The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-24
International
SundaySchoolLesson
By WILLIAM II. ELLIS.

| A~L&EtS<&S A<SsGOOG L<SoCOft
By WILLIAM It. ELLIS.
------------------
For December &c is, "The Gospel of
the Kingdom" A Review,
New Power in Crisis for Christian
Democracy.
Since We are not interested in any
truth that is unrelated to real life, and
since this assigned Lesson reviews
the character and work and principles
of Jesus; and since the date of the
Lesson is the day after Christmas, it
seems opportune to make an important
definite application and proposal.
Conditions constrain us to unusual
measures. Our fermenting world cries
aloud for action, prompt, fundamental
and comprehensive.
Everywhere on earth everybody who
thinks is talking about the need for
leadership; and for a spiritual suf
fusing of our troubled times. But each
of us is waiting for somebody else to
show the way. Is not the more demo-
cratic and Scriptural method for all
Of US to bend to the task? By what
medium can it better be done than
thru the worldwide Sunday School
Movement, with its thirty millions of
members all over the earth?
This present article will be read by
millions of persons, inside and outside
of the Sunday school and the church:
lif they respond to the simple, old
fashioned suggestion herein made, the
world-tide transforming power, al
ready started, will be UNNECESSARILY
accelerated vt points the way to new
Ipower in a crisis for Christian democ-
racy. A consideration of the PROPOSE
ton is surely the most practical APP
plication of the theme of/Christ and
Christmas
Something to Do.
What I am about to propose is more
important than politics and Statecraft.
Most of our international ills arise
from the habit of delegating initiative
and responsibility to few profession
ais, who are often entirely unaware OF
the deeper life of the day. To sur
charge the popular thought of the
world with spiritual purpose and spirit
ual passion is a greater task than the
appointment of all the worlds ambas-
Isadors, s-plenipotentiary, con-
suls or other foreign representatives.
There are enough interested Chris
tians in the worldfto accomplish that
objective, once they are enlisted.
/ Here, definitely, is the suggestion
prompted by this lesson, and pro-
posed to Christians of all names and
in all places: 1t is simply that we
begin with. this Christmas day, and this
portent6us New ear, regular pro
gram of daily, definite prayer for the
worlds awakening to the spiritual
significance of the times unrest.
In particularly let US undergrad the
resident-elect of 1.-THE United States
with worldwide pillars of spiritual
solicitude and support; not forgetting
to pray also for our stricken president.
Guiding Man Who May Guide World.
But why" asks a reader, should
a Canadian or a Britisher or a French
man or a Chinese pray for the presi-
dent-elect of the United States? Some
are reader to curse him. And why
should Americans. who did not agree
with him politically, take his name
into the most sacred experiences of
their personal lives?"
On the surface of things lies the
answer. The United States of Amer
lea is today the worlds pivotal ma
Etap- There is not European gov
eminent that will not freely declare,
or has not already declared, that the
nature. and extent of Americas partici-
patton in international affairs is one
of the gravest. questions touching the
worlds peace and the preservation of
perceive that America may be the final
battlefield of the new war between
Bolshevism and real democracy. High
est statesmen best know how critical
are present conditions.
By the mature of the American gov
largely shape the policies of his courf-
try during the hext four years. This
means that his words and acts, and,
back of these, his state of mind, are
of profound Importance at this mo-
mentous juncture to the well-being of
all humanity.
Frankly, neither Mr.. Harding nor
any other one man is equal to the
emergency. The war and the made
quate peace have proved the insult
ficiency of any single personality for
present world leadership. If the new
president of the United States is TO
fulfill the mission that the hour offers
him, it will be mot by might nor by
power, but by my Spirit, saith the
Eord."
Surely, then, here<is an object de-
serving of the sustained prayers of the
entire Christian world. Transcending,
and even overcoming the advice of the,
sophisticated publicists who will sur
round Americas president-elect, may
be the spiritual illumination that the
concerted prayers of concerned Chris
tians may impart. Thousands of in
terested persons are seeking to influ-
ence Mr.. Harding concerning appoint
ments, ranging from petty postmaster
ships to cabinet positions and ambas-
sadorships; and concerning policies of
all degrees of Importance and unim-
portance: why should not the friends
of God BE equally Jealous in influ-
encing him, by way of the Throne of
Mercy and of Might. concerning the
highest wisdom and welfare of his ma
ton and of the whole world,-concern-
ing peace on earth, good will to
menu" Thus the countless company
of humble saints'the plain people who
know little about statecraft, but who
do want Gods will done on earth
may bear a powerful part in rescuing
fT,ser ovid