The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-09-01
BY WALTER d. HICKMAN.


TENDER.
BY WALTER ID. HICKMAN.
THE onward march into the
Il churches Of the country as
we'll as the plea for personal reli-
gionH is splendidly and intelligently
developed by DR.. Lyman P Powell
New York city pastor. in his latest
book, The Better Part
DR. Powell will be remembered
for his Mary Baker Eddy. A Life
Size Portrait which has been ex-
tremely popular as well as anthem
tic.
The Better Part" is an intelli-
gent study Of the creation of a spir-
itualized democracy. DR.. Powell not
only has had exceptional OppOrtuni-
ties to study all church movements
and tendencies in this country as
we'll as abroad. but he has kept an
elbow touch with men and women
as we'll as world events.
The influences of these expert
ences coupled with his years of
studying writing and preaching, give
this book added weight and i'm
pOrtance.
In The Better Part" he handles
subjects and thoughts which now
are dominant factors in the lives OF
all. This fact makes the opinions
OF DR.. Powell more timely than ever
DR.. Powell in discussing personal
religion writes: "Rethinking our
religion. enriching our understand
ing Of religion. widening our out
look OF religion requires us to per
sOnalize our religion. We have 10
make it ours. Religion never be-
comes religion until it becomes per-
sOnal.'
He maintains there Is no substi-
tute for personal religion and that
II is easy to get an audience when
one explains how one may make
religion personal.
Saws DR.. Powell: The final justi-
fication of the church must be
sought in its power to develop per
sonal religion. If the church in
these uncertain days scores even
moderate success in the develop
ment of the life of God in the soul
of man. its general usefulness will
go unchallenged; its members will
invariably be found on the right
side of every public question. They
will cease 10 get rich at the expense
of the unprivileged. They will COM
q pletelv recover from the American
itch to get money without making
o. it."
THE question of taxation of
Il church property is carefully
considered by DR.. Powell in The
Better Part
He discusses the value Of church
property. shows its enormous growth
and gives conclusive figures to
show the increase of the church S
material wealth.
DIR. Powell maintains that the
church must justify its tax exemp-
lions by a wise conservation of re-
sources" and with an avoidance
of unnecessary competition and
with an avoidance of unnecessary
competition and careless duplica-
ton. etc.
one Of the gems of thought of
DIR. Powell is his earnest conviction
is that minister should desist the
temptation 80 preach almost every
thing exc pt the good news which
Jesus Christ brought
He maintains that people go Ia
power to live the life of God with
in"
And his deduction is sound when
he saws when a person lives within
that. the individual will express II
in his social and political relations.
He maintains that then their
voting then will match their
preaching
He makes a plea for the right pay
for ministers and at the same time
makes a plea for people to show
more interest in the churchs spiri-
tual business.
DR.. Powell is optimistic about the
future and maintains that we shall
solve our every problem" and that
the churches will not fail the world
when what the world needs most
OF all is what the churches have 70
give: a personal religion expressed
in all relationships.
He points out that church unity
Is not in sight but closer co-opera-
ton Is coming every year. He shows
that people of various denomina-
tions are not ousrreling and stress
ing points Of difference. but now
are looking for the things they have
in common.
The goal is "a clearer spprehen-
sion Of the better part"
DIR. Powell is the father of Talcott
Powell. editor of The Indianapolis
Times.
"The Better Part" is published by
the Bobbs- Merrill Company and
sells for Sl.5O.
J.B. Lippincott Company late in
the autumn plans 10 publish an
English translation of the 1885
French prize mystery novel. The
title is The Strange VIII Power OF
Professor Lorrain." by SimonS
d'Erigny. Last years winner was
shoes That Had Walked Twice
Here Is a timely book. It's title Is
FINDING a job and viii be pub
nshed Sept. IL by the Fleming H
.Reveu Company.