all who came that all the big shrine had left was the shadow of a dead god, while a living Christ was giving eternal life and joy to all who sought Him. When we returned the dynamo to the deserted shrine, the priests talked long with us. They showed us the footprints of their god, while we showed them the prints of the cross; they told us of Hindu philosophy, and we told them of sin and salvation by the blood of Christ. For hours we talked, and when we left, the priest said, “ Come again and talk twenty-four hours. Some day we may come to you, but it will not be to teach, it will be to learn.” T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S

YOUNG PEOP Third in a series of Informal Chats with Young People on their Perplexing Problems By William W. Orr, D.D. Shall I Dance? Yes, I know quite well that dancing is universally popular and widely approved, and that many Christians dance. I knot? that dances are promoted by many character-building organ­ izations and even by some churches. I am aware that in educational and Christian circles hardly a voice is being raised against it. But I’m dead in earnest as I tell you the dance is the devil’s territory and way out of bounds for real lovers of Christ (Phil. 4:8). There isn’t a shadow of doubt but that the root of the dance’s attraction is sex, and it’s intention to arouse and stimulate passion. Take away the opportunities for improper physical proximity and you’d kill the dance in a week. Who would want to dance if girls danced only with girls and boys with boys? That shows what the dance is built upon (Rom. 1:24). To the one whose body is the temple of the Holy Spirit of God there need be no other argument (1 Cor. 6:19, 20). The companions of the dance are a sorry lot when dragged out into the open. Usually nearby there is drinking, smoking, and profanity. The lights are always turned low as if to hide what goes on there. The music is strange, jungle music, with the tempo calculated to make the dancer throw off restraint and indulge to the full. The whole thing reeks of sensuality and lust. Tell me, ought born-again Christians to be there (1 Thess. 5:22)? I know that the dance is almost irresistibly attractive to some young people. They dearly love to dance. But, please, for Christ’s sake, as well as your own, examine carefully the facts of the case (Col. 3:17). Thé dance destroys modesty, promotes impure thinking, soils lives and in many cases causes immorality of the worst sort. The dance crowd is the devil’s crowd, and the worst of bad company for children of God (Mark 6:22-29). Or, come to the positive. Does dancing glorify my Heavenly Father (1 Cor. 10:31) ? May I dance in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ (Col. 1:1,2)? Will my Divine Guest approve (1 Cor. 3:16)? Will I be a better Christian if I participate? There would certainly need to be some hesitation before one could truthfully answer “yes” to these questions. The devotees of the dance claim many things for it but never do they say it is to the glory and praise of God. I have yet to hear of a dance being opened with “ All Hail the Power of Jesus Name” , or stopped in the middle for a time of prayer, or closed with an earnest invitation for the ones present to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. Not a few arguments are rushed to the dance’s defense which look rather silly in the daylight. Dancing is said to be good exercise. Well I’ll leave it to you to compare the exercise one would get in the smoke-filled and liquor-laden atmosphere of a ballroom with the exhilaration of a brisk walk in God’s great out-of-doors. At that time of night one doesn’t require exercise anyway; it’s time to sleep. It is claimed that the Bible encourages dancing, but you know the dancing of the Bible is not even remotely related to the modern dance (2 Sam. 6:14). Many parents sanction dancing saying that it promotes grace. Well, perhaps this is true, but at an awful cost in purity of life. The snake is graceful too. There are many clean sports which would be a much better teacher of grace. Some will say that all the crowd dances, and if one doesn’t, he or she will be left out. Well, I’m afraid that’s true, for you will be left out (John 16:2, 3). But you’ll be in good company on the outside, for all the real Christians will be there with you, and your Lord Jesus too (Heb. 13:5). Others ask: What of home dancing with just a few select friends? Well, you should ask the Lord about this, but my advice is “No.” All the dangerous elements are still there, and home dancing has a habit of growing into something else. There are scores of interesting and profitable ways of enjoying yourself which are not questionable. Try these. N O V E M B E R , 1 9 4 9

