The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-16
Conception of The Missiem of ths Church Has Changed WAde- iy tn Recent Years.--sun.- day School Lesson from
 Aa4 Egs 22-AT.
Y wIIi.IAan T Eh.I.I

Act fir 22-4g.
 BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
 The magazines are featuring" reli- gioh lately because the editors have discovered that it IS the deepest and mast widespread human interest. The the world: the welfare of the latter Is inextricabiy bound up with the efiici- ency of the former. The increasing recognition of Chrisslanity's mission IS gravely changing our times. The old notion was that the world existed for the Church; that 1t somehow was the divine right of the Church to possess the world. and to be served by 1t. Now everybody admits that the business of the Church is to serve the world. A social conception of religion has taken hold of the leaders of our day. We now perceive that Christianity best fulfiils tts mission when 1t does the most ser vice for ma1fkfhd in alP its aspects.
 The magnificent audacfty of the Church in her beginning Is thrilling No sooner did she receive her creden- tials than she threw out a daring chai- lenge and invitation to the world. Inn- mediately she began to have business with humanity. Not only was the ear ly Church a socialized Church but she was also a worId-serving Church.
 NHan Made Over,
 All the books that have ever been written against Christianity cannot ex- plain or overcome the miracle of a transformed life. I look at my friend, a clear-eyed, prosperous resurrected member of the community, and a de- vout efficient elder In the church: recall that 6 few years ago he was tough" a low-down, drunken corner loafer. more familiar with the police courts than with the church. And know that he is an obstacle which Voltaire and Paine and Renan and in- gersolI cannot get over.
 So at this dramatic scene on the Day of Penteeost, the outstanding per sotality was transformed man, Peter the preacher, who a few days before had been as .timorous as creeping muskrat. Peter, who at the time of Christ's arrest was scared by ser vant-girPs word, Is now pointing his finger at this multitude and calling them murderers! Before we can ex- plain away this birthday of the Church we must explain away Peter, man made over in the new. The final ar gument for Christianity Is regen- erated man.
 Here at the beginning of the story we find the characteristic which may be traced throughout the pages of the narrative; the Book of Acts is the book of boldness. A pursuit of that world throughout this history of Luke s will make an interesting Bible study for an individual, Sunday sch ool class or 6 prayer meeting. All the old fear which had hitherto haunted the disci- ples became as a discarded garment at Pentecost. Thenceforth, with free ut- teranee and sublime fearlessness. the Church bore witness to her Lord and against his enemies. So to this day the Church which is not brave Church is not worth the salt necessary to preserve 1t. A truckling boot-lick- ing, time-serving Church or ministry has lost all the saVOr of Pentecost and the apostolic type.
 When the Preachers shake Things.
 The newspapers told the other day how the government of New York City had closed up more than five hun dred moving picture shows because a committee of clergymen had represent ed many of them to be immoral and unsafe. That incident Is being repeated in some degree, in many of the prin- cIpal cities of the continent. There Is now no power equal to that of the preacher when he speaks sanely and truly upon vital themes of life and conduct. Peters preaching on the Day of Penteeost shook the multitude even as they had not been shaken by the mighty, rushing wind.
 Close to life was Pear's mighty ser mon, but 1t Is to be remembered by all who try to get their message. as well as their illustrations and applica- tions out of the newspapers. that this was an expository sermon It told what the Bible said. Searching the Scriptures for the truth that would At the occa sion, the preacher pressed It hard and close upon the minds of his hearers. There Is no substitute for working mastry of the Bible. No Sunday school teacher can prepare Ia lesson by skimming over few ''helps:" there must be a reservoir. of knowledge of what the Bible teaches, Then the word in season" may be spoken.
 The editor of a nationally famous newspaper remarked the other day, The reason I don't go to church. and other men don't go to church, Is that the average preacher has nothing to say worth hearing. But take a man like Dr. Blank: he, has something to say. and he never has any trouble about getting a congregation" That statement was too sweeping. yet serves to stress the truth that the Apostolic Church was a Church with a clear and unmistakable message, aimed directly at the lives of men, It was a fresh message. too adapted to the times; and