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THE ATLANTA GEORGIAN AND NEWS.
SATURDAY. DECEMBER
A NEGLECTED TALENT, OR PRAYER AS AN ART
By REV. RICHARD ORME FLINN,
PASTOR NORTH AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
r'llxah
newhere In her writing., Mr*,
Hi Premiss speaks of prayer
firf " Oin ti-rltfic
"an art." She writes
*1 think many of the difficulties at
iMMUaff upon tbo subject of prayer
would disappear, If It could be regard
ed In early life as an art, lhat must
bo acquired through dally, persistent
habits with which nothing shall be a!
lowed to Interfere.'
The other day. In glancing over a
tnoit stimulating tract on "Intercea
sory Foreign Missionaries,” by Rev. AI
fred E. Street, of the Island of Hainan*
.South China, we found this sentence:
"Study and practice the art of pray
ing until you are expert In It. The Bi
ble , furnishes its laws and examples
which can be worked out by patient
practice only, just/ like any other art."
And then, about the same time, os
we read Dr. James G. K. McClure’s
book on "A Mighty Means of Useful
ness," we found him quoting Mrs.
Prentiss, and remarking upon what she
had written about progress. In these
words:
“Thus she makes learning to pray’
as much of a training as learning to
sing, or paint, of write. She exalts
prayer into an art and makes us to
realise the same application, concen
tratlon. persistency and heartiness
needed to become a sculptor are need
ed by us If the talent of prayer (possi
ble to every one) reaches Its greatest
development."
Lonely Lives.
Now these things have set us to
thinking and today we want to tell you
of what we have thought.
As we have learned from various
sources how these Saturday sermons
are penetrating Into the many out-of-
the-way places and are being read by
a large number of people who are. in a
measure, cut off from the outside world,
we have longed to get Into touch with
these and to help them to* get Into
touch with one another and the mighty
movements of our time. But how shall
It be done? Some of you are In the
Country sections or In the mountains or
mining camps; some are shut In by
sickness, and some are kept close at
home with little children and household
cares; some are restricted by a nar
row environment and a humdrum Jot
that threatens to keep them forever In
an eddy away from the sweep of the
great world currents, and still others
are old and find that the growing In
firmities of age Increasingly prevent the
activity of the past days, so they have
to stand aside and see younger hands
engage the tasks that used to occu
py their powers.
What Can You Do?
What Is there then that you can do
that 1% really worth while? What Is
there that just where you are and
you are. you may yet be able to do
that will contribute to the making of
history and the uplift of humanity?
We answer, you can pray! And we
would like to add. If you will only set
yourselves to the task of learning how
to pray until you have thoroughly
mastered it and acquired the art, there
will be no other service rendered by
any which will count for more.
Indeed, these very restrictions of your
lot may be God's method of shutting
the doors into which He would not
have you enter that you may be led to
enter this nobler sphere of service.
A Needed Service.
There are thousands who throng the
streets and are ready for His other
ministries, but has the Lord enough
aged Simeons and Annas who wall for
the kingdom'll advance ‘and devote
themselves to Intercession (see Duke
II, 25-38) ? Ha* He enough lonely men
like Moses who, while apart from the
strife, Intercede on the mountain top
and thus gain the victory for the Josh
uas as they struggle against their Am-
aleks on the plain (see Exodus xvii, 8-
Ji); or who, at other times, by their
Intercessions, save entire nation* from
obliteration (see Exodus xxxll, 9-14)?
There are enough Dots—God knows
living In the midst of Sodom and
maybe vexing their righteous souls
"with the filthy conversation of the
wMcked" (II Peter 2:7-8), who are do
ing little to arrest these evils and are
endangered by the Judgments of these
sins they cannot overcome. Are there
enough Abrahams living .afar amid pas.
toral scenes who employ their quietude
and leisure In Intercessory prayer and
who plead with God for their kinsmen
In their danger? (Genesis 18:20-33.)
Yes, the privilege to labor In Inter
cessory prayer 1» a high calling In
deed. It brings us Into a goodly com
pany of men like Daniel and Nehemlah
and Samuel, and Paul and Epaphrates
are our comrades In such toll and hon
ored Indeed Is he who excels In such
endeavor. N \
Latent Power.
One bas written: "It Is Impossible
to estimate the usefulness latent In
hearts capable of prayer." "No one
conceived the power tying latent In
steam until the spirit of steam, assert.
Ing Itself, began to transform the earth."
"No one conceived the power lying
latent In electricity until electricity,
asserting Itself, began Its world-wide
ministry”
And so no one can conceive' Jhe
>ower that la lying Intent In your
heart*, which ^f It can be employed and
developed will under God work mira
cles of grace.
An Opportunity.
As you are shut In, or at any rate
Abut off, from taking an active part In
the great afTalrs of life, why not over
come your limitations and yet have
part In these great affairs by the, ex
ercise of this latent energy?
Why longer hide this great talent In
a napkin? Do you realize that God
will hold you to account tor this talent
If you neglect it?
And do you realize how great your
service may become If you faithfully
employ It and become proficient In the
art of prayer?
A Revival Through Prayer.
In 1830 the entire section of western
New York was visited by a mighty
revival. The chief human means of
bringing this about were tw-o, namely.
Dr. Charles 8. Finney, a preacher of
great power, and Rev. Abel Clary, an
educated man who was licensed to
preach, but who was scarcely ever seen
In public or heard to speak. Realizing
that he had few gifts that could he
useful in Impressing man and yet be
ing burdened with sobls, he gave him*
self up to the labors of intercessory
prayer and spent well nigh his entire
time In this ministry. Finally his
health gave way and ho became a vic
tim of the "great white plague. As
the ravages of consumption Increased
he was finally forced to spend much
of his time in his bed, but despite his
Increasing weakness and his absence
from the activities of life he continued
to Intercede. As his heart was Im
pressed to pray for this thing or that
he would draw a little table near his
bed and write in his journal the cause
for which he was pleading.
Clary’s Journal.
