King's business - 1944-11

Dept. K 756 153 Institute Plaee, Chicago 10. Illinois Gentlemen: Please send me your interesting booklet entitled DOUBLE DIVIDENDS, without obligation on my part. Also booklet A . I am under-20. Name________________________________________________________________ City and State.. MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE • CHICAGO

*For 37 years no annuitant has failed to receive his check in full and on time.

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November, 1944

"I Would Not Take $1,000 for The One I have!" The reference was to THE SURE WORD OF* -PROPHECY, Which contains the principal ad­ dresses given at the now historic and epoch-making First New York Congress on Prophecy, 1942. It is the last word on pres­ ent day events, given by some of the most beloved Bible teachers in America. / Rarely does a book sell into the thousands, before publication, and yet this book did that very thing. From a friend who re­ ceived the book only a few days ago came this striking testimony: “ i have enjoyed THE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY very much, and l think that it is by long odds the best book to send to those who are not yet convinced that there is any­ thing in the whole subject. I am therefore enclosing my check and I am asking you to send the pook to the two friends whose names and addresses l am now giving you.” Another brother wrote, “If I could not get another copy of THE SURE WORD OF PROPH­ ECY, I would not take $1,000.00 for the one I have. It is one of the most remarkable books I have ever read.” Here are some of the speakers whose addresses appear in the book:—John W. Bradbury, W. H. Rogers, William Ward Ayer, Lewis Sperry Chafer, C. Gordon Brownville, Harry A. Ironside, Albert G. Johnson, Howard W. Ferrin, Louis S. Bauman, John F. Walvoord, Joseph Hoffman Cohn, Harris H. Gregg. Here are some of the subjects treated:— How Shall We Interpret The Bible?; Christ Above All In Prophecy; What Will God Do With This Cosmos?: The Future Con­ federation of the Ten Nation Empire; The Unfinished Program of the Son of Man; A Shout, A Voice and A Trump; Why The Church Will Not Go Through The Great Tribulation; Is The Church Ever Called Israel?; Daniel’s Seventy Weeks; Is God Through With The Jews?; The Right of the Jews to Palestine. A veritable encyclo­ pedia on eschatology, in one volume, by men trusted and loved the world over. Enough said! The price Is $2.00 per copy. Buy for yourself, and then give out to your friends; a marvelous testimony for these last days. ■ ■■ mm ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ m a ■ ■ m •Dear Friends: Here is $2.00; please send me a copy of THE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY. I also add a gift of $_____ ____ as my fel­ lowship with you in youd world-wide min­ istry of the Gospel to Israel.

The Official Organ of THE BIBLE INSTITUTE OF LOS ANGELES, Inc. “ Unto him that loved, us, and washed us from our sins in his own. blood“ (Rev. 1:5).

THE KING'S BUSINESS ' ™ v Marine’s Thanksgiving —Meredith Carr. ..................................»................. ..356 Current Business -¿-Editorial ____ ________ ...... ,c'............... .......357 . ’ ■.■•.’sii ■, ! - ■ . \ - Thankful for Each Other —A. JV. Toner.. ___________......__ __ ______ 358 Blessing or Blundering — Clarence F. Stauffer... .............. ........... ............. ...359 How to Make Teamwork Count— L t. Marshall B. Shallis ...................... ....361 Junior King’s Business —Martha S. Hooker. ............................ ..........».__...363 Dr. Talbot’s Question Box.............................. ............. .................................365 Biola Family............................................ .......................................................»...366 International Lesson Commentary..»........................ i____ ........____ _____ .367 Christian Endeavor —Herman J. Baerg, Jack Green, Florence B. Allensworth, Patricia K. Lokkesmoe, C. Richard Hillis .................... 380 Daily Devotional Readings............................................ ...................... ............386 Literature T able......................... » ................................................ .............. 389 SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION — “ The K in g’s Business” is published monthly; J$1.50, one yr.; $2.00, two yrs.; 75 cents, six months; 20 cents, single copy. Clubs of three or more at special rates. W rite for details. Canadian and for- .eign subscriptions 25 cents ¿xtra. It requires one month for a change of ad­ dress to become effective. Please send both old and new addresses. REM ITTANCE —Payable in advance, should be made by bank draft, express, or post office money order payable to “ The K in g’s Business.” Date of expiration w ill show plainly on outside wrapper or cover o f magazine. ADVERTISING —For information, address the Advertising Manager, 558 South Hope Street, Los Angeles 13, Calif., or our eastern' representative, Religious . Press Association, 51 No. 52nd St., Philadelphia 39, Pa. MANUSCRIPTS — “ The K in g's Business” cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to manuscripts sent in for consideration. Entered as second-class m atter November 7, 1938, at the Post O ffice at Los An­ geles, California, under the A ct o f March 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at spe­ cial rate o f postage provided for in the A ct o f February 28, 1925, embodied in para­ graph 4, section 538, P. L . and R., authorized October 1, 1918, and November 13, 1938. ADDRESS: The K in g’s Business, 558 So.,Hope St., Los Angeles 13, Calif. LOUIS T. TALBOT, Editor-In-Chief MILDRED M. COOK, Managing Editor RANSOM D. MARVIN, Staff Artist

