Newspaper Page Text
Page 2
THE COVINGTON NEWS
111 - 122 PACE STREET, COVINGTON, GA. 30209
BELMONT DENNIS
Editor and Publithor
LEO S. MALLARD
Aoistont to Publisher
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF
NEWTON COUNTY
AND THE
CITY OF COVINGTON
The Declaration of Independence has aptly been
called our nation’s birth certificate. For it set forth
the intention ofthe thirteen United States of America
"To assume among the Powers of the earth, the
separate and equal station to which the Laws of Na
ture and of Nature’s God entitle them”. So, our
nation was born one hundred and ninety-one years
ago, when the Continental Congress adopted the
Declaration, on July 4, 1776.
However, this Declaration was not a magic wand
giving the thirteen original Colonies their indep
endence on a silver platter. Patriots had actually
been engaged in initial skirmishes of the Revolution
ary War, since the Battle of Lexington in April of
1775; and the total independence they so resolutely
declared was many years, many patriots’ lives and
multiple sacrifices away.
The fifty-six signers of the Declaration, who ap
pealed to "The Supreme Judge of the World for the
rectitude of our intentions, and for the support of
this Declaration, with firm reliance on the pro
tection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to
each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred
Honor”, were among those who paid the price for
Freedom. Five were executed as traitors by the
British; nine were War casualties; those remaining
had homes, fortunes and plantations confiscated or
devastated; and aIL if not destitute, knew the sting
of poverty, before the struggle for liberty was won.
Thomas Paine best portrayed the catastrophic
struggle when he wrote, "These are the times that
try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sun
shine patriot will in this crisis shrink from the
The 4th of July is upon us again, and there
should be a firm rededication to the principles
and ideals that brought forth the "great exper
iment” in human liberty—the United States.
It is customary to recall with reverence an
immortal remark of one of the nation’s founders
on this most important of dates, but perhaps
at this time in our history, it would be more
timely to quote a contemporary, an instructor
in political science at Mercy College, New York.
The professor says, "the Constitution is just a
piece of paper which can be scrapped if it has
outlived its usefulness. Just like anything else.”
According to his remarks, as reported in the Port-
Recently Dr. Robert V. Ozment, pastor of the
First Methodist Church, Atlanta, and former pastor
of Allen Memorial Church, Oxford, had some inter
esting comments about the church. Here they are:
It is a popular thing to shop for a church today.
I am not critical of those who shop for a church,
as long as they do not look for a bargain. The
demands of God upon humanity are the same in
every church. Some churches may not require
as much of their members as other churches,
but God will not judge us on the basis of whether
we were in good standing with the Church, but
according to how much we have succeeded in
living up to Divine standards.
It is easy to get people to join the Church.
Frequently, the demands are less than joining a
club. If the Church would be strong and maintain
its place of leadership in our world, we must get
people to commit their lives to God. It is one
thing to have your name placed on a church roll,
and something else to live for God.
I would not be surprised, if those of us who
stand in the pulpit are not guilty of weakening the
position of the Church in today’s society. In
some cases, we have been eager to get numbers
and guilty of neglecting the individual.
What is the popular idea of the modern Church?
People are looking for comfortable air conditioned
sanctuaries. We want the best in physical equip
ment. We want activity. We want all sorts of
recreation. One essential in church architecture
today, is a modern kitchen. I do not quarrel with
these extras, as long as we do not forget our main
Many business, as well as government, spokes
men look for a continuation of inflationary price
rises. There is a strong likelihood that we will
again see a wave of protest sweep the country.
But. in which direction will the protest be aimed?
Will retailers once more be blamed for high pri
ces, when they are forced to pass along to con
sumers the consequences of government fiscal
policies leading to a further decline in the value
of the dollar?
The retail distribution system and most espec
ially the high volume minimum price distributors
in the chain store and supermarket field are the
strongest allies of consumers. The president
of W. T. Grant Co., a large variety chain store,
in an Address, reminded his listeners, ”. . .the
real villain in the marketplace is not the store
There is increasing comment in the newspapers
on the growing crime wave across the nation.
