Variety Rag Out
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. 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 someones 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. Cant 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.