BY THE POWER of GOD, by Samuel M. Shoemaker. NY: Harper & Brothers, 1954. Pp. 158. (BV4501.S474).

This work was one of the old titles found in the corner of the Meditation Room that once served as the home of the parish library. Old books can be timeless and this work by Shoemaker is one of them. The author was an Episcopal priest at Calvary Episcopal Church in New York City. His insights are correctives to churches that have misplaced their mission maps.

Shoemaker's burden for people who hurt is exemplified in his being a "Co-founder" of Alcoholics Anonymous. St. Philips has a dozen or more twelve step groups meeting on its campus.

Shoemaker stresses the importance of conversion to Jesus Christ. His stories tell of churches and clergy being renewed by focusing on individuals, rather than on structure.

The author shares this vignette. "I knew a deaconess in the Episcopal Church who got soundly changed after many years in her work: one day she had lunch with a woman in the parish where she worked, and after two hours that woman made a definite decision for Christ. The deaconess, with joy in her soul, reported this to the rector. What do you think he said? 'Two hours for one woman? You could have called on eight people in two hours!'" (Pp. 137-138).

Shoemaker concludes: "And one last word-please don't put his book down, if it has said anything at all to you, without vowing to God that you will be one whom He can count on, and use. Keep praying. And it is bound to happen-by the power of God!" …The Library Committee