You read of pitched battles of various groups
with police in the streets or on college camp
uses.
It is now .reported that children in the 11 to
16 age group commit half of all property of
fenses, and of all criminals arrested the most
frequent age is 15.
According to an AP dispatch from Los An
geles, a judge has recommended for women an
arsenal ranging from a six-inch hatoin to a der
ringer for use in protecting their lives and vir-
(Best Coverage: News, Pictures, and Features)
—1 NATIONAL newspaper
— Published Every Thursday —
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Single Copies .10
Three Months $2.50
Six Months $3.25
Nine Months $4.00
One Yw 15.00
Points out of Ga. - Yoar $7.00
Plus 3 % Salas Tax
America’s Birthday
Independence Day
Shopping For A Church?
The Real Villain
Try It On The Youngsters
MABLE SESSIONS DENNIS
Associete Editor
MARY SESSIONS MALLARD
Associate Editor
Entered at the Post Office
at Covington, Georgia, as
mail matter of the Second
Class.
service of their country; but he who stands it now
deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.
And, Nathan Hale, a 21 year old hero of the Re
volution. epitomized the patriotism and commit
ment of our forefathers to Liberty, when before
being hanged by the British he said, "I only re
gret that I have but one life to lose for my coun
try."
It is a tragedy of the times, that in a country
founded on such patriotism and deep religious id
eals, there are those who no longer care about
religion or their priceless heritage. America,
where Freedom’s rich blessings flow, is to them a
fantasy - land of rights and doles which they not
only expect, but demand as their due - without
commensurate obligation or responsibility. Life’s
purpose for them has long since been lost in neg
lect of duty, moral lethargy and self-indulgence.
That these are a minority is gratifying. There
are still those who cherish America’s heritage;
and will without question die on the field of battle,
beneath the Stars and Stripes to preserve that
heritage of Freedom and Faith. There are still
those whose integrity, as individuals and as citizens,
does not "have a price”. There are still those
to whom God, Country, home and their fellowman
are intrinsic factors in their lives.
And because of these God-fearing, liberty-loving
patriots, who shoulder the burden of keeping Amer
ica free and strong, "One nation, under God in
divisible,” we can join nearly 200,000,000 other
proud-to-be Americans, in wishing the land from
which we come a resounding "Happy Birthday!”
land, Oregon, Journal, the basic political and cul
tural system of the United States must be revised
even if it means a revolution culminating in
violence.
Fortunately, the professor is protected by the
very Constitution he belittles. Like any other
citizen, he may speak his mind without fear, which
in itself shows that we have kept faith with the
founders of our nation. Because of this faith,
the professor may speak with intemperance. Our
detractors notwithstanding, the 4th of July has a deep
meaning for most American citizens, and it will
be so commemorated this year as it always has
been in the past.
purpose.
Some people look upon the Church as a commun
ity center used by everybody for everything. The
tragedy lies in the fact that many churches must
repair the recreational facilities and replace the
kitchen, before the altar is barely worn. A church
may have its entire membership participating in
some of these sideline activities; our menu may
surpass the best food ever tasted by Duncan Hines,
and the lights may burn in the Church every night,
but if we fail at the altar, we have failed everywhere.
I am afraid people are beginning to get the idea
they are good members of the Chur ch as long as they
attend the dinners and social events sponsored by
some phase of the Church.
It is distressing to find people who want the
preacher to entertain them during the sermon, or
give an interesting dissertation on some current
subject. Many are seeking churches whose theology
fits the way they are living. They do not want to
be disturbed or criticized. They are satisfied
with life as it is, and as long as you pat them on
the back and give them ecclesiastical approval,
they are content. These people remind me of the
man who went to the doctor, and said, "I want
a complete examination, and when you are finished,
tell me I am in perfect nealth.”
