TheChurch. Speaks A perfect example By THIE REV. GERALD A. HUNT Pastor Whltby Baptist Church Here is a news item about a diplomat who had over-indulged at the table while visiting a foreign land, woke Up With a hangover and, as a resuit, crucial, high-level talks had- to be postponed. Looking through the papers I notice there are three times as many stories of foolishness, tragedy, failure and loss as there of exemplary acts of good behaviour. We live so much by example. As the media ferret out for us more and more llustrations of life gone wrong, we have that much more to imaitate and iden- tify with, but we are sad and uninspired. We ex- perience despair. And the upcoming generation is naturally suspicious of anything we hail as ideal or desirable. A quiet cheer goes up whenever someone in high places joins the ranks of those found guilty of scan- dai, greed or brokenness of some kind,. not just because they have been caught, but their example seems to confirm with an odd twist that it's o.k. to be that way. In the lottery of life there are hordes of losers whose example gives grim comfort to other losers. We are grateful our sins and failures didn't get into print. As we look at public figures we may forget that we are to be examples to others. We are being watched, especially by younger people. How often we are distracted and confused by our models! While our leaders ask us to live with restraint some of them will not settle for less than a six or seven digit salary. How do you inspire enthusiastic giving for good causes when so much of con- tributions goes for high-priced advertising and good-looking offices? With one out of three marriages in trouble, what has happened to the ideal of a happy family? The lives and dealings of our models should ring true with consistent in- tegrity if we are to believe in them and follow them, if they are "a pattern to imitate" and not "an example to deter", as someone has said. 1Now and then we are encouraged by a news item like "volunteer workers save community hundreds of dollars". The voluntary prînciple takes us back to our own initiative. We need to exercise our will, to rely less on the examples that disillusion us, to be less governed by the idols of society that rise and faîl, to be less pressured to imitate and conform to those whose lives leave something to be desired. Live out what you most sincerely believe. Exem- plify what others need to see. The public figure who wants to be worthy of trust should model himself af- Whenfthee sa 11 there'saw Everyone, incldinyQ, needs a wMil. Even if you on ly own a few posessons. Because if you die \NMthout a wMill, the Court Mil distribute your estate according ta provincial law, in waysyou may not want. Making o 'MII is simple, quick and inexpensive. But don'tfty ta do if yourself. To leom more. mail the coupon toagetyvour _____ _____Postot Coe ______ ter the best of his supporters. Every thoughtful and concerned reader is challenged to be a worthy example for others to follow. The question is, where do we get our best example and the power to copy faithfuliy? Few figures of history have corne anywhere near Jesus Christ in capturing the admiration and loyalty of humanity and changing and molding per- sons to be like him. "I have set you an example", he said before his death, and afterward bis most ar- ticulate disciple, Peter, agreed that he had left us an exampie, that we would follow in hi<j steps. Much of Jesus'life neyer got intci print. But it was said that he went about doing good, teaching and exemplifying truth, tapping the power of God to heal sickness and disability and showing the way to eternal life. He shared food, washed feet (service, with love!) and imparted practical wisdomn about everything from fishing to finance, marriage to mortality, We believe he looked after the needs of his famnily and worked hard in a carpenter shop. He laid down his life at the hands of crucifiers and at the same timne forgave themn. No fault was found in his life. Without good examples we suffer. Without con- sistent examples we are disillusioned. When you find a peerless model for life, hang to it! Put your faith in it. Copy it. While faith must outstrip the evidence, it is good news to have solid evidence of somneone whose example you can trust, who will not let you down. R.W. Gilder has said, "If Jesus Christ is a man-- and only a man-I say that of all mankind I wili cleave to him and to him I will cleave alway. If Jesus Christ is God--and the only God--I swear I will follow Him through heaven and heIl, the earth, the sea and the air" WIIITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY. JUNE 17, 1981, P~AGE)Q G;allery's Paulocik appomted to board Linda Paulocik, direc- tor of the Whitby Arts Station Gallery, was re- elected to the OAAG (Ontario Association of Art Galleries) board of directors for the second time in seven years, at the association's annual meeting in Sudbury recently. Paulocik will have served a total of six years incîuding the present one and has -been a member of al the important OAAG committees including membership and finan- ce as well as the chair- manship of the high profile Gallery Development Commit- tee. OAAG, as the association is familiarly known, has through its growing advisory, research and resource services, become in- fluential in the Ont.ario visual arts community over the past five years. As well as its representation of the public art galleries and arts centres in Ontario, OAAG is involved with government and its agencies at all levels in the consultative and ad- visory role relating to such vital concerns as conservation, profes- sionalism in care and handling of art, fundlng and community relations. AuCIty Drlvlng Licore Ta« Deductaigp STANDARD - AUTO MATIC 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE FREE PICK-UP $12.00 PER FULL HOUR 686-2224 INTRODUCING A NEW SSTEM FOR NEW DRIVERS. A SAFERWAY1D STARL Ontario introduced the Probationary Driver Licensing System June lst, 1981, as a new highway safety measure. It's designed to help reduce the high percentage of traffic violations and accidents by new drivers. Statisties show that in Ontario, new drivers, regardless of age, have accidents and break the traffic laws far more than experienced drivers. The Probationary Systemn is designed to make these drivers more aware of the traf- fIe Iaws for everyone's safety. So, new drivers who ignore the laws, or drive carelessly during the two-year probation- ary period, wilI have their driver's licence suspended for 30 days when six demerit points have been accumulated. A clean driving record is something to be proud of.. but its up to you. Ministry of Transportation and Communications ®5 Ontario James Snow, Minister William Davis, Premier mg--- - FURMR