Pueblo chieftain., 1921-06-25
CAN THE CHURCH DO
THE JOB
'Thc International Sunday School Los
son for June rs. is The Social Task
of the Church. Rev. II LII
1S.iI L AZ IL Y

The International Sunday School Les
son for June es. Is The social Task
of the Church. Row. 2i'i-h
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS
Only bst-minded men are blind tn
| the b. fact. which undcrlies and on
veiops Ell other facts of our time. that
the universal social order Is in process
| uof change at the prcssnt hour. In
every continent and country and cline
and condition there Is unprecedented
stir and unrest among the people Old
| ways Of doing things. old aIlcGfanceS.
and old standards Of value. arc being
given up for now. The transformation
place everywhere Is really profound. 1t
reaches out into every department Of
human interest. An undcrsta ndinE of
this phenomenon Ia tho first duty of
every thouShtfui person who would be
Jliv. to his own era
This new condition makes tho Lesson
pertinent and practical. whs; is tho
Christian church going tn do about II
allT In tn. hrh, OF a world In fcrmcn,.
what II tn: sociai taak OF tho church,
Answers vary. Some sincere folk
think that the Church hsa nothing TO
do with this world and Its affairs. .x-
ccpt to snatch a few brands from the
burning.
others act as II they believe that
tho Church has done her whole duty
Nnf0 Nnf mas Hrpiu~u ana RffntEnrf
and cScoriltcd tn. existing state OF
things
still others think the Church Hhouid
give herself tn tho ovrrturr Of tho
capitsiia'ic or competitive order. and
promote socialism or communism.
Not a few good people seem to be-
lievr tina, tho Church should he prt-
marily busy trying tn abolish various
popular forms Of amusement and
personal ind IlEoncc.
some there he who would impose uni
'ormi,y of habit and even Of drcrs and
" church membership upon all tho
world.
Down To Bras~ THcLs''
let ne NJ. he led into these by~ays:
nor yet de.civr ourselves by any vague
cancellations or conventional rhrase-
oloEy. The hour is too grave Things
are in aorrS way. Anybody who
writes or speaks unor this greatest ot
all current questions should tIrzt have
clear convictions and workable ideas
So hrusninE aside Incidental con
sidcrations and stnro,vped formulas
In; US recognize that the first social
task Of the hurch is clear and simplr
and practicable n she is NO, working
at that. she it failing IN her duty.
THAT TASK Is TO PUT THE
PATIENT. sRoTuERtY. roLER.
DAY.
Misunderstanding n,ist-ust. riiseiv-
irFs. and even deliberate mischief.
making. sry nowadays in the saddle
Industrial strife. social strife. political
strife. International strife. are lprsren,
in every direction. There Is an arpal-
ling lack If good viii and sympathy.
Glasses and rrcurs arc growing
farther apart. instead Of closer to-
gether. susoision. rather than symps-
thy. seems To he the domiran, mcod.
Trouble is heEettinE greater trouble.
strife " causing further strife Was "
ever before so easy and appropriate
10 zsy the critical bitter and scorrfui
word or SO hard to he mediator and
interpreter and real fellow tn ali
men
In the midst Of this r,erri-e and
unlcveiv state NJ affairs stands tho
. christian church He- office is that
~ !, re-onciler she has y better vav
to show the world. Only she possesses
an adequate store If the oil of Divine
love - pour uron the STORMY seas that
are Threatening TO cngulf the ship of