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R EPORTED “Missing in action,” the young flyer was found. He came back — carried in the man, like a gift to the world—and he lived and went out again. Our boys are giving themselves out there under enemy skies. They are doing it now—giving their blood, their courage, their lives. What can WE GIVE this Christmas? We dare not' think of trivial things. Christmas gifts this year must be of lasting value. A subscription to THE KING'S BUSINESS m ay be your answer, for every issue exalts the Lord Jesus Christ.' -The timely major articles of the magazine w ill bring comfort and strength to loved ones facing lone­ liness. Ministers and Sunday' school teachers will be delighted with the rich, Bible-study material and the ample help of the International Lesson Commentary. In this department are

expositions, object lessons, illustra­ tions, etc. Many Sunday schools en­ thusiastically use the magazine in­ stead of quarterlies. For the youthful members on your Christmas list, there are the Chris­ tian Endeavor t o p i c s , the Junior King’s Business, and the Children’s Division Lessons. The young people’s C. E. topics are prepared by experts and will always be of help to those who are seeking to lead others in Bible study and Christian experience. The Junior King’s Business page is for boys and girls who want exciting, adventuresome stories, Bible quizzes, and handwork. The Children’s Division Lessons will help mothers, fathers, and teachers tell the truths of God’s Word in a way that will be under- stahdable in the experience of small children. Another popular feature in each issue of THE KING’S BUSINESS is the' Question Box by Louis T. Talbot,

Editor-in-Chief, If you are puzzled by some perplexing problem relating to the Christian life or to Bible, study, write your question to Dr. Talbot’s Question Box, and then watch for the answer in a forthcoming maga­ zine. : Everyone e n j o y s the Christian “success” stories, the timely editorials, up-to-date news comments, the color­ ful covers throughout the twelve issues each year. We could go on, reminding you., that there is some­ thing in this Bible Family Magazine for everyone, but why not prove it yourself? Give THE KING’S BUSI­ NESS this year, and then ^Watch for the smiles and notes of appreciation. And for you, there will be the satis­ faction that you have given a gift of eternal value. One more thing.... about the price ---- there is a pleasant surprise in store for you when you realize that the expense of providing yourself or your friends with so much material is very low. A one-year subscription is only $1.50, while $2 will bring THE KING’S BUSINESS into the-home for two full years. Please notice the two special offers appearing on these pages. The beauti­ ful gift book Shining Secret is of­ fered FREE with one annual subscrip­ tion to THE KING’S BUSINESS. It will be a happy solution to many a gift problem. Or how would you like to save $3? At Christmastime? Yes, here is a valuable Christmas suggestion, and if you accept it at once you will save $3. If you send TWO two-year sub­ scriptions (total price $4), you may have a free copy of Louis T. Talbot’s life story, the fascinating new book entitled When God Saved the Brewer's Boy. The price of the book is $1. By accepting this offer you actually re­ ceive $7 value for $4. Now is the time to act! Do your Christmas shopping the restful way, by mailing your order to THE KING’S BUSINESS promptly.

strong arms of a primitive brown

G e t this FREE Christmas booklet SH IN ING SECR ET -B y Helen Frozee^Bower

SHINING SECRET is an excep­ tional gift book, suited to adults and children. It furnishes a delightful Christmas story and poems, heart­ warming selections about Easter and war mothers. Every page exalts Christt Offered FREE with one annual sub­ scription to the KING’S BUSINESS (new, renewal, or extension) at the regular rate, $1.50 in U. S.

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November, 1944

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DON’T MISS THESE ARTICLES!

And Get This Book Besides God Saved the Breivefc Boy

Subscribers to the KING’S BUSINESS receive articles like the following: Seven Babies and Christ- mas. Have you ever wondered what you would do if you had ai houseful of children, the oldest only s^x, with Christ­ mas coming? Doris Coffin Aldrich knows from ence. She will enlighten inspire you by her motherli- ness. * • Will Your Home Be Hap* pier in 1945? William F. Mc­ Dermott, the brilliant Chris­ tian journalist,, makes some straightforward observations. As Religious Editor Of the Chicago Daily News and con­ tributor to some of the nation’s largest magazines, he writes with power. , • Continual Victory: Is It Possible? This is a question that many are asking, and here is a penetrating answer by the beloved Ruth Paxson. • * • God with Us. one of the few remaining editors of the Scofield Reference B i b 1e__ W, L. Pettingill—discusses the subject in a profound exposi­ tion, • Ch ristian s A re A sleepJ Dan E. L. Patch, a Chief of Police in Michigan, under­ stands thoroughly the juve­ nile delinquency problem be­ cause he must deal with it. His startling article reveals some forgotten causes. • Ten Times O ver Berlin. Twenty-year-old Tech. S g t . Robert Phillips was a shy Christian at home. But he prayed that God would save his crew on a B-17, and lived through some breath-taking experiences while God an­ swered that prayer. This per­ sonal testimony is typical of other articles to come.

