Article November 23, 1935 Issue

The Well-founded City

WILLIAM P. MC KENZIE

A city is a symbol of co-operation. The pioneer depends upon himself, and when there is a family all its members must exercise ingenuity in what may be called self-service. But in a city multifarious duties are divided among many. The pioneer works in the day. Of him it may be said, "The sleep of a laboring man is sweet whether he eat little or much." But "the city never sleeps," it is said; always, night or day, there are toilers laboring for the welfare of the citizens.

There have been great cities which have passed into oblivion. Their ruins are eloquent reminders of the words of Jesus, "Every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews was enamored with the idea of an established and enduring city. "Here have we no continuing city," he said. In a previous chapter when coming to the roll call of the men and women characterized by faith, naming Abraham among them of course, of the father of the faithful he said, "He looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." Of many others who were "strangers and pilgrims on the earth," and, being such, confessedly were seeking what Abraham sought, it is said, "They desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city."

In the Revelation of St. John the Divine the vision of "a new heaven and a new earth" is set forth in the words, "I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven;" and the meaning was made clear by "a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people." People in this age can co-operate, and work together as children of one Father, and the unseen city of spiritual friendship and loving-kindness can become known and make its benign influence felt among all nations.

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Spiritual Renewal
November 23, 1935
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