Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 36, Number 1, Decatur, Adams County, 1 January 1938 — Page 5

W 55 SUNDAY SCHOOL -:-LESSON •:• S Sy REV. HAROLD L. LUNDQUIST. De an of the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. © Western Newspaper Union. Lesson for January 9 PREPARING FOR A LIFE OF SERVICE | LESSON TEXT—Mark 1:1-13. ’ GOLDEN TEXT—Prepare ye the way •f the Lord —Mark 1:3. PRIMARY TOPIC—When Jesus Was Baptized JUNIOR TOPIC—When Jesus Was Baptized. INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPSC—Getting Ready to Serve. YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPlC—Dedicating Our Lives te Service. | “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ”—what an interesting expression! Did it not begin back before the foundation of the world? Yes, for the death of Christ was no mere afterthought in God’s plan. | But now we have the coming into , the world of the One who was the Lamb slain from before the world's founding. Jesus Christ is about to appear to begin his ministry which was to culminate at Calvary’s cross. Before Jesus comes the one sent to proclaim his appearing, to her- i aid the coming of the Servant of j God. Mark begins his account with ; the ministry of John the Baptist and makes no reference to the birth and genealogy of Jesus. How appropriate that is, for after all the important thing about a servant is not that he came from a certain family or was born in a particular place. The point is that he is here now and able and ready to do his work. I. The Herald of Christ (vv. 1-fl). The prophets had pointed forward to the coming of Christ. John the Baptist, of whom our Lord said that there was not a greater among the prophets, now appears to proclaim ! his presence and prepare the way j for him. Os him Joseph Parker beautifully says that he “was all 1 but a transparent veil: they could almost see the coming God through him ... If he stood aside for a mo- ! ment there was the One who was I to Come.” John was a unique personality, ; admirably fitted to proclaim a stern ' message of repentance to a deca- j dent age. Let us not put aside or ; ridicule strangely clad and unusual folk who have a word for us from God. Repent'—that was his message from the Lord. America needs that message today. The Christian doctrine of repentance has been set aside by some because they dis- | like its convicting power, and by I others through theological readjust- I ment. It needs re-affirmation. John’s greatest message, howev- | er, was the coming of the One who was to baptize not with water but 1 with the Holy Ghost. Like every ; true witness he humbles himself and points to the Saviour. We need the message, "repent,” but we need I even more to recall to our preaching and our churches the Holy Ghost 1 power of the Son of God. 11. The Baptism rs Christ (vv. ; 9-11). The account in Mark is brief but it brings before us the fact that the ; sinless Sou of God thus identified his holy self with sinful humanity ’ which he had come to save. What infinite love and condescension! God , the Father .gives his appnval. "Thou art my beloved Son. in whom I am well pleased” tv. 11). Let us learn the lesson that obedience to the divine will, a wfl- 1 lingness to humble ourselves to do ' the work whereunto God has sent us, are prerequisites to the filling i of the Holy Spirit with power and grace for life and service. 111. The Temptation of Christ (vv. 12, 13). As a final preparation tor and an intimation of what would be met in his ministry the Holy Spirit led our ! Lord into the wilderness to be | tempted of Satan. Around him were the wild beasts, before him was ; Satan, and in it all "the angels min- ; istered unto him.” We recall as we consider the temptation of Jesus, that he was without sin. that there was no fallen nature in him to which Satan could appeal. The temptation or testing of Jesus was therefore along Messianic lines, but the principles both of temptation and victory are similar to those of our own experience. Consider the parallel passages in Matthew 4 and Luke 4. The Devil has only three real temptations to present, "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (I John 2:16). These he used with Jesus as he tempted him to make food for his hungry body, to look at the kingdoms of this earth and attain them by a wrong method, and to presume on God's grace by throwing himself from the pinnacle of the temple. He uses the same three types of temptation with us, varying the "dress” in which he presents them. Let us be on guard. Victory came through the use of God’s Word. We need to learn that lesson and not attempt to defeat Satan with any man-made weapons of will-power, logic, or culture. Jesus was certain of victory. He is our victory. Learn to know him as Saviour ar.d Lord. Study God’s Word and learn how to use it in spiritual conflict. Yield to the Holy Spirit. Victory lies that way, and nowhere else.

(SbM Uo Church Simbotf

In An Uncertain Time I There Is One Sure Leader “Experts” In All Fields Disagree, But Confidence Abides In The One Hero Who Transforms Human Character—World Changes Ultimately Dependent Upon The Sort Os Folk We All Are.

