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136 SERMON TEXTS We know—of course we know. The trouble is that we appear not to believe the truth of what we know or we would put it into action. The cause of Christ awaits for men who know and who will act. We know the paths wherein our feet should tread, Across our hearts are written Thy decrees, But now, O Lord, be merciful to bless with more than these. Grant us the strength to fashion as we feel, Grant us the truth to labour as we know, Grant us the purpose, ribbed and edged with steel, To strike the blow. Knowledge we ask not, knowledge Thou hast lent; But, Lord, the will—there lies our bitter need. Grant us to build above the deep intent, The deed, the deed!3 The unfinished task of Christian Missions in Southern Africa The American Disciples of Christ, British Churches of Christ, and Associated Churches of Christ of New Zealand all had mission efforts in Africa dating back to the nineteenth century. British and New Zeal m land missionaries came to South Africa in 1896, Americans went to the Congo in 1897, Kiwis entered Zimbabwe in 1898, and British miss m sionaries first came to Malawi in 1909.4 Despite very little contact and coordination, Basil Holt, an American Disciple based in Johannesb m burg, realized that these Southern African mission efforts had ninety thousand members in their churches. Holt proposed that these mission efforts form a convention “for mutual understanding and some coord m dination of their work” that would meet every four years.5 Garfield Todd was inducted as the first president of the All Southern Africa Convention of the Disciples of Christ. He delivered this presidential address at the convention opening at the Linden Christian Church, Johannesburg, on September 20, 1954.6 Todd defended Christian missions for the good that they brought to Southern Africa, especially the influence of civilization and morals—a common topic for Todd in his political speeches. In segregated South Africa Todd pled for the church’s leadership in race relations which was Casey.Rhetoric.indd 150 1/9/07 11:11:47 AM clearly the meaning of the speech and its title: “The Unfinished Task of Christian Missions in Southern Africa.” Todd believed that Christ m tianity and spiritual values, not the secular enlightenment, would be the basis for solving the problems of society. The sermon also stressed a theme that Todd’s daughter Judith said exemplified Todd’s Christian political philosophy: “Love thy neighbor as thyself and if you do that then you have no worries political or otherwise.”7 The text of the serm m mon is reproduced from the Southern African Sentinel, November 1954. The symbol of the Christian Church is a cross. From Calvary onwards, it has been associated with suffering, but the crucifixion was followed by a triump m phant resurrection, and through nineteen centuries of history, the Church has had her victories. The world took little note of the birth of Jesus at Bethleh m hem. The young boy with the inquiring mind who set questions to the Doct m tors of Law at the Temple at Jerusalem grew to full manhood, trained as a carpenter, and at thirty years of age set out upon the work which it had been ordained he should do. His friends were conscious of his goodness. Andrew brought his brother Peter to see Him. James and John were ready to leave Zebedee, their father, to follow the young prophet. Matthew left the Custom House. Thomas was ready to follow also—his doubts were to come later. Judas Iscariot thought it worth while to join the band. Here was a little group—a mere handful of men to start a world crusade. The work of the Church began in Jerusalem and, over the years, flourishing under persecution, extended to the farthest corners of the world. The philosophies of man are constantly changing. Policies and politics of the state are never long stable, but the Church is the guardian of eternal truths, and to be worthy of its name, it must be true to God. The Church and its mess m sage cannot be moulded and restricted by the thoughts and desires of men, whether they be individuals or whether they be governments. The Church works amongst men, but its commission, its authority, and its power come from God Himself, and the truths that it preaches are enshrined in the Scriptures. The missionary...

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