Everytime you attend church, you ought to be
made aware of your sins. The preacher who
doesn’t make you feel guilty, is not really preach
ing the Gospel. Then, you ought to become aware
of the Power of God to forgive your sins and make
you a new creature.
manager—it is inflation—constantly rising costs
and prices due largely to excessive government
spending. More and more people must come to
the painful realization that they are paying for the
government, which is growing bigger day by day--
they are the people who must pay for the constantly
rising federal, state and city budgets, and the
monumental social benefit programs which spend
billions as though they came from a bottomless
well.”
Any dispassionate look at the record of American
retail distribution will show a rising performance
curve that over the years has brought direct and
substantial benefits to every family in the land.
In view of this record, laying the blame for rising
prices at the door of the retailer is illogical to
say the least.
tue. Os course, you can’t carry them concealed
she said. She felt a hatpin would not be con
strued as a concealed weapon. In the mean
time to combat the alarming rise in teenage cr
ime, the President is urging federal and local
authorities to take action.
While all this is going on, it is time for parents
to take their children in hand and begin to teach
them to keep their hands off other people and
other people’s property. The same thought could
be repeated at the opening of school classes each
dav. This simple little admonition could event
ually save untold suffering and grief for child
ren, parents and the public.
OUR WEEKLY LESSON FOR
Sunday School
THE CHURCH REACHES OUT
Devotional Reading: Psalms
96.
Memory Selection: The Lord
has commanded us, saying, "I
have set you to be a light for
the Gentiles, that you may bring
salvation to the uttermost parts
of the earth.” Acts 13:47.
Intermediate - Senior Topic:
The Church Reaches Out.
Young People - Adult Topic:
The Church Reaches Out.
Today we begin another quar
ter of lessons devoted to a study
of the Acts of the Apostles.
Our subject, "The Church Re
aches Out,” shows us the ecu
menical nature of the church.
Through the guidance of the Holy
Spirit the Christian faith sensed
its universal mission and sent
Paul and Barnabas as mission
aries to bring the message of re
demption to others.
These emissaries of the gos
pel met with notable success,
and many converts were added
to the church. This, as we shall
see, aroused Jewish opposition.
The result was that the church
began reaching out to the Gen
tiles.
In these days when the ecum
enical character of the Christ
ian Church is being stressed,
it is Important that we review
what happened in the church of
apostolic days. Our movement
is not new. It began when the
gospel advanced beyond Judaism
to encompass the Gentile world.
As we look back to the stirr
ing of the early church through
the influence of the Holy Spirit
we see that men responded to the
gospel even beyond the wildest
anticipation of the apostles.
The church saw her task and
accepted her responsibility to
reach out beyond her first bounds
and proclaim Christ’s gospel in
far places and to persons other
than Jews.
When our lesson today opens,
about sixteen years had passed
since Christ had given his com
mission for his followers to go
into all the world and preach
the gospel. Saul and Barnabas
were now commissioned to carry
the gospel Into the uttermost
parts of the earth. Asia Minor
was to be the setting of this first
great missionary endeavor to ex
tend the good news of Christ’s
Saviourship through the world.
Prior to this extension of the
church into Asia Minor, Barna
bas had been sent to Antioch (see
Alcoholism -- Motivation
And How It Works
Article # 4 of a continuing dis
cussion complied and written by
The Rev. Mr. George Home and
The Rev. Mr. Tom White.
♦* ♦ *
Today’s article deals primar
ily with the art of motivation as
set forth by The Fairfield Coun
ty Council on Alcoholism. The qu
estion arises, should motivation
be attempted? Those who know
best tell us that “If motivation
is the most crucial step in re
covery from alcoholism, then
providing motivation is an essen
tial part of treatment.” And it
must be pointed out that unless
It Is attempted by those who
would help the alcoholic, then it
can only be accomplished, ac
cidentally, if at all. The acc
idental method has away of de
teriorating progress of the di
sease itself.