After his death this journal waa.
given to Dr. Finney, who had known
Mr. Clary since boyhood and who had
always felt a profound respect for his
character ahd piety; and In this jour
nal Dr. Finney found the following en
try: - "My heart has been prompted to
pray for Utica, for Syracuse, for Bing
hamton, for Rochester, for Rome."
And u significant fact was this—that
Just in the order named In his book
and Just after the time he made these
entries the blessing had come to these
places.
R*r-Reaching Intercession.
In another place Dr. FI Inn found
where Mr. Clary had written that he
was prompted to pray for far away
Ceylon, and, on examining the records
of the American board, he found that
following this prayer and about the
same time It was marie, there had been
a great advance in the mission work
in that distant field.
REV. RICHARD ORME FLINN.
Thus a solitary aqul, suffering with
great weakness and shut off from all
active service, waa able to have a real
part In the great work of a remote field,
because he had faithfully cultivated his
talent and had become proficient In the
art of prayer.
The Talent of Prayer.
Why, then, should you not enter
In this great cause? A splendid career
lies out before you If you will only
qualify .and enter upon It.
You have not the talent of song or
of public speaking, or of money-mak
ing, or of management; you cannot be
a great painter or a great sculptor, or
a great general, or a famous author,
but because you cannot be these there
is no reason to conclude that you can
have no great part In the world’s work.
Nay, the state and society and the
church of God need your Intercession,
and If you can but learn to pray It
were better , than anything else you
can do.
Better Than Millionaires.
I would rather hkve ten men in my
church who really knew how to Inter
cede like Elijah than ten millionaires
for great as Is the good that may be
accomplished by wealth the good that
may be accomplished by men like
Ephaphas, who "labor fervently in
prayers" (<*ol, 4:17), Is greater far.
When such men begin to pray then
things begin to come to pass which no
amount of wealth can effect and no
mman agency achieve.
Yes, "t.** gift of the knees,” as the
Yorlba UhrUtlaija call It, Is one of the
greatest and most Important that God
•ver grant* to man.
What Prayer Has Done.
Think whgt has been accomplished
by such intercession, Christ foresee
ing Peter s apostaey, when Peter In
dignantly denied even the possibility of
such a tiling, fold him that he had al
ready prayed for hlip and that he
would therefor* be restored (Luke 22:
31-32). Again on the cross Christ
prayed for hit* persecutors and the Cen-
turian who crucified Him "gloried
God." and went away confessing Him
(Luke 23:47), Also there were a great
number of priests who were at the
cross reviling Him, but likewise be
cause. lie prayed there were a great
number of priests who after His as
cension S»elleved.
Then think cf Stephen, who when he
was being stoned, prayed for his ene
mies and as :i result Paul was con
verted and took tip the work, including
Its hardships and martyrdom, 1 that
Stephen laid down.
Prayor Making History.
And think of Nehemlah, far ofT in
BabyJon, hearing of the sad state of
his 4 people In Jerusalem, conquering
the prejudices of the despotic king by
■prayer and accomplishing the appar
ently Impossible task of securing his
assistance in the rebuilding of the
walls. * l
Blit why mention further Instances?
The Bible is full of stories that tell of
how In the past men who have been
unable otherwise to serve have made
history by their power to pray.
Answered Intercessions.
Nor are these Instances confined to
sacred literature. When Tyndale w
dying as a martyr because he had
been guilty of printing the Bible In
English, he cried out, "O, Lord, open
the king of England's eyes,” and as
result of his prayer the king’s eyes
were opened and the work of translat
ing the King James’ version of the Bi
ble was soon begun.
John Knox cultivated the talent of
prayer to such a degree that he was
by it enabled to withstand the cun
ning, the fascination ahd the power of
Mary, the Queen of Scots, In her en
deavor to overthrow the spiritual In
dependence of Scotland and to bring
the land under the power of the pope.
So mighty was Knox In prayer that
Queen Mary is said to have declared,
"I fear John Knox’s prayers more than
an army of 10,000 men."
Yea, and he who (cried out In his In
tercession to God, "Give tne Scotland
or I die,” secured hls plea, mighty as It
was, and God gave him Scotland so
that for a hundred years she has felt
the Impress of hls faith and prayer.
Seeing, then, how these other souls
have wrought ’ through prayer, why
should you not learn to pray and thus
employ yourself?
Sinful Prayerlessness.
Nay more. In the words of Samuel,
should you not say, “God forbid that I
should sin against the Lord In ceasing
to pray." You aged saints whom God
has set aside or who, like Samuel, have
been thrust aside f»y the rush of this
vigorous age, learn here your duty as
well as your privileg*.
What If you all would set yourselvps
to this service; what If, as one re
marks, "the talent of prayer should be
cultivated as assiduously as the talept
of business is cultivated." then "the
result would 'be that numberless people
tvho never can be forceful In speech
nor bounteous In beneficence, nor ener-
9*tic In evangelism, would become as
effective forces fqr the world’s help as
any men and women who ever lived."
The Toil of Prayer.
Let no one suppose that, In proposing
prayer as an art worthy of life’s labor,
that we are suggesting an easy serv
ice. It Is not an easy service, but a
noble one. No, real prayer Is not easy
and Intercessory prayer, If it Is gen
uine and effective,-engages the entire
soul In toll.
Bishop Hamilton used to say. "No
man Is likely to do much good in prayer
who does not begin by looking upon It
In the light of work to be prepared
for and persevered In with all the ear
nestness which we bring to bear upon
subjects iVhlch are. In our opinion, most
interesting and most necessary.”
And the bishop Is right; real prayer,
especially Intercessory prayer, wher
ever we strive for others. Is hard work,
but again we say It is noble,/work.
And In such work, hard though It be.
there Is a splendid . sphere of service
opened even to invalids and those shut
off from the sanctuary. These may
pray, for those who preach to others
and for the others for whom they
preach and under God may thus win
spiritual victories.
A Thrilling Story.
