Editorial Postscripts

SERVICE!—Some of our young preachers are more interested in rapid advance­ment than in solid growth. They are more concerned over future opportunities than immediate service. But it is by perfecting their power in the desk, their organizational ability, their effective dealing with souls, and their mastering of the full range of the evangelistic field in successive efforts in smaller places, that solid foundations are laid for later achievements for God. Thus the way is prepared for steady growth and advancing respon­sibility. Mushrooming growth and a skipping of essential rungs in the ladder may look more spec­tacular. But in later times of test in the larger cities, and with greater responsibilities, all this preparatory training will come into play. In­finitely better is it to be bigger than your oppor­tunity than to rattle around in a place that is too big for you. Joy in immediate service, and con­fidence in the brethren that they will place us where we can render the best service of which we are capable at the time, bring contentment and provide the ideal condition for growth.

METHODS!—When there is general criticism of a method, device, or approach that we employ in the presentation of truth, had we not better pause and ask, Is the offense involved worth the seeming gain ? If this creates criticism from the best-informed, most experienced, and spiritual friends, had I not better change my method and find a better one? We need to dis­tinguish sharply between a method of presentation and a principle of truth. When a genuine principle is at stake, or when a truth that is a matter of conscience is involved, we should uphold it irre­spective of criticism or loss of friends. A method is a matter of convenience. It is a way of doing something. If it causes offense or draws hurtful criticism, we had better drop or modify it and cheerfully turn to a plan that will have hearty support and still achieve the objective. Friendly criticism of methods is helpful and may well be heeded.

SENSATIONALISM!—Downright hon­esty in advertising, as regards both claims and accomplishments, is the best policy in the church as well as in the world. Then there are no come­backs. Unfulfilled claims cause a letdown and create an unfavorable reaction. Extravagant ex­pressions, such as "stupendous" and "colossal," and descriptives piled one upon another, such as "startling! astounding! revealing!" are repellent to serious, truth-loving folk we are seeking to reach. Extravaganzas smack of the circus. They ape the sensational tabloid press, which thrives on exaggeration and scareheads. Everyone expects to discount them heavily, knowing their statements cannot be trusted. Reading such, the reader could scarcely be expected to say, "Here is a message of truth I must not miss." If we advertise as sensationalists, we shall attract the sensation addict. If we advertise like circus press agents, we shall attract circus devotees. We have no "nationally known" evangelists, much less any who are "world renowned." These are unwar­ranted and unwise hyperboles. Let us keep on ground that creates confidence and respect.

SPECIALISTS!—Specialists often be­come critical of everyone and everything, so that no one else does anything right. Equally com­petent and brilliant specialists in the same field come under the hammer of their criticism and are deemed erroneous and inaccurate in their reason­ing or conclusions. Is it fear that someone else's exposition will reveal a weakness of their own? Is it anxiety lest someone else's star will rise, and their own will wane? Is it just plain jealousy, fear, or egotism? The further a scholar goes in the pursuit of knowledge, the more he recognizes —or should—the limitations of human knowledge, including his own. More than others, he should realize the possibility of error because of incom­plete evidence or data, or limitations and weakness of the human factor, This ought to engender charity, breadth of soul, and recognition of the finding and reasonings of others. It ought to foster the open mind, but it does not always do so. Our failures, mistakes, and limitations should keep us all humble.

ARISE!—The greatest day in all hu­man history is undoubtedly breaking for the preaching of the everlasting gospel in vast portions of the earth. With so many war weary, awakened, restless, eager for a better way of life, dissatisfied with the old and yearning for the new, we face the supreme opportunity of all time to ap­ply the healing balm, to bring rest to the weary heart and understanding to the restless spirit. What men need is Jesus. What they need to know is the divine purpose and message of God. This we have been sent to give. That is our purpose on earth. We are men with a mission. Trifling things and unworthy themes must go. The great essentials of salvation must be stressed. Broad, far-reaching plans must be laid. We have a commission to complete, a work to do, a task to finish. Let us bend to the task. Let us banish all quibbles and trifles, and arise and finish our God-given work. That is surely the message of God to us as workers.

L. E. F.