18 VITALIZING THE VIRTUES The International Sunday School Lesson For March 18 Is, "Jesus Saves From Sin."—John 8:12, 31-37, 56-58. A Temperance Lesson By William T. Ellis. Enlightened selfishnecs may do much for the race. China, as a product of Confucianism, is proof of this. But it will not do enough; as China also has demonstrated. Now that it has become the fashion to put the temperance reform upon an eco nomic basis, let us be clear-thlnklng enough to admit that this is not a sufficient foundation for so great a cause. This present Sunday School Lesson opportunely links the quar terly temperance lesson with certain tremendous teachings of Jesus. How to vitalize the virtues, so that they will be warm, living, positive things, attractive to all mankind, is one of the problems of religion. A cold morality repels. Even the arti ficial glow and cheer of alcohol has been more winsome in the eyes of the thoughtless than the stern, gray, repressive and apparently joyless life of some abstainers. This question is not an academic one. It is of first Importance in many communities which have cast out the saloon, and liave not yet found a substitute. Negations get the world nowhere. No people are to be saved, spirit tiallv, socially, economically, by the things they do without. The devils like nothing better than an empty rcom. So we turn to the great affirma tions —the majestic. Incomparable ut terances —of Jesus, in this passage ■which has been assigned to us, to discover what their bearing is upon temperance. First of them is the sweeping declaration of the Messiah, "I am the Light of the world." Is it In following that Light that society has come to the decision that the traffic in strong drink should be ex terminated? The liquor habit be longs to the darkness of the world. Jt comes from Ignorance and an in ndequate appreclatoin of values. No thoroughly wise man would tolerate the traffic in. alcohol, if he could stop It. We are abolishing it because we 1 have advanced farther Into the light j of spiritual values. The World's EnHglitencr As it has followed the Light, what strides society has made! Moral re form has ever followed in Hie train of Him whose sway brings perfect light and perfect justice to pass. Jesus never said a word about slav erv. yet slavery has gone from all the civilised world, and at His behest. Jesus never mentioned the drink habit, yet the growing wave of pro hibition around the world is essen tially a Christian movement. He knew nothing about tenements; nevertheless, the irresistible impulse for better housing of the poor, which is being written upon the statute books of civilization, is wholly in the epirit of Christian love. All our mod ern moral reforms, against the social evil, against the drug habit, against \;nder-payment of labor and- the de nial of the right of the child to a playtime and a schooltime, are di rect consequences of the Light that Jesus has shed upon the hearts of mankind. The new light that is streaming into our prisons, the Illu mination of the problems of the in digent and the defective, is but the reflection of the increasing radiance of the Light of the TVorld. Big words are sometimes used in small fashion. Later we grow UP to them. Thus, we have freely talked about "the world," with no such con ception of what the term involves as Is now ours since we have matriculated In the great school of the war. As we have all of us learned geography and other lessons in the war dis patches. and have grown into, some measure of appreciation of the vast ness of this great human family of which we are members, some of us have been taking thought of the hitherto unnoticed fact that Jesus bad so much to say about "the world." He thought in world terms. Xothing that He said or did was in the lan guage of provincialism. Xot under stood at the time, or for many cen turies afterward, it is clear that Jesus used the word "world" with the prpscipnce of omniscience. Xothing good exists anywhere that Is not ultimately to come to pass everywhere. Because temperance prin ciples were enacted into radical laws in the TTnited States, Bussia prohibited s vodka, and even' other one of the warring nations took somewhat simi lar measures. TVe have come to the day of worldlsm. The Light of the "Worlt? has arisen for the entire race. Missions and reform are now seen to he one. There is no darkness of anv sort so dense or remote that it will not be driven out by that Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. To-day a temperance les son is also a lesson in cosmopolitanism. The Slaves anil the Free Afriend of mine in Japan, a veteran missionary, was one day conducting a service in the back country wheti a man took him aside mysteriously and whispered, "Honorable Foreigner, do CONVENTION TO OPES THURSDAY The annual missionary convention of the Christian and Missionary Alliance will be held in the tabernacle, 1309 Walnut street, -from Thursday until Sunday. Meetings will be held every afternoon and evening. The evening meetings will include evangelistic Bringing Up Father >; . Copyripht 1917 International News Service ... ... V/E MEED * il.u ehplov^<oo- I , wir7 I" i { hope >roo can f TT TT T— "YOU CAN^^^e 0 , " Ov 1 * RE ) & VA\T OH TA&LE - M>f ] VH/VT KEEP T^TELLME^ AH'V/E CAN HAVE A J Is S IfeL^, U<IHTER VAti HE |tu? maod'cin fS 1 —l— -—'M ''''l! "Hi <j_._.