Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

“I Am The Way, The Truth, and The Life.” Man’s Power to Convert Good to Evil. By A. M. Walker. One of the most flagrant transgressions of the Divine will of the present time, in my humble judg ment, consists in perverting the blessings of God, by diverting them into the channels of wickedness —by using the means given by Him, for the good of the human race to their detriment, by placing temptations in their way, thereby leading the mul titude into the paths of transgression and final dam nation. While it may be true, that our heredity and environments exert, in a measure, a controlling in fluence in shaping our conduct in this life, and determining our future destiny, still if the grace of God be shed abroad in oiu- hearts, if we will listen and give heed to the wooings of the Holy Spirit, our lives can, to a great extent, be weaned away from our wicked inclinations and tendencies, and brought thoroughly into subjection, and our hearts and natures opened up for the reception of higher, noblier and holier impulses and operations, thereby adding to the material betterment of our environments. Faith in the blood of the crucified and risen Savior, is the golden key which unlocks the mysterious chambers of the Divine laboratory of all knowledge, and leads us into that marvelous light, without which, we will ever remain in utter darkness and deepest despair. So it is, with all the gifts of God. We can use them so as to drag our fellow creatures down into the lowest depths of shame and degradation, or we can use them so as to lead others upon a higher plane of living and Christian citizenship, thereby immeasurablv benefitting the human family, and leaving our “foot-prints on the sands of time,” as a guide for others to follow. Wealth—money—is one of these gifts, while it is true that it is a matter of utter impossibility to buy one’s way into the kingdom of Heaven, or persuade the angels to pass us through th® pearly gates for our acts of charity here below. Yet money can be used to the glory of God, and for the up building and 'hastening of the coming of His king dom here on earth. He who oppresses the poor, by taking advantage of their necessities to enrich him self—he who takes a . dollar from honest toil, with out giving a just equivalent in return therefor, is a thief and a robber in the sight of God. He who hoards his money, and is stingy with God, will never be permitted to enter into the realms of glory, I care not what professions he may have made, while on this earth. Again, take the small grains of our country— corn, rye, barley, wheat, etc. These cereals were given unto man as a great and lasting blessing. They furnish food for man, the beast of the field and the fowls of the air. They are the mainstay— the foundation stone, around which agricultural success clusters—upon which, it is entirely and al together dependent, and without which agriculture would be a dismal failure, and this country would be a howling wilderness. Their beneficial uses are immeasurably multitudinous. But pervert them while they contain the elements of so much good, of such vast benefits to both man and beast, they also possess that ingredient which has broken up more happy homes, orphaned and made dependent more children, made more paupers, -' -sißi The Golden Age for April 5, 1906. filled more jails, and peopled more penitentiaries than any other agency recorded m tne annals of time. That element is alcohol, the greatest curse known to man. It has wrought greater ruin, and caused more suffering than all the wars and pestilences since the creation, and has damned more souls than all other agencies combined. So we readily perceive that our All-wise Creator, in His infinite wisdom, has combined the good and the evil into one, leaving it to man to discover the hidden mysteries in His creation, and either use them for His glory, or man’s ruin and final destruction and damnation. Now, therefore, it is very evident to the intelligent mind, that God has placed at our command, all the things essential for man’s pleasure and happi ness—when rightly used—and at the same time, has given him the power to pervert these blessings into curses—which bring misery, woe and suffering in this life, and everlasting punishment in the un known beyond. The Atlanta Young Woman’s Christian Association. The Atlanta Y. W. C. A., although a compara tively young association, having been organized only four years ago, is already doing excellent work for the young women of that city, despite the lack of adequate facilities for carrying on the work al ready begun. The association now occupies a part of a build ing in the heart of the busiest section of Atlanta, and its chief efforts are devoted to the young busi ness women of the city, many of the features being planned for their special benefit. Notable among these is the excellent luncheon which is served daily and at a most reasonable rate. The “capite ria” system, so favorably received in other cities, which consists in patrons serving themselves, and thus saving from one to five cents on individual dishes, is used with excellent results, and there is also a regular service system, those in attendance being voluntary workers from the membership of the association. Classes in stenography, Spanish, English and sew ing are held during afternoons and evenings, and these clases are largely attended. Their usefulness, however, is greatly decreased by the fact that suffi cient room is lacking, and pupils from one class must often pass through the ranks of another, in terrupting the work to a greater or less extent. There is also a well equipped gymn’asium, with competent instructors, and an employment bureau for the use of the members, while a most comfort able “rest room,” library and bath and toilet rooms are also provided. The association is about SO per cent, self-sup porting, and its usefulness is greatly cm tailed by lack of funds. At present there are only 525 mem bers, which number, though seemingly large, is not half what is required for carrying on the good work. This fact is evidenced by the needs still be fore the management. The Principal and Most Urgent Need at Present is a New Building and the association has received a donation of $20,- 000 for this purpose on condition that the people of Atlanta, or any other source furnish a sum amount- iug to $23,000 to purchase a lot. The location be ing a matter of great moment, and the high price of building sites in Atlanta, together with a cer tain lack of interest on the part of many citizens, have resulted in nothing of consequence being yet done to this end. It is believed, however, by the members of the Atlanta Y. W. C. A., that it is only necessary to call attention to the good work done by the asso ciation, to the urgent need for this work, and to the welcome it receives from women of all classes, for the required response in the way of contribu tions to be made. Membership in the Association is one of the best and most practical mediums for helping on the good cause, and this membership is earnestly solicited. Its advantages to women of means as well as to the working woman, cannot be overestimated. One point which must accrue to the direct interest of the former, is the Department of Domestic Science, which it is planned to make a feature of the association. Already a donation to support this department has been made, but has not yet been accepted because of the same condi tion that prevents the fulfilment of other plans— that is, lack of space for its successful operation. Unlike most women’s clubs organized for purposes of education or civic reform, the Y. AV. C. A. has no object save the betterment of women. Again, the individual woman holds no place of public prominence—she works as a part of a system, con tent to serve “in His name,” and to sink entirely her own personality. This fact must appeal to all who have given sociological problems careful thought, for it, means the ultimate success of any enterprise if its members are large-souled enough to sink the “peisonal note.” This can be truly said of the Atlanta Y. W. C. A., and it is hoped the future of the association will meet in every ‘ way the plans, hopes and wishes of its noble organ izers. S. T. D. A Real Revival at Way cross. The First Baptist church at Waycross has re cently closed a two weeks’ revival, conducted by Rev. W. L. Walker. The meetings were marvels in attendance and spiritual inspiration. Mr. Walker, though well known, has but recently entered the evangelistic field. There were more than fifty converts received into the church, also a number by letter, and the spir itual life of the town has gained an impetus which has manifested itself in the organization of a weekly undenominational class for Bible study, and plan ning for a Bible conference to be held in Way cross next October. Mr. Walker was assisted in his meeting by the sweet singer, Mr. Rad Bell. On the last day of the meeting the church gave six hundred dollars for the preaching of the Gos pel in foreign lands. This fact gave special joy to the honored pastor, Rev. W. H. Scruggs, who, for more than twenty years has been deeply loved for his work at Waycross. Mr. Walker is now conducting a meeting at Ce dartown, which began April 2d; on the ISth inst., he will beegin a meeting at Eatonton, and on May 2d, at Covington. A. A. H. < “The Entrance of Thy Woras Giveth Light” 3