Evening Star Newspaper, January 4, 1930, Page 9

SUBJECTS CHOSEN BY DR. ABERNETHY Communion Service Will Be Held at Close of Morning Session. Dr. W. 8. Abernethy will preach at Calvary Baptist Church tomorrow at 11 o'clock on “The Master's Memorial,” and at 8 o'clock, “Show Me the Way.” Communion service will be held at the close of the morning session. The junior church service will be | held at 11 o'clock in Baker Hall, with Rev. H. J. Councilor preaching. “Foundations of Character Building™ will be the subject discussed by Mrs, Fereba Croxton, executive secrotary of the Social Hygiene Society, in the Par- ent-Child Relationship class, tomorrow at 9:45 o'clock in the church parlor. ‘The Vaughn class will hold its next club meeting Monday evening at 8 o'clock in Vaughn and Burrall Halis. George Harris, president, will be in charge. The Burrall class will hold a busi- ness meeting Wednesday evening in Burrall Hall and the Florence M. Brown Class in the church parlor. | The Intermediate Christian Endeavor | Bociety will meet in joint session with the Young People's Christian Endeavor Soti:ety tomorrow at 7 o'clock in Bristow Hal e deaf department preaching serv- ice will be held in Baker Hall tomorrow evening at 8 o'clock. The monthly business meeting will occur Monday at 8 o'clock. ‘The quarterly meeting of the Wom- an's Missionary Union will be held in ‘Woodward Hall Monday at 10:30 a.m. ‘with a roll call of the churches belong ing to the Columbia Association of Bap- tist Churches. The devotional service will be conducted by Mrs. W. S. Aber- nethy. The following women from the Atlantic District headquarters in Phila- delphia will speak during the morning session and conduct the conferences in the afternoon: Mrs. Howard Wayne Smith, Mrs. Joseph S. Wilds, Mrs. Charles Gauger, Mrs. George W. Doane, Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. Earl Breed- ing. . Luncheon will be served at 12: o'clock. COMMUNION SERVICF AT BRIGHTWOOD PARK Rev. Walter M. Michael Will} Preach in Evening on “Lessons From Thieves.” Brightwood Park Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Walter M. Michael pastor, will open with church school tomorrow morning at 9:40 o'clock. This school is under the leadership of Charles C. Helmick, general superintendent. At 11 am. the pastor will preach on “Saving Self” Holy communion wiil be celebrated. New members will be Teceived. At 6:45 pm. the Senior Epworth League will hold its devotional service under the leadership of Miss Thelma CHILDHOOD OF JESUS. Matthew 1.1-2,23. Golden Text: Thou shalt call His name Jesus; for it is He that shall save His people from their sins.—Matt., 1.21. During the coming six months our lessons have been selected from the Gospel of St. Matthew. Renan, the dis- , tinguished French critical scholar, claim~ ed that this Gospel was “the most im- portant book of Christendom, the most important book that has ever been writ- ten.” While no claim as to the author- ship of this opening volume of the New Testament is contained in the Gospel, the fact that the early Christians con- sidered it was the work of Matthew furnishes strong external evidence that {the anonymous writer was none other than the former tax collector, who was chosen by the Lord Jesus to be one of the twelve apostles. Papias, who knew the Apostle John and who is recognized by scholars as the writer of the first interpretations | of the sayings of the Master, stated that Matthew had written a collection of the sayings of the Lord Jesus in Aramaic. Ramsay believes that, following the practice of a business man to make memorandums of conversations, Mat- thew, in all probability, made short- hand notes of the Master's sayings dur- ing the public ministry of the Lord Jesus. This collection was probably the Aramaic Gospel that scholars believe was used by the writers of the synoptic Gospels. Certainly no other apostle would be more interested in presenting to the Jews the fact that Jesus was their long-expected Messiah than Mat- thew. He grouped the sayings of the Master so that the truths He taught are presented in a topical manner. The aim of the committee which se- lected the coming six months’ lessons, was: “(1) To present a clear and com- prehensive view of the entire Gospel of Matthew; (2) to keep in mind the Mes- sianic character of the Gospel; (3) to observe the well balanced relationship between Jesus’ ministry of teaching and His ministry of mercy; (4) to develop faith in Jesus as the Son of God; (5) to indicate the way to complete Chris- tian living.” Matthew emphasized the fact that Jesus fulfilled prophesy and the doctrine of the kingdom. He made at least 40 quotations from the prophets that referred to the Lord Jesus. He speaks of the ‘“kingdom” at least 50 times in his effort to clearly prove that Jesus was the long-expected Messiah. He divided the life of the Savior into six periods. Our open n upon the “Childhood of Jesus” is drawn from the period of Christ's preparation. The Royal-Divine Child. Modern Americans are not interested very much in genealogy, but Matthew starts writing his Gospel with the Lord’s genealogical tree. He traced His line back to David, the founder of the “ | kingdom, and to Abraham the father of the race. Although he was trying to prove beyond question that Jesus upon the human side was a direct descendant from David, Matthew did not hesitate to present the evidence that there ex- isted some tile blood in the physical ancestry of our Lord. Some of the number had lived lives stained with sin. Browne, first vice president. The In- termediate Epworth League will meet at 7 p.m. and Miss Dorothy Detwiler will be in charge of the devotions. Th> tor will preach at 8 p.m. on “Lessons ves.” . &, . C. E. McCleery president, will hold a dinner Tuesday at 5 o'clock. At 7:30 p.m. the monthly Sunday school board meeting will be held, followed at 8:30 