Read about this Australian home

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LOUIS T. TALBOT’S life .story, which has appeared serially in the KING’S BUSINESS magazine, is being published in a beautifully illus­ trated book. Laughs . . . tears . . . encouragement are in every chfepter. “It magnifies the grace of God,” writes H. A. Ironside, pastor of famed Moody Church, Chicago. A limited number of these books will be printed. First consideration will be given to persons who subscribe to the KING’S BUSINESS, the Bible Family Monthly issued by the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, of which Dr. Talbot is President. Book FREE with 2 two-year subscriptions at $2 each ($4 for all). This offer saves you $3, since regular price of magazine alone is $1.50 for ONE year, in U.S.* Subscriptions and book sent as Christmas gifts, if desired. Gift cards sent in your name when requested, iq'time for Christmas.

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Marine's Thanksgiving By MEREDITH CARR

thè cry that would sound in his ears • as long as life lasted. He felt a ter­ rible haunting fear that he never . .. would find the answer. He had thought he’d found it in the Church that morning, in t h e Thanksgiving service. He had heard “ the jsong,” and it had pulled him through the_doorway to take h is place with the vast congregation. It was the song Tom had played for the boys in the cold hours of dark­ ness as their ship moved toward Sai- pan. But Mike’s hope had been short­ lived—exchanged for a helpless sort of fury as he listened to the mini­ ster’s beautifully, phrased platitudes on being thankful. Sure, he w a s tjiankful, Donovan had thought bit­ terly. Hadn’t he dreamed of all the things the minister was enumerating: home, freedom, loved ones, peace? It was this that had kept the fellows going much of the time in the heat and . grime of the jungles. But that hadn’t helped Bruce when he was dying. And it hadn’t given him, Mike Donovan, any words with which to answer Bruce’s cry. Near-by chimes recalled Mike to the hour. He’d have to hurry now or he’d be late for that dinner. What had possessed him to sign up .at the U.S.O. for Thanksgiving dinner in a stranger’s home? Purposely he had delayed his trip to his own home until Thanksgiving was past. He had felt in no mood for the reception that would be given him by his family, knowing instinctively that he could not hope to find there the help that he needed. He wondered briefly what [ Continued on Page 391] 1

O .E R G E A N T MIKE DONOVAN felt 'a n g r y a n d cheated. As he II. ) walked away from the church his resentment moved to the crowd that had a moment before been a part of the congregation,' now hurrying along the walk—each intent on his ‘ plans for Thanksgiying Day. W a s there none there who could help him? Were'they all as complacently self-* satisfied as they appeared: w e l l - dressed, well-fed, apparently u n- moved by the violence of a world at war? ‘Thad such a time finding a turkey this year!” he heard one woman ex­ claim. “I know,” her companion answered, “ and Thanksgiving just wouldn’t b e Thanksgiving without a turkey!” “I’ve a simply gorgeous dress for the party tonight.” Two girls pushed past him. “Hmmmm-rl see the Ma­ rines have landed,” one of them whis­ pered, nudging her companion and raising dark eyes to Mike’s in una­ bashed approval. All in- one swift glance, she took in the khaki-green cap perched jauntily on his dark red hair; his intent brown eyes, more worried than a Marine’s ought to be; his tall figure; the campaign ribbons and wound stripe. There had been a time when Mike Donovan would have been quick to respond to such interest as this on the part of a pretty girl."Life, then, had-been a conquest of fun. But that wouldn’t help him now. He had tried it the first few days out of the hos­ pital, filling each day with a round of so-called pleasure which had not been pleasure at all. It had not erased even for a moment, the memory of a beachhead in the south Pacific and

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Cu rren t Business LOUIS T. TALBOT, Editor-in-Chief

Young Soul-winner Students of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles are being equipped not only with a knowledge of the Wor.d for use upon the completion of their courses, but now—while they are still in train­ ing—they are used of the Lord in win­ ning souls. Thé following incident demonstrates this fact, and it also illustrates a truth that cannot be emphasized too often: that childlike obedience, and faith in Christ will solve the problems of any age. L a s t summer, approximately 200 students of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles helped in Daily Vacation Bible Schools. One of them, the teach­ er of a kindergarten class, had six- year-old, red-headed Bobby in h e r group. One day when recess time came, Bobby refused to go out to play. Asked why he had made this decision, he said, “ I want to stay here and have you show me how to let the Lord Jesus into my heart.” With great gladness, the teacher ex­ plained simply the Bible facts about sin and salvation. She stressed the point that Bobby must really mean it if he asked Jesus to become his SavioUr. After they had talked and prayed together, the boy was satisfied, and he ran outdoors to join his friends. In the memory period that followed, Bobby sat beside Jerry, the school’s “problem boy.” “Hey,” Bobby whispered, “why didn’t you stay in at recess and let the Lord Jesus come into your heart?” “Why, I don’t know. Were we sup­ posed to?” “ No,” informed the y o u n g soul- winner, “ but I should think you would wont to.” ■“I guess I really do,” answered Jerry slowly. “But it’s too late now. Be­ cause today’s the last day, and there won’t be any more recess.” “ But you can do it any time,” Bobby persisted, “even right now.” Jerry started to bow his head, and then looked up and asked: “What am I supposed to say?” “Just say,' ‘Lord Jesus, I want You to forgive my sins and come into my heart.’ ” Eight there, Jerry prayed that prayer aloud, unaware of others around him. "Did you really mean it?" Bobby wanted to know. “Yes, I really did.” “After school,” the teacher com­ ments, “Jerry came to me and told me that he. had let the Lord Jesus come into his heart that day, being quite