By WILLIAM T. ELLIS One could drive a hay wagon down the cleavage that exists to--1 day between opposite schools of 1 economics, politics, industry and sociology. Authority has departed from these specialists, because I they so flatly and completely dis- ; agree among themselves. How 1 man men trust one group of these doctors when another group, equally reputable, utterly discredits its remedies? This confusion of counsel Is not the least of the woes of our world today. Is there no balm in Gilead? Must the patient toss in pain and delirium while the physicians quarrel? Is the choice alone some tested, certain cure for what ails our times? Here is posed a problem demanding closest attention. Let us come gradually, by logical steps,: to the core of the day's lesson. A Good Neighborhood Instinctively, we know that it is the kind of people in a ueighborj hood, a city, a nation or a race, ; that determines its character. Recently, a staff of researchers, under famous Edward Dee Thorndike, ! reported their factual findings, afi ter careful investigation of more ! than three hundred North American communities, to determine I what makes them good places to I live in. Their conclusion is that i fifty-rive percent of a town’s deI sirability depends upon the char■acter of its population; only thirtyi five per cent depends upon its ma- ■ terial prosperity. Thus the highbrow®. with their i statistics, confirm the commonsense’ verdict of the average thoughtful person, that it takes I good neighbors to make a good | neighborhood. The kind of folk . . who dwell in our wold determines I the kind of world it is to be. What, then, makes the right kind of folk? If our basic task is to I conform human beings to the character which alone can give us a ! world fit to live in, we ought to be ; busy about strengthening the I means that will effect the desired ! result. I That quest lands us plutnp tn the i field of religion, which has always , been the fundamentally formative i force in the shaping of human 'character. I have before expressled the matter thus: Without relig- : ion, we cannot have mortality; I without mortality we cannot have social safety; without social safel ty, we cannot have civilization. Back to First Causes Religion is mortal s relation to the Infinite. Here, simply set down, is what the great mass of mankind, especially in this west'ern world, believes in its deepest I consciousness: God is. God rules. God knows. God cares God. loves. As such a Being, God was constrained by His own nature to make Himself known to man. His I highest creation. That knowledge ! of God has been imparted in many ways, but supremely through the | character and utterances and mission of Jesus Christ, God's sent Son. All we need to know about God we may learn from Jesus Christ. So the study of the life and teachings of Jesus becomes a para mount concern of our times; and the most practicable method of making over this befuddled and burdened world of ours. There is surely Providential significance in I the fact that for the ensuing six j months, the world's crisis time, the many millions of members of the Sunday School, and an uncounted collateral company, are to give themselves to the consideration of the earliest and simplest life of Christ, that written by Mark. At the Telescope’s Ends Everybody Is at present in more or less of a haze of confusion, because of the amazing and contradictory utterances of contemporary science and invention and philosophy. It is the fashion to minimize man's place n the vast scheme of things. As one scientist said. “Astronomically speaker, man is negligible.” To which a Christian . retorted. “Astronomically speaking, mau is—the astronomer.” At the telescope s smaller end is * The Sunday School Lesson * » for January 9 is “Preparing for♦, * a Life of Service-’’—Mark 1:1- *: • 13. ♦ ♦*****»•♦♦*♦♦♦♦♦

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT SATURDAY, JANUARY 1.19.38.