Years ago, when Mr. Moody first
went to England as practically an un
known evangelist, the minister who In
vited him died while he was in passage,
and he found himself In a strange land,
friendless and without the means to
return to hls native shore. In thls^con-
dition. he was asked by a minister to
hls pulpit morning and evening.
After the morning service, one of the
congregation returned to her home and
told of the strange man who spoke t0
them. One of the household was an in.
valid, suffering from one of the most
painful of maladies. For yea™ this
dear sftint of God, shut off from H,*<
house of worship, had sought to take
part In the set vice by her Interces
sions. The church had for long been
cold and dead; and, hearing of the work
that Moody had done In America, *he
had asked God to send him to her
church and to bless him to its quick
ening.
Victory Through Prayer.
When she learned that Moody had.
Indeed, come and that her prayer had’
begun to be answered, she declined all
food that aftemoorf and without telling
any one why, she asked -to be alone
and spent the entire t!me in praying.
That night when he closed hls ‘ talk
Mr. Moody nmde a preposition to the
audience. The response was so im
mediate and so great that he felt sure
they had misunderstood him. So he
made It again. Yet more than at first
arose. Then, feeling that something
must he wrong, as he could net ac
count for such a manifestation, he dis
missed the audience, telling ail those
who wished to speak with their pas
tor and to confess Christ to go into
the session room.
An Amazing Response,
To hls amazement the room was
soon filled. A revival had begun, flu*
patient, quiet woman on her bed had
won. Moody had by her prayers been
brought across the seas and to lit r
church, and had been, under God. able
to bring with him the blessing which
she craved. This story la true, mv
friends. I know the one of whom I
speak and have visited her In London.
God Is waiting to be gracious todav;
yes, waiting for some one In America
thus to plead with Him that He nm •
pour out a blessing upon us puch as
we have never known. How long
must He be kept thus waiting?
Resolved to Pray,
Bishop Moule, in hls little book .>n
"Secret Prayer,” tells of a devoted
Sabbath school teacher who brought
her scholars one by one to a joyous
Christian experience 8md with a no
ticeably Increasing rapidity. After her
death it was found that at different
times she had registered the three fol
lowing resolutions In her diary:
"Resolved, to pray for each scholar
by name."
And later, "Resolved to wrestle in
prayer for each scholar by name.”
And still later, "Resolved, to wrcsii -
for each by name and to expect on
answer.”
This told the story of, her service
and success.
Shalf It tell yours?
BAPTIST.
nnowx MEMORIAL BArTIBT-Rev.
W. A. Ha lib, pastor. Preaching nt It a. ro.
nnd 7 JO p. m. Sunday school at 9:30 a. m..
W. N. Nichols superintendent, ladles Aid
Society Tuesday at 2:30 p. in. Prayer meet-
log Wednesday at 7:10 p. m.
IMMANUEL BAPTIST—Owner of Fair
street and Hereati avenue. Rev. 4. D. Win
chester. pastor. Huudny school at 9:30 a.
in . T. L Camp superintendent. . Preaching
at 11 a. m. and 7:45 p. m. by ihe paator.
Junior Union at 2:30 p. m. Philathea prayer
meeting at 9:80 t» in. Midweek screW on
Wednesday nt 7:45 p. m.s B. \. P. V. Friday
nt 7:45 p. m. Strangers and visitors are
cordially Invited to nil services.
JON EH A VEN U E ~TtA PTIHT-—Her v Ices nt
11 a. m. and 7:30 p in. Rev 4. T. Onvbi
son will conduct both services Hundsy
sehool at 9:30 s. m. Indies’ Ald_ Society
Monday at 8 tM
sre requeste
••• mesiiny si <
CAPITOI. AVEmJe . BAPTIST-l'ml.l
..rvlcra Kt 11 «. m. ft'i(I ,:30 p, m. itf'.
John K. Ilrlim. pftitor. Tbj ranrnlu* .ul>-
fect will »«• nnlqti, and Int.teatlnf. Kviry
inombor of Iho church mill £an*r»**uon I.
urged In he prcucnt, !>»n.el,tlc acrmoQ nt
night preceded hy a popular Mng aervlce.
.Kundny achool at 3:30 a. m.i elaaaea .lilted
to nil;.MW pugil. nnd. worker. wanted.
praise aervlce Wednesday at ":*) l>. n>.
Monthly merlin. of the Men, laaioe M
■I huraday nt 7:*Tp. in. B. V 1’. U. t rlday
at 7:45 p. in.
JACKSON HIM, BAPTIST—North Jack-
sou and Hast nrenuc. Take Forrest «Tenu*
or Boulernrd eara. John D. Jordan, D. D.,
minister. Residence, 30 Bant avenue, llell
phone. Service nnd sermon nt 11 A m. and
7:30 p. m. Sunday achool at #;10 ». m.
Tounn penple'e merlin. nt «:« p. m. Prnyer
meeting Wednetdny nt n» p. in. Young
Women ! Mtnnlonnnr nud Aid Society Mon-
dny nt *:S0 p. m. Women e SIMonnry nnd
Aid Society Thursday at 3 p. m. Sunhenmn
Friday nt 3:30 p. in. All pertonn without
other ehnreh eningemente are eonllnlly In
vited to the netvlcen of thin church.
BDOEWOOD BAPTIST—Corner of Kd*e-
wood nnd Mnnoo nrenuot. Sabbath nehool
at *:I0 a. ro. Public wnrnhtp of Ood at 11
t. m. nnd 7-JO n. m. At tbeie nervlceu the
prearhtnn will he by V. C. Norcrona. From
I to T p. m. Bible study c ana. Fromi! to
7:33 p. ro. song service. Atl most cordially
invited to all these meetlugs.
PONCE DeLEON AVENUE BAPT18T-
Rev. Junius W. Millard, D. 1).. pastor Sun
day school St 9:30 a. m. IMvIne worship
at 11 s. m., with aermon by Rev. T. P.
Ball, I>. D., am! at 7:30 p. ro. with serroon
by tier. B. J, W. Graham. D. D. The pub
lie cordially Invited.