unconscious of the fact that I had heard and seen the whole transaction. And -what is more, since then he has even acted better!” May God make us more childlike in our responses to Him and to others. The Christian Home Loren S. Hanna, who spent many years as a missionary in Thailand, points out that a great Christian lead­ er in the Orient was converted in a strange way: He used to peek into the home of a Christian family, and the love, peace, patience, and thought­ fulness that ruled that home caused’ him to accept Christ. If this test were applied to every so-called Christian home, one wonders what the results would be. Dan Crawford, who spent many years in labor for the Lord in Africa, rescued scores of Africans who had been carried off for the slave trade, and established them in Christian homes. He used to say that unless Christ was pre-eminent in a home, it was not truly a home, but just a house with people living in it. We go further and suggest that a home in which there is no family worship can scarcely be called a Chris­ tian home, though each, member of the family is' a professing believer in Christ. America needs, at this Thanks­ giving season, to give new attention to this means of grace that has been so largely forgotten in the nation. Goodness of God "I am frankly embarrassed every day by the goodness of God and the kindness of His people.” This sentence, which occurred in a personal letter recently received- i n THE KING’S BUSINESS office, e x - presses a great truth, but one that, too often, is held in obscurity. Hpw often are we conscious of the lavishness of His benefits? At the Bible Institute of Los Ange­ les, the goodness of God is b e i n g abundantly manifested. It is evi­ denced in the student body—the largest in the history of the school— and in the eagerness and consecration of these 650 young people. It is re­ vealed in the cordial interest that has attended Dr. Talbot’s ministry in the Middle-West: in Chicago, Minne­ apolis, and surrounding cities where he has spent a month in special meet­ ings. It is shown in “ the kindness of His people,” for they, under God, make possible the school’s world-encircling ministry. “ Oh how great is thy good­ ness” (Psa. 31:19),

I PRAISE piM By M. $. Fletcher The way I so is sometimes in the sunshine. And light and gladness everywhere are found. I praise for all the beauty that surrounds me, I praise for skies so clear and blue above me. And in my heart God’s love. And then my way at times is in the shadows, Clouds roll up quickly, blotting out the sun. Instead of beauty all seems dim and cheerless, And yet I walk in quiet peace, and fearless— There in my heart God’s love. And many times, may be, I walk In trouble— Nothing but storm and tempest all around— Grave doubts and fears my heart and flesh assailing. And yet so very near walks One, unfailing, Whose peerless name is Love. And He has promised ever to be with me, Never to fail, and never to forsake. Sending each day a gracious glad reviving; His presence, ever with me in my striving, Shall perfect me in grace.

T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S

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Thankful for Each Other By A. W. TOZER* Chicago, Illinois

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The Debt We Owe Each of us owes a great debt to God’s people', living and dead. To the gifted great of the kingdom, We owe such a mighty burden of debt, that we could not in a lifetime repay it, even were such an opportunity af­ forded us. How much do we owe to those “holy men of God [who spoke] as they were, moved by the Holy Ghost” ? And what is our debt to those bearded guardians of the sacred oracles who through centuries of per­ secution shielded with their lives the precious treasure committed to their charge? How much do we owe to those obscure and forgotten scholars whose patient toil kept pure the sa­ cred text? Or to those meticulous word masters whose translations brought the Word of God out of the cloisters. and gave i t to the common man? How much do we owe to the great Christian writers of other days for books that have blessed the ages: Augustine’s Confessions, Taylor's Holy Living, Bunyan’s Pilgrim's Progress, Milton’s Paradise Lost, to name only a few? When we turn to the hymns of the church, how can we sufficiently praise God and thank His servants? The St. Bernards, the Wattses, the New­ tons, the Wesleys, and such as they! They have given voice to the church’s jubilation, have caught and set to mu­ sic her tears and triumphs and joys and longings; they have enabled her to sing, without which she must have suffocated, like Keats’ tongueless nightingale, from the fullness of hef unexpressed delights. Then there are the prophets and apostles, the martyrs and reformers whose sacrificial toil has made us rich. As we muse on what they have done for us, thanksgiving rises natu­ rally to our lips. We cannot thank them in person (we may be able to do so in the world to come), but we can thank God often for them and for all they have contributed to our eternal happiness. Were any of us able to trace back the path by which the good Word of God and the blessings of the gospq]

touched with emotion. They thanked God frequently, volubly, and loudly. They would not be quiet. They would get God’s ear, and they would make Him understand how thankful they were. Paul’s Shining Example In the New Testament, Paul more than all other writers is possessed with this spirit of gratitude. His let­ ters abound with expressions of thank­ fulness to the saints and for the saints. No kindness, however small, shown him by any person was ever overlooked. He took time out from his prodigious labors to keep caught up on his thanksgiving. He was not only thankful to the saints for their many acts of kindness to him, but also he was thankful to God for the saints themselves and for all they were and are to each other, to God, and to the world. It is profitable to notice the rpany facets in the shining jewel of his gratitude. He was thankful to God for the Romans, “that [their] faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” ' He thanked God for the Co­ rinthians, that they were possessed of every gift. He was thankful fbr the fellowship and generosity of the Phi- lippians, for the great love “in the Spirit” which belonged to the Colos- sians, for the ‘‘work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope” re­ vealed by the Thessalonians. Indeed his heart seemed literally to overflow with tender appreciation of the saints. He was a thankful man. Let us allow the occasion of an­ other Thanksgiving season to remind us to be thankful. And while the ob­ ject of our gratitude always must be the all-gracious F a t h e r of lights from whom every good and perfect gift descends, it is well also that we should learn to be thankful to Him for all of His believing children. As­ suredly they' have faults—for perfec­ tion is not of this earth—but they are, for all that, His own dear chil­ dren. In them His glory is bound up, and through them His glory is yet to be revealed to the universe.

