The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-24
International
SundaySchoolLes0n
BY WILLIAM r. ELLIS.
For June rs is 1.-THE Social Task OF
the Church."-Rev. 21:1-14.
can the Church DO the Job?

Il
envelops all other facts of our time,
that the universal social order is in
process of change at the present
hour. In every continent and coun-
try and cline and condition there is
unprecedented stir and unrest among
the people Old ways of doing things,
old allegiances, and old standards of
value, are being given up for new.
The transformation of organized life
that is now taking place everywhere
is really profound 1t reaches out
into every department of human in
terest. An understanding of this phe-
nomenon is the first duty of every
thoughtful person who would be alive
to his own era.
This new condition makes the les
son pertinent and practical. What is
the Christian church going to do about
it all? In the light of a world in fer
ment, what is the social task OF the
church?
Answers vary. Some sincere folk
think that the church has nothing to
do with this world and its affairs, ex-
cept to snatch a few brands from the
burning.
Others act as if they believe that
the church has done her whole duty
when she has scolded and arraigned
and excoriated the existing state OF
stiil others think the church
should give herself to the overturn
of the capitalistic or competitive or
der, and promote socialism or COM
nlunisnl.
Not few good people seem to be-
lieve that the church should be pri-
nlarily busy trying to abolish various
popular forms of amusement and per-
sonal indulgence.
Some there be who would impose
uniformity of habits and even of dress
and 81. church membership upon all
the world.
"Down to Brass Taclxs."
Let us not be led into these byways;
nor yet deceive ourselves by any
vague concentrations OF conventional
phraseology The hour is too grave.
Things are in sorry way. Anybody
who writes or speaks upon this great
est of all current questions should
first have clear convictions and work
able ideas.
So, brushing aside incidental con-
siderations and stereotyped formulas.
let US recognize that the first social
task of the church is clear and simple
and practicable. If she is not work
ing at that, she is failing in her duty.
THAT TASK IS TO PUT THE
PATIENT, BROTHERLY. ToLER-
CLAsHING COMMON LIFE OF
TODAY.
Misunderstanding, mistrust. nisgiv-
| ings, and even deliberate mischief
making, are nowadays in the saddle
Industrial strife, social strife, political
strife, international strife, are APP
parently in every direction. There is
an appalling lack of good will and
| sympathy. Glasses and groups are
| growing farther apart instead of closer
together. Suspicion. rather than sym.
, pathy, seems to be the dominant
mood Trouble is begetting greater
trouble, strife is causing further strife.
4 Was it ever before SO easy and appro-
4 pirate to say the critical, bitter and
1 seornfui word; or so hard to be me-
/ diators, and interpreter and a real TEL
/ low toSau men?
| In the midst of this menacing and
unlovely state of affairs stands the
Christian church. Her office is That
of reconciler. She has a better way
| to show the world. Only she possesses
an adequate store of the oil of Divine
love to pour upon the stormy seas
! that. are threatening to enguf the ship
of civilization. Other organizations
may rail and hate, and array group
against group, class against class, ma
ton against nation; but the church, II
true to her mission and her Master,
must teach men to love one another.
Nothing less than the love OF Goa,
which is the message of the church,
is sufficient for the desperate need
| of this grave, grave hour.
sational and beguiling as the smash
ing of giant evils and the rebuilding
of the state: nevertheless, 1t is the
social task-of the church. To fail In
it is to fail in all.
The Island of Vision.
A short distance off the troubled
shores of Asia Minor. in the blue wa,
ters of the Mediterranean, lies one OF
the AEGEAN Isles which synbolizes the
contamination of the great Christian
expectation of a social order which Is
brotherhood and good will and JUS.
tice. I find my own thoughts turning
often from the tidings of Worldwide
turbulence which each day brings &c
this Island of Patmos, where Johr
dwelt when he had the vision from
which our Lesson text is taken. Ny
spirit is richer and my optimism
greater because have personal mem
cries of this lonely island, with it
mountain of uplook. It stands as
token of the sure fulfillment Of the
beautiful program of God for man
kind. What a picture the Seer's. per
I outlined:-
, "And I heard a great voice out
of heaven saying, Behold, the tab
| ernacle of God is with men, and
| He will dwell with them. and they
!. shall be His people, and God Him
, self shall be with them, and be their
| God.
land God shall wipe away all
tears from their eyes; and there
shall be no more death, neither
[ sorrow, nor crying, neither shall
J there be any more pain for the for
mer things are passed away"
Until the fulfillment of this pro
| phetic picture, it abides as the socia
! task of the church to do the sort o
works described by John. She is II
, make the earth as heavenly as pos
, sible. Hers it is to inpart the n1int
! of Christ to a world that seems t.
/ have the contrary sort of mind.
: The Use of Angry Men.
If love is the first social task of tn
Christian church, the second is justic
land justice comes second only be
cause we are all fallible, and prom
, to substitute personal vengeance 70
justice. We may make mistakes ii
justice, but we can never make mis-