Signs of the Times

with contributions from Arlie H. Krussell, Henry Geerlings

Rev. Arlie H. Krussell in a talk reported in the Daily News Beloit, Wisconsin

Admonishing them to live by "the moral absolutes of honesty, purity, unselfishness, and love," the Rev. Krussell told Memorial High School seniors in their baccalaureate services ... that by "living as free men" they have both the challenge and opportunity of creating a better world.

Quoting from Peter in the Scriptures, Rev. Krussell reminded his audience that truth is our creed; love is our force; purity is our safeguard. Our faith and hope are in God ... our highest relationship and allegiance.

He drew a quotation from Harry Emerson Fosdick to bolster his own remarks: "No other way to life so much as democracy calls for intelligence, character, and moral responsibility inside the citizen."

With God's laws within men, with moral absolutes written upon their hearts, and with a close relationship with God, today's youth can take its proper place in a better world, Rev. Krussell said.

Henry Geerlings in the Evening Sentinel, Holland, Michigan

Honesty is not only the best policy, but it is the only policy. We ought to be honest in everything. Jesus was stressing this when he delivered the Sermon on the Mount. It is a great moral principle of the government of God that we reap as we sow. The grand characteristic of the followers of Christ [Jesus] is generosity. They must be known as givers rather than judges.

The story of Zacchaeus is interesting. He was a changed man after looking upon the Christ. He exemplified the spirit of honesty. He had lived to make money. Now he lived to use the money. Heretofore, he had lived for himself, now he was to live for God. Henceforth, he will aim not only at being honest, but in making others better and happier. When the Christ is accepted, the narrow becomes the broad, the hard becomes the generous, the levels of life are altered.... Our honesty must be reflected toward God, toward others, and toward ourselves.... Honesty to God entails love, obedience, devotion, and service to Him. Such expression must be constant.

Honesty to one's self means one ought not to be egotistical. It means one ought not to feel inferior. God has granted certain abilities. Each is responsible for what he has been given. If he is honest in the use of those gifts, then he ought not to feel inferior to those about him. Honesty to yourself entails using what you have in a way that proves your stewardship before God.

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