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Send for your free copy o f this remarkable testi mony o f hatred turned to love. A JEW AN D TH E NAME of JESUS mrr w rv yis? ■rm mrr gogtt Hear, O Israel; Jehovah Our God, Jehovah is One!
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e v e r NAME a n ew sp a p e r ? That’s what students of Moody Corre spondence School are going to do . . . name their new monthly digest-size paper that will soon be off the press. The prize for the winning name? The three-volume Bible Student’s Library. Worth a try, isn’t it? Submit as many names as you wish—there’s no limit. You’re eligible if you are enrolled in a correspondence course . . . or enroll
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Daniel Bose, Director The Bible Institute of Los Angeles maintains a J e w i s h Department whose ministry deals with the preach ing of the gospel to God’s ancient people, Israel. From this office go out thousands of pieces of literature especially prepared to interest the Jews. Also many of the students are engaged in visitation work, calling upon the Jewish people and inviting them to the meetings. Teams of stu dents hold regular street meetings in places where an audience can be se cured. Various prayer meetings are held and every Sunday at 4 p.m. in the lower auditorium o f the Bible Institute of Dos Angeles a mass meet ing is held with fine- speakers. You are invited to pray for the work of the Jewish Department, and to support this ministry by your prayers and gifts.
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May, 1945
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Accent On Youth Youth Conquering for Christ R. L. Middleton Messages suitable for young people pr pastors to read or use for programs. Teaching the Word of Truth Donald G. Barnhouse Eighty lessons presenting Bible doctrines visually for children. Children’s Gospel Commentary Keith L. Brooks a analysis of the Gospels and the book of Act» adapted to the child’s view* point. A book suitable for- reading at family worship. Reaching Children Mildred Morningstar Leaders of child evangelism groups» Sunday School classes and summer camps will be interested in the newest method* for reaching chib dren. Strictly Confidential A lice M. Hustad A book for girls and about girls. All phases of a girl’s life are discussed from a Christian point of view, i Youth Makes the Choice H . E. W atters Vocational and social self- guidance of inestimable value to all young people as well as* counsellors. Reaching Boys Dimmock Steeves Handbook on boys’ club and camp work. Contains plans and methods for evangelizing teen age boys.
A new movable, realistic, picture method of tell ing Bible stories or preaching illustrated sermons. Holds your class spellbound. Discipline problems solved. Give it a try in your class. You’ll be surprised at the results. Children want to learn and they clamor for this new way of presenting Bible truths. You will double your attendance. Write for free folder telling all about this new method of teaching to—
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As long as you live there may never be a more important year than the one ahead. Christian young men and young women will be faced with greater de mands for intelligent living for Christ than ever before. HIS is a magazine specifically designed to help them be come more completely His—the Lord's — through reading its pages. Already, many young people have yielded their lives to God as a result of reading HIS. Some have faced up to. His call to missionary service. Just re cently I heard of two girls who were kept from marrying unbelievers be cause of an article in HIS. Readers have been led to trust God when tempted to throw everything overboard. The May issue is ready. Here are some of the titles: WORRY, THE KILLER—what it does io you, and what to do about it. VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHRISTIAN YOUTH—the tre mendous story of Good News Pub lishing Company of Chicago, and plans of president Clyde Dennis for world-wide expansion of his tract publication ministry, WHAT COLLEGE DID TO MY RE LIGION—a challenging article writ ten by a fellow who lost his faith at the university.
HOW SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE—the power of God's Word for reai Chris tian living, as demonstrated from a typical experience. EVER GO TO SLEEP WHILE PRAY- ING?—or have trouble with your mind wandering from your prayer? One who knows how to pray tells how to meet this problem. OSCAR, THE INVISIBLE—two serv- icemen appeal to their buddies to be as concerned about eternal matters as they are in obeying rules of protec tion against Oscar, the malaria mos quito. Subscribe for yourself and give HIS to servicemen, the college gang, busi ness people and young homemakers. An ideal graduation gift. PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE INTER-VARSITY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP |llllllll!lllllllllll!l|lllillllllllllllll!iinil]illillllllllllll|lllllllilllll|lll!|l|!||l!ll|||||NIIIIIIII|UIUIIII!ll § | Yes, please send HIS to the person | named below: I Npme____________________ ______________. | Address.. ___________________________ £ | City_____________________ State________ . | □ $1.50 for 1 yr. □ $1 for 8 mo. | HIS—DEPT. K, «4 E. LAKE ST., 1 CHICAGO i, ILLINOIS
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START PREPARING FOR YOUR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL PEARL DIVING EXPEDITION Ethel 6. Hansen A cruise that presents the salva tion story. Officers, Passengers, Staterooms, Decks, Tickets, Galley, and ■ Brig all contribute to the nautical atmosphere. Plan book- jet for use of Captain containing instructions for making ship, con test posters, etc., together with set of 10 lessons—one set for each officer who will Instruct. $3.50. Customers in California add 2y THE K I N G ’ S B U S I NE S S 162 THE KING'S BUSINESS The Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Incorporated Voi. 36 Louis T. Talbot, D.D., Editor-in-Chief No. 5 W illiam W . Orr, D.D. A ssociate Editor May, 1945 Ransom Marvin Staff Artist CHILD AND YOUTH EVANGELISM NUMBER C O N T EN TS : Cover — Drawing by John A. Bazart, Los Angeles, California Page Winning Negro Children to Christ by Lester E. Huber ................. ...163 Editorially Speaking ............................ ............................... ................ ........164 Hold That Line! by Kenneth Hanson .....................................................166 Youth Evangelism in the Deep South by Elmer L. Wilder. ............ 168 Everybody Uses Tracts; Why Not You? by Miriam E. Fackler.... 170 Give Us the Youth by F. D. Lockman and Anne Haselton ............ -.172 The Bible in the News......... .....................................................................174 Junior King’s Business by Martha _S. Hooker ..................................... 175 Sunday School Lessons ...................... .......................................................179 Young People’s Topics ....... .......... ............................................................. 187 Devotional Readings ........................................ ............................................190 Dr. Talbot’s Question Box ............ ............................................................ 192 Biola Family Circle by Leonard Gaylord ...............................................194 Greek Word Treasures by Bernard Ramm..., ......................................195 SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION— "The King’s Business” is published monthly; $1.50, one yr.; $2.00, two yrs.; 75 cents, six months; 20 cents, single copy. Clubs ol 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. REMITTANCE—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, Calif., or our eastern representatives, Religious Press Asso ciation, 51 No. 52nd St., Philadelphia 39, Pa. MANUSCRIPTS —“ The King’s Business” cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to manuscripts sent in for consideration. Entered as second-class matter November 7, 1938, at the Post Office at Los Angeles, California, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of Foo ^as^e Prov^ed f°r i° 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, Calif. 1 163 May, 1945 WINNING NEGRO CHILDREN TO CHRIST By Lester E. Huber ; O N a bright morning in a small southern town a negro newsboy is seen delivering his daily papers from house to house. Just before he throws each so we ask him what it is he is placing in the papers. With eager enthusiasm he tells us about the fine gospel tracts and the Christian literature he is distributing via the daily news. The story back of this young black boy’s unique ministry is an interesting one. There was a Good News Club in his neighborhood' a few years ago, and he was one of its most attentive members. A white woman directed the club, and under her faithful, prayerful presentation of God’s Word, this boy received Christ as his Saviour and became interested in the Bible, learning to love its precious message more each time he heard it. Later, someone told him about the Southern Bible Training School in Dallas. He is now fifteen years old, in high school, and is one of our best students. The Lord is using him to distribute gospel literature on his news route. Not only is he serving the Lord daily in this way, but he is preparing himself for the gospel ministry. His boy friend whom he brought with him to the school is also planning to train for the ministry. The teacher of that club had to take three buses to get to her class in the colored neighborhood of the little town, and the trip took over an hour each way. There were other hardships and inconveniences in connection with the class, many of them; but they are all counted as nothing by that loyal Christian servant as she praises the Lord for the work He has wrought in the life of the negro newsboy. For two years the average attendance in the class was thirty children. The boys and girls were assembled each week by the wife of one of our negro students. The teacher not only taught the children, but trained this colored woman, and has now turned the class over to her. In the average negro church little attention is paid to the children, mainly because of the lack of trained teachers. The pastor is expected to do most of the work, but he is unable to spend much time with the children. One of the greatest needs is for trained negro teachers, but until such teachers are available it will be necessary to depend largely upon white leaders. paper he slips something into it. Our curiosity is aroused, They Must Be Loved The negro children can never be won to Christ apart from a manifestation of His love, not only .as it is re vealed in His Word, but as it is exhibited to them by His servants. Never speak to them of the love of God in Christ unless you are willing to let God show the reality of that love through you. The Apostle Paul clearly ex presses this in 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (R.V.): “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become. . . a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries, and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing. Love suffereth long, and is kind . . . seeketh not its own. . . beareth all things. . . endureth all things." [ Continued on Page 177] 164 THE K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S EDITORIALLY SPEAKING God are fully prepared when death strikes. This is the part of wisdom and certainly the part of common sense. Is your preparation complete? If not, you have failed to learn the lesson which God has intended to teach you by means of the passing of our President. ★ ★ Truman Becomes Nation's Chief We are more than delighted at the first official utterances given by our new President. Our understanding is, that on the very afternoon of Mr. Roosevelt’s death, as he met with a group of newsmen, President Truman was heard to request of these men that they pray for him and he added, “I mean that, too.” This certainly quickens and enlarges our hope re garding the future