The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1940-07-05
Good Neighbors
Do You Enjoy Your Religion
by s. t. McCants

DO You Enjoy Your Religion?
Mr.. Webster says that the mean
ing of the word Religion Is a sys-
tenn of any faith and worship. Well,
I am referring to the faith and
worship of God, the creator Of us
all. It Is now 1880 p. m. Sunday,
Paul Carson my favorite organist
at Hollywood is playing Lead Kind
ly Light. I try to manage to be
home each Sunday evening to write
my Good Neighbors column while
he plays the sacred music that
inspires my very soul, and as
have spent today in my apartment,
conversing with but one person
except myself, also listening to just
about all the religious programs
over the radio, feel that l may
be able to say something to you.
the readers of this column, that
will inspire your souls. I want you
to know that for many years
have really enjoyed my faith and
worship in almighty God, and 1t Is
my deep belief that everyone who
truly worships God our Father,
should find peace and great joy In
doing so. The Psalmist tells us to
praise God in all things, rejoice
and again rejoice. Christ says he
came that we might have the more
abundant life, and that we might
rejoice in the God of our salvation.
AS I see it, and for years exper-
fenced in the ups and downs of
this life, we have a lot more to
praise God for than we ever realize.
I have always tried to praise him
in all things, and in so doing,
have been able to find and to see,
this loving father in all things that
live and move, and If you will take
my word for it, after many years
of daily practice, when you will
have reached this much coveted
milestone, along the Christian path
of life, you will be able to agree
with me, that there is a great JOY
in serving God.
Death Has No Sting
There is something wrong with
a religion that you can't really en-
Joy. AS write this column tonight
/ am reminded of one of Seattle's
outstanding Christian Citizens. 1t
was the late Estella Jackson, who
was one of the worlds sweetest
singers; she was one of the first
girls of my race in Seattle, to smile
and welcome me to the city some
81 years ago. Then a girl, I watch
ed her grow into young woman
hood, and then to -wedlock, and
down through the years, as she de-
veloped in Christian work in the
Mt. Zion Baptist Church, of which
she and her mother were faithful
members. I saw her go east to one
of the great musical centers to
further her musical education. I
also saw her leave Seattle for Hol-
lywood, with all its glamor, and
make good.
She then came back and took
her place in the Church, that her
mother loved so much. The same
loving Stella as she was known by
host of friends, she seemed to
have no enemies. In all of her ira
wells and locations in the business
life here in Seattle, Stella held on
to her mothers God. am referring
to her life in Seattle as one that
gave me much courage, to fight
my way to peace and happiness.
Stella had good time, and enjoy
ed life and the God she was serv-
ing, but never allowed any of the
earthly things to separate her from
the love and promise that she had
made to her mother who had left
her some years ago. The accidental
death that took her and her hus-
band from us so suddenly, could
not be understood by many, but
when I heard the last words she
repeated, which was the sentiment
of her heart, I was at ease. She,
looking death in the face, with her
body crushed, Stella said to those
looking on in horror, Don't worry
about me, I am a Christian, I am
not afraid to die" AS much as to
say to death, you have no terror
for me, Jesus Is here, and all is
well. have earnestly prayed God
since that time, that I might have
a similar message to leave to the
world when my tolls of life are
through. Yes, I am enjoying my
religion in serving God. All He
asks of us is, to love him with all
our hearts and our brother as