The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1910-08-25

For Needs of
Humanity
BY B. L. Palmer, Layman
Houston. Texas



held an important place in the history
of human activities unless it was
founded upon the needs of humanity
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 a religious nature which have had
Tor 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
mas 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 it has adopted proper methods
Tor 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 a new hold upon
the old task and 90 it right
Perhaps you think the work of the
church has been well done all the
time, but if 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
great campaign of education through
out the whole land
1t 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 frail hui
mainly.
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
a sense of their full duty as the sons
of God
We have been too prone to 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, it will be
done only after We have come to real
hof
personal responsibility in connec-
ton with the salvation of mankind
But you ask, how can l 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 it on, and serve
| in whatever place God may find for
you to do a service, no matter how
| humble and unimportant it 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 a fact The statistics
of the church show that We have been
giving to missions, but how much
have We given? The Protestant
| churches of America have in recent
years given on an average the sum Of
- cents per member each year 10
| this cause.
Forty-two cents! If 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, will 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 it be that there is such a
| thino &c n cpirit,,o1 bOOIy v-0r,,0 re