n p HANKSGIVING is an Ameri­ can institution. However deep JL into antiquity its roots may strike, Thanksgiving as we know it in this country is as American as base- bail, . hominy grits, or the hot dog stand. It comes as a glorious climax to that melancholy time which begins deceptively enough with the first bright noddings of the goldenrod, and passes through progressive stages of degeneration where the leaves turn from green to red and gold and on to a soiled and ugly brown. As'the mellow radiance fades out of the days, and the nights grow in­ creasingly sharper, we Americans be­ gin to feel a sentimental stirring within us. The farmer glances to­ ward his flock, lets his eyes r e s t approvingly on the proudest old gob­ bler, and smiles. The city wife pauses outside the neighborhood market, notes prices chalked in large figures on the plate glass, and makes a féw mental calculations. About this time, the churches become vocally grateful for a lot of things they had Somehow overlooked the rest of the year. The Sunday -morning prayer, which for months had faithfully and patiently, expressed the worshipers’ gratitude for “this beautiful Sabbath morning,” now blossoms out into thanksgiving fo r “ these rich harvests of good things which Thy bounty affords.” We are'getting ready for Thanks­ giving. • The Spirit of Thanksgiving When the happy day arrives at last, we meet in noisy groups around our tables and proceed to eat everything in sight as an indisputable proof that wé are not devoid of the grace of gratitude. This is our American in­ stitution of Thanksgiving, and long may it wave. The basic idea behind Thanksgiving is good. Gratitude is a sweet virtue, pleasing to God and pleasant to know among men. The saints have ever been thankful. The men of the Bible were filled with a deep spirit of thankfulness, sincere, tender, and *Pastor of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Tabernacle, Chicago, III.

November, 1944

The Challenge to Us To modify slightly a famous quota­ tion: “He who is careful to be thank­ ful for everything will always have something for which to be thankful.” It is a blessed habit to acquire, this habit of thankfulnessT It will cure a host of injurious evils in our dispo­ sitions: self-pity, resentment, murmur­ ing, faultfinding. A ll these will wither and die of themselves; for how can they grow inside a heart overflowing with gratitude and praise? The habit of being thankful, once it takes a firm hold of the life, will soon- produce a multitude of other benefits as well. It will serve to turn our eyes

have come down to us, we should hardly be able to restrain our grate­ ful tears. That humble and now for­ gotten pastor of a hundred years ago (to go back no further) who prayed and struggled against indifference on the one hand and hostility on the other, till at last he' won out and a strong church was established; those deacons and elders and praying moth­ ers who kept that church alive over the years; the plain inarticulate mem­ bers who had no public gifts, but who could and did work long hours in the cold and the heat to acquire means to support that church—the church where in later days we heard the saving gospel—^are not we h e i r s of such as these and under everlasting obligation to be thankftil for them? How much we do owe to so many for a thousand common things over­ looked entirely, or taken as a matter of course with scarcely a nod of grati­ tude! I am grateful' for a plain, hard­ working father whose rough and cal­ lous hands were the support of my childhood and youth. I am grateful too (and I wish I had told her so before she went away) for a small, sweet-faced and tired mother who counted no day too long to spend in willing toil for me, and no night too weary to sit by my bedside when some childish illness made me fret­ ful. And grateful thanks, not unmixed with wondering incredulity, rises in my heart at the memory of those teachers in the public schools who labored, I sometimes fear, with but scant success, to beat into my unwill­ ing head the rudiments of education and to refine away the savage. Though I cannot understand it, I am profoundly grateful to them for their patiencer But far above this I am grateful to that long-suffering God who endured from me more than they could have done, till in my young manhood the Shepherd found me and brought me to His fold rejoicing. Again, we cannot overlook the kindnesses of the plain, unassuming believers of our own separate churches and communions: their patience with our ignorance, their prayers when trouble came to us, their tender awk­ ward efforts to comfort us when some tragedy struck and out world seemed to be crumbling away beneath our feet. We dare not take such things as these for granted.- For our own- soul’s sake we must be grateful.

outward instead of inward ajnd thus bring about a healthier state of soul; it will raise our joy level far above anything we have ever known before; it will go far to cure pessimism and encourage a happy outlook on life; it will help to keep us humble and make Us more winsome and easier to live with (for which blessing the other members of our families will be thankful in their turn). It bestows so much and costs so little—strange that all of us have not made more of it. Let us begin now to be thankful for each other. It will pay amazing divi­ dends!

Christian workers should learn that the sick room is the scene of either . . .

