The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-06-02


 wv Christian education move. ment is in it's zenith and every effort is being put forth for the raising of the thirty millions of dollars which is the quota Southern Methodism has set for It's objective q word from pr. W. Hendrix. pas- tor of Highlands Methodist church is of inestimable value.
 Dr. Hendrix has given his prayerful attention, time, and energy to the full filment of the great work now being carried on by Southern Methodism, which win enable the coming gener- stions to be better educated and bet ter equipped for every walk of life than ever before, and his timely words have been an inspiration to the con gregation of Highlands Methodist church, every member of which has been duly organized under his leader ship, with MT. Robert Brown, chair man of the Lay Activities board of the church, as director during this weeks drive.
 In speaking of Methodism's interest in and advancement of Christian cul- ture and the great need of better and more adequate educational facilities, Dr. Hendrix said;
 "The supreme need it seems to me in this crusade for Christian education which we are now prosecuting Is u larger comprehension of essential Methodism, and of social conditions of the present day. Too many of our own people look upon our educational movement as "A New Departure,' and not few of our devoted members are frankly skeptical as to the wisdom of cur entering the field of education in competition to existing institutions. This erroneous position Is the result of a failure on the part of our people to inform themselves as to the origin end past history of their church, as well as a failure to realize that the present day disorders are due to the fact that our moral and religious de- velopment has not kept pace with eco- homie progress.
 The old saying that History repeats itself is one of those faulty generali- cations, which nevertheless expresses Q large measure of truth" he con- tinued. "Methodism had it's rise in the midst of period of social unrest which threatened to overthrow Euro pean civilization Economic agitations famed the passions of class perjudice and mass hatred like, storm winds among prairie fire. Incipent revolu-
 
 mons trations In every country. Religion had degenerated into theoretical ab- stractions and perfunctorc rItuaL Lsm. Conscience in the individual and the mass had become apathetic, and in the face of coming revolutions had ab- dicated its throne in favor of the god .ess passions which were organizing themselves into warning camps. Urged on by lust for material things, all classes of society had forgotten con- science and the laws of d righteous God, In their delirium of class hatred.
 Just in this critical hour John Wes- ley came forth from fifteen years of serious study in Oxford University, to lift up his voice on the commons, call ing his countrymen to penitence for their sins, and lrindling in their hearts a sense of right and wrong in the pre- sence of the crucified and risen Christ. Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway. and in few months the masses in England were afire with an Irresistible interest In religion God became an awful and blessed reality to men and women in every walk in life. Conscience awakened and en- frightened by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, lifted again her conquering sceptre, subduing the turbulent people of his country in a fresh and enlarged obe- Gience to the righteous laws of the Lord of heaven and earth. Hunger after righteousness became the ex- pulsive power of new and nobler affection and according to Greene the historian. saved England the horrors of the French Revolution
 "In the Methodist revival evangelism and Christian culture were most hap pily united" said Dr. Hendrix. The first property acquired by the Wes'ey's in their religious campaign, was school property. This could not have been otherwise, seeing that it's found CTS were devoted to Christtan education. John Wesley's ancestors on both sides of the house are ardent deciples or learning. His father was a servitor In the university to secure his educa- ton, His mothsr's father, pr. Annesley was appointed to preach before the House of Commons because of his ex- cellent scholarship It is not strange therefore that John Wesley should have realized that any permanently successful religious movement must