The evangelistic awakening

Introduction

For a score of years solitary voices in the wilderness have been proclaiming that the Christian Church is on the eve of such a revival of spiritual religion as her past history has not known or dreamed. Already, in this first decade of the twentieth century, these auguries of the prophesying heart are beginning to make themselves good. There are abundant signs that the period of intellectual criticism is about to give place to an age of moral faith.

There are two notes which must characterize any real religious awakening, the spiritual and the ethical note. There must be a restored communion with God and a revival of righteousness. The twin slogans of Methodism, "the Witness of the Spirit'' and "Holiness unto the Lord," are the abiding foundations of all true evangelism.

These two notes, so aggressively affirmed by Wesley and his coadjutors, have been but too faintly sounded in the evangelical movements of the ninteenth century. It is to be

6 Introduction.

marked that no general social and mo-ral transformation of communities has followed the hippodrome revivalism of the past generation, with its abundant advertising and elaborate mechanical devices. Its conversions have been too often theological rather than spiritual, and secured by passive acquiescence in a verbal formula rather than by active trust in a living Lord. It has been lacking in spiritual vision and in ethical fervor.

The age of historic criticism through which the Church is now passing has doubtless caused the shipwreck of many souls. Yet there can be no doubt that it is out of the dissolution of institutional and confessional religion that a vital and moral faith is always born. So it will be in the present crisis. Holy Scripture has become to truly religious souls the very voice of the God who shaped the providential history back of the sacred records, and all the more so that we have ceased to impose upon the oracles of God our man-made theories of what would constitute a w^orthy revelation of Himself. If the bonds of the letter have been relaxed, it is only that the voice of the Spirit may speak the more distinctly. Truth, dead in the tomb of dogma, is springing to life at the question of

Introduction. 7

criticism. To those who really believe in God it is as certain that a great spiritual revival will follow the decay of Protestant scholasticism as that the Protestant Reformation itself sprang out of the decadence of medieval theology.

The twentieth century revival must preach a whole gospel for the whole of human nature. It must proclaim the kingdom of God as a great divine earthly possibility. It will seek to save the outer life as well as the souls of men. It will preach a full salvation, large enough to redeem society from selfishness, business from baseness, and politics from pollution.

There is no new evangelism. Now, as of old, the only deliverance possible from sin and selfishness is through the grace of God in Jesus Christ. Real reformation is rooted in regeneration. But there must be a renewal of the evangelical spirit, as the Church feels anew the thrill of the old life. Neglected truths must be resurrected from the tomb of neglect, and well-known ones take on new life and be clothed in new forms of expression. The Church which experiences a perpetual Pentecost will be no slave to mechanism, but will continually manifest a fresh originality in methods.

The pages which follow are more than a

8 Introduction.

theoretical discussion of the subject of evangelism. They are also the laboratory notes of an expert. The author has been a successful pastor, and is now one of the most forceful leaders of men among the younger Presiding Elders of Methodism. In the organization of his district for aggressive evangelism he has shown himself not merely a master of methods, but, better still, a dynamic center of inspiration.

In commending his book, especially to the study of our younger preachers, let me also add my earnest exhortation that they return with renewed zeal to the precious twofold deposit of Methodism, the reality of the Divine Life in the soul and the possibility of evangelical perfection. So shall theirs be a jeweled ministry, which shall realize to the Church the refreshment of "the latter rain.''

George Ei^liott.

Preface

This little volume is written, —

First, to give a general view of the present evangelistic situation, to indicate some things that have led up to this condition and to set forth the signs of better days.

The prophetic tone of the first part is accounted for, in that the topics of these three chapters were originally discussed more than two years ago in the columns of the Michigan Advocate, They were rewritten last October, and before the book could be completed, because of the strenuous work of the winter, the prophetic notes of Part One had been in some measure fulfilled in the great Welsh revival and other manifestations of the same spirit. But these, we trust, are only the beginnings.

It aims, secondly, and more especially, to set forth some fundamental principles which need emphasis, and to outline what are to be, in the author's judgment, the conditions of successful evangelism in the Church of the future. It does not attempt to suggest methods for exlo PrEi^ace.

tensive use, nor does it set forth programs that have been or may be successfully executed. We do not discount these, but believe them only timely expediences, not capable of universal adoption, not adjustable to all ages, hence only a temporary relief. We contend concerning methods and programs of operation, that the only evangelism abidingly successful must be worked out by men who have hold of essential principles, and each man sufficiently ingenious to become all things to all men and the author of his own methods. In sincerity,

Wentworth F. Stewart.

