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memorial tablet to &cb. ?r. Jf. 30. $otoer to Pe ?eincateb m September. A memorial tablet having a bas relief likeness of the late Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Power, former pastor of the Vermont Avenue Christian Church, completed by Sculptor H. K. Bush-Brown, is to be dedicated in the church in September. The figure depicts Dr. Power In a char acteristic attitude of preaching, while In closing it is one of the pastor's favorite declarations: "The Greatest Thing In the World Is To Be a Christian." In the corners of the tablet at the top are the dim Inscriptions of the birth and death dates of Dr. Power: "January 23, 1851, and "14 June, 1911." Below the figure Is the following In scription: "Frederick D. Power, Thirty j six Yeans, Pastor of This Church." Christian' Ci&tabor'^ottT ? | %attitpfe.irtniit i + TOPIC: Our Social Life for Christ.?Luke, 24:13-35. FREDERICK^.-" V rlUtvi-X-4#^ !&srp&pr&SSS I. Reaching the Multitude. The gTeat congregations where the gospel may be most effectively preached axe not in the church buildings. Vast multitudes can only be reached In the business and so cial life of the world. "Go ye into all the world and preach my gospel to every creature." The geographical world is unimportant save as it includes the social world of the human race. This world does not come to the church ?the church must go to it. Society affords the Christian his greatest opportunities. It is the most fruitful field for religious cultivation. The useful Christian is a church man. It Is of the highest importance that a man be a member of the church, a regu lar attendant upon public worship, a worker in th* Sabbath school, and a com municant at th?? Lord's table; but his duty is not wholly fulfilled by these ob servances. Outside of the church circles he is in daily contact with people who have little or no reverence for the church or for the Sabbath or for the Bible and who recog nize no higher gospel than that of mor ality and often not even that They are to be reached only through the opportu nities which business and social associa tions afford. The multitudes are not found within the church wall. In society the true Chris tian by his dally walk and conversation preaches to greater congregations than the minister does who confines his min istrations to pulpit deliverances. ? * ? * The Promising Field. The mission of Christianity is to leaven the whole body of society. The basis upon which the Christian is to act is repre sented by the injunction: "Love thy neighbor as thyself." His example In the observance of the law of kindness, the law of benevolence and the law of Justice and right is the great agency in uplifting the moral tone of society. It may not yet be possible for the Christian in society to thrive and pros-per by loving his neighbor Just as he does himself, but that is the goal to be reached by Christian civilization. The human rare will not attain its highest appointed destiny until society is brought under the influence of the great law of Christian love, requiring that men love their neighbors as they love them selves. The Christian who exemplifies this law in his social intercourse is doing the inost for Christ. The one thing, above all others t<> be eradicated is sel^hness. Christ is ever and always the exponent of the spirit of unselfishness. To teach and practice this spirit in ail his social relations the "hristian finds his greatest field for usefulness. The socal life of the | Christian roust speak as loudly for Christ as his ? nurch life. "There is an almost universal impres sion." said Henry Ward Beecher, "that while men are in the world, and per forming their duties, they must be as brickmakers are?that they must work in dirt; and that, when they have got through working in dirt, then they must clean up and go to church. Men think: As long as 1 ain in the world, and doing business. I must perform my business according to the way of the world: and then when I have got through with the necessary sacrifice to the world, I must wash up. and go to church, and be a Christian.' " But the church life should not be sep arate and different from the life In the world. X Christian should be the same every where and at all times and not at stated I periods when ha "washes up and goes to church." * * * * The Field Is the World. The real use of Christians being In the world at all Is in their being Instruments for regenerating, reforming and reorgan izing the world. If they are no help In that work. It would be Just aa well for them to be out of the world as In It The gospel declares: "The field Is the world." The reorganization of society so that it shall conform to the principles an nunciated by the Divine Teacher U the one supertatlve work commissioned to the church. The church Is the aggregate of Individual believers and every Chris tian has a part in the work of reforming and remolding the social life of the world. The only force by which society can be regenerated is the force of the re generated individuals. Christ declares that Christians "are the light of the world," and that they "are the salt of the earth." ' They are fitted both to Instruct and preserve men. The true Christian is wondrously equip ped to do great things for Christ In the social circles of life. God calls men to a personal reformation, and then calls them to engage In the reformation of the world In which they live. The Christian Is to manifest Christ's spirit In every relation of life. He Is to be a witness for Christ He must show his friendship for Christ and in imitation of His example musi show his friendship for all men. He must so deport himself that his looks words and acta will say to all he meets. "I am thy brother." Living in the spirit of brotherhood Is a sure and effective way of testifying to the value and power of Christianity. Every Christian should express In his life the sentiment of the old Roman, who said, "I am a man, and consider nothlnf that concerns men as foreign to me." ? * * "* Intelligent Sympathy. Christ who bore our griefs and sor rows and heavy burdens, expresses this sentiment out of His own experience more fully than any man who has ever lived. He identified Himself with the society of Ills day. He made Himself familiar with the home and business life of the people. He attended their funerals and their wedding feasts. His footsteps led to the dwellings of the poor and needy. He talked with the fishermen, as they cast their nets and showed them how they couid become Ushers of men. He conversed with those whom He met In the roadways, and pointed out to them the highway to holiness and heaven. He turned aside to those cultivating their fields and told them of the seed that would bring forth a harvest of eternal life and joy. So Christian men and women are to go into the social and business circles of life and put temseives In close fellow ship and sympathy with those whom they seek to bless and save. It is said of Christ "He knew what I was in man." This knowledge enabled Him to always show intelligent and he.pful sympathy. Christian sympathy is not a wntment It is a service. Christians are not to stand afar off and preach against sin and evlL They must put themselves side by side with those who need help. Near enough to hear the cry of the troubled hearts?close enough to reach forth a helping hand. It Is in the social life that the oppor tunities are presented to learn how men feel and what they need, and unless we know that we can do nothing to comfort, cheer or save those for whom Christ d'rf has been claimed by some that Chris tians must live apart from the world keep away from all its allurements, temptations, and spend the time In medi tation and prayer; avoiding as far as $fropo?et) Jleto Cfjurcf) for Mount pleasant ? ? CALVARY M. E. CHURCH. Ground for the erection of this edifice was broken last evening at a special service held on the site, on Columbia road near 15th street northwest. Rev. John T. Ensor, the pastor, was In charge. The new building will cost about $50,000. The work is In charge of Architect Clarence L. Harding, while the Boyle-Robertson Company Is the builder. iPresbpteriang Plan to Cstablfefj Cfjurcf) at Jfopltooofc, Jfatrfax Count?, ^Ta. Leading Members of Denomination in Various Parts of the Country to Be Asked to Aid in Effort to Build Edifice Which May Be a Memorial One?Elder Harvey S. Irwin Is in Charge of Work?$2,003 to Be Raised. Leading Presbyterians of the country are being asked to aid in the effort to establish a Presbyterian Church at Idyl wood, Fairfax county, Va., where Elder Harvey S. Irwin of the New York Ave nue Presbyterian Church is actively en gaged in the effort of organizing a Pres byterian congregation. The work is being carried on under the auspices of the Presbytery of Washington city in the schoolhouse at Idylwood, but before a very long time has elapsed it is expected that the necessary funds will be forthcoming for erection of a suitable edifice on the splendidly located wooded acre lot which has recently been acquired for the propsed building. Already some twenty-five persons have decided to become communicants of the congregations as soon as it can be organ ised. Some will come by letters from various denominations and others will join on profession of faith. It is almost certain, it is said, that the church can start with a membership of at least thirty members, and with fifty or more adherents who will work with and contribute to the church. The Sabbath school numbers now about seventy regular attendants. The large number of bright and intelligent chil dren in this small but growing com munity gives much promise, it is said, for the rapid growth of the church, and there is a great need for an organized church at Idylwood. The people, it is pointed out, are not able, unaided, to build a suitable church build ing, but would be able to carry on the current expenses of maintaining the pub lic worship. All being of moderate means Elder Irwin has conceived the idea of interest ing one or a group of leading Presby terians of the country in the idea of