the greater wonder. Man is more of a marvel than all of the stars. He alone can think and appraise, choose and reject. In his power of choice, he is, as the Psalmist said. “A little lower than God."l The character of man is the chief concern of life. May it not reverently be said that, as man’s first interest is God, so God's first interest is man? It was for man s sake, as well as for God's glory, that Jesus Christ came to live the life and to show the way that promises a veritable reign of the Kingdom of God on earth. As Mark Tells It In his compact yet dramatic bi- 1 ography of Jesus, Mark starts with the Master’s public appearance. He omits details of the birth and boyhood, already known to his readers. For be it remembered I that this book was written within a generation of the death of its Subject; and that the preaching of those early years consisted wholly in the telling of the story. ■ a repetition of the tacts and teachings of the life of Jesus Christ. | Would that there were more of ; the same today. In terse word phrases. Biographer Mark first introduces the rugged and romantic figure of the Herald of the Coming One —John the Baptist, with his stern message of repentance which drew the multitudes to the Jordan’s banks. Rough, I realistic, and rather ruthless, was ; this bold messenger who stripped j his hearer's hearts bare to their hidden sins. Always sounded the I nntn »\f QUO to COIH® wIIOSC baptism would be with the Holy Spirit who transforms lives. i Suddenly, quietly, in naI turalness, Jesus appeared amongst i John's hearers, seeking baptism tor Himself, that He might at the outset identify Himself with the common lot of humanity. Jesus was to be the great Sharer and Servant; introducing the world to a new order of life, which should be unselfish ministry. He made plain the path wherein God would have man walk. With humility and awe, we contemplate this phase of the preparation of the Servant-Saviour. A voice from the heavens attested His Son-ship. We may hardly imagine the solemnity of that scene by Jordan's bank, as considered by Christ. From this point of exaltation. He turned aside for forty days into the loneliness of the wilderness — to ’’find himself,” we would say. in our common speech. There He wrestled with temptation in all its forms (still the sharper of the common lot of man), and won through to victory and spiritual consolation, prepared for the long, hard road that was to lead to Calvary within three short years. SEVEN SENTENCE SERMONS Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. —Channing. Joy is the spiritual fruit of remembering the goodness of God. —John Douglas Adam. May every morning seem to say: “There’s something happy on the way, And God sends love to you." —Henry van Dyke. If you hit the mark, you must aim a little above it; every arrow that flies feels the attraction of the earth.—Longfellow. Blesesd is everyone that feareth Jehovah, that walketh in His way—Psalm 128:1. I I can't despise the mud and mire, Tho neither fills me with desire, Because I know that out of these By life's eternal mysteries Have sprung in some uufathomed way The splendors that we see today; And up from pain hath come to be A world of love and chivalry. —John Kendrick Bangs. The face that is lifted often Joward the Word should indeed grow bright with a gladness earth cannot cloud, and carry in all its | dally comings and goings some reflection of the light of heaven.—J. R. Miller. o * — * TODAY’S COMMON ERROR | | ; Never pronounce root — rut; | I say, root- | : p ————♦ i

WUKHESg; Eighth St. U. B. Church Luke J. Martin, pastor 9:30 a. m.—Sunday School, Laur- j ence Michel, superintendent. Frank Johnson, assistant. Assistant of- ( fleers and teachers in charge of ' Sunday School. , 10:30 a. m. —Junior service. 10:45 a. m.—Sermon. 7 p. m. Sunday night—Revival ; meeting begins. Services every night next week at 7:30 o’clock. Rev. Martin will bring most of the messages. There will be spec-i ial music and singing each night. Pray that God will send a mighty , revival. , The public is cordially invited to attend these services. o Zion Reformed Church Charles M. Prugh, minister Church School, 9 a. m. Clark Flaugh, superintendent. Installation of officers and teachers. Morning worship. 10:15 a. tn i Memorial service. Sermon, “The Year in Retrospect.” The Young I Women's choir will sing. 2 p. m.—Annual congregational 1 meeting. 6 p. m.—Young People’s society--8:15 p. m. — Evening worship. Christmas play, "Yuletide at King Arthur’s Court,” presented by the 1 Woman’s club, sponsored by the ministerial association. ; Monday, 7 p. m. —Official board. Tuesday. 2:30 p. m. — Women’s Missionary Society. Wednesday, 7 p. m. — Midweek ' prayer and study hour. First Evangelical Church George S. Lozier, minister • 9:15 a. m. —Sunday School. Earl Fuhrman, superintendent. (Install latlon service). 10:10 a. m.—Divine worship. SerI mon theme, "Facing the New Year.” 6 p. m. —Intermediate and SelilOi Chi intinu EuuOarvi'. The congregation will join in the union service at the Reformed church on Sunday evenug at 8:15 o’clock, when a Christmas pageant will beg iven. 7:00 p. m, Monday — Albright Brotherhood meeting. 7 p. m., Tuesday—Official board meeting. 7 p. m., Wednesday—Devotional and study hour. 2 p. m., Thursday — Woman's Missionary Society. o Church of the Nazarene Seventh and Marshall Sts. Paul Brandyberry, pastor 9:30 a. m.—Sunday School. Harley Ward, superintendent. 10:30 a. m.—Morning worship service. Sermon theme, "Stop and Pray About It.” 6:30 p. m.—Young people s service. Mrs. Lon Woodrum, president. 6:30 p. in< —Junior Society. 7:30 p. m. —Evangelistic service. 7:30 p. m. Wednesday —The regular mid-weed prayer meeting. "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ’—Philippians 3:14. Q_ Presbyterian George O. Walton, Minister 9:30 Sunday School. Mr. Frank Franz superintendent. 10:30 Morning worship. The Communion of the Lord's Supper will be celebrated. All members are asked to bring their Communion cards. Choir rehearsal Tuesday night at 6:45. —o First Baptist Churcn Homer J. Aspy, Minister 9:30 A. M. Bible School. Mr. C. E. I Bell, Superintendent. 10:30 A. M. Morning Worship Ser-; vice. The New Years sermon will be delivered by the pastor. 10:30 A. M. Junior Church. Mrs. Frank Young, Superintendent. 4:30 P. M. Communion Service. Instead of observing the ordinance of the Lord's Snipper at the morning hour, as has been our custom, for the first Communion Service of the New Year we will have a Vesper Service. Every member is asked to be present. Wednesday evening at 7:30 the Mid-Week Prayer Service. o First United Brethren Church Corner of 9th and Madison Rev, James A. Weber Church School at 9:15 A. M. Roy Mnntma in charge.—Theme—"The Gospel of Mark: A Preview ’ Morning Worship: 10:3b a. m. “Ties which tie man to the Divine” Christian Endeavor 6 p. ni. Adult and Young People's Topic—''Problems In Daily Living” Intermediate Topic —• “ll> 1938 Steering of Drifting?” Juniors and Junior Jewels meet at this hour also. New Years Worship 7 p, m. The year stretches before us without a spot; why stain it by missing this