OUTLINE.

part !•

PRESENT STATE OF EVANGELISM

chapter i. An Analysis

PAGE

1. A Review, 19

2. The Questioning Period, 20

3. The Influence of Modern Scholarship, - - 22

4. The Effect of the Scientific Spirit, - - 24

5. The Effect of the Commercial Spirit, - - 25

6. Perfunctory Service, - 26

7. Indifferent World, 26

8. Evangelism in Disfavor, 27

chapter ii. The: Awake^ning

1. Notes of Alarm, 31

2. The Pulpit Awakening, ^^

3. The Religious Press, 36

4. Declarations of Educators and Reformers, - 36

5. The Laity Aroused, 37

6. Call of Mission Fields, ^^

chapter iii. The; Outi^ook

PAGE

1. What of the Night? 41

2. Evangelistic Crisis, 44

3. Signs of Hope, 49

4. Less Defending of the Faith, - - - - 50

5. Acceptance of a Gospel of Evangelism, - - 51

6. In Spite of the Cross, 52

7. A Universal Feeling and Movement, - - 54

part II, PRESENT DAY EVANGELISM

Introduction : Propriety of the Term, - - 61

chapter i

The Profe:ssionai. Evange;i.ist.

1. His Place in the Church, 67

2. He may be a Dangerous Man, - - - - 70

3. He must not be a Self-Seeker, - - - - 71

4. He Should be a Leader, 72

5. His Future Usefulness, 73

CHAPTER 11.

The: Meetings.

1. Special Services, 77

2. Protracted Meetings, 79

3. The Management of the Meetings, - - - 81

4. Physical Attitudes, - 83

OUTI.INK. 13

PAGE

5. Personal Work, 85

6. The Man Between, ------ 87

7. The Emotions, Their Power, - - - - 89

8. The Emotions, Their Peril, - - - - 92

9. The Holy Spirit, 95

10. The Appeal, 99

chapter hi.

The: Evangelistic Me:ssage:.

1. The Importance of the Sermon, - - - 105

2. A Message Commands Attention, - - - 107

3. What Shall We Preach? 109

( 1 ) Not an Apologetic, 109

(2) Message not Controversial, - - - iii

(3) Preach the Gospel, not about It, - - 114

(4) Preach Positive Truths, - - - - 115

(5) Preach Fundamentals, - - - - 116

(6) Preach Christ Crucified, - - - - 117

4. A Message of Authority, 119

5. Believe in the Message, 121

6. Your Message Consistent, 123

7. It must be Impassioned, 124

8. Passion Kindled by Vision, - - - - 126

chapter iv.

The Evangelistic Pastor.

1. Evangelical Means Evangelistic, - - - 132

2. Not After a Fixed Pattern, - - - - 133

3. A Revival without an Evangelist Possible, - 135

4. An Evangelistic Pastorate Most Permanently

Strong, 138

14 Outline.

PAGE

5. The Only Satisfying IMinistry, - - - - 142

6. Evangelism Needs Able Pastoral Leadership, 144

CHAPTER V.

The: EvANGE^LisTic Church.

1. Evangelism must not be Detatched from the

Church, 151

2. Evangelism must be the Aim of the Church, 156

3. The Source of Life and Rejuvenation, - - 159

4. Reached by Conserving and Intensifying Nor-

mal Agencies, 162

(i) The Sunday Evening Service, - - - 166

(2) The Prayer-Meeting and Evangelism, - 168

(3) Pastors and Prayer-Meetings, - - - 171

(4) The Sunday-school and Evangelism, - - 173

(5) The Young People' s Societies, - - - 178

5. Evangelism thus becomes Constructive and

Progressive, 181

6. Continuous Evangelism Defined, - - - 183

7. Practical Consecration the Cost, - - - I84

chapter vi.

The: Evange:lization o^ thb World.

1. World Evangelization Involves Evangelism, 192

2. The Gospel for the World must be Evan-

gelistic, 192

3. The Evangelistic Church an Evangelizing

Church, 194

4. The Demand of the Hour, - - - - 198 Conclusion, 199 part I.

PRESENT STATE EVANGELISM.

