Diffusion Versus Concentration
By Francis M. Wilcox
The history of this world from the entrance of sin presents a record of opposing principles. The governments of God and Satan, and the principles upon which they are based, have stood in direct opposition. At every step Satan has sought to circumvent the plan of God. Between them there has been a deadly conflict,—a conflict which can give no quarter or know no compromise. The difference between these principles is well illustrated in the methods by which God has sought to carry forward and extend his work, and the methods by which Satan has sought to extend his. Satan’s plan has been that of concentration and self-centered interests. God’s plan has been the plan of diffusion, of giving, of sacrifice. To Adam the command was given, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it.” The garden of Eden was planted as a model of God’s husbandry; but instead of settling around it, the human family were to scatter abroad, subdue the earth, and bring it into the same high and glorious state of cultivation as was the model given them by the Creator. Satan sought to thwart the plan of God. He inspired men to begin the building of cities, and encouraged them to associate together in large colonies. Cain, the wicked one, conceived the idea, and others rapidly followed in his steps, until the earth became so corrupt that God was forced to destroy the whole human race, with the exception of Noah and his family. Upon Noah’s liberation from the ark the same principle of diffusion was again enunciated. “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.” But the same principle of evil which had proved so successful in the antediluvian age once more prevailed, and just in proportion as the human family departed from God, they again began to disregard his command and centralize their efforts and their influence. The result of the second apostasy culminated in the building of the tower of Babel. The second time God was compelled to resort to extreme measures. He destroyed the tower, and “scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth;” and in order that his plan should not again be turned aside, he confounded their language, thus creating the beginnings of nations and the distinctive and lasting separation of the human family. In the call extended to Abraham, the principle of diffusion is again witnessed. “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee;” and the subsequent history of Abraham’s experience demonstrates that he did not receive the fulness of God’s blessing until this command was literally carried out, and there came about the complete separation between himself and Lot. Abraham dwelt in tents, and was a wanderer from one part of the country to the other. This was in God’s order, that the light and knowledge of the true God might be diffused to the people of that country. Their iniquity was not yet full, and God was still giving them opportunity for repentance. In later years God called the seed of Abraham to the land of Egypt. Here in the courts of the mightiest nation of earth, and before the millions of Egypt, Joseph and his brethren were to vindicate the majesty and glory of the one true God. But now Egypt had been given her opportunity, and the time comes in God’s providence when his people are to return to the land given to their fathers, there to stand as the mightiest of the nations of the earth, as the chosen people of God, to spread abroad his truth and the glory of his name. Of them at this time God says that they should stand as a peculiar people, and should not be “reckoned among the nations.” The land bestowed upon them as an inheritance was peculiarly situated. It was on the great highway of travel between the east and the west. During all its history, in the changes that took place among the nations of the earth, it occupied a unique position. The mightiest kingdoms were its neighbors. To these God would have go out a knowledge of his truth, and so long as Israel were consecrated to him, their influence was potent for good; but as soon as they became self-centered, as soon as they came to glory in their possession, then God, in order that his plan might be carried out, sold them into captivity, and scattered them as individuals among the nations of earth. The scattering of Israel and of Judah was not without its results in a missionary way. We find Daniel and his companions at the court of Babylon, and brought into positions of trust in the government, thus revealing to the heathen the knowledge of the true God. That this principle of diffusion is a true gospel principle, Christ himself demonstrated by every act of his life and in all of his teachings. He “went about doing good.” His efforts were not for one city, nor even for one nation. His visit to Samaria was but the first fruits of the glorious work to be done among the Gentile nations of the earth. He commissioned his disciples, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” With their Jewish prejudices they ill comprehended the significance of his words and the world-wide commission committed to their hands. Even after the resurrection of our Lord they approached him with the question, “Wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” He answers them, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” But Jerusalem continued to be the center of their hopes and the field of their labor, and in order for the purpose of the Lord to be carried out there came11again a scattering of the people. “And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. . . . Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.” Throughout the entire history of the church of God this principle of diffusion can be traced; and as opposed to it, the principle of concentration has likewise been manifested. These two principles are operating mightily in the world today. The principle of concentration is seen in the congested centers of population, the tendency to leave the rural districts and flock to the cities, which in consequence are becoming hotbeds of vice. It is seen in the concentration of wealth and capital, the hoarding of gold and silver, the self-centered interests of trades and professions and unions. And there is greater danger to-day that this principle of concentration shall circumvent God’s plan, and affect the professed people of God as never before in the history of the church. Have we not already seen its influence in the operation of our own work? and has not the call of God during the last two or three years been to break the bands with which this principle has bound us, and put in operation the blessed gospel principle of diffusion? Our churches have become self-centered. The principle of colonization has been carried out to the detriment of our work. Building has been added to building and institutions multiplied in great centers, leaving other great cities without a witness to the truth. God calls us now to leave the tower of Babel around which we have centered our efforts, to cast to the winds the glory of building up for ourselves a great name, and go forth to the nations of earth to carry the gospel of this generation to a lost and dying world. And the awakening which has come to our people during the last few months with reference to this principle is an omen of coming victory and deliverance. We see the breaking away from our great centers, a separating and a scattering of the great interests that have been congregated there. The movement out of that which has been the great center of our work in the past is an illustration of this. The removal of our work to Washington is in direct line with this gospel principle, and this movement has set the pace for our denomination. It is most encouraging to-day to see churches and whole conferences responding to the call of God and sending out into the regions beyond men and means for aggressive and pioneer work. In some States one half of the tithe has been given for work in other fields. May God bless as applied to his special work in these days, the principle of diffusion. May he enable us to recognize the principle of concentration as opposed to the doctrine of the gospel. The keynote of the gospel is “give.” God gave his only begotten Son. He gives us all; he asks us to give him all in return. Diffusion or concentration—which principle shall control our lives?