lleges to-day are looking forward to the ministry as
a life work.

In order that we may cope with such conditions as those just mentioned,
none can gainsay the great need of greater efficiency in the ministry,
that we do not cut the tap-root of all our progress and become of none
effect in the world. The wisest leaders of Japan to-day are deeply
concerned about the propagation of Christian principles among the people.
The recent past has changed a nation in a day, and while the people have
taken on the ways of western civilization, the larger number of them have
not accepted the principles which have made western civilization great,
and these far-seeing prophets of the Sunrise kingdom well understand that
their glory will be ephemeral unless they are able to plant their feet
firmly upon the eternal Rock of Ages. As lightly as it may be regarded,
there is a similar danger confronting the rising young race of colored men
in this land. It is not reassuring that our strongest men, who are able
to make their way through northern universities, have in some cases come
out of these institutions with a shattered faith and are not found in
places of leadership either as ministers or laymen, in our churches and
other religious institutions. A man cannot excuse himself by saying that
he spends his time during the week in the schoolroom, in the law office,
or in the sickroom. The great men of the world and the great races and
nations of the world have done all these things but did not leave the
other undone. To meet this condition a larger number of efficient men must
be led into the ministry.

In order that the supply may be commensurate with the demand, it is
necessary to ask the question where and how shall we begin to meet the
demand for an increased efficiency in the ministry? First, with Christian
parents. It is interesting to note that Paul, in his second letter to his
beloved son, Timothy, 1st chapter, 5th verse, makes use of these words:
"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which
dwelt first in thy grandmother, Lois, and thy mother, Eunice, and I am
persuaded that in thee also," and he thus shows his belief in spiritual
heredity.

The foregoing passage teaches that we must not shut our eyes to the
responsibility of Christian parents in this matter. Many of the great
preachers of the world were consecrated to this service by godly mothers,
in some cases before they were born, even as Hannah, Sam