^ SATURDAY EVENING, you not know that it is against the law to teach Christianity, and that one who does so may lose his life?" Whereupon my friend informed the rustic that those old laws had been abolished many years before and that in all Japan any man was free to speak and write as he pleased upon any religion.* Then the Japanese confessed that he _ belonged to a family which had been Christian three hundred years before and that the secret had been handed down from father to son f6r all these generations, and that he had been secretly worshiping the God of the Christians. He had missed the news of the emperor's proclamation, long years before, and knew nothing of the hundreds of hidden Christians, like himself, who had come out into open fellowship, ono of the most ro mantic episodes in missionary history. Now he had suddenly learned the truth, and the truth had made him free. There Is no real emancipation except by the progress of truth. No word of the Master has been oftener or more brilliantly exemplified than this one, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." The 1Ipe of Freedom There Is a brighter side. Slaves may be freed. This Is the message that lies at the heart of the Lesson. There is hope for even the worst victims of sin, whether that sin be drunkenness, passion, avarice, or what not. This is the uniqueness of the Christian gos pel: It offers power for liberty. Not only does it set forth the benefit of freedom, but It also tells men how to be free. Recognizing the profound truth that sin Is slavery, it provides a Redeemer. "If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free In deed." It means much that the promise of liberty comes from One who has au thority to fulfill His word. Some of the ancient Grecian cults, which de nied the reality of matter, and insisted that mind is all, bade a man believe that he was happy when he was un happy, or that he was .well when he was ill, but they had not the power to fulfill their promises. It is of no avail to bid a sinner sin no more, un less he be given the force for the ful filment of that injunction. Now "God's commands are God's enablings." What He bids us do He helps us do. There Is supernatural power Imparted to the weakest life that seeks to obey the will of God. In other words, it is by the Son's might, as well as by the Son's right that we are free from sin. Right here Christianity wins or loses. It either delivers the race from the old thraldoms, or else It does not, in which case it is the grandest delusion of the ages. If the Gospel is not ade quate to meet all the needs of this new day, it Is not equal to any of them. Conversely, if the Gospel can save one sinner from his bondage and make a new man of him, it can do the same for all the sinners on earth. And what Christ has done in the making over of life is proved in countless cases, in all the ages. The latest drunkard saved down in the rescue mission, and the heathen Korean made over into a shining saint, are conclusive evidence that the Son is still able to make all men free. The Truth and the Facta A third great principle is laid down by Jesus in this lesson, and it under lies the practical considerations of the temperance question. This is the eter nal pre-existence of the Son with the Father. "Before Abraham was, I Am." What has this got to do with the deliv erance from drink for the individual and for society? Everything. In the heart of the ageless Almighty resides the love of Christ. If God forever Is all that Jesus showed Him to be, then the Ineffable Deity has no greater business on hand in all His universe than the saving of men and women. The greatest truth is not too large a shelter for the weakest and most harried of spirits, fleeing for refuge. That Jesus is and was with the Father from before the foundation of the world is a matter of supreme interest to every one of us, for It assures us that all the tenderness and patience and forgiveness and loving helpful ness which He showed in Judea and Galilee are still employed for the last man on earth. This statement was drawn from Jesus by the snobbishness of the Jews. They were boasting that they had Abraham for an ancestor. In that they rested. Now it was a fact that they were by blood descended from Abra ham. But greater than the mere fact was the supreme truth that all who have the spirit of Abraham are his heirs. There are sortie descendants of the Mayflower Pilgrims who have none of the spirit of those great pioneers. Whereas there are others, recent Immi grants, who are true to the Mayflower type. The best citizens of the country are those most loyal to its laws and genius; and the truest chillren of Abraham are those who share the priv ileges imparted by Christ, who was before Abraham, and whose spirit was that patriarch's equipment. It