THE OPEN DOOR, ETC.                    583

that moves helps to move the world. I see the alphabet, twen-
ty-six letters, fine in form but forceless and useless until man,
by the power of thought, takes these letters and joins them to-
gether and writes all of our literature, science, philosophy and
theology.
  This is also an age of work; never before were there such
splendid opportunities for work as now. The fields are white
to the harvest. Beckoning hands from the Macedonian king-
dom are calling us to come over and help them. The young,
growing up hungry of mind and heart, are appealing to us and
because we do not heed their appeals, they feed on the husks
of the world and are dissatisfied. The great question for us to
consider is the salvation of the present generation. Ah! you
say that is a great undertaking; but look at the factors at work,
God's Christ, God's spirit, God's church, God's people, in-
dividually and collectively, a man--a reed, a saved man--an
oak. A consecrated man will echo with Paul, "I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me." By work
the mind is redeemed from the thraldom of ignorance; the body
from the curse of laziness; the earth from thorns and briers
and the spirit from the habit and power of sin.  What has
been accomplished without work? Absolutely nothing. The
Micawbers of the race, those who are always waiting for some-
thing to turn up have been the world's biggest nuisances.
Christ said, "I must work." The servant must be as his Lord.
There are no favorites, no exceptions. "To every man his
work." Hence John writing to the Church at Philadelphia
said, "Behold I have set before thee an open door, the open
door of opportunity."
  This is also an age of getting ready to work. It takes trained
men and trained women to do things to-day. Willingness,
main force and awkwardness will not do. The prepared man
will always get the best place and receive the best pay. In
every walk of life the demand is for trained men and women.
The Church as never before is calling for and demanding trained
workers.
  The Christian Endeavor movement which started thirty
years ago by Dr. Clark under the guidance of the Holy Spirit




			

OHS/National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center Serial Collection

African Methodist Episcopal Church Review, Vol. 28, Num. 2

Volume:  28
Issue Number:  02
Date:  10/1911