OF

CHAPTER I.

AN ANALYSIS.

1. A Review.

2. The Questioning Period.

3. The Influence of Modern Scholarship.

4. The Effect of the Scientific Spirit.

5. The Effect of the Commercial Spirit.

6. Perfunctory Service.

7. Indifferent World.

8. Evangelism in Disfavor.

cHAP'reR I.

AN ANALYSIS.

The history of the Christian religion is one of periodical revivals. The uprising and onmoving tide noted by the several great periods — such as the days of the early Church in the Roman Empire, the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Puritan Movement, and the great Wesleyan Revival — are all manifestations of the same force, appearing with varied characteristics and somewhat different effects. Between these great epochs the principles of the Christian religion appeared, on the surface, to be on the decline. Some peculiar attitude of thought, or condition of life into which the world drifted, either raised a barrier against these movements or paralyzed the vital forces which propelled them ; and the Church seemed to find it necessary to wait for a readjustment of thought before she could move forward again upon her evangelizing mission.

It is the consensus of opinion that for the 19

20 Thi: Evangi:i.istic Awake:ning.

last half century we have been passing through one of these periods of, at least apparent, decline, which, on the surface, seems like retrogression, if not degeneration; so that as we come face to face with the morning of the twentieth century, a rather natural point for pausing and considering how great are our responsibilities and how vast our opportunities, we discover that, with all the splendid heritage the past has bestowed upon us, when the Church ought to be at the height of its glory and power, it is weak and faltering, with a consciousness of its condition that is perfectly transparent.

The This has been styled both an age

Questioning .

Period. of doubt and an age of faith; and this by men equally strong and equally true. One writes the ''Gospel for an Age of Doubt/' another entitles his book "An Age of Faith." These are not representative men of opposite views, but each presents a different phase of the present attitude of the world. Both views are correct. Every age has its aspects of faith and every age its phases of doubt. It must be evident to all that the great fundamental principles and historic facts of Christianity never before had so universal acceptance. Real

An AnaIvYSis. 21

atheism or unqualified infidelity are almost entirely attitudes of the past among thoughtful people. Christianity in its essentials, touching the historic person and principles of Jesus of Nazareth, is hardly questioned. The Sermon on the Mount never had so unqualified indorsement, and Christ was never so unanimously accorded the supreme place as to-day, when, almost without dissent, the world joins in singing, "No mortal can with Him compare." So that in the broadest sense, as to confidence in the Christian religion, this may be styled, without controversy, an age of faith.

Yet viewed from another standpoint this is noticeably an age of doubt. We speak not so much of the immediate hour as of the period which is now closing — if it has not already closed — since the beginning of the more general use . of the scientific spirit and historic method in Christian theology. But we do not mean by doubt, in this relation, that attitude of thought which rejects or denies positively and aggressively the great truths of religion, but, rather, doubt in the sense of uncertainty as to just what are tenable positions; in other words, the inquiring or questioning spirit. This doubt referred to, is not so much in realms entirely outside the Church and kingdom, but among those within or on the border; who, w^hile accepting sufficiently Christian principles to identify themselves in a measure with the interests of Christianity, are, nevertheless, in an unsettled and uncertain attitude as to how^ much is necessary to believe, and how much can be safely relied upon. These are in no sense opponents to Christianity, but seekers after truth.

The influ- I^ ^s ^o reflection upon modern Modera scholarship to declare that to it is scholarship, ^^^ributable in no little measure this present attitude. It is not within the limits of this discussion to consider the merits or demerits, the intent or effect upon the faith of the Christian world, of the investigations or conclusions of modern scholarship. Suffice it to say that the result of the historic njethod in Christian theology was inevitable; for, while men might continue to accept many things not yet proven true, they would not continue to accept those things that beyond a doubt were proven to be without foundation. For side by side with the historic method came the scientific spirit, which demanded that, although religion might be supernatural, it could not be

An Analysis. 23

irrational ; hence, the result : when through the modern method of research many things that had been considered heretofore as supremelysacred were taken hold of in the spirit of a cold, critical analysis, seeking truth for truth's sake, regardless of whether any institutions or traditions should be permanently preserved, it was quite impossible that the faith of multitudes of people should fail to be impaired, when severed from the anchorage which held them quite as much to sacred traditions and institutions as to fundamental facts ; for not all religious teachers would be sufficiently careful in dealing with these conditions to protect those thus innocently tied to uncertain moorings, until their faith had been transferred from tradition to truth ; while side by side with this influence was that more subtle still, which laid hold upon the popular mind through the standard literature of fiction, which, while unexcelled as literature, was, to say the least, misty and uncertain, if not almost agnostic in its tendencies, upon which the people fed their intellects, often to the entire paralysis of their Christian faith.

