had believed was necessary.

Multitudes will follow Billy Sunday, not because he has a new message or a different message from other men, but because he is a man of action and can cause others to act. His vision is no larger or better than many other preachers and evangelists, but he realizes these visions in his own life, and in the lives of others. In connection with the sinking of the Titanic two names stand out prominently. Before this incident, comparatively few had heard of the Mrs. Isidore Straus. But when the world heard of her calmly choosing to remain with her husband on the sinking ship, when the opportunity was given her to go with other women in the boats, her name has become honored the world over, for devotion and selfsacrifice. So, too, the name of John Jacob Astor, who was known to the world only as a man of wealth, was made immortal by putting others before self at the decisive moment. The world does homage to the men and women who act nobly and well. The men of action in this great world of ours will be the ones whose names will be written large on the pages of history. Paul declared that he was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision. His action was in accord with his vision. Consciously, he was linking himself with God. He was in God's world. He was willing to make his life approach the ideal. The world needs willing people, rather than the brilliant and smart people, willing to see and to do God's will, and people who can see God in the life about them; who like the Psalmist feel that "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork," and that the forces of nature and all life are a part of God's world. How marvelously men have been finding God's way, in the matter of communication of thought. The primitive man who signaled from mountain top to mountain top was using God's ways in transferring thought. The wireless operator is also using God's forces. His ac

tion accords with the ideal, the laws of nature. On the western arid plains one may now see occasional irrigation projects where the engineering skill of man is utilizing the forces of God, that have been stored away in the mountain snows, to reclaim the desert wastes. Some one has fitted action to a vision.

The man of action is the translator of the ideal into the real. A musical composer is thus a translator of a vision of harmony of sounds; a painter brings into reality his vision of colors. A Handel or a Raphael is a discoverer of God's laws of harmony in sound and color. Each has not been disobedient to the heavenly vision that speaks in his soul. One can readily believe that there were heavenly visions when one listens to the splendid oratorio or stands in the Sistine Chapel and views those magnificent masterpieces of art. Truly these are God's colors and God's harmony, which some child of his has translated for our inspiration.

Paul, doubtless, did not live to see the realization of his dreams, but no matter how long delayed, he was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision. It is our part to be obedient. God will see that the

vision comes true in his own good time though that time be long delayed. God's ways are not our ways. A thousand years are but as one in his sight. Yet, eventually, the dream comes true. The greater

and finer the finished product, the longer time is required for its realization. Many years have been required to bring those massive oaks to maturity. Long have they fought the winds and storms on the rugged heights. Long centuries have passed in the transformation of trees and vegetation into the coal that cheers our hearthstone on a winter's night. Long have been the ages in which God has prepared the iron ore for the structural work in railroad and mansion. Though long the time, yet sure the results in the fulness of time.

How impatient we become to see the coming of the kingdom. Even the immediate disciples of Jesus looked for its accomplishment in their own day. The centuries have passed and it is not yet in view. It may be nearer than we think. Mighty changes occur sometimes in a small interval of time. Consider the sweeping changes wrought by the world war in the few months that it has been in progress. Look at the temperance movement. State after State swings into line for state prohibition. The church of God goes steadily onward. In 1914, eighty-five new churches were formed every day, and in the same time thirty saloons were voted out. Some of us can recall the days when many leaders in the church bemoaned the declining power of the church.

It was in the days when the writings of Ingersoll were most widely read, and the church looked with alarm on his attack on Christianity. Would the church go down in defeat before his eloquent and seductive criticism? Today, Ingersoll is only a memory. His books may be found in some antiquarian shop or on some high and dusty library shelf, but nobody reads or believes that the church will meet defeat at his hands. The church, so long as she is obedient to the heavenly vision, will know no defeat. So also the individual who, like the great apostle, is not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.

NORTONVILLE, KANSAS, SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST CHURCH (AS IT APPEARED ON THE PRAIRIE BEFORE IT WAS MOVED TO THE CITY)

Sabbath Day, September 16, 1916

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY

By REV. JAMES L. SKAGGS

"And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required" (Luke 12: 48b). Scripture lesson, Luke 12: 35-48.

This text suggests a series of utterances of Jesus in which he asserts the responsibility of the individual to him. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25), he holds the individual responsible not only for that which has been committed to him, but for a reasonable gain; and the one who failed was denounced as a "wicked and slothful" servant and condemned to outer darkness. In our context we read: "That servant who knew his Lord's will, and made not ready, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes." The apostle James says: "To him therefore that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

From the teachings of the Old Testament, as well as the New Testament, the truth is made clear that the individual can not escape personal responsibility. He is responsible to God for that which he possesses of knowledge, of vision, of personal power, and of material things.

