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THE ATLANTA GEORGIAN AND NEWS. IAT0BDAY. NOVEMBER no. II PRAYER, THE PATHWAY UP TO GLADNESS By REV. RICHARD ORME FLINN, PASTOR NORTH AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH A Real Good Time, r WONDER If our friends to whom we apeak each week through The 1 Georgian’s page were as happy last Thursday as the friends who gath ered with us at our church for our eighth Thanksgiving service there? Well, we cordlaly hope they were, for we. at North Avenue, had a genuinely joyous time. Let me tell you about It. At 10:30 o’clock Thursday morning we ,5.«embled In our lecture room, and then, after a song, a prayer, a respon sive reading from the Psalms and a few words of introduction from the leader, the testimonies began, and the meeting was In the hands of the peo ple. For an hour and a quarter these testimonies continued. Interspersed with prayers and songs of praise. Joyous Fellowship. As one after the other opened their hearts and told their Heavenly Father an d their brethren about that* which was to them of such Intimate concern, we found, through kindred confessions, how very much alike we were and how much of sorrow and of joy we had j n common. The statements were so frank, so tender, so genuine and so human that they touched responsive chords and so sometimes we laughed and sometimes we cried and sometimes wv» gave, thanks or prayed—but all the while we felt our sympathies were broadening and our love was growing greater. Written Confessions. Quite a number of our members who were away from the city or hindered from attendance by their sickness sent a written message to be read during the meeting, and so also did many of t;*p women who were present. These written statements were most Interest- ine. of course,, as In the rase of the per- n'innl testimonies, the themes for their thanksgiving varied. But after the meeting was over and as In the evening we sat quietly In our study thinking ever what had been said, and reading over what had been written, we were pn.uk with this: More than one-third ,r those who wrote their grounds for gratitude agreed. Testimonies Concerning Prayer. Their conditions were quite differ ent nnd several of them had but recent ly emerged from heavy sorrow, but t py were al agreed and were full of thanksgiving, and the reason they as- r’gretl for gratitude was prayer. Yes. tnev all thanked God for prayer. Some st*«ke of Its privilege, some of Its com fit!. sonw of Its power, and some of the Joy Its answer gave: but they nil. d?«pite the trials the year had brought them, agreed In attributing to prayer their ability, with sincerity, to unite th'h- praise with those who. out of a j glad heart, gave thanks to God. As we upon this our thoughts ran MB 1 K ° you who » th °ugh unknown to F* *y name or face, are loved and longed for In the Lord. Our Unknown Friends. Recently we have been surprised by assurances from the most unexpected sources to realize how many we are reaching through the columns of The Georgian. In places where we had never thought to reach. And as this has been impressed upon us. and as we have reeognlzed how different; not only were the varied states and stations but as well the needs and the conditions of tne many members of this Vast and un- aU( M? nc ® *’e address, we have lifted our hearts to God in prayer that He would make us true to this great which we feel so Insufficient, and that He give u*,* by His grace, the power to really help you. And thus, I say, as I quietly reread these written statements of thanks- g ving and realized afresh how large a place prayer held in the making of life s gladness. I felt that this truth might prove a help to you as It has been a help to me. But since these written testimonies have suggested this, suppose we look at some of them. Here Is one from a man who at this season of reunion is separated from all he holds most dear. He has suffered much, but he does not blessings, but especially for His answer' to our prayers.” and then an instance ; in point Is cited. • • And still one more I will show you, 1 from one who faced, not long ago, an ; almost overwhelming sorrow, whichI she bravely bore ami overcame upon j her knees: “A mother’s heart Is overflowing with ‘ love and thanksgiving to her God for; His mercy in restoring her son. ‘More ! things arc wrought by prayer than this i world dreams of.