. Page Twenty-Seven
^adin bulletin
AMONG THE CHURCHES ^
Speaks at Methodist Church
the absence of the pastor, Mr. J. E.
Thorpe filled the pulpit at the Meth-
^(iist Church on Sunday morning, and
^Poke in part as follows:
Vick has vei'y kindly invited me
speak a few words to you in his
Reared as I was in the Pi’otes-
Episcopal Church, the question of
^ layman addressing a church congrega-
^'on is somewhat of a revelation to me.
^ do not recaJl ever having attended
'^ei’vice in any other than the Episcopal
Church until I came South, and I must
that, among other reasons for be-
glad that I came South, this one of
‘'^alizing the democracy existing in the
Methodist Church, in itself gives much
**«itisf action.
'^here does not exist in my Church the
opportunity, as it does here, for a feel-
'^8 of community interest between pas-
and congregation. Whether it is the
^^ntinuation of the impression gained
childhood of the stately robes
during service by the ministei's,
the less stately though, nevertheless,
'stinct garb worn as street clothes,
"'hieh deters one from approaching their
P‘istor fi-eely, I hesitate to say; but
'''hutever causes it there does exist a
^®^’tain bar rier between the Episcopal
^ ^pherd and his flock.
^ have often wondered, since the Inter-
I'lirch movement started, if this idea
not in. time work out to the benefit
all.
^si’tainly, if the several denominations
make up their minds to enter into
open discussion of the movement,
if it does not immediately result in
Consolidation, it will be a step towards
It.
John Wesley must have appreciated
^^^ething of this kind when, in 1740,
® drew away from the Church of Eng-
and formed the Methodist Church,
later found that, after all, when
^®ople have faith founded on the same
^''ior, that the intervening details could
be very diverse.
Ko\v much more efficient, and pro-
'^ctive of so much more satisfactory re-
it would be, if the efforts of the
denominations, with services dif-
only in details, should combine
p individual strength to spread the
throughout the world, and at the
same time retain those elements which
are necessary.
Personally, I feel as much at Home in
the Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian
Churches as I do in the Episcopal, and
I feel certain the same statement applies
to the Lutheran, though I have not had
the pleasure of attending service in the
Lutheran Church.
I trust that some satisfactory so^lutlbn
will be worked out by the able people
who are fostering this new movement,
to the end that even closer co-operation
than now exists may be affected.
The present condition of the world
calls for an united effort to combat the
ever-increasing evil. If the forces for
evil and against good are combming,
there is no surer way for the forces for
good to combat this than to unite.
Unrest is the result of evil thoughts
getting the upper hand. Evil thoughts
find no fertile fields within the mflu-
^ence of the Church. Consequently, we
"deduce that if unrest is on the increase.
Church influence must be temporarily on
the decline. This indicates a bad state
of affairs, and every means must be
used to destroy it.
What is true of the world at large,
is true of Badin. I know of no influence
for good stronger than the Church, an
I hope that every member of this and
the other Churches in Badin will woi
to spread this influence among the great
est number of people.
With the high degree of intelligence
among the people here, this should not
be a difficult task. We have with us
as law-abiding. God-fearing people as
one could wish for, and in most cases
it is merely a question of appealing to
these good instincts to swell the congre
gations.
It is necessary to have large congie-
gations in regular attendance for many
reasons. _ ^
Attendance at Church is one of the
outward signs of Christ-loving and obey
ing people. It is also very essential from
the standpoint of meeting the many ob i-
gations thrust upon the Church. And
last, but in no wise least, you owe it to
your pastor. It is due him for the many
sacrifices he makes for you, and the only
means you have of showing your appre
ciation of his efforts. You should study
ways and means of helping him, and
consequently yourselves, and not force
the whole burden* on his shoulders.
Your Pastor is human, as are we, and
needs encouragement as we do. If you
don’t come to him on Sunday, he natur
ally feels that you don’t appreciate his
efforts.
You have everything here that is de
sired, and it is yours to make of it as
you will; and I know that yo\i are going
to do your best.
Remember that the town is dependent
on the Churches for its spiritual wel
fare, and without this it cannot attain
the end we seek.
This congregation has demonstrated
what it can do under adverse circum
stances, and if the same effort is ap
plied with the advantages it now pos
sesses, wonders can be accomplished.
Remember the words of St. John, when
resisting the evil spirit aligned against
him he said—
“Put on the whole armor of God that
ye may withstand the wiles of the devil.”
Baptist Briefs
July 19 to 23 is “Mobile School” week
for the Baptists of North Carolina.
Mount Gilead School is the nearest one
to us. Newton, Wingate, Mooresville,
High Point, Shelby, and North Wilkes-
boro are about the next nearest. Let
everyone who can, attend some one of
the schools. Pastor Arnette will teach
in the Mobile School at Chowan College,
Murfreesboro, N. C. His lectures will
be on the “Acts of the Apostles.”
I’he Churches of the Stanly Baptist
Association have decided to enter upon
, a “Simultaneous Evangelistic Cam
paign,” beginning the week following the
second Sunday in August. The First
Baptist Church will fall in line, and
Dr. Q. C. Davis, pastor of the First
Baptist Church of Albemarle, will do
the preaching.
Let us pray much and work faithfully
for our meeting following the second
Sunday in August. Practically every
church in our Association is to have a
meeting that week. What a week that
ought to be for the kingdom!
Directed by Bro. Thomas C. Shep
pard, the “clean-up” work about our new
church is making progress, and pleases
the “All-Seeing Eye” as well as the
passer-by.
Our Sunday School is doing splendidly,
especially in the matter of collections.
We do not believe any school in the land
gives much more per capita.