p.m. by the ofi- cial board meeting. Jie .o Luncheon will be served at'noon in by & meeting of the Swartzell Guild at at 1 pm. At 2 p.m. the regular meeting of the Ladies’ Guild e held. Miss mb:e ‘Young of lnfldhnlnolh DR. PIERCE’S SUBJECT “THE JOYSOME CHOICE” Dr. Bemis to Review “Franklin: Apostle of Modern Times,” at All Souls’ Church Book Chat. At the 11 o'clock service tomorrow at All Souls’ Church (Unitarian) the min- ister, Dr. Ulysses G. B. Pierce, will preach on the subject, “The Joysome Choice.” At the Book Chat at 5:30 o'clock Dr. Samuel P. Bemis will review Bernard Fay’ Franklin: Apostle of Modern| ‘Times.” Supper will be served at 6 o'clock. At 6:30 o'clock a series of intimate conversations for young peo- ple on “Psyciblogy and Youth” will be inaugurated. Dr. Pierce will be the taking for his opening sub- Jject, “The Value of Psychology to Youth.” At the motion picture hour in Plerce Hall at 7:30 o'clock an English film, “Kitty,” based on Warwick Deep- ing’s story, will be presented. B “THE WALL OF FIRE.” Eckington Presbyterian Pastor | Preaches in Morning. Rev. Henry B. Wooding, pastor of the Eckington Presbyterian Church, North Capitol street corner Florida avenue, will speak tomorrow morning at 11 ! g&hck on the theme “The Wall of In the evening the pastor will ex- change with Dr. R. Y. Nicholson, pas- tor of the Rhode Island Avenue Metho- dist Protestant Church. Young people will meet at 7 o'clock. union week of prayer service will be held in this church on Wednesday evening, with Dr. S. B. Daughtery as the speaker. SPEAKERS ARE ENGAGED. W’ltmlnlter Presbyterian to Hold Pre-Communion Services. ‘Three pre-communion services will be: held at Westminster Presbyterian Church next Tuesday, Wednesday and ‘Thursday evenings at 8 o'clock. The following speakers have been en- g‘efl’ ‘Tuesday, Dr. Bernard Bras- mp, pastor of Gunton-Temple Memo- rial sbyterian Church and the mod- erator of the Presbytery of Washing- ton City; Wednesday, Dr. N. P. Pat- terson, pastor of the Pirst Presbyterian Church: Thursday, Dr. W. L, Darby, secretary of the Washington Pederation of_Churches. ‘The communion service will be held January 12. PROGRAM AT ST. PAUL'S. Feast of Lights Celebration Will Be Observed. ‘The annual celebration of the Feast of Lights will be observed in St. Paul's Church, Rock Creek parish, tomorrow night at 8 o'clock. The rector, and his assistants, will be P.|children a and . dean of the College of Perhaps they are mentioned so that the readers may clearly understand that Jesus came into the world not only to save sinners of the Jewish race but of all races. His human ancestry demon- strated that he was clearly from a human standpoint of royal lineage. In the concise, complete and comprehen- sive statements of our lesson, Matthew presented important ineidents that were matters of historical record and popular traditions in Jerusalem that demon- strated conclusively that Jesus in His birth fulfilled prophetic lictions in reference to the nation's hope for a Messianic King. has pointed out that Mat- thew traced the Lord's descent to Joseph, not to Mary, in accordance with the view that descent on the mother’s side does not carry with it any right of suc- cession, and that her husband' r!m nition of Mary's supernatural cl conferred upon Him the legal rights of his son. Luke traces Mary's ancestry back to Adam through the Davidic line because he was writing his gaspel for the gentile readers more than Jewish. Matihew saw in Joseph's attitude to- ward Mary and her child the fulfill- ment of prophecy. The fact that there is & miracle concerning the birth of the be e: if Jesus was to save His people from their sins. No one, unless He were divine as well as human, could possibly be the Savior of the human race from their sins. When the wise men reached Jeru- salem from the East, seeking where they could find the new-born King, that they might worship Him, the city was stirred, Herod, the aged king, stricken with disease, filled with re- morsee, sensitive to his unpopularity, and in imminent danger, was aroused to the possibility of a new claimant to the throne of the Maccabees and David. He entertained the scientists, although he probably found out where they were from and how long they had been fol- lowing their discovery of the mysterious star; we do not know their names nor countries. Tradition gives their names as Gaspar, Melchoir, and Balthazar. Some traditions make them to be de- scendants of Shem, Ham and Japeth, representing religion, service, and rulers of all classes of men. They have been portrayed as white, black and brown, representing all the races of men. Filled with diabolical diplomacy, Herod had acquired and learned from the scholars and religious leaders of his court, prob- ably members of the Sandhedrin. that the Messianic King was to be born in Bethlehem according to prophecy. The wise men were requested to return from Bethlehem and let Herod know the re- sults of their search, so that he could also worship the new-born King. Beth- lehem was only six miles away, so they continued their journey shat night seeking to find the King. Guided by science and the teachings of the Bible, they found in Bethlehem's manger the new-born King. whom they worshiped and presented to Him the most valu- able gifts of their country. as evidence of their devotion and loyalty to Him. Protection Fulfills Prophecy. While the wise men were bending {over the new-born child, revealing their adoration, the sinister and murderous Herod was plotting in Jerusalem for the early destruction of the newly born possible claimant to the throne. Di- vinely directed, the wise men were in- fluenced not to return to Jerusalem. They left Bethlehem in all probability by the road that ran east from the city of the nativity of the Lord around the south end of the Dead Sea. Not only in warning the wise men, but in warn- ing