Epworth Lever from Caldwell, Kansas • 2

The Epworth League as a Factor in the Religeous Education of the Young. HY MONTRY VAUGHN. CONTINUED PKOM LAST MONTH. The cultivation of the grace of sociability is provided for in the social department. The Bible tells us that "no man liveth to himself," and if we have not that "fellowship of kindred souls, spoken of by the poet, we grow morbid and selfish.

When the Creator breathed into the nostrils of the clay he had formed in his own image, and "man became a living soul" that soul was a part of the Divine being and however small that soul, dwarfed and blighted by sin and unbelief, this image of God is still so great within us that we cannot live within ourselves alone and be happy. Often a kindly expression of friendly interest will win a soul where other means have failed, for Down in the human heart, Crushed by the tempter, Feelings lie buried that grace can restore; Touched by a loving heart, Wakened by kindness, Cords that were broken Will vibrate once more. Christ in his busy life always found time to be sociable and the members of the Epwarth League should profit by his gr cious example in all their social meetings striving always by their kindness and sympathy to be like Him. The founders of the League realizing the refining and elevating influences of music gave it a permanent place in the work 01 the society. Ever since the morning stars sank together at the creation of the world, this old earth of ours has resounded to the voice of song, and hard indeed must be the heart that is not softened by its magic spell.

Truly Shakes-pere was right when he said: "The man that hath no music in himself. Nor is not moved with concords of sweet sound, Is fit for treason, stratagem and spoils: The Vik Vis spirit arc 1 1 1 i Auo Erebus. Let ttv li Under the social department we have also the duty of seeking new members. This is just what Christ's desciples did when they left all to follow him, they sought some-one else to join the little society which Jesus was forming. We must not forget to share with others the benefits we ourselves receive.

"A pleasure shared is doubled" is an old but true saying. The department of mercy and help must not be forgotten. This "sad old earth" of ours is so full of sin and woe that that at times it is brought so forcibly before us that we feel like crying out in anguish of soul, Oh, Christ! what a scene! Dost Thou from Thy heavens e'er such visions lean, And still cail this cursed world a footstool of Thine? But instead of wasting precious time in mourning over the sorrow and suffering in the world, we should set about relieving them. Ibis the committee for this department does by visiting those who need sympathy and help, by helping in the great battle against the gigantic monster, Intemperance, by deeds of charity done in the name of Him who said, "In-asmutch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Even if it is only a cup of cold water given in His name, they shall not loose their reward. Thus they learn the true meaning of the word "charity," that greatest of ail virtues without which all our words are "as sounding brass or a tinkling sym-ble," and in the broadest sense of the word the charity which means love he may experience the unsel-ash joy of those who 'Have love, not love alone for one, But man as man thy brother call, And scatter, like the circling sun, Thy charities on all." In the large cities of our country there is a vast field for labor in the line of "Social Purity." In the slums of these cities, where virtue and purity are unknown, the true christian can realize, to some extent, the feeling? of com passionate piety which caused the intense agony of the Son of God in Gethseminee, when, in the deep anguish of his soul, he shed great drops of blood for our sin cursed world.

When we remember that it is only the "pure in heart" that can see God we realize how necessary it is that redoubled exertion should be made to bring those whose hearts are steeped in the most lothsome and unspeakoble crimes, to the fountain of all cleansing, where "Though their sins be as scarlet they shall be as wool and though they be red like crimson they shall be as snow." The time alotted for this paper will permit me to mention but briefly the other divisions of work, the faithful performance of which will give a broad culture and rich experience in christian living. Among these are the "Missionary work" in which all are permitted to help by their means, if not by personal labor; Christian work among the young, Junior League work and Sunday school work, where some find their special field of labor for, "If among the older people We may not be apt to teach, "Feed My Lambs," said Christ the Savior, Place the food within their reach" Then there is the lyceutn, libraries, lectures and C. L. S. C.

readings in which they find opportunities for mental culture. So each member of the League if he conscientiously performs the work mapped out in the Constitution, continue to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, till at last he stands forth a strong, brave christian, with his gospel armor buckled on, ready to battle valiantly in the ar against wrong. After- a while he will be called upon to take the place of some veteran soldier of the cross who has heard the message, "It is enough, come up Higher." True to the motto which he made his owu when he joined the League he "Looks-up" and by keeping his eyes fixed upon the "great captain of our salvation," he is able to t4Lift-up" his fallen brother and point bxm to "The Lamb of God who tak-etb away the sins of the world..