To Smoke or Not to Smoke? I’m going to be absolutely honest with you. It is possible, medically speaking, for one to be a smoker more or less throughout a lifetime and still apparently live out the normal span of years. This is not because there is no harm in tobacco, for there is. Rather it’s because of the amazing recuperative and protective powers which God has placed in the human body, which enable it to eliminate the poison of smoke as quickly as possible. No amount of smooth talking, however, will change the fact that it is cruel punishment to subject tne delicate mem­ branes of the respiratory system to the various irritants contained in smoke, any kind of smoke. Anyone is infinitely better off, healthier, wealthier and happier, who abstains entirely from the foul weed, as the majority of smokers will testify. But the physical harm of smoking is not the basis of my appeal to you. This habit has a tremendous strangle-hold on people today. It seems as if just everybody from grandmas to grammar school kids indulges. Many Christians smoke too saying the Bible doesn’t forbid it (Eph. 4:21-24), and they see no harm in, it (1 Cor. 6:19, 20). Well, I’ll admit that the Bible doesn’t specifically forbid it (1 Tim. 5:22), and I’ll fur­ ther admit that you can be a Christian and still smoke, but what kind of a Christian? That’s the point. Are we to be content with just being Christians? Is not the challenge of the New Testament to be entirely surrendered to Christ (Rom. 12:1, 2 )? Aren’t rewards to be handed out when we see Christ on the basis of whether or not we have served Him to our last degree of ability (2 Cor. 5:10). You see the question is not: Can I smoke and still be a Christian? Rather, it is: Will smoking make me a better Christian? Will I love Christ more and serve Him better through this? And anything, smoking or anything else, ought to be ruled out which will not draw my life nearer to the heart of Christ (Eph. 5:3-5). Page Eleven

On the other hand, tobacco and the principles (Gal. 5:17-23) of the Bible certainly do not agree. Smoking doesn’t go with churches or prayer meetings. If Christ were to walk in our land today you know that He would utterly disapprove (Matt. 5:48). The true character of tobacco is aptly' illustrated by one of the first acts of the newly-bom-again Christian. When the sinner has known the cleansing power of the blood of Christ one of his first acts is to fling the tobacco habit out of his life. One of his first prayers is for cleansing from this degrading thing. Why? Because smoking belongs to the old life. It is a mark of the Kingdom of Satan. Smoking Christians are always carnal, worldly, fleshly (1 Cor. 3:1-3). They are the kind that do not grow in the things of God. But the spiritual Christian, the one who is daily asking the Heavenly Guest to direct his life, has long ago put away this vile habit (1 Tim. 4:12). It’s rather a danger­ ous practice to defile (1 Cor. 3:17) the temple of God. And surely this habit is a defiling one. The advertising of the tobacco companies is a laugh as any reputable M.D. will tell you. Don’t be fooled by it. And the testimonials so widely acclaimed on the billboards are all bought and paid for by tobacco-stained money. This habit is a filthy one, degrading, wasteful and harmful, and the spending of millions of dollars to deny it won’t change it one iota. It still smells! If you are already enslaved to this odorous monster, there is deliverance for you. Call upon the all-powerful Christ to help you, and decide that never again will your lips be soiled by this degrading habit (Matt. 28:18). The better way is to never allow yourself to become addicted to its use. What of the Movies? Moving pictures are such fun ! I suppose it’s because everyone loves to hear a story, only in the case of pictures, you see the story as well as hear it. Truly this invention ranks among the greatest even in this age of great inventions. It’s marvelous to sit and watch people and places which are over on the other side of the world, or to see events tran­ spiring before your very eyes which have passed into history. Governmental, educational and religious agencies are rightly awakening to the tremendous possibilities of the motion pic­ ture as a teaching agent. It’s certainly true that you remem­ ber what you see. But listen, when it comes to the matter of the “movies,” that’s another story. By “movies” we mean that industry which produces and markets films for entertainment. For this industry we have only the severest condemnation. They have ignored their high opportunity to be a powerful force for good upon our land, and have prostituted their powers in order to gain wealth and influence (1 Tim. 6:9, 10). They have become a monster, rich, unprincipled and corrupt. The commercial movies of today are for the most part drama­ tized and produced by wicked people and their influence is a vile curse upon our land. The proof? An impartial survey (obtained in your public library), conducted by prominent educators over a period of years, reveals that the theme of the vast majority of pictures is a sorry trio—crime, love and sex. The crime pictures show the life of crime as almost desirable, and are a horrible school producing young criminals. The love of the pictures is not our kind of love, but is illicit, indecent and lustful (1 Cor. 13:4-7). The pictures are liberally sprinkled with scenes of drinking and smoking. Bedroom scenes with semi-nudity and immoral situations abound. The sacred things of God, the church, the institution of marriage, and honest living are held up to ridicule. Tell me, how can followers of the Lord Jesus Christ support this degrading thing (Gal. 5:18-21)? The movies are attractive and almost irresistible, I’ll admit. They’re gay and glittering and most young people are just crazy about them. But the unvarnished truth is, that for Christians it just isn’t possible to sit and watch pictures of this sort and not defile their minds, and weaken their spirit­ ual life (Gal. 6:8). No child of God who allows the deadly virus of the commercial moving picture to enter his mind, can be the person his Heavenly Father desires him to be (1 John