Joseph in,a dream of the danger that Jesus faced and directing him to flee at once with his family about 70 miles southwest into Egypt, did God reveal His protecting care over His new-born son. Joseph departed at once. He soon found shelter, safety and support for his family along the Nile. ‘Tourists are taken to a Greek Catholic Church in Cairo, which they THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, “Out of Egypt I have called my son,” was literally fulfilled. Upon his return to Palestine, Joseph that Archelaus, who was a worse man than his father, Herod, had Succeeded to the throne. He was di- rected once more by the Lord in a dream to take up his residence in his old home at Nazareth, which fulfilled the prediction that “he should be called a Nazarene. Here Jesus spent His boyhood and His period of prepa- ration “for His public ministry. The community was a priestly town, located upon the line of trade. In this country community Jesus grew up in contact with the religious life of Jerusalem and the commercial life of Asia and Africa. Nazareth is located in a beautiful basin amidst the Galilean hills, about 1,000 feet above the fertile and historic plain of Estraleon. From the hills about the villeage Jesus could see the Mediterra- nean, about 18 miles away, and the Sea of Galilee, about 10 miles distance from Nazareth. There is much that we would like to know about the childhood of Jesus, but the Scriptures are almost silent. There is a hint or two in the parables, knowledge and references made in Christ's public ministry, that throws some light upon thoss days, when Jesus was growing physically, mentally, spiritually and socially. Mary was the Master’s first teacher. From her Jesus learned the first prayer that fell from his lips. She taught Him to memorize many of the at and important por- tiorss of the Old Testament. The syna- gogue school supplemented the work of the home in giving Him the foundation for His knowledge of the Scriptures and their meaning. The days He spent in the carpenter shop of Nazareth with Joseph, learning His trade in accord- ance with the practice of the Hebrews of teaching every boy a trade, were im- tant factors in His development. The urdens of carrying on the business after the death of Joseph and caring for the family were helpful in giving Him a knowledge of the problems faced in every home. Excepting His visit to Jerusalem we have no_accurate knowl- edge of any event in His life of prep- aration to bacome the Savior of men, as prophesied to Joseph, and the King of &Lnn. whom the wise men came to worship. Let us join them in adoring Him and dedicating our lives to Him and His church to help develop His kingdom among men. QUESTIONS About the Bible. 1. What was Pilate’s first question | Gospel of St. Matthe during his first audience with Christ? 2. How did Christ answer? 3. What was Pilate’s last and classic question? 4. What did Pilate do after this in- terview? 5. What did he tell the assembled throng? 6. Why did Pilate have to leave the Hall of Jlldfilent to talk to the throng? 1. Why the mob assemble out- doors and refuse to enter the court? . In what part of the building was this hall? 9. What actual evidence of its loca- tion is still in existence? 10. Where are these things recorded? ‘The answers to these questions will be found below. How many can you answer? 1. “Art thou the king of the Jews?" 2. “My kingdom is not of this world | .. . To this end was I born that should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” 3. “What is truth?” 4. He left the room, went out on the he crowds. fused to enter the court. 7. It would render them unfit to eat of the passover. 8. In the Hall of Audience in the Praetorium, on the first floor of the building. 9. The 28 steps leading to it are still preserved in the Church of Santa Croce di Gerusalemme, at Rome. 10. St. John, chapter 18. BAPTIST ASSOCIATION WILL MEET ON MONDAY ‘Women of District Organization Will Hold Conferences at Afternoon Session. ‘The Woman's Baptist Missionary Association of the District of Columbia will hold its quarterly session at Cal- vary Church Monday at 10:30 a.m. ‘The guests of honor and speakers will be officers of the Atlantic district, Mrs. Joseph Wilds and Mrs. Howard Wayne Smith of Philadelphia, Mrs. George W. Doane of Orange, N. J., and others. Mrs, William S. Abernethy will lead the devotional service. Luncheon will be served at 12:30 o'clock, following which conferences will be held, directed by the visiting of- ficers. Wives of the Baptist clergymen of Washington will be guests at the luncheon and there will be reports from the missionary societies of the Baptist churches. All women of the denomination and others are invited to attend. NEW YEAR IS SUBJECT. Rev. Bernard Braskamp to Preach Sunday at Memorial Church. Rev. Bernard Braskamp, pastor of the Gunton-Temple Memorial Presby- terlan Church, will preach tomorrow morning on “The Certainties of the New Year” and at the 8 o'clock evening service on the subject, “What Makes a New Year? ‘The Women's Missionary Society will meet Wednesday at 11 o'clock, when the pastor’s brother, Dr. Otto Bras- kamp, will tell about the Jerusalem conference, which he attended. ELECTION TO BE HELD. Fifth Baptist Business Meeting Scheduled Thursday. ‘The annual business meeting of Fifth Baptist Church, with the election of officers and five deacons, will be held next Thursday night. Dr. John E. Briggs will preach to- morrow morning on the subject, “Good, an Evening of the Best.” The evening subject is “Not Ashamed of the Gos- pe] of Christ.” SUBJECTS SELECTED. Rev. J. L 8. Holloman Preaches are informed was erected upon the site of the traditional dwelling place of the holy family in Egypt. Herod, when he realized that the wise men had evidently detected his purpose, issued a secret decree that filled Bethlehem with sorrow, for his