Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1919-04-23
As A LAYMAN SEES 1T.

To The Tribune:
I believe that the present religious
campaign is as sure to accomplish its
purpose, as harvest to follow seeding
That the methods used produce glorious
and permanent results is a matter not
because they are, in the main, normal,
of record, as the work Of these people
everywhere show. No one will deny
evangelist would not be best for a per-
manent pastor; nor can anyone safely
assume that it is best to fail to use the
evangelist, because I believe there are
some bad ones. men who are profane
and abusive; but deviation from con-
not necessarily irreverent, neither are
straight forward, keencutting, truth
telling. words, abuse. We need more
after Christ, John the Baptist and the |
old prophets, so that dormant or mere |
ly nominal, christians and card-playing, |
ing ch9rch a members, viii be cut TO the
heart" 1t isn't rhetoric or logical ar
rangement that make a sermon. These |
alone would no more constitute an ideal
sermon than a superb statute would
fill the functions of a man. Some of the
most disconnected and vehement har-
a aL I are much better sermons than
"silvertongued' college-bred D. DIS be-
cause the latter lack freshness, fire and
life, aptness of illustration and force
the power of the Spirit. Christ's sermon
on the mount changed subjects almost
as often as the dictionary, but it was
effervescent with wonderful and virile
force. That sermon and indeed ali His
discourses abounded with stern denun-
Citations of sham and shammers. He
aad tSs Of ts
called the Jewish religious leaders n.y.
pocrites, liars. and children of the Devil.
and they prosecuted and finally murder
airy loss was the very real and eternal
gain of earth's unnumbered millions
through all ages. So John the Baptist
Herod to his face and he was beheaded
but his life nevertheless was tremen-
dous success.
The evangelist, who stands on his
head or turns backward somersault
is mild beside the sensational advertis-
ing stunts Of the old prophets, Ezekiel.
some times the occasion demands start
ling words and deeds, which will arouse
the dormant church member from his
self complacent apathy and cause sim
Because we who are called by Christ's
name, both preachers and laymen, neg
lect organized. systematic continual
evangelist is y needed. Is he bringing
souls to Christ? Then may God bless
him and man help him! If we neglect
10 follow up MS work, 1all to get the
new converts into the harness and work
for and with them, much Of the gain
will be lost. and we will be responsible
for that.
A revival will not only make Christ
| ians soul-Winners at the time, but fit
them for the future continual educa-
| tive up-building work Of Sabbath school
and experimenting. Since multitude
| of souls are going down to He'll all
around us he who remains inactive and
| Indifferent because he does not like the
| means of rescue is guilty in the sight
! of God, guilty of what? Soul murder.
| After the meetings, what? Back into
| the old ruts? Back into the old drowsy
| apathy? No! No! No! Let us keep
| up our church and cottage prayer meet
| ings, with as many union services as
| possible. Let us make our Sabbath
schools continual training school for
Christian service, by means of graded
| lessons, organized classes, house-to-
| house visitations, normal training
| schools and the like. Above all and
| through all, let us have self-sacrifice-
| ing devotion begotten of prayer and
| study of the Word. Let us train and
| indoctrinate our children as faithfully
| and thoroughly as Catholics do theirs
but. unlike the Catholics, let's US en-
| wrap them in an atmosphere Of prayer,
work, and Bible study all the way up
| from babyhood
B. c. HOYT