The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-01-20

| eAiN paul. anu lldt LlkC.
cross the Headline" at fifty, but sci
dom do we hear the other side pre-
sented. There is another side, and i
those who enjoy their work would oc
casionally set forth its attractions
surely there would be more young mer
TO say: Lord, here am /. send mep'
Among the minor attractions the fol
lowing may be mentioned:
l. 1t is life of contact with mer
and books. It compels one to read
think and study human nature. A
Christian worker may indulge In a
wider range of reading than most men
II ne has any hobby, such as botany
geology, OF electricity, he can pursue
1t to his hearts content. No knowl-
edge comes amiss to him. Nature and
the supernatural are so related that
one illustrates and explains the other.
For lawyer or doctor such studies
would be depression, but a Christian
worker may explore the heavens, the
earth, or the bottom of the sea, and
come back better fitted for the special
work to which God has called him.
2. The variety of the work is also an
attraction. Preaching, prayer meet
Ing and visiting the sick are but a
small part of it. He is expected to
agitate~t temperance, to be enthusiastic
on missions and to aid Christian en-
deavor In fact, every good cause
looks to him fol-, support. TO be sure,
with so many calls upon him, he has
little time for profound study, but out
OF 1t all he gains experience and YER
satility and becomes good, all-around-
man. He learns what his forte Ii. ana
II he is wise he devotes himself main
ly to that, leaving to others the work
for which he is not fitted. Of all call
ings ours is the least monotonous. Il
is a life of constant activity and con-
tinual change.
3. One of the chief attractions of
Christian work to me is the opportu-
nifty which 1t affords for religious
growth What l am spiritually owe
TO my profession. Indeed, knowing my
disposition, / am convinced that had I
chosen any other calling / should by
this time have had a good bank &C.
count and a soul as small as mus
tard seed. A soul-winner must be a
good man or fail. His own or Others
necessities drive him constantly to the
throne of grace and compel him to
live In closet fellowship with God.
4. 1t is no more than fair to admit
that there are some discouragements
as well as attractions. Inadequate COM
pensation Is one of them. The Chris
tian worker is expected to have the
Instincts of millionaire, the generos-
fty of prince, to dress as well as
the best, and to do 1t all on a small
income.
5. The supreme attraction of Chris
tan work, however, is the opportunity
which it affords for usefulness. and
usefulness of the highest kind. The
the manufacturer and the
farmer are all useful men. They sup
ply the wants of the body; but our
business is to transform the body into
a temple of the Holy Ghost. The sur
geon sets broken bones; but we heal
broken hearts. The lawyer admins.
ters justice, but the Christian worker
proclaims mercy. The one examines
titles of real estate, while the other
secures titles to mansions in the skies,
A million month are dying in China
without a knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The entire continent of Africa is still
clothed in darkness. for we have only
.ouched the hem of her garment with
he days of Gospel light. The agoniz-
ng appeals Of our home-missionary sn-
are enough to thrill |
leart of stone. Surely the wants and
woes of humanity are In themselves
IN attraction. And If anything more
we're needed, is 1t not found In the
inal words Of our blessed Master: aAU |
,ower is given unto me In heaven and
earth. Go We therefore unto all the
world and preach the goapel to every
FEATURE"