Blessing or Blundering By CLARENCE F. STAUFFER*

A SURGEON in a group of Johns / \ Hopkins doctors made the i. A. statement that approximately sixty per cent of the cases that come to their clinic are mental and spiritual in origin. The American Medical As­ sociation officially approves the state­ ment of Dr. C. Raimer Smith in Hygieia (June, 1931) that the percentage of patients whose physical illness is men­ tal and spiritual in origin is about fifty-fifty. With mental and spiritual difficul­ ties contributing so largely to the cause of physical sickness, religion— especially that relationship of the in­ dividual to the Lord Jesus C h r i s t as Saviour—should play a more im­ portant role than it now does in1the treatment and cure of disease. For there can be no question of the bene­ ficial results to be derived therefrom. * Baptist Chaplain at the Los Angeles County General Hospital, appointed by the-Los Ange­ les Baptist City Mission Society. He ministers personally to an average of 550 patients a month; the hospital is the largest under one roof in the TJjuted States. Before entering upon this work in May, 19A3, Mr.- Stauffer served in connection with the Dean’s office at Wheaton College, Wheaton, III., and at West­ mont College, Los Angeles. At Wheaton ,* he was alsb Associate Professor of Christian Ed - luatiou»

The sick room or the hospital ward is a jgold mine of religious experience. In ministering to the sick, the Chris­ tian worker has an opportunity to devote himself to the development and growth of a soul in a time when fear, pain, sorrow, and disappointment bring experiences that invite a new start in life. It is an opportunity for the worker to bring the patient into a new and vital relationship with the Great Physician, and to help him realize that suffering may become a means of grace as he experiences the fellowship of Christ in his affliction. But with all these possibilities to challenge him, the worker may be guilty—yes, too often is guilty—of in­ excusable carelessness. An Art To Be Acquired The sick room is no place for spir­ itual bungling. Ministering to those who live in this invalid world demands knowledge, skill, care, and method. It calls for a special type of evangelism and soul care. For this type of visita­ tion, workers should be chosen who have received-special training, in ad­ dition to their warm love fo r the

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history, X-rays, and laboratory tests to discover the real condition of the pa­ tient. Should not the physician of souls be just as scientific and thor­ ough in his diagnosis and treatment of the diseases pf the soul? 2. Cooperate w i t h doctors and nurses. Seek the advice of the doctor or nurse about how you can be of most help to the patient. Discover from him or her as much as you can about the condition of the patient. Especially in cases of serious illness, a worker should never argue with the nurse if she refuses to allow him to see the patient. I f the visitor is asked by a doctor or nurse to leave the bed­ side of a patient, he should comply immediately and graciously, knowing that the request is made for some legitimate reason in the interest of the patient. A visitor should never take part in the treatment of the patient. If the doctor or nurse suggests something which you may do for the patient, you will be glad to help, but do not “smuggle” food or other items to the one who is ill. One of my patients was given a drink by a visitor the night'before surgery, and the patient nearly died on the operating table. It is advisable not* to discuss the doctor or his treatment with the pa­ tient. He is a specialist in medicine; you are a specialist in things of the spirit. I f the patient inquires about ‘ the nature of his illness or its prob­ able outcome, it is wise for the visitor to imitate the reticence of the nurse. 3. Discipline your emotions. A vis­ itor can change the whole emotional tone of a sick room by his own poise and confidence. I f the visitor shows surprise, alarm, or sorrow, the patient will become upset. A nervous visitor makes the patient nervous. Remem­ ber that poise begets tpoise. Keep your attitude and expressions sincere. It is important that the conversation be kept pleasant, but .it need not be filled with trite utterances t h a t are not wholly true. ' 4. Make your visit brief and help­ ful. Staying too long is a common sin of Christian workers and ministers. The visitor should take every precau­ tion to prevent fatigue. Short, fre­ quent visits accomplish more good as a rule than long ones. The chaplain rarely spends more than three to five minutes with a patient who is acutely ill or still suffering from the effects of surgery. Occasionally, the chap­ lain will spend ten or fifteen minutes with one whose condition will permit. I f the patient is convalescent and needs company or desires to talk about a particular matter, a longer visit may be permissible. If the patient is in bed, thg visitor should not sit down. Your standing [ Continued on Page 389]

tending to be a deaf-mute whenever any religious worker entered the room. Another patient was reported to have been “Converted” by three different groups on the same day! Patients should not be blarhed for taking extreme measures in order to free themselves from persons w h o ' thus intrude upon -their lives. Too often zealous religious workers fail to. realize that in hospitals—even in county or state institutions—a patient is paying for his bed, and that for the time being it is his home. For this reason he is entitled to privacy if he desires it." I f the medical insti­ tution fails to safeguard the patient’s privacy from overzealous religious visitors, the Christian worker should have enough courtesy and good man­ ners to refrain from pushing himself rudely into the patient’s domain with­ out being invited. Hardly can we ,imagine our Saviour bluntly forcing Himself upon a sick man. Can we who minister in the name of Christ be any less courteous or thoughtful? Hints for Fruitful Visitation 1. Understand sick people. One who never has been ill will find it dif- •ficult to understand the needs and dif­ ficulties of the sick room, but the visitor must understand the conditions of the sick room if he would avoid causing harm and be 6f help to the patient. The patient is a stranger in a strange land. In the hospital strange people wait on him. Orders are given without explanation; requests are made without his understanding. Ill­ ness is accompanied frequently by fear, loneliness, discouragement, and restlessness. The monotonous days bring boredom and the weary nights a thousand apprehensions. The stress of sickness brings about many changes in the patient; he becomes supersensi­ tive to noises, to ideas, to people. Christian workers can profit by ob­ serving the diagnostic technique of the doctor. The surgeon does not operate until he has made a thorough study of the patient’s case. Such an exami­ nation might include interviews, case