* ” • j We read and re-read these testl-j monies, and now, my dear friends, as i we thought of all that lay behind them 1 and of what they meant to those who} made them, and then, as we thought of* you who were. It may be. sitting song- ! less in the night, while others were re joicing In their dawn or noonday, our heart went out to you in unfeigned : sympathy, and we longed to point you: to this pathway back to gladness. S The Path to Praise. If, albeit through the blessed gos pel you have been made acquainted! with your Heavenly Father, you can not. with the multitude, sincerely sing, “Praise God, from whom ail blessings flow,” then something Is amiss, nnd you have cause for serious concern. This sense of gloom and Joylessness Is nei ther norma] nor healthy, and, however grieve. He writes? '*1 want to test!- may have come about, no one should fy that God Is good and makes me su- be to continue in such a state, premely happy all the time I often' of cour "«. there are reasons for such feel that my dear friends in North! a c °B**lt!on. and if you will examine Avenue church are praying for me. and' wl| l And them to b* three: am so glad and thankful. I am' thankful that, while absent from you, I may yet meet once a week In a church with some earnest. Christian brother, and Join In a circle prayer for the outpouring of the spirit upon you al home.” Here is another, written from a san itarium, where he who wrote It has Just come back from the dark ‘Valley of the shadow” and the borderland of death. He Is but now convalescing from n serious sickness that carried him very near the brink. In the beginning of his note, he i First, Your soul’s eclipse may come about through a state of spiritual In sensibility. . .Or, second, It may be due to an over whelming sorrow. Or else. It may be caused by sin. These are the three ways in which a Joyless darkness falls, but from them back Into the day and God’s blessed sunlight there reaches out the path of prayer. The Sadness of 8in. Sin we have named an the third i reason for our tYoom of soul, but let first consider it; for the other two. speaks of his gratitude for the Shep- alas, both our sorrow and insensibility, herds psalm (Psalm 23). which he j may at last too oft be traced back repeats, and then continuing, he says: | to sin. I thank Him for t) many prayers that followed me through the valley of the shadow. I was conscious of them all the way. nnd It Is In answer to prayer that my recovery has been so remarkable and no rapid.” The Powor of Prayer. Here Is another: ’’The greatest blessing that has come Into my life Is that 1 have been able to realize, as never before, the mar velous power of prayer.” And here Is n similar statement: ”1 want to thank God for numerous The sin that has made you songless may be cold and passionless. The sin of intellectual pride that leads you to doubt God’s word, or to decline to ac cept Its testimony concerning the Deity of Christ, nr the necessity of the atone ment. or the need of the new birth, or the eternal consequences of a lack of faith, or of a full surrender. Sin That Scorches. Or. your sin may be hot and defiling, throbbing In your blood, burnldk like an evil fire In your heart, and flaming In your mind, while It enkindles your REV. RICHARD ORME FLINN. imagination, blisters your soul, seers your conscience and melts down all your moral manhood. Or, again, your sin nfay be colorless nnd unaggresslve—a negative sort—one of omission rather than of commis sion. but however It may be, all sin brings gloom nnd sorrow. Sin makes the isoul cease singing and paralyzes praise. Now, this Is known to some of you. too well. But do you know as truly that prayer Is tho pathway up from sin Into God’s sunlight? A Testimony. The other day. In Chicago, at a so cial gathering of the Young Men’s Presbyterlal Union, where 200 of the 3,000 representative, aggressive and successful business men who represent the very best life of the city nnd who are members of the various Brother hood Bible classes, were assembled and were discussing prayer, an old man who was present arose and said: ”1 don’t know whether you young men will count it an Intrusion, hut I •..ant to bear testimony to the reality of the power which God gives me through prayer. I am 42 year* old. I prayed once when I was a boy of 12. I was In a police station then and I prayed, but after that I never prayed again until I was 40 years old. I had wasted and wrecked my life. The doc tors said that there