Evangéliumi Hírnök, 1997 (89. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
1997-11-01 / 11. szám
8. oldal .L 1997. november Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899) Dwight Lyman Moody left school when he was only thirteen to work in his home town in Massachusetts. At seventeen he moved to Boston and became an assistant in his uncle’s shoe shop. Here he attended a Congregational Sunday school and was converted through the influence of his teacher. But for a whole year he was not admitted to membership of the church because he was so ignorant of basic doctrine! He became a traveling salesman in the Chicago area and had considerable business success. But his heart was in evangelism. In 1860 he gave up his business for full-time Sunday school and youth work. He established a non-denominational church, and met Ira D. Sankey, who became his musical associate, composing hundreds of hymns which they used in evangelistic meetings. At first Moody and Sankey met with little response, but their campaigns suddenly caught fire on their third visit to England, where it was estimated that over two-and-a-half million people attended their meetings. Back in the USA, Moody established boys’ and girls’ schools, and a Bible Institute. During his lifetime he is said to have covered a million miles on preaching tours and, spoken to 100 million people. Use Me Use me then, my Saviour, for whatever purpose, and in whatever way, you may require. Here is my poor heart, an empty vessel; fill it with your grace. Here is my sinful and troubled soul; quicken it and refresh it with your love. Take my heart for your abode; my mouth to spread abroad the glory of your name; my love and all my powers, for the advancement of your believing people; and never suffer the steadfastness and confidence of my faith to abate; so that at all times I may be enabled from the heart to say, ‘Jesus needs me, and I am his.' Ten Commandments ordered out of courtroom A judge in Montgomery, Alabama, has ruled that a display of the Ten Commandments must be changed or removed from the courtroom of a Gadsden judge. “The judiciary continues to push Godfurther andfurther out of the public sphere, ” said Tim Wildmon. “And then everyone wonders why our society is crumbling. ” The controversy surrounds a display of the Ten Commandments which hangs prominently behind the bench of Etowah County Circuit Judge Roy Moore. The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit in 1995 on behalf of two residents of the county, who wanted Moore not only to take the display down, but also to cease opening the courts sessions with prayer. Montgomery Circuit Court Judge Charles Price ruled that the display of the Ten Commandments violated the U.S. Constitution and Alabama ’s state constitution by promoting religion on government property. Price said the plaque was not displayed “for a historical, judicial or educational purpose, but rather, and clearly to promote religion.” Price said that if Moore did not want to remove the plaque, he could move it to another wall and display it along with nonreligious or historical items. Price’s decision reverses his own ruling last November 22, when he ruled that the Ten Commandments did not violate either the Alabama or U.S. constitutions. In that ruling, however, Price banned all prayers in Alabama courtrooms. The Alabama State Supreme Court has blocked that part of his ruling. Moore is appealing Price’s ruling on the display of the Ten Commandments, and the Alabama Supreme Court has agreed to a stay of the decision until it can review the appeal. Alabama Governor Fob James said that ‘''fff' he would use all legal means, including state troopers and the Alabama National Guard, to keep the display in the courtroom. American Family Association Why eagles fly and chickens flutter Once upon a time in the long, long ago, the Eagle and the Chicken were very good friends. Everywhere they went these friends went together. It was not uncommon for people to look up and see the Eagle and the Chicken flying side by side through the air. One day while flying, the Chicken said to the Eagle: “Let ’s drop down and get a bite to eat. My stomach is growling. ” “Sounds like a good idea to me, ” replied the Eagle. So the two birds glided down to earth, saw several animals eating, and decided to join them. They landed next to the Cow. The Cow was busy eating com, but noticed that the Eagle and the Chicken were soon sitting on the ground next to her. “Welcome," said the Cow. “Help yourself to this corn. ” This took the two birds by surprise. They were not accustomed to having other animals share their food quite so readily. “Why are you willing to share your com with us? " asked the Eagle. “Oh, we have plenty to eat here. Mr. Farmer gives us all we want, " replied the Cow. Well, the Eagle and the Chicken jumped right in and ate their fill. When they finished, the Chicken asked more about the Farmer. “Well, ” said the Cow, “he grows all our food. We don't have to work for the food at all. ” “You mean, " said the Chicken, “that the Farmer simply gives you all you want to eat and you don’t have to work for it? ” “That’s right,’’ said the Cow. "Not only that, but he gives us shelter over our heads. ” The Chicken and the Eagle were shocked! They had never heard of such a thing. They had always had to search for food and work for shelter. When it came time to leave, the Chicken and the Eagle began to discuss the situation. “Maybe we should just stay here, ” said the Chicken. “We can have all the food we want without working for it. And that barn over there sure beats those nests we have been building. Besides, I'm getting tired of always having to work for a living. ” “I don’t know about all this, ” replied the Eagle. “It sounds too good to be true. I find it hard to believe that one can get something for nothing. Besides, I kinda like flying high and free through the air. And providing forfood and shelter isn ’t so bad. In fact, I find it quite challenging. ” Well, the Chicken thought it over and decided to stay where there was free food and shelter. But the Eagle decided that he loved his freedom too much to give it up, and enjoyed the consistent challenge of making his own living. So, after saying goodbye to his friend the Chicken, the Eagle set sail for the wild blue yonder.