To add to the misfortune of this period, leaders of Christian thought, instead of seek-

24 Th^ Evangelistic Awakening.

ing a middle ground of agreement, arrayed themselves on either side. On the one side, the destructive critics, who inferred that modern scholarship had reduced the supernaturalism of Christianity to the minimum, and made our religion a matter of moral principle, to whom ''the cross of Christ is foolishness," who found no place in their theology for atoning blood, redeeming grace, and the supernatural energy of the Holy Spirit. On the other extreme, those opposed to modern scholarship insisted upon literal interpretation ; clinging to traditions, relying upon mechanical processes, unsconsciously discounting great fundamentals and the gifts of the Divine Spirit. These together paralyzed the life of the Church, and destroyed the spirit of genuine evangelism ; for while the Gospel, robbed of the supernatural, has absolutely no power of evangelization, so, on the other hand, the Gospel which is confined to peculiar formulas and mechanical processes is utterly incapable of adaptation to the changing conditions of life and society. Scientific While it is unquestionably true Spirit. ^^^^ Christian men of science have increased in numbers during the latter part of this period, and the scientific spirit is more in

An AnaIvYSis. 25

s}anpathy with Christianity than ever before, nevertheless this close contact, and the attempt at a fuller reconciliation of science and religion, has had a severe influence upon the experimental features of Christianity. It was inevitable that the emotional element, formerly so great a factor, should be modified by larger knowledge and greater dependence upon intellectual processes. As a result, much of the fervor born of the emotional is, among a large class, not at a premium, and in many instances discounted in favor of careful, judicial conclusions ; so that religion, with some, takes on the aspect of a cold, mathematical problem. Commercial '^'hc commcrcial spirit of the time Spirit. jg another force before which the evangelistic life has succumbed. The Protestant Evangelical Churches have grown rich, and have naturally grown worldly with their increasing wealth. Previous to this period the world had not become intoxicated with the "get-rich-quick" idea so prevalent now, and there was no thought of making the Church the means of commercial advancement. But in this age of overpowering commercial spirit all interests have come to be considered in terms of revenue ; even the pulpit, in some instances, has become a matter of dollars and cents, and, besides being bartered off for such, is so completely under the control of the commercial ideas dominating the pew that its real prophetic note is hushed, and that pungency of truth which accompanies the preaching of a man whose convictions are untrammeled, and which arouses the world and promotes aggressive evangelization, is greatly modified.

Perfunctory ^^ ^hc abscucc of distiuct diffcrservice. ^j^ccs bctwecn the Church and the world, the cross is lifted with little pain, and largely smothered in roses. The Christian life is made accessible over smooth and thornless paths, and relieved of the genuine tests of forsaking all to follow Christ. This has ushered in an era of easy-going Christianity, making Christian service formal and perfunctory, having extracted from it that intense spirit which, in other days, gave the Church that strange influence which neither criticism nor opposition could resist.

Indifferent Through the grafting of selfish-

^^^'^- ness into the life of the Church, the

compromising spirit of its members, and the

timid spirit of the pulpit, the small fraction of

time and the slight measure of enthusiasm

An AnaIvYSis. 27

given by Christians to the service of Christ, in these times when life is most strenuous in all other respects, and we are committed in •slavish fashion to public affairs, business pursuits, and social pleasures, men are not persuaded of the urgency of Christianity, and the thoughtless world becomes sealed with the spirit of indifference.

Evangelism Aud morc alarming by far than m Disfavor. ^^^ actual couditious here outlined is the fact that evangelism itself, the only possible remedy for them, has come into disfavor. The multiplication of professional evangelists, and the abuse of the evangelistic method by confining it to periodic and spasmodic efforts; the unstable and unsatisfactory results that to so great a degree have followed these services, in many instances amounting to reaction; the disreputable methods, neither healthy nor sane, of so large a class of these men; the tendency toward fanaticism dividing Churches and establishing sects, — have caused large numbers of intelligent and earnest ministers and Churches to become prejudiced against the entire evangelistic movement, and no saving substitute has been offered.

