The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-12-18
IN THE CHURCHES
Pastor of the First Luthern Church
Speaks Pointediy.

Rev. G. Z, Rydquist, OF the First Lu.
thetln churuh. was confronted by a
large and interested congregation last
evening, when he talked largely upon
John, the Baptist, as forerunner OF
Christ, saying among other things:
Il wish to dwell at length on the
John the Baptist's preparation for his
great mission. There are two reasons
why l wish to do this. First, because
an uneducsted clergy in our day use
the example of John Thea Baptist and
the disciples Of our Lord as an argu.
ment in their favor; secondly, because
| wish to call your attention to the
fact that in our day and in our country
especially, there is criminal lack OF
education and preparation for the so
called professors and this more i'm.
portant and responsibla vocatios OF
life.
John the Baptist was genius He
was, in every sense, born TO be fore
runner Of Christ. This was so strong.
ly marka1 that there never seemed 10
be doubt in his mind as TO his mis-.
sion. He was also endowed with the
spirit Of God, not to take the place of
his natural talents, not to take the
place of his preparation as some would
have it, but to sanctify both his tai
mts and his learning in the service OF
his Master.
Every talent is a spiritual and di-
vine gift. II is not inherited in the
sense that natural traits are inherited.
Some times the least endowed parents
produce children with genius, and psy-
biologists have proved that generally
parents with great natural endowments,
highly educated and refined, produce an
inferior offspring. This goes to prove
that genius or talent is soul quality
and as such comes directly from a su.
pernatural or spiritual source.
at is well to give our youths an edu-
cation. We can never give them too
much. The trouble is. we do not give
them enough and often not Of the right
kind. The elective courses Of our col.
leges and universities are God send.
We are developing scholars and experts
in every profession as meyer before.
We had done 50 long ago il we had not
held on TO the apron strings Of Mother
England and followed in her wake. The
elective system should be adopted in
tbe high schools more than what IL is.
In the distribution of talent we see
the wise plant Of the Creator. In the
complexity of these there Is a unity
even unity Of service. Talents should
should be regarded as sacred, be brought
early in life be made the most Of. The
word talent tells us that IL Is treas.
ure intrusted to us. II has the divine
stamp upon II. II must be accounted
for. It must be returned with inter.
est. The words talent and calling plac-
ed together solve the problem Of life
and point out the way to success. To
every talent there is q calling. The
former points out its sphere of useful.
ness.
"Petm and John were ignorant fish.
ermen and zee the work they accom-.
plished. / have heard that argument
time and again. II is a favorite argu.
ment. But these two had a good COM
mon education. They knew the Heb
rev and could read and understand the
QlAIdaic dialect, the language used in
their homes; they knew the Greek, the
popular Language of that day. they
knew also in a measure at least the
Latin, the official language Of the
Roman empire. Besides this early edu.
cation they were with two Of the