of our beloved country, and the trustworthiness of our new administration. In his first official radio broadcast carried to the Nation over all the larger networks, and possibly with as large a listening audience as has ever been assembled, again we find our new President in deep humility, tak ing the place of a suppliant and mak ing request of the God of the ages for wisdom to lead our Nation. At the close of his speech, which exhibited both statesmanship and tenacity of purpose, Mr. Truman appropriately likened himself to King Solomon as the latter began to rule in the place of his father David. Selecting a por tion of King Solomon’s prayer, Mr. Truman called upon God to observe his lack of ability and to supply the needed wisdom to lead this great land of America. Our hearts utter a hearty amen to this and we pledge ourselves to per sistently and earnestly pray for this man who has shown such unexpected appreciation of divine principles. We are certain beyond the peradventure of a doubt, that if the Christian peo ple of America were to daily lav our President’s Death On Thursday afternoon, April 12, the entire Nation was shocked by the news of the death of our War-time Presi dent. While it had been observed for some months that Mr. Roosevelt’s health was not what it should be, still the people as a whole were en tirely unprepared for the precipitate news of his death. Very few of us can ever realize the stupendous bur- der that is carried by the Chief Exe cutive of these United States and, with the world engaged in global con flict, that burden has increased- a hundred fold. While it is true that we could not fully agree with the ideologies and principles of the ad ministration, still we deeply admired the courage, tenacity, good humor and extraordinary abilities of our late President. Undoubtedly, however, his sudden death has done more to bring the rank and file of our people to a knowledge of the uncertainty of life than all the acts of Mr. Roosevelt’s administration. The Word of God has stated that “It is appointed unto man once to die,” but in the rush and hurry of everyday modern life, many had forgotten. Ac cording tb the reports of the news papers, the President died without giving any last words. Evidently he had not planned to die at that time, but plans of men make no difference when God calls. We are sure that the sympathies of the entire nation are sincerely extended to the bereaved family. It would be a tragedy to let this event of world-wide significance and publicity pass without applying its divine teaching to our own hearts. Some day, perhaps without warning, death will beckon for you and me, and in spite of the importance of our task, we must immediately drop what we are doing to answer the call. Not withstanding the abruptness of any one’s summons, he may be prepared. The Book of God lists in detail the steps of preparation. Many of God’s saints who are steeped in the Word of President’s name before the Throne of God, asking that he be divinely em powered with wisdom necessary for his task, we would see a different land of America. God help us not to fail, but to follow the Scriptural admoni tion to pray for “kings and for all those who are in authority.” God bless you, President Truman, God keep you safely and God give you wisdom for your task. ★ ★ Letter From Dr. Roberts Most of our readers will remember, and this is a good time to inform our new readers, that the Bible In stitute of Los Angeles owns and op erates another completely equipped Bible Institute in central China. Dur ing the past five sorrowful years this Hunan Bible Institute has been closed, but with brighter prospects on the horizon, the Board of Direc tors of the Bible Institute has dis patched Dr. Charles Roberts, the Su perintendent of the China Depart ment, back to that land to set about the task of reopening the school when conditions permit. A letter is received from Dr. Rob erts from South Africa which gives encouragement as to the possibility of his soon arrival in India, and thence to China. There is the greatest need for a real volume of prayer to ascend to our Heavenly Father in be half of the reopening of this work. Surely, if there is one thing that new China will need following the years of blood, sweat and tears, it will be this training school Where hundreds of bright, Christian Chinese students can be trained for the task of the evangeli zation of that vast country. Put this on vour prayer list. May, 1945 165 most vital daily task. Let it take Acts 1:8 as its church verse and live it all year long. ★ ★ Rockefeller Pamphlet A small brochure has recently come to our desk giving the substance of an address by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., before the Protestant Council of the City of New York. We understand that these pamphlets have been given nation-wide distribution in the hope of promoting Protestant unity and stirring up interest in a concerted forward movement. Many of Mr. Rock efeller’s statements are commendable. He deplores purely denominational em phasis and earnestly pleads for unity in vital spiritual principles. Very significant however, is the ad mission that the bulk of this same address was given during the years of the first world war. This adds up to acknowledging that in the last three decades little or no progress has been made. We wish that we might follow the path to Protestant unity pointed out in all sincerity by Mr. Rockefeller, but as usual God’s most important truths are omitted. There is no recog nition of the absolutely lost condition of humanity,'no mention of the Sav- iourhood of the Lord Jesus Christ, no upward looking for the return of earth’s rightful King. Rather, the sug gested conclusion is that, when all of Protestantism finally sees the light and unites, the door will open to that golden age of peace, prosperity and happiness. Not thus does the New Testament read. We look for man’s best efforts to end in dismal failure. The day will come when God will call a halt. Then the heavens will part, and God’s well beloved Son will come forth to set up that glorious Kingdom which shall never be thrust down. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. ★ ★ Thrilling Story Truth is stranger than fiction, and all of God’s miracles did not end with the last chapter of the Book of the Acts. In our current issue we bring you a timely article from the pen of Mr. F. D. Lockman. Brother Lockman, an orange rancher from Orange County, California, is a big man in many ways. But the greatest part of his character is his absolute determina tion to trust God. It was back in 1931 that the Lock- mans were penniless, in debt and dis couraged. One day they covenanted with God to faithfully give back into His work ten cents out of every dollar earned. Through trying depression years, they kept books with God and, while other ranchers round about were going into bankruptcy, God’s bless ings to the Lockmans only increased. The story reads like fiction. The current chapter shows the Lockmans prospering, with a million dollar orange producing concern, and turn ing over ninety per cent of their in come into the Lord’s work! Brother Lockman’s heart is a large one, but his special delight is in ministering ,to children the story of the love of God as found in Christ. Would that God would raise up to Himself many of this type of mod ern Boaz! We are sure that there are untapped other millions waiting for the men who will trust God, and who will do business for Him. ★ ★ Postwar Students Dr. Louis T. Talbot, President of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, has just returned from an extensive tour in the East. Among other things, he reports many conversations with men and women of our armed forces. There is a definite trend of thinking on their part with regard to their postwar oc cupations. Many who have been overseas and have witnessed the dire need of foreign peoples for the gospel of Christ have expressed themselves as desiring to return to these lands, armed with the Bible, to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. This desire of service men and women is not a thing of vision, for they understand that in order to go to these lands as missionaries they must have adequate Bible training. Some are ready now to enroll as stu dents in the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. Surely this is a hopeful sign and something that merits the prayers of God’s people. There will be op portunities for 50,000 missionaries to go forth in the decade following the close of World War II. Do not mis understand us. We do not look for even this great number to bring about any permanent peace. Our hope is that, if God delays the coming of His Son, He will be giving America—par ticularly America—a last great oppor tunity to fulfill that great commis sion to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. A There is no denying that war, though terrible beyond man’s worst imaginings, and greatly to be regret ted by every Christian, has opened remote lands to the gospel messenger. Let us get him there before the ene mies of the Lord claim those benight ed souls. God Bless Our Mothers What a priceless heritage is a godly home presided over by a godly mother! In all of life’s blessings, there is nothing comparable to it. So it is good to have this day once a year when attention is directed to tnoui to whom we owe so much. What de lights Christian mothers far more than candy or flowers is the joy of seeing their children grow into stal wart men and women who know the Lord, and who faithfully attend to the means of growing in grace. However, we are saddened to see in many cases, a sickly sentimen talism growing up about this day. Sharp merchants, seeing an oppor tunity for marketing their wares, are smothering what is high and noble under a cloak of commercialism. Praise is being lavished on modern mothers a l m o s t unworthy of the name. Some of today’s mothers are a shame and a disgrace, with their utter disregard of restraint and their insatiable appetite for godless pleas ures. True ideals for motherhood are found only in God’s Book; paganism and atheism degrade motherhood. Where Christ is known, there are found mothers lovely in character. God give us a revival of that type bf Mother’s Day. ★ ★ Tonic For Churches The Annual Missionary Rally in Los Angeles at the great Church of the Open Door has just closed. For eight wonderful days the vital cause of world-wide missions has been ad vanced by speaking, by displays, by motion pictures and by personal so licitation. This has been a period of great heart-warming for the saints and a fine impetus for the cause of missions. Other churches would do well to emulate this special effort. In fact we believe that the love and promo tion of missions is God’s divinely given tonic for the church. Invariably you will find that the church, de nominational or otherwise, w h i c h lays great stress on the importance, support and call of the mission field is the church that includes truly spir itual people and that contains real workers. On the other hand, the church without the missionary vision is gen erally cold, lacking in cohesion, prone to quarrel over petty things. The mis sionary church is the one which is free from debt, that pays its bills on time, and has funds available for every God-sent purpose. A rally once a year will not bring about all these blessings. Rather, the church should consider missions its 166 THE K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S This brief glimpse of the activity of the Boys' Brigade will interest all who are con cerned about the salvation of boys. HOLD THAT LINEI By Kenneth Hanson ID YOU ever get a letter from a real boy? . . . Then read this: “How is everything going with you and the Bri gade? I was ‘off the beam,’ as Colonel Ben would say, but I am ‘on the beam’ again and standing up for Jesus . . . In school they have a nickname for me and my two boy friends, Lawrence and Wallace; they call us ‘Sunday School boys.’ Most of the boys swear and half of them smoke, and I think some of them tell dirty stories. .. It is quite hard to keep from going with them, but I have put my trust in the Lord, and He has brought Lawrence and Wallace to me, and likewise me to them. KE y'-'/v' “Standing up for Jesus, Arthur------” If you receive many letters like that you begin to get an idea of how tremendously important “standing up for Jesus” is to boys. So many times the staff workers of the Christian Service Brigade, that new organization sponsoring a Christ-centered boy’s club, hear from or talk to boys that theirs is an ever-growing conviction that the Lord Jesus can be very real to them. Dick, a lad in Detroit, accepted Christ as his Saviour in a Brigade meeting several weeks ago. Colonel Ben Jones encountered him the other day in a heated argu ment with Billy. “ Christ does walk beside you wherever you go!” in sisted Dick. “Aw, He don’t either . . . how could He?” “He does too! I read it in my Bible. .. That’s right, isn’t it?” he asked, appealing to his Captain. The Captain explained carefully. Billy scratched his head thoughtfully. Later at story time Billy said simply, “I want Jesus to walk with me too.” Now He does. The most natural thing in the world for a boy is to be a hero-worshiper, whether of a baseball pitcher, movie star, or of just “ big brother.” As a sunflower turns .to ward the sun, so does the heart’s desire of a boy to wop ship turn toward the Lord Jesus Christ, if He is made known to him. Story of Three Boys A new pastor came to a church on the North Side of Chicago. He saw at once the need for more than Sunday School activities to hold the intermediate and senior fel lows. After attempting several projects, he finally an nounced a club meeting for a Friday evening. Twenty fellows came out, fifteen of them strangers. As this pastor worked and prayed and played with these boys week after week, many of them gave their hearts to Christ. The group increased. One boy, named Len, who had been a Christian before this battalion was formed, wanted to really serve Christ, so he was given leadership of a squad. At first he “flopped” gloriously because he lacked the “punch” such a job required. Nevertheless he stuck to his guns and soon learned lessons of leadership. At the same time that Len was thus developing on the North Side of Chicago, another lad came into a battalion on the South Side of Chicago. This was Jack, reared in a home of culture, choir boy in an Episcopal church, and a letter man in football. One Thursday night he passed a church out of which came sounds of boys talking and laughing together. Curious, like most fifteen-year-old fel lows, he investigated. A bunch of fellows were playing “hot hands,” the kind of a game rugged boys really en joy. Jack was invited into the game and soon lost himself in the fun. Before he knew what was going on, he was taking part in a quiz contest. His squad won. Now the 167 May, 1945 A Sunday School superintendent of a large Detroit church faced his board of trustees who were protesting against a strong Christian club program for boys on the basis that the grass around the church would be impaired, exclaiming, “What dó you want—boys or grass? I want boys!” Today he has them—six large battalions meeting every week. The boys’ section of the intermediate and senior departments has increased accordingly. In Vancouver, B. C., Hedlay Nielsen is doing a grand job, not only with the battalions he himself is leading, but also in helping others of the area to get their own groups started. He is all out for plenty of activity, but he is also all out for evangelism. His reports are packed full of thrills like this:- ' ; • n H H H “On Thursday four boys, raised their hands expressing their desire to become Christians. Two remained behind to receive Christ as their Saviour. One wag a new boy; it was his second time at a Brigade meeting. The boys had a surprise birthday party for me. An invitation was given for any boy to see one of the leaders afterwards if he desired salvation. A sixteen-year-old boy stayed behind, and I had the joy of leading him to the Lord. This is one boy that we literally picked off the street. Several times he had disturbed our meetings with insolent remarks. He gloried in relating tales of the things he had stolen. In fact, he showed us some of these articles. We never missed an opportunity of warning him of the consequences of his deeds. Certainly God is able to save to the ‘gutter- most’ ! • “The following Thursday night after reading them a story of a man who was saved in a submarine, I asked if any wished to receive Christ as their Saviour from sin. Four boys raised their hands. In the “Guide’s Chamber” I had the privilege of leading four new boys to the Lord. Two of the boys have no father, and are supported by their older brother. We believe all this has been possible only through the faithfulness of God’s people in prayer for the work. Certainly we deserve no glory for we have only done what God has asked us to do: to win boys for Christ.” Police are quick to recognize the value of a work with boys combining activity and evangelism. In Detroit, staff worker Ben Jones has often been commended by the judge of the Juvenile Court for outstanding work in con nection with the youth problem of that city. Rev. Robert Noles, new pastor in Cornwall, New York, was surprised when the Chief of Police stopped him on the street, saying, “I want to tell you that we have not had as much trouble with the boys in this town since you folks started this Brigade work.” Boys’ work is thrilling. Boys’ work with Christ at the center of all the activity is even more thrilling. Fruit in the form of saved and kept lives is the best reward anyone could desire. young captain started right in on the heroic adventure story of David Livingstone. Jack was enthralled. After the “ prayer huddle” and the Brigadier’s benediction, he asked the leader why he did that. This wise chap, instead of giving him |“both barrels” at once,, took him aside into his “ Guide’s Cham ber.” There he told him of the Saviour, and Jack was captivated. Jack’s parents were displeased. They ridiculed him. Week after week he had to beg to go back to