The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-15
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Hard Times: An Opportunity.
Terse Comments on Topic for Feb
ruary Is, "Ministering to Prisoners
and the Poor."-Matt. 25:31-46.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS
There is timeliness to this topic.
The hard times that have come upon
the business and Industrial world
pinch the poor sorely. All around us
are families In real need, and through
no fault OF their own. They must
either be helped or suffer. To serve
them AFFORDS all Christians who are
not themselves in absolute want an
opportunity to merit those coveted
words of Jesus, "Inasmuch as you did
it unto one of these. my brethren. We
did 1t unto me-"
God visits the poor on the feet OF
his friends.
None of the new fashions In relig-
fashioned charity. A rhapsody or
spiritual ecstasy Is no substitute for
a load of coal sent to the needy. A
loaf of bread il often moro acep-
table offering to God than long
prayer. Given q choice between
spending half day In conference
for the deepening of the spiritual life.
and spending like time in minister
ing to the poor, the wise Christian
will not hesitate an instant IN adopt
about doing good'-actively seeking
opportunity for service: whose walks
that same way Il likely to meet with
him. VanDyke's STORY OF the Other
wise Man" (Which. by the way.
considers this topic) contains the es-
sence Of the scriptural teaching on
this point. The best way to md Jesus
II to help, in his name. some mortal
in need-
The Eivfng hand means more to the
needy than the gift It bears.
As every days news columns testi-
fy, the call Is urgent upon all char1-
table persons to prove their religion
shelter. Once the immediateness
and reality of the suffering about us
is understood, there will be quick
and, generous response. The gravest
need of all must not be overlooked;
for above his need for nfe's material
need of sincere. respectful and broth
erly sympathy. Share your heart
with the man who Is down, ana you
will give him the best help.
Poverty, on the average ana IN the
long run, appears to be far less of a
curse or a misfortune than great
riches.
These superci1ious times have
spread abroad the notion that to be
wealthy is to be honorable, and that
TO be poor Is to be despised. This Is
the gravest of all the social heresies
of the twentieth century. 1t Is re-
sponsible- for the immunity of the
wicked rich from the exercise of the
~ Tl,.-~ at ali f1,r<
glaring evils that have followed in the
train of our great material prosperity
have their root in this subverSive
sentiment Every straight-seeing and
public-spirited member of the COM
monwealth should set his face like a
flint against this fallacy. In these
days, poverty Is more often a badge
of honor than is wealth. The most
patriotic and useful citizens of our
day are not the immensely rich: they
constitute our menace. The men and
women who are willing to be content
with small means and to pursue no.
BILE ideals, preferring poverty with
self-respect to wealth with a sacrifice
of what they deem most worth while,
are the saving salt of society. In the
eyes of all sane persons, the man who
has kept his country's laws, has been
true and loving member Of his own
home, has shown himself good
neighbor, and has contributed q due
worlds welfare-such a man has
achieved an honorable success of
which many millionaires have failed
.@wno gives himself with his gift
Himself. his hunsering nsdghbor.
and Ne" Lowell.
Sharing Is the best giving.
A
spirit Of Jesus in society, the plight of
the prisoner is less pitiable than it
formerly was in civilized lands; or
than 1t Is today in heather lands.
Even q hardened world-citizen shud-
ders when he hears what goes on in,
tot OF a prisoner anywhere is mis-
erabfe, and the Scripturai Injunction
to visit the prisoner is still applicable.
Thousands OF earnest Christians are
30 engaged weekly. A definite form
of Christian Endeavor organization L.
that Of Prison Endeavor." A
brotherly bearing OF the manhood
Quickening teachings OF Jesus to those
who have fallen INTO the laws hands
ts ministry that merits the 'Inas-
much" OF Jesus
Imagination Is needed for effective
ministry. The person who engages in
charitable work IL quickly dis
couraged by the seldshness, un-
worth1ness and insratitudIe Of tfoss
whom he seeks to serve. II, how
ever. he has the Imagination to see
clothed with the form of every poor
sick, hungry or imprisoned person
whom he visits. the aprreciative Son
of God. endlessly repeating with
gracious Mp, while his eye beams
loving gratitude 'Tnasmuoh W.
did it unto Me-" then no Il n can h.
fSAI ARY|