THE RESPONSIBILITY OF AN EDITOR

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XX, Issue 12, 2 June 1930, Page 2

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF AN EDITOR

When a man desireth to chop- .with an axe he marketh well the spot, and fixing lils eyes fairly thereon he, strik- :• eth a mighty blow, thinking that he will sever the log with but few strokes. But most often he erreth therein, for he snriteth either above or beJow the chosen spot; and when perchance he hitteth it either his power has been diminished by vain endeavour so that he hitteth it but feebly; or else he hitteth it with the axe at right angles thereto, instead of with a slanting stroke, so that it but jarreth his hand and cutteth no wood. Even so writeth the Editor his yearly missionary appeal. He desireth greatly to see the diocese fulfill its missionary obligation. He hath even said to himself that what we did last year we cun do this yeai*. He realiseth deeply his own responsibility, believing as he does m the potent influence or" the written word. So he girdeth up his loins and striketh a mighty blow. His hands tremble with inspiration. Impassioned words pour molten from his pen. But when he emergeth from his' study into the warm social world around him and readeth his effusion, he feeleth that he hath missed the mark The Supreme Critic tells him that he is shivering with cold and net with inspiration, and that he had better use his manuscript to light the fire m his study than to light the missionary enthusiasm of the -diocese. Dejectedly he tries once more. This is a superior effort, reviewing missionary propaganda m the clear light of reason. He writes as one sitting among the Gods who can impartially weigh man's littleness and man's greatness. His appeal is to the head rather than to the heart. He tells of the world's needs, of the clash .of. colour, .of inter" national discords, of the rampant stride of secularism, till the fire, m his study does down before the cold s^ ea m of dawn. : ; But when he awakeneth the Supreme Critic to listen thereto he is comforted with honeyed phrases and soft tones which may turn away wrath, but do not soften the bitter truth that once more he has failed. His words are high and noble, but who will listen thereto? Perhaps the few; but what of the many? It is the many he must roach; the ones who give of their charity . and not of their love, meting out of the abundance of the pocket, aud not out of the abundance of the heart; those who think the missionary spoils the good old heathen; or that charity begins at home; and soon, m an endless iteration as old as the hills.

Sadly the Editor seeks oblivion for his jarred nerves. But, instead of 'sleep, visions come to him m which he hears the scathing comments of his readers, and he tosses uneasily on his bed wondering why he should have been chosen for this difficult part. After all it is n diocesan magazine, and not his private property. Why do not others come forward with arresting articles But when the soft fingers of sleep press gently upon his eyes his better self prevails. He thinks with gratitude of those who do come forward to help him for the sake of the diocese so generously and so humbly. His heart warms as he thinks of a layman who has written so beautifully on Mission work for this very issue ; of another article by a returned missionary; and of the Secretary for the Board of Missions who has lent him blocks, and is helping him with his prayers ; and of others. So m the morning he joyously tosses his high faluting phrases to the winds. In the sunshine, warm as God's love, m the company of the sparrows enjoying their breakfast on the lawn, and of the tuis crooning: m the flax, he casts his troubles on Him Who cares for the sparrows, and is kind even to the evil and unthankful. He alone can put it into the hearts of those who love Him to tell of His love those poor ignorant ones who have never heard the Name of Jesus ; who know nothing of a heavenly Father Who so loved the world that He gave His Only Son that all who believe m Him should be saved ; who have no realization of the peace of God which ipasseth all understanding. So, very humbly, the Editor betakes himself to his prayers.