Newspapers / Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.) / June 2, 1938, edition 1 / Page 1
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“AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHAT.T, MAKTC YOU FREE.”—John viii:82. VOL. LDL CHARLOTTE, N. C„ THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1938. NO. 22. THE RETIRING MODERATORS SERMON Philadelphia, May 26.—The following will give some idea of the sermon of the retiring Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United' States of America, the Rev. Dr. William Hiram Foulkes of Newark, New Jersey, delivered In Convention Hall, Philadelphia, beginning at r. 10:50 o’clock this morning. The sermon was preached at the op ening of the annual General As sembly of the Church. Dr. Foulkes’ subject was “ T Will Build My Church,’ ” based on the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 16:18. “I will build my Church. During the one hundred and fifty years of our General As sembly life, this is the first time that these familiar words have been made a Moderatorial text. It surely has not been because, at any time, they would have seemed inappropriate. In their historic setting, following as they do Peter’s memorable con fession, they aptly summarize the unchanging faith of the Christian centuries. While, therefore, these simple but sig nificant words of the Master Builder are used for the. first time today upon such an occa . sion, their spirit and their im plications have been in constant evidence through the years, now lengthening into centuries. On May 21, 1789, Dr. John Witherspoon, of honored name and of lasting fame, who had been selected to act as presid ing officer until the election of a Moderator of the first General Assembly, which met in Phila delphia, chose for the text of his sermon the same text he had used in taking the presidency of Princeton in 1768, the words of the apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians, in the seventh verse of the third chap ter: “So then neither Ts-he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” Upon the occasion of the Centennial As sembly, on May 19, 1888, the retiring Moderator, Dr. Joseph T. Smith, used the same text. In the midst of the inspiring array of Scripture passages that have been chosen for occa sions similar to this one, de spite their great variety, one finds the same recurring under tone of allegience to the Lord Jesus Christ. The figure of a building is, of course, not the only New Testa ment picture of the Church. That of a vine with its many branches, which man may plant and man may water but for which God only giveth the in crease, is also in striking evi dence in both the gospel record and that of the epistles. So also may be found the presentation of the Church as the body of Christ, and that beautiful sym bol of the Church as his bride. At the conclusion of the Scrip ture portion, from which our text is drawn, we come face to face with the stirring, militant picture of the Church, against which “the gates of hell” shall not prevail. In the midst of all of the rich resource of Holy Writ at our reverent disposal is there, how ever, a. more vital, challenging and inspiring message of truth from the word of the living .God, than that of the Lord Je sus Christ himself, spoken first at Cesarea Philippi to a little band of believing disciples, and echoing its vibrant, authorita | tive way down the centuries? , “I will build my Church!” he said and he still says. To those with whom he shared his dreams of a coming Kingdom, a fatherly reign of righteousness, good will and peace and, as he named it, the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, it was as though he had spoken, in an swer to an unuttered question of their minds and hearts, <<Master, how do you propose to make these dreams come true?”, a simple and sublime word of assurance: “I will build my Church, and through that Church the Kingdom of Heaven shall come on earth.” If the ) words of Christ spoken to his first disciples were fitting for that significant day, are they less relevant for our times? Is there any message of mingled assurance and challenge more needed today and more fitting ly to be found than in the words of the divine Master Builder,, “I will build my Church!” For over nineteen nunarea years he has been building his Church. In every age and in every land, he has been gath ering the rough stones out of the quarry of our humanity, hewing them into the shape of his holy purpose, cementing them by his own precious blood, polishing them by his provi dence, and building them into that vast edifice which over towers all the generations and Reaches into the heavenlies. Let us not forget, fathers and brethren, that we are not the builders. We are only the liv ing stones which he is using. The Church is not a human in stitution—a lodge or a club. It is not something that men have gotten up, but a holy thing that has been let down from the sky, While in some of its aspects' it is being made visible before the eyes, it is essentially a spiritual edifice, erected out of the re deemed lives of men and wom en. It is, indeed, earth-born but it is heaven-begotten. Its head is far above all principalities and powers. Wordly wisdom never would have dreamed it. Earthly skill never could