The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-01-12

means an actual, not D tneOTetlcal,
change in our purposes and activities.
2. In the second place, reconstruc-
lion means q change in the policy of
The church as an organization. The
day is gone when the church can flour.
|sh and touch life in any vital way sim.
ply through the ministeries OF one
.eacher and an auditorium-the church
that is dark six nights in a week will
do little for civilization, however long
its membership roll, however fun its
pews at the hour of worship. Our
churches must train for actual life. Not
only must they deal with the problems
of the present day, but they must have
means for giving expression to our
teaching. AS churches, we shall need
to develop shops for building the pro-
duct we are designing in our draught.
ing rooms. II we are to teach brother
hood. we shall need to develop the spir-
1t of brotherhood. Therefore the need
of corps of trained workers, paid or
volunteer, to bring as many as posi-
BILE of our constituents-espe the
younger people, who more readily ad-
just themselves to new standards-un-
der Christian influence and Christian
leaders. We must have a church of
workers to enable us to do this. Where
it has been tried, it has given the
church new life. In the parts Of our
own church where 1t has been tried, it
has brought new life. 1t has not been
carried on as 1t should have been, for
we are but beginning, and only few
have been ready to take the time and
continue the training that such work
demands. But those who have done 1t
have been greatly helped in their own
personal lives, and have been equipped
with new possibilities for life, besides
being enabled to make impressions up
on others, impressions that are eternal.
Some Of our young people have been
saving souls this year.
We shall need to learn that it is
through individual training and influ-
ence that life grows. Jesus could take
care of but twelve. He worked with
them - individually - inspired them
with the spirit of service. Then they
began with their groups-and SO the
gospel spread. If Jesus could train
hut twelve, that Is surely as large a
group as any one should expect to be
able to deal with adequately. If his ex-
ample means anything to us, his meth
cd should be suggestive, when we be-
gin to teach his gospel If this be the
case, we need one trained leader for
every especially of our young
er people-une person with some I'M
derstanding Of the gospel message,
some real conservation, some ability
to mould life. No work has been done
in this pastorate comparable in con-
sequence with that which has grown
out of the training of individuals or
little circles for the work of the king
dom. We could do something for re-
ligion if we could have people enough
who would be willing to find religion
for themselves by engaging in this
life-giving, life-saving enterprise.
When the church becomes force of
volunteers, trained for real service by
steady and long study and effort, we
shall have an institution that will not
be accused of having failed or of being
threatened with failure, an institution
that will put it's mark upon civilization
in some real way, an institution that
will bring peace and good will to
men,"
The challenge of the times is well
come to strong life, devoted life. 1t
brings us face to face with an oppor-
tunity to serve our time in some vital,
epoch-making way. 1t gives time
that has been working to lay up treas
ure on earth something worthy of its
effort. 1t gives us program worthy
of our lives devotion. Our most
thoughtful business leaders are con-
Tossing their dissatisfaction with the
course they have been pursuing. They
are feeling the emptiness of life lived
largely or wholly for material acquisi-
ton. The same experience will come
to those in less conspicuous places af-
ter they begin to see that they are as
slavish in their devotion to material
things as the kings of finance, just as
hopelessly dominated by the spirit of
selfishness. In the light of present
day events, our selfishness stands op-
enly condemned. Will we accept the
gospel standard for our lives? Know
ing the truth, will we meet the condi-
tions it imposes? This is the question
that our religious leaders are raising
as they plead for the cause of the un-
selfish, Cooled life.
1t is fortunate for us as church