One Bang Christians

An interesting item came out of the 19^th Century regarding dramatic productions. An edict in Europe banned the giving of plays, except in certain theaters. What it amounted to was a theatrical monopoly.

But the bright boys of the theater got past this little problem. The edict applied to plays, but not to musicals. So, in many places, at the beginning of the play, one of the theater staff would give a few loud bangs on the piano…which made it into a musical, and then the play continued.

There is a certain parallel we can observe today. In our communities, we observe many “one-bang” people. For example, there are the “one-bang” patriots, who stand reverently when the national anthem is played, or face the flag at the Service Club luncheon, or manage to sing one stanza of America. But after sounding that “one-bang”, they are not so hot about the tougher aspects of citizenship.

And then, there are the “one-bang’ marriages, where sometimes the only real musical note was the first “I will”, or a box of candy once a year. So many marriages dwindle down to a “tired friendship”.

And so also, there are the “Mother’s Day bangers”…the one carnation a year variety. But one carnation a year does not make a symphony of love for Mother.

And then at Christmas and Easter, there are the “two-banger” Church-goers. But a “thank you” to Almighty God once or twice a year, does not turn the play of life into an aria of praise!

One pastor in his church newsletter, expressed his joy and pride “that members had braved the rain” to attend services the week before.

What a picture enters our mind: earnest Christians on one of the holy days of the Church, dared the raindrops, some even lifted umbrellas, and resolutely walked to the garage, climbed into their cars, and came to church. Surely such valor deserves a medal. Who says the race is running down, with lads and lasses like that!

Truly such sacrifice reminds us of those who…

“conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received

promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched

raging fires, escaped the edge of the sword,

won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war,

and put foreign armies to flight.” (Heb. 22:33,34)

Perhaps we need a roll call of modern Christian heroes: here is Saint Joan, who came to church once every three months, on good Sundays, and stayed through to the benediction…what devotion! And here is Saint Franklin Smith, who may not have quenched any raging fires, but who increased his pledge to the church from $10 to $12 per Sunday, and was fittingly rewarded by another deduction from income tax…of such is the Kingdom of Heaven!

As the Psalmist has said, “Lord, help us to sing a new song unto Thee.” It’s better than banging around with a pretense of religion, rather than the real thing.