have devised it. It is a structure that has foundations “whose builder and maker is God.’” In the face of all that is so tragic in the history of the vis ible Church, its heresies and schisms, its pride and arro gance, its unchristlikeness of mind and heart and life, let us renaember that through all the centuries the Master has had to build his Church out of the raw material at his disposal, out of plain and fallible men and women, out of confessors who turn deniers and betrayers, out of disciples who follow afar off Yet he is always building his Church. In the midst of the wreckage of human wisdom and might, and into the face of crafty and sinister foes—parad ing Caesars who proclaim their totalitarianism of dominion and power—the Crucified and Risen Christ flings his one and only resource. “I will build my Church!” In toil and in tears, in weakness and in want, in mortal men and women, in days of doubt and darkness, across the centuries, into the eterni ties, his Church is being builded. Let us look at the Master craftsmanship today, as we survey the century and a half during which, we humbly be lieve, he has been building us as a historic communion into his Holy Catholic Church. While no one of us would be arrogant enough to assert that ours is the only Church, we are war ranted in believing that his hand has been upon us, as a people, during all of these one hundred and fifty years. N In 1788 the Synods of New York and rnuadeipma, in drawing up the Form of Government of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, which in 1789 became the Gen eral Assembly, set forth a re markable series of preliminary principles which for insight into truth, aptness of form, and catholicity of spirit have yet to be surpassed. These seven pre liminary principles, with their preamble and conclusion, have an amazing and enduring ap plicability. In particular, they have a remarkable relevancy to the contemporary scene. While it would be presumptuous to claim that our historic Church has a monopoly upon divine wisdom or human devotion, we may properly say of the Church that has been builded this last century and a half . under the aegis of /these principles, in the words of sacred Writ, “Wisdom hath builded her house. She hath hewn out her seven pill ars." '/ ’ Who of us is wise or good enough, fathers and brethren, to discern the way we should take as we go forward over the untried paths of the future? What does that future hold in store 'for Protestantism and for us of the Presbyterian house hold of faith? According to Dr. Adolph Keller of Geneva, the Church of Christ on the conti nent of Europe is suffering dis solution. A new Church, he believes, is arising, with four striking characteristics—faith, poverty, persecution and meek ness. If his diagnosis of the European situation be accurate, what about , the American Church? May your retiring Moderator humbly offer a four fold suggestion for our beloved Church as it enters upon the last half of its second century —the notes of faith, fellowship, passion and martyrdom? First, Faith—not a faith, but the Faith, the faith once deliv ered to the saints, with its his toric traditions and its contem porary applicability.There are cheering signs that a revival of such a faith is under way. Second, fellowship. From the a-postolic days ifntil now, fel lowship has been a character istic Christian experience. “I believe in the Holy Catholic Church,” so runs the historic formula. That Church is as suming ever increasing propor tions and significance. There is not a land under the shining sun where it is not found. The wonderful outpouring of the loyalty of our Church, in rec ognition of the Centennial of our Board of Foreign Missions last year, with half a million of dollars contributed for a for ward movement all along the missionary line, is only one of many current illustrations of the validity and reality of Christian fellowship. Third, passion. Passion is power. A Chrarch~*~ Without a passion is powerless. How low we have permitted the fires of the master passion to burn upon our altars! Discussion groups have taken the place of evangel istic bands. Panel discussions have outmoded prayer meetings. A curious quest for knowledge has crowded out a crusading commitment to the truth. Even the restless energy we spend in whirring the wheels of our Church and in driving our own reluctant, laggard lives, is not real power. It often acts as a paralysis of power. Truth is, the Church has’ lost no little of its divine militancy. With the widespread disintegration of home life and the collapse, in many places, of any semblance of a family altar, with over half the children of America abysmally ignorant and un taught in the things of the spirit, with public education secularized to an alarming de gree, with a commercialized Lord’s Day, with gambling be coming a national menace, with crime on the rampage, with the devastating traffic of alcoholic liquor, rushing like a raging flood, out of all bounds of de cency or restraint, with econom ic injustice continuing, and ec onomic tensions multiplying, with mounting racial and class bitterness and strife, and most terrible of all, with the whole world in the maelstrom of mad war, ominous, imminent, and actual—nothing short of a Church literally aflame with