erecting a memorial church and with this idea in mind is sending communications to a few leading Presbyterians in different cities acquainting them of the effort in hand and asking for co-operation. The situation he points out is an ideal one for the establishment of a rural church and Presbyterians of liberal means in any part of the country who have money to place in the effort to ad vance Presbyterianism, it is declared, could not find a better spot to place it than at Idylwood, where this willing con gregation is not able financially to build the church they have In mind, costing about $2,000. In the organization now being formed are Baptists, Methodists, Disciples. Pres byterians, Episcopalians and members of other denominations who are eager for a central congregation and who had this idea in mind when they addressed the communication to the Presbytery of Washington City some months ago. ask ing that a congregation of the denomina tion be established at Idylwood. Leaders of the Presbytery of Washing ton are pleased with the progress that has already been made in the work at Idylwood, and are giving encouragement to the effort in hand, hopeful that a flour ishing Presbyterian congregation will shortly be the fruit of Elder Irwin's efforts. The nearest Presbyterian Church to Idylwood is located at Palls Church, Va., some miles away, and in the effort to establish the new church the Rev. Dr. Davidson, pastor of the congregation at Palls Church, is giving his best endeavors, confident that the proposed new church is to be placed in a section where it is deeply needed and where much good can be accomplished through its establishment and operation. The idea in mind of those prominent in the effort to establish the church is to make a real rural church?one that "stands In the fields where the wide earth yields her bounties of fruit and grain," and one which will live up to the ideals as set forth by Mr. I*. H. Bailey in his recent poem on "The Rural Church," when he says: Inaome greet day Tbe Country Church Will find its voice, And it will ssy: "And I bid them tell Of the crops they sell And speak of toe work they have dose: I speed everyman In his hope and plan And follow his day with the sun: And grasses and trees. The birds and the bees I know and fteel ev'ry one. "And out of it all As the seasons fall I build my great temple alwey: X point to the skies. But my footstone lies In commonplace work of the day: For I preach the worth Of the native earth To love and to work is to pray." I WWV?' TV ? At the August meeting of the board of control of the Washington District Ep worth League Mr. William E. Truman, formerly president of Wilson Memorial Chapter, was elected recording secretary for the District to succeed Mr. S. N. Fal coner, jr., who has been elected to the presidency of Brightwood Park Chapter, w ? ? ? Mr. Forrest F. Varney, president of McKendree Chapter of the Epworth League, will have charge of 'the outdoor services at McKendree Church tomorrow evening. Mr. Varney, who has Just re turned from the International Epworth League convention, at Buffalo, to which be was a delegate, will give some of the experiences of the convention. ? * * ? Her. EL Townsend Weaver win occupy the pulpit of Foundry Methodist Episco pal Church tomorrow morning and even ing. The theme in the morning will be "The Vision and History of the Soul" and In the evening "Decisive Wars of the World." * * * * There will be special music tomorrow night at the tent service of the Church of the Covenant, 14th and Meridian streets, r^e^o^ Qnder will sing and Mr. possible all contact with the social life of the world. But the Christian, by God's grace, can keep himself unspotted from the world without separating himself from it. He Is in the world, is a part of it, and be longs to it while he lives. His duties all relate to it. * * * * Social Pleasures. The object and purpose of religion in the world is not to take away, but to supply and increase the pleasures of the social life. Christ teaches this by His presence and actions at the wedding in Cana of Gal lilee. He was an invited and welcome guest and mingled with the assembled neighbors and friends, uttering' no word of censure against the joyous proceedings and the glad muslo of the nuptial chant. I He greatly added to the pleasures of this j social occasion. j When something was needed for what I was considered the proper observance of the marriage feast. He at once freely supplied the need. Christ would not have I made Himself conspicuous at a social gathering if He had Intended that His followers should avoid society on account of Its worldliness. There is much that is evil in modem society and it needs all the religion that can be Injected into It. The world seeks to keep aloof from religion, fearing that it will chill and destroy its amusements and pleasure*. Walter F. Smith of the Marine Band will play a cornet solo. Rev. Howard Hannaford will preach An Informal song service, under the direction of Mr. w. a. Blanchard, will be held from 7:45' to 8 o'clock. * * * * The