Preparedness!—This is the hour of opportunity. This is the preparation. time. Spiritual, intellectual, mechanical progress should be seen on every hand. What we neglect now will have to be worked out under most adverse conditions, in case we ease down now. " In time of peace, prepare for war," is a sound adage. We face war with the enemy of all righteousness and truth. Let us not be deceived by cries of peace or overtures of a truce. The final conflict is inevitable. We must be equipped, drilled, prepared.
Consecration! —Just what iSi meant by that expression? It is not a synonym for conversion. Peter was " consecrated" in the sense of leaving all to follow Jesus, and even in taking up the sword in bloody defense of his Lord. But he was not converted until the divine miracle of Pentecost transformed him. Until that hour, although intensely ardent and active, he was controlled by impetuous ambition mingled with cowardice. Let us not confuse genuine conversion with seeming consecration.
Specialists! — Of course we utilize and venerate the family physician — the general practitioner — for all common ailments. But when we have an extraordinary need or a serious situation, we seek the expert help of a specialist. Similarly, it is inconsistent to ridicule specialists in the ministry. The general preacher meets most needs, but there is likewise a place and a need for specialists in the spiritual field. We accept them without a word in the departmental and executive realms. These are rated as indispensable. But in the evangelistic, revival, and other spheres, we as verily need specialists, who through extraordinary study, experience, and recognized results are able to touch particular needs.
Judging!—We need to beware about devising personal, arbitrary standards of orthodoxy by which to judge the loyalty of fellow workers. God has placed no such infallible instrument in our hands. He has not so commissioned any one of us. Bach is accountable unto God.
Music!—Would it not be well if workers without either musical training or even a musical ear, who could not carry a tune if life depended on it, would refrain from attempting drastic reform in denominational music, and also from caustic criticism of those who do sing? Financiers resent the "wise" remarks of those who cannot even budget their own personal incomes and expenses. Administrators smile at the cocksure advice of those who cannot even govern their own households. And so it is also with those who have not been trained in the appreciation and rendition of sacred song. Let the competent do the criticizing, and suggest the reforms. And there is a sufficient number of such experts who are godly, consecrated workers, to safeguard denominational interests.
L. E. F.
