The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-06-28
EDITORIALS BY THE PEOPLE.
Jesus As An Advertiser.

At the Baptist Ministers confer
ence one OF the pastors In discussing
Church advertising" Is said to have
used the following sentence: Jesus
Christ was the greatest advertiser the
world has ever known and His largest
asset was His miracles" no doubt our
friend meant we'll. and he probably
loves and wishes 10 honor Jesus just
as much or more than the rest OF us.
but as II Is ever Easier to be critical
than TO be correct" so II Is easy for
reader TO see that this statement
may prove misleading to many.
Miracles are the gifts OF God, they
are wrought through the power OF the
Holy Spirit and should be viewed very
sacredly. A Christ-like miracle can
only be performed as we give up all
for God. despising the world and all
its vanities and filing our whole mind
with the divine love Of God. Self-im-
notation, self-abnegation and entire
selflessness must take possession OF
us before we can perform the smallest
miracle. Only during the time that
this self-sacrificing spirit possesses
US are we receptive TO the power OF
the Holy Spirit. Then what folly IL
would be to imagine one going about
in this frame of mind for advertising
purposes II would be an utter impos
sibility for one to do so. Jesus on
many occasions even urged the person
healed TO tell no one" He worked
miracles as the direct result of His
goodness and His love for God and
poor humanity. Because of His meek
ness. mercy, love, compassion and
hux God rnttld N His natl
tons speedily. There are those who
the power of Satan, the prince OF
darkness-such persons advertise
their wonders freely. wishing 10 gain
popularity and wealth-but the Christ
healing Is not announced by trumpet
but by "a still small voice" the quiet
ness and meekness of goodness, and
love to God and man being the result
of hearing this voice. IL we were
good enough we would not need to ad-
vertise our churches. Jesus said land
II be lifted up will draw all men
unto me- so we II we are lifted up
spiritually we will and must draw all
mankind up with us. IF we do adver-
tise our churches let us put the sad
die on the right horse" and let us say
that we are doing so because we are
following the worlds methods, not be-
cause we are following Christi
methods II we are not good enough
to follow Jesus so closely as TO be
able to abandon advertising, then we
must suffer II TO be 80 now" but
we should aim at rising TO that per-
feet stature which will draw all men
unto u.s." not by huge electric sign,
but by the beauty OF our holy life. our
unselfishness. love. mercy, compass
sion, sweetness. and honesty. We
should not misrepresent Jesus and
His divine works else we do cruelty
Him afresh.
IL IS well for us TO continue adver. |
Using our churches. meanwhile pray
ing for grace TO grow above the need |
OF using such material means. II Is
we'll for us 10 bring all the people in |
TO hear the glad tidings OF salvation"
and u an electric sign will do II God |
grant that we may find one large |
enough TO light the whole city and |
then the whole world, but let no one
realize that IL Is our weakness, frailty |
and lack of spirituality which makes
II necessary for us to use these means
Jesus. recognizing our frailties. said, !
Suffer II TO be SO now" but let us
realize clearly that Jesus needed no
electric sign. nor did He stoop to ad-
vertise God by performing miracles.
He simply lived so close to God that
His miracles were the direct result OF
this nearness TO God His goodness,
purity and spirituality was the light
which drew and is still drawing the
tired, sin sick world to Him and He
tells IS Follow Me"
Margaret Florence McAuley.
$50 Brooklyn-ave.
Detroit. June q. 1910.
Mrs. Mary Ledwith, the aged nurse
~ the Rnnaov.lf nhildran has ioinnl