pulpit of the First Congregational Church is to be filled on the remaining Sundays of August by Rev. George C. Parker of Somerville, Mass. * * * * Bishop Luther B. Wilson of the M. E. Church and bis wife and daughter cabled a few days ago that they are safe and well at Constance. Switzerland. Friends have been in suspense, as they had not heard from the prelate and his family since their arrival In England. m * * * Rev. Dr. H. T. Cousins, pastor of the Anacostia Baptist Church, will go to New York Monday for a brief vacation. ? * * # Rev. John T. Ensor, pastor of Cal vary M. E. Church, has left the city for a vacation which will extend until September 1. * ? * * Rev. Howard Peters, pastor of the Fifteenth Street Christian Church, has gone to Princess Anne, M<L, for his vacation, while Rev. Oeorge A. Miller of the Ninth Street Christian Church There Is much in the social world with which religion can have no fellowship; but the mission of Christianity Is to show the world that only harmful pleasures are forbidden and that all healthy and inno cent amusements are not only commend ed. but are sweetened by religion. When religion enters and controls the social life, society will have lost nothing, but gained much in its search for Joy and happiness. The world has yet to learn, what Christians in the social life are daily teaching, the great truth that there is "no mirth so hearty, no exhil aration so stimulating, no amusement so pleasurable, as that which religion allows and commends." * ? * * Bearing Witness. It is the peculiar office of the Christian In society to bear witness that religion commends all that is helpful and whole some and to bear witness against all that is enfeebling and pernicious. In discharging thl double responsibility the Christian turns to God. who is over all. for help. He must be for us In our work and play, or we shall utterly fail. In the work of reorganising and reforming the social conditions of the world. Sod is our only hope. If thou suffer God to guide thee. And bope In Him through all thy wsjs. He'll give thee strength, whate'er betide thee. And Dear thee through the evil days; Who trusta in God's unchanging love I Builds on the rock that naught can move. A Word From Livingiton. David Livingston said: "It is something to be a missionary. The morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy when they saw the field which the first missionary was to fill. It is something to be a follower, however feeble, in the wake of the great teacher and only mod el missionary that ever ap peared among men. I never cease to rejoice that God has appointed me to such an office." <@reat <@ift* for (Educa tional ZGHork. American Presbyterians have of lata been making vigorous efforts to meet the situation existing In the new China. Special emphasis has been laid upon the need for greatly enlarged and Improved equipment for educa tional work. Nearly $1,000,000 have been given or pledged for enterprises for which the Presbyterian board la solely responsible. Besides this, a few people have pro vided a fund of no less than $750,000 to be used for tho erection of new buildings for Nanking Union Univer sity and Shangtung Christian Univer sity. The former is probably the chief rival of St. John's University. Shanghai, and Boone University, Wuchang, for the educational leadership of central China. It is a Joint effort of three or four American communions. Including Presbyterians and Methodists. It is maintained by American Presbyterian# English churchmen affiliated with the S. P. O. and English Baptists. A Chi cago architect has gone to China to make a first-hand study of the archi tectural and construction phases of this notable undertaking. Stems of interest. Several Protestant denominations are to unite in the establishment of a great Christian university at Cairo. Egypt. The j cost is estimated at 12,000,000. * * * * In 1874, the Southern Presbyterian Church had 60,293 scholars in the Sunday schools. In 1914, the enrollment is 284, 093. In 1874, foreign mission gifts amounted to $28,958; In 1914, to $361,179. In 1874, gifts to home missions amounted to $55,986; In 1914, to $165,465. The figures are from a summary of the work of the; church for the last forty years, recently j compiled by Thomas H. Law, stated clerk of the general assembly. * * * * There are 24,000 Indian children of school age not in any school, and for 8,000 of these no schools have been pro vided. There are said to be 54,000 In dians in whose wigwams the light of the gospel story has never shown- According to statistics, 61 per cent of American In dians are still out of the Christian Church. * * * * "It is quite probable that in less than ten years, without some great check, China's annual cigarette bill will rise far over a hundred million dollars, for which she will receive in turn not a morsel of bread, an ounce of meat, or garment of clothing?nothing but ashes and wasted life! All this, too, while yearly scores of thousands of her people will actually starve."