Newspapers / Jones County Journal (Trenton, … / April 25, 1968, edition 1 / Page 5
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Otfior Editors . WRAL Viewpoint Sacrilege on the Civil Rights Front . From time to time, there comes an effort to deify sense public figure who has managed to capture the imagination or seized upon tbe emotions of great masses of people. Even some political programs have been described as having been inspired by Providence. We re call, for example, a politician of some years ago who was de scribed by his supporters as “the most Christ-like man who ever lived.” One views such aberrations, of course, in the context of the times hi which they occur. For a man who presents himself, or allows himself to be presented, as “Christ-like” generally is later revealed as anything but. In the case of the politician just re ferred to, he was subsequently revealed as ineffective and with out real achievement, and doom ed to live out his latter years in virtual obscurity. So this deification of mortal man — any man — is a very sad, very arrogant, very dangerous thing. At the very least, it dis closes that those who attempt it know very little about the life of Christ. At the worst, it hints a disrespect for the meaning of Christ’s teachings. At this, of all seasons, it is im portant that distinctions be clear between the mortal and the Di vine. It is perfectly possible, of course, for any man to contend, or pretend, that his conduct parallels the methods of Christ. But to do so invites an examina tion of contrasts, as well as com parisons. Jesus never advocated a gov ernmental program; indeed, He drew a careful line between His purpose and the functions of government when He held up the' coin with the admonition to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s. Though crowds followed Him wherever He went, He never once sought to use them as in struments of power or intimida tion. To the contrary, He re peatedly emphasized that His ministry was one of dealing with the minds and souls of individual men. It is, then, hypocrisy to sug gest that if Jesus were among us today in mortal form, He would support this movement or that one, or any political or gov ermental program. Chances are, in fact, that He would refuse to become an activist on either side of the many social questions of our time. Instead, He would look into the hearts of individuals, and: again lift His mortal voice to urge us all to seek our indi vidual salvation by doing what we ought to do. This would undercut a great deal of the human judgments that swirl about our heads. It would strengthen the sense of personal responsibility of each of us. And it would solve the problems that plague us most. The trouble with mankind is that we have the teachings of Jesus before us, hut refuse to ap ply them to what we do. Any number of Parables come to mind, not the least of which is the Parable of the Talents. And though He perhaps was most dramatic when he healed the sick, Jesus always demanded faith. Yet today we would try to heal our national infirmities without that faith. Jesus is often portrayed as a meek, sorrowful man — even physically frail What a travesty! He was not, as we see Him, any of these. He was a carpenter who had swung an ax and push ed a plane, hence He must have been strong physically. He was the most popular dinner guest in all Jerusalem — and a sorrow ful killjoy could hardly have managed that. He was meek on ly in the sense that He took ad vantage of no man. He talked about faith and hope and chari ty— and He meant it all. He sought to win the souls of men only by showing them the way to their personal salvation. i That Was His program, and it has survived the test of li.OOO years of conflict among disbe lieving men who have sought to substitute in the place of it pre tense and piety, selfishness and hate, and irresponsibility and greed. Powerful men have come and gone, some of them dying as martyrs. But Jesus Christ, whose resurrection the Christian world prayerfully celebrates at this season, lives on. Bad men as well as good men have claimed to be walking in His footsteps. But it is only in the heart of each of use that we know the extent of our failure. Our hope is that we may win salvation as individuals; our certainty is that we shall not wil it as a group — and certain ly not as a mod. For, after all, it was a mob that crucified the Son of God. DEATHS Robert Lee Becton Funeral services were held Friday for Robert Lee Beoton, 76, of Kinston route 6, who died last Wednesday night. Miss Jennie Maxwell Funeral services were held Thursday for Miss Jennie Max well, 86, retired Seven Springs school teacher, who died last Wednesday. Robert Henry Phillips Funeral services were held Friday for Robert Henry Phil lips, 57, of 1707 Queens Road, who died last Tuesday night af ter a long period of poor health. Mrs. Anna Pittman Purvis Funeral services were held Friday for Mrs. Anna Pittman Purvis, 89, widow of W. T. Purvis of 807 Carey* Road, who died last week. Mrs. Hattie Whaley Funeral services were held Sunday for Mrs. Hattie Whaley, 66, wife of Kenyon Whaley of Kinston route 3, who died last Friday. i Harriett Ann Mobley Funeral services were held Saturday for Harriett Ann Mob ley, 25, daughter of Mrs. Hattie Carrow Mobley of 305 West Washington Street, who died last week in Raleigh. W. J. Thomas Funeral services were held Sunday for W J. Thomas, 45, of Stallings Drive, who died last week after a long period of poor health. Herman Daniel Sutton' Funeral services were held Saturday for Herman Daniel Sutton, 64, of Grifton rotite 2, JARMAN FUNERAL HOME . . . Where Your Trust Is Sacred And Your Wishes Cared For . . . Dial JA 3-5143 Kmaton, **. C. who died last Thursday. Elwood Lee Adams Funeral services were held Saturday for Elwood Lee Adams, 30, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Adams of Comfort, who died last week in Durham. Mrs. Cottie White Perry Funeral services were held Sunday for Mrs. Cottie White Perry, 72, widow of Joseph Per ry of 137 Collier Road, who died Friday. Mrs. Evelyn Sutton Harris Funeral services were held Saturday for Mrs. Evelyn Sutton Harris, 52, wife of Nick Harris of Ay den, who died last Thurs day. John Carl Howard Funeral services were held Tuesday for John Carl Howard, 67, of Kinston route 4, who died Saturday. Mrs. Callie Mae Wiggins Funeral services were held Wednesday for Mrs. Callie Mae Wiggins, 47, wife of Robert Lee Wiggins of 1307 Jo(hn Drive, who died Monday. Perry White Funeral services were held Monday for Perry White, 6, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bobby White of 904 Jefferson Drive, who was murdered Friday night. .. No Mess — No Waiting — s Our Ready-Mixed Concrete jj Is on the Joh When You Need | It. | Also Sand, Grand and Crushed Stone. Barrus Ready Mixed Concrete Company Free Estimates — New Bern Hiqfhv ;»v. Kinston. N. C. ONE HIGH STANDARD The same thoughtful consideration and complete dignified service is accorded all regardless of the cost of the funeral selected. Garners Funeral Home Dial JA 3-2124 or JA 3-2125 Kinston, N. C. Farm and Home Requirements Of Petroleum Products -0 HODGES-BELL OIL CO., INC. Phone JA 3-2338 P. O. Box 666 U. S. 70 East of Kinston, N. C.
Jones County Journal (Trenton, N.C.)
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April 25, 1968, edition 1
5
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