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 First—off,
my hand has been called for leaving Paducah, Ky. out of
the fleeting schedule given last month. We found that bro.
Herbert Knight, local preacher, had made thoughtful preparation,
and many visitors came to the meeting. On Thursday and Friday
evenings I was asked to discuss “Things That Divide Us” —
followed by question and answer sessions. Members of
institutional churches indicated, both at public services and in
their homes, a willingness to discuss these matters — a
welcomed change from the attitude so often found elsewhere.
The
church meeting at 1520 Clay St. Paducah, has a tough pull ahead;
but there are encouraging signs. Surely some of those “alarmed”
brethren in liberal churches will have the courage to speak up,
and act to halt the rapidly increasing digression.
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From
a report of the Battle of Cape Girardeau, Mo. (New York Tribune,
May 1, 1863) an example of prejudice: “On passing over the
battle- ground afterward, I saw one fellow lying with a ghastly
wound from a cannon ball in his left breast, cold and stiff,
with clenched hands, a horrible expression of ignorance and
depravity on his countenance; and near by two fine white horses,
lying dead, the latter with far more innocence in their faces
than their human companion.”
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The dead soldier was Confederate; can you guess which side
the reporter favored?
Reminds
me of the Shiloh (Tenn.) guide who referred to a Union memorial
as “honoring the marksmen of the glorious Confederacy.” Also
reminds me of the way brethren report debates.
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When
there is nothing else to pick on, we can always become critical
of someone’s public prayer. These are so often filled with
trite and borrowed expressions, so unlike the person who is
speaking, and so unrealistic. But we who criticize set the stage
for much of this. We expect too much; we push men into public
prayer who have no preparation for what we expect of them; we
are sometimes cruel in our comments about their errors.
I
hope I can avoid blunders as I question the practice of telling
God we are very humble. Can’t we just be humbled in His
presence? What do we think of the man who tells us repeatedly,
that he is the quiet, deep- thinking type? Or, who
assures us, over and over again, that he is not the egotistical
type? Anyhow, there is no way to hide what we really ARE, from
God who knows our every thought.
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