The Fairfield Plan is quick
to point out that “There is no
justification - in law, medicine
or in any other code of human
conduct -for such a hands-off
approach to such a seriously da
maging condition. If alcoholism is
indeed an Illness, then, as with
other illnesses, the earlier treat
ment begins the greater is the
hope and the easier is the re
covery.”
In the second place, we ask
another question concerning mo
tivation: Who can do it? Now
when we get a real close look
at motivation from this angle we
see that It is partly a process
of collapsing the alibi structure
and excuses In order to get the
person to accept the need for
treatment. Those who deal with
the problem from day to day think
it is best for one who is real
close to the alcoholic - his fa
mily, friends and working asso
ciates, for after all, this is the
reason in a large degree for
constructing the alibi In the first
place!
It must be pointed out that their
success in dealing with the pro
blem will depend entirely on how
well they understand the Illness.
There must be a deep understan
ding of the person and problem
and a love that Is willing to go
deeper, and patience that knows
no end.
At this point all that we are
saying Is that motivation is some
thing that must be done by those
closest to the alcoholic with dally
advice from someone who under
stands “thoroughly” not only the
Illness involved but the process
of recovery as well.
The question arises, when sh
ould motivation be tried? The
sooner the better. But somehow
it is not likely to be attempted
until there has been enough pro
blem drinking behavior to justify
a presumption of at least incip
ient alcoholism.
“Pre-treatment” effort should
THE COVINGTON NEWS
lesson for June 18) by the Jer
usalem Christians. His task had
been to exhort the converts there
to reamln faithful to their Lord.
He was a man of unusual talent
and consecration, and he was
Ideally suited to the job assigned
to him. He thus helped to estab
lish the church in Antioch. Th
rough his ministrations and his
teachings, together with Paul, the
Antioch church became a strong
hold for the Christian faith among
the Greeks.
At Antioch the believers were
first called Christians, and they
had the leadership of two out
standing disciples, Barnabas and
Paul.
Barnabas was to be the
traveling companion of Paul
(Saul) on his journeys. When Bar
nabas went to Tarsus to find Paul
and bring him back to Antioch
for a teaching assignment, the
wheels of God’s providence were
already In motion. Paul was well
equipped through Jewish back
ground and experience in the Ch
ristian faith. Culture, education,
and Roman citizenship were his.
His unusual mind was matched
with a heart which Christ had
touched. God’s love was upon
him, and because he had placed
his life and work In the hollow
of God’s hand, he was bound to
meet with success in this venture
for Christ.
Paul, or Saul of Tarsus, was
destined to become the chief ex
ponent of the Christian faith. God
had laid his hands upon him and
had ordained him to serve his
Son through the church. Turning
from persecution of the Christ
ians, through his conversion wr
ought by the power of God, he be
came the church’s foremost lea
der. He has been called the “ chief
of saints.”
Following Christ’s pronounce
ment of the great commission and
the beginnings of the church on
the day of Pentecost, the church
became the unceasing witness to
what Christ can do. The risen
Christ was exalted In worship
and life. Ultimately the gospel
reached out to Antioch, and the
break from traditional Judaism
had taken place. This had been
the groundwork for the extension
of the faith to the Gentile world.
Because the church in Antioch
had shown great concern for the
welfare of Christians beyond its
circle, it is not astounding that
from this segment of the Chri
stian church the worldwide en
terprise of Christian missions
was to spring.
be given on the alcoholic’s home
grounds, in what he regards as
his normal life situation, and wh
ether he thinks he is “ready”
or not.
We must not lose heart in our
first attempts at treatment for
whatever the method we know that
some prove unsuccessful. Thus
the fact that most treatment re
sources, including AA, do not at
tempt motivation Is not an argu
ment that motivation won’t work.
Rather it is a reflection that AA,
clinics and hospitals have learn
ed the hard way that motivation
Is a step which they can’t ac
complish easily or alone.
Rationalization of the indivi
dual seems to block all progress
as the alcoholic can explain away
his current situation with great
ease. A typical line of thought
employed is, “I don’t belong
here.” He looks at those help
ing as nice people who have a lot
of interesting things to say but
none of it applies to me.