of- ficers murdered the t children since the appearance of the star to the wise men. In mwfih‘o{',mmt prop] of Jer was protection M. Preachers at the National Cathedral. ‘The congregation of Holy Comforter Chapel, a parish mission, will make its annual pilgrimage to St. Paul's Church for this service. Holy communion will be celebated to- at 7:30 and 11 am. of Jesus, who escaped from murdered by Herod, mthmh was fulfilled. After Joseph ‘been Egypt about. two years, Herod died, and once more there came a divine munfi to Joseph in a dream, advising him return to Palestine, In this ‘words fulfilled. In the providential being ecy in Twice Tomorrow. At Second Baptist Church, Third street between H and I streets, the pastor, Rev. J. L. 8. Holloman, will tomorrow at 11 a.m. on “Carry- the Christmas Spirit Across of the Years” and at the evmfim on “Merit and Chance, the hty Masters of Life. The Bible school will meet at 9:30 am. and B. Y. P. U. at 6 pm. Bishop Freeman to Preach. ‘The Right Rev. James E. Freeman, Bishop of Washington, will preach at St. Matthew's Church, at Addison per- ish hall, Seat Pleasant, Md., tomorrow morning at 9:39 o'clock. TOPGS ANNDUNGED BYOR W, SWYDER Preaches on “Proportionate Faith” and “Back to God” Tomorrow. At St. Paul's English Lutheran Church, Eleventh and H streets, Dr. Henry W. Snyder, pastor, will preach tomorrow at 11 o'clock on “Proportion- ate Faith.” His evening subject, at 8 o'clock. will take the form of a New Year meditation on the subject “Back to God.” The two branches of the Sunday school will meet at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Church and Epiphany Chapel, Sixteenth and U streets. “The Child. hood of Jesus" will be the lesson for the day, beginning a series of studies on the life of Christ as found in the ew. At §t. Paul's Church at 7 o'clock to- morrow evening there will be a union meeting of the Christian Endeavor So- clety, the Luther League and Junior Endeavor Soclety, under the leadership of Mrs. Henry W. Snyder, The topic for discussion is “Why Pray for Others?" The Dr. Samuel Domer Bible class will have a business and social meet- ing tonight at the residence of Misses Jane and Katharine Keely, 612 Rock Creek Church road. Final ar- rangements will be made for a dinner to be given at the church January 18. Mrs. J. Harry Jones is chairman of the dinner committee, At Epiphany Chapel Wednesday at 8 p.m. the Woman's Missionary Society will meet. Mrs. Frank E. Cunningham will preside, and Thursday evening a special service of the congregation will be held in preparation for the sacra- ment of holy communion on the Sun- day following at St. Paul's Church, both morning and evening. At the reparatory service Dr. Snyder will de- iver a short address, after which he will read the ritual of confession and absolution. DR. BIXLER WILL SPEAK AT HOWARD SERVICES Heéad of Smith College Religion | Department to Be Heard To- morrow Morning. Dr. J. Seelye Bixler, professor of re- ion and head of the department of religion, Smith College, Northampton, Mass., will be the speaker at the How- ard University religious services tomor- row at 11 o'clock in Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel. Dr. Bixler studied at the Union The- ological Seminary, New York City; Am- herst College, Yale Divinity School, Harvard University and received the degree of Ph. D. at Yale University. He was formerly an instructor in Latin and English at the American College in Madura, India, 1916-17, and instruc- tor in philosophy at American Univer- sity, Beirut, Syria, 1920-22. Dr. Bixler is the author of “Religion in the Philosophy of Willlam James,"” “Modern American Prophets” and is a coll-n;rlbuwr to numerous other periodi- cals, “PRESSING FORWARD.” | Pastor Will Preach at Church of the Brethren. Dr. F. F. Holmgnle. pastor of the Washington City Church of the Breth- 1|ren, Fourth street and North Carolina avenue southeast, will preach tomorrow morning on “Pressing Forward.” 1t is planned to have special features at each service. The church will co-operate with the Kernahan campaign in February and March and will hold evangelistic ser- vices two weeks prior to Easter. Henry A. g:ckemyer of Indianapolis, Ind., will assist, . NEW YEAR SERVICE. Communion Will Open Program at Highlands Baptist Church. The communion will open the New Year services at the Highlands Bep- tist Church tomorrow. The pastor, Rev. N. M. Simmonds, will speak on “Prayer. and Thanksgiving.” In the evening there will be a sermon for the young fiople especially on “First Calls of Our ves.” ‘There will be a meeting of the Work- ers Will Tuesday evening with Mrs, Brooks, 57 U street. The Woman's Circle will hold an all-day meeting Wednesday for White Cross sewing with Mrs, East, 1411 Perry place. A series of parlor conferences is to be held, beginning this week, with the attempt to secure the attendance of every member of the church. b Q, REV. M.R. LOVELL | PLANS 3 SERMONS First of Series Will Be Given at Mount Pleasant Church Tomorrow. “Religion's Answer to Life's Three Major Questions—Whence Came We?” the first in a series of three sermons, is the subject of Rev. Moses R. Lovell | of the Mount Pleasant Congregational Church, 1410 Columbia road, tomorrow at 11 o'clock. Church schcol meets at 9:30 am. “The Agricultural Situation in the United States” is the topic Dr. Clarence L Holmes will consider with the adult discussion group at 9:50 a.m. ‘The Young People’s Forum will meet at 5 pm, ‘apt. Robert E. Doyle, fol- lowing the 6 o'clock fellowship hour, will speak. The annual meeting of the Woman's Guild will be held January 8. There will be committee reports and election of officers, The study group for mothers of younger children will meet at the church Wednesday at 8 pm. The group is us- | ing as a guide to the discussion, Dr. | Loie Meek’s syllabus on “How Children Build Habits.” All mothers