happi hour of spiritual growth. Sermon theme —"The Call of the Calendar". The Official Board will meet at the close of this service. Monday 7 p. m. Bible Study Rev. C. J. Miner In charge. Come to the Beginners room in the church basement. Enter by the rear door. Wednesday 6 p. m. Orchestra Practice. A. N. Hilton in charge. 7 P. M. Prayer meeting by age groups, Adult, Young People, and children. This is Universal Week of Jrayer so make this service a great one. 8 p. m. —Choir Practice—Harold Mumma In charge. o M. E. Church Corner Monroe and Fifth Ralph W. Graham, pastor Morning worship. 9:30 a. in. Sermon theme, “The Gospel of Beginning Again.” Sermon for children. Epworth League, 6 p. m. Evening union service. Zion Reformed church, 8:15 p. m. o - Church of nod G>en E. Marshall, Paster An inspirational congregational song service will mark the beginning of the unified service. The pastor will bring the message on the subject, “True Values". The service begins promptly at 9:30 and closes at 11:15. The evening service will be in charge of Louis Reynolds. He will bring the message m Unis service. Mid-week prayer service Wednesday night 7:30. Friday night prayer service under the auspices of the Work and Win Sunday school class.. The place of meeting to be announced. Rev. Marshall will preach each evening at the St. Paul revival services. Services at 7:30 each night. o REVIEW OF EVENTS (Continued from Page 4) charge. 20 —Adams county tax levies reduced by state tax board. G. E. employees’ union given state charter. 23 — John L. DeVoss named chairo *v WWJ-.XV - — rw-tt * liHlil Ui LUC OH tllUaj O«»il tDi V»«4 President. 24— Schools close - and churches hold special services in observa-, tion of Thanksgiving. Union Chapel C. B. church purchases new parsonage. 29 —Henry Fuelling, of Root Township, commits suicide Saturday night. 30 Temperature drops io ahove zero last night. DECEMBER 1— Homer Arnold re-elected president of the Adams county soil conservation Red Cross roll call in county now totals more than $1,200. 2 — Temperature rises today to 36 degrees above zero. Police continue search to find petty thief who is breaking into Decatur residences. 3— Appraisinents of Wabash ditch property is approved by Judge Kister. Production at city light and power plant is still setting new records. 4— Central Sugar Company is making first payment to growers. All general plans are approved by Decatur school board for new ing6 — Tryouts being held for WLS show to be sponsored here by the Legion Auxiliary. Copy of assessments in Wabash ditch case are filed with county assessor. 7— Decatur housing authority is being represented in Washington conference by Robert Heller. WPA begins new drive to improve sanitation in community. Many hundreds of children see Santa Claus last night in program sponsored by the Decatur Junior Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the business men of the city8— Government expresses appreciation to city for location of new weli In homesteads development. 9— Suit on account being tried against the General lee Machines, Inc., of this city, in Adams Circuit Court. Lee C. Aunen is named resident engineer for new school building. 10 —Rev. Charles M. Prugh freezes his ears. 13— Stores begin staying open evenings for Christinas season. License plate sale is heavy. Petty thieves are still busy in city. 14— WLS show opens here tonight- Addition at Adams Theater near completion. G. Remy Bierly named president of Holy Name Society. City to provide three ice skating rinks for children. 15— Minutes of first meeting of county commissioners found. Masons elect Homer 1). Lower worshipful master of Blue Lodge. Central grade school pupils are moved to high school building today. 16— work begun on razing of Central school house. Rain removes ice froffi roads. 17 — Decatui housing authority makes application for $50,000 project. G- E. employees to share in SIB,OOO bonus. 18 G. E. to hold annual party for

