Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1921-02-11
BILLY SUNDAY AT NORTON
VIRGINIA."
Tazewell, Va, Feb. 5, 1921
"a. S. UIM)
NV Dear MIR. Editor.

My Dear MIR. Editor
Some few weeks since, you gave
me copy of the News containing an
article from a reader, who PROFOUND
ed question as to the ACCESSIBILITY
OF the Rev. BILLY" Sunday being in.
vited to conduct series of revival
services in Norton, Va. "Why is il
necessary for him to Gomez"
This is n day of elimination and
re-crImination among Christian peo-
pie, and sinners too, as for that, as
TO who or what class or organiza-
lions OF people are responsible for
the run down" condition of religion
In America and throughout the world
All the responsibility cannot be just
~ laid to the charge of any particular
person, class or organization. The
S GIstlan rs pe9ple in general are
worlds light" if you, as q class. re-
iuse to shine" the world walks in
darkness" and goes to wreck and
rum, which we see around us.
l have just read in this weeks is
sue the good reasons offered ON this
subject, by Mr.. Fowler, whom l
have never had the pleasure of meet
ing, who indicates in his article that
Billy is not needed at Norton; but
his reasons are not in accord with
existing circumstances, because if all
the pastors in all the communities
were wise enough |" faithfully pcc-
form all their religious duties, as
Stunning the people would give heed,
there would be, according to Mr..
fowlcr's theory, no demand for the
services of Mr.. Sunday; therefore the
probability is he would have never
been called" into the Christian min
istcry, thus defeating his "dcsirc for
good work"
According to the Scriptures, there
is i'll the Christian ministery n large
place for the valuable services of
Mr.. Sunday and those of his type of
preaching.
l. The Law of ministerial useful
ness. 1t was proclaimed by the King
Himself, and codiiied by the Evange-
lists, mo prophet is without honor
except in his own country" Three
words here need Interpretation. that
we may understand their application
The masses have been accustomed to
use the word prophet" in the sense
of. Il "foretcllcr," whereas its prop
err sense is one who "tells-forth."
speaks out, his message, the mind of
God. Honor" coniid; lie in the BRO
phet, belief in the truthfuflness of
his message. Country" is not neces-
sarily the place of ones nativity,
but if II preacher has pastored
church long enough to become or be
called n Citizen" that is "his coun-
try in the sense of the law of Christ.
Therefore when the people cease to
honor" him, it is time for him to
move out and let another prophet be
sent whom the people will hear.
z. Primarily, all the Christian peo-
pie living Ill particular community
ty are responsible to God for the re-
igious condition" of it; especially is
this now true, as they practically de-
termine who their pastors shall be;
and there is, by nature and other cir
cumstances human weakness in most
ministers to please" the people to
whom he minister's; therefore the
people determine the nature of the
message of the pastor, and this re-
lationship of things leads to the old
provcrb, Like people, like priests"
Thus where there is power, there fol-
lows of necessity responsibility; and
Jehovah is a God of Justice" There
fore, those who hold the "reigns of
power" which is, in this age, the
people, shall receive the greater
condemnation"
3. Primarily, the pastors are re-
sponsiblc to God for the revival of
religion in their communities, to the
extent of faithfully and confidently
proclaiming the words of God, from
lips purified by the fires of the HOLY