Christ’s holy passion for a lost world, can provide an antidote for a disease so deadly, the sin of the world. Only the Cross will suffice. THE GOOD OLD DAYS A college president was about to make an address in his old home town. In order to assure his old friends and neighbors that his position had not caused him to put on airs, he began thus: i “My dear friends,—I will not call, you ladies and gentlemen— I know you too well for that.” It does not matter what life brings to you; but it matters a great deal what you do with it. CATAWBA PRESBYTERIAL MEETING By Mrs. R. Z. Beatty, The Women’s Presbyterial of Catawba met in its annual meeting April 28, 1938, with the Black’s Memorial church at Monroe, N. C. The Recording Secretary, Mr|. R. Z. Beatty, called , for delegates to come forward for registration. Fifty-seven dele gates answered the call and had their names recorded, and a 1 irger number of -members anq friends who were not dele gated stood for recognition. The spiritual service was in deed food for the soul, as Mrs. Ros|a Fulwood explained the Scriptures to us and discussed with feeling the theme: “Ready For Service,” Exodus 3:4. Mrs. W. R. Mayberry, Pres by^erial President, called for the order of the day. Miss An nie Chresfield gave greetings from the hostess church. Miss Chresfield said it gave her a peculiar thrill to have the plea sure of voicing the sentiments of her church women and the women and friends of Monroe in welcoming us into their midst, to shake hands with old friends, and meet and make new friends. Miss Elizabeth Rushing gave greetings from the young peo ple, in a happy, youthful way. Mrs. C. N. Jenkins respond ed in such a happy manner that all felt she gave the sentiment of each woman present. The minutes of last year were read by the Recording Secre tary for information and facts. Preparation for service for vthe coming year was presented by the Corresponding Secreta ry, Mrs. J. H. Gamble. Rec ommendations were as follows: (1) Study your chart on the; ba(?k of the report blank. (2) Divide your women into small grGa*f»~4» order that each one can find her place and fill it. (3) Have a Literature Secreta ry and let her solicit subscrip tions for Women and Missions from each woman in the local society. Mrs. Dora Crawford, Spirit ual Life Secretary, and Mrs. H. L. McCrorey, Secretary of Stewardship were absent and no reports from this phase of the work could be had at this period on the program. The Prepared Mind. Mrs. E. M. Dixon, Secretary of Lit erature, stressed the need of using the free literature and buying the other that is needed to keep the mind prepared. Mrs. Prince said another way to keep the mind prepared is to read your Bible, good books, etc. Keep these three keys at your finger’s tips: (1) Love; (2) Prayer; (3) Faith, and you will succeed in keeping the mind prepared for larger service for the King. Mrs. Prince is Sec retary of Missionary Education. Mrs. Henry’s report is so rich we are sending it for pub lication. Mrs. Floretta John |ston, Social Service Secretary, said more churches were doing social service work than form erly, but all should reach out a little farther for more service, said Mrs. Johnston. Miss Wilma Powell was ab sent, and the report on Nation al Missions was deferred until later. The group Conference sur passed any in previous years. One felt like saying to those in charge, as a heathen said to a missionary, “You have told us a little while you were sick, now that you are well tell us more.” We wanted more of this rich information from Mrs. Prince, Mrs. Shirley and Miss, Chresfield. Mrs. Prince had in her group the following distinguished vis itors: Mrs. Cecelia McCoy Jam ison, Mrs. T. E. McKinney and Miss Naomi Freeman, who shared freely their observa tions and experiences with this very interesting group. Mrs. McCrorey, Secretary of Stewardship, came in and made the report on Stewardship. She stressed the need of a steward ship Secretary in each society, and said each should send in an accurate report of her work, and in time for the Preshyterial Stewardship Secretary to re cord it. The following visitors were introduced: Miss Naomi Free-1 man, Mesdames Celia M. Jami son, Revs. W. R. Mayberry, R. Z. Beatty, J. H. Gamble, S. L. Fulwood and E. H. Hunt; Messrs. James Davis, of the Baptist church; McWhirter, Belk, Hoover, Grier and Davis. Mrs. Jamison gave greetings for the lady visitors, and Rev. Gamble for the ministers. These were enjoyed; also the remarks from Miss Freeman, our Young People’s worker in Catawba Presbytery. ine next order was appoint ing Committees, which was done by the President: Courtesies—Chairman, Mrs. Paul Richardson. Nominations — Chairman, Mrs. C. N. Jenkins. Memorial — Chairman, Mrs. Fulwood. After the benediction by Rev. Fulwood, adjournment for dinner was next in order. A very appetizing dinner was served in the auditorium. Thursday Afternoon A short worship period, led by Mrs. Estelle Smith, was con ducted. Mrs. C. H. Shute, 6th Vice President, presided at the aft ernon session. Preparing the minds, hearts, and hands of the youth was the theme. Miss Chresfield urged that the lead er must be a praying leader to guide the youth over the dan gerous pitfalls of life and to turn their minds from the mu sical snares of the world. Noth ing, said