was no escape for me from the habit that enslaved me, except death. But there was. I was sitting In a newspaper office when I saw In a paper a testimony offered by .onefof the Voli%ntfeers,of America. He ! salfl he knew' that God would hear a i man's prayer, and that God cvmld save ‘ him. I made up my mind thal I would try. I cried out to God In agony, and I tell you he heArd me. In one Instant he broke the habit which the doctors said I would be freed from only by , death. I have never had a taste for i those, things since. You may be sure I ‘believe In prayer.” To thief testimony we could add many more, and, with them, we could give our own for we, too, have learned through prayer to know the Joy of vic tory over alp that once enslaved. Tas Hope and Pray. O, my dear friend, far, far from those Joyous days of innocence; far. far from home and love and purity and peace, and lost to hope, take cheer! Just now'—Just where you are —dare to look up to God! And pray! And He," whose ear is ever bent to catch .the faintest cry of faith and penitence will help. Deliverance you may seem impossible. But It is not. No, nothing Is too hard for God. Then try Him. Trust, I say* nnd pray. Reliof For Sorrow, Sin always brings sorrow, and none can cease sorrowing w'ho will not cease sinning. But there are sorrows that do not come from sin—that Is from our own sin, or from any sin known to us, with w'hich they may be directly associated. The best of God’s Saints know, with the rest, the weight of sorrow: yes, and .these sorrows are so great at times as to well nigh stagger faith. Brave Words. If we could only in the brave words of the blind Scotch bard, George Math- eson, amid all sorrow, say: "O joy that seekest me through pain I canot close my heart to Thee.” —then with him we could sing: “I trace the rainbow through the rain And feel the promise is not vain That morn shall tearless be.” But, sometimes, our sorrows over whelm us and that which our Heav enly Father has sent upon us to min ister to our perfection nnd an a mark of favor, we mistake as punishment, as fear, ns n hurtful thing. We forget that it Is the forge and tho anvil strokes that give the beauty and the value to the basest metal. And so we brood and fear and faint and selfishly repine and nurse our sorrow and loose our song. Selfish Sorrow. But, my dear friend, this Is not right. Nor is It wise. Instead of dark dis tress, even amidst your grief, you may have peace; yes, “Peace, perfect peace, viith sorrow's *■ surging round: On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm Is Recall that sweet and true old song of Hugh Stowell’s, “The Mercy-Seat.” which you have heard since childhood: "From every stormy Wind that blows. From every swelling tide of woes, There is a calm, a sure retreat, 'TIs found beneath the mercy-seat,” Do you act wisely, then, to thus se clude yourself? Nay, to sorrow linger thus were sin. Up! Put aside your selfish Idleness. Cease your complaint. Affirm your faith. Begin again your task. Advance upon your knees. And this midnight hour will pass, or. the stars will nhlne. The sighing of your soul will change to song and you will find your Father’s face. Spiritual Insensibility. And now a closing word concerning this great mystery of the Christian’s life. It Is a pledge of “The Book” that “The path of the Just la ns the shining light, that shlneth more and more unto the perfect day." (Provy 4:18.) And Jesus said .(John S: 12)r ”1 am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk In darkness, but shall have the fight of life.” And yet, at times, those who do follow Him are In the dark. Now, why? What does It mean? First, let us say the secret may be sin—some neglected means of grace; some compromise of conscience, or some sudden temptation before which we have fallen. Ir this be the reason— and this is usually the reason—then we must go back to where we left the Master and His path to wander In the dark. Yes, we. must repent, return and seek His grace, and we shall find the light. Why God It Hidden. But sometimes sin Is not the reason for this strange eclipse. Hometitnes while we are trusting Him and are obe dient our Father leaves us, for a mo ment. and hides His face, even as He did from Christ upon the cross. In or der that He may test us or that He may teach us. He carries us Into the durk little while that He may show us some sacred secret which He bids us make known for Him when we have