Lord Jesus Christ. While the follow­ ing statement may seem to be harsh, i f must be emphasized: Those work­ ers who are not so qualified by per­ sonality, training, a n d experience, should be denied access to the sick room. Recently two Christian workers con­ tacted the writer to get a pass to visit patients in the Los Angeles General Hospital. They stated that the Lord had laid it upon their hearts to do personal work there. Undoubtedly they were earnest, but their whole at­ titude disqualified them for the work they wanted to do. Their request was refused, because we believe a medical institution is not a: rescue mission, i There are patients in hospitals who need to receive Christ as Saviour and Lord, and we are happy to say that many do receive Him there. But a sick room ministry includes much more thgn getting decisions from pa­ tients and reporting to some group or organization that so many were con­ verted through one’s efforts. A deci­ sion for Christ, if it is a genuine ex­ perience of regeneration, is only the first step in the new life in Christ. The hospital worker must be able not only to prepare for that step and to lead the individual into it, but also to aid him in subsequent experiences of his spiritual development. No novice can do this effectively. Courtesy To Be Shown A passion for the souls1of men should be the possession of every be­ liever. We should desire to see men and women bom again—whether they are rich or poor, educated or igno­ rant, well or ill. At the same time it must be pointed out that zeal divorced from knowledge and common sense can do much harm in a sick room. A t the hospital with which I am affiliated, each patient is assigned to a chaplain or religious group for spir­ itual care; yet workers from various other groups and •cults persistently contact these patients to try to win them to their particular faith. One patient, after being consigned to hell several times by members of such groups, protected herself by pre­

"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if. there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” — Philippians 4:8.

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-*-Photo by Harold M. Lambert

How

to Make Teamwork Count By Lt. Marshall B. Shallis* ■

YOUNG stenographer in a factory near Igmdon became burdened for her fellow work­

To her surprise, she discovered one or two other Christians who had a similar burden. They began to pray together. Later on, permission was granted for an article, - “A Call to Christians,” to be inserted in their Work bulletin. Over fifty professing Christians, of all denominations, at­ tended the first meeting, and an ag­ gressive work of evangelism was be-, gun. “This factory seems a different place to us since Christ has been in­ vited inside,” one wrote. In this simple way, a Gospel Team was born. Thus may a Team be born in the place in which you work or live. ’ The solitary soul-winner is often at a disadvantage and is hesitant to begin an aggressive witness alone. Fellowship of kindred . spirits is essential and is God’s plan for us. Ever since the Master sent His Wit­ nesses forth in twos, "stringing to­ gether” has been a prime desidera­ tum in evangelism.' With the passion for soul-winning consuming your spirit,' you may be sure you can do much, in harness with others, that it would be difficult for you to do alone. A Team serves to aggregate, the diverse talents and

part-timetlabors of busy people a n d to enable those who , love their- neighbors for Christ’s sake to carry the gospel to them. Team Strategy A Team may be one of two kinds. It may be composed of a number of members, able to present Christ by word and song in churches, in street meetings, in jail's, or wherever op­ portunity is given. Or it may Consist of no more than two persons, deter­ mined to present their Saviour in their place of employment or to the com­ munity in which' they live. The policy or strategy of the Team will need to be prayed over with much care. Whether the organization is large or small, the basic con­ stitution should be as simple as possible: a few Christians in happy Christian comradeship, agreeing to give themselves to working together in the gospel. Of equal status as brethren, they will recognize and re­ spect spiritual gifts among them­ selves. Such topics as „relationship with the management, if it be in a place of business, or a war plant; the type and circumstances of meetings; the attitude toward unsatisfactory Chria-

ers. As far as she kn e w , she Was. the only Christian in all that huge plant. The very vast­ ness of the need and opportunity overwhelmed her. Then she took courage as she considered the parable of the corn of wheat. Weary of abiding alone, it fell into the ground and died ; whereupon it was' lonely no longer, but brought forth ,much fruit. She saw that one lone Christian who was willing to yield himself utterly to God, to focus his life on soul-winning within his place of em­ ployment, could still, as always, be­ come the firstfruits of a harvest of lives redeemed unto God. She resolved to be that corn of wheat. * Officer of the British Navy, Lieutenant Shal- lis is the author of ah article, “ Teams NOW for Christ, which was published in the June, 19bk, KING’S BUSINESS and which has called forth much grateful commeht from readers. We are informed by cable from England lhat the present article is more the work of'the Independent Gospel Teams than of* Lieuten­ ant Shallis perspnally. As one of the organ r izers .of these Teams, he writes: “ We purpose, if the Lord will graciously enable us, to pat ourselves at the service of fallow Christians in any suitable way. How com we help you? Please write and tell us. Our^publications will be supplied free upon request, as long as the supply lasts.” Address Independent Gospel Teams - BM/1GT, London, W.C.I., England*

