BRINKMANSHIP"
DURING the uneasy peace following World War II the State Department embarked on a policy of "brinkmanship" to ensure the nation's survival. It was risky business, to be sure, for the opposing nations seemed bent on a similar course. The fear of war was a constant companion in those tension-filled days. The deliberate face down in the nuclear age is not exactly conducive to calm nerves. Policy makers may see in "brink of war" some advantage, but the most obvious effect of this course is to keep us precariously perched on the "brink of peace," a literal purgatory of tense concern.
There are some ministers who practice "brinkmanship." Their sermon preparation is completed at the last minute. Preparation for the evangelistic campaign is erratic at best, and last-minute details leave these ministers exhausted and in a state of unnatural excitement.
They raise their financial commitments—but on a deadline basis. They are born cliff-hangers. This type is always busy, but results seldom tally where they count. The congregation has precious little sense of direction, and our subject less. Needed? A step back from the brink. We are ministers for life. A spirited steady pace is the course to pursue. In morals, manners, and missions there is no room for "brinkmanship."
E. E. C.
WORTHWHILE DIGNITY
"SIMPLICITY," "humility," and "graceful dignity" are, three expressions used by the Lord's messenger in setting the pattern for the minister and his work. Never be afraid of lifting the standard too high. We have all felt grieved at times when methods are used that give the impression that God's work is no different from the work of the world.
"While it is well to exercise economy, let the work of God ever stand in its elevated noble dignity. . . . Do not cheapen the work of God. Let it stand forth as from God; let it bear no human impress, but the impress of the divine."—Evangelism, p. 68.
We have been told again and again that much has been lost for want of wise methods of labor. Promotion has its place, but sometimes there creeps in a type of promotion that is more fitted for a side show than for the work of the Almighty. The best people in our congregations have at times been wounded by coarse and undignified methods. Crude mimeographed illustrations accompanied by such words as "Hurry, hurry, hurry," "rush, rush, rush." These words are surely out of place in the house of God.
Never was there so much accomplished in so short a time as when our Lord was here on earth. But He never stooped to anything crude or vulgar. He refused to be rushed. "Are there not twelve hours in the day?" (John 11:9), He said. His approach was simple, He was humble, He was dignified. And He has given "us an example, that we should follow his steps."
R. A. A.
SUCCESS!
"NOTHING succeeds like success" is an expression commonly heard, seldom analyzed. But, is this true? Does success succeed? Most stories that I know were born of stark failure and much of this is repeated. There are lessons that success cannot teach. And without them, success is a prelude to failure. Human nature needs most the interrupted climb—and gets it. Success does not succeed. Hard work does. This is in fact 90 per cent of the experience.
There are no "natural" successes, no "favorite" sons. Nature delights most in deflating the windbag and debunking the unworthy. A man may rise by "knowing the ropes"—but without solid fastening, the same rope will hang him. There is no substitute for character development based on experience. Trial and error are splendid teachers. The bright young student who learns his farming in the classroom makes new discoveries in the field. Adversity makes men.
In a recent evangelistic campaign I found myself performing tasks usually consigned to interns. This situation was not without its touch of humor. Digging postholes and sitting up nights with a storm-battered tent have therapeutic value in terms of humility. "Ironic," I mused, trembling with chill in the wind and rain, "but apparently there are no graduates in this business." Nothing succeeds like success? Tell me, what is success?
E. E. C.