WOODWARD AVENUE RAPTIHT-Huu.
day school at 9:30 s. m.. H. P, Moncrtof^su
perintendent. Preaching at Vi s. m. and 7:39
p. m. by the pastor. Rev. II. i . Hurley.
Morning subject. “Taking Aim. At night
the subject will bo ’’In ths Swelling of
Jordan. Junior B. \. P. IL.at.8 p, m.
NORTH ATLANTA R APT IRT—Corner of,
Hemphill avenue and Emmett street. Serv
ices at II a. m. and 7:30 p. tu. hr the P*s*<»r.
William U. Bell. Rtinday school at 9:39
n/m.
FIRST BAPTIST—Corner of Peachtree
and=Cain afreets. W. W. Umtrura. D. D.,
G ator. Hundsy achool at 9:80 a. m. Morn-
t worship at Bj subject, “The I nlty and
Purpose of the Bible. B. VP. L. at 7:15
p. ro. Evening worship at 7:45: subject.
“Crisis and Culture In the Christian Life.”
GRANT PARK BAPTIST-Corner'Georgia
avenue sod Grant street. D. H. Menfielil,
pastor. Hervlcfs at Fl a. ro. and 7:3d p. m.
Sunday achool at 9:39 a. ro. Junior Baptist
Voting People’s Union at « p. m. Prayer
WERT END BAPTIST—The pastor. Dr.
John r. Purser, will preach Rnndav rooming
and evening. Sunday achool at 9:30 a. ro.
B. T. P. V. Sunday at 9:46 p. in. Indies’
Aid Society Monday at 1:39 p. m. Prayer
meeting Wednesday at 7:30 p. m.
TEMPLE BAPTIST—Corner df Mangum
nud West Hunter streets. Rev. A. C. 'Ward,
i* D.. pastor. Preaching at 11 a. ro. by
the pastor and 7:30'p. m. by Rev. Lindsey
Fleming. Sunday school at 9:30 a. ro.. W.
M. Perryman superintendent. Prayer meet
ing every Wednesday at 7:39 p. ro.
SECOND BAPTIST—Sunday aettoot meets
nt 9'J9 o’clock. The pastor. Dr. John E.
White, will preach at both tin* morning and
evening services. Ilia subject for Ihe morn-
be “One Decent Man In Ten." Hong serv
ice begins promptly at 7:30 o’clock. Monday
night the Young Men’s Missionary meets
at 8 o’clock. The regular weekly prayer
meeting Wednesday night, led by the pas
tor. Friday night the B. Y. I\ l’. meets.
Rev. J. T. Baxter.
BAPTIST TABERNACLE—Dr. Broughton
will lectnre Sunday night on Dr. Conwell's
Instttuto church, of Philadelphia. Pa., of
which lie preached the dedication sermon
last Hundsy. lie will also preach at 11
o’clock.
9:30 n. in.: preaching nt 11 a. tu. and 7:30
P. in., hy Itev. A. C. Smith, of Grlfdii. tin.
Prnyer meeting Wednestlay evening nt 7:30.
All who are Interested In the welfnre of
the church ace urged to be present Sunday.
Everybody welcome.
CENTRAL BAPTIST—Corner Garnett nnd
Forsyth streets. Services of 11 a. ro. and
7:30 n. ro. Preaching by the pastor. Rev. It.
b. Motley, at Iwth bourn. Morning sub
ject. “Perversions of Chrlstroaa;" evening.
“Future Punishment." Sunday school nt
9:39 a. ro. tadles’ meeting Monday ut
p. ro. Prayer meeting Wednestlay nt 7:30
p. ro.
9:80 a. in.; preaching at 11 a. in. and 7:30
p. ro.; prayer aervloes Thursday nt 7:80
P. m. Everybody welcome.
Meeting for Men.
* Sunday afternoon, December 8. m 3:30
p. m., at the Tabernacle Baptist church
(Baraca Hall), Mr. M. ,D. Smith, the teut
maker evangelist, will address the meeting,
a good address by a good man. You will
receive a cordial welcome. Come. Song
service begins at 3 o'clock.
WESTERN HEIGHTS BAPTIST—Comer
Kennedy and Chestnut streets. T. K. Elgin,
pestor. Sunday school nt 9:30 n. in. Preach
iW«* >» it ■ **« ann.i r «* m, Uadlcs* Aid So
j*. m. at pus tor'a
Wednesday at 7 p.
lay at 7 p. tu.
SOUTH SIDE BAPTIST—Capitol avenue,
betwen llaygood and Wcyinan. Preaching
at II a. in. and 7:30 p. ni. by J. T. Baxter.
Bible school at 0:30 a. tu.. J. E. Kruger su
perintendent. 1 unites' Missionary and Aid
Society nt 3 p. ro. Tuesday. Prayer service
t 7:30 t>. in. Wednesday. Take Laker- *
irs and get off at Capitol nvenn«\
METHODI8T. 1
HEMPHILL AVENUE METHODIST—
Sunday school at 9:30j annual election of
officers for the school; Fourth Quarterly
Conference. Rev. W. A. Parsons, presiding
cider, will tircuch morning ami evening.
PARK STREET METHODIST—Corner of
Park and Lee streets. Rev. M. L. Troutman,
nnstor. Pastor's residence, 174 I/ce street.
Bell jthone 294 West. Preaching nt 11 n. in.
t:» p.
i. by the pastor. Sunday school
u, Mr. John Shannon superin-
Prnyer meeting at 7:30 p.
nnd
at 9:30
tendent. .... BE
Wednesday, followed by a teachers' meet
ing. Pews free. Strangers cordially luvlted
to be present.
ST. JOHN METHOD!HTVTlie pastor. II.
C. Christian, will preach lit ll a. m., the
subject being "Knowledge of God Essential
to Genuine Religion.'' First church confer
ence for the year. All member* earnestly
Invited to present. At 7:30 p. in. the
pastor will hold revival services, the sub
ject being "Leaving the Righteous to Go
After Ihe 1 Lost."
