Covenanter Witness Vol. 55 - Rparchives.org

craps."world,"slavery."Vineyard GleaningsUEA Completes Thirteen Years of ServiceSabbath, October 30, commemorates the thirteenth yearof service of the National Association of Evangelicals andis designated throughout the evangelical churches of America as official NAE day. Every Bible-believingchurch ofAmerica is encouraged to set aside this date (or anothermore convenient one) to present the work of NAE to itscongregation. Free literature for use October 30 may besecured from the Rev. George Ford, Associate ExecutiveDirector, 108 North Main Street, Wheaton, Illinois.Gambling Termites Destroying God's TempleThe July issue of Red Book Magazine carried an incrediblebut factual report of an extensive investigation of gamblingas a money-raising device by churches and other respectedand presumably respectable social organizations and benevolentinstitutions. It is an outstanding revelation. We knew,of course, that gambling is riding high in America, but wedid not know the extent to which bingo games, lotteries, raffles, slot machines, punch boards, roulette wheels and almost everyother device known to gamblers are employedas sources of revenue by schools, hospitals, veteran groups,boys'clubs and other well-meaning organizations. The overall impression one gets from this Red Book report is thatgambling and gambling rackets are boring like termitesinto the moral and religious foundations of America.What particularly concerns us here is the fact that thechurch, which we would have supposed was immune to thegambling virus, has not been able entirely to escape the infection. Bingo, raffles and lotteries are doubtless more common in Catholic churches than in Protestant, but the latteris not entirely without blemish. Here and there churchgroups have gone the limit of gambling. Who of us couldhave suspected that there are churches, whether few ormany (one is too many) that have actually soldmum percentage of the earningsfor a minigambling concessions tocrooked, smooth-talking professional racketeers with criminal records? Many a church goer who has no objection togamblers and gamblinggames at a church bazaar wouldprobably be horrified "if he saw his pastor shootingUnited PresbyterianSober Statistics Temper Religious Revival ClaimsEvangelicals, somewhat wary of claims beingmade byreligious leaders in the U.S. that we are, as a nation, enjoying an upsurge of religious interest, took little comfortfrom recent statistics out of Washington. Latest statisticstend to prove that there is little room for optimism.Some recently revealed shockers :1) Reports from David H. Stephens, chief postal inspector, show that arrests for postal crime reached an all-timehigh of 6,631 in the year ended June 30, an increase of 483over the corresponding year before. Arrests for mailing obscene and unfit matter showed the greatest increase. Arrests for mail fraud were up 37 per cent over the previousyear. There also was a striking increase in arrests for theftsfrom mail receptacles. Arrests actually were up 54 percent, in all categories, over the year before.2) James V. Bennett, director of the U.S. Bureau ofPrisons, reported that a total of 182,051 adult prisonerswere serving sentences in federal prisons and reformatoriesfor adult offenders at the end of 1954, an increase of 5.4per cent over those confined a year earlier, and the hightestyear-end prison population since satisfies were bgun in 1939.Mr. Bennett predicted that the prison population willAugust 24, 1955continue to climb and urged Congress to appropriate $27million for two new maximum security institutions. Courtcommitments in 1954 were up 9.1 per cent over 1953. Some80,0000 persons actually went to prison in 1954, with almostthat many being released after having served their termsor on paroles for good behaviour.3) There are hints from economic statistics put out bythe Department of Commerce and other agencies that, inspite of the seeming prosperity (for a minority of the population), more families actually were in trouble. Credit authorities estimate that one family in five is head-over-heelsin debt, while the number of bankruptcies has soared to a.point that is almost startling. Earlier this year, it was estimated that 75,000 persons would go into bankruptcy, butthe figures since have been revised upward sharply. It isbelieved by authorities that bankruptcies may pass the80,000 mark. This would be about 10,000 higher than thenumber going into bankruptcy in 1932, when 70,000 bankruptcies were reported.Laubach Proposes 'War Of Kindness'COLUMBUS(RNS) A"War of amazing kindness"was proposed at the 43rd biennial convention of the International Society of Christian Endeavor here as a means ofstemming the tide of Communism and preventing a worldwide atomic conflict.Dr. Frank C. Laubach, noted missionary educator, toldthe 4,000 delegates that they must "plunge into this newkind of He war."said the policy of kindness proved effectivein Japan through Gen. Douglas MacArthur's post-war handling of that nation. "MacArthur went out and we helped himwage a war of amazing kindness on Japan." Dr. Laubachlove."said. "In a year, she had changed from hate to"If enough people join us in reaching around the world,we shall easily save the he said. "Russia and Chinawill see that our amazing kindness is far more effectivethan their lies and murder andDr. Laubach urged a "tremendous deluge of forprayer"delegates to the Big Four summit meeting in Geneva. "Letus pray for these men before we go any further," he said,"these men who can begin to destroy the human race or tosave it from destruction."('Continued on page 120)THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansas oribidthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka, Kansatto promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writers ;not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll, D.D.Remo I. Robb. D.D.Departmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: $2.50 per year; Overseas, $3.00; Single Copiet10 cents.The Rev. R. B. Lyons, B.A., Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for theBritish Isles.Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, Kansasunder the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.115