is bet ter to be a son in truth, than a son in fact. I services. The evangelist who will be i present at the convention will be the Rev. W. T. Mac Arthur, of Springfield, 111. Other speakers will include: The Rev. E. R. Dunbar, of Lancaster; the Rev. I. L Hess, of South China, and the Rev. R. M. Custer, of Soudan, Af [ rica. C. E. Notes Penn-sy-C-E, Penn-sy-C-E, AVhoso C-E, Keystone C-E, Pennsylvania. Cheers and songs are quite popular among the Endeavorers of the State. | State C. E. cheer leaders and boosters are enthusiastic for a record-broaking deelgatlon to International 'conven tion, New York City, in July. Christian Endeavor's great coming event is the big gathering in New York City, July 4-9. .Just twenty live years ago Christian Endeavor held there a magnificent convention that crowded Madison Square Gar den. At that •convention the first Junior meeting was held in connec tion with an international C. E. gath ering—a small meeting in Dr. Deem's church. At this coming convention the Juniors are to have a convention of their own, lasting an entire day. Among the speakers already prom ised is the Hon. William J. Bryan. Homer Rodeheaver, "Billy" Sunday's song-leader, will lead the singing. Another song leader will be Percy S. roster, who began his con%*entlon work at the New York convention a quarter-century ago. A new song book will be introduced at this con vention. The convention emblem is the Statue of Liberty enlightening the world, with the motto, "Let vour light so shine." John Roth will have charge of the services on Sunday evening at the <sion Evangelical Church. Enola. The Curse of Cowardice" will be the topic for study in the Endeavor societies on Sunday eevning. The Sixth Street United Brethren Society reorganized for a greater work with seventy members. Much e nthusiasm and interest is manifested I at the weekly meetings of the society. >\ est Philadelphia Endeavorers representing forty churches have pro tested vigorously against the granting : or a saloon license in a section where | So per cent, of the people opposed it in writing. Albert Slothower and Luke Welr ick will conduct the C. E. service at the Park Street Evangelical Church on Sunday evening. A newly formed Christian En deavor Society in Hanchow, China, carries a banner marked "Preachers' Band." because its members hold open-air evangelistic services at the big tea-shops. Earl Schwartz will lead the K. L. C. E. services at the Harris Street United Evangelical Church on Sun day evening. Dr. Ira Landrith, extension secre tary of the United Society of Chris tian Endeavor, has moved to Chi cago, thus giving the great central j region of the country a United So i ciety officer on the ground. Roy Shenk will conduct the terv | ices at the Sixth Street United Breth ren Society orf Sunday evening. A debate on a live subject will be part of the evening's program. Messrs. Lawrence A. Miller. Ralph Fitting and Miss Martha Hoke will be on the affirmative side. Miss Lillian Good year, Messrs. Fred Burris and Wil liam Johnson will speak for the nega tive side. Dr. Clark and Dr. Shaw are spend ing a month or more in the South, gaining strength after their recent severe illness. The Young Friends' Movement In the Friends' churches organized more than one hundred new societies last year. The AVest Branch of the Philadel phia Union has challenged the other six branches of the union for a con test in union efficiency, following the United Society's "union standards." All socities gaining and holding all of the following eleven standards con ditions a period of one year awarded a banner hit State Un ion and be known as "Front Lin? Banner Societies." This is to remai/i with them a period of one year, but if conditions are met for a period of two consecutive years, the banner be comes theirs permanently. Society Standards A Junior or Intermediate Society in the church. At least 20 per cent, of the active members C. E. Experts and the Ef ficiency Campaign the basis of the society work. At least 25 per cent, of the active members enrolled as Comrades of the Quiet Hour, and 10 per cent, as Legionaries. An offering annually to county and State work. Furnish statistical report annually to county and State officers. Represented at county and State conventions. Observe Christian Endeavor Week and Pennsylvania Endeavor Day. At least ten subscriptions to the Pennsylvania Christian Endeavor Bul letin and three to the Christian En deavor World. Special study class conducted, either missions, citizenship or per sonal work. Decision Day for Associate Mem bers and special and prayerful atten tion to this department of our work. Adopt and put forth every effort to achieve the society apportionment in the Campaign for Millions. All societies meeting seven of the above conditions and holding them a period of six months, provided condi tions 4, 5 and 8 are among the num ber, will be enrolled as "Front Line Societies," and be awarded a certifi cate by the State Union. TO SPEAK OX NATURE "Birds and Bits of Nature" will be the subject of an Illustrated lecture to be