The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1954-10-16
High Points In Church Life
ReyvaIism And The Christian Church
Rev. Vernon g. Carter
Minister Of the First
Congregational Methodist

CONGREGATIONAL Methodist
Church Of Boston, Mass.
Astrology is a pSuedo-sci-
enes which Is replaced by q
more direct and exact science
called astronomy. Soothsayers
and fortune tellers profession
allied On astrology and ex-
plotted peoples feeble judg-
nlents.
Astrology as defined means
predestination by the stars or
the influence supposed to be
exerted by the stars in their
various aspects and relative
positions upon the course Of
human destiny. Astronomy is
the study Of the heavenly
bodies or the science which
treats Of their magnitude,
motions, relative positions, and
all connective phenomena. As
trononly is one Of the factors
of mans evolutionary features
in exact science. Even though
aStrology is a false science 1t
opened the door TO a more
direct study of the heavenly
bodies called astronomy. Just
as the study Of heavenly boz
dies had to take on advanced
methods so must the church.
Today we are concerned
about accessions to Church
memberships and are aware |
that these accessions ought |
to be permanent and active. |
REVEALS were very popular 80 |
years ago and did an effec- |
tive job in increasing church |
membership. This increase was
not effective in promoting a
continued active membership. |
Many who came into the
church during revivals we're |
hardly seen in church after |
the revival. The more effective
increase of church member
ship came through the Sun
day morning worship and |
preaching Of the stationed |
pastor, The new member usual
ly had been worshiping steady |
and mediating on pastoral /
sermons. Even though this |
type Of increase has taken |
place there is still something
lacking. Something more ef-
fective must take the place
Of REVEALS Christian evolu-
ton demands this replacement
The sun is very high and
youth are looking up to it
whether We Christian teachers
desire II or not, Decision and
commitment to Christ will
ind congeniality in a replace
ment called educational
Evangelism as termed by HON.
Fighausen in one OF his books
titled Choose zee This Day"
This term describes method
used BY some advanced church
programs and yet we find that
something ought to be added
that is more substantial.
The Christian Church must
restudy the program of deci-
sion and commitment. Our
day is demanding a qualified
appoach to Christian princi-
pies, The Princeton professor
has suggested three things
which must be studied in order
to f1nd the effective answer.
I'D to come to grips with
the task Of evangeIizing this
generation through an intel
ligent, relevant, and effective
presentation of the Gospel in
order to bring the redemptive
realities of the Christian faith
TO bear upon individual per-
sons outside the Christian
community and upon our con-
temporary civilization; C2) to
testudy the whole task of the
Churches associated with the
World Council in their at
tempts to bring about a more
serious decision and commit
ment OF their present mem
'oersnips to Jesus Christ and
his cause, thus conserving
those now in relation TO these
Churches; and 90 to study
afresh the nature, elements
meaning, and Implications OF
decision and commitment To
Jesus Christ in our times.
Llsten 10 Rev. Vernon r
Carter Smlday Fellowship Me-
citations over Radio Station
WON, 1000 on your dial Al
10 o'clock this Sunday night
Oct, II. II you find that YOU
appreciate the type Of broad
cast that Rev, Carter gives
your letters 10 Station WON
Commonwealth Ave. would bt
cordially accepted.
The suggestion that the