ST. LUKE METHODIST—Junction of
Berenn avenue and Powell-afreet. Sunday
school at 9:30 a. in., S. M. Davis superin
tendent. Preaching nt 11 n. ni. and 7:30
George W. Grlner, pastor.
ST. MARK METHODIST—R'
Relk. pastor. Residence 38 East Third
street. Preaching at 11 a. u». f by Rev. 4.
W. Debit. D. D.. and at 7:30j>. m.. by\thc
pastor. Sunday school at 9:30 a. in.: deaf
mute class, Mr. W. F. Cruasello, teacher.
Mr. ||. Y. McCord, superintended. Prayer
meeting Wednesday evening at 7:30. Public
cordially Invited to attend all these services.
WALKER STREET METHODIST-Walk
er and Nelson streets. Preaching at 11 s.
tu. am! 7:30 t». tu.. by pastor. Rev. Will
J. Hanby. S|ieclai musical program will
tx» rendered morning and evening by choir.
Sunday school at 9:30 a. m., W. II. Terrell,
superintendent. All seats free. Strangers
welcome. Mias Lula Johnson’s Blhle oto*n
will meet In their class rooms at 10 o'clock.
Thla class extends a welcome to all. Pmy.
er and song service Wednesday night at 7:30
at church. f
FIRST METHODIST—Junction of Peach-
tree and Ivy streets. Rev. J. S. French,
pastor. Sunday school at 9:45 a. m.. W. H.
Patterson superintendent. Preacblug at !l
a. m. and 7:45 p. m. by the paator. Juulor
Iseagtie at 2 p. m. Rpworth League at 8:45
p. m. Mid-week service Wednesday at $
p. ro.
PAYNE MEMORIAL METHODIST—Cor-
ner lfunnlcutt and Lucklc streets. W. T.
Ilunnlcutt. paator. Preaching at 11 n. ro.
and 7:30 p, n». by the pastor. Sunday school
at 9JO a. m.. W. M. Pharr superintendent.
Meeting of board of stewards at 8 p. m.. C.
R. Beschau chairman. Prayer meeting on
Wednesday at 7 JO p. ro.
TRINITY METHODIST—Corner White
hall street and Trinity avenue. Dr. J. W,
Lee. the pastor, will preach at 11 a. m. and
7JO p. ro. The subject of the evening ser
mon will be “Hhah and Ills Ivory Palace In
Samaria." Sunday school at 9:36 a. in . W.
t). Foote superintendent. Weekly pra;
ayer
W*f
Jag discourse will be, "The Hand* of the'meeting Wednesday nt 7:30 p. in. * Ucgu!
IJrlng God." Sunday uigbt UIs subject will organ rtclUl at 7:15 p. un
aJL I ii Y
WESLEY MEMOR! Air-Comer Auburn
avenue nnd Ivy street. Rev. R. F. Enkes,
r ust or. Huudny school nt 9:30 u. in.. M. M.
»avlcs superintendent. Busy people's
ble class. W. t*. Wlthnni teacher. Young
meti s Baraca Bible class. Miss Lizzie Lupo
teacher. Young ladles' Phllnthcu Bible
class, Mr. Walker White teacher. Prenet
lug at 11 u. m. by the pastor. Hong servle
nt 7:30 p. in. Hpeelnl music by the chorus
and orchestra. Preaching nt 8 p. m. by the
pastor. Epwortb League devotional meet
ing nt 6:30 p. ra. Subject, “The Strait
Gate." Woman's Foreign Missionary Ho
defy Monday nt 3 p. ni. Workers’ council
Wednesday lit 6:30 p. in. Prayer meeting
Wednesday nt 7:30 p. tu.
NELLIE DODD MEMORtAla-Rev. M. la.
Underwood, pastor. Drenching nt 11 n
by .the [uistor, 7 p. ni. by Rev. W. A. Wells.
Sunday school at 9:45 a. in. Prnyer meet
ing at 7:30 p. m. Thursday. Congregation
requested to attend these services.
KGEL8TON M E M OR IA L—Corner Wash
iugtoti nnd Fulton streets. Preaching nt 11
a. in. nud 7:30 n. ni. by Rev. A. F. Filing
ton. D. I). Sunday school nt 9:30 u. m. Kp«
worth League at 6:30 p. m.
CONGREGATIONAL METHOD IHT-S8
Cooper afreet, two blocks from Whltelmll.
Rev. Hoife Hunt, D. D., pastor. Preaching
Sunday at 1! a. in. and 7:30 p. ro.; Hm
school at 9:30 a. in.. J. G. V. liloodwc
superintendent. Prayer meeting Wednesday
and Missionary Society Friday at 7:30 p.
Visitors welcome.
presbWerian.
FOURTH PRESBYTERIAN—Corner J««‘k
son and Chamberlin streets. Preaching
every Sunday nt 1! a. m. and 7:30 p. in., by
the pastor, Rev. T. II. Newkirk. Regular
Wednesday evening prayer service nt 7:30
p. m. Sunday’ school at 9:30 a. ro.
NORTH AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN—
Corner North avenue nud IVnebtrec street.
Iter. Richard Orroe Fllnn, pastor. Morning
worship at 11; eveulng worship nt 7:45.
— Dr. K. C. Mntheson. leader.
enatiter Band, 3 n. m.; Chtisttnu En
deavor, 0:45 p. ni. Wednesday 7:45 p. w.
prayer meeting. Strangers and traveling
inen assured a cordial welcome.
F. Oolite, pastor. Workers’ prayer and
conference nt 9 a. ro. In study. Huudny
school at 9:30; morniug worship nt 11; night
worship at 7:30; Junior Workers nt 3:30;
P. 8.. at 6.30. Wsdnesday prater meet
MOORE MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN—
Corner I.uckle and Latimer streets. Dr.
K. HoMerby, pastor. 1 Preaching by ...
pastor at H a. ro. and 7:3» p. ra.; Christian
Endeavor at 6£0 p. ro.
at 11 a. in., hy Rev. John D. Keith. At
the installation of Mr. Keith ns pas-
Rev. J. G. Patton. Her. L. U. Walker
nnd Mr. W. It. Hoyt will have charge of
this service. All are roost cordially Invited
to be present .at all servlcea. Nahhntb
school at 9:30 a. tn.; prayer meeting Wed
nesday at 7:45 p. ro.
ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTE
RIAN—Corner of Whitehall street sud
Whitehall terrace. Preaching by the pas
tor. Rev. J. A. Gordon., at II a. tu. and ^:45
Sabbath school at 10 a. in.; Y. !\
. 7 p. tn. Morning subject, “The
Constraining Power of t%rlsts Love;*’
evening subject, ‘The Judgement Day and
. . .. Thu u the flr ^ t uf
* * incut.
I GEORGIA AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN—
Corner of Georgia avenue and Grunt street.
Preaching nt 11 n. in. nnd 7:30 p. in., by the
pastor. Rev. If. J. Williams. Huudny school
nt 9:30 a. in.. A. F. Bclllngrnth. superin
tendent. Brotherhood meeting on Tuesday
nt 7:30 p. ni. PruyPr meeting on
Wednesday evening nt the satno hour. Heats
free nnd everybody welcome.
WEST k'nr> PRKtlnYTERtAS-Coriier of
Gordon and Ashby streets. Rev. Lyou It.
Walker, pnstof. Humbly school at 9:30 a.
til., C. R. Normandy, superintendent. Morn
ing service at 11 a. ni. Sermon by the pas
tor. Evening service nt 7;39.,« I’rnyef*meet-
Ing Wednestlay e vet dbg nt 7;30 o'clock, fob
lowed by Teaches*’ Training nud Normal
II. Rice, D. D.. pastor. Services Sunday nt
11 n. m. ami 7:30 p. ro. Preaching by Dr.
Rice. Knblmth school, superintendent, John
4, Engnu. nt.9:30 u. in. Music by orchestra
under leadership of Mr. EVwIn Mueller.
Bmrtierhood, President Marlon Jackson.
Sunday nt 9:30 n. in., and Thursday nt 7:30
p. m. Mid-week prnyer meeting Wednesday
nt 7:30 p. m. Pews free. Htrnugera cor
dially welcomed to nil services,
INMAN PARK PRESBYTERIAN—Corner
Edge wood and Euclid avenues. Preaching
by the pastor, nt 11 a. tu. and 7:30 p. in.;
Hominy school, 9:30 a, in.; Young Peoples
meeting Hun day nt 6:45 p. in. .f. B. Flekleu,
pastor. W. K. Newlll. superintendent.
CHRISTIAN.
FIRST CHRISTIAN—Corner of S. Pryor
nnd Trinity avenue. Ret. II. K. Pendleton,
pastor. Preaching nt 11 a. m. and 7:30 p. in.
Morning theme, “Home Peculiar Views of
the Bililc.'^ Evening theme. “The Mleiice
ornlng theme,
ic Bible." Eve
f Jean*. Bible school at 9:30 ni
Unit Endeavor nt 6:30 p. ui.
The nfuslital program Is ns follows:
MORNING.
Organ Prelude—Ijirghetto (Lemaret
Anthem—“I Will Lift Up Mine
t'lirla-
! Ash ford).
Offertory-
iFenrls).
"Jesus I/vrcr of My Soul"
A A ANCIENT ROMANCE
Terse Comment* on the Uniform Prayer Meeting Topic of the Young Peo-
pie’s Societies—Christian Endeavor, Baptist Young People’s Union. Ep-
worth League, etc., for December 8, it, “Lessona from an Old Lovo Story. €
The Book of Ruth." Ruth 2:10*20.
PoHtlmle.
EVENING.
Organ—"Bells nt Eventide" (Clarke).
Anthem—"O Be Joyful In the Lord"
(Packard).
Ladles' Quartet—"If Ye I<ove Me." Misses
Bearden nnd Mrs. Lloyd (Perkins).
WEST END.CHRISTIAN—Comer Gordon
nud Dunn streets. Rev. Bernard I*. Smith,
pastor. Preaching at 11 n. in. nnd 7:30 p.
HOWELL STATION; C!IR18TIAN-Eml
>f Marietta street ear Hue. Rev. Den
Bond, pastor. Bible achool nt 3 p. tn.
Preaching at 11 u. m. nud 7:&) p. hi.
COLLEGE PARK CHRISTIAN—Rev. F.
M. Adnm*, pastor. Bible school e
lAird'H day nt 10 n. ro. Preaching firm
Lord’* day at 11 n. in. and 7:30 p. in.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN—Itev. Waite
Llugle, D. D„* the paator. will preach nt 11
ii. in, and 7:30 i>. in. The Huudny *
frpens nt 9:30. Prayer meeting Wedn
*v«*iilng nt ;:46, led by the paator.
HARRIS STREET PRESBYTERIAN—
Corner Harris and Spring streets. Servin'
at li a. tn.. Dr. Calvin A. Dtmean. synodical
Hiipfcrliitcmlciit of Home Mission for Ten
(lessee, will preach. No service nt night.
Huudny school nt 9:45. This Is nn Imnot-
taut service and nil members are urged to
be present.
Rev. Nath Thompson will preneh Hitmh.,
-* —'* and Rev. Will
EPISCOPAL.
ml Sunday In Advent.
CATHEDRAL—Corner Washington and
Hunter. Very Rev. C. T. A. Pise, D.D.,
dean. At 7:30 a. m.. holy communion; 11 a.
ro.. morning prayer nml sermon; 4:30
p. in., evening prayer nnd aermon. Sunday
school 9:30 a. in. All other days: At 7:a>
a. m.. holy communion; 9 a. m.. morning
prayer; at 4:30 n. —
Wednesday and et
Friday:
ST. LUKES—Pent-litre#, between Currier
md Pine. Itev. C. U. Wllmer. D.D., rec
tor. At 7JO a. in., holy communion; It
n. un, morning prnyer and sermon; 7:30
p. in., evening prayer and sermon. Sunday
school at 9:45.