she, takes the place of prayer. In reporting for the Inter mediates, Mrs. D. Or Wallace showed how the Intermediates could be reached. She said give them something to do, and let them do it. The Children’s Secretary, Mrs. F. C. Shirley, reported by showing a chart of the eleven churches having children’s work, and recommended books and stations for the children. Mrs. Shirley said make the chil dren responsible for their share of the financial budget and see how readily they will respond. At the close of these reports Miss Naomi Freeman gave some very valuable information con cerning the work among chil dren. The reports from the local so cieties showed signs of growth both in membership and finance. Twehty-two local societies brought forward $77.10 and six Young People’s Societies $9.65, making a total of $86.65. Church Women Ready for Creative Work. Mrs. Wilson, our Treasurer, in her. report showed how our gifts are mak ing ready for the Kingdom by our giving and sacrificing for the cause. me tseneionte cnurcn ex tended to the Committee oh Next Place of Meeting an invi tation to meet with them next year,, which was accepted. The Memorial Committee re ported the los$ of 2b members the past year. A short memo rial service was held. The Nominating Committee reported all officers for re-elec tion for the ensuing year, which was voted unanimously. Rev. Hunt in a very impressive way installed the officers. Dr. Corley and Rev. Prince were presentd. Dr. West spoke briefly. There was adjournment for supper. Rev. Prince pronounced the benediction. Another de licious meal was served. Thursday Night Miss Annie Kilgo led the young people in an inspirational worship service, after which the President called the Presby terial to order. Rev. Mayberry gave the opening prayer. Miss Naomi Freeman pre sented Mrs. C. McCoy Jamison, Synodical Sunday School work er who, in a brief address, ex pressed appreciation for the op portunity of saying something to the Presbyterial, of which she had heard and read. She urged that we pledge anew our faith to God for giving us the talents to work for humanity. Miss Freeman, following Mrs. f Jamison, said she would speak on the theme, “Ready For Service.’” She said, “Do toot paint such ugly pictures, for no one likes ugly things. Look at the many beautiful things about you: the birds, the flow ers, the great out-doors—the garden of nature. Win people about you. Love them. When you love them they feel you. Strive to get * along together. Old and young should have a big heart full of love for every one and the blessing of the Heavenly Father will come in showers upon us.” This was a very timelv address. The last speaker was our President. Mrs. Mayberry be gan by saying the old Presby terial had passed into history i and we are now looking for ward to greater and bigger things. We should try to reach the woman that has not beent reached. Have we done our best the past year? What about the coming year? This address was a masterpiece <pf eloquence. The ydung people of Black’s Memorial church, under the leadership of Miss Chresfield, rendered beautiful music throughout the program. ^ An offering of $3.00 was tak en which was given the hostess church. The Courtesies Committee * thanked both Rev. and Mrs. Hunt and their good people for the fine entertainment given us and said we hope to have the pleasure of returning soon. We adjourned to meet at Beliefonte in April, 1939. Presbyterial Officers for 1938-1939 ‘G'TprSvte President, Mrs. Hallie Q. Mayberry. 1st Vice-President, Mrs. P.W. Russell. 2nd Vice-President, Mrs. M.L. Harrison. 3rd Vice-President, Mrs. Dora Davidson. 4th Vice-President, Mrs. M. J. Phifer. Fifth Vice-President, Mrs. Irma Grier. 6th Vice-President, Mrs. C. H. Shute. Treasurer, Mrs. H. Wilson. Recording Secretary, Mrs. R. Z. Beatty. Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. J. H. Gamble. Secretary of Literature, Mrs. E. M. Dixon. Ass’t Secretary of Litera ture, Mrs. Z. Alexander. * a Secretary of Missionary Edu cation, Mrs. A. H. Prince. Secretary of Stewardship, Mrs. H. L. McCrorey. Secretary of Young People, Miss Annie Chresfield. » 4 Secretary of Intermediates, Miss Doretha Orr. Secretary of Children, Mrs. F. C. Shirley. Secretary of Over Seas, Mrs. Carrie Henry. Secretary of Social Service, Mrs. Floretta Johnston. * Secretary of Spiritual Life Groups, Mrs. A. B. Crawford. ,\ Secretary of Division of Mis- ’ sions, Miss Wilma Powell. , Service, Not Profit.—“God . the motives.” George Washington Carver became an accomplished musician and art ist. His first picture sold for thousands of dollars. But he/ too, was first a Christian. He ^e dire need of his race (the Negro), and leaving the artistic field, he gave himself to study m the scientific field, that he might be a servant of Chnst among them. His love for the artistic and beautiful rose to its highest degree when he chose to bring out the beau tiful m the lives of underpriv ileged people. Jesus came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give His life a ransom.—Sel. IfyoufoUow the star of hope the door of opportunity will never close to you.
Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.)
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June 2, 1938, edition 1
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