The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-29
WASTE OF POWER. E LFE'S TRAGEDY SAYS MANSFIELD
Average Man Richly En- dowed, Says Ems
 ley. Pastor

@ 4Sy 0SSV~
 The tragedy of wasted resources-the can6bilitiesI for good that man allows fo remain unused, formed the theme of the morning sermon at the Ensley First Methodist church, where the pastor, the Rev. William H. Mansfield, spoke to a well-filled auditorium on the subject, "When the Fire Goes Out" f 4
 The pastors text was taken from Second Timothy 1 :6, which contains Paul's admonition to Timothy, "Stir up the gifts that are in thee."
 The minister said in part:
 @The average man has been 50 richly endowed of God as to make success in life if these gifts are put to the best use. The tragedy of our life is our wasted resources; the powers within us that die for the lack of cultivation and use. Paul does not urge Timothy to dampen the fire of his soul, but urges him to keep it stirred. We all know there is an easier way of letting the furnace get cold and the fires go out than throwing ice on it-just let It alone and it will go out. Paul does not accuse Timothy of putting his gifts to an ignoble useSthough that thought does come home to our hearts today:
 '"There are prodigals Who waste thelr substance in a far country among harlots, but there are others among us / who waste their substance in a splendid city like Birmingham with all manner of opportunities for service. They are well wishers of all yreat movements they are well wishe8 of the progress of the church and are good pew warmers and sleepers in Zion.
 Too Many syNishers'
 sBut Zion.-has had too many well wishers who were only 'wishers," and too many sleepers who should have had their gifts so stirred that they would put new life into all. the great move ments for righteousness in our city, and changed from well wishers to willing workers.
 "Young Timothy was face to face with great opposition since there were only a few followers of Christ and the foes were numerous, It has never been an easy way and never will be while the forces of evil are fighting hard, and we face the enemy in various forms as he comes to battle against our souls. But God had so richly endowed him as to supply all he needed in the battle for the best. IsThere are the same implements of warfare at our disposal if we only keep Z them keen and brigkt with use. There are fires of the soul, holy fires, sacred fires, heavenly fires which, if not al. lowed to go out by being unused and neglected, are able to keep our zeal so great and the altars of our hearts so Al ahaH |. Quer.
 Paul urges Timothy to use the gifts fin him-it is easy for us to say well, if we had the money other people have we would be glad to give. If we could sing like the more gifted ones. If we could preach, pray or do some things as well as others There is one thing certain and that is if man is stlngy and selfish with one dollar he would be the same with million. lt he re- fuses to use a small talent or IS too lazy to exercise small gifts he would be 5he same personality. he was with less to. offer. .v =
 Paul knew what young, timid and sickly person like Timothy had to face and knew if he was not careful the
  and die. One of the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen is the picture of this old soldier of the cross with his hand upon the shoulder of the young nreacher with words of encouragement for him and genuine sympathy for the struggles he was passing through. It is the duty of the experienced to stand by the young and timid in the work and not laugh at their blunders, but pat them on the back and help them On."
 At the conclusion. of the sermon the following poem was 'recited:
 "When you ain't got penny
 "And you're feelin' kinder blue,
 And the clouds hang low and heavy, "And won't let the sunshine through, s'It is a great thing, o my brethren, "For fellow just to lay
 His hand upon your shoulder
 'In a friendly sort o'>way.
 "It makes a man feel curious,
 "And it makes the teardrops start,
 "And you sorter feel flutter "In the region of the heart,
 "And you can't look up and meet his "And you don't Know what to say,
 "When his hand 4is on your shoulder ''In friendly sort Q way.
 70, the worlds curious compound, "With it's honey and its gall,
 "With it's cares and bitter crosses, "But a good world after all:
 "And good God must have made 1t, . l"Leastwise that's what say,
 "When his hand is on my shoulder, "In friendly sort O way"
 In conclusion MT. Mansfield said :: 'Soon the bells will ring out the old and ring in the new, and the old shall be gone forever. May we make this resolution-that we shall consecrate our powers to the glory of God and to help ,snO onA another"