Evening star., 1929-10-05

Ramsay MacDonald'S visit to WaSn-
ington marks more than an epoch in
the diplomatic relations of America
with the British government. 1t shows
how the gospel of Jesus Christ has PEN
etrated into the national and interna-
tional affairs of the world, due to the
fact that our generation has recognized
the social side OF Christianity. Its gos-
pei of salvation has an appeal to the
individual, but in considering the So
cial application of ChriSts teachings.
men have been approaching the gospel
from a new angle. During the coming
quarter we shall consider a series Of
studies that will call for our taking up
some of the social teachings Of the Bible
that will help US to recognize our debt
to others.
In the recent series of lessons taken
from the Old Testament We were COM
pelled to face many modern and prac-
tical applications of the fundamental
principles, that we were studying, to
the uplifting of social life Of all man
Kind. The Importance of the present
series, which will not be q complete
and comprehensive series OF the social
teachings OF the Bible, has been stated
by the committee who selected the les
sons that it was 1.-The aim OF these
studies to help guide us" into an un-
derstanding Of Bible teaching on some
social relationships with view to the
establishing of right habits and atti-
tudes in dealing with others.
Science has made the world smaller.
The radio, wireless, telephone, aviation
and the press are all bringing us to
realize our close relationship with other
lands. If we have progressed to the
extent that we are recognizing the unity
that binds the English-speaking nations
and their mutual obligations to promote
the spirit OF peace and brotherhood,
based upon mutual understanding, ap-
probation. love for all and the duty
of the stronger nations to help the
weaker. we have reached the moment
for considering the practical applica-
ton of this weeks lesson. Religion
shares prominent place IN the de-
velopment of civilization. which begins
FIRST in the soul of man and works
itself out in institutions and great ma
terial accomplishments" While men
have differed about their interpretations
of religion. it gives us the master prin-
ciple upon which rests the salvation
not only of the individual. but also OF
society. A peoples religion "is the
vital and determinative principle OF
their civilization"
Cooperation and Brotherhood.
Co-operation is one of the messages
that the experience of Nehemiah taught
us. When the nation was menaced by
dangers that threatened its extinction,
Nehemiah appeared in Jerusalem and
aroused his brothers to attempt CO.
operative effort that resulted in their
rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and
re-establishing the worship of Jehovah.
he cid this by appealing to their ties
of race and religion. The Bible is filled
with social messages, but two of the
social obligations were taught the world
by the Lord when His enemies were
trying to ensnare Him with their queS-
tions.
Brotherhood is the great construc-
tive principle of the new order. Not
until men recognize the fact OF the
teachings of brotherhood and shape
their life accordingly can there be de-
veloped the permanent social order for
which we pray and seek. Jesus took two
passages from the Old Testament and
gave them a new force and unforgetta-
BILE meaning. The confession of the OBJ
legation to love God called for affection.
reverence and obedience to Him. Jesus
taught us that we should have the at
titude of sons toward God, whome He
revealed to men as Father. This is the
starting point of the principle OF
brotherhood and one of the greatest OF
modern needs Is the rediScovery of God
as Father by men OF every race ana
faith. When we love God as Father 1t
is easy to love men as OUR brothers.
which will help us develop civilization
based upon love. Not until We develop
the spirit of love toward God as our
Father and TO men as our brothers can
we expect to build civilization that is
stable and permanent. Successful CO.
operation depends upon the recogni-
tion and observance Of the obligations
man holds to God and his fellows.
Brotherhood Is the master principle
upon which all associated life rests, and
in the application Of which mankind's
welfare Is to be achieved"
Social Service.
Christianity is so intensely social that
Flint claims that the germs of modern
socialism of every kind are found in the
teachings of Jesus Christ. Paul, who
was the greatest interpreter of the
Masters teachings, in his letter to the
Romans, made social application OF
the Gospel by insisting that the strong
should bear the infirmities of the weak.
This principle he used in solving some
of the social questions that had de-
velepode in the Church over the use Of
food and drink. It contains the prin-
ciple that is the basis of the coming
conference between President Hoover
and Ramsay Macdonald. It will solve
ou. temperance problem, when applied
in the spirit of love.
In his letter to the first church. that
grew out of his missionary work In Eu-