?G. P. Bostick, Southern Baptist missionary at Pocnow, China. * * * * Of the 7.000 weekly religious meetings held In Korea, 6,000 or more are conduct ed by laymen. Many men walk twenty miles or more every week to conduct services. * * * * In his recent trip through the orient. Dr. John R. Mott. writing from Hankow, said: "Never have I found such a dead-i ripe field as that presented by the stu dents of China today." Crusabe for 3Uorlb Jieace. . Leaders Declare Present Time Is Beginning of End of Autocracy and Big National Armahients?Immedi ate Campaign to Be Begun. The war in Europe, and especially the experiences of delegates who went to Constance, Switzerland, at the beginning j of August for a peace conference, have j had the effect of bringing on a new cru sade by the churches in favor of world peace. In spite of declarations of war the con ference actually came together In the Swiss city, and sat for one day. Then Its members hastened to London by the way of Holland, being protected by order of Emperor William and the Grand Duchess of Baden. Arriving In England, an adjourned session was held, and the new crusade planned and announced. There came, as new forces into the peaoe union supported by gifts from An drew Carnegie, the council of British clergy, 400 In number, and a newly form ed council of French Protestant clergy. has returned to the city from his sum mer outing in Maryland, and will re sume the work of his pastorate. * * * ? Crlsfleld, Md., is the scene of the vacation of Rev. Louis Randall, pastor of the Rhode Island Avenue Methodist Protestant Church. The pastor will spend much of his time in fishing, e ? a e Rev. George Pitt Beers of Baltimore will occupy the pulpit of the Second Baptist Church on both tomorrow morning and the following Sunday. * * * Rev. B. H. Melton of the Harlem Avenue Christian Church of Rich mond, Va., will preach in the Vermont Avenue Christian Church tomorrow morning. * * * * Mr. H. M. Gilman, president of the District of Columbia Christian En deavor Union, made an address last night at the annual convention of the Christian Endeavor Union of Northern Virginia, at Ballston. * * * * At the "happy hour" service tomor row evening at the Union Methodist Epis copal Church, 2t)th street near Pennsyl vania avenue northwest, the pastor. Rev. John MacMurray. by request, will talk upon "The War in Europe and Why It Seems to be Germany Against All Eu rope" from the Christian standpoint. Extensive travel and wide and careful study. It is declared, have enabled Dr. MacMurray to gain a deep insight into European conditions now prevailing, and he plans to speak of some of the vital matters involved which cannot be ad justed by diplomacy, peace conferences nor arbitration treaties, but which it seems must be settled by the stern ar bitrament of war. The talk is in the Interest of a better understanding of all the circumstances from the Christian viewpoint. Dr. Mac Murray's travel talks on Palestine and 4 100 strong. Together these American, English and French clergymen declared the present to be the beginning of the end of autocracy and haply of bis na tional armaments. Leaders In the Church Peace T'nion, In cluding its secretary and committees from the Federal Council of Churches, are now on ships crossing the Atlantic on their way home. Before quitting England they announced for America, and as far as possible for France and England, an Immediate cam paign of education that shall use the present war news as examples of what ought not to be, and what cannot be. If the world Is really Christian. A policy of caution in expenditure of Income of the Carnegie 12,000,000 will give place to one of quick action. Trustees of the union, who Include all religious bodies, are said to hold that no time like the present Is possible to drive home the awfulneas of war. the orient, which he has been giving for several Sunday nights past, will be re sumed on Sunday night, August 23, when he will talk on "doing Through Sa maria." * * * * Rev. George L. Parker of SomervUle, Mass.. will preach at 11 a.m. on the re maining Sundays of August at the First Congregational Church. * ? * ? Rev. Dr. John Lee Maddox of New Haven, Conn., la to preach tomorrow | morning at 11 o'clock in the Mount Pleasant Congregational Church. * * * * Judge W. F. Norrls of the Department of Justice will deliver an address on "The Flag of Peace, or Our Country's Mission." at the tent service at 7:30 o'clock tomorrow evening on the Fourth Presbyterian Church lawn. 13th and Fair mont streets. 