I came across the following this week...
"To charge these present times as the most tragic in the history of the human race might be subject to question were the condemnation based solely on the number of people who are hungry, or who are ill-housed and ill-clothed, or who have been forced into slave labor, or who suffer from the ravages of disease. But to charge these times as being tragic because of their violent reversal of trends toward a better day is to make an observation readily recognized by even the most casual on-looker of the present scene.
For example, for several generations the world seemed to be moving in the direction of assured peace. There was evident a growing desire for cooperative activity in securing what would be good for all, and a fairly widespread wish, at least, to settle international disputes through justice meted out by an objective international court. Yet the phenomenally rapid rise of a new nationalism spurred by the unholy quest for control of the world's basic resources has made this century the bloodiest in the many centuries of our life upon the earth.
Up until several decades ago it appeared that the western world was making progress in the control of the so-called social diseases. Public opinion and wise educational procedures seems to have curbed the further spread of alcoholism, sexual promiscuity, narcotic addiction, and other such practices that damage the social order. Yet the last fifteen years has seen the most violent reversal of that trend. Whether or not acute alcoholism is at an all-time high, certainly a higher percentage of the total population of this country, according to government figures, is drinking liquor more regularly. The publicity highlighting drug addiction among adolescents has thrown into shadow the more widespread habit - use of other drugs by a great multitude.
The open betrayal of public trust by public servants a generation or so ago would likely have resulted in the loss of public position. Yet it seems that a large portion of our people look with equanimity on the use of public position for private advancement and personal gain. And make no mistake, what I am saying applies not only to the Federal Government and Federal agencies, but to local educational systems, local police departments, county road commissions, civic waterworks, even the social service agencies, and sometimes to the church. It seems to be accepted as almost normal that people in such positions have as their first responsibility to look after their own interests. It is a tragic reversal of what had seemed to be a noble trend.
Yet of all these conditions so tragically evident in this day are but symptoms of a more deep-seated disease. We have neglected God. It is not that we have forgotten God. We have neglected him. We treat the faith of our fathers the way we treat a family heirloom. It is certainly not to be disposed of. It has had too much place in our past to let it be lost. We have a deeply sentimental attachment to it. We even want to display it on occasion, and with some pride, as we tell of our tie to such faith. We keep - we prize - we display our faith in God - but - we don't use it. After all, antiques are enjoyable to look at, but who wants to use a spinning wheel these days? We forget that religious faith is not a condition of a certain type of social order, but a certain type of social order results from the use of a fervent religious faith. Basic to the redemption of our present world is the recapture of an active faith in God."
The above is taken from a sermon given by Rev. Dr. Clifford E. Barbour on November 8th, 1951. Perhaps that surprises you. It did me. You are to be forgiven if you thought it was much more recent than that. It could have been preached from any number of pulpits just yesterday.
Many of you reading this know who Dr. Barbour was. For those who do not, Dr. Barbour was the pastor of Second Presbyterian Church from 1928 to 1951. He left to become President of Western Theological Seminary, which would later merge with Pittsburgh-Xenia Seminary to become Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, a position he held until his retirement in 1962. The excerpt above is from his Inaugural Address at Western Seminary. I edited it slightly for length and for inclusive language, but not for content. Everything you just read is as it was preached.
Dr. Barbour goes on to offer his thoughts on the church's calling in such a tragic time. He describes what he believes the church - and its members - must do to make a positive difference in the world. Given that Dr. Barbour's description of the problem is still valid and relevant today, I believe that his solution is equally relevant and valid.
And to find out what it is, you'll have to join me on Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m. for our Virtual Worship Service. See you then!
Grace and peace...
Pastor Tim
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