found the light again (Luke 12:3). We are fold that “ clouds nnd dark ness are around about Him” nnd so when He would draw us very near to Him self lie must take us Into the dark nnd cloud. How, then, shall we do when this strange experience occurs nnd we find all the glory leaving the way we are taking with the Lord? Why, turn to your Bibles and read Isaiah 50:5-11. Pause on the tenth verse and consider Its teaching. “Who Is there among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of His servant, that walketh In darkness and hath no light? Let him trust In the name of the Lord and stay upon his God." Here, then.la our an swer when we have examined ourselves and can find no tolerated sin: when we are sure that we are one of those who “fear the Lord" nnd who “obey the voice of His servant.” and vet are "walking In darkness and have no light.” then let qs "set our faces like a flint” and be sure "the Lord will help us” and "know that we shall not be ashamed.” God Will Hear Us. Yes, though we' be but as— "Children In the light. And children crying for the light. And with no language but a cry’’— it Is enough. Our Father will not leave us In the dark. He will come to our call nnd comfort us In His great arms. A Story. It !s told of Spurgeon that once, sud denly, he passed Into' such a spiritual eclipse in which, despite his mighty faith and rich experience, he remained for a number of days. Finally he was forced to preach in his great taberna cle. There was no alternative. In agony of soul he took as his text the cry of our Lord upon the cross, “My God! my God! Why hast Thou for saken me?” After the service he went quickly Into his study nnd In despair flung himself Into his chair, deter mined never to preach again. Suddenly ho heard a knock. The door opened. A man entered, and laid upon the table the implements of his self-destruction, as he said: “Mr. Spurgeon, I was pass. Ing the tabernacle this morning on my way to commit suicide. Hearing the singing, 1 came In and stayed to hear you preach, and now I have come to speak ?ith yoiL for in your sermon I saw there was at least one man la London more miserable than myself. Springing up. Mr. Spurgeon hastened to point the man to Christ and to tell him of His compassion and His power; and It Is *ald ns he sough* to bring this brother back to joy, he found the light himself and fell upon his knees In glad thanksgiving. And so. o, friend pf mine, unknown and yet beloved, may you by trust and waiting on the Lord, by quietness and confidence along the path of prayer, pass out again front darkness into the glory of your Father’s conscious pres ence. A THANKSGIVING ADDRESS D.llv.r.d at th. Jewish Tempi, at Union Thanksgiving S.rvie. und.r tho auspices of Unity Club, Nov, 29, 1907. By REV. EVERETT DEAN ELLENWOOD, PASTOR UNIVERSALIST CHURCH I T IS particularly appropriate that ue should gather for our Thanks giving festival within theaccustom- f 5 place of worship of those who repre sent In their race the great mother re- r*!»»n which originated and Instituted « ppcdal and official day of thanksgiv ing. For wc must not forgot that when civ pilgrim ancestors, endeavoring to tf;wr their altar upon the Inhospita ble shores of a new land, *et apart a * la! day of thanksgiving for the r.iarif .Id mercies of Almighty God, they iM but establish for a nation yet un- b -n n religious rite as old ns the He- Irv. law. and gave to our own be- i'Ved land the proud distinction of **tag the only Gcntilo people to copy nnu rnak' continued use of the beau- t'Lil, grateful, joyous. Feast of Tab- And ye; it was not In conscious im itation of Israel, but rather hs the nat ural product of that Instinctive rellg- l us nature given to him by Israel’s that the genuine nnd productive Jirty of the*early pilgrim bended down t * us this beautiful custom, now be- *'»nm a national festival which grows smrr precious with the passage of each year. And so it Is with a happy sense of a spiritual home-coming that we gather ’ itbln this beautiful temple ns a great uni grateful family that with united !