[William T. Ellis, in the Globe-Democrat, St. Louis, Missouri]

Slowly the conviction is growing among thoughtful folk that much of our current talk—about the great themes of peace and social justice and a remade world— is really superficial. We are engrossed with slogans, and readymade schemes of "a new world order," and with organizations and cliques. We talk like the bandarlog, assuming that our much chattering will bring great goals to pass. We are in a word-plagued era.

Disillusioned with the common mood, we glimpse the great truth that the only way to the desirable things we dream and discuss is by recognition of the nature of man and of God. Since there is an eternal Ruler of the universe, mankind, one by one, must accept and know Him, before we can escape out of the world-wide slough into which our smallness and selfishness and sin have led us.

The truth behind and before and beneath all other truths—the truth that most vitally concerns every mortal—is the truth about God. When humans get into right relations with Him, then they will be in right relations one with another. The greatest philosophers and prophets and poets, and seekers of every sort, have seen, dimly or clearly, the central significance of God.

Gropingly, the whole world today is seeking the infinite power that will lead us out of the morass in which we flounder. We instinctively know that we must have something bigger, grander, nobler, profounder than the facts and purposes and programs of material-minded statesmen and social theorists. In our heart of hearts we feel that we must somehow find God. On every side, even the most secular voices are echoing this spiritual quest, a modernization of Job's "Oh that I knew where I might find him!" A recent issue of Time discerns "a trend that promises to go forward by leaps and bounds— the trend back to religion."

Right here a cautionary word needs to be spoken. "Religion" is a vague term that may mean much or nothing. Only when it is used to embrace the reality of a living God, and His will for man, may it be employed as the symbol of life's greatest objective. "Back to the God of the Bible" is a better slogan than "back to religion."

Our present need, in an unprecedented world emergency, is the same as man's deepest need throughout the uncounted ages— the need to find God and to know His will.

When Jesus came, he taught the world to use the dear and near name of "Father." That was the Master's usual designation and instinctive interpretation of the Supreme Being; as his Father and as "our Father."...All the best that the word "father" connotes is synonymous with God.

Even in life's material wants we are to depend upon our Father: "For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things."

[Rev. Armand Bass, in the Beacon, Wichita, Kansas]

Somehow and from somewhere, if the world is to be relieved, there must come renewals. These have always come when men heeded the call of God and yielded themselves to His will. Do we need anything less now? What other than religion can regenerate the hearts of men, organize and direct the powers of the people?

We have tried to build a new world order by legislation, reformation, and education; we have failed. Why? Because of personal unpreparedness. The foundations are not strong enough. We cannot build a peaceful world out of people who are unprepared and unable to pay the price that such a world demands of them.

The one thing to which we must give our attention above all else is the renewal of the hearts of men. Whatever else we do or fail to do, we must do this. Personal religion is needed, the kind that expresses itself in kindness, unselfishness, faith, hope, and love. A religion which demands reformation of character; reverence for God, the will to do good, and the leavening of the common life with spiritual powers and spiritual convictions.

If this personal religion is to be realized, we must awaken again the lost consciousness of God. Nothing but faith in God upon whom we are dependent, and to whom we are responsible, can bring peace and security to the world. We cannot live together unless we have faith in man, and we cannot have faith in man until we find our way back to the Father of all men.

[From the Herald, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada]

Of the many sayings of Christ [Jesus], none is more illuminative in pointing the Christian way than the two words "Follow me." They epitomize all that is contained in the words, "I am the way the truth, and the life." No Christian who sincerely wishes to lead the truly Christian life can disregard this terse and concise precept. It is so simple, so straightforward, that no Christian who is earnest in his...profession of Christianity should find any difficulty in conforming his life to what is implied in "Follow me." christianity is a simple creed, and its simplicity is conveyed in "Follow me." Dogmas and doctrines all go by the board in the face of these two simple words.

