The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-10-06
"RALLY DAY" AT
CHURCH BIG SUCCESS
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0OS(IRo
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that the place of Right is first? THAI
the well-being of individual and com-
munity, of country and human world
are bound up with the supremacy OF
Right over all selfish desires and
every sort of social and political
power?
"If the efforts that are made to
maintain the right in this country. IN
this community, should be withdrawn
what would the issue be? Only one
aspect of the provision for main
tanning the right was withdrawn III
Boston a few days since, and riot,
mob-violence, robbery took place
straightway.
"And if it is in your interest and
mine that some should stand and
strive for the right, should hold alott
the moral obligation and the moral
ideal, should preach honor and I'M
selfishness, practice the same ana
instruct the rising generation so, why
should any one of US shirk his part
of this responsibility? And if
churches for example, are needed In
the community to help keep up the
moral tone, if pulpits which i1a11
been called "The Voice of the Mora
IDEAL" should utter their voice III
our midst, why should you not do
your part to maintain them? VINO
are good citizens, they who support
the institutions of the right, or they
who shirk responsibility onto
others?"
NORTH CONGREGATIONAL
The Rev. Frederick B. Richards
took for his text Judges 5; % "To
the help of the Lord, to the help OF
the Lord against the mighty"
This is orally day" in our st.
Johnsbury churches. There was also
a rally day in Palestine long ago.
The people had been nightly OPP
pressed for 20 years by their heredl-
lary enemies, the Canaanites, whose
captain, Sirera, was a valiant war
rior, and merciless conqueror. To
throw off this Calling yoke was ire
mendous task. That it was done was
due to a woman, for Deborah,
prophecies, judged Israel at that time
She called upon the military leader,
Barak, to advance against the Toe.
But Barak lacked courage, and
answered that he would go only as
the prophecies went with him. And
Deborah scornfully replied: 81 will
90, but the journey will not be thire
honor, for the Lord shall sell Sisera
into the hands of woman"
This was not the only time when
the cause of religion has depended
upon the fidelity of women. | fear
that, even today, were the activity
, and strength of our churches depend
,ent upon the men alone, we would he
/, in rather sorry plight. All honor
! to the women. May the men keep
. better step with them.
5 And so the forces of Israel rallied
against the foe, From hill, and val
| lev, and field they came; with souls
Q burning under fiery sense OF
1 wrong; their spirits moved by the as
/ surance that God would be then
! leader. And they had sanguinarH
e battle and a glorious victory. In
{. the day of triumph Deborah stood
| forth before the people and sang an
2 inspired paean of exultant joy. To
: the God of battles, and to the various
}, tribes, she gave their need OF
praise. But in this song we find oil"
t discordant note; curse We Meroz
t curse ye bitterly the inhabltantS
0 thereof" What had Meroz done
= Nothing, simply nothing. While 9TH
e err towns had sent forth their war
e riors, those of Meroz had stayed al
] home. Perhaps this was due to cow
n ardice, perhaps to selfshness; The
t people may have been willing to en-
II ioy the fruits of victory, but woult
c let others fight the battles; even as
many today would receive the mani
: fold benefits that flow from churches
I but leave to others their mainte
e nance. Perhaps it was little town
S and thought it would not count
It as people today "excuse" their ne
o elect by saying that "they don
o count much, will not be missed.
G Whatever the cause, Meroz was
s Stacker; it deserved and receives
is the slacker's condemnation.
: Today again the old challeng
is rings out "to the help of the Lor
n against the mighty" The moral sit
Is uation of the world is exceedingl
III critical. There are terrible conse
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