Chapter II. The Awakening

1. Notes of Alarm.

2. The Pulpit Awakening.

3. The Religious Press.

4. Declarations of Educators and Reformers.

5. The Laity Aroused.

6. Call of Mission Fields.

CHAPTe:r II.

THE AWAKENING.

Notes of ThErD is no better sign of a gen- Aiarm. ^^^j awakening than the fact that the Church has become aware of the conditions, and is arousing itself and sending forth a note of alarm concerning the actual state of affairs and its apparent helplessness in the face of them. For the last decade the Church has become greatly concerned on account of its inability to reach the masses of people in our great cities; it is little more than holding its own anywhere, and in many instances not succeeding even in this. Saloons, clubs, and social orders move in and hold forth in splendid array, with increasing patronage, often in the very heart of cities; while the Church yields its ground, moves to a more favorable situation and more sympathetic surroundings. Multitudes throng our cities from foreign lands with unchristian principles; modern institutions of vice organize and sustain themselves; and the

32 The; EvanG]e:ustic Awaki:ning.

Church stands in the face of these, more overcome than overcoming. The small towns and rural sections, in many instances, are quite as degenerate, and almost as little affected by evangelizing influences. Indeed, in many instances, the Church finds itself unable to perform successfully the work of evangelization to the extent of reaching the boys and girls and young people of her own society, Sunday-school, and homes, and save them for Christ and the Church.

Another significant fact to which the Church is awakening is, that notwithstanding the large numbers of Churches, and the people of wealth and influence allied with the same, she seems powerless to grapple with the evils of communities, even where Church members largely predominate. Still further, notwithstanding the emphasis placed upon the brotherhood of man and the principles of human equality, for which the Church is largely responsible, she nevertheless stands almost helpless in the face of the strained conditions of the civil and industrial world ; unable to complete her task of inaugurating among men a practical brotherhood.

And, most appalling of all, as we stand at the door of the new century we find every nation of darkness open before us, bidding us enter; with almost every barrier removed, the thing for which through these years the Church has been praying, and now finds itself unable to meet the demands of the answer to its own prayer ; overwhelmed by the insufficiency of its resources by lack of consecration of money, of talent, and of life for the world's evangelization. These are among the best evidences in general of an evangelistic awakening. The Pulpit When the prophetic note ceases to Awakeningr. souud from the Christian pulpit the world may look out for a general decline in religion. From the standpoint of the pulpit we have been passing through a peculiar period for the last two decades. The Church has often found itself unable to secure congregations as formerly ; preachers, feeling the embarrassment of the situation, unwilling to take the blame upon themselves, and unable to throw it upon their people, have resorted, often with the approval of their members, to novel methods of retaining their congregations. Many of the people, growing rich with the prosperity of these years, have cared only for the Church as a means of respectability, to whom the ministry have often yielded and lost their hold. Thus 3 the Churches have been emptied and made worldly; they have tied the preacher's hands and sealed his lips, until, in some places, forty or fifty Churches will not possess enough of vital Christian principle, much less of spiritual and unselfish purpose, to make the whole force equal to a "Gideon's band."

And there are many faithful pastors whose Churches are so situated, or so constituted, or both, that they have n't the courage to undertake an evangelistic campaign; and yet are very greatly concerned, both because they do not want to be considered as not believing in such w^ork, and because they feel that their Church is drifting away from the very heart of Christianity. In conversation with a pastor of a prominent Church, he said to me, "I do not know what I can do; it is useless to plan an old-time revival service ; my people will not support it, and yet I want to do something." This feeling among earnest men in such Churches is growing more and more; the pulpit is awakening. The Reiig- ^^^ ^f the most potent factors in ious Press. ^^Q^^[^g organizations and promoting sentiment in our day, is the public press. These men who dictate the matter from the editorial chair have the privilege of a wonderful sweep of observation and a general survey of the world, unparalleled by any others. They are most naturally the first to catch the thought of the time and publish abroad the trend of sentiment. For the past few years the religious press has been sending forth the note of alarm, furnishing facts and figures, demonstrating to the Church its situation, and is now announcing repeated prophecies and promises of a great religious awakening. Educators Whcu the Bible was taken from

and

Reformers, the public scliools iu this couutry, atheists, infidels, skeptics, and all the godless world rejoiced in an apparent triumph for unbelief, and in a great antichristian victory. But it was only apparent. While we may never see the Bible restored to the school-room, we shall never see its principles excluded from the teacher's desk. We will see renewed interest in Bible knowledge as a fundamental part of education, as men more and more realize the urgency of these principles in the completion of education ; which must be considered in the light of character as well as knowledge.