2:15-17). Inevitably his love for Christ grows cold. Other sins follow. Listen, friends, you just can’t keep looking to Jesus and keep looking at the movies too (Heb. 12:1, 2). There must be a choice here. What’ll it be? Well, what about travel pictures, educational school films, home movies? They’re all right. It’s not the invention of the moving picture that’s wrong, it’s the improper use being made of them by an industry without conscience. There are also some films being produced by earnest Christians and to the glory of God which merit the confidence of the Chris­ tian public. If you’re in doubt about a picture ask the Lord for wisdom (Jas. 1:5). * What about the “good” picture, the historical film, the rec­ ommended film? True, there are some good pictures produced with nothing objectional in them. Occasionally they are shown alone, but more generally they are sandwiched in with un­ desirable films. In these films the same actors are seen which play in the vile ones. And even in seeing a good picture, you’re paying tribute to an industry which is rotten to the core. I wonder if these “good” pictures aren’t just bait to lure into the movie palaces those who have scruples against going? And in doing this the movie industry creates a theater habit which is difficult to break. Truly, it’s a real problem. I wonder if the best and safest course to pursue isn’t to renounce all theater going (Phil. 4:8) ? Would you do this for Christ’s sake, because of your love for Him, and your desire to live for Him (Phil. 1:21)? Would you do it because you want your mind and body to be clean for His use? I know of a surety that He’ll make it up to you in satisfaction and blessing (John 15:16). l y a c e to 5 ace “Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to j a w ‘ —1 Cor. 13:12. Oh, sometimes my faith sees Jesus coming o’er the stormy sea. And the waves are stilled, the raging tempest past; Then the clouds return again, clouds of care and grief and pain, And the sweetness of His presence does not last. But some day I’ll bide with Him where no storm His face shall dim— He who loves me and who saves me by His grace. Here I walk by faith, not sight; but I’m walking toward the light, And—what glory when I see Him face to face! And sometimes my hope can see Him in the vision of the night As the Morning Star that ushers in the day; Then the mists arise once more, and they hide Him as before, And the splendor of His presence fades away; But I still my longing heart; here I only know in part, And but darkly through a glass His features trace; So with patience I can wait, come He soon or come He late, For—what glory when I see Him face to face! And sometimes my love beholds Him with the thorns upon His brow, And I cast my every burden at His feet; For I know He’s interceding, ever with the Father pleading; And the comfort of the thought is very sweet. So I’m watching for the day when all shadows pass away And we meet in that eternal dwelling place; Face to face—and that forever; Face to face, where naught can sever; I shall see Him in His beauty, face to face; I have caught faint glimpses here, Seen through many a falling tear, But—what glory when I see Him face to face! — Annie Johnson Flint

By permission Evangelical Publishers

Page Twelve

T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S

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