given by Wm. S. Essick, Mon day evening at the Fifth Street Meth odist church. The lecture will be un der the auspices of the JoHn Wesley Bible class. Mr. Essick's ability on nature subjects is well known. (Other Churches Page 2) HARRISBURG TEIJEGRAPH ANNUAL MEMORBAL SERVICE AT RIDGE AVE. METHODIST The evening meeting at the Ridge Avenue Methodist' Church will be a memoriul servtco for the members who have died during the year. The Rev. Dr. S. C. Swallow will be in charge of this part of the service. TO ATTEND CONFERENCE! The Rev. F. Grant Sleep, pastor of the Methodist Church of Enola, will preach the last sermon of the confer ence year to-morrow. He will leave Tuesday morn,lng to attend the annual Central Pennsylvania Conference, which will be held in Lawlstowh. The sermon subject for the morning aerv | ice will be "Evangelism." At the even ing service the report for the year will be made. "DOUG" FAIRBANKS CONTENDS "Always smile, it won't hurt you, nnd might help others." "Mix fun with your work, you'll en joy It more—and work twice as hard to make up for lost time." "When every day is alike the years go fast. Rreak the monotony by try ing to bring cheer In the life of an associate, who might be a hypochon driac." "Nature has a number of thrills in store for us. A trip to the country, right close to nature,—no brick side walks, is bully. Such an experience gives one a mental and moral house cleaning." "A real hearty laugh three times a day is a wonderful physical tonic. Try it and see if the effect isn't psycho logical." "A smiling face is the accepted sym bol of a good disposition." "People devote a great deal of time towards physical exercise, forgetting absolutely that as much attention should be paid to emotional exercises —in order that we be equipped for the various emotions, one should express at the proper time. Amusement is the exercising of pleasant emotions." :... .-: ■ i • -v ■" ■ "•■'■■■ - >:& ;: v ■■-■ THE CROWD AT LAST YEAR'S SALE j Over SIOOO.OO Worth of Prizes Will Be Given Away in Our $25,000.00 Furniture Sale Present the tag found at your door and select your prize. Everything numbered in plain figures. Sale Starts Wednesday March 21 CONTINUES 10 DAYS TAGS WILL BE GOOD ONLY ON FIRST THREE DAYS OF THE SALE. Included among the prizes are a Fumed Oak Dining Room Suite, a Jacobean Dining Room Suite, a $75.00 United Phonograph, a $50.00 Home Elecfcrc Sewing Machine, Dressers, Chiffioners, Beds, Chairs, and hundreds of other prizes. A DEPOSIT WILL HOLD ANY ARTICLE UNTIL WANTED Free Delivery Anywhere Chas. F\ Hoover Purniture Company 1415-1419 N. Second St. Pa. BRIDE WEDS JUST 20 YEARS AFTER PARENTS i , -. - I v -%T MR. AND MRS. J. AUSTIN LINDNER Carlisle, Pa.. March 17.—At the same hour when 20 years ago the bride's parents were wed, Miss Heula M. Smith and J. Austin Lindner will be married at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward 11. Smith, at Oak ville, this evening. The latter were married at six o clock on March 17, 1597. ' Tho ceremony this evening will be performed by the Hev. Carroll O. llas mussen. of Newville. Following the service the couple will leave 011 a short MARCH 17, 1917. wedding trip, after which they will live nt Birmingham, Ala., where Mr. kind lier is in the real estate business. Miss Smith is prominent socially hero and graduated from the Carlisle High school in 1916. The groom is a son of John Lindner, head of the Lindner Shoe Company, ann is himself inter ested financially in the concern. He at tended Conway Hall and Virginia Mil itary Institute and has for the past year been In the real estate business in Alabama. French Snail Farmers Crow Rich With War Paris, March 16.—French snail farmers are making: tidy fortunes out of the war. More than half th French supply of this delicacy hcliß been cut off by the German occupa tion of Luxemburg, Belgium anil Northern France, and the market price has risen accordingly. The de mand for snails has ulso been stlmg' lated by the new food regulations, which class snails with oysters as a "hors d'oeuvre" of which one may eat as much as one wishes. AH many as half a million flrsfl quality snails, worth $5 'to $lO a thousand, can be reared on an acre of land. They have to bo fed only once a day, preferably in the evening. A bed of 100,000 snails will consume a wagon load of cabbages in a few minutes, and the noise which they make at their repast Is like nothing else in the world. Oil, MAGNATE PENNILESS Tokio, March 16. Amand de Meyer and family have arrived In Tokio, refugees from Bucharest. Mr. Meyer was president ol' a big oil re fining company and now he says he is penniless. His factory and his house were both consumed by tire Just be fore the arrival of the Germans and lie and his wife and children with thousands of others fled homeless from the capital before the oncoming enemy. REV. COIJU'HN AT STEVENS >l. E. In the absence of the loev. C. A. Smucker, the Rev. 11. 11. Colburn will 1111 the pulpit of Stevens Memorial M. E. Church to-morrow, at both ser vices.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers