worldly men because of their likeness to the world are not wise. But the having of a good name is greatly to be desired, as our Scripture has it, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." It does not mean that we have compromised with the world to win its favor, but that men see and approve of those who try to walk uprightly. The having of a good name is a valuable asset. Reputation is of much account, for without it the best of men cannot do their finest and most influential work. A good name, even in the popular sense, has a distinct social value, and may be a commercial asset. A good name, even in this superficial sense, is better than riches, for wealth is a material thing and empty and vain beside what is intellectual, moral or spiritual. Let every Leaguer value and cherish his good name, and strive to keep untarnished his reputation. 2. Character More Than Reputation-All that we have been saying about the desirability of a good reputation is true, but character is more than reputation could possibly be. Character is a deeper thing and lies, not in the name, but in the person. It is ultimately not a question of what people think the man is. but of what he really is in the sight of God. "Thou, God, seest me" is a startling thought, which punctures mercilessly that shell of pride with which every man is tempted to surround himself. Character is essentially and emphatically an interior experience, or perhaps to speak more precisely, the moral and spiritual resultant of such experiences, which have in the course of time crystallized into certain habitual modes of thought and feeling, and trends of will. The exterior of a man may to the hasty gaze of his fellows or the partial look of his friends appear fair and worthy, when within he is far from being as he ought to be. The eyes of people are mercifully holden that they cannot see the inner life of other people. But God sees straight through and through the heart, and there is no satisfying Him unless the life is pure and good at its core as well as at its circumference. That is what makes the development of character of such great importance; it is our very life. It is the only thing we take with us into the life that is eternal. Many things aid in the making of character. but the best help is found in living close to savages. 1. National and Civil Liberty suggests itself first to us on this Sunday near to our Independence Day. This is a most precious thing. To gain it our forefathers left their homes in the fatherland, with great labor conquered the wilderness and overcame hostile Then with great sacrifices and heroism cast off a tyrant's yoke and became a free people. Today we are enjoying the joys and blessings of a free country because they dared all for the sake of liberty. We should appreciate our liberty more even than we do, cherish its privileges and stand steadfast in our support of those things which make for the continuance and glory of our free land. There is great need of this, for there are forces at work among us which threaten our liberty. There are selfish powers striving for the mastery, which if they gained it would put an end to our enjoyment of true liberty. I refer to anarchism on the one hand and the money power on the other. 2. Our Religious Freedom.-When Luther nailed the ninety-five theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg, Christians generally did not have the right to worship God according to the dictates of their own con sciences; the Church was bound by the will of the Pope; there was no religious freedom. Luther's hammer sounded the first clear note of that great chorus of demands for religious freedom, which came from earnest hearts all over Europe. Before it did come, as it is ours today, nation after nation had to undergo the purification of blood and fire. But today men and women worship God as their hearts desire. It is a great privilege, and we should cherish it. Perhaps no power will ever again be able to enthrall men in the same way, but it will do no harm to be on our guard, and hold fast to what we have. 3. Spiritual Liberty.-This is the highest and best liberty of all, that freedom from the burden and tyranny of sin which has been won for us by Jesus Christ our Saviour, "If the Son shall make you free you shall be free indeed." Much has been written of the cruelty and oppression of the Egyptian bondage, but the slavery of sin is infinitely worse. Some men never come to feel this, they are satisfied to live in sin; but those whose hearts long for better things find sin a hard and cruel master. From that bondage we can be free, if we will, through Christ Jesus. What a joyous thing this is only the redeemed can know. This freedom through Christ makes us free indeed. The freest people in all the world are Christians. True liberty is to live bound by the cords of love to Jesus Christ our Lord and King; it is the "perfect law of liberty." Questions for Discussion: where duties are not so urgent that they with Him might enjoy a season of rest. No one can question the necessity and value of a vacation. Every one who can possibly do it should take a vacation. Every employer who cares for the best results from those he employs should see that they have a vacation. Every congregation that values the services of its pastor and desires that he give them his best should give him a vacation. A vacation is not the invention or demand of those who are not willing to work, but it is a real necessity for every one who works, either with brain or hands, in this strenuous age. This summer, as during other summers, Christian workers all over the country will take vacations. This is right, and if the vacation time is used aright they will return better fitted to carry on their work and serve their Lord and Master. To make the best of a vacation, however, a Christian must bear in mind certain things: I. A Christian must not forget the Master's work at home. Every one who has tried to carry on the work of the church, Sunday school or Luther League during the vacation time knows the importance of this. Many who are splendid workers during all the rest of the year suddenly drop out of the work for four to eight Sundays without trying to put some one in their place while they are away. The result is the work is hindered and sometimes hurt seriously. A true Christian worker should try to have some one take his or her place while they are away. Your vacation may do much harm if you do not. 2. Remember the purpose of a vacation—to increase your ability to serve. That word "service" is much in men's mouths today and is sometimes overlooked. But it is a great thing, nevertheless. Service is the great purpose of our living, and when we go on a vacation we should not forget that we have done so in order to retain or increase our efficiency; not simply that we may make so many more dollars or help somebody else to make them, but that we may do our work and take our part for God and man as God has given it to us. A vacation therefore is not to be a carousal or a mere throwing away of energies, but a true rest time. 3. Take God and Godliness with you. This is not idle advice, for not a few who are faith ful to their church and the things of true Godly living at home seem to forget about these things while they are on their vacations. They never think to go to church when they could help and be helped by so doing, and sometimes with the throwing off of cares they put aside those restraints which are the marks of Christian men and women. Do not forget to take with you God and Godliness, for "Religion is not a vain thing, it is your life.” Questions: 1. Why do you think a vacation is a good thing? 2. Should the churches be closed to give the congregation a vacation? 3. What are some of the dangers of a vacation? 4. How do you think a Christian should spend his or her vacation? The Leaguer's Responsibility Eph. 4:7; I Tim. 6:20-21. Topic reviewed by Rev. Paul W. Koller. Every Leaguer is endowed by God with certain gifts and powers; we do not all possess alike, but every person has at least one talent. For every Leaguer God has done great things in giving him the power of a new life through Jesus Christ. With others who have confessed Christ, and who realize that all we have and are is from God, we have joined ourselves into a league of Christians-Lutheran Christians. What now is our responsibility? What is every true Leaguer's responsibility? 1. It is to God.-God in Jesus Christ has redeemed me and given me the power of a new life. My first work is to make Christ supreme in my heart and life; to surrender my will to His and do my best to carry out His will in my daily living; to obey His commands and follow His example. That side of service will not only honor my Lord and Master, but it will develop my own life and character; put true emotions where I have selfish ones; fill my heart with Christian love and my life with grace and power. 2. To my fellowmen.-Every Leaguer has a great duty to perform in trying to serve those about him. We are to try and leave God's mark on the world; to influence society; to make others happier and better. This is what is usually meant by a life of service. It is a man's or woman's Christian life going out in love and effort to help humanity to know God in Christ and happier living both in body and spirit. The range of our responsibilities here is as wide as humanity itself. There are the weak to be helped, not simply the weak physically, but those weak in will power and moral strength, who yield easily to temptation; the fallen are to be helped and lifted up; the discouraged to be cheered; the needy and distressed to be aided; and those out of Christ to be told the story of redeeming love. The responsibility for such service will rest upon the heart of every true Leaguer. 3. To the Church.-I do not doubt but that it was this side of responsibility for a Leaguer that the author of this topic had in mind. Thought of in this way it becomes a very practical lesson. Young men and women have joined themselves to the Church and united with the Luther League. They are enjoying the blessings of Church membership and the fellowship of the League. But that is not all; they, too, have responsibilities which they owe to the Church and the Luther League, and unless they meet them they are not doing their duty. The church must be supported; its services maintained; its membership increased and the Gospel sent to the heathen world. In the Luther League there is much to be done, and the responsibility rests upon every member. What great things could be done for our Church and Christ's kingdom if every Leaguer tried to do his or her full duty. Did you ever think, my dear fellow Leaguer, what your League could accomplish if every one felt their responsibility and tried to meet it; how the meetings would be well attended and full of interest and life; how the church would grow because personal work would be done for Christ; how the leaders' hearts would be cheered and the pastor encouraged? Great blessings await those churches and Leagues in which every Leaguer tries by God's help to do their part. Suggested Questions: 1. What can every Leaguer do to help his League. 2. Is every one responsible for the work of the Church? 3. Is there any real harm in shirking responsibility? 4. How are you meeting your responsibility? 