the Brigade battalion in that Bible-believing church. Eventually he was permitted to attend Sunday School and then, having learned more about God’s Word, he began to tell his par ents what faith in the Lord Jesus meant. The happy re sult was that they both came out for Christ. Jack’s witnessing did not stop with his family. In the locker room, in the class room, and while walking home from school with the rest of the gang, he used every op portunity to speak of Christ. Jack and Len got together in one of the camps run by the Christian Service Brigade last summer. George was there too. On the boat making the trip to this north ern Michigan camp, George got into all kinds of trouble. Associating with girls and fellows who were not with the camping gang, smoking cigarettes, he was a real problem to the escorts of camp-bound boys. Len, a general coun selor at the camp, was one of these escorts. Jack had said, “Pray for a fellow from my high school who’s com ing up here. He doesn’t know Christ.” When Len got to camp he, too, requested definite prayer for a bpy named George who was not saved. The third night that George was in camp he sat be side the camp-fire and talked with the Skipper of the camp. There were tears in his eyes as he asked, -“Skip, can a fellow be a Christian and have dirty thoughts?” Putting his hand on George’s shoulder, the Skipper explained that Christ could give real victory in every phase of a fellow’s life. Then he said, “George, I didn’t know you were a Christian. When did it happen?” “Well, you see, Skip, I really came to camp to get to be like Jack. I knew him in my school. Len led me to Christ this morning.” Other Good Reports Boys, as boys, will follow Jesus Christ if they are led aright. This truth often escapes adults who think that boys are not ready to serve Christ simply because they are not adults. Last summer, Mr. Paul Fischer, Chairman of International C. B. M. C., wrote as follows to the General Secretary of Christian Service Brigade: “Upon leaving the Glen Oak Golf Club recently I picked up a caddy who wanted a ride to his home in Villa Park. In accordance with my usual custom, I asked,him to put fyis hand in the pocket of my coat which was hang ing in the back of the car and get out a copy of Eavey’s tract, ‘Facts You Should Know and Believe to Be Saved.’ As soon as we got to discussing the matter of salvation he said, ‘I am saved already.’ I told him I was certainly glad to know that, and told him that all people who had come to love the Lord in reality were witnesses for Him. ‘Do you witness for Christ?’ He answered, ‘I sure do. I am a member of the Christian Service Brigade, and that is part of our work.’ We had a very good time of fellow ship together.” The biggest thrill in a week-day Christian club pro gram is not only to see the way that such work will hold boys and attract new ones, but it is the boys themselves. Yet while increasing numbers of churches are realizing the necessity of having a definite during-the-week pro gram for fellows and girls, some still keep their eyes shut to the need. They do not realize that unless they provide something that is both activity-filled and Christ-centered for the young people to do during the week, they will lose three-fourths of those they have reached, and will not begin to touch the unreached areas. 168 TH E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S YOUTH EVANGELISM IN & THE DEEP SOUTH A thrilling trip to our own A merican Mission field. By Elmer L. Wilder I T’S books!” With this announcement, recess was over in one of the mountain schools of eastern Kentucky. The missionaries had arrived with two California preachers to teach the Bible lesson. The warm welcome given was in considerable contrast to the one accorded the same missionaries on their first visit to this school six years earlier. Then the children, thinking that they were nurses coming to finish their typhoid shots, jumped through windows and ran out of the doors, removing themselves quickly to the safety of trees and hillsides. One large boy ventured closer than the rest and inquired, “Be you a nurse?” The cordial missionary replied, “No, we came to teach the Bible and Christian songs.” He was not easily convinced, “What yo’ all got in them thar bags? Any needles that stick?” When the missionary had opened the bags and showed Bibles and hymn books, the boy was satisfied and, turning to his companions, he said, “Come on, they ain’t nurses—they’re Bible teachers.” Fortunately for the children of the mountains of Ken tucky, the State legislature has enacted laws permitting Christian workers to give Bible lessons each week in the schools during their regular sessions. Workers are avail ing themelves of these openings, but in many schools no such classes are conducted. Two workers must often care for as many as sixteen schools each week, with a total attendance of nearly one thousand children. The words of Jeremiah, “The young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them” (Lam. 4:4), are particularly applicable to the spiritual condition of many communities. This is particularly true of the eastern part of the state, where the coal miners and ipountain farmers live. Primitive Religion The primitive mountain church has nothing construc tive to offer boys and girls. Educationally and morally the standards are very low. Many preachers neither read nor write, and they depend upon tradition for their infor mation. Most of them smoke, and many drink whisky and gamble. When young people, troubled about their souls, inquire of the mountain preacher as to the plan of salvation, they are often advised to enjoy the pleasures of sin until they are certain they are going to die. Then, they are told, call upon God for mercy. Consequently there is very little concern among children and young people about their spiritual condition, except in those lo calities where the missionaries have taught the truths of God’s Word. Scriptures are grossly misinterpreted by these blind leaders. A gospel preacher came to a certain locality. One of these native preachers immediately accused him of being a wolf in sheep’s clothing, only because he wore a wool suit, made of sheep’s wool. It is a common belief that no one can be saved until he has had a dream or a vision. Here is a typical case: “My baby is sick! I wish I done tole you to bring yo’ thimble, Brother Martin,” the mother whose baby had hives said to a primitive preacher. "I brung it.” An incision was then made in the baby’s back, and the thimble was half filled with his blood. The preacher finished filling the thimble with “baccer” (to bacco) juice and, after mixing it with the blood, rubbed the mixture back into the incision. 