And now another generation is listening – Sunday, July 18, 1954
Today, as we begin our second quarter century, a flood of thoughts and themes moves in upon us. One such concerns the swiftness with which the years come—and go.
Not infrequently someone will write: “I have been listening to you all my life!”—and now another generation is listening. Another theme that suggests itself is the responsibility of entering another man’s home, or another man’s life—and the responsibility for the ideas we let loose—for verily we are all accountable for the impact of our ideas, our actions, our attitudes and utterances upon others, whether written or spoken or sung or suggested. Well, we know that entering another man’s home, another man’s life, by any means, is a sacred trust.
Thank you for inviting us in. We hold the privilege sacred and shall not look upon it lightly. And now as to the swiftly moving seasons—surely it doesn’t seem that they would add up to a quarter century. And yet so much has happened that the years could scarcely have been less long. There have been grievous wars, with little settled by any war.
Paradoxically, life has been lengthened, disease conquered, and material miracles wrought among men. But no principles have changed—nor have the things that matter most—and life and love and friends and families and timeless truths continue, as they always shall, always and forever.
Along with its discouragements and accomplishments, this quarter century has also seen the greater need for faith—faith in the purpose of life, faith in the time—honored virtues, faith that the answers we do not now see, we shall surely sometime see. We all sometimes have our sorrows, our uncertainties, our hurts, our hopes, our unanswered questions.
For all of us, perhaps, there are some pieces that do not seem to fit in place. There are theories that will fall, and suppositions that will not survive the test of time. But beyond all such uncertainties there are glorious assurances and certainties—as surely as we live, as surely as we have seen the heavens and the earth keep their course.
And with all this outward evidence of Divine plan and purpose, and with the witness of the spirit within, we reaffirm our faith in Him who is the Maker and administrator of all, who is the Father of us all, who made us in His image, and who is mindful of us all—and who sent us here from His own presence, for a little time, to prepare for the endless opportunities of everlasting life. And He will lead us to all truth and understanding, if we will let Him lead us—with faith and patience to wait for the pieces to move into place until the picture is completed. Such are some of the thoughts and themes that suggest themselves at this beginning of a second quarter century.
God bless the makers of ennobling music, the voices, the hands that make it live. Thank God for all the sweet and lovely things of life—and for the certainties and assurances that have survived another quarter century and will survive, infinitely and eternally. God give us faith and patience and peace, this day—and always.
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July 18, 1954
Broadcast Number 1,300