Evening star., 1940-11-16

this long-ago Roman. dwelling in a
social order petrified into strata,
was the prototype of myriads of
employers today, who have deep
human interest in their workers
and 60 to great lengths to serve
their welfare. 1t is no more just
to condemn employers as whole
than it is to call labor unions selfish
and ruthless aggregations of law
breakers. On both side Of the in
dustrial cleavage of our times there
are men with a sense of social re-
sponsibility, and of their personal
obligation to follow Christ.
What is in it for me?" is the
sordid approach of some persons to
every new issue or opportunity that
arises. Our Roman gentleman was
not in. this category. At great pains,
and by pledging his prestige, he
sought only healing for a faithful
servant.
In the Roman military tradition
of authority, he felt that Jesus had
but to give the order and the serv-
ant would be cured. Thrilled was
the oft-doubted Christ at this exhi-
bition of faith. For it is faith that
God is ever seeking in man. when
the Son of Man cometh. shall He
find faith in the earth?" One of
the pleasures of God is to be e.trusted
by His children. The centurion's
faith made the Master glad: as does
every similar exhibition on the part
of even the least of mankind. That
is why Jesus exalted childhood's
conflding heart. That Is why He
gave the word which healed His
centurion's servant.
The Only Son of . Widow.
Our author, DR.. Luke. peerless
historian and journalist. was lavish
with his tales of abiding human
interest. On the heels of the Ro-
man centurion story he tells the
dramatic incident of the raising to
life of the only son of the widow of
Main, a village on the road to Naza-
reth which some of us know we'll.
Here the participants are of the
lowly poor. The scene of the pass
ing funeral, with its loudly wailing
mourners, is typical of the Orient.
The Nazarene might have passed
the funeral party with the sheer
uninterest with which most of us
regard funerals and death notices
in the newspapers, lacking wholly
the imagination to perceive the
personal tragedies and grief in
volved; each as individual as If
there had never been another death.
Our time is cursed with the specta-
tor state of mind; even the war is
regarded by some as only interesting
news.
But the compassionate Christ
cared for everybody's sorrow. He
intruded His help into the situa-
ton, even touching the bier, which
was pollution to a strict Jew. To
the heart-broken mother, and to the
incredulous neighbors, he gave back
the dead son, once more alive. It
was a major miracle, done as a way
side ministry.
In day abounding with dead
Ones" we hear the voice of Jesus,
still sounding across the centuries,
calling to youth, as to the lad of
Main. Young man, I say unto thee,
Arise!" From the bier of carnality,
of idleness. of trivial-mindedness. of
petty pleasures and pursuits, Christ
calls youth to the new life of spir-
itual realities, of personal potenti-
alities. of human service, of ennobled
character.
Jesus offers the fulfilment of life's
possibilities and ideals. He imparts
improvement for the good life. the
great life, by which alone society Is
to be uplifted. Who can measure
the effect upon the world of the
millions of Christian Endeavorers
who have pledged themselves to
strive to do whatever He would
like to have me do? This vow has
set uncounted lives to following in
the footsteps of the ministering
Master. whose briefest biography is,
He went about doing good"
The Sunday school lesson for
November II is Jesus Concern
for Life and Health. vii.