The chapter of the gospel which contains the words, "I am the way, the truth, and the life," begins with that beautiful and inspiring text, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." No Christian need be troubled about his...Christianity if he takes these words to his heart. Believing in God means believing in Christ, who came to earth to bring the God of what is now Christianity—the God of love, the God of pity, the God whose name spells "good." What that God represents was exemplified in his life by the Son of God, who was also the Son of man, thereby showing that what he exemplified can he exemplified by man.

How much better the world would be, how much better our relations one with the other, if the words "Follow me" found a place in the ordering of the Christian life! Yet how much is this simple precept neglected, possibly never thought of, in the conduct of the Christian life! Yet all true Christianity hinges on them, no matter by what name Christians call themselves. On the shield of Christianity are emblazoned the words "Follow me." They constituted the call of Christ [Jesus] to the humble fishermen. They call today over the years, just as they called by the waters of Gennesaret. Should we not heed them? "Follow me," and, "I am the way, the truth, and the life," are words to be remembered if our Christianity means anything.

[Roy L. Smith, as quoted in the Religious Digest, Grand Rapids, Michigan]

There was one subject upon which the poor blind man was a world authority. He knew that, whereas he had been blind, now he could see. A man who has experienced God does not need any proofs thereafter.

[Rev. Charles R. Tyner, as quoted in the Kansas City (Missouri) Journal]

A great many people are always seeking; they are never satisfied with anything and therefore they are unhappy....Happiness is found in kindliness, learning to live and let live. Happiness is found in the art of appreciation; there is no greater virtue in life than gratitude; it lifts the burdens of life; it makes the rough places in life smooth; it heals and blesses. There is no more commendable spirit in this world than the spirit which thanks God and thanks his fellow men for the many kindnesses shown him along the way. How many people grumble and find fault, but how few people stop and give thanks for the many blessings that attend their lives!

The secret of a happy life is found in allowing the spirit of God to find lodgment in the heart and so displacing jealousy, envy, hatred, and unkindliness. This world is beautiful and we have got to learn to reach out and help ourselves to a greater portion of God's love, and in doing so bring forth a life radiant with the spirit of Christ.

We can all be millionaires in God's love. After all it isn't what we have, it is what we are. Many people are seeking happiness, but they have the net on the wrong side of the ship, and they will never enjoy this life to the full until they cast it on the right side.

[From the Somerset and County Herald, Taunton, Somersetshire, England]

What delightful memories the little village of Bethany conjures up for the regular readers of the Bible—the home of the quiet Mary, the busy Martha, and their brother Lazarus! It does not need much imagination to picture the homely scenes and the loving welcome our Lord used to receive when he retired there for a short rest after his busy and fatiguing journeys.

Running like a golden thread through all the teaching of Jesus Christ is the fact that the animating spirit of those of us who profess to be his followers should be kindness, courtesy, unselfishness.

We may have many excellent qualities, but St. Paul classes them as all secondary to love: "The greatest of these is charity." All this is very easy to write, far easier than carrying it out in our lives. In fact, it never can be gained by seeking, but it will come only as we quietly look up to God day by day as we keep in touch with Him through prayer.

[From the Journal-Herald, Dayton, Ohio]

There are some who scoff at the idea of God. They look with amazement upon those who have a strong belief in Deity and His kindliness. Not having been used, their spiritual sense lies dormant.

But should these once make active effort to experience the eternal presence, they will find themselves coming into an increasing realization of His presence. After they have called upon Deity and served Deity and sought to make themselves perfect as their "Father which is in heaven is perfect," they will come into an ever-growing comprehension of God's imminence. When the Christian has once felt God to be near, he is never again the same person, for a new wisdom and a new learning have come to him.

[Mr. Drennan, as quoted in the Tavistock (Devonshire, England) Times]

You can establish a new order in the world today by making Jesus Christ your Master and by vowing that you will loyally and obediently carry out his will.