Editorial Postscripts

Scrutinized!—One hastily spoken word, one unwise act, one careless indulgence—and a worker's influence may be forever after lost upon some individual or group. We live not to ourselves. Our lives are under constant scru­tiny. And because of this, we may often have to forgo something that might not otherwise seem to violate any principle.

Refining!—It is in the crucible, under the fire of criticism and attack, that the gold of truth is separated from the dross of error. Let none be apprehensive therefore when a Bible truth is challenged or tested. Neither man nor demon can stay the spread of any genuine truth, and its genuineness is attested and its luster ultimately enhanced by such test­ing. We want no teaching that cannot survive except under arbitrary protection. Truth is not a tender plant.

Expediency!—So to preach as to please a careless congregation, instead of warning, awakening, reforming; to write or publish what will strike a popular note or sell profit­ably, rather than to provide what is obviously needed; to give flattering assent to another's opinion for policy's sake, when candid counsel is sought,—these and similar forms of expe­diency are distressing to high-minded men of principle. Faithfulness is the prime requisite of all stewards of God's truth.

Subserviency!—Is the lip ever sealed when a moral principle is involved—because fearful of crossing the views of an associate or su­perior? Is the vote on a committee or board ever cast contrary to conviction—lest one jeap­ardize his present position or future employ­ment? Such ought never to be. Wise leaders do not wish it. Conscientious workers will not yield to it. And gospel principles do not coun­tenance it. The sanctity of private conviction and its proper expression is cherished as a fun­damental by this church.

Deflected!—The health message should be more generally and effectually linked with our public evangelism. It is designed of God to be a valuable corollary to the gospel. There is danger, however, when it assumes chief place in the minister's time, interest, and effort. Un­balanced relationships at this point almost al­ways lead to ultimate difficulty. Enthusiasts should be on guard here lest the preaching of the gospel of salvation be eclipsed by the gospel of vitamins. The evil one would entice such into forgetting their ordination vows, losing their vision of the primacy of the gospel, and so tread' ag the road of an unbalanced extremism.

Trick!—It is the devil's old trick to check­mate the conquering cause of truth—or a par­ticular truth in that cause—by inciting a few to extreme positions regarding some essential doctrine or teaching The shadow of reproach is thus cast over the truth itself, creating a retarding reserve or even a revulsion against such truth when subsequently presented in wholesome form and balance. This subtle, in­direct method of opposition is often more effec­tive than direct attack. Let none of us play into the old trickster's hands, either in going to extremes ourselves or in permitting such regrettable incidents to prejudice our minds. Every basic truth is true and needed, and stands invulnerable and unaffected—irrespec­tive of any distortions, denials, or wild ex­tremes in which some of its votaries may indulge.

Sincerity!—The impression that a minister is not quite sincere in his apparently positive expositions of truth, that he is not quite sure as to the soundness of his arguments or the validity of his facts, that his presentation is professional rather than convictional, that it is a rehearsal of the accepted position of the church instead of being the spontaneous ex­pression of personal certainty,—these discerni­ble reservations constitute grave deterrents to the acceptance of the presentation. No flow of oratory can compensate for such a fatal lack. Conviction is created in others only as it first burns in our own souls. All other expressions sound like, and are in fact, hollow reverbera­tions. They are but empty echoes instead of satisfying sureties. We as workers can and must know for ourselves. Then, and then only, can we speak with a profound conviction as to fact and argument that cannot be gainsaid.

Rumor!—To mar another's work or influence, just start a rumor about his character, his veracity, his loyalty, or his honesty, and Dame Rumor will usually do the rest. Rumor monger­ing is vicious, and accepting these wild tales without investigation and proof is flagrant vio­lation of the golden rule. Strange it is that so many who are uniformly reserved about ac­cepting the word of another as regards verifi­able facts, seem so gullible when it comes to accepting floating rumors that change form and usually enlarge with each transmission. We workers can check this curse by challenging every such tale, demanding proof before credit­ing any story directed against another's char­acter or influence, and making inquiry of the proper authorities as to facts, if inquiry is deemed necessary. Let us unite on such a course.                                                        

L. E. F.