>'uts we may render thanks unto the “•mm-m Father who hath loved us all ,nt:j being, and whose boundless mercy. and providential care, awl guiding wis dom extends freely and impartially to Jew and Gentile, bond and free. Truly our thanksgiving should be genuine and spontaneous. Every heart should be able to echo the adoration of one of old. “how manifold are thy mercies unto us, O, God!” for certainly the people of this community hav< been signally blessed and prospered, both in prevention of overwhelming misfortune and In possession of in creasing comfort and happiness and righteousness, during the year that Is passing. One year ago, when we met together here, we were still shuddering from the recent shock of a tremendous social catastrophe, a most discourag ing moral anachronism which seemed for a time to turn back the onward sweeping tide of human brotherhood, und render but a ho!lo\* mockery our frequent proud boast of our own era as the most civilized century of human history. But our God, who unfailingly hears and answers the sincere prayer of every contrite heart, has been moved by the penitential tears of Hla people, who have eagerly brought forth fruit* meet for repentance, and the shme skies which a few short months ago re ceived, with herror the sickening In cense of a momentary carnival of sav agery, now smile In loving benediction upon a community whose members live In peace nnd concord one with another, whose laws aie administered promptly, unfailingly and impartially so that Jus tice is os certain for the weak as for the strong, protection ns adequate for the rich as for the poor, and prosperity nnd happiness are within the grasp of all who pray for them by the combina tion of works with faith. No longer are we a hissing and a by-word among nations, but our legislative and execu tive activity are become eagerly rend text-books for other municipalities and commonwealths, who, seeing our good , works, not only glorify God, but ;are [hastening to obtain for themselves the .benefits td be gained by following our examples. We have Indeed redeemed the times which were evil and are set ting our facs steadfast^, toward that higher righteousness which Is possible only through the unswerving allegiance to that God-given Instinct In every nor mal human heart, which unfailingly proclaims the doctrine of the universal Fatherhood of God and the all-embrac ing Brotherhood of man. It is meet and proper at this time that we should return oixr thanks for the manifold material blessings which have come to ua aa. individuals and as a people during the year. Monstrous Indeed would It be if we shbuld fall to hold gratitude In our hearts, for life and the very' joy of living in so beau tiful and comfortable a world, for homes and friends, nnd the tender love which proves Itself stronger even than death, for the wooing warmth of the sun and the unceasing wonder of the starlit heavens, for the songs of the birds and the fragrance of .the flowers, for all of the things which arc so good to enjoy, and for the full power to en joy them, let us hasten to give hearty thanks. And let us not fall to give thanks In our hearts and by our lives for the land In which we live and for the gov ernment of which we form a part, for a ruler endowed with foresight, right eousness and unlimited courage, and for legislative regulations allowing the largest degree of genuine freedom, with the greatest possibilities for the devel REV. E. D. ELLENWOOD. opment of the Individual, commensu rate with national, ns well as individual hnpplness and progress. Truly It Is an occasion for genuine thanksgiving that we are citizens of this most favored land. We are grateful, also, at this time, for the many Indications of an Increas ing liberality and tolerance In religious thought and belief. Fifty years ago, such n gathering as this, nnd such an organization as the Unity Club, repre settling, as they do, so many different shades of religious faith, would have been practically Impossible, so certain, apparently, was each special brand of religionist that he hail taken hln own pitiful little theological ttneup and dipped the whole mighty ocean of God’s truth dry, leaving nothing upon which a brother of differing credal conception might float his own bark of faith nnd hope. But, today, the enlarging thought of God Is taking possession of the hearts of men and we are not so ready j to limit His love and care and guid ance to any nation or people. In the sincere worship of every sect we are able to recognize an acceptable path to the life nnd the love of the Infinite Father, and In this Increasing sym pathy and mutual respect we may see the cheering prophecy of the world's long dream of human brotherhood, that "far off divine event, toward which the whole creation moves.” For our Increasing