The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-12-16
RELIGIOUS REA DING.
ur1LIzx uNusEp roRcEs.

= Z =
The utilization of unused forces Is the (
characteristic OF the gnfneteenth
century. No power Is allowed to ri, tot
waste. There was time when the vast re-S
sources of electric power In the FaEs sots
Niagara-poWe suffice ent. it is assumed asr
asserted by men Of science, 10 dig-Ss ,Sn.s
streets and driveth cars and turn the miit
wheels OF all America we're wasted and
lost but that power Is now being hafnesseoe
and yoked for service. This splendid econ
omy Of the forces OF nature is reyolution1T
izinR social and commercial lie. IN nat Y
needed for the reyolutionizing OF spiritual
life is similar utilization Of the unused
forces in our congregations. Who can douDt
that there Is in the church Of Jesus Christ
today enough latent and unused spintuat:
power to suffice for the evapgelization OF the
whole wide world? How to utilize unused
forces In congregational activity, ought 70 be
the first question with wise workers IN the
winter campaign on which the churches are
entering now. Few things have contributes
more to the progress Of modern nanufact
ures than the carrying out In great establish1
ments Of the principle Of the division OF gsla-s
Dor. Enter large shipbuilding yard; fori
example, and You might imagine that all
was chaos, and that dmid such e babel Of I
sounds and such q multitude OF workrnen
much time would be lost by the Workndenr
jostling against one another. But the or
ganization OF Labor SO arranges matters that
from the new apprentice up 20 the map
ager each man has his own place and W0rk,
and SO plate is laid UPON plateS until 81
length the completed vessels giides into
the ocean. In like manner each memh Of
the church ought TO have his own depart
ment to which he gives himself, saying OF 4
it. "This one thing do ~ There Is some
particular service for which each Christian
Is 80 admirably adapted that no one else can
do It as we'll as ne. Asthere ts indy fduBiity'
in life, 30 Is there individuality In service
lt.To every man his work. = One great charm
ETY. OF opportunities OF usefulness II pro-
yides, suited to t.all SORTS and conditions OF
men" and women and even Of chfldren.s
There Is something for everybody to dol
Men Of one talent dare not hide Il I'm tho
earth, or wrap It In the napkin OF slothints
Incidence They must occupy, = trade:
labor with diligence and enth husidsm
at Ste task which 4, lies nearest 10
theft hands. Their talent indicates their
sphere OF service. IL they are: napt 20;
teach, =, the Sunday school or Bible class
turning conversation naturally and Eithopt q
Intrusive tmpertinenee into profitable chs1i9
nels. the social circle offers them q HELD Of
influence. II theirs be the: gift ofutterS,
ance the platform or the desk cries for
issthougrts that breathe and words that
burn" The distribution OF tracts or the
carrying OF a cordial Invitation to Il q
young men at street corner finds 8 plas e.
and work Of for-reaching imp ortsnce for
him who cannot speak or teSeh. "a poWex
( for good lies latent In every Christian. ~
ought TO be utilized, and that without one
moments delay We, are saved to serve, and
not to loll in ecstatic idleness. Apathy In
Gods cause is the blackest treaehcry 10 sas
divine trust and the basest ipgratiipde tp
! divine, love. John Ruskfn's words must
blister and burn in the minds cf these who
j rest content with praying, THY kingdom
Gomez" IF you; do NOT wish for hts kingdom
do not pray for It. But IL you do, on must do.
more than pray for Il you must v or ( Tor i. y
Akeener sense OF individual csponstpit7
ity and fuller consecration to the task
Z that calls for individual activity viii do
much to hasten the coming OF the Kingdom;
OF God this winter. They will guarantee
I for all our churches and congregations a
season OF good work and great fruitful
ness Let all our ministers stir up the gins
of their members. Let the various c0ngregas
4 tional agencies interest and enlist the SINS
pathies and services OF an increasing num-
Der OF pt ople, and each church Will thereby
become a centre of effort and influences
b, werfui enough to bless an everSWidenfng
circle Of humanity. The utilization Of mn
used forces carries with il possibf bflitfess which
ought to fire every deyout heart with spien-
did expectations. x II