The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-02-23
DISCUSS LENTEN SEASON
AT MINISTER'S MEETING
Rev. A. B. Harper, Accident,
Makes Principal Address

pastor of the Accident Lutheran par
ish, read paper on Lent.
The March meeting will be held on
March 20, when Rev. D. C. Trimble,
rector of St. Matthew's Protestant
Episcopal parish, will speak on Eas-
ter.
Rev. a. B. Harper's paper read
before the association, is printed in
The Republican today at the request
OF the members CT the organization.
The address follows:
Lenten brings with it one of the
most opportune seasons of the year
when the church may well make its
appeal to humanity for the allah
sorbing theme of service.
For here we stand at the Threshold
of a season which bears the true
stamp of all service. We enter upon
its Threshold and Immediately we
come to challenge in our life's en-
deavor.
The true spirit of sacrifcial service
meets and challenges us at the very
portal of the season. Our every eff
fort then ought to be bent towards
some definite plan whereby we can
better serve humanity and lend our
aid in bringing a much deeper spir-
itual consciousness to ourselves and
the people to whom we minister.
Whatever programs may be ad-
vanced and whatever selection may
be made of themes to be presented,
these must lend themselves in such
a manner that the elimination shall
find it's final goal in the exemplary
life of our common Lord and Master,
especially when we stand under the
shadow of His cross.
1t will be we'll for US, as ministers
of this Covenant of Service to well
prepare ourselves, for never was there
a period in the history of the church
when we should endeavor to call our
people back again to the realization of
the worth, honor and blessings which
shall be showered down upon human
ity, if only they will take up this task
and in sincerity of heart and purpose
will be willing to listen to Him again
as He calls US to follow Him.
We must in our thoughts and in
our lives get into His thoughts and
into His life. His very passion must
be our passion for the souls of man.
kind. Our every action must be per-
meated with His actions. We must
let His love help us to 60 into our
Gethsemanes and His supporting
strength be ours in the day when it
seems that we again cry out as He
did, "My God, My God, why hast thou
forsaken Me?"
If the Lenten season is going to be
one which shall be all we hope for it
will be necessary that amidst the tur-
moil of our present stressing prob
lens, we can calmly put our trust in
Him who is the Calm of every storm,
who speaks the word and peace is re-
stored.
1t is true that we have great task
before US in these days of stress and
strain. How do we face the task?
1t should be considered by us special
privilege, nay heaven-sent privilege
to show forth His death to world
that needs to realize that in the death
of Christ is the worlds only hope of
salvation.
Whatever we plan in special pre-
sentation of the theme, whatever of
special service of song, these will have
little in them if we have failed to
reach out to the souls of dying hui
mainly; if we fail to awaken a zeal
for consecrated service in lives which
shall be melted into tenderness; in
stony hearts which shall be broken
and contrition of soul which realizes
it's failure, in an attitude which be-
holding His agony and death and then
His glorious resurrection does not
bring forth a response in deeds and
love like unto His.
Thus whatever else we do, we COM
prehend the most important phase of
our task in presenting this glorious
gospel of His life of sacrificial service
in such manner that we shall find
response to be willing to follow Him;
to take up the cross, the task, the
duty involved, whatever the phase
may be which is thus thrust upon will
ing hearts, and find that blessing
which shall come to US.
This ought of course to be season
when special effort should be put
forth in the way of evangelistic work
because we are in that period of COM
memoration which will assist US to
more explicit appeal for a surrender
to Christ, although at no time should
we fail to present Christ that man.
kind shall not be drawn to Him.
In planning any program for the
Lenten season one must always have
in mind the one purpose and aim,
and also the situation which presents
itself upon the field of labor. No I'M
form program can be advanced which
would meet all the needs of all fields.
Even to the extent of publicity, this
will vary as to the field of work. How
ever, in any field there are certain
things one can do in making effective
this great season. No pastor can
afford to neglect special services and
publication of these and to keep his
parish informed of their duty and
privileges, to attend if possible all
these services which may be planned.
The pastor, however, must realize
that he is the key-man to this, and
must adjust his program accordingly.
One thing all can do, and that is by
prayer and supplication and commune
ion prepare ourselves that whatever
we may do in the way of special SER
vices to become the medium through
which the Holy Spirit may operate
with free access, that He may shine
though us in such halo of glory that
we shall be able to present the theme
of this Lenten season that the church