Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-02-06
GOOD OF CHURCH HINGES
ON LOYALTY OF OFFICERS
Place and Influence Largely
Determined by Those at
Helm, Says NJ. Bambcr.
DEA cons AnE ORDAINED
FnithfulncSs Means More Than En-
hricnry In Conduct of Gods AnnIrs,
Declared Pastor OF Washington
Street Christinn.

PETERSBURG. VA. Feb. 5.-At
the morning service at Washington
Street Christian Church today
several dcacons were ordained who
recently had been elected. and the
pastor. Rev. X. J. Bamber. preached
on the subject. The Church or
ticiary." using as his text ii Timothy
IL: :. He said. in part:
In these strenuous times when
everything is made to pass through
the crucible OF criticism. the church
should hc offccrcd by men of tried
and reliable quality. The men who
determine the church's policy. admin
lister her affairs and constitute her
leaders largely determine the church's
place and influence In these days Of
social reconstruction.
The apostle who gave us the In
struction Of the text saw clearly what
are the essential requirements for
the church's usefulness and success
throughout her ministry. He places
hrst the quality OF faithfuiness. This
also implies character and these. plus
the ability TO teach others also are
iaiu down as the essential Qualiiica-
tious.
Selection of Officials.
In the selection OF her officials.
, 3 the quality OF loyalty than abil-
'tN; more on faithtulness. than eff
iicicncy or large intelligence From
the beginning, men OF mediocre tai
"nts. possessed with the shirt of
God and imbucd with the passion for
unSelhsh service, have ever been the
secret OF the church's power and in
hn"hc"' There is no quality that can
TAX" IN" place of CONSIDERATION. Christ
hilcd men. who have made tho grcR,
surrender and have cn,hroncd tho
King. Will always he called TO pIacos
OF trust and duty In the Masters
service.
The men who were FIRST called by
INC Great Teacher from their seaside
VOCATION were men capable OF large
development. and the Master was
willing to trust them. II was not so
much their profound intellccts that
moved the multitudes and wrourh,
WONDERS but inarvcls were recorded
because OF their unshrinkinE faith
luineSs and uncomfortable devotion.
me church needs more today IN,
conqurrins loyalty and self-dcnyiny
sp,,l' "i service than anything else
and with men OF these qualifications.
enc Shhh achieve mighty victory.
Character Is Power.
but nothing can take tho placc ,r
+.
may he substitutes that will answer
Tor other things, but not here. Tho
S'alwart servant Of Christ Is virilo
ana strong because his heart In purc.
~" has indeed tho strength of ion.
ana. 10y his consistency and righteous
ness. he inspires trust and stimulates
iaith in others. We have n saving
example Is better than prcccpt.' and
IN" expression APT to teach will have
us manifestation In life and works
MS wen as I'm words and ample In
Struction.
Much more than the mere trans
action OF business. much more hmm
ne rcSiduary trustee OF property. or
ne sitting on committees. however
important. are the duties OF the of
Iic!.ry.
The prophet OF the old disnensa.
'I"h was called the man OF God IL
IL ZOO much To insist that they who
ScrE" In the Masters cause be char
Hctcrlzcd as men OF the cross ana
men OF prayer?
hesc are times when elooucn,
living shall count more than rloouer,
speaking May the mantle OF rcdcdI.
cation ana RECONSIDERATION with t,s
annie folds fan ON MS today with a
! ""uhlr portion az Gods spirit.