The Pensacola journal., 1913-01-20
Spiritual Value of
Social Emphasis" the
Topic of MIR. Sheriff.

(Continued from First Page.)
interests of each member of the house.
hold.
Every Question Moral Question.
This age more than any other seems
to see that every question is moral
question; that all forces are spiritual
forces; that life is not sacred and secu-
lar, but all sacred.
'sWe are fast learning that the call
Of Jesus to this generation is not
merely for the devotion of tithe Of
increase and seventh of time on the
part of a few, but for a readjustment
OF all human relations upon the basis
of brotherhood and service.
''Then we must see that this growth
OF practical social activity is not to
take the place Of communion with God,
but comes because this generation is
IN communion with God. Changed So
cial conditions are coming not in place
CT, but because Of change of heart.
Social service is no new thing in
the churches. Most, If not all of the
passion for human helpfulness, has
come through them.
"It has been the chief agency in re-
pairing our social machinery and now
IIiuSI OS OUi tSdOCT anu III re-
organizing and adopting our forms Of
intercourse to meet present day needs.
People are not called TO believe less
but to believe more. Thy are called
to see in Jesus the remedy for their
our civilization.
"They must see in the political, So
cial, commercial kingdoms of this world
potential kingdoms OF our Lord and
, his Christ and must set themselves
tc make them so.
Social service bears a spiritual sig
nif1cance because 1t is the spirit of God
drawing men together into one family
and thus to himself"
MR.. CUNNINGHAM SPEAKS.
Next Mr. W. P. Cunningham spoke
in spirited manner upon why left
| the pastorate for social work" He
spoke of the early time in which he
lost interest in the church because it
was dry, and for thirteen years was
not within a church, until he was in
v;ted to a Christmas social, and found
such genial crowd that he was awak-
ened. This gave him an idea that there
was something for him in religion. He
gave credit to a handshalzing pastor
who gripped him.
He entred the ministry but became
especially interested in those who had
no helper. His conviction had been for
the sin Of indifference. The Epworth
League gave him his first arena for
development. 1t was bright, inter-
spersed with anecdote and closely list
ened to. He said the small church of
which he last found himself pastor in
city did not give him opportunities
he longed for to get under the prob
lens Of the city, and 80 he accepted the
offer of the Y. NJ. c. A. here. He
spoke OF the power in cooperative work
among the churches whenever they
unite on any civil question.
WELL RENDERED SONG.
Mr.. and Mrs ]. B. Bouterse sang
THE Gypsy Boy" with good effect,
and the choir interspersed some en-
livening social songs.
Mr.. J. B. Bouterse was presented to
speak on What can the churches do
to interest the wage earner?"
He has recently given up the Sal
walton Army work to take charge of
municipal charity work. Among the
reasons he mentioned for people not
attending churches, were:
Insufficient means to dress well.
Unjust criticism Of the unfortunate
and fallen.
Failure of churches TO provide for
the needs of the poor in sickness, ETC.,
as against the fraternal orders.
'The church with cordial attention
to people and with spiritual religion
win get, the people" he said, "and I
have come to the conclusion that the
churches are the solution of the prob
lens of the people" The general dis
cussion was spirited and limited to
three minute speeches.