1930s: Editorials from
William H. Ziegler

William H. Ziegler edited The Christian Conservator, the denominational magazines, from 1925-1949. He was a fascinating man whose pen was both articulate and frank. Here are excerpts from some of his editorials during the 1930s.--Steve Dennie

Looking for a Miracle Instead of Work

Everywhere throughout he churches, the feeling is prevalent that we need revival and a quickening of the spiritual life of the church people. The members themselves generally realize this to be true. But we stand staggered in the face of the problem as to how to bring to pass that which our hearts so ardently long for. We sometimes vainly imagine that if we get the people properly organized and get them to offer up vocal prayers, that somehow revival will come.

One of our mistakes is that we are too prone to just wait for God to perform a miracle. We somehow expect God to display his miracle-working power without our meeting a revival condition and without sincerely turning our heads to the soul-saving task.

He expects us to go into the harvest field to labor for the salvation of souls. This is not a job for the duration of the revival or perhaps beginning just one week before. It is a task for the entire year. We have no right to expect the harvest without sowing and reaping.

Receiving the Preacher

A church may put on a great reception occasion and yet in no proper sense receive the pastor. When a pastor comes to the field, should make him feel that they receive him as their pastor and as a spiritual leader. He should be made to realize that here is a place where a pastor has work to do for God, and that if he faithfully discharges his duties he may reasonably expect to gather fruit for the kingdom. In this work he should be made to feel that he has the hearty cooperation of the members. Above all things, no stumbling blocks should be thrown in his way. He should be made to feel that there are willing hands to help in the common task.

A church has much to do, and is held responsible in the making of a preacher. Especially has this been true in the case of young preachers. A preacher has a right to expect to find on the part of his members a helpful and sympathetic attitude.

Superficial Leaders of the Young

Young people, in their nature and needs, are not fundamentally different from the young of a generation or two ago. Catering to the young people in superficial ways does more harm than good. They readily discover that the church is compromising her position, and at the same time failing utterly to meet their needs in any adequate spiritual sense. The spiritual need of young people today is the same as the needs of the young people of the past. They have souls that need to be saved rather than entertained.

Nationalism and Religion

Nationalism received renewed emphasis during the World War, and for the time made Christianity its servant. Christianity operated in the nations on both sides of the conflict, and in either case lent itself to that nation. Now, it is not out-of-order for a Christian to be patriotic. But it is out of keeping for Christians to give themselves to the cause of the nation regardless of whether that cause be right or wrong. It is possible that patriotism, blindly indulged n, may make nationalism a sort of god to which we subject ourselves.

Right Use of the Radio

Radio is regarded as one of the most remarkable inventions of all time. So rapidly has the invention found endorsement that a receiving instrument is now probably found in the majority of American homes.

The radio has been extensively used in disseminating sermons and religious songs. Such religious services are a great benefit to shut-ins, to the sick, and to those detained by inclement weather. But it is a convenient excuse for staying away from the public service in one's own church, and tends to rob us of the sense of the social value of public worship. Thus, while it affords the people generally the opportunity to hear some of the greatest preachers of the nation, it at the same time offers another source of temptation to absent oneself from the public worship service. It is so easy just to sit by the fire in the winter time or in the shade in the summer time and just turn a dial and hear a sermon. There will be much inclement weather that scarcely measures up with the definition given by Webster.