4tti**ioti*glmong iWisfcions A meeting of a synod of the Episcopal district of Hankow, China, was recently held. This district, like all those In the foreign field. Is struggling not only to ward self-support, but Is also making a beginning In doing missionary work out side its own borders. It is conducting a special mission at Shlnnan Fu In the province of Hupeh. During one of the afternoon sessions of the synod announce ment was made that $748 was still needed to pay for tile land. Within about twenty minutes the entire sum was pledged by the delegates present, either Individually or on behalf of their congre gations. In 1911 the total circulation of the Bible, either In part or whole. In India and Burma through the agency of the British Bible Society- was more than a million copies, as compared with 070,000 ten years before. Xutfjer lUague of America. At Biennial Convention in Baltimore September 22-24, Plan for Great Meeting of Lutherans Here in 1917 Is to Be Advanced?Will Observe 400th Anniver sary of Birth of Dr. Martin Luther. The Luther League of America, com posed of young people and representing almost all of the eighteen synods, meets in biennial convention, its eleventh since its organization in Pittsburgh in 18?5, in Baltimore, September 22-24 next, and one of Its hopes is to be able to plan for 1917 a great meeting of Lutherans in Wash ington. This event Is the 400th anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther, and If the league can have its way It will be cele brated by a convention, in which all synods in America will have at least some part. One aim of the Luther League Is to bring into better relations the many synods Into which Lutherans in America are separated, and it believes that it has accomplished a good deal in this direc tion. It has societies In the Missouri synod, among others, which Is the most German In thought and conservative In doctrine of all. At Baltimore on one evening your.g Lutherans of that city will present the drama of the "Reformation, ' 150 per sons will be In the cast, come of them taking the parts of historic persons of the reformation period In Europe. About 1000 young people will attend the convention. They will come from the northwest, from Pennsylvania and from the south and southwest, in which latter I section Lutheranism, it is said, has been growing rapidly of late. Several members of Congress will l.? the speakers. Young Lutherans are encouraged by th? league to study reformation history* an<i clashes In this subject run Into the thou sands. The national president is Mr. William C. Stoever, Philadelphia; the ?ec retayr, Mr. Luther M. Kuhns of Omaha, and the chairman of the executive com mittee, Mr. Ernest F. Eilert of New York. fflanp WLi&ft to Cfjaplam m Brnteb States J^abp Dr. Carroll Reports Large Number of Applications From Protestant and Roman Catholic Communions. Twenty-Eight New Men Are to Be Named, Making Fifty-Two in All. Dr. H. K. Carroll, associate secretary of the Federal Council of Churches, with headquarters here, reports the re ceipt of a large number of applications for appointment as chaplains in thf United States Navy. With a spirit of unity perhaps never before shown In such a matter, Prot estant and Catholic co-operated In pre senting the Christian argument to the government favoring an increase In the number of chaplains and in the pro posed divisions between them of men to be selected. There are now twenty - four chaplains, and twenty-eight new men are to be named. The applicants come, it is reported. In about equal numbers from Protes tant and Catholic ranks, and among the former all of the principal bodies are represented. By the terms of the new law appoint ments are to acting chaplaincies only, and these are limited in number, since the law provides that no more than seven may be advanced to permanent chaplaincies in any one year. Under this plan those not adopted can be kept out of the permanent service, it is be lieved. It has not yet been determined how many acting chaplains will be named this year. Promoters of this advance deny that they are in any way ?opposed to the social secretaries recommended by the Secretary and to be furnished by the Christian associations. These secretaries are not to be com missioned if appointed, and they are to be laymen. The plan has not been officially approved as yet, but it is being favored by those who pushed for the increased chaplaincies. The same men raise the question whether the chaplains may not be able to develop some secretaries from among enlisted men. They point to the far better grade of men in the service than formerly. Applications for acting chaplaincies will still be received by Secretary Car roll, he says. untmp1 ?M)ool1 lesson j&p &eb. tlmgft 3E.j &tefrengoiT. The Wicked Husbandmen.?Lesson: Matthew, 21:33-46. Golden Text?The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner. ? Matthew, 21142. The critics tell us that Shakespeare's I claim to greatness lies in the fact that he is a poet for all time; his message is not limited to the race from which he sprang or to the age to which It was given. He Is universal. As we study the 1 lesson for the week we become1 convinced that the simple Galilean is i divine, for we find | that His message j Is eternal and universal. Face to j face with the j scribes and high priests, in no un certain words the Christ brings home to them their sin# which is the sin of the nation. However, let us remember the pur pose of a parable. It is not supposed to be dissected into parts, with each part teaching a separate lesson. Rather the parts, blended into one. harmo nious whole, bring out a spiritual truth. It Is not to be denied that In the parts we can discern many beautiful ideas, but we must ever remember that the purpose of the Master In speaking in parables was to teach by means of the common, everyday events In the lives of His hearers. 