169 May, 1945 The Whitened Harvest Fields Before leaving the mountains of Kentucky, we stopped at a little town where Sewell Landrum and his wife conduct a mission church for the Brethren Missions Council. These young people are Biola graduates. Sewell had arranged a children’s meeting for Saturday afternoon. An hour before the meeting, we started with an old school bus to gather the children from the out lying districts. As we passed one settlement, Sewell leaned out of the window and shouted, “Yo’all get the youngin’s ready—I’ll be back in about twenty minutes to pick them up.” The children were ready when we returned, and by the time we reached the-beautiful little churqh the bus was full. Together with those who had walked to the meeting, we had about seventy-five boys and girls. Some professed to receive Christ at this meeting. At 2 o’clock next morning Sewell rUshed to my room to tell me that his uncle had been murdered by a “moon shiner” earlier in the night a little way up the creek. Sunday was filled with activities. About one hun dred and thirty-five boys and girls came to the Sunday School. There were less in church, but the majority, of those who attended church were children and young peo ple. This is an encouraging condition. It is almost im possible to get the older people, steeped in the old moun tain religion, to break away from their traditions and live victorious Christian lives. In the afternoon we visited a small Sunday School a few miles away. Sewell had warned, “You are going to get a surprise at this school,” and he was right. We were introduced to a woman who had been a public school teacher. She had one. of our object lesson books, which she had practically worn out. Our suggestions she had greatly improved. Her method of construction was the best we had ever seen. After teaching the lesson, she placed the objects around the walls of the church; thus the truths were often recalled. Later in the afternoon we returned to the mission station. Sewell wanted us to visit his aunt, widow of the murdered man. Not knowing that the killer had been apprehended by the law, and thinking that he might mistake a stranger for a representative of the law, I was somewhat reluctant. Sewell assured me that all would be well. We walked nearly an hour up a creek to reach the mountain home. There we- witnessed the calming power of God’s Word, as it was read aloud, and the in fluence of prayer offered for the bereaved. As we think of the conditions prevailing in this and other parts of our own country, we are reminded of Christ’s attitude toward similar need. “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples. The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest” (Matt. 9:36-38). Dear reader, we trust that with the eyes of your heart you have looked upon this harvest field, and that you will assume your responsibility in respect to it. All can pray; many may give; some may be called to labor in person. When you consider the need of the world for the Gospel of Christ, remember that right in our own land, at our very doorstep, are thousands of children who are totally ignorant of the Word of God. Surely they are the “ forgotten children” of this generation. We need not learn a foreign language or cross an ocean to reach them. God forgive us if we let them die without Christ! Feeding The Lambs It was our privilege to visit fifteen schools each week, and present Bible truths through the means of visual aids. There was no problem of inattention. The children were mentally alert, eager to learn. A large percentage of the children were underprivileged. In some cases this was due to limited farming conditions. In other instances, miners who made sufficient money had squandered it in gambling and drinking, and so the children were suffering from malnutrition. Many children manifestly came from homes where the very necessities of life were not supplied. A class is in progress. Let us listen in: “Miss-s-s-s Patterson, I have memorized the ten Bible verses you gave us last week—do I get the Gospel of John? I said them to my Mother and Daddy, and they almost learned them, too.” The missionary’s pleasant voice assures this bright faced lad that he will receive his Gospel of John. “Now that you have earned a Gospel of John, wouldn’t it be nice if you started working for a New Testament? You get one free for memorizing twenty-five verses. For one hundred verses you earn a whole Bible. Wouldn’t it be grand to have a new Bible, all your very own? Then, too, if you learn two hundred and thirty verses during the year you will be given a week’s vaca tion, with all expenses paid, at the summer Bible Camp. Isn’t that worth working hard for?” Another little voice pipes up: “But Miss-s-s-s-s Patter son, I have memorized two hundred and thirty verses every year for four years, and never did get to go to the Bible Camp, 'cause my Daddy and Mother won’t let me—they say they need me to help with the crops.” “I know, Mary, and I am very sorry that you have not been able to go.