DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
"I don't haveto preach. If things don't please me I can earn a good living in another line of work. There are some things that I just won't take."
This high-sounding pronouncement is seldom heard, but heard nevertheless. The attitude revealed by these words betrays a startling lack of conviction, if nothing else. Probably some unfortunate congregation would be better off if their minister had chosen other employment. The proverbial chip on the shoulder, unless removed, inevitably becomes a log blocking the path to progress. Miserable is the minister who spends his energy chafing over some imagined insult, or smarting under the wounds made by the inconsiderate. Let not this note be interpreted as condoning a man's mistreatment of his fellows. Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, such inequities exist. It is also true that the successful minister becomes so in spite of such difficulties and is even helped by them.
The Declaration of Independence was good for the nation, but the one with which this note begins is an invitation to a slavery blacker than a thousand midnights
E. E. C
GOSPEL IN A CHANGING WORLD
A missionary who has spent a quarter of a century in the Orient recently returned to his homeland in the West for a furlough, and was asked what changes he thought had taken place in certain countries that had gained their political independence with recent years.
He said he thought the first change of note was that Christianity is no longer regarded in many lands as a foreign religion, as it formerly was. Missionaries can now use Mr. Nehru's argument that Christianity is an Eastern religion, that it was known in India, for example, before it had reached the Western world. This, thought the missionary, was a distinct advantage when Christian missionaries were discussing Christianity with Eastern people.
Certainly he thought that whereas fifty or so years ago converts were made mainly from outcast groups, and were sometimes the result of mass movements, today there is something of a turning from certain Oriental religions among the educated classes, many of whom are willing for the first time to listen to the case for Christianity. In some cases they are being converted to Christianity.
The third noticeable change, said the missionary, is that boys and girls in the mission schools are no longer compelled to attend Christian teaching as they were formerly, with sometimes unfortunate results later in life. Attendance at Christian worship is entirely voluntary, but the majority still attend. They attend in an entirely different and much more healthful attitude of mind. The children and young people come much more freely to the missionaries for spiritual advice and to talk about the Christian faith in a thoughtful and sympathetic way. Naturally, the missionary pointed out, there were certain features of church life in lands that had recently come to political independence which they deplored, but it was difficult to tell whether these were permanent or passing.
The speaker finally indicated that there has been a great growth of Bible correspondence courses in most of the lands under question, and in some countries these courses are very effective. People who might be afraid to go into a church because of prejudice could take these courses at home, where they could study them and think quietly and without fear. The church in the Christian homelands should pray for these vast areas of the world that are coming into independence and a new day as well as a new way of life!
H. W. L.
POWER
"Power belongeth unto God" (Ps. 62: 11). In a city not far from where I live there is a disused factory building on whose wall is posted a sign: "To Let, With or Without Power." It is obvious that no power is now flowing through its shafts and machinery. The belts are motionless; no wheels turning, no movement, no goods produced. The building and its contents stand there decaying, a monument of uselessness, the symbol of a powerless life.
Power in life costs much prayer and faith, persistence and toil. But it is well worth all it costs, for it alone gives significance to living. Is it not a pity for a man in a holy position to be lame, or dead, when the divine power of God is available to endow each man with life? What a transformation is possible! Then useful service, beautiful testimony, and influential witness begin to flow through the life in a steady current—comforting and inspiring words, helpful and blessed acts, uplifting songs, effectual prayers, and soul-winning victory—all as a result of power from God.
There is no limit to the successful ministry of a life geared to the power line. God wants us to have this power. It is His to give, that we may do His work. It is our patrimony. How tragic, how unutterably foolish, to stand inactive in the time of the outpouring of the latter rain!
A. C. F.