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Why Independent? Every decision, every act of a Chris­ tian which involves him in personal responsibility to God, must be made independently of any other consider­ ation than the known will of God. In this sense, we are all independent of one another, because we are com­ pletely dependent upon God. A Team sets out to serve God. It secures unity of purpose after prayer. It relies upon God for guidance and power and provision. It must, there­ fore, be independent of external hu­ man control. It creates its , own in­ ternal organization, fitted to its own needs. While working in close fellow­ ship with churches, it will not be coii- trolled by them, since it operates where they often cannot reach. Aftercare of Converts The aftercare of babes in Christ, who may be born again as the re­ sults of the labors of the Gospel Team, has been the subject of many inquiries. Part of the commission of His servants b y :the Lord Jesus was “teaching them to qbserve all things', whatsoever I have commanded you.” It is, therefore, the responsibility of the soul-winner to be also a school­ master; the patient passion of the fisher of men must be accompanied by the pastoral providence of the shepherd of -souls. The Team method has sometimes been criticized as lacking provision for this aftercare. It is encouraging to know that those who are unhappy about this aspect of teamwork, owe their distress to a conviction that Gosper Teams do succeed in winning souls. By way of meeting these genuine difficulties, it is necessary to con­ sider the aspects of teamwork as they

relate to the question: Where is the convert? If he comes to Christ in a meeting which is merely conducted by a Team in a regular house of prayer, he will forthwith become the responsibility of the church which centers there. If he is a business colleague or neighbor reached in that capacity by a Team drawn from his associates, his aftercare is the immediate busi­ ness of the Team. If he is converted as the result of the labors of an itinerant Team, the position is more difficult. But this is exactly the problem that has faced all pioneers from Paul to the Pilgrim preachers. It may mean setting aside those in the Team for special follow­ up work, or seeking to connect the convert with some nearby church, known to be ttue to God’s Word. Whatever plan is worked out, the aftercare of the convert is all im­ portant and is a vital part of the Team’s work. White Fields Ready In many# lands, men’s, minds. are reaching out in search of a new way of living, a new power of self-con­ trol, a new light of practical ideals. Sorrow and sympathy, danger and duty, have shaken men out of in­ tellectual inertia and selfish anxieties. They are gripped by a great desire to learn how to live. Facing these remarkable opportuni­ ties, perhaps we are satisfied with too little, or we are too busy winning the war to spate a little time, a little energy, a little gift, a little self- sacrifice, for winning souls. Surely, we must do more to grasp the fleeting opportunities of wartime evangelism. With your life yielded in glad abandonment to the Lord Jesus Christ/ will you not adopt a deliberate, pur­ poseful program of spending and be­ ing spent in the work of winning men for Christ in the scope of your every­ day life? Begin with prayer. Pray for your comrades, by name and at large. Pray to be led to meet others who are likeminded. Pray God to raise up a group of keen believers to evangel­ ize your own community, or your place of labor. Then watch for the answer. Watch for opportunities. Watch for sad hearts and seeking souls. Watch for the little signs that reveal Christ’s family likeness in some of your colleagues. Then work. Work at your job to the glory of, God. Scheme and plan and use your imagination rto rouse in your comrades, either curiosity or their sense of" sin and need. And witness: discreetly, boldly, gently, fearlessly. Plurige in with the saving message.

tians; use of facilities provided by others; finance; and delegation of .duties to members, all will need to be carefully considered, clearly de­ cided, and loyally followed. Necessary decisions should be made only after unanimity h&s been secured through frank discussion, prayer, and self- restraint. To have the patience to wait for the Spirit of God to bring about such unanimity is essential. Only ^through their oneness of pur­ pose can the members of a Team show to the world that they have been sent from God (John 17:21). In matters of doctrine, or in differences of opinions, the Court of Appeal is the Holy Scriptures. As in­ dividuals, “in honor preferring one another,” submit to the ruling of that Court, their differences will become a source of strength rather than of weakness. ' Team members should never do Team work on an employer’s time. There should always be respect for managements, and their rqles should be obeyed. On the other hand, un­ warranted interference should be gra­ ciously rejected, and liberty in spirit­ ual things maintained. It is wise to let the first few Team meetings be held privately for prayer and quiet discussion before God. Get to know one another. Do not add un­ advisedly to your numbers; rather let the Lord add to them such as are of one mind with you. Thfoughout it all, let the .object be paramount: to witness for Christ and to see souls saved. Do not consent to be sidetracked, watered down, exalted, patronized, forbidden, reconstituted, or worried. With purpose of heart, with compassion and confidence, go forward for Christ.

Christ Invites YOU

To CONFIDES your lost condition: "The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men... they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no. not one" (Psa. 14:2. 3). To ACCEPT His salvation: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13). "Whosoever believeth in him [Christ] shall receive remission of sins" (Acts 10:43). To FELLOWSHIP with Him: *T stand at the door, and knock: if any man... open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Rev. 3:20). To LIVE with Him eternally: "I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:3).

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