p. 6 | Note and Comment

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 24, 1908

Note and Comment

The New Message

The pulpit is fast losing its message concerning that kingdom which is “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost,” and is substituting therefor a message of humanitarianism and social uplift. The change which has been taking place is plainly stated in one of our exchanges:—

The pulpit is coming to recognize more and more that industrial and economical questions are religious questions. They are questions involving the relationship of man to man, and all such questions are intimately connected with the message of religion. For the greatest service that man renders to man is also the best service rendered to God. . . . The clergy of Chicago have acted wisely in setting aside a certain Sunday in the year to discuss the labor-capital problem. The church has too long been silent on these questions. If the voice of the church is not heard on questions touching the ethical considerations of the people, it might as well close its doors.

Quite in harmony with this view of the work of the church were the addresses, resolutions, and discussions at the recent meeting of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. In wide contrast with this view of the mission of the church of Christ is the example of Christ himself when he was solicited to adjust a property inequality between brethren. He declined to enter them, into such disputes, saying, “Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?” Jesus sought to change the hearts of men rather than to attempt to settle outward differences. Well would it be for his church to-day if the ministers of the gospel would follow his example.