employees here tonight. Party fori G. E. employees' children to be given Sunday. 29 —Fire damages 1). F. Suman store here Sunday night. 21 — Date for annual Birthday Ball for President set for January 30. 22— New school building plans; approved by PWA. New traffic; regulations and empolyees' salary; boost approved by city council; last night. Judge Kister denies pe-: tition for change of judge and decides to reopen inquiring into con- 1 tracts in the Wabash ditch case. 23— Word received here today that $50,000 has been "earmarked" by government for housing program in city. City plans observa- . tion of Christmas. 24 — Many wedding licenses are issued by County Clerk- G. Remy Bierly. 27—Several auto accidents are

Some New Years Resolutions for Celebrities ■ i(; ’AIK f aMt' - w ''lWw K Mary Astor ¥ V | Duke of Windsor last" ML Jr ' ■w r IT Johjr U Charlie McCarthy t ,. r une |j _ w,tn 1 Green “Avoid w C Fields” more marriages” j-r Ijp

Instead of making the traditional New Year's reactions and then breaking them within a couple of weeks, it seems a better idea to suggest some for various celebrities who have been in the news lately. For instance: Tommy Manville, millionaire much-married playboy, had best avoid blondes; Hugo L. Black, new supreme court justice, had better investigate organizations he joins in the future, Charlie McCarthy, ventriloquist’s dummy.

Leading Headliners in Radio World for 1937 h|S| ■UrVW,/ rv [Bing Crosln | -STWWWBB w Kgjßl (/ ■f'i# / ,<< • .-?§•** Rudy Vallee |

One of the most amazing successes in the history of radis was scored in 1937 by Charlie McCarthy, the versatile and sophisticated dummy maneuvered by Edgar Bergen. Although on the airwaves only since December of 1938. Charlie rated first in a poll of 400 radio critics throughout the nation conducted

I reported in vicinity over Christmas holidays. Reppert School of Auctioneering opens today. 28— Officials seek cooperation of citizens in enforcement of new j traffic regulations. Fire Chief Robenold reports there were 41 runs made by city fire department this | year. No parking signs ordered by city council. 29— Bonds sold for new Decatur ' school house at record low inter- ' est rates. Architect’s drawing and i plans announced. Commissioners; I let contracts for 1938 county highway repair. 30 — Contracts let for building new Decatur school house at lower figures than were anticipated. Staley Dairy Products company is sold. New signal lights being erected ou Winchester street railroad crossing. o, Trade in a Good Town — Decatur

had better stay away from his avowed enemy. W. C. Fields; John L. Lewis. C. I. O. chieftain, might profit by settling his score with Bill Green, A. F. of L. president; June Lang, screen star whose recent marriage ended in two days, shoulj be more wary of Cupid's wiles; the Duke of Windsor, whose American tour went awry, ought to pick his guide, more carefully, and Mary Astor, screen star, Ivd • b-’tter not keep any more diaries!

by the magazine. Motion Picture Daily. . Jack Benny, first for the previous two years, was second by 11 votes. Others near the top, named tn the order they rated, included Bmg Crosby, Fred Allen, Rudy Vallee. Kate Smith. Don Ameche. NeLion Eddy. Eddie _Ggntor and Andre Koatelanetz. o

PAGE FIVE

CITY TO IMPROVE (CONTINUBD FROM FA OB ONB) produced nearly 12.000,000 kiloI wats of electric current. When the distribution system was rebuilt in 193 b, it was believ--1 ed an adequate reserve for the next 10 years was provided. The I Increased use of current in the past tree years has been so heavy that the lines are "loaded up” and ' larger wires must be erected to serve the public and plant patrons. The electric department plans for one of its busiest years in 1938. Last year, two of the major improvements were the running of 2300 volt power lines to the Ccn- ; tral Soya company and new underground circuits to the General Electric company. More than 40 new customers ; were added to the rural Hues during the past year. The farmers built about 15 miles of line and the city plant is serving them with current. The rural line extensions will be curtailed during the year, because of the rebuilding program necessary in the city and the job of keeping the lines and circuits in shape for 24 hour use. R. A. Tooke :s attending to business in New York for ten days.