interested in the problems of little children are invited to join in these informal periods. An evening with Egypt, one in a se- ries tending toward the development of international understanding, will be conducted by Dr. John O. Knott, as- sisted by a representative of the Egyp- tian legation, January 9, at 8 p.m. Ancient Egypt will be pictured by Dr. Knott, whife the legation member will speak on “Modern Egypt.” ‘The Washington Life Adjustment Center wil be open for staff consulta- tions Monday evening from 7 to 10 p.m. Appointments should be made through Miss Helen M. Treudley, director of the center. FOUR SPECIAL SERVICES SCHEDULED FOR MONTH Tomorrow Will Be Observed as “Every Member Sunday” at Albright Memorial Church. Four special services are scheduled for Albright Memorial Evangelical Church, Fourth and Rittenhouse streets, for the month of January. Tomorrow will be “Every Member” Sunday, when it is expected that the entire member- ship of the church will be in attendance at the morning service. The sermon by Rev. George Schnabel, the minister, will be preached on the subject *“Not by Might Nor by Power, But by My Spirit, Saith the Lord.” Sunday evening at 6 o'clock the Christian Endeavor Society will conduct its monthly tea. At 8 o'clock the evening service subject is “The Might of God.” ‘The Women's Guild will entertain the mothers of the community Wed- nesday evening at 8 o'clock. The Girl and Boy Scout Troops will take part in the program and Dr. Homer Councillor will be the speaker. Fnigram Thursday lock. The church night will begin at 7:30 o'cl PULPITS ARE EXCHANGED. Rev. H. F. Wooding at Rhode Island M. P. Church. The Rhode Island Avenue M. P. Church is one of the five churches of Bloomingdale participating in the week of prayer. Preparatory to these services, the pastors of the participating churches are exchnnginf pulpits this evening. The_minister for this church is Rev. H. F. Wooding, pastor of Eckington Presbyterian Church. AT PETWORTH BAPTIST. Rev. Henry J. Smith Will Conduct Week of Prayer. Beginning Monday evening and con- tinuing through the week, the pastor of the Petworth Baptist Church, Rev. Henry J. Smith, will conduct' a week of prayer. The public is invited. Ser- vices will be each night at 8 o'clock. The subject of the pastor’s subject tomorrow morning 1 be “The Chal- lenge of Ignorance” with communion service following the sermon.- In the evening his subject is “Fear Destroyed Appreciations.” . French Services. Rev. Florian Vurpillot, pastor of the French congregation which meets every Sunday afternoon at St. John's Church, Lafayette Square, will preach tomorrow at 4 pm. on “La Course du Chretien.” Famous Churches of the World St. Hedwige’s ‘HE city of Berlin had its origin in two little fishing villages on oppo- site sides of the River Spree. They were replaced by colonies from The Netherlands, introduced by Albert the Bearm. margrave of Brandenburg, in 1163. About 1225 the military order of the Teutonic Knights, having been | Protestant forced to abandon the Holy Land, un- dertook the wnfilcln of the rest of hich st rem: ) W pagan, and under its sway the population was gradually Christianized. In 1307 the twin towns on the Spree, which had thus far been distinct, under the names of Berlin and Koln, entered into an alliance which was perfected in the fifteenth century, when they were united under the name of Berlin. At the time of Lul Reformation Albert of Brandenbur| and master of Church—Berlin. the Teutonlc Knights, was one of his chief advisers, and in 1525 he seized the territories and much of the prop- erty of his order and made Lutherism the established religion of the new duchy of East Prussia, which he founded. Brandenburg itself became under the Elector Joachim In 1747-73 a fine church was erected in Berlin for the use of the Ca of the city. It arose under the patron- age of Frederick the Great, and is one of the fiut monuments of his reign which his capital contains. It is a noble building, planned in imitation of the Pantheon, or Church of St. Mary of the Martyrs, in the city of Hlon ot 't toya St Heawige ‘of the on_of the . Het e * neighboring province of Silesia. II. SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 1930. Religious Questions DISCUSSED BY Dr. S. Q. How justice could be served by Christ's punishment in the place of guilty men is quite beyond my com- prehension. What is your own idea of Christ’s atonement for the sins of the world? A. Most Christian people today prob- ably share your feeling respecting the theory that Christ was “punished” to satisfy divine “justice” In rejecting that idea, however, we must not over- look the fact that for many centuries it satisfied the mind of Christendom, and that through it untold numbers of people entered into a deep experi- ence of God. In addition, that con- ception of the atonement invested life with a solemnity which we could well afford to regain. If we are to understand Christ's work we must study it in the light of its de- clared purpose, and what that purpose was we learn by examining what His life, death and resurrection have ac- tually produced. Men who themselves seck to be Christlike are the fruit of Calvary's sacred tree. The basic prin- ciple of the atonement is in the fact that Christ died in order that all men might share His spirit. This was the spirit of purity, of love, of service, of faith and of obedience. If any man were truly Christlike he would be “saved” in the truest sense, for he would be a man than whom a better or a holier could not be con- ceived. Such men God has always de- sired, and He gave Christ to the utter- most to‘obtain them. Not merely God's justice but His love for mankind is deeply involved in any explanation of the atonement. Meanwhile, the wise preacher will emphasize the fact that God for Christ’s sake receives those who accept Him as their Saviour into