Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

nalism"see."to an effective blanketing of the world with the goodnews of redemption through Christ.Christian editors and publications have foundmuch of value in conferences and institutes of various types, for the exchange of ideas and for thereception of suggestions from editors of secularnewspapers and magazines. Tlie latter have given oftheir services willingly and their tips for the betterment of the religious press have been invaluable, andreceived with deep appreciation.The Christian Writers' Institute of Chicago, theEvangelical Press Association and similar groupshave done much to point up the possibilities of religious editing and writing, and should uncover furthervalues in the future. It should be clear that manyeditors of the secular publications are active Christians, who carry over in their own enterprises asmuch as possible the same Christian zeal which animates editors of the religious press.It is interesting to note how the word "ministry"has expanded in its meaning in the Christian field.We speak of the lay ministry, the ministry of music,and the ministry of education. The idea should, andof journalwill, go further to include the "ministryism."If it weren't for the written or printed word, wewouldn't have the Bible today. If the four Gospelshadn't been committed to writing, the whole storyof the historic Jesus might easily have been lost inthe mists of the ages that is, humanly speaking.No one would believe for a moment that God wouldnot divinely preserve in some manner the facts of thelife and death of His Son for the redemption of mankind. Yet He chose the written word for the record.Surely today, the story of how the Good Newsis spreading in the face of the appalling sins andevils of this age is also divinely inspired. God is usingthe pen and the typewriter in the "ministry of jourwherever it is truly carried on in His Name.It is an exalted opportunity for evangelism. Editorsand readers make the paper, and help make theChristian Church the invincible foe of mankind'scurse and the agency of redemption of the lost.Honor yourself and your household with Christian publications; give them a place of prominencethat your visitors as well as family may read andlearn. You will gather spiritual strength and inspiration along withknowledge, and your service toChrist will be enhanced.If the presses of religious journalism were to bestopped, havoc in the spiritual realm would bewrought. But if they are kept rolling faster, greaterblessing under God will come.GLIMPSES Cont'd from page 226The Adventists' Missionary EffortAs Jesus taught a lesson from the actions of an unjustjudge so we may learn certain lessons from the Seventh-DayAdventists. Their new president, R. R. Figuhr, has urged themto double their present membership which is now more than900,000 in the next four years. That church has 37,000 workersand 2,000 missionaries, doctors, and educators in institutionsover the world. They are able to support so many workersbecause they insist on tithingon the part of their members.Social SecuritySocial security for ministers is now available for the firsttime since it was started in 1936. The amount given to indi-232viduals under social security has also been raised.The U. S.Government Serves CocktailsDepartment's "entertainment" division hasserved 122 million cocktails since 1942. The liquor bill of thediplomatic center has totaled $6,000,000 in nine years.Tither's Corner"PROVE ME NOW"Delber H. ElliottI am writing this on the fiftieth anniversary ofour marriage. A testimony to God's faithfulnessthrough the years would seem appropriate today.Mrs. Elliott and I began our ministry at Denison,Kansas, in 1904. We have delightful memories of theeight years spent there. Our salary was $800 a yearand was paid quarterly in advance. On the first Monday morning of each quarter our esteemed treasurerarrived with the salary, not by check, but just as itreached the collection basket the Sabbath before.The $800 in purchasing power was not far from theequivalent of $3000 today. Our house rent for a newfive room cottage was ten dollars per month.From the first salary at Denison to the last oneat Mars the tithe has been set apart for the Lord.The same little tithe-box with which we began isstill in use. Then it contained the actualmoney, nowit holds the account each month of the amount setapart and the amount contributed each Sabbath Day.The tithing practice has helped us far more thanit has helped the Lord. It has been a blessing inthese four ways :1. We always had something on hand to contribute Sabbath by Sabbath.2. We never had to debate with ourselves abouthow much to give, but what is the least that we owe.The obligation is the same whether we pay the grocer, the rent collector or the Lord.3. We suffer no pangs of conscience because ofunpaid debts to the Lord. Of course there were freewill offerings to follow. But it is unethical business totip the waiter and leave without paying for the meal.Too many are just "tipping" God.4. It has offered us an opportunity to proveGod's faithfulness. "Prove me now herewith andWe have proved Him and we have seen. Therehas never been a day of unemployment during allthese 50 years. WE have been blessed with healthand little needed to be spent for doctors and hospitals.The generosity of friends and unsolicited gifts havecontinued through the years. We recall the abundantshowers of meat, fruits and vegetables in our ruralcongregations. At one time we had five dressedchickens on hand with no refrigerator and only thetwo of us to match them. Unexpected donations ofmoney and other gifts in subsequent congregationshave continued until this day. All this with an economical and a wise planning wife enabled us to haveeverything we have really needed.We take no credit to ourselves neither do weclaim any worthiness to merit all this. In every placewhere we have been privileged to serve the salaryhas not only been sufficient but more than myservices deserved.GOD JUST DOES WHAT HE SAYS HE WILL DO.COVENANTER WITNESS