Norwich bulletin., 1913-11-20
GAVE SHOP TALK
 AT THE CUTLERY Rev. pr. J, B. Slecum Spoke Upon Topic, "Who Cares"

Rev. Dr. Joel B. Slocum was the speaker at the gathering under the auspices of the Y. M. c. A at the cutlery Tuesday, taking the place of Rev. George c. ChappeII, who was un- able to be present. Does Jesus Care was rendered by Mrs. Charles T. Bard. Rev. Dr. Slocum spoke on the topic, Who Cares?
 Frequently, he said, this is a phrase of defiance. The young man who ut ters it is conscious of his own su- periority In the possession, of his abounding physical powers, he laughs at every warning and sneeringly ex- claims, Who Cares? The meaning that he conveys is, that whoever else may care, he certainly doesn't. Life is still in its forenoon with him. The glow of the sunrise is upon his cheek; unless, possibly, the rednesS is pro- duced by some less worthy stimulant. Like some splendid Marathon runner, he is thinking of only one thing Victory. The hint that attainment i'm poses some preliminary conditions meets with his scornful Who cares ?'' Or from. some man whose ambition is on lower plane. He is occupied en- tireIy with the somewhat strenuous business of having a good time. Con sequences do not concern him. Life is a big joke, and all the seriousness and suffering in 1t are only back ground for his personal comedy.
 If in our day this question which we are talking about is often spoken in the spirit of dare and defiance, it is no less frequently uttered in despair. Hardly a day passes that does not re- cord in it's newspapers some startling tragedy which is the result of a broken spirit. Tn the midst of its ruins, that soul asks. Who cares?" and back from its crushed hopes and defeated aspirations comes the answer-like Eo of st T0iT " Nobody cares!" The day broke fair but night came before noon. Loved ones were taken, property perished friends failed and when the storm had passed there was only wreck left to emphasize its recent fury,
 But there are others who use this question as the expression of an earn est hope. It is as though they had said: q wonder if anybody actually takes an interest in my existence who is really concerned about my affairs ?'
 It may be that there are some rep resentatiyes of each of these classes here today. Surely there are some of you who recognize one or another of these types as applying especially to your own case. If so, 1 wish to say to you what a few of you may not be- lieve, and that is that God does care. There are strong and beautiful assur- anCeS in His Book that leave nc doubt about His attitude towards every trou bled heart. Once the great Master of men said: Are not five sparrows sold for two pence? and not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God" It takes ten mills to make a cent and only four mills would be required in the time of Jesus, to purchase a spar row. The fifth sparrow had to be thrown in" in order to bring the amount up to two full cents. And yet, not one of those poor, little, worthless things escaped the notice and thought of God. How many sparrows would it take to equal the worth of your soul? If God does not forget the spar rows He does not forget you. If He cares for the sparrows, He cares for you.
 The apostle Peter, catching the spirit