The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1910-07-28
For Needs of
Humanity
BY B. L. Palmer, Layman
Houston, Texas


and had for its objective the improve
ment of conditions under which man
kind lives.
Some OF these movements have been
along the lines Of scientific research,
and had for their purpose the gaining
OF greater knowledge, by which the
human race should be benefited. Some
have been political movements to give
to mankind a more perfect system Of
government From the days of Mar.
tin Luther down to the present time
there have been various movements
OF religious nature which have had
for their purpose the correction OF
improper conditions and the raising OF
mankind to a higher plane Of spiritual
life. But whatever has been the char
acter Of the movement, each one which
has attained success has been founded
upon some human need. and has been
successful only in the measure IN
which It satisfied that need. The lay
mems missionary movement is des-
tined TO be successful and to occupy
prominent place in the history of
the church because its only purpose
is to supply a human need. and be-
cause 1t has adopted proper methods
for accomplishing its purpose.
The work OF the laymen's movement
Is not revolutionary In its nature.
We do not propose to do a new
work. but to take new hold upon
the old task and do II right
Perhaps you think the work Of the
church has been we'll done all the
time. but II you think thus. It is be-
cause you are uniformed, and the
first work which the laymen's move
ment purposes to do is to inform
you.
We are at present engaged in a
great campaign Of education through
out the whole land
IL is our purpose to give to every
man in the church a thorough knowl-
edge of conditions.
We confidently believe that informa-
ton is the only thing wherein the
church is lacking.
We believe that churchmen have
the love Of Christ in their hearts. and
the desire, the intelligence, the en-
ergy and the means to do the work
which Christ began.
For he only began the work-no
more-and then as a sublime evidence
of his faith in his followers. He in
trusted the completion of the task
for which he gave his life to frall hui
manity.
When Christ's work ended mans
work began.
From time immemorial. mission
work has been left to the preachers
and the women.
The men OF the church have felt
that their full duty was done when
they had contributed to the support
of their local church. and perhaps
shared in the administration of its
temporal affairs. The laymen's move
ment exists today for the sole pur-
pose OF disillusioning men--of ava
kening them and arousing them to
sense of their full duty as the sons
of God
We have been too prone 70 think
of our duty to the unevangelized peo-
pie of the world as a collective duty
the duty of the chruch as a body. II
the world is to be evangelical within
the present generation, II will be
done only after we have come to real.
lie that we have personal duty and
personal responsibility in connec-
ton with the salvation Of mankind.
But you ask, how can | apply my
individual efforts to the work? You
may study, pray. give and serve.
Study that you may know the need,
pray that God may bless your efforts.
The efforts of others TO supply the
need. give that those who are devoting
their lives to the work. may have
the means TO carry IL on, and serve
in whatever place God may find for
you to do q service. no matter how
humble and unimportant 1t may seem.
Yes, you admit that you have not
given much time to study and to
prayer. but you assert that you have
given to the support of missions for
years. That's fact The statistics
OF the church show that we have been
w hAcoiOhot O0b ~" AhuNh
have we given? The Protestant
churches of America have in recent
years given on an average the sum of
AZ cents per member each year to
this cause.
Forty-two cents! II you have given
more than that, you have given more
than the average.
Forty-two cents to carry salvation
to those who dwell in darkness! And
then we sing, VIII there be any stars
In my CROWN"
Brother, do you want a accent star
In your crown?
1t is really surprising to note how
many churchmen there are who de-
vote themselves with great. energy to
temporal affairs and yet cannot be in
duced to undertake even a small part
OF the Lords work.
Can IL be that there is such
thing as a spiritual hook-worm? II
there is. the men OF our chruches
have 1t bad"
The unmistakable symptom of the
hookworm, | am told. is IAN aptitude
for continuous resting"