80 Jesus takes the vineyard as the basis, the vineyard spoken of by Isaiah and by Himself in three other parables. In fewer words than we can describe it, Christ pictures to His listeners their I history as a people. God's covenant I with Abraham was the center of the nation's life. It dominates their lit erature, their music, their ideals, their dreams. They were God'? chosen people. His guiding hand was to be seen in every event. But priest and people had for gotten why God had exalted them. Surely. God's purpose was not 10 foster in their hearts foolish pride, to make them self-righteous. In the seed of Abraham were all the sons of earth to be blessed. The Mak er's idea was not to bring light to this one people, but through them to lead other peoples to a knowledge of I the one God. This was their mission, j and herein they lailed. They had come to believe that they were chosen and ittetfjobisit &cf)ool in &er* man?. Bishop Nuelsen writes to the MethodJat Episcopal missionary secretaries that the new buildings of the Methodist Theoi logical Seminary at Frankfurt, Germany, will be dedicated August 13. "This wi.l be an outstanding event In the work of German Methodism," says the bishop. "We hope that Bishop Wilson and Dr. 1 North will be present. Representatives 1 from various theological seminaries In , Europe and America are also expected. , Thar* are now thirty-four Presbyte- ' rlan churches among the Dakota In dians, with 2.000 Indian communicants. 1 rhese Indian churches have borne en- ' tirsly the salaries of the native mission- j arlss laboring among them, contributing , a total of $0,807, of which $4,322 want dl- < recti y for missionary object*. , all others rejected that they were a superior people. How carefully God had watered the vineyard. He sent the prophets in times past to rebuke their shortcom ings and to lead them to the broader view of their opportunity. But in vain. Some were stoned, some put to death, and all unheeded. Like the hus bandmen of the parable, they h;id been given a vineyard to produce fruit, but Mie fruits were only arrogance and self-righteousness. Now God has sent His Son to awake them by His message and life. Christ makes this last ap peal. They re-xlize that He speaks of them, but instead of repenting, their hearts are hardened, and, like the wicked husbandmen who killed th?* son, they crucify the Son of God. ? * * * Trustees, Not Owners. The parable, with Its message, I* most applicable to our present-day life and problems. America, the land of opportunity! Yes, like the Israelites, we have been given a great vineyard to bring forth fruit, not to make u* j proud and haughty. Rather It should i make us sober and thoughtful when we realize that in our hands as a peo | pie God has placed great tasks. He has sept to our shores millions who need to feel ths uplifting force of righteousness. But even extending beyond our shores are the Islands of the sea, which we hold In sacred trust. Whether we regard ourselves as own ers or as trustees, for the results we shall be held In strict accountability. We are beginning to carry the same principle Into our social life. Society is demanding through the force of pub He opinion that great wealth shall be held as a trust. For when we consider the sources of wealth, natural re sources, personal initiative and energy, and social co-operation, we find that for two of them we are directly responsible to God and to our fellow-men for the other. The abuse of privilege was the stone upon which the great empires of the past were wrecked. It was the besetting sin of Israel. Are we about to solve the problemT Solve it we must. Christ has pointed the way. The path is plain. Will this nation harden its heart like the scribes when con fronted with their sin? Or, will we repent as did David when confronted with his guilt by Nathan? * # ? * The Personal Message The Scripture tells us that when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard His parables "they perceived that He spake of them." The message of Christianity from the very first was personal. To every heart the Master makes a direct appeal. Read again the parable of the lesson and apply it to your own life. Chris tian, are you making use or abuse of your privilege? Are you holding your life in trust for the Savior? Does it bear fruit well pleasing to His sight? Unbeliever, do you reject Christ as the corner stone of your life? As a passive agent you cannot live & complete life without Him. As an active agent. His rejection means the ultimate overthrow of your plans and lims. Truly the parable has an application to the nation, to society and to the in dividual. By it we can guage our selves to see whether. we are good husbandmen and are making the best yt our opportunity to serve the Mas ter with our talents, whatever ther nay be.-. I