The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-07-31
The First Book of a New Faith.

Claimant discussion Of old creeds and
new religions Nils the air just now. and it
Is opportune that the Sunday schools
are 10 study this week the first OF the
group Of documents which make UP the
New Testament. This particular bit OF
writing is not found at the beginning Of
the collection Of books. because Il
canon is not put together in chrome
logical order Instead Of the Book OF
Matthew being first, or any OF the four
Gospels. for that matter. the earliest Of
the Christian writings that have come
down 20 US Is with the possible excep-
ton OF the letter by james, the epistle
which Pau! wrote from COrinth, while on
the second missionary journey which we
nre studying. to the converts at Thessa-
ionica. 1t is to be borne in mind that
the Thessalonians lived IN what is now
the city OF Salonica, where Turkeys de-
posed sultan. Abdul Hamid. sits in ban
ishment
A food OF light upon ths life OF the
early converts Is thrown by this letter.
II was written some time within eight
cen months OF the authors visit to Thes-
salonica (for that was the length OF this
soiourn in Corinth), so that all we find
reflected Of organized Christian life and
work had been the development OF a COM
paratively few months. Those commingled
Jews and heather had been on the way
multiplying rapidly, it is TO be noted
only for short time. Yet how true TO
type they are in essentials.
There Is no CLOSING OF human nature
IN this letter. The conditions IL reveals
were by no means perfect. But Christian
ity is singular IN that Il faces facts as
they are and deals sQuarely with the
present conditions of mans heart II
stays right where everybody can observe
its teachings at work. If either gets re-
cults from ordinary men and women or
else Il falls to get them. Anybody can
look and see. Contrast this with the null
titude Of Speculative PHILOSOPHERS Of the
advanced religions" cd and new, that
bid for mems allegiance. Even some OF
the physical sciences arouse our impa-
thence by their vagueness. Here is an
eminent astronomer who tells in a cur
rent magazine just how our planet Is
going TO smash, q thousand billion years
hence BY humping into a star whose
light has gone out Perhaps II is all true
at least the prophet is safe from con-
over II. with a thousand billion years
OF leeway. What normal men and women
are more concerned about just now Is
how to keep young people from going 10
smash ga this year 1909. We want a
religion that will save from disaster the
precious human spirits that are now liv-
ing. That was the sort Of Gospel Paul
had preached 20 the Thessalonians.
GREAT HEARTS sOLICTTUDE
AS he watched the leaven which he had
deposited in their midst grow, We note
PauPs solicitude for these children OF
his preaching With fatherly tenderness
and watchfulness he yearned over them.
Their welfare had become inwrought into
the very fiber OF his being Consider the
. fra0WeQt Of his letter which has been
e-lE4eially indicated fer the days study:
But we beseech you. brethren. to know
them that labor among you. and are over
you In the Lord. and adm0nish you: and
10 esteem them exceedingly high in love
for their works sake. Be at peace among
yourselves. And we exhort you, brethren,
admonish the disOrderly. encourage the
fainthearted. support the weak. be long
suffering toward all See that none rem
der unto any one evil for evil: but always
follow after that which is good. one to-
always, pray without ceasing; in every
thing give thanks; for this Is the VIII
Of God In Christ Jesus to youward.
Quench not the Spirit; despise not pro-
phesyings. prove all things; hold fast
that which Is good; abstain from every
form Of evil
And the God Of peace himself sanctify
you wholly; and may your spirit and soul
and body be preserved entire. without
blame at the coming OF our Lord Jesus
Christ Faithful is He that calleth you,
who also win do IT,"
THE PREACHERS PLACE
Probably nothing axe the modern &c
clesiastical organizations had been Gre
ated at Thessalonica. Yet there were
leaders and presbyters' or
''bishOpsr--to direct the assemblies and
labors OF the Disciples. Paul was jealous
FOR the honor and authority OF these
There were ''headyY converts IN Thessa-
lonica who thought they knew more than
the pastors Paul was too good Jew
to look uncOncerned upon any lack OF
respect for Gods minister. What he
would say to-day If he could observe how
soma. church committees and officers
treat Nthe Lords undershepherds-a Il
they were sections or errand boys or day
laborers-we cannot tell; but It probably
would be in his most scorching style.
There are some Of US who are old-fash-
toned enough TO believe that the land
will never receive the spiritual baptism
for which multitudes are praying until a
Agood many churches learn TO treat their
preachers decently.
There is the other side, OF course which
minority Of the men In the ministry
|need 10 consider; namely. that theirs is
a high calling Of God. and not a mere
Job OF profession. The minister who is
forever working with his eve on a better
call and on the record that he is
making In the UNCONVENTIONAL year
books; who joins secret societies in or
der TO further his ambitions; who
schemes for ecclesiastical preferment;
4 measures field by its salary. and who
I'm short. Is constantly thinking Of him.
self rather than Of the flock OF Christ
such one is outside of the Pauline
classification.
That is the sort OF preacher they car
make In theological seminaries; and he
Will never once utter an unorthodox
word. But preachers are not made by
schools; preachers are called Of God II
4 IS because they are man-made preachers
! that there are empty churches The min
\ istry is IN rather poor repute in some
quarters merely because the visible sam
n pies are poor. The world has not out
4 grown itE need for preaching: given a
true prophet and shepherd, and the peo-
a pie will follow and honor him. There IS
Just as much work and influence and
grateful affection awaiting the right kind
OF pastor as ever there was.
1s NEW RELIGION CONfINGY
The distinguished presldent-emeritus OF
Harvard College was reported by the
newspapers a few days ago as declaring
that q new twentieth century religion Is
coming to take the place OF this first.
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