The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-30
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

'To arms!" was the cry, and Biriming- ham set new mark for the south.
 But I'm not going to sing of arms in a martial sense, but will hymn an ode in a lower peace note.
 I want to talk of out-reaching arms. Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth, nearly two thousand years ago, was sitting on the Mount of Olives.
 Looking toward the capital of Israel, with outstretched arms, with the heart of woman, he yearned over the sin ming city.
 With a depth of compassion he gave voice to the simple figure which has come down through the centuries with a breath of homely fragrance to sweeten a world of sorrow.
 How beautiful the thought of Him who went about doing good.
 70 Jerusalem Jerusaleml how often would l have gathered you as a hen gathereth her brood beneath her wings"
 
 That was his mission. He came to seek and to save that which was lost. This is evidenced by many of lis matchless parables. The idea is shot through much of His teaching.
 Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
 Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
 Weep over the erring one; lift up the fallen,
 Tell them of Jesus, mighty to save.'
 
 This song of Fanny Crosbys carries within it the heart of the gospel mes sage and has been blessed of God in put ting new hope into many who were down and out.
 The church must take an attitude of helpfulness and friendliness toward men and women. If she fulflls the mission uf the Master whose heart was frequently stirred within him at the sight of need and suffering, she must be the church of the outreaching arms Let us not forget that here in Bir- mingham are thousands of people, espe- cially young men and young women, away from home, living in hallrooms, terribly lonely, tried and tempted, who sorely need ''mothering." Many of them are here from the coun- try. The church to them was not only the house of God, but the great social meeting place. It supplied their social | n~,,iY1 oo1 f,tIf loI ;-14,, needs. It was very real part of their lives.
 But here in a great city they are stranded in uncongenial surroundings. It's hard for them to find themselves, still harder to get in touch with the hu- lnanizing currents of social life. There are barriers they cannot climb.
 It isn't long before many of them quit going to church. They tried it but missed the friendliness and cordiality and naturalness of the old meeting house in the grove. New surroundings new faces, got them confused and so they dropped out.
 No use asking whose fault? Perhaps both church and members are at fault. But it is a condition and not a theory and demands thought, tact and conse- cration. It's discussed in the church meetings, papers and conventions.
 Frequently we hear men say: The churches are open, regular services are held; if people stay away it's their ov.- fault" The church that feels that way about it will never reach the class I'm talking about. It's the attitude of the elder brother in the macthless parable of the prodigal son.
 It has been truly said the church which says of the alienated multitudes: Tt is their own fault" has not the love passion of its Lord for men and will never be able to save men. John Wesley made it his business to go out and preach to the people.
 We need churches with outreaching arms. The church of the outreaching arms means, first of aii a pulpit Of outreaching arm, an evangelistic min istry, and back of soul-winnind pastors a multitude of godly men and conse- crated women with outreaching arms.
 
 It was a good move when three down. town churches got together and said: Lets go to Capitol park on Sunday nights and preach to the crowds who are absenting themselves from our night services Drs. Dickinson. Broadly and Foster are doing good work. ! e3uxANMWxAaaa,fH