Hence increased emphasis is placed upon religious home training, and vastly augmented is the devotion to these ideals in the Sunday-

36 The Evangelistic Awakexixg.

school. The failure of the Church in these respects has started, through the leading educators of the land, ''The Religious Education Society,'' whose aim is to keep the great saving truths of Christianity more fully and intelligently before the young and growingly informed age.

Touching this phase of the situation, nothing is more significant than the new trend given to the study of psychology, and this by men the most brilliant in the land. Professor James, of Harvard, from a purely scientific standpoint, writes his remarkable book on "Varieties of Religious Experience/' The brilliant rising psychologist, Professor Coe, of the Northwestern, is giving himself largely to this phase of psycholog}" ; his books on religious education are working a marked transformation through such statements as these : ''The making over of men can never be an}1;hing more than a necessary addendum or necessary preliminary to the central process of making men/' "The world is saved chiefly through Christ's influence upon childhood/' G. Stanley Hall said several years ago in our hearing substantially this : "]\Iodern scientific religious scholarship is leading us directly back to what is now commonly called

^old-fashioned conversion' as the only safe basis of moral life and character."

In the realm of reformers in general there is the growing admission, at least, that "neither legislation nor constitution, though they can do something, can change the leopard's spots. . . . Any permanent solution of the difficulty must include a change in the general current of motive, a reversal of the accepted presupposition. Society must have a new heart. The whole industrial body is sick for want of it;'' and there is a return from all departments of thought touching the world's sores, to Horace Bushnell's unique statement, "The soul of all improvement is the improvement of the soul."

i^aity Consecrated laymen of large in-

Awakemngr. fl^eucc are here and there rising up to assert the need of the hour, and are not only giving theirs, but themselves in service as leaders of the people. Great conventions and schools of method, whose attendance is largely on the increase, are studying, from the ministry down through every rank of leadership, the best possible means of reaching the people with evangelizing effort. "It is also true beyond question that more effort has been put forth in

38 Thi: Evange:i.istic Awake:ning.

the building of church edifices than in building up souls for God's kingdom. Costly edifices have been multiplied, monuments of stone and brick, frequently only pride stimulators, while the greater work of securing, through an equal effort, monuments of God's grace, has been neglected." Said Comptroller Coler, of New York City : '1 believe the great masses of the people in our great cities are away from the churches simply because the churches are away from them. It is a waste of money to build a twohundred-thousand-dollar church, and then use it only once or twice a week.''

ivnssion The results of our mission fields,

^eids. ^vhich have opened up so widely and invitingly and attracted and absorbed the attention and devotion of the Church at large, have been due almost entirely to evangelistic methods. The great revivals in India and elsewhere under the influence of a simple but profound evangelism have not only opened the way, but emphasized to all the supreme importance of this principle, if the kingdom is to fill the earth.

Chapter III. The Outlook

1. What of the Night?

2. Evangelistic Crisis.

3. Signs of Hope.

4. Less Defending of the Faith.

5. Acceptance of a Gospel of Evangelism.

6. In Spite of the Cross.

7. A Universal Feeling and Movement

CHAPTER III.

THE OUTLOOK.

"Watchman! what of the night? does the morning dawn ?" I am not a pessimist ; I can not be ; my faith in God is too much wrapt up with the Divine declaration that sets forth the unfaiHng mission of Jesus Christ upon earth. For as I stand in the presence of the risen Lord before the challenge, ''Reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side,'' and I respond, *'My Lord and my God," I must believe in His triumph and dominion. And let no one think that the world is indifferent at heart, when once it is aroused to the interest of the kingdom of Jesus Christ; for from beneath the strife, the rush, and rivalry of an apparently unbelieving and indifferent world, there is breathed from humble altars and humbler firesides, from earnest souls far removed from centers, and also from the busy marts of trade, the eager cry, "Watchman, what of the night ?'' Far down beneath the burning, seething, selfish surface, this old world is still concerned, and silently prays, ''Thy kingdom come.''