Only then, when we surround
the alcoholic with the truth can
we reach him. The effort of
surrounding him must be care
fully planned, and the plan must
be carefully carried out.
Next week we will be dealing
with the “Phase” Involved in
helping the Alcoholic.
Wheeler Urges
Display Os Flag
On 4th Os July
ATLANTA — State Veterans
Director, Pete Wheeler is call
ing on all Georgians to fly the
American Flag at their homes
and places of business on Tues
day, July 4th.
Displaying the flag would be a
showing of the unity of the Am
erican people this July 4th, Mr.
Wheeler explained.
“The Communist world con
tinues to look for signs of Inter
nal weakness. Each of us can
show them a sign of strength,
through unity, by flying the Star
Spangled Banner on this patrio
tic holiday,” Mr. Wheeler ex
plained.
With a great display of the
American Flag in front of every
home and place of business, this
observance of July the Fourth
could be an unforgettable demon
stration of Americanism, at a
time when it is greatly needed,
he added.
There are 22 National Holidays
which call for the display of Old
Glory. The display of the flag Is
never out of place on any day of
the year, Mr. Wheeler noted.
(Our Advertisers Are Assured of Best Results)
JLdiM
"Jk ZdjiM
Tampa, Florida
June 25, 1967
Dear Editor:
Since you were interested en
ough to call and inquire about
the almost fatal mishap involv
ing our grandson, Ricky Blanc
hard, I am glad to be able to re
port now that he Is showing mar
ked Improvement, although he is
still in a very serious condition.
He still has to have the respi
rator to do his breathing, but
the paralysis Is clearing up slow
ly, especially on the right side.
The left side is more stubborn.
I believe that he will be fully
restored, but it will be only after
a long, steep and extremely rocky
road.
• Sincerely,
Wilbur A. Carlton
THE
CHATTER
...EOX...
them, It is up to us to pull that
old check book out and watch
our City, and this great organiz
ation grow.
Just think of the things like
Auction Sales, as the Lions Club
in days gone by staged! Think of
the various "get -to - gethers”
like what? A real old fashioned
tacky party like the Kiwanls Club
once staged. Parties with games
of various kinds and admiss
ions. . .Barbecues, Covered dish
suppers all along (with charge)
and an account of progress made
by Treasurer. Old Fashioned
Square Dances, A Colonial Ball,
Jaycee Booth at the Fair, Sports
Events, Band Concerts, (let the
youngest of the young people have
a part.. .Ice Cream suppers. You
and the Jaycees and all Clubs
(we feel sure) will fall in with
their plans. . .for after all YOU
will enjoy the beauty and conven
ience of this Jaycee Home. As
stated in the article, elsewhere in
the paper. . .after this is erected
. . .there are great ambitions to
place, on the land adjoining this
property. . .a swimming pool
and other recreational facilities
for the families of the Club.
Please start dreaming dreams
with your Jaycee Organization...
and Your Off ice 80y...(wh0 is too
young yet to be a Jaycee)???. But
at heart we are just a part of
every beautiful Organization...
and as a Newspaper Editor and
Publisher. ..YOU and every Civic
Club and its progress, is closely
wound around our hearts.
Let us all remember this is
our town. It is going to be what
we make it! Everywhere towns,
and small cities like ours, are
bursting at the seams! They are
trying to take in other towns
and territories. . .but we have
the space to expand. Covington
is one of the greatest of Cul
tural Centers. Our College at
Emory brings students from al
most every state, and from fo
reign countries.. .Yes, we must
grow from every standpoint. If
every person, (and I think we
have something over 10,000 peo
ple in Newton County) could send
a check for $25 or SSO or SIOO,
or $1,000.00, we would not be
long in building this Home for
OUR Jaycees. . .Don’t think they
won’t be busy too! Let’s at least
match the funds they raise! RE
MEMBER WHO THEY ARE! Our
boys and girls. . .grown into
beautiful manhood and woman
hood, with established homes and
businesses. . .They are looking
to the Future of Covington, for
our Grandchildren and future ge
nerations! God Bless each of
them, and our prayer is that
their dreams may materialize
within the near future, because
we CARED!
