The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-09

little verse; but your Arab, with the
swing and vigOr and stateliness Of De-
borah's paen. will improvise his poetry
Tor every occasion. Every village and
tribe has its poet laureate whose eff
hciency. relatively. is greater than that
Of Britain's.
A stately. noble song was that of
Deborah. and worthy of close study. In
1t she not only sounded the note of tri-
umph. and cxulted in the fall of the
foe. and reiearsed the events of the
battle, and derided the craven Israel
ties who had skuIked at home in the
hour Of need, but she also, and chiefly,
set forth the majesty and might Of Je-
hovah, as the real victor. The poem.
like all true poetry, penetrated
straightway to the heart OF the mat
ter. and in lofty strain. exalted the God
who gave the victory.
Aside from its inherent interest. this
great conquest over the Canaanites
helped determine the solidarity of the
Hebrew people. The event was turn
ing point in the history of Israel De-
borah stands, regal figure, at q
crossroads in the life OF her nation;
and she upholds and represents the
twin truths of patriotism and religion.
Team Work for Churches.
Terse Comments on the Uniform
Prayer Meeting Topic Of the Young
Peoples Societies-Christian En-
deavor. etc, for January 1O-"Our
Denominational Boards. and Our
Relation to Them Cor. S:8-15.
RY WILLIAM T. ELLIS
How many Christians unitedly do
a comprehensive service for the whole
nation and the entire world? That
is a big question. a difficult question,
and pressing question. All the
temptation for a local church lies in
the direction of parochialism. Church
work suffers from smallness and self
centeredness. The problem is to re-
late every individual congregation and
Christian to the broader work Of the
kingdom. The system of denomina-
tional boards that is in present use is
admittedly imperfect. There is too
much waste energy i'll it. 1t Overlaps
too greatly and overlooks too much.
The national and international agen-
cies are too many. and too seriously
duplicated. owing to the nearly two
hundred Protestant denominations in
North America. A slow, strong.
steady drift of our day Is toward the
reorganization of denominational
boards, with view to 1essened ex-
pense and increased efficiency. In
terest in these larger phases of
Christian work is expected of all
thoughtful church members
Notwithstanding all their limita-
tions and defects. denomina tiona1
boards are the best means for secur-
ing an outreach of ones personality.
influence and offerings. They repre-
sent the individual Christian in fields
which he could not personally enter.
In his behalf and at his behest, they
work for him in ways in which he is
not personally skilled. A diversified,
constant and far-reaching ministry Is
possible to every church member
through his UNCONVENTIONAL benevo-
lent boards.
All boards are not Of equal impor-
lance. The wise giver exercises dis
elimination in his support. If. by
any method or for any reason. church
members should acquire the habit of
giving conventionally a lump sum to
all benevolences, much Of the joy and
inspiration and effectiveness of Civ
ing would be lost. An intelligent
study Of church bard, their pur-
pose. personnel and methods. -is real
1y the duty Of every discriminating
church member.
Seldom are the long-established
church be rds as sensational in their
appeals as certain Independent organ
nations. The very word "undenomi-
national sounds allur1ng to many
persons. The result has been that
large sums are contributed to agen-
cies which are irresponsible and rela-
lively ineffective. being strong only
in the money Rising end. Candid
words need to be spoken about this
Every unbiased Investigation OF which
I have knowledge has shown that the
cheapest. the best administered and
the most effective form of missionary
work is that under the care of the
great UNCONVENTIONAL boards. These
latter are thoroughly responsible: and
amenable to the givers. Through the
church courts they may be brought
to book at any time. Over fndepend-
emit philanthropies there is no con-
troll.
A devoted giver. plus q church bond,
il the fulfiIment Of the command to
60 Unto all the world
Boards are bridges across the gulf
Of isolation which surrounds many
Christian lives.
Through his church boards, q Chris
tan speaks with authority upon lfv-
ing questions OF social service. nation
al welfare and Christian needs
One by one old church leaders are
dying off. Where are their succes-
sors? There il always . call for young
men who will give thought and time
to the larger concerns of the kingdom.
The two principal qualifications are =
sincere and 1DtelliHenf infAraaf IN