The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-24

Dynamite for the jam.
Lumbermen use dynamite to break
up a desperate jam of logs in the
spring drive Is not that figure ap-
propriate for the congestion of forces
and events that today halts the smooth
progress of civilization? Whichever
way we look, things are damned"
Where is the power to break open g.
way?
At once we remember the origin Of
that word dynamite" 1t is Greek.
and is the very word used by Jesus in
His farewell promise to, His friends,
"Ye shall receive power" or "Duna-
min" Christians should be dynamite!
What is more, it was in connection
with the great missionary commission
power" or dynamite" to His dis
ciples.
When this old world got into a jam
in 1914, the workmen, to whom the
task belonged, called statesmen, tried
to pull it loose with documentary red
tape; and later attempted to ply it
apart with guns. In vain. Super
philosophy. or "kultur" also failed.
Treaties were driven as wedges be-
tween the most obstinate logs, but
the conference crowbar was attempt
ed, but it also was futile. All the
devices and instruments known to
man were tried, one after another,
civilization is menaced by the flood
which has been formed by the backed
up waters behind the jam.
Nothing is now left as a method
Of .d, 6el Iytn except dynamite the
If Christianity cannot break this
Perilous jam, there is no other rescue
in sight. That is why it is the most
desperate present business of the
Christian Church to apply the
power" promised by Christ, to the
conditions of our time.
Using the Amplifier.
Frankly, the Christian church is
still slumbering, 50 far as actual par
ticipation in the world emergency is
concerned Most ministers and their
tragic failure of Christianity at the
outbreak OF the war, during the war
and since. If the reader has any
doubt about this, let him attend any
meeting of clergymen, or any general
ecclesiastical assembly. He will find
the discussion, conducted in the stere-
otyped phraseology of a hundred years
ago. confined to mere matters of mill
hnery and methods, the shop talk of
complacent craftsmen who do not
know that the world is afire all about
them The nearest that most religious
organizations came to sensing the
significance of the world war was to
use it as an opportunity for getting
more money out of a sensitized public.
No open-minded person can con-
template the condition of crisis in the
world, especially with respect to
Christianity's possible part therein
without perceiving the humiliating
fact that the church is today divided
and squabbling. to an unwonted de-
gree; and instead of moving toward
her task, is taking refuge in institu-
tionalism and in faction and in
All the while the call is for the
use of an amplifier, such as was en-
Lincoln Memorial m Washington,
a hundred thousand persons
could hear as one man. The Church
has the word. Here is the power.
custodian there, is life for the world.
And God. who has put all things
under His feet has prepared the
world, by the new marvels OF science,
to receive the Good News with celer-
ity and certainty.
As the Man of Science Sees 1t.
In all the round of discouraging
facts concerning Christianity's> SOM
nolence in the hour of destiny. none
is more alarming than the evidence
that so many men are apparently thru
tend her services nor show any in
terest in her programme They
have passed her by. The proof of this
is found in the empty pews OF most
houses of worship, and in the public
prints and in the casual talk of
persons.
A recent magazine. the October
Century, contained a depressing arti
Gle by President c. Stanley Hall, |
The Salvaging of Civilization. where
in he points out the characteristics
Of present conditions, as revealed by
literature; and some possible |
4, -
the Church as inadequate. He seems |
to think that dynamite, power, has
gone from her.
This is starting. shocking, amaz-
Ing. Doubtless it is all needed.
may be vItalized into full |
md normal functioning by the shafts
that are being hurled her way.
As 1t Vas, and Is
All of US have read, and myself |
have seen. the story of lives changed |
by the power OF the Christian Gospel.
Nothing can sepa rate me from the /
born OF personal experience
and observation, in our great Ameri-
IAN cities, and in the principal foreign /
mission fields of the world, that the |
1ne agency equal to making over
I have seen transform individual
men and women. AS it was in the
lays of esus,J so it is in our own time,
he Gospel is dynamite, power, to
break up the jam of sin and let loose
he beneficent currents Of life.
This is as great q reality as any
other attested fact of history. 1t
heredity and environment |
md education. The Gospel of Christ
ooSs sSses power to make life new.
It has had the power to blow up
I'D civilization and systems and |
Methods of life 1t has literally trans
'ormed the nature. of entire nations
hat have come under its authority /
from the overNcivilized Roman to the
IncivlliEed man of the jungle. Chris
ian-ty has made new creatures. saints
II God. walking in holiness and
My friend Dan Craw-
ord from the center OF the center
If Africa, writes me of tribes of
'avages made Into joyful Christians,
rue to the New testament TYNE Nv