sense of the divin ity of man and the consequent grow ing belief In the gospel of self-respect, we are truly grateful. No longer do we seek to flatter God by defaming His creatures, but, filled with the con sciousness of the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we are no longer wllllngto pro claim ourselves “worms of the dust” and depraved and worthless creatures of earth, but with hearts overflowing with gratitude we welcome the thrill ing sense of infinity which possesses us and which urges us on toward nobler thoughts and grander achieve ments, with that splendid aspiration hlch attempts even the unattainable. But let us not neglect the obllga- tlons of our gratitude. It Is well that the thanksgiving of our hearts should be viral in praise, nnd we are truly grateful to those among us who are able to clothe beautiful thoughts In such sweet and comforting nnd cheer ing music, for this Is truly nn accept able method of living and acting our gratitude to the Giver cf all good. And, as we endeavor to give thanks for the privileges of citizenship wnlcfi we enjoy, let us remember tho cbllja- tlcns which these privileges cntmi id register anew our pledges of < agbr and loyal service to tba* p-.vr-r- through which we enjoy such large lib erty and boundless opportunity, us see t.i it ihai In our schools the youth shall be trained for citizenship as well ns being fitted for making money. More Important even than the making of a living Is the making of a life. And let us always make haste to discharge our duties of bravery, cheer fulness. confidence and faith. In these day's of inct'easing affluence und un stinted prosperity we face the danger of allowing ourselves to fall into the spir itual habit of directing our worship to ward the bounties of God rather than toward their Author. All of the ex periences of life are sent to us from the same source, and It Is designed that all of them shall be used, that thereby we shall Ipcrease In spiritual wisdom and stature, nnd In favor with God and man. Therefore, the actual de mands of our gratitude require of us that we shall not repine or lose our faith In the goodness of God when we have occasion to “walk through the valley of the shadow',” when the clouds of disappointment and privation lower above our hfAds, when the storm cf temptation and trial bents fiercely upon us, when fancied friends prove false, when life seems a tremendous mistake, and the vistas of the future open be fore us, dark and uninviting. We must always remember, as Ruakln reminds us, that, while the rests In the music are not played, yet the music is worth less without them. Never a matchless symphony cheered and Inspired or lulled nnd soothed the needy heart of humnnltv but held Its full measure of minor chords and threnodlc cadences. The sun Is not dead merely because tho day chances to be dark and cloudy. Elder Brewster, the first religious trader of the Intrepid little band of God fearing pioneers who established Thanksgiving Day for us op the shores of New' England, was wont to call upon his people, durlrg the aw'ful months of their "starving time.” when they gath ered to partake of a meal of parched acorns and roasted mussels, to "offer thanks unto Almighty God, who had thus graciously permitted them to feast on the fat of tho land and to suck of the abundance of the seas.” Wo are prone to offer thanks to God today that we have so many things of which the Pilgrims knew nothing, and truly, as compared with theirs, “our lines have been cast In pHTasant places.” But let us reverently seek a full measure of that genuine pfoty and abiding faith and trust In God which was the saving strength of those lives which laid the foundation of our country; let us train ourselves to worship God with grateful hearts, under whatever conditions and in whatever circumstances the chang ing experiences of life may find u», so that we, too, i.tsy be able to say with the prophet Habbnkuk. "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be In the vine: the labor of the olive shall fall, und the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off froth the fold, nr.d there shall .be no herd In the stalls; yet will I rejoice In the Lord; I wilt joy In the God of my salvation.” LET US GIVE THANKS Ter»t Comments’on the Uniform Prayer Meeting Topi6 of the Young Peo- ple’e Societies—Christian Endeavor, Baptist Young People’s Union, Ep- worth League, Etc.