Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-05

Its significance Is now found In its
place in the history OF the Chris
tian church It Is thought Of as
marking the beginning OF that
constructive movement In which
those who had given themselves to
the teaching OF Jesus now devoted
themselves to the continuance OF
his work in the world.
Unknown and Ignored
II we can with any realism get
In our minds the picture Of this oc-
casion. we shall stand IN awe be-
fore the spiritual courage OF this
group OF early Christians. They
we're a relatively small company,
unknown and ignored In that vast
Roman world OF which they were
q part. Their Master had been
crucified and buried, and only a
relatively small number had seen
him In his resurrection body. Their
faith depended upon witness and
upon their deep response to the
moral and spiritual teaching that
gave that witness effect. They were
gathered on this day OF Pentecost
as @ group OF devout men and
women. The record Is that they
were with al accord in one place"
Deep conservation to truth and
righteousness was in their hearts.
There was no spirit OF s~elf-seeking.
There was no vain ambition. There
was no narrow and contentious
spirit. They were there with one
supreme idea in mind-the idea Of
realizing the will OF God and OF
finding grace and strength to ac-
complish IT. NO conditions could
have been more favorable toward
a real manifestation OF religion or
toward a revelation Of the highest
way OF life and service. The whole
conditions we're as favorable for
the reception Of spiritual power
as III some great receiving station
had been constructed to absorb
power from the physical universe.
The outward manifestations OF
this spiritual power are OF interest
&c us. but they cannot be very easily
understood. nor do they seem the
important part Of the record. II is
quite possible that they had rela-
lively little TO do with the really
vital spiritual experiences. as they
have had very little to do with the
real manifestation OF religion In
other great revivals or outhurste az
religious experience. where they
have often been n handlcaD and a
hindrance rather than a help.
Spiritual Quickening
The real significance OF the oc-
casion was the spiritual ~quickening
that came to these early Christians
on the day OF Pentecost, the con-
sc!ousness that some real endow-
ment or power had come into their
lives under the strength OF which
they pledged their lives to the serv-
ice that has been instrumental In
establishing the Christian church
with its centuries OF history anG
progress.
The important thing IN connec-
ton with the speaking Of tongues
was the attainment or a common
understanding. That Is not always
stressed IN discussing the miracu-
lcus event. but II was really the
matter Of practical Importance,
The "devcut men firm every ma
Ton under heaven" marveled that
they should understand those whose
speech was not familiar 70 them.
Possibly II we laid more stress
upon that We shoulG find Pentecost
possible in this way even IN a world
CT diverse races and diverse Ian
guages with little common basis
OF physical understanding. The
Eact az the matter * that wherever
Christianity is expressed In pract-
ice. Ii provides "A worldwide basis
OF understanding. In our conelos-
merate America let a man of anv
race treat a man OF any
other race with consideration.
SinHlineSs. and courtesy. and i'm
med atelv a bond Of understanding
and mutual helpfulness will be
established. There IS a medium OF
communication for spirits that
goes far beyond the medium OF
snoken words. III we would find
Pentecost in this modern world we
must find it by remembering these
things.
The profound duty OF Christian
irv today Is to interpret its sn'rit
ar1 ITS meaning In terms that
everv man ran understand. Let us
'av our emphasis u-on these thonvs.
namely. that II was in n accord.
in the unselfishness m goodwill
toward one another and or su,rere
revaticn 10 the Kinrdom of God.
that the power OF the Christian
church bean. and Il Is in these
THINGS that the mower OF a church
alone can continue or be made
manifest IN modern life. III we're
would find the P~entecostal power.
we must frlfili the P~enteccstal con-
ditions. The spirit OF Pentecos.
must he on our souls before we can
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