Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-05

church might be stamped out through
the hostility of those who had crucided
the Lord served also to unite them.
The spiritual awe. that was another
name for fear, which overwhelmed the
authorities. when they saw the results
Of the presence and power Of the Holy
Spirit. especially after the first gospel
sermon had been preached. helped to
protect the young organization. whose
growth In numbers and power could
temple services in a body to share In
the prayers. The possible danger served
to consolidate the gains. fortify the new
converts and give the church sufiicient
cohesion to Withstand the storms which
were threatening them.
The daily life of the young society
was marked by the evidence Of brother
hood. Their spiritual faith produced a
social expression that has been the in
SEPARATION of all social reformers and
suggests the program and motive by
which the social reconstruction. that So
ciety today demands. can be success
fully carried ont. Jesus and the twelve
had only one purse. and ate at one
table. The bond Of brotherhood that
had been exenfplified by the Master and
His apostles 5bund a new expression.
Common SORROW had united the twelve
Holy Spirit hed served to increase that
spirit of fraternity or family. The pres
ence OF many poor. who had been con-
verified during the special religious serv-
ices and had remained in Jerusalem
after their conversion and union with
the church SO that they might be In
structed by the apostles and share In
the worship with the brethren OF their
Lord. Many Of these were poor. The
spirit Of comradeship that grew up in
the church resulted in their needs being
made known and their wants being sup
piled out Of a common fund, which was
contributed voluntarily for the support
Of the apostles. the expenses OF the
table, the relief of the destitute and
distressed members. Christianity climb
mates the spirit Of selfishness. which de-
velops sin and antagonism. by the in
stinct Of brotherhood that spontaneously
out Of love seeks to supply the needs Of
those who want.
The development Of the faith is seen
in Paurs epistles. also In its social as
chosen for study, the Epistle to Thessa-
lonians. the apostle points out some
ways for the Christians Of that COM
munity to reveal the spirit of the Mas
ter in their relations to the various Off
GERS and members of the church. Es-
tablished in a heathen environment.
with membership that was not con-
trolled by the spirit OF brotherhood.
some errors had crept into the church
In spite of the imperfections which have
crept into its life during the centuries
the church remains today the greatest
today pressing for solution. In the new
era that is dawning among the nations
Of the earth requiring the fostering Of
the spirit Of fellowship. friendship and
fraternity among men. the church is
the only divinely organized and efYicient
agent humanity Possesses to teach men
by the incubation Of the teachings Of
Christ that calls for love in a definite
social expression az an evidence Of
spiritual life. Proper religions cAn be
His gospel 1t win unite them in the
bonds Of a spiritual brotherhood that
will cement and uplift- all mankind in
the love Of the Lord Jesus Christ