This is a world of great variation. In the animal and vegetable

realms there are almost numberless species-each marked by its own individual characteristics. In the same species it is said there are no two corresponding parts exactly alike. The human specie is no exception. We all differ in some respects, and each must face the responsibilities of life for himself. Without ignoring the power of heredity or environment, we conclude that the individual may sink to the lowest depth of human degradation, or rise to the highest attainment in purity and, possibly, also in power.

Throughout the Scriptures the freedom and responsibility of the individual is emphasized. It was to Abraham, as an individual, that Jehovah spoke and commanded him to go out from his country, from his kindred and from his father's house. Moses, while yet a child, was singled out, and as he grew up he was schooled in preparation for a specific work. The individual child, David, was selected and appointed to be the future king of Israel. Hosea and Amos, consciously sustaining individual relationships to God, proclaimed the will and judgments of God to a sinning nation. Jesus chose individuals as his followers, and it was to the individual mind and conscience that he appealed. Saul, as an individual whom the Christians feared, and in whose salvation they could hardly believe, was called of God to preach the gospel of peace. So we might mention a multitude of men who were prominent in the political and religious life of the ancient world who recognized their individual responsibility and acted accordingly. But it is not necessary to go back there for all the illustrations of God's dealings with the individual. God is just as near to his people now as he ever was. Throughout the history of the Christian Church he has continued. to speak to men and to lead them in the accomplishment of his plans. As I survey the last two thousand years, I behold the church fathers, the reformers, the missionaries, the pastors, the great evangelists, the teachers, and the quiet and unseen in every walk of life, whom God has called and led forth into fields of great usefulness. I see kings and queens and many beloved statesmen of our own country, who have faced the problems of life with a clear consciousness of their responsibility before God. God is near to his people now. He calls the individual and assigns his task-to each according to his ability.

Responsibility can not be avoided. God has given us mental, physical, and spiritual powers. He requires that we shall use them according to his directions. When we fail to do so we sin against self and against God. The only ones free from this responsibility are infants and idiots. If you belong to either of these classes what I am saying is not meant for you. Let us not think of our neighbor's responsibilities, but of our own. If I fail the work is not complete the best has not been done, and I am responsible to God for the failure.

"And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required." We have our homes. They make us rich in enjoyments and opportunities. Every individual member has a responsibility for the character and influence of that home. The home is a divine

institution, and faithfulness is required of those who make it. It may be made a type of heaven or a type of hell. If it is to be a type of heaven every individual member must share its burdens, and contribute to its happiness. Many fathers and mothers are weighed down with its responsibilities. Their physical strength is taxed to the limit to secure the things necessary for homely comforts; their hearts are burdened for the welfare of those they love. But it is necessary that these burdens should be borne, and that these anxieties should be felt. They are the safeguards of the home, and the greatest assurance that there can be of its welfare. As soon as children are old enough it is due them that they should be taught to share its responsibilities. Too often this is not done and the children grow to maturity and attempt to establish homes of their own with the minimum of knowledge of home-making. The result is often disappointment and the divorce court. Home-making is a work not only for humanity, but for God, and of every one is demanded according to his ability.

Our lives are enriched and we are made happy when we mingle together in the right way. In turn the social life of the community makes its demands upon the individual. The social life of a community can not be above the moral tone of those who make it. He has a false notion who thinks his life and conduct do not affect it. You are an individual, a social unit, and that fact places responsibility upon you. The Christian must guard most carefully his social influence, and take care that he does not project some word or act that will cause another to stumble or lower his ideal. The Christian is under the most weighty obligation. You have made many attainments because. you have felt your responsibilities and have endeavored to do your duty. But you have not realized your highest aspiration. Sometimes you feel that you have failed. Some battles must be fought over again. The only safety is in a consciousness of responsibility, and in a continued effort for self and others.

Then as we look toward the church, we must say, "Yes, we have received much from the church." We have received the gospel message; we have received an ideal of a holy life; we have the rich blessings of a civilization touched by Christianity; and we hear the appeal, "Freely ye have received, freely give." How rich is the blessing of Christ to every one who has come into real fellowship with him! We are saved to serve, to be blest and to be a blessing. "And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required." Only as individuals realize their responsibilities and arise to do the work to which duty calls them, will the work of the church go forward. It prospers in proportion to the number who are thus alive. The enemies without the church can not prevail if the members within are faithful. You have been blest in past years not because of a cessation of evil forces, but because you have had faith in God, you have prayed, and you have labored. But you are not satisfied with your attainments and victories. Such a condition would be a terrible calamity. On the other hand, because of the blessing you have received, because of the prayers that have been answered, we ought to