Two Chief Concerns by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 3, 1909

Two Chief Concerns

By C. M. S.

During the Episcopal Church Congress in Boston two weeks ago, the following declaration was made by Dr. Huntington, of the Grace Episcopal Church:—

It is thought by many that the two chief concerns of the twentieth century are to be the conquest of the air and the conquest of the ether. Really, the two chief concerns of the twentieth century are to be international arbitration and the unification of the Christian church.

In other words, one of the two chief concerns of the twentieth century is to be the bringing about of that condition which will make the long-foretold “peace and safety” cry a reality, the end of which is “sudden destruction.” 1 Thess. 5: 3. The other of those two chief concerns of the twentieth century is the realization of that “confederacy,” also long foretold, against which the remnant people of God are solemnly warned. Isa. 8: 12.

Strong, influential organizations are at work to bring about the “peace of the world.” The great palace of universal peace is now in process of construction at The Hague. The nations are slowly but certainly turning their attention toward a Supreme Court of the Nations, and millions are looking toward such a tribunal for the eradication of the fears and burdens and horrors of war. The churches are being taught that it is their duty to work for the creation of such an august body, before whose bench every nation with a grievance against another shall come up to present its cause and obtain judgment. In so doing it is hoped to eliminate every reason for war. The majority of those who are working for the consummation of that purpose expect through this and other political means to enthrone Christ as king of the world. Thus they say, as the prophet has declared they would: “He will judge between many peoples, and will decide concerning strong nations afar off: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Micah 4: 3. With what remarkable literalness is this scripture being fulfilled to-day. The Lord said (verses 1-4) that “in the latter days” “many nations” would be making that declaration. They are making it to-day. The conclusion is, therefore, irresistible that we are “in the latter days.” The identification is complete.

When the thing is accomplished which they propose, what could more logically follow than that the one whom so many millions recognize as the vicegerent of the Christ on earth should exercise the prerogatives of a vicegerent and stand at the head of that august body designed to preserve the peace of the world? What more logical? Christ is the Prince of Peace. Why should not the vicegerent of Christ be at the head of that body specially created to give the world peace? When that has been accomplished, how true it will be that “all the world wondered after the beast!” Rev. 13: 3. In that view of the situation what significance there is in the question: “Who is able to make war with him?” Verse 4. How can any make war with the one who stands forth as the vicegerent of the Prince of Peace—who stands as the chosen representative of that great body to which the world looks for the guaranty of its peace?

We see, thus, what is the logical outcome of the movement known as the international arbitration movement. It means that one individual will be chosen to decide the destinies of nations.

But that other of the “two chief concerns of the twentieth century” leads to precisely the same goal. The federation of the Christian churches of the world will need a head. What more logical than that Jesus Christ, in the person of “his vicegerent,” should be the head of that federated organization.

Here, then, are the “two chief concerns” of the church of this age, both aiming at a consummation long ago foretold in the prophetic Word, and both undertaken with that spirit of enthusiasm and determination which will bring them to pass. Then will be brought to pass that saying, “And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain.” Prophecy is meeting its fulfilment. What God declared the people would be doing “in the latter days” they are doing now, and preparing to make it their “chief concern.”

But the remnant people of God have a “chief concern” which is very different from that. It is to preach “this gospel of the kingdom” in all the world “for a witness unto all nations”—a testimony against “the beast and his image,” a testimony against the confederacy of Christendom for an object out of harmony with God’s purpose, a testimony against the enthronement of man in the place of Christ as prince of peace and sole object of the people’s worship. That is our chief concern: for at the completion of that work we shall see him who is at once the real Prince of Peace, the King of kings and Lord of lords, crowned such not by human hands but by the Father himself in the courts of heaven. Against a counterfeit sabbath, a counterfeit peace, a counterfeit christ, and a counterfeit enthronement of Christ, this message is and must be a continual protest. C. M. S.