—For December 1 Is, “The Beauty end Utility of Grati tude.” Pe. Ill; 1-10. (A Thankegiving Consecration Meeting.) By WILLIAM T. ELLIS ore great days In which to l»e ellv». t*r ami ferment of society may trouble but to the person who wants to count • these things spell opportunity. In Inctic Roriai and politics! condition of it there exists s rare chance for men ideals nnd altruistic itluiR to lm» themselves upon their time. If ltful men, patriotic men. (iirtstlna rate this occasion, nnd do not abandon the demagogue or to the mnn of Hi ed views, this generation mnf aceom- wonder* for the progress of bnmun Aim snrely this Is a profound ren- r thanksgiving. •fitde seems the more grnefous be- of Its rarity. Whoever ceaselessly inhere his mercies” is a marked mnu hosts of h»*nren. ••ting Is a blessing. The fins nets I member the little tnken snd forget to re turn thanks for the much that Is given. World nelgbborllness Is on the Increase. The ties tnnt bind nations together np» steadily growing stronger. Distances ore being annihilated more and more; and all of us are being drawn nearer. In under standing and sympathy, to the uttermost parts of the earth. This Is a deep reason for thanksgiving. The oneness of the world ennobles man and glorifies (jod. That so nut nr people are concerned for the whole world’s welfare Is a token of the Increase of the Divine Spirit In human hearts: "or God so loved the world.” ••Let the redeemed of the Lord say to.” The voice of such,praise nud testimony is heard os chid music In the courts of hea ven. If vou hove been redeemed from sin. from daily difficulties, say so Into tljo listening A godly life is the best psalm. A surrendered heart makes music la heaven. For Hod’s gift to us He asks the gift of ourself to tlfni. Nothing less will satisfy Him. Ills every gift Is n repetition of Ills Invitation: "My child, give Me thy heart.” tlon In Toronto where the selected company of denomination representa tives gathered to consider this subject. All the offerings are to be made through the regular church channels and for regular denominational mis sionary objects. I«nnt year. It was found, Toronto gave one hundred and _ _ _ fatty-on* thousand dollars for foreign Our pleasure pleases God. Onr Father Is; * U J,* r* content to know- that He has made HI*I tho situation the men nave under- cblld happy. taken to Ipcrease this amount to half • • • a million dollars. Toronto’s population God has never stinted Ills giving. HI*: i«« three hundred thousand persons, bounty hat been measureless since the bf* This means one and two-thirds dollar* XHf o!5l TO -very man. woman nml child In the lnTglT?»^ BlVtaf.'lml to SSp he <wafnf »>"» money I, h. come nlmo.t III, girt, 1. part of the very nature of Uod. wholly from the communicant Protest- for (Us name la love. somethTng DOING AMONG THE LAYMEN. ant church membership. Following t!\e example of Toronto, Brantford, Ont., with a population of twenty thousand, which last year averaged two dollars nnd thirty cents per church member for missionary purposes, has agreed to l> HICTIIHI. *u»* »»•»«••»•«• flnny lllllll-llltm. ru; CO — - "i »cy which lately lias affected the ear tbnt waits for every note of gratitude, cin! world has (teen by no means * » • 'sed evil. It has proved the good. I -nnutle’s rule for a royal life Is this: ns revealed tne imu. II nas set *o n careful accounting of their ro- Msu. as w«U as banks, have been well to their assets. Things really "bile Ive taken on a new value. So slide to lie grateful for what seemed like catastrophe. nre in some degree great who rc- to be grateful. . * Ives much and tnkea little; men re- 1URESCO trry all shade. In packages and RGIA PAINT & GLASS CO, 40 Peachtree Street and the Father l>» mippese l*k» th-.. sTMt words Into yonr own heart a. your rule also. thauka to tliul Suppose “ Th* selfish nnd beggarly soul Is never thankful. The professional mendicant Is ,ln"ere y grateful. A ••use of grstltnds TtliVusidrtOT the large and generous heart. It takes a cable mln.l to ap|irrriate ] merry. If «, peter praise (loti for ills goodness. If "r jriyera ?re not winged by pralse. then we niny serlonsly question the depth nnd largeness of our nstnre. Religious clrelen are being stirred by - „ , ,, the remarkable times of unprecedented Increase A" L a, „"LJf.? Interest among the laymen of the ' r.'