INCARNATION—Lee, near Gordon, West
End. Morning prayer and aermon at 11.
ning prayer and sermon nt 7:3J. Sunday
sehool nt 9:45.
ALL 8A1NTS—Corner West Peachtree nnd
North *venue. Ue\V 7.. 8. Farlaud. rector.
At 8 a. ro., holy communion; at 11 a. “
morn lug prayer and sermon; 4 n.
eveulng.prayer; Sunday school at 9:15.
EPIPHANY—Corner Moreland and Euclid
venues. Rev. A. Langston, vicar. In
charge. Morning prayer .and sermon at It.
Hlinuny school at 9:45.
I'ti-imiK Riiiijr. i, tui
th. Knlhrnn.,1 Joit.o,
b .frV. «f f.iur ..‘riunn, _
Wt-Ini^lnr pmy.r iu*.etlne
Kulijwt, "Tbe A|H.fttl«‘ ITlrr.
i th. Jnttttmc
; M «t 7:45 i>.
MISSION OP THE HOLY INNOCF.XTS-
tY'oodft ur.nm', ne»r \V..t 1’mrhtr.o. 8uo-
lay «ihool every Smiilny «t S:J0 p. tu.
IJOr.Y CO MFORTEM—Coruir .itl.nta
ftv.tiu. nnd Pullifttn (tract It... Ullhfrt
Miens, D. D.. in ••horifp.. Eranlti. pruve;-
nil,I .nrinou At 4. Hnnilny At 3.
8T ANDREWS—Corner Ghfnn .nil Kent
■treotft Rev. Gilbert HI.,., D.D.. in
ebarae. Subd.r nehool »t 3:10 p. m.
ST. I>Al'LK-E..t Point. Ret. Gilbert
IMeb«. I'. D.. in ch.rgo, Murnlna prayt-r
nnd ienuon at 11.
MOI.V TBISITY— Iterator. i|»|y ,hiui-
luiintoti a tat nennon nt It. by the Uev. s.
S. Speer. Sunday sehool nt 9:15.
nml toroton at il.
ST- JOHNS—College Part. Rev. Gilbert
Mega. It. It.. In >- ‘|
and aeratou at It.
ClfrHCH OP CHRI8T—Went Kml A
ms Bible study nt lu a. in. <?ominiiuUm
service nt 11 n. ra. Preaching at 11:30 n.
in. nud 7:30 p. ni. by Evangelist H. II. Hail,
Prayer meeting Thursday nt 7:30 p. tu.
CONGREGATIONAL.
UNION CONGREGATIONAL TABER
NACLE—Corner McDaniel nml Illglitnwcr
streets, one block south of Whitehall, Rev.
O. A. Barbee, pastor. Prenehlng at 11 n. in.
and 7:45 p. iu. Prnyer meeting Wednesday
CENTRAL CONG REG AT ION A l.-Hum!n v
sehool at 9:33 a. m. Classes for all ages.
Kindergarten system used in primary de
partment. Speeinl Indies' class, led by Dr.
linker. Morning service nt 11 o’clock. Ser
mon by the llev. Smith Bnkcr. D. D. Hul»-
Joel, “The Heart's Desire." Hpeelnl music
by choir nnd male quartet. Young People’s
C. E. prayer roeering nt 6:80 n. ro., I«»*l l»j-
Mr. Benjamin Htock; topic, “Lessons From
nn Old Love Story." People’s service nt
7:45 p. m. Special song service nnd lecture
by Dr. Baker on “The Useless and the Use.
ful Young Man.” The Indies' Union will
hold a devotional meeting Tuesday after
noon at 3 o’clock In the pastor's study. Lend
er. Mrs. Wey. Business meeting and In
formal "box social" of the C. E. Tfiesdnv
evening at 7:30 In the pastor's study. Mid
week prayer meeting Wednesday nt 8 p. in.
Everyone attending will please quote verse
of Scripture containing the word “pray"
or "prnyer."
LUTHERAN.
ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH OF
THE REDEEMER—Corner Trinity und Cnp-
Itol place. Rev. K. C. Croak, pnstor. Morn
ing-service with sermon at 11 o'clock. Bible
school nt 9:39 a. in., superintendent. Mr. C,
II. HteigNta. Evening service nt 7:30 p.
JOHNS GERMAN EVANGELICAL
LUTHERAN—Corner Forsyth nnd Garnett
streets. G. Niessmnnn, pastor. Preaching
By WILLIAM T. ELLIS
This famous Old Testament, pastoral
la commonly spoken of as a love story;
yet the book of Ruth is less a love
story than a story of loyalty—less the
tale of the love of man for woman
than of the loyalty of a daughter-in-
law to a mother-in-law. And the lat
ter is the less common experience of
the two. We have plenty of love stories
In life, and a number in the Bible, but
life and literature are less productive
of this sort of mother-in-law story.
UNITARIAN.
FIRST UNITARIAN—Spring street, cor-
er West Calu. Rev. Alexander T. Bowser,
minister. Humect for Sunday. Decemlier
•Jesus’ Ideal of Moral Perfection." Scrv-
•‘clock. All seats free. Sunday
UNiVERSALIST.
UNI VERBALIST CRIfRCH-Corner East
Harris and IVnehtree streets. Rev. E. Dean
Elleiiwood, pnstor. Residence. 40 E. Harris.
Regular preaching service ut 11 n. in., with
riupn by the pastor. Subject. “The Ppwor
free and hII nre i
CATHOLIC.
SACRED HEART—Peachtree and .fry
streets. Sunday, December 8, Is the second
Sunday In Advent nml the Feast of the
“Immaculate Conception." Musses at 7. 9:30
nnd 11 a. in. Sunday school, mass nnd
Sunday school at 9 a. tu.; Father Gunn will
preach at II o’clock mass on the dogma of
the “Immaculate Conception." At 4 p. iu.
there will lie Rosary sermon by Father
Rapier on "Prayer," nnd benediction of the
Blessed Sacrament. On Sunday, Decenilier
15, tlic lit. Rev. Rlahop Kefley, of Su
va nutib. will preach.
