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

its significance Is now found In It's
place in the history OF the Chris
tian church. 1t 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 or early Christians. They
were a relatively small company.
unknown and ignored In that vast
Roman world Of which they were
a part Their Master had been
crucifled and buried. and c1ly 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 a group OF devout men and
women. The record is that they
were with all accord In one place"
Deep conservation TO truth and
Righteousness was in their hearts.
There was no spirit OF self-seeking.
There vas no vain ambition. There
was no narrow and contentious
spirit. They yer there with n
supreme idea In mind-the idea OF
realizing the will OF God and of
finding grace and strength TO ac-
complish Ii. No conditions could
have been more favorable toward
a real manifestation OF religion OF
toward a revelation Of the highest
way OF life and service. The whole
conditions were a. favorable for
the reception OF spiritual power
as IL some great receiving station
had been constructed to absorb
power from the physical universe.
The outward manifestations OF
this spiritual power are or interest
10 MS. but they cannot be very easily
understood. nor do they seem the
important part OF the record. IL Is
quite poss bic that they had rela-
lively little to do with the really
vital spiritual experiences. as they
have had verv little 10 do with the
real manifestation Of religion I'm
other great revivals or outbursts ar
religious experience. where they
have often been a handicap and a
hindrance rather than a help.
Spiritual Quickening
The real significance OF the &C.
casion was the spiritual cuickeninE
that came TO these early Christians
on the day OF Pentecost, the con-
sciousness that some real endow-
ment OF power had come into their
lives under the strength or which
they pledged their lives to the serv-
ice that has been instrumental IN
establishing the Christian church
with its centuries OF history and
progress.
The important thing IN connec-
ton with the speaking or tongues
was the attainment Of a common
understanding. That Is not always
stressed in discussing the miracu-
lous event. but 1t was really the
matter or practical Importance.
The "devout men fr:m every ma
ton under heaven" marveled that
they should understand those whose
speech was not familiar 10 them.
Possibly II VIZ laid o stress
upon that we should find Pentecost
possible In this way even In a world
OF diverse races and diverse Ian
guages with little common basis
OF physical understanding. The
kact OF the matter Is that wherever
Christ anity Is expressed in pract-
ice. 1t provides a worldwide basis
OF understanding. In our convlo-
merate America let a nan of anv
race treat a mar OF any
other ace with consideration,
kindness, and courtesy. and i'm
med'atelv a bond If understanding
and mutual helpfulness will be
established. There u a medium or
communication for spirits that
goes far beyond the medium or
snoken words. II We would find
Pentecost In this modern world we
must find It by remembering these
things.
The profound duty OF Christian
irv today is 10 interpret its sn'rit
an. Us meaning IN terms that
every man ran understand. let us
'ay orr emnhasi uron these thonrs.
nanaiv. that N was in one accord.
IN the unse'fishness NJ goodwill
toward one another and of sunrere
devotion TO the K'rrdom of Cnd.
that the p0wer OF the Christian
church bevan. and 10 IS I'm these
thinrs that the mower OF a church
alone car continue rr BE- made
manifest in modem life. II were
would fird the Pentecostai power.
v~e must frlf'li the ~Pentecostai con-
citicns. The spirit az P~entecost
rrfYe+ ha ~ mr. <1frfr hnfnrn wrn ran