.enibrr. Hamilton. Ont, with A popu chureh In the matter of mlasiona. The offering at ihe recent Protestant Epis copal convention otthree-nuarters of a million of dollars from the church's men for foreign missions was In Itnelf without precedent. The convention of men Intely held was marked by the same strain of resolution to assume the financial burden of Christian extension throughout the world. Jnst to be glad Is praise. Hod's dealings nre not on a take bo sis. lie does not give to ; the sake of getting gifts fn™ iiothtog In the nstnre of ' st.... .t disks! at r*iail»ni give and I i Just for J ». There '* .'iV.Tiod'Vr^i.Cns'to'^nilI Ifni mcium n | IV -bnmiaul mer* lotion of one hundred thousand, aver- nged last year three dollars and fifty cents per church member to purely missionary purposes. The men of the churches have undertaken to double this amount. London, tint., which has a population of fifty thousand, last year gave two dollars and seventy cents per church member. The men are under taking to make the amount five dollars per church member thl* year. These Vow from several w idely separated ! meetings were .held under the auspices points It is reported that the laymen of j *> f the Isay men’s Missionary Movement, the churches have undertaken the un- J an organization of laymen which re- unual. At n recent banquet at Topeka, ce ve. no money for Itrelf and under- Kane.. one hundred picked men of the :*■*•<** no ml««ionnry work on lt» o«n cltv derided that the city's annual gift account. Its repreeentatlves are liold- of between seven and eight thousand ,n * mens meetings throughout the dollars to foreign mleelon* Is entirely j country. Inadequate. They resolved to raise the sum to twenty thousand and to en deavor to secure-It by aubscrlption within sixty days. St. Joseph, Mo, similarly decided to Increase Its offering from twelve thou sand to fifty thousand dollars, and ul- readv one congregation In St. Joseph has pledged Itself for one-llfth this total amount. touuhrt all *a» prompted by almartaat W Even more striking was , demonstra- DS. E. E. BRAGG, OSTEOPATH and PHYSICIAN and SURGEON. Office 324-25 Century Building, Hours: 9 to 5—Bell Phone. SEVEN SENTENCE 8ERM0NS. We must answer for our actions; God will answer for our powers.—Phillips Brooks. If I live the life He gave me. God will turn It to His use. —Bayard Taylor. Great trials make great saints; de serts and stone pillows prepnre for an open heaven and an angel-crowned ladder.—Horace Bushncll. Holiness Is Infinite compassion for others; happiness Is a groat love and much serving.—Dummond. Might Is right; so It Is; It Is the right to bear the burdens of the weak, to cheer the faint, to uplift the fallen.— f.'Bpier, Bhali we say. "Thy will be done,” | And nn our own errands run? Teach us how to live thl* prayer, Kererently Thy plans to share, —Lucy La room. It Is, the glory of our age that the modem hero 'stands forth armed not with awords and spears, but weaponed with love und kindness, with service and sympathy.—Newell Dwight Hillls. SOUTHERN RAILWAY CHANGES SCHEDULE. Elfectlve December't. train No. 131 from Brunswick and Jacksonville will; arrive Atlanta 5:3S a. m„ end leave for; Chattanooga and Cincinnati at S:43 a.’. IK No. If from Cincinnati and Chatta-1 nnoga will arrive Atlanta 13:30 mid-! night and leave for Brunswick and, Jacksonville 13:40,. m. Effective same I date, through sleepers between Chicago; and St. Augustine will be Inaugurated; on there trains. No. 10 for Macon and! Brunswick will leave Atlant, 6:03 a. j m. instead of 6:13 a. m. -a.MKH FREEMAN, I District Passenger Agent. Southern Express Co«. To all points accessible by Express. Operates on over 30,000 miles of first-class routes, having 4,000 offices. The Southern Express Company- operates offices in Alabama, Arkansas, Bahama Islands, Cabo, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missis sippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia. Transports all kinds of merchandise, money, valuables, jewelry, bonds, valuable papers, etc., in connection with other Express Companies, to all parts of tho United States, Canada, Havana, Nassau, etc. Collections taken with or without goods. Deeds and Mort gages taken to be recorded and returned. Baggage checks taken, and baggage shipped. Low rates made on samples of merchandise, printed matter, cuttings, plants and many other articles. ’ Matter forwarded to European points. C. L LOOP. SeearJ Viet Prefect. Ctuu>Mt|>. Ten. V/. W. HULBERT. Stfirateatfut, At Urn a, 3a. H. y SMITH, Atlanta. 6a.