The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1942-11-04
| The Church
In These Times
by Rev. e. O. Smith, A. NJ, d ID.
OF washington. d. c.


of great potentially. It is the
dynamo of social progress. 1t is
the lead wheel of dynamic sociaI
order. In fact words are made
quate to describe fIs potency. II
is the only institution in the
world that is bonded by Christ.
Jesus found all other institu-
tons in much better shape and
on much better foundations than
the Church.
Education was thought to be at
its epitome so far as its evolution
from primitive times was concern
ed. Primitive society revealed ed
ucation in its simplest form; yet
in this early stage, the education
al process possessed all the essen
tial characteristics that 1t now re-
veals in ist most highly developed
stage.
Oriental education was the
chief prop in support of Confucian
religion in China. Greek seduca-
ton was concerned with the de-
velopment of conceptions and
standards of life. Roman educa-
ton was rooted and grounded in
law. The education of the Middle
Ages was but a systematizing of
all educational theories and tend
encies, and was the driveway for
the Renaissance Reformation
movement.
Now Jesus found this wonderful
institution of training well under
way, with only a need to be sat-
urated with the oil of Christianity,
but He had no disposition to
guarantee its security. Paul in la
ter days after summarizing the
whole situation, expressed Jesus
attitude as to the finality of wis
dom. Whether there be wisdom
it shall vanish away"
Jesus found the home well es-
tablished as the chief social unit,
but it possessed all Of the ear
marks of developing into self
centered institution. Jesus saw
something in self -centered family
idealism that was destined to DIES
troy the very essence of Christian
ity This is why He sought to
create a world family concept.
When His family came to Him.
The Institution of prophecy was
well established at the birth of
Christ, but there was no disposi-
ton on His part to guarantee its
fnality. But instead of that, He
raher decided with Paul as to its
future. Whether there be pro-
phecy it shall cease"
But of these three dominant
correctional agencies, the home,
the Church, and the school. When
He came to the Church and be-
held its imperfections He decid-
ed not to remodel its decaying
structure, but rather to tear it
down to the very core of its found
alton, and from there biuld a
bonded institution by giving His
personal note of security that the
gates of hell should not overthrow
it. Hence, Jesus changed the name
from 1.-THE c hurch" to "My
Church."
The Church of Jesus is a
mighty power in this old world
when properly harnessed. Blu t
power is both worthless and use
less unless properly coupled with
something.
Niagara Falls, The Ligtening,
Steam, Gasoline. All of these for
ces have been harnessed and have
revolutionized mans manner of
living.
The Church in these times
must guide men through the will
derness of despair.
Never before in the history of
the world have men been in great
er need of a sense of direction.
They need to get their bearing in
world frightened with woe and
shot through with international
warfare. The upper deck of human
existence is crowded with anx-
ious seekers. They are anxious
about the tomorrow. They look
towards the seer's booth and cry
out "Watchman what of the
night?"
The Church in these times must
be as profitable to the people as
was Samuel of old to Saul when
he was in search of the lost asses
of his father Kish.
Men look to the Church today
because all other has failed. The
home has about lost its first love.
TIL schools are becoming shot
The Church must wake up and
cease lending its influence to en-
trenched wrong. This has weak
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