Faithfulness!—We are Commissioned of heaven to give an especially designated message to mankind. Its terms and specifications are expressly set forth. Its stipulations are explicit, and the penalties for rejection clearly stated. What then, if the chosen herald fails to declare that message? What if the appointed watchman neglects to give his warning, to appeal to men to heed, and souls are swept on by the current to their doom? What if the watchman fails to give warning of impending danger, and catastrophe over takes men in their false security? What if he fails to declare the whole counsel of God, and sinners are not turned from their indifference or rebel lion? Whose is then the responsibility? We must use tact and good sense, but we must not muffle or modify our message. We mast avoid needless offense, but we must not dilute or soft-pedal our mandate. We must allow neither our own nor others' fears to intimidate us into compromising silence. We are accountable unto God and must answer for any lack of faithfulness. Ours is a position of fearful responsibility. We must not permit policy, expediency, or pressure to swerve us from our bounden duty, whatever the circumstances. We must not fail to deliver God's message. Heaven holds us accountable for faithfulness in proclaiming the whole counsel of God to day whether it be by voice or pen.
Travel!—Travel broadens, en larges vision, and deepens knowledge. It forms friendships and provides vivid illustrations from life. It lifts one out of the provincial and the circumscribed. The contact with new problems and viewpoints and the observation of new methods strengthen for life's future opportunities. Pity the worker who grows up, enters the cause, and remains in the same field all his life. He bears a localized mold. He who has traveled abroad and studied the customs and cultures of other lands and nationalities is greatly advantaged. So also is the one who has spent service in a mission field. Fortunate the worker who has the advantage of judicious travel.
Advance!—The advent movement is waiting for a voice that will sound the clear call to advance. The hour is late, our pace is too slow, and our net results are altogether too meager. Our workers and people are longing for the signal to move forward that is long overdue. No summons to mere greater intensity of effort will suffice, not simply the exertion of a heavier pressure, nor greater human endeavor. The need is for a heaven-sent vision of need, of opportunity, and of necessity that will transform our lives, readjust our plans, recast our -emphasis, and revolutionize our relationship to the things of earth and of God. For this, many long and pray and wait We re peat : No drive, slogan, or urge will suffice. It is not more plans, better methods, or greater exertion that is needed today, but that divine endue-merit promised to us that will bring such an advance to pass. We must have that which will challenge us, grip our imagination, fire our souls, give us urgence, break our shackles, make us daring, energize our latent powers, banish inertia, and finish the work. It will come, but when?
Discourtesy!—For a layman to read a paper, magazine, or book during a religious meeting is bad enough. But for a preacher, who is supposed to be an example of Christian courtesy, propriety, and refinement, to read a book or paper—in full view of others—when a fellow minister is delivering the message of God to the congregation, is inexcusably crude, discourteous, and ill-mannered. Aside from any disconcerting effect it may have upon the speaker himself, it dis tracts some sitting near him, who will be annoyed by the spectacle. Furthermore, it inevitably creates the impression that, so far as he is concerned, the message is considered of little importance, and unworthy of attention. But even more serious, it is bound to be regarded as lack of sympathy with the objectives of the meeting, and of outward hostility to the views and objectives of the speaker. Perhaps a minister feels he cannot spare the time to listen to another. Possibly he is bored. Then let him stay away from the service and do his reading in private. Let us not violate the principles of common courtesy and Christian refinement in our public relationships to one another.
Spoon Fed!—The modern pen chant for simplified, predigested mental food, and brief and superficial discussions, has led to a generation of mental weaklings. Milk is for babies ; but a stronger diet is necessary for adults. There is danger that we shall seek to draw our nourishment from a pellet or a bottle, or at least prefer to be spoon fed, instead of disciplining and stretching the mind to compass solid and substantial mental food. We have too many who are mentally indolent. We must apply ourselves to exacting study if we are to grow, or even to keep our strength. We must master new fields, new topics, new branches of learning. Stagnation means death. Mental muscles are developed by intensive use. The times constitute a tremendous challenge to renewed application.
L. E. F.