“SIOO Million Facility coming
to Georgia,” says our Governor,
with a chance of landing another
SSO Million Industry later in the
year. We must keep our County
growing along with all Georgia.
The best Is not too good for our
Section, one of the Historic Spots
of Georgia. We must keep it gr
owing to fit the needs of our
generation.. .so our young people
will come back here to live, er
ect their homes and help Coving
ton and Newton County grow phy
sically and culturally and above
all Spiritually. Let’s not forget
that we have some of the most
beautiful churches within not just
this section, but In the State...
Historic Churches. . .Teaming
with the beauty, love, hardships
of the yesteryear. Yes, they sur
vived Sherman’s March thru this
fine County. Let as pray for
Wars to cease. We will as we
go about our dally rounds of
—’Jest.. .“Sweepin’ Up.”
Science
"PO^CS
SEEK SELECTIVE
DDT SUBSTITUTE
AN INTENSIVE SEARCH for a
suitable substitute for DDT to
protect the nation’s forests
against insect pests is being
conducted by the U. S. Depart
ment of Agriculture. The im
mediate goal is to find chem
icals that are highly selective
The ability to read, compre
hend, and expand one’s know
ledge is among the most satis
fying activities that man can
participate in as he molds his
interest and shapes his future.
To read and reap knowledge
from what you have read is
the key to education from the
first grade through graduate sch
ool and throughout your lifetime.
You can’t expect to think and plan
unless you can read and eval
uate the meaning of your mater
ial.
The "dropout” is almost al
ways a student that has missed
his reading foundation in the
early grades. He may be able
to pronounce words, but words
together without the comprehen
sion of their meaning in relation
to the overall text, are just
words.
Many of us read with the ten
acity of a bulldog. We read slow
ly and we comprehend enough
to get us by, but we lack the
smooth, fast pace that others
seem to possess as they read a
book or novel in four hours.
Unfortunately, I am a mem
ber of the tenacious reading pub
lic that stubbornly reads a book
from cover to cover even if it
takes a month or more as time
permits.
Everyone has a special reading
Interest. Mine is political nov
els and their bearing on our world
today. My latest vicarious ad
venture was "Escape From Red
China” by Robert Loh as told
to Humphrey Evans. May I re
commend it to you as an insight
into the weird communist mach
ine as it has taken over the
brainwashing of 650 million peo
ple in China.
By Dr. Robert V. Ozment
Pastor
Atlanta First Methodist Church
The Church, if it remains a
redemptive force in society, must
constantly re-examine Itself.
What is the Church? The high
steeple, cushioned pews, grand
iose architecture, and gold cros
ses, do not make a church, any
more than a house with elegant
furniture, wall to wall carpet,
and delicious food, will make a
home. The Church is composed
of a believing fellowship of peo
ple who seek communion with
God.
It denotes wisdom for the wor
shiper to ask himself the ques
tion: Why do I attend church?
Do I go because it is the accepted
thing to do in our society? Do
I attend, in order to seek status
in the community? Is my motive
for attending, to gain more bus
iness? Or, do Igo to church to
diligently seek this fellowship
with God?
Could this be a parable of the
modern Church. Once a man
decided to take his family on a
camping trip in a very remote
spot. He carefully loaded the
car with recreational equipment,
a tent, clothes, cooking utensils,
extra gas, and plenty of warm
cover. Every space was filled
with the things he thought would
be necessary for a wonderful vac
ation. They drove to the mount
ains, and when they unpacked,
they discovered that the most
important item had been left be
hind. They had failed to take
food and water. Without these,
Layona Glenn
M Says . . .
What is your religion?
I don’t mean what is your den
omination. . .Methodist, Baptist,
Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Cat
holic, or what not? I mean
your personal, soul belief.
1. What does it do for you?
Does it transform your life?