His favor and gives them the blessings promised in the Gospel. All theorizings about this actual experience but stress its unspeakable values. Q. Why do preachers claim, as they so often do, that Christianity is a re- ligion unique in all respects? Does not their claim manifest narrowness of outlook end cause bigotry, particularly in view of the admitted merits of other great religions of the world? A. The glory of the New Testament gospel is not in its total dissimilarity from all other faiths. An impartial studv of comparative religions will re- sult in the conclusion that Christianity is their consummation, because it satis- fies the spiritual aspirations of the race by means of an evangel which gives men that consciousness of conquest over self and of accord with the infinite which are not obtainable elsewhere. The Jerusalem Missionary Conference of 1927 recorded its conviction that non-Christian religions were the allies, not the rivals, of Christianity. This was & marked advance on previous propaganda ard one which is justified by the spiritual condition of mankind. ‘Undoubtedly, some churches are not prepared as yet to ratify the statement made at that conference. But it shows that the “superiority complex” you censure is not as pronounced as it was. Moreover, world religions must be judged by their results, and in this respect Christianity has nothing what- soever to fear. I deplore with you those assertions of exclusive right and monopoly to di- vine grace which foster false pride and separatism. But this tendency should not blind us to the fact that the val- ues which exist in and are peculiar to Christianity demonstrate themselves in a spiritual nobility of character and conduct unique in the history of civ- ilization. The driftings of time and eir- cumstance are toward a religious one- ness which Christ authorized. It may take centuries to achieve such unity, but it will ultimately prevail. Did He not say, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me?” This divine con- straint proceeds _according to the Father's will. As I see it, nothing can hinder its final victory. Q. I have absolutely no use for the sectarian churches or the Church Uni- versal, as you call it. Are you not aware that the_thlll'efm:? the toboggan and going down st A. Many feel as you do. They tell us that organized religion is fading away and will soon be a mere tradition. This opinion has been voiced from the days of Noah to the present hour. To be frank, custom has rather staled it. I freely grant you that churches have their human side, and one which has at intervals lowered their high spiritual professions to a naturalistic level. But no sane person seriously proposes to abolish the state because its political action falls short of its theoretical ex- cellence. Why, then, should the Church Universal fold its tents and steal ig- nominously away? She has a divine side as the most characteristic moral creation of God, whether in the Old Testament church of Israel or the New Testament ecclesia of Christ. To her we owe the Bible and its law and gospel, the prophets and their revelation of righ ness, the apostles and their exposition of the evangel of Jesus. From her ranks have come those’| choice and serviceable souls who are a part of our unalterable good. Nor has she failed, despite all deterrents, to maintain the ideal of her Lord. That ideal survives the wreck of sys- tems and of creeds and insists on eter- nal fatherhood and human brotherhood as man’s final destiny. Moreover, there has mnever been a time since Judaism or Christianity a peared when men’s hearts were 5o 1 tent on_these great ends as they are today. The churches are now entering into a renewed kingdom of hv;r and glorious achievement which baffles de- scription. If I thought as you do, I should be looking around for a substitute for this effete institution. Do you suppose sci- ence, which just now is wading into mysteries beyond its depths, i3 the agency we need? If you do, ask the scientists, especially Einstein, if their fundamental concepts are changeless and dependable. ‘Will culture restrain the race from self-destruction? The shades of Greece answer the query in the negative. Edu- cators are crying out for a religion rec- onciled with knowledge. Politicians confess that until faith disarms human hearts they dare not dismantle their navies. Think it through, and then unhesitatingly ask your questions. They need to be answered. Q Why is God so cruel? Everywhere in nature I see rapacity and misery. On every hand I see men, women and children in distress. An earthly father would never tolerate for his children what the so-called Heavenly Father tolerates for us. How do you account for this? A. It is undeniable that the world fc rife with evil and equally undeniable that this condition is for millions an inscrutable mystery. Only omniscience can understand the ways of omnis- clence. Men, therefore, cannot correct- 1y judge God, because we do not know all the facts in the case. "'But three considerations offer us some ht: 1. While evil abounds in nature, so does good. She is both brutal and be- neficent, rapacious and merciful. You have fixed your attention on human distress, What about human happi- n‘esx? surlely the no:muwrge ismn?c o:tm of purposeless agony from beginning to end. If it were, humanity's amazing progress could never ve been achieved. The animal life you specify is s larly carefree. What is so contemptu- ous of fear or so full of the zest of life ming | Seventh streets, grossly ex average existence of not only tolerable for them but happy, if sucl A a term can be applled to dumb creal Parkes Cadman. our inglorious ease. Without its spur we should become like the ancient lotus eaters. Every week I recelve letters from brave and serviceable spirits who have become what they are by fighting the wrongs and hardships around them