- Even though you should not get to go, you still are ahead, because you have hidden the. Word of God in your heart.” A little hand waves: “Teacher, could I tell what the camp meant to me? I was saved there last year, and gave my life to the Lord Jesus to be used in His service.” The missionary’s influence is not confined to the school children. On the day of the Bible class, adults from miles around the mountain school gather in — mothers with babies in arms, men seventy years old, and young people of high school and college age. Oscar’s Story Before going to Kentucky, we had heard about Oscar, a young man who had memorized hundreds of Bible verses without accepting Christ as his Saviour. He had been beaten many times by his father for attending the Sunday School. Wè hoped to see, him. The mission ary said it was unlikely we should, as he worked many miles away from our district. As we stopped the car in front of Lower Queen’s Creek school, the missionary happily shouted, “There’s Oscar!” Home visiting his family, he had missed the train that morning on his way back to work. Knowing that it was the day for the Bible class, he had come to the school. Not only did he re main at that school, but he went on with us to Middle and Upper Queen’s Creek schools. As we rode along through the' beautiful mountains of ? Kentucky, we talked to him about accepting Christ as his personal Saviour. Finally, he said, “I know God’s‘ plan of salva tion. I have memorized hundreds of verses. I know if I received Christ as my Saviour, I would be saved, but I also know that I could never live at home with my Daddy. I don’t know why my Dad is the way he is, but it would be impossible to live the Christian life and stay home.” It was a sad moment when we said good-bye to Oscar and saw him turn up the “holler” toward his home, realizing that because of his father he had again said “No” to the invitation of Christ. TH E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S 17U EVERYBODY USES TRACTS; WHY NOT YOU? By Miriam E. Fackler B H, so you do not think much of tracts? Have you doubts about this whole business of writing, printing, and distributing them? You would not be caught handling a tract to a bum? Of course, to distrib ute one to a well-dressed, well-educated and cultured person would be entirely out of the question! Well, here are some true stories for you, right out of the present, about two fellows and two girls, normal, average young people, in the thick of things', who are mighty glad someone with tracts came their way. In August, 1944, Esme Prenter was only 17, and her world was falling apart all around her. She had always had her doubts about God—about His being a loving Father. Now she was sure. How could He be kind or loving? Had He not allowed her boy friend to be killed? Esme is a young Irish nurse. She lives at “Win- brook," Doagh Road, Whitehouse, County Antrim, North Ireland. She works in a great hospital along with nearly five hundred other nurses. Among all of them so far as Esme knew last August, there were only two Christians. She herself was noted for scoffing at everything re ligious. Story of A Tract Then, on September 18, 1944, something happened. That day, among her father’s books, she spied a thin little leaflet. On the front, in deep blue, was an artist’s draw ing of a South Pacific palm-fringed atoll under a starry sky, and a small photograph of a soldier boy in overseas cap, a bright-faced, frank-looking boy. He had unusually fine eyes and the corners of his mouth turned up in a de lightful grin. “Under Pacific Stars" the tract was entitled, and it carried 22-year-old Marine Phil Welsher’s last letter to his mother and dad. Written more than a year before his death on November 22, 1943, somewhere in the South Pacific, it was found among his few possessions and mailed home to Chicago in accordance with his request written on the envelope. Esme read the letter. Phil wrote: “As I pass on, I wish to leave behind me a testimony to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that God may be glorified in my death more than He was in my life. Today, knowing that I may very soon be called to give an account of my- sejf, I can say that I am trusting only in Jesus Christ, who died as a sacrifice for my sins that I might have eternal life. He paid the price with His own precious blood, and by simple faith in Him I am cleansed from all unrighteousness. “I am now with Jesus, and all is well with my soul. Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die’ . (John 11:25, 26). “Dry your tears, Mom; a son has been called Home, where he waits to be joined by the dearest parents a boy could have. Perhaps consolation may be found in know ing that when we shall again be together, it shall be even as He hath promised: ‘And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away’ (Rev. 21:4). “Now, for just a little while, I would say good-bye, and God be with you till we meet again." As Esme read, her heart was deeply touched. Here was another splendid young man, killed, as her friend had been, before he had had a chance to live. What faith the boy had! What hope and assurance! If only she, too, could be sure she would see her loved ones again! She picked up a Bible, found the references Phil had given, read the passages. They brought comfort to her heart. When she came to “I am the resurrection and the life . . .,” she knew that God was speaking to her. “I realized" she wrote to Phil’s parents, “ that the only way I could ever meet loved ones again was to come to the same Saviour. So this morning, sometime between nine and ten o'clock I came to Him. “From now on, I am going to live with God’s help ‘the life that wins.’ I hope to make some Christian friends and also to bring my former chums to the Saviour.” It is not surprising that as a result of this corre spondence, Esme was provided with one thousand copies of “Under Pacific Stars” for distribution. Australian Incident Away down under, in Sydney, Australia, a Chinese girl, named Esther Wong Yen, was given a copy of “Un der Pacific Stars." Although trained in the Christian faith by missionary parents now on furlough, when she was old enough to work, she had gone into the world for her pleasures. In November, 1943, however, she was brought back to the Lord, yielded her life for His service and entered Sydney Bible Training Institute to prepare for missionary service. Still she doubted; she did not have assurance of salvation.
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