MISCELLANEOUS.
NEW JERUSALEM—Rev. Junius B.
Spier*, of Richmond. V*., wiil hold sendees
with sermon at 11 a. m. at the home of
Bru. R. A. Henderson. 80 McLendon street.
There was apparently more of world
ly wisdom than of romantic sentiment
In the marriage of the widow Ruth to
her kinsman Boas. The framers of this
topic have not been particularly happy
In their phrasing.
The common Instinct is right which
selects as the characteristic passage
from this charming book Ruth's words
to the mother of her husband, Naomi,
’.'Entreat me not to leave thee, nor to
return from following after thee; for
whither thou goest, I will go; and
where thou Iodgest, I will lodge; Dis
people shall be my people, and thy God
my Ood." »
All the good'fortunes that came into
the life of RutH the Moabites*, after
her husband’s death, were direct results
of her loyalty to her mother-in-law. It
was this fine spirit of fidelity and devo
tion which won for her the attention
and favor of Boaz, and later his hand
in marriage.
Seemingly small actions often have
great consequence*. A fair young
Moabitess, a widow, decides to become
the friend and support of her husband's
mother. In the train of that aet fol
lowed circumstance* whlcp made her
the great-grandmother of King David,
and thus an ancestress of Jesus Him
self.
The commonest Jokes deal with the
most serious matters. The Importance
and delicacy of the mother-in-law
question doubtless is responsible for ail
the mother-in-law Jokes. For count
less thousands of young people starting
out in married life the relationship of
each with the other's parents has been
a grave problem. The merging of the
two lives of husband and wife Into one
Is in Itself avhard enough task; it be
comes greatly complicated when It In
volves a measure of Identity with per
sons to whom one was not first drawn
by a spontaneous affection. The story
of Ruth, like the guiding cord In a
maze, shows the best way out of the
perplexities that often exist in the sit
uation. Loyalty should be the guiding
law. The new relationship creates new
obligations. A husband or wife has a
distinct duty to the mother of one's
partner in wedlock; she Is part of i
fnmtlv Upavo ' Mnnrlllolilni. nnd ,
family. Brave, uncrltlclslng and un
faltering loyalty is the first duty in the
case. As this Is the plain duty of the
son-in-law, or daughter-in-law, so It Is
also the duty of the mother-in-law.
Each Is bound to stand by the other;
they are kith and kin. And snail one
be disloyal, by speech or act, to one's
own?
11 more loyalty went with the l»ar-
rlage relation, love would continue
longer.
AH true friendship is fine, uf pe
culiar beauty, though. Is the friendship
of a younger woman for an older, it
partakes of the nature of worship ami
dlscipleship. By it* pure flame a char
acter Is illustrated. Ruth ua* a strong
er, wiser woman and better fitted f.»r
the responsibilities Which came to h-<r
later ns a wife of Boaz. because *ie
had the friendship of the older wom
an to temper her impulses and t»» di
rect her powers.
We never give but that we g-t.
Ruth was lavl.ih with herself toward
Naomi, but she achieved a great future
thereby. Nnoml gave the protection ->f
her name, the comfort of her presence,
and the strength of her wisdom to her
daughter-in-law; but she received sup
port from the latter, who became ;i
gleaner In the harvest, field, and she
eventually won a new place of dignity
In the community, us a member of the
household of her kinsman Boaz and as
the nurse of hls son Obed.
The goers-out enter In. Ruth had to
leave Moab, but she won Canaan, and
linked her name to the royal line • f
Israel.
Whosoever gleans In Duty'* - field If
certain to garner sheaves of delight.
o'clock, when every member, new nnd old,
la reqneated to be present. The deletfitot
from the Washington convention will con
tlnue their report.
ATLANTA BIBLE SCHOOL—88 Cooper
street, near Whitehall, and within a few
blocks from heart of city. lectures nt 3
». m. dally except Saturday; nlso nt 7:30
ti. Tuesday and Thursday. Mr. Ijiwton ]
People Can Do for the Spiritual Life
Church." Seata are free, and a cordial In
vitntlou is extended to the general public to
attead any of these serrlces^ Mr. Kffey’s
Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock at 122 I'
tree street. The subject for .consideration
will be "Music an Aid to Health and Hap-
pities*." There will be n beautlfnl mnsicHi
program bv leading local talent. All meet
ings of tbla society are open to the public
aud visitors are accorded a hearty welcome.
The Atlanta branch of the Watch Tower
Bible and Tract Society will hold their
regular weekly Bible study In Woodmen’s
flail, 122 Peachtree street, on Sunday morn-
lug at U o'clock. All Bible students are
cordially invited to attend.
•wj. |H«rr is me rwam m rue uau-
rood Young Men's Christian Association at
31H West Alabama street Everything for
their comfort I* hen* provided sud n roost
hearty welcome awaits erery man who will
sectarian and thoroughly evangelistic N' tt
Sunday, at the hour named, the Rev. B l
Gallic, pastor of Westminster |*resbytcr. ;i
church, will nddress the meeting. He ton*
forceful, striking style that always plec-c*
men. and he fa sure to give them someth mu
to think nhont that will abide with »n<v.>
SEVEN-SENTENCE SERMONS.
It Is manly to love one’s country: i< >'*
Gori-like to love the world.—J. W. Conklin.
HronJI kindnesses, small courtesies, *tn
considerations, habitually practiced In "i
social Intercourse, give ft greater charm
the character tbnn the display of great ta
epts and accomplishments.—M. A. Kelt}'-
Build a little fence of trust
Around today;
Fill the space with loving work
And therein stay;
Iftook not through the fhelterlng bars
Upon tomorrow;
God will help thee bear what comes
Of Joy or sorrow.
Home men nre optimists until they J“
. . , y „ , ~ At 3:10 In the afternoon a delightful Gos-'their neighbors, and other* nre pessimist*
C. A. will l*e held Suudajr afternoon at 4 pel service Is held, which la altogether nou- until they judge themselves.—U. T. fcvau*