You say you would have relished the Garden of Eden. Apart from the fact that it is a poetic idealization, I believe the place would ultimately have palled on you after any novelty the situation possessed had worn off. The lassitude and do-nothingness that such a paradise would have neces- sitated are not meant for beings such as ourselves. Our noblest qualities emerge at the call of pressure, suffering |, and pain. pain. 3. God Himself is not an impassive sgecum of life’s drama. According to the Bible, He has deeply involved Him- self in its tragedy, with the intention of making that tragedy subserve a glo- rious moral and spiritual triumph. But He acts according to law, not caprice, and we must believe He is conducting the universe in the wisest possible way. The travail of creation is His travail. Nor does He endure it in vain. The true and beautiful aspects of life are everywhere around you. View them as foreshadowings of the final abolition of the false, the ugly and the repellent. Out of the depths of His passion Jesus still called God His Father and still be- lieved that He controlled the visible and invisible universe. Considering what Jesus was and what He accomplished, you lmd I can safely emulate His ex- ample. Q. Why was Saul called Paul after his conversion? A. Several reasons are given for this change of name. It occurs in St. Luke's narrative after the account of the con- version of Serglus Paulus, and some authorities believe that the apostle took over his later title from that convert. Others think it was chosen by St. Paul himself, because it signifies smallness. Since he was noted for his unimpressive physique and also his humility, they argue that these were his reasons for calling himself Paulus, The more probable explanation is that he assumed this name when he attained the dignity*of Roman citizen- ship. It was the well known and hon- ored name of some important families. Surely they were fortunate in the fact that an expatriated and persecuted Jew who was martyred for his faith has spread that name throughout the earth, linking it with an achievement second to none in the history of religion. Q. I personally do not attend church. Many who do go simply because it is the proper thing to do. I regard them as hypocrites. Indeed, my experience is that there are more hy) tes in the church than out of it. my _opinion, all that is necess: to be a Christian is to follow the teachings of Christ, and that is what I try to do, without re- gard to church connections or attend- ance. xnm else is necessary? A little more clarity and a little | * I less self-complacency on your part. is certainly interesting to hear from a correspondent who roundly accuses so many of his fellow men with hypocrisy and at the same time follows the teach- ings of Christ. I know no teachings of His which justify {our avowed indif- ference to the public worship of God or which authorize your censorious and | fi sweeping judgment of the motives of others. On what grounds do you rest your conviction that in and of yourself you are able to obey those teachings? = If you are willing to be judged either here or hereafter by your exemplary obedi- ence to Christ's commands, you are the only person thus willing of whom I ever heard. The greatest saints have always been keenly conscious of their imperfec- tions and charitable toward the imper- fections of others. I am aware that fakirs and hypocrites occasionally use religion to cloak their misdeeds, but what does that ve? Simply that there is a divine reality in religion under which these pretenders endeavor to shelter themselves. The vast majority of attendants at church are found there because they realize their need of spiritual help, and find it in the public worship of the God of good life. “Go thou and do likewise.” “CHRIST’S SELF-GRASP” COMMUNION SUBJECT Petworth Methodist Episcopal Church to Observe Holy Rite Tomorrow Morning. Holy communion will be observed at Petworth Methodist Episcopal Church tomorrow morning. The pastor, Rev. Samuel E. Rose, will speak on the sub- Jject “Christ’s Self-Grasp.” New mem- bers will be received following the com- munion service. At the evening service the pastor’s be “New Year’s Ad- sermon subject wi ot e date for the financial campal for the bullding fund has been !En’tf-l tively set for the first part of February. The various groups who will assist are wn’glmg out final detallshrur the drive. e women’s group has appointed :{rr:.“ Dtv’:l H. h[:::‘eréforc to uk‘e’pcnhnm gazine sul iptions, proceeds fro; which will go to their crnflt. o — CHURCH TO OPEN DRIVE. Attendance Movement Will Start Tomorrow Morning, The New Year's church attendance movement at the Church of the Ascen- sion, Twelfth street and Massachusetts avenue, will begin tomorrow morning. There will be services at 8 and 11 am., Rev. T. W. Cooke, the rector, will preach at 11 am. on “Ideals.” The church school will be in charge of Mr. Carter and the adult Bible class di- rected by Rev. Mr. Taylor. Chinese Sunday school, 3 p.m.; Young People's Society and tea, 6 p.m., in charge of Robert Riley. The rector will have charge of the evening service, at 8 o'clock. Epiphany service will be held Mon- day at 10 a.m. and parish communion Thursday at 10 a.m. SERVICES ARE ARRANGED. Will Be Held During Week at Central Union Mission. Services have been arranged for to- HANLINE SERMON ON HOLY SPRIT Dr. Smith to Administer Sac- rament of Lord’s Supper Tomorrow. ‘The sacrament of the Lord's supper will be administered tomorrow morning at Hamline Methodist Episcopal Church, Sixteenth and Allison streets, by Dr. Chesteen Smith. The sermon subject will be “The Holy Spirit in the Work of Christ.” In the evening at 7 o'clock the devo- tional meeting of the Epworth League will be held. The leader will be Mrs. Lester L. Fansher. At 8 o'clock Dr. Smith will have as his sermon subject “Religion