The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-07-30
chri. told tho woman OF samarla
BY BEN NEwsOME

Christ told the woman OF samaria
that the hour was now come when
ths Father would not be worshipped
spirit and In truth. We have seen
tho fulfillment Of that statement. for
the Father is worshipped all over
the world wherever two or three OF
his children are gathered toRther In
pious conciave. Under the old dis
pcnsatlon the temple at Jerusalem
was an essential figure IN the wOr-
ship Of JehOya, even prOsclytcB from
other races coming to the Jewish
sanctuary to render ObcisauCo to the
Lord OF all. Under the new dispcn-
sation tho location OF worship was
wherever the God-fearlng soul might
be. In any part OF the world. and un-
der whntevc- circumstances. The
captlvcs in Babylon had already
learned that Jehovah was accessible
to them even in n pagan land, but
the love and confidence instiiled Ia
them for generations for an explicit
house of worship was 40 strong that
thCy Weloomd the decree or cyrus
for rebuilding tho house which Jeho-
yah had hallowcd to them by his
presence and blessing. This biuld-
ing represented to them the visible
Image Of the covenant made with
the children OF Abraham, and It's
restoration gave them renewed cour-
age in the fai,h OF their fathers.
Influence In the Community.
II is true 10 this day that the
actual church building has a psyche
logical effect upon "A community that
Is essential to its spiritual and ma
terial welfare. Some will say that
there can be no spiritual virtue In a
collection OF building material to tn
Bplre the faithful with persistence
In doing well. and that the benefit IL
ono OF association, Whatever way
we may explain II, there is n bond
ing effect upon congregation liz
having a stated place OF meeting to
worship. and zeal is kept alive by
the help OF tho house OF worship TO n
degree hardly possible otherwise. II
may be said that real piety does
not hinge on its expression in brick
and stone, and this may he con-
Ceded. but II IL inContestihls that 4
structure for religious purposes. even
II II he no more than a rented room,
Is great aid In the growth OF pious
zeal, Money spent In building
churches might be used to a good
purpose In relieving poverty ana dis
tress. but nevertheless we cannot
complain n we give heartily OF our
substance for Gods work. The fault
is not in the money spent In church
building, for that is proper ana good,
hut II a fault II we do not at tho
same time do our duty by the un-
fortunate in our midst. Another
objection urged by some Is that too
many church buildings are exempli-
fications of congregational pride and
/
more OF tribute to the worth OF
the wealthy members than to zeal
for the Lord. Very true. there are
too many denominations and many
divisions are not OF God, and the
poor communlcant is often humlll.
ated because his wcalthler brother
has the funds to make big display
In church architecture and the spirit
OF sclfishness to glory In the big
show. Yet after all, II is we'll to
give tho best to God and Il is Inn
/ portant TO any particular set OF be-
| levers to have building OF their
own.
The Need Of the Hour.
As in most other affairs. the mo-
/ tive IL the main thing. When the
/ idea In building a church Is TO bring
/ God and man together in a holy per-
| sonal fellowship and to gather the
/ brethren into plous Conclave and
strengthen their spiritual fervor
/ God will bless the enterprise. The