The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-26


of mankind?
Aroused over all the world, .the
toilers are ready to accept the lead
ership of such comradely heroes as
Peter and John. These two toiler-
teachers are the more welcome as
the ranks. The callouses from the
heavy sweeps of the Galilean boats
are still on their palms. Their sim
pie cloaks smell of the days catch.
Their eyes wear the understanding
look of the laborer who has been
tired and hungry. These are no book
taught theorists. Their lingo is that
of everyday men: and rot the shop
talk OF seminaries. They know what
they are speaking about, and their
word has the eternal power of the
real. Whoever can introduce Peter
and John, and their Carpenter Master,
to the workers of the world will be do
ing the most possible to serve a puz-
zled generation.
Selling What He Hadn't
Because Peter and John had ex-
perienced all they tell, they get a
hearing. The simple explanation for
much Of the failure of the church to
reach the world is that 1t, is offering
people what it does not possess. It's
advertised goods are not always found
on it's shelves.
Recently, was entering the Cos
mos club, Washington, when a pathetic
figure, unken1pt and poverty-m marked,
was trying to get past the doorn1an,
to call upon someone inside. The
negro evidently thought the man was
not the sort whom a member of the
club would care to see. At length, he
ushered him into a little ante-roon,
where messengers wait, and sent for
the person wanted. I happened to be
using the telephone booth in that
same room, and SO was an enforced
witness and auditor of what followed.
The seedy old man, who had none
of the self-confidence or assurance
of 8 book-agent, waited nervously until
the arrival of the one sent for, who
proved to be a distinguished Episcopal
clergyman of the city. Then, with
many preambles and much circum-
little assistance from the minister, he
stated that he wanted to give a course
of lectures to the preachers of Wash
ington upon elocutiQn, pulpit delivery,
voice culture and general efficiency.
When the clergyman-who was a tact
full gentleman and Christian thru
out-pointed out the impracticability
OF this, the visitor insisted that in
short course of twelve lectures he
could teach the preachers much, or
even this one man alone, He did not
know that the pastor addressed was
h1mSelf the autnor OF a book on
preaching.
That man was trying to sell some
thing he did not possess. He had been
unable to impress a negro doorkeep-
er favorably; yet he aspired to tell
preachers how to impress whole con-
gregations. He was a pitiable ex
ample Of the man whose pretentions
outrun his possessions. Some repre-
sentatives of religion are in the same
plight. They try to tell more about
God than they know. The religion
they proclaim is far beyond the re-
ligion they live.
Not SO Peter and John. They ex-
perienced, then expressed. Their
knowledgs preceded their words.
Jesus had taken them from the fishing
boats. and led them up the heights of
idealism, of training in human SER
vice, and of personal acquaintance
with a living God. They were his dis
ciples, and so became the worlds
leaders. Today, Peter and John are
introducing Jesus to their fellow work
ingmen of all the world.