Forces in Training by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 22, 1909

Forces in Training

By C. M. S.

The Christian Endeavor Convention at St. Paul, Minn.

WHILE the whole Seventh-day Adventist denomination is a Christian endeavor organization in the real meaning of the words, it may be asked, “What have Seventh-day Adventists to do with this particular Christian Endeavor Society and convention?” We have the greatest message in the world, as well as the latest one; and it is impossible that our work could be carried on in this generation without our coming into touch with such organizations as this which is now convened in the capital city of Minnesota. Our business is not in making war upon organizations or individuals, but in making known to the utmost of our ability the warning and saving message committed to us, setting forth the principles of the kingdom of Christ, urging their acceptance in the spirit of Christ, and leaving with each individual the determining of his attitude toward those principles.

In the conduct of that business we shall meet many earnest, consecrated souls, banded together into societies, for the accomplishment of what they sincerely believe Jesus himself would individually support if on earth, and does sanction and bless from his dwelling on high. There are many thousands of just such earnest, loyal, Christian men and women in the world to-day, doing the very best they know how to do, and yet knowing nothing of the message due this generation now, or of the people to whom it has been committed. It is our duty to bring this message to such people. We are not to regard them as enemies to the cause of Christ because they have not accepted the third angel’s message, nor even because they have joined themselves to societies whose constitutions voice principles that can not blend with the glorious truths made known to us. They may be even “breathing out threatenings and slaughter” against us, as Saul did against the disciples of the Lord, and yet have waiting for them—some of them—in this very cause so dear to us places of responsibility and great influence before the work is done.

“Educate, educate, educate,” that is our business, and the world is our field in spite of the fact that the very organizations whose members most need the education will set up the strongest bars against us. We are to expect that; but in every organization whose published purpose is to serve the cause and kingdom of Christ will be found the very jewels of God, waiting one more test of consecration, and that test the principles of the third angel’s message will furnish. They have joined such organizations because they saw in the published purpose of the organizations principles whose outworking they considered advantageous to the cause of Christ. They joined the organization because they loved Christ and wanted to work for him. Every such choice the Master approves, and he will lead such into the fuller light of the everlasting gospel if they will continue to be led. There are thousands who join such organizations who have no such objects. It is not of them we are speaking.

But because these things are so, we are concerned with, and we are bound to be brought into touch with, every organization in the world purporting to be Christian. They may not like the concern we feel—the probabilities are that they will not; but the One who has set us our task has not made its performance contingent upon the likes or dislikes of those to whom the message is due.

In the Christian Endeavor Convention, which opened its twenty-fourth session in this city on July 7, are some of the brightest minds and the most earnest Christian hearts with which we have ever come in contact. They are bound to make themselves felt in whatever movement they attempt to foster or to oppose. In looking upon the thousands of faces, the writer could but think, “What a power for good, if always rightly directed; and what a power for evil if they should commit themselves to any course out of harmony with the principles of Christ’s kingdom!”

The Christian Endeavorers now number over three and a half millions, and have set their stakes for another full million members by the time of the holding of the next convention in 1911. They have definitely outlined work for the more than seventy thousand separate organizations, which the leaders believe will bring about that result within the time specified. These organizations are found in every country in the world, and nearly every country in the world has its representatives at this convention.

On entering the great Auditorium in which the principal meetings of the convention are held, one notices first the great flag of England in the place of honor, stretched high above the speaker’s stand, flanked on either side by two immense American flags. The hall is profusely decorated with flags of all sizes and kinds, and with the red-and-white “colors” of the society draped and festooned wherever space can be found. Upon the walls of the hall, at regular intervals, hang the shields of the following countries: India, Turkey, Germany, France, Africa, Jamaica, Sweden, Spain, Wales, Mexico, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, and Australia.

