The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-09-26

ganzations, the labor unions, the farmers associations and churches
 With both individuals and organi- actions, 1t is all too true" he con tinued, that their worst enemies are
 those nearest and dearest. That is, if tha man or organization is real,
 and live, and Christian one. Then comes in the fight against the de- sire for one's own peace and pros
 perity and comfort; the tendency to compromise and to avoid plain duty
 because it would interfere with the accustomed relations and habits that have been formed. The result is mar rowness and prejudice and selfish ness.
 Tn slightly broader sense this same thing happens to the man whose desire for his fanily's position and comfort becomes so strong that he concentrates all his efforts in that direction. It is this that develops the type of citizen who lives in luxury and is needless of the slums and mis- government of his city. His interests are too narrowed, too strongly fo- cused on his own little portion of the
 community"
 Dr. MacSporran called on the labor unions to concentrate on the evils within their own ranks, the greed and sloth; the scandals in their organi-
 cations. If they will set their own houses in order, then they will win the more easily that which is due them, he said.
 He also urged the manufacturers associations to see the evil within their ranks, to recognize it as their
 worst enemy. He dwelt upon the
 need flor the golden rule there, for realization that honest Christian policies were best of all.
 Finally, he spoke of the need of
 those within the church also to see this defect on their part. That they must see the perils of obstlnacy ana blindness, regain the vision of the cause that has been committed 10 them. Americas real peril, he fon- cluded, lis not yellow or black or foreign; 1t is the growth of lawless- mess. the decay of morals, the break ing up of spiritual bulwarks. .DEFECTIVE BUILDINGS" sERMON-DR. HUNTER
 The scriptural basis of the ser mon Sunday morning at the First Methodist church, preached by Rev. Jas. D. Hunter, associate pastor on the subject, "Defective Buildings" was first Corinthians thrid chapter. 9-l5 verses, with special reference to these words, "let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon" He said In part:
 I've risk our lives, in buildings, railroad cars, automobiles and aero- tplanes on the faith We have in the soundness and strength of the com posing materials. One faulty piece of material insufficient for the strain will hazard the lives of thousands. q have been saying much of late about foundations. especially to our young pebble who are leaving for college, but we must not forget this elemental truth that the superstruc- ture is vitally affected by the ma terial which goes into the super structure. Great care is given to the materials composing our earthly houses; competent engineers are em- ployed and scientific tests applied because we know full we'll that work done for this world must be such as will stand inspection and do the thing l required.
 ''But we do not recognize so readily | that the stuff which shall com
 pose our characters and our spiritual structure will have to undergo d much severer test. One of these days ail the scaffolding of our lives will be |
 Gods judgment and nothing but tho pure gold and granite of Christian character will remain.
 "The writer of these words in thu text would be surprised beyond meas
 ure if he could return and see thu
 Heterogeneous structure that ha:
 been builded on the one foundation
 during IS centuries of Christian teaching. We are all building on this structure and great responsibil ity rests upon us. Because of ou inconsistencies and sins and worldly ambitions the church. instead of beint polished and symetrical structur,
 is a crazy structure of second han< and i'll adopted material.'
 We must not forget in our effort
 to gain numbers that "additiona
 size brings additional danger if tn,
 material is unsound. The obligatio, Is upon every Christian to clear tn,
 foundation of all obstacles so tha
 his life may fit securely and firml,
 upon the foundation.'