Evening journal., 1922-06-28

one must sound the trumpet, must
prepare himself and ofrer himself
for the larger service OF the LORD.
And the only men who can do this
effectively are the ones who are able
to follow Gideon on his third ao-
venture.
He adventured his life far in
self-sacrifce, or rather. in self-ef-
facement. In the full flush OF VIC
tory men offered him a kingdom.
He refused the crown. In that act
the greatness OF the man is revealed.
His mastery OF himself is rarer than
his conquest OF the foe. When the
crisis was over he was ready 20 go
back TO the commonplace. He would
not commercialize his valor; would
accept no throne. He would not
lord II over his brethren.
IF we can guard our great cause
from commercialism, from official-
ism: II we can lead and not be in
toxicated with our temporary grants
OF power; II we can maintain the
attitude Of humility through all the
prominence that comes 10 US in our
neighborhoods through out connec-
ton with this mighty movement,
then we indeed are followers or
Gideon in life's hardest test.
I'VE have adventured far for the
Kingdom OF Christ; let us be ad-
venturers unto the end. Let us dare
to face the worst facts of the day
and assert a faith that God will
manifest Himself as we go forth 10
battle against sin in His name. Let
us have courage TO think things
through and 10 hazard all for the
truth. May we be found ready and
willing TO blow a trumpet 10 rally
our brothers to every good cause, 10
lead a charge against every enemy
Of the common veal, and then be
found as modest and mighty as
Gideon TO face the farther adven-
ture OF the return TO the ranks, TO
take up again the trivial round, the
common task. Even so shall we ft
ourselves for the Last Great Adven-
ture when we cast our lives before
us into the No-Man's Land which
men call Death"
DIR. William Hiram Foulkes Of
New York, general secretary OF the
Presbyterian New Era Movement,
spoke on the scope and outlook of
the conference. in part as follows;
Three clear-cut questions will
engage the entire time OF the con-
ference. The fret is. Where is the
church going?' or What are its
goals and objectives?' The whole
program OF the church. both in ma
tional and in local terms, will be
considered. The relative importance
of items on the program will be dis
cussed- Points needing special en-
phasis will also be considered.
The second question IS, What IS
the machine TO get US there?' or
What kind OF organization do we
have, and what kind do we need to
enable us to realize our objectives2' |
One hour each morning is 10 be
spent entirely on the consideration !
of organization plans and methods. |
Organization Is not wires and wheels |
it IS simply people working to- |
gether. When the Presbyterian |
Church sings its organization hymn |
It usually omits the second and the !
fifth stanzas. The titles OF the FIVE !
stanzas OF the hymn are as follows: |
Il. Enlist People for Work.
"2. Assign Work 10 People.
"3. Accepting Work by People.
a. Accomplishing Work by Peo-
pie.
IS. Reporting Work Accom-
plished
These are the FIVE cardinal prln- |
ciples, OF organization. A represen-
tative. democratic church like the !
Presbyterian. is inclined 10 overlook !
the necessity of assigning work to |
people and OF securing regular re-
ports. The Stony Brook conference /
will try 10 teach the workers Of the
eastern district how TO sing the en-
ire hymn.
The third question IS. What are
he sources OF power?' or. How can
he church develop this force that
will enable It TO accomplish its
.ask?' There are two original con-
,eptions OF power that are not ade-
luate for church work One is the
mechanical idea, in which the
,hurch is thought Of as a machine.
The second is the dynamic idea. in
which the church is thought OF as an
enterprise needing the infusion of
iome outward power. There is,
however, a third and supreme idea.