At the close of the opening devotional exercises President Francis E. Clarke introduced Governor Johnson, of Minnesota, who welcomed the Endeavor hosts in the name of the State. He said, in part:—

We welcome you because of the thing that you stand for. The Christian church and religion have been the greatest factors in civilization, and the church and auxiliary institutions are responsible for the present condition of men; and you, having dedicated yourselves to the work before you, are making your great contribution to the civilization of this age, and are going to leave your impress upon the affairs of the world. I believe we are making the same progress in ethical lines that we are making in commercial and industrial lines. I believe the world is better than it ever was before. Everywhere there is a quickened conscience. When we read of the great exposures of wrong in the cities, it does

not mean degeneration, but regeneration. We have some duties besides mere spiritual duties. There are ethical duties in the matter of public affairs as well. I am sure that out of this and kindred organizations there will come better citizenship and better organizations.

Mayor Daniel W. Lawler, of St. Paul, next spoke on behalf of the city he represents.

The addresses of welcome were followed by the report of the general secretary of the organization, Mr. William Shaw. He said:—

The theme of this great convention, “Thy kingdom come,” is the key-note of our Christian Endeavor. Threescore and ten thousand societies and three and a half million members have been praying to that end. Still we find we have not yet taken possession of all the land. Our societies number 71,493, with a membership of 3,551,100. Practically all the evangelical denominations are represented in this organization. When Christian Endeavor has done its perfect work, there will be fewer denominations and subdivisions of denominations, but their power and influence will be mightily increased.

His report showed a great increase in the active, energetic work of the various local organizations, especially in the holding of meetings, and in the work of “civic righteousness” and “Sabbath observance.” The report ended with these words:—

The future of this movement is in the hands of God. We believe in it; we pledge ourselves to its advancement; we seek the sympathetic co-operation of every pastor and Christian worker, that our object may be realized, that his kingdom may come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

The Hawaiian delegates sang a beautiful hymn in their own language at the close of the secretary’s report, and at the close of the treasurer’s report the exposition chorus rendered the Brazilian national hymn in Portuguese words.

Mr. Makeeno, a native Japanese pastor, was introduced at the close of the Brazilian hymn, and in Japanese and English spoke the words of greeting sent to the convention by the Japanese Endeavorers. The substance of the greeting was an exhortation to “righteousness toward God, love of the brethren, and peace among the nations.”

At this juncture Dr. Clarke, the president, was eloquently introduced by the secretary of the organization, and was given a most enthusiastic greeting. His address was an earnest plea for the complete consecration of the members of the society to the accomplishment of the objects which it has in view.

A resolution was brought in pledging the organization to work for the objects specified in the president’s address; that is, the addition of ten thousand new societies and one million new members before 1911. The resolution was passed unanimously and enthusiastically.

By every speaker thus far the members of this mighty organization have been urged to take hold of the questions of “civic righteousness,” or “Christian citizenship,” or “Sabbath observance.” Here is where lies the danger to the members of the organization. Here is the dangerous tangent away from the true line of right Christian operation—that mingling of the sacred and secular, which, persisted in, must lead to results opposed to the cause of Christ. The purpose of the organization in this regard has been epitomized by its founder in his work, “The Christian Endeavor Manual.” In the chapter on “Efforts for Christian Citizenship,” he says:—

It was entirely natural, if not inevitable, that the millions of young people enrolled in the Christian Endeavor ranks should sooner or later begin to feel their responsibility as citizens and patriots. . . . The idea, too, that patriotism is a part of true religion, that love for country must go hand in hand with love for God, has most happily been gaining ground in all religious circles of late. . . . In many ways has this great idea since been fostered and promoted. In the smaller conventions of State and local unions; through the numerous publications of the Society in many lands, especially through the Christian Endeavor World; and particularly by creating a sentiment in Christian Endeavor ranks that Christianity and patriotism go together, that love of country and love of God can not be divorced, has this great idea been fostered. It has come to be understood that the party caucus may be of as much importance as the church prayer-meeting, and that one can be excused from neither unless for a reason which he can “conscientiously give to the Lord Jesus Christ.”

From this “Manual” we learn of the organization of “Civic Clubs” within the organization, whose purpose is to promote “good citizenship” through studying and mingling in politics. The key-note of the organization now is, “Thy kingdom come.” Through political activity it is proposed to bring in the kingdom of Christ. Seventh-day Adventists know that it can not come by such means. Upon this point we must focus our educational campaign in our work for the honest-hearted members of all such organizations.

C. M. S.

St. Paul, Minn.