Does it change your character?
Does it set the atmosphere of
your home? If it‘does none of
these things, it is good for noth
ing.
2. What does your religion
GIVE you? Does it give you
high ideals? Does it give you
peace of mind, and help you to
pardon offenses? Does it lead
you to love others? Does it
make your life joyous?
3. What does it COST you?
against individual species of for
est insects but which “break
down” in field use into harm
less components that do not con
taminate the environment.
FAILURE TO COPE with leis
ure time may seriously damage
an individual’s physical and men
tal health, a University of
Wisconsin expert warns. He says
a direct relationship exists be
tween losing one’s principal job
functions and developing physic al
Thursday, June 29, 1967
READING
BY: Leo S. Mallard
The book, a Coward-McCann,
Inc. publication bearing a 1962
copyright, tells an almost un
believable story. The names
have been changed to protect
the innocent still in China. The
situations described have been
disguised, but the story of com
munism’s hold on the lives ofthe
Chinese people is dramatically
told.
Loh tells of his years of plan
ning and self-degrading, false
conformance to the communist
regime as he climbs to a pos
ition of party acceptance and
trust so that some day he will
be able to know freedom once
again during his lifetime.
As a free born American who
has had to sacrifice little to
enjoy my freedom, this book has
deepened my appreciation of my
blessings and strengthened my
feelings about what it means to
live free in our land of tur
bulent democracy.
This book is not deep nor
boring. It is a story about a
man living in fear as he coyly
struggles for survival under
communism and continues to kin
dle the burning desire of freedom
which he realizes may never be
his again.
Deeper than the story that Loh
tells is the treacherous means
by which the communists have
literally imprisoned and brain
washed into total submission,
through fear, the population of
Red China. This is a glimpse
of how it happened as seen thr
ough the eyes of an intellectual
who lived under communism and
finally managed to “Escape From
Red China.” The book may be
checked out from the Newton
County Library.
they could not survive.
Does the modern Church act
this way? Are we guilty of
emphasizing the trivial and neg
lecting our major responsibility.
We plan parties and social events.
We provide our people with fun
and fellowship. These are all
important, but we must not neg
lect our main purpose. This sort
of activity has become a part of
most church programs. They are
dangerous to the degree that If
we begin to major in these, and
forget the essential reason for
our existence, we are doomed to
failure.
It would be surprising to dis
cover how much time we spend
each week with the trifling things,
and how little time we give to
significant matters. I came to
the conclusion, a long time ago,
that I will not get in an argu
ment or spend my time with
petty problems which will not
make any difference in a couple
of thousand years.
Some of us boil with indignat
ion, If the grass is not cut or
the airconditioning is not just
right at church, and never show
the least bit of concern if all
our neighbors travel at a high
speed on the road to hell.
The Church, if it is to remain
true to God, must be a redem
ptive fellowship. Our main pur
pose is to lead men and women,
boys and girls, to a complete co
mmitment to God. Then, It is our
responsibility to help them grew
and mature In the Christian life.
Unless we are working to this
end, we might as weH pull down
our signs and close our doors.
Does it require of you any spir
itual sacrifice? Does it require
you to refrain from doing any
thing you formerly did? Does it
require you to use your will power
to change your routine activities?
A religion that COSTS you noth
ing is worth nothing.
4. What do you suffer for your
religion? Does it call for more
patience? Does it call for more
sympathy? More submission? A
religion that COSTS nothing, is
worth nothing.
The Bible definition of religion
is found in James 1: 27: “Re
ligion, pure and undefiled before
God and the Father is this: To
visit the fatherless and the wid
ows in their affliction, and to keep
himself unspotted from the
world.”
and mental disorders. A person’s
health deteriorates when his use
of leisure time is characterized
by decreased physical activity,
social isolation, sensory depriv
ation, lack of mental stimulation
and lack of adequate motivation.
He contends that society should
assume the responsibility of pro
viding more adequate personal
or environmental resources for
“employing” our increasing
leisure time.