5. What betterment would come to your League if more tried to do their duty? HE Church has rejoiced recently in large accessions. Thousands of young people have been confirmed. This should mean much. To the faithful pastors it meant much after having instructed the youth of the Church in the way of salvation. It should mean much to the Church membership already enrolled. As many faithful and experienced laborers are removed year after year it is cause for thankfulness that others should be added to take their places, and the work should go on. It means much to the confirmants themselves. The day of their confirmation and their first Communion is one long to be remembered. The day one makes public profession of Christ and is admitted into the full privileges of Church membership will not soon be forgotten where its hours lead up to a full appreciation of the privileges and responsibilities conferred. It should mean much to the Luther League. Where the members of the Luther League are true to its spirit and its purpose it presents opportunity and responsibility. Here we should cast anchor. As a helpful agency of the Church and to be of service the true Luther League should endeavor to aid and assist our confirmed young people to remain loyal to their confirmation vows. Than this the Luther League has no greater mission, and on this depend all other activities. Beginning with Ash Wednesday the Luther League of Chicago held noonday services downtown each Wednesday during Lent. Dur ing Holy Week these noonday services were held on Wednesday, Thursday and Good Friday. The attendance was encouraging. More than a dozen pastors were active in these edifying services, spiritually refreshing the hours of the busy day. During Holy Week the General Secretary was present and participated in these services that are an established feature of the Luther League work in Chicago. On Easter the Chicago Luther League distributed flowers at the Norwegian Deaconess Hospital, the Augustana Hospital, and the Passavant Memorial Hospital. This is an annual custom of the Chicago Luther League, and flowers are distributed Christmas and Easter. We were present with the Leaguers at both Augustana and Passavant Hospitals. Nearly a hundred leaguers were present at Augustana Hospital, and 165 bouquets were distributed. At Passavant Hospital another large delegation of Luther Leaguers distributed bunches of beautiful white roses. At Augustana Hospital, the superintendent, Rev. Dr. Wohlstrom, conducted the party to the various wards and rooms, and at Passavant Hospital this was done by Rev. W. C. Davis, the chaplain. At both hospitals religious services were held. At the Norwegian Deaconess Hospital, on the West Side, at Haddon avenue and Leavitt street, another party of Luther Leaguers did the same thing. The gratitude and appreciation of the patients was unmistakably pictured on their faces. At Augustana Hospital, the first bouquet was given to a distant compatriot of Simon the Cyrenian (Mark 5:21), and it was an agreeable surprise; his face glowed with pleasure like a Sudanese sun. And the last flowers were given to a daughter of the Emerald Isle, whose rich brogue conveyed her heartfelt thanks in a manner creditable to the established reputation of her kin. The annual banquet was held at the Boston Oyster House on April 10. One hundred and seventy Luther Leaguers assembled, and the occasion was thoroughly enjoyed by those present. The "menu" was satisfying and the "program," concluding with the "Rally Hymn," served palatable truths with good hu mor. The General Secretary is now in the mids of convention work, and his engagements wil! occupy all his time until the Fourth of July. LUTHER M. KUHNS. Daily Bible Readings Sunday, June 2-Deut. 6:1-9; Mark 12:28-30. Tuesday, June 18-Eph. 6:1-9. Wednesday, June 19-Luke 2:41-52. Thursday, June 20-Col. 3:1-17. Friday, June 21-I Pet. 2:11-25. Saturday, June 22-Ps. 1:1-6. Sunday, June 23-Prov. 22:1-6; I Cor. 15:58. Rationally inspire and deeply interest your Luther League members in the legitimate work of your Let there be a distinct advance in the work of your League in your congregation. For the local congregation is the field of its legitimate activity. This will require activity; and there must be planning and providing to make this activity effective. Write these words large, diligence, energy, industry, and throw into them the full force and meaning of definite purpose for progress. The president and officers, the chairmen and the members of the various committees should act. Let them lead the van. They should be the leaders of the movement. They should consult with the pastor, lay their plans before him, and get their League into line for better and improved work. But, how? By devising and preparing as you would for any enterprise worth the effort. League; and, by getting every member intelligently informed and heartily interested in the resolution to make a definite advance, secure the zealous co-operation of every one in your League work. A buttonhole campaign would help many of our Leagues. This is personal work for individuals. It pays the largest returns and the most permanent dividends for the efforts. It produces what you are looking for, namely, results. For this the fear to speak to one's friends must be overcome. There is no reason why we should be diffident in speaking of the importance and value of the League's purpose, spirit, and aim, nor of the place it should occupy in the congregation. Do not let them think they "have got to be solemn, or longwinded, or apologetic any more than they would if smallpox or scarlet fever called for immediate practical attention in their town.” Give them facts about your League and what it can do for your congregation. Carry on the campaign with vigor. Organize the movement as you would a commercial contest. Let the action be a series of operations like that of an army. If it cannot be done in one month, carry it over into the next month. Make it a period of education. Give all the information you can about the League and your congregation. You can tell the good things you have accomplished. You can interest them in what you may do that would be beneficial. You can explain the plans and tell how you want your church to do best of all, and how all are needed. If possible, secure their promise of help, but be gracious and courteous even if they refuse. Later you may get close to their needs and then you will win them. |