The record., 1912-04-25

TENT-But one thing l do -rh Eppan
II3.
The life Of St Paul is n conSp'cu-
Gus example OF the power OF fixed
purpose. For years he Was the most
hated and feared of all the enemies
of the infant church. And yet When
converted 10 the new faith he be-
came as ardent in it's advocacy as 10
had been Jealous in IFS persecution.
The same concentration OF effort ani
focusing of energy which gave US SlEi
the prosecutor gave Us also Paul ths
apostle Take away this power 0f
concentration and he might have held
the same convictions, but they would
have been poworlcss for either good
or ILL., 4 large part OF the tr"gedy
and pathos OF the world comes from
the existence OF 50 many thcafnt!css,
purposeless lives Talented men and
women fail to attain the goal 10 which
they aspire through too great dlnu-
sion OF effort and dissipation % en-
ergy. In the field of mechanics We
have the man who is jack all trades
and consequently good at nore. In
business We have the industrial vaSa-
bond who drifts from one position TO
another and never makes good in any
one. In college or university life We
have the student who comes almost to
the end of his college career before he
gains any adequate idea OF why he Is
there and then locks back with regret
over a long array of wasted orportc-
mites
The only remedy for the perN
OF many a g0Od and wholesome insti'
tuticn is the concentration of all ones
powers and faculties upon what Is
vital and essential to the institution
itself. As We open the doors OF our
public schools we need TO remind our.
selves and those to whom we intrust
our children that system of instruc-
iion which stores the mind with facts.
but fails TO inlpart strength OF viii
and strenuousness of purpose is bar
rer-- Ard as We open the doors OF our
Sunday schools and churches We need
10 remember that religious institu-
ton which makes the supreme end OF
its existence anything but the culti-
walton of a religious spirit and the ap-
plication OF that spirit TO life Is
sterile
Ii is often said that the church
keeps itself too remote from human
life. that IL does MOI concern Itself
sufficiently with the practical details
of everyday life. We are told that il
must enlarge its function and diver
sify its activity. II should champion
this philanthrophy and espouse that
reform. Its ministers should becoms
experts In scientific agriculture or in
economies or sociology. The criti-
ciym may be inst. II is possible that
there has been too great gull be-
tween religion and lifc, between tho
church and other human ipstitationa.
II is well for the country minister 10
know something Of scientific farming
and for The city minister tn Know
something Of economics ard soc,Jiog-,
but fer either of them to regard ihi,
as the essence of his ministry and
therefore as the supreme business OF
the church would he nothing short OF
n calamity. The church has no right
TO become so deeply interested In sub
ordinate ends. and aims that it neg
lects the fathers busincss-the re-
dcmption of human !ife and OF human
society through the cultivation and
diffusion of n genuinely religious spir-
ii and character.
Tie real test of the worth OF any
church members is his ability to put
first things first and keep them there.
And foremost among these frs; things
IS the institution of pubic wors hip.
Church attendance is the first duty 10
be entered upon and the last TO be
given up. for IL is dynamic 20 them
all With this duty fulfilled We shall
be all the better prepared TO serve in
other departments of the associated
life OF the church. This community
needs the service of a liberal Chris
ttan church. This church needs the
services OF liberal Christian men and
women. These two needs must be
met together or not at all. II VIC tail
IN our duty to the church, the church
must fail in It's duty TO the comma
nifty. As we meet together after the
vacation period can we net say This
one thing | do; by the grace Of God
end with the strength that he has
given I will do all in my power 10
make this church a more efficient l2c-
ter In this community and in tho
world {"