The Pulpit Speaks: January 21, 1956

An article written by my father, the Rev. C. Thomas Paige, as it appeared in the Tri-State Defender on the date shown.This is the first article that I have in my collection.

Once again we enter into a new year. We look down and see the scars brought on us by the struggles, strifes, and conflicts of yesteryear. But even as we enter our churches today, who goes with us?

As the pulpit looks out over the congregation, what does it see? Over to its right it sees a group of people whose heads are now covered with the snows of many winters. The toils and strifes of many years have etched long, jagged wrinkles into their faces that can be erased only by death. The steps that were once young and gay are now short and unsteady. The ears that were at one time alert to every sound now have become silent to may familiar tunes. The vision that once beheld the finest shades of color combinations can now only behold colorless figures standing before it. They look to the pulpit in a longing plea for help.

THEY SIT WAITING

Over in the middle aisle we see hungry, anxious youths waiting to be given the direction of victory and peace. These eager-hearted soldiers are waiting for the spiritual, moral, and intellectual fuel that will enable them to go on to victory. As the pulpit looks into the eyes of the huge throng seated before, it sees a job far superior to the one of last year.

Last year, men walked about in darkness and were satisfied; last year, they lived in poorly built houses and were willing to make out; last year, they were not too much concerned about old age because not many reached that stage in life and it was no problem. Last year, men were satisfied to travel in buggies and oxcarts because time and comfort were not important factors. But now, as the pulpit looks out, it sees people who are expecting to be here a long time.

It sees people who are expecting to live long, live well, and live fully. All of these will be realized when men are enlightened. As the pulpit starts out on a new year, the pulpit can’t satisfy itself with making people “happy.” The “happiness” of 1956 must be wrapped up in moral, spiritual, and intellectual growth. It must lead a people — who have suddenly found themselves materially — to a fountain where a little moral and intellectual grace will be poured upon their heads. Then they will be ready to come away “a good Samaritan,” to walk a second mile, or to share one’s cloak.

MUST HALT STRIFE

The pulpit must speak out to some people who have lost their sense of direction and value. It must speak out to some people who have become over-bearing with the intellectual and material things of life.

As the pulpit speaks in 1956, it must arrest a people wound up in a sudden hurrying spree that is getting them nowhere; it must call a halt to the backward marching characteristic of our day; it must dry out “about face” to a world constantly on the down grade. This pulpit must call a halt to worldliness and ungodly living; it must call a halt to wars and strife.

In 1956, the pulpit sees a man who has been to the fountain and drank of materialism, selfishness, the thrills of possession, and greed. To him, these things are now commonplace. They fail to bring him the thrills of generations ago. Today the prodigal son is on his way back home. The prodigal looks to the pulpit for a man who is solving his problems and is ready to help him solve his. The pulpit is the center of uplifting activity. Speak now, for thy servant listens!

View the entire archive of “The Pulpit Speaks” here.