Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has
quickly spread around the world and across the United States. As of early this
morning, there were 475,000 confirmed cases worldwide resulting in more than 21,000
deaths. Hospitals are overwhelmed and hundreds of millions of people have been
advised to stay in their homes.
Many are comparing today’s health crisis with the 1918 influenza outbreak—commonly called the “Spanish flu” at the time—which was the most severe pandemic in recent history, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
At its website, the CDC writes of that flu pandemic: “Although there is not universal consensus regarding where the [H1N1] virus originated, it spread worldwide during 1918-1919. In the United States, it was first identified in military personnel in spring 1918. It is estimated that about 500 million people or one-third of the world’s population became infected with this virus. The number of deaths was estimated to be at least 50 million worldwide with about 675,000 occurring in the United States.”
We will share editorials this
week and next week that offer some insights about what was happening in our country
and in our churches during the horrible influenza pandemic of just over 100
years ago. This particular editorial was published just nine days before the Armistice
was signed ending World War I.
_ _ _
An emergency hospital for those suffering from influenza was set up in 1918 at Camp Funston, part of Fort Riley, southwest of Manhattan, Kansas. (Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
When the Epidemic Passes
Editorial November 2, 1918; p. 8
. . . An epidemic, sweeping
and terrible, has held the country in its grasp for several weeks. The scarcity
of physicians and nurses in the average community has added to the terror of
the plague; the people afflicted have not had the attention they would have
received under normal conditions. In addition to the inconvenience and extraordinary
suffering, the death toll has been enormous. Consequently, the country, in
addition to its war burdens and heart-pangs caused by the war, has had placed
upon its shoulders a depressing home affliction which has reared the blank wall
of common bereavement.
Moreover, business, religious
and philanthropic enterprises, and churches in particular, have received a
blow, sudden and severe, which, unless courageously faced, will spell temporary
wreck and ruin.
Health authorities are now
announcing that the epidemic has reached its crest and is receding. Unless it
meets a powerful force out in the deep and is sent back, the country will soon
be assured that at least one calamity has passed.
It is highly probable,
therefore, that the ban will be lifted and that the churches will be reopened
in the near future. We trust that such will be the case by the time this issue
of the Standard reaches its readers.
We anticipate, however, that, in the majority of churches, conditions will have obtained which will make it necessary for ministers and officers and teachers to put some quick plans into operation. The habit of remaining at home on the Lord’s Day—a habit easy to acquire, even within the short space of a few weeks—will have to be overcome. Many whose homes have been afflicted will be in a discouraged frame of mind. Also, a deficit in treasuries is likely to result from the prolonged inactivity upon the part of churches and Bible schools.
Preachers and superintendents
should immediately put on a program of interest and snap, and visiting committees
should be speedily organized and sent out among the people.
Every member of the congregation should pay “back dues,” at once, even if it be inconvenient to do so—salaries and other current expenses must be met, epidemic or no epidemic. Moreover, the Bible-school collections have not been taken for several weeks, and the average school is entirely dependent upon its collections for its funds. It . . . may be necessary for people of means in the churches and schools to plank some five and ten dollar bills into the Bible-school collection plate—just to “help out.” . . .
Perhaps the experience so common
to communities will have produced sober meditation which will result in a
revival wave, if the preachers and officers of churches and Bible-school
workers are wise, and active, enough to improve their opportunities. Let a
revival of religious interests be the slogan all along the line.
This is no time to despair or retrench, no matter what the local conditions. It is a time to be heroic, “abounding in the work of the Lord.”
Recent postings: A director of campus ministry is needed at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). Stillwater (Pa.) Christian Church is looking for both a lead pastor and a youth pastor. Lexington (Ohio) Church of Christ is seeking a full-time senior minister. Norwin Christian Church in North Huntingdon, Pa., needs a full-time worship minister. Lycoming Christian Church in Linden, Pa., is seeking a minister of children, youth, and young adults. Michigan City (Ind.) Christian Church needs a senior minister. And more . . .
By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .
Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.
I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.
In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.
Mark A. Taylor shares memories of his colleague, teacher, and friend, Sam E. Stone. Sam, who was Christian Standard’s longest-serving editor, died on Monday.
Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.
Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.
In its first full year, the Christian Church Leadership Foundation has accomplished much to ensure Christian education and resources would continue to be available to people in the Greater Cincinnati area.
If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.
When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.
When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.
A major new initiative is underway to preserve one of the most significant collections in the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement: The Alexander Campbell Papers.
The focal point during this sacred time of remembrance is the death of our Lord on the cross. As we meet around his table we are in essence commemorating two deaths: Jesus dying for our sins and we, as believers, dying to our sins.
Recent studies contend that the joys of Christmas can be carried beyond December and result in good mental and physical health by regularly going to church.
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