the Great Necessity of Life” this being the first of a series of Sun- day night sermons for the month of January. The board of Monday at 8 p.m. An all-day meeting for women will be held Wednesday, beginning at 10:30 am, with Mrs. Orrel L. Moody presid- ing. At 12 noon Mrs. O. H. Hillman, president of the Woman's Home Mis- slonary Scclety, has secured Dr. R. Lyman Sexton to deliver his lecture and show scenes of the mountains of Virginia. At 1 p.m. luncheon will be served, under the chairmanship of Mrs. Edward Stevens. At 2 pm. the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society will be presided over by Mrs. Harry A. Havens, president. Dr. Smith will inaugurate a series of ’studm Thursday evening on the Book of Acts, . PASTOR WILL DISCUSS “FAITH AND FORTUNE” Rev. R. Paul Schearrer Begins “Plain Talks About Prayer” Series in Evening. officials will meet Rev. R. Paul Schearrer, pastor of the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, will preach tomorrow at the 11 o'clock serv- ice on “Faith and Fortune.” At the 8 o'clock service he will give the first address in the series of “Plain Talks About Prayer.” Church school will assemble ‘at 9:30 o'clock and the adult Bible classes will meet at 9:45 o'clock. The intermediate and Senior Christlan Endeavor So- cieties will meet at 6:30 o'clock. The session meets Monday evening at the home of Elder E. V. Crittenden, 304 ‘Takoma avenue. The board of trustees w‘l‘lll ‘meet Tuesday evening in the church ce. A standard teachers’ training school will be organized Thursday evening un- der the auspices of the Prhym of Washington City. The school be held on five successive Thursday eve- nings. The following courses will be given: “The Teachings of Jesus,” u%z by Miss Mabel Thurston; “The - of Teaching,” by Rev. J. R. Duf- “How to Tell Stories to Chil- dren,” Miss Katherine Scrivener; “Sex Hys:;w and Child Guidance,” Mrs. 8. J. xton, and “Worship and the De- votional Life,” Mr. Schearrer. The pub- lic is invited. ciples eld. R — CALVARY METHODIST PROGRAM ANNOUNCED Holy Communion to Be Celebrated and Dr. Depp to Preach on “Open the Door.” At the mommlce tomorrow at the Calvary Me Church, holy communion will be celebrated. ‘The minister, Dr. Mark Depp, will preach on “Open the Door.” e Men's Bible class have charge of the evening service. The address will be delivered by Repre- sentative David Hogg of Indiana, his subject being “Where Do You Live?” The young people will have a fellow- ship meeting at 6 o'clock in Guild Hall. This will be followed by the devotional service, in which Dr. Depp will spe: on the first subject in a series of studies “Blind Spots.” " These special meetings will continue for six weeks, with special speakers each Sunday evening. The Thursday evening devotional meeting will be resumed next Thursday evening at 8 o‘cl:“ck. The owamn’s all-day mee will be held Tuesday beginning at ;Oma.o' o'clock. o'clock. Luncheon is served at 1: RENTS CHURCH BUILDING. New Quarters Are Acquired by Christ Lutheran Congregation. Christ Lutheran Church has rented Zlon Lutheran Church, Sixth and P streets, and will hold its services and carry on its activities as usual in this church. Tomorrow at 11 o'clock there will be a special opening service. The astor, Rev. J. Frederic Wenchel, will ve as the subject of his sermon “For- gelth:lg the Past and Facing the Fu- ure.” Christ Church has appointed a com- imittee consisting of \H? Charles Heit- muller, E. Knollman, Dr. H. Schreiber, Mrs, Charies Keller and Mrs, E. E. Phoebus to recommend a new location for the erection of the new church, Christian Endeavor The Senior Christian Endeavor Union meeting will be held at Georgetown Lutheran = Chursh, Wisconsin avenue and Volta place, Monday, at 8 o'clock. Rev. Harold Beatty, pastor, will give a brief address of welcome. Miss Paul- ine Hann, president of the Young People’s Society of Georgetown Luth- eran Church, will have charge of the devotional service. The guest speaker Wwill be Dr. George J. Schulz, former- ly instructor of American Government at Maryland University. He will speak on the subject, “The Spirit of God in American History.” A meeting of the Senior Christian Endeavor Union Board will be held tomorrow at 3 o'clock at Union head- gl:lmn. rcom 217, Y. M. C. A. Build- g. A special flying squadron, under the morrow night and each night next week at the Central Union Mission. - They are as follows: Sunday, Chase Presbyterian Church; night, Columbia Heights Christian Church; Tuesday night, Bethany Bap- Ust Church; Wednesday night, St. Paul's M. E. Church South; Thursday night, St. Mark's Lutheran Church; ch and Saturday night, Calv Baptist Church. 4 iy Chevy Monday REV. A. F. ELMES SPEAKS. g tor h of Jife's evil constitutes l(m:eun( to ug,y It pricks us out of Thursday, Takes “I Am the Way” as Topic at Morning Service. At the 's Congregational Church, M .m" between Sixth the pastor, Rev. A. P . F. take ‘;‘)lfiee al R, ) 3 e regular business of the church“:lfll be held g Christ and | uary 10, at 8 o'clock. , and the pas- | di leadership of Robert Simmons, will have charge c. the service at Lyon Park Church tomorrow evening. The D. C. C. E. Flying Squadron, un- der the leadership of Bob Lyon, Wl have charge of the Christian Endeavor meeting at Friends' Church tomorro& at 7 o'clock. Alpha C. E. of Vermont Avenue Christian Church conducted New Year eve services at the Methodist Home and the Central Union Mission after which the soclety had charge of the Watch night services at the church, Dr. Earle Wilfley gave an address. The Intermediate Society of Ninth Street Christian Church, under the leadership of the adviser, Mrs. R. L illiams, will be hosts at a meeting of the District Intermediate Union, at Ninth Strect Church, ces Penc, president of the soclety, will ve of the devotional ) of the Ninth urch, will give a scuss societies for Others?" cration