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Articles by John Redford Scott

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Brotherhood

Worship Period:
Unto Thee lift I up mine eyes, O Thou that dwellest in the heavens."  Psalm 123:1.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 12: 46-50; Romans 12: 4-5

Prayer: Period of silent prayer - after which the following, 361 in Canadian Youth Hymnal, may be used: "We Praise Thee, O God, because Thou has made us one family all the nations of the world. For Thou madest all; Thou lovest all; Thou carest for all.  So help us to love Thee and to care for one another, that  through the whole world the strong may help the weak, the wise may teach the ignorant, the rich may share with the poor, as our Lord Jesus taught us.  So may He ever be worshipped, and all nations join with us, saying with heart and voice.  We praise Thee, O God."
Amen.

Hymn:
"He liveth long who liveth well," 351 in Hymnary,  or "These  things shall be," 514 in Hymnary, or "0 Master let me walk with Thee," 388 in Hymnary".

Discussion Period:

The purpose of this article is not to take the place of the material in the Pathfinder for this date, but rather to offer something that may be helpful along with it. The Pathfinder lesson points out how we are interdependent racially, how  much we owe to each other as races, the danger and of race prejudice, and the need for racial toleration and co-operation.  We must always be on guard against race prejudice, and ever strive for harmony between races.  This is difficult, but many Christian virtues, are not easily cultivated and many worthwhile things are not easily done. They are, nevertheless, well worth the struggle.

Many people believed that the Great War of 1914-1918, was a war to end war and that the cessation of hostilities would usher in a new age of international co-operation. They believed so strongly the last big war had been fought once and for all, that when another war loomed up, they wondered whether they had given and sacrificed, inspired by false hopes.  Was the struggle worth, the effort?  Was international co-operation and good-will a dream impossible to realize?  The fact that the last war was not the final military battle against tyranny and aggression, does not mean that they who fought in that hope fought in vain. The goal is more distant harder of attainment then they thought it was, but their sacrifice is not lost. Can any real sacrifice for a great cause be lost?  The inspiration of it will live on.  Failing hands that hold aloft the torch of self-sacrifice for a noble  purpose will inspire others to take it up and to carry on.

Brotherhood is an ideal towards which we must continually strive. Those who deny brotherhood, who in, bandit fashion plunder their brother nations, who destroy their, opportunity for decent and free national life have to be restrained and punished. They who believe in brotherhood must struggle and sacrifice for it. When we meet discouragements and set backs, we can learn very much by trying to overcome them. and by persevering in spite of them.  The march toward human brotherhood is like a journey across country with the horizon ever beyond and challenging us to fresh adventures.

Within our Dominion there is great need for this spirit. We have several races in our land. and it essential that we learn to co-operate for the-good of all. A little booklet by Dr. Watson Keiconnel [Kirkconnel], entitled, "Canadians All," issued by the Director of Public Information, Ottawa, has many interesting facts about our Canadian population. Young people who have not read it should certainly do so.  It would be very helpful to use this book for an evening's study of the make-up and contribution of our various races in Canada. Also, there is good material published or handled by the United Church Publishing House, as listed in the Pathfinder lesson. Some of the smaller leaflets put out by our Home Mission Board as, "Through Home Mission Windows", have valuable information that ought to be better known.

In cultivating a spirit of brotherhood the Christian Church has not only an important, but an essential part to play.  This is so within our nation, and then reaching out to other lands through our Foreign Mission work and by our participation in world Christian movements. In the United Church we have fifteen "All Nation's Churches" at various centres in Canada, ministering especially to non-Anglo Saxon people. At the British Columbia Conference last spring a young Canadian, of the Chinese race, and another of the Japanese race were ordained to the ministry.

The Christian Church has an essential work in cultivating brotherhood among people, became its work is to proclaim to the world Jesus Christ through whom men and women of various races and conditions of life become members one great family. In Jesus Christ - His  teachings - His example - His Cross - His living power - men and women are given a basis for brotherhood.  In some respects it is useful to say "All men are brothers."  All men have certain common traits, desires, feeling hopes and needs.  And then each individual's well being is wrapped up with the well being of his fellow men.  In other respects however, it is plain that at least all men are not brotherly, and that their hope of being brothers lies in their becoming members of that healing, forgiving and sharing fellowship of which Jesus Christ is the Founder.  On the basis of their common human traits and needs, Jews and Gentiles were brothers before the time of Jesus. Their relations were brotherly in a vastly different sense when they found common meeting ground in Him. The brotherhood they had known previously is a far cry from Paul's words, "Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all in all." To become brotherly people must, have a spirit that will forgive, forbear, share with each other and sacrifice for each other.

Many profess to believe in brotherhood and wish that such a spirit were more general in the world, but fail to realize its relation to fellowship in the Christian Church.  Membership in high principled organizations, necessary  and doing excellent work as they are: cannot take the place of partnership in the great brotherhood of the Christian Church. The Christian Church has been described as "the mother of all institutions that are contributing to the welfare of mankind and which will ultimately succeed in bringing about a truly Christian world." Brotherhood has its basis in Jesus.  "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in Heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."

Questions for discussion:
What more can be done in your community to cultivate the spirit of brotherhood?
In what way can your Young People's Union share in this work?
In what way does support of our Missionary and Maintenance Fund further the cause of Christian brotherhood?

(This material was prepared by Rev.  John R. Scott, recently of Lower Five Islands, but now a chaplain of the R.C.N. Thank you Mr Scott.)