p. 7 | The Men and Religion Forward Movement

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 4, 1912

The Men and Religion Forward Movement

By J. O. Corliss

J. O. CORLISS

MANY new forms of association are arising with the avowed purpose of assisting society properly to regulate itself. So many combinations of trusts and allied monopolistic schemes have come about in the development of world industries that the interests of the common citizen are being overlooked, in the one great endeavor to build up the influence and authority of the few. This has begotten a class hatred, which has resulted in counter-associations, ostensibly for mutual protection.

It has been felt by many that unless something can be done beyond what lies in the present power of civil government, the situation will develop into a state of anarchy exceeding anything before known. While viewing this threatening social aspect, the real remedy has not been discovered by the wise men of earth. Single tax, socialism, and other worldly schemes of like character have been advocated, and have secured their followers. But these schemes have not reached the root of the trouble, since, when analyzed, they also have been seen to rest for their support upon selfishness.

At last the church has come to the conclusion that she is able to produce the needed remedy, and therefore she has set herself to accomplish the end she believes Providence has assigned her; but evidently she has not built in harmony with divine counsel. Could she but see the present situation as Heaven sees it, and apply the remedy offered in the Divine Word, essential progress might be made in the right direction.

It has been thought, however, that could the churches federate, and thereby control legislation, success would be attained. The desired federation came forward, yet the situation in civil affairs has not improved, but rather has grown worse. Now there comes to the front a two years' old organization, with the formidable title of “Men and Religion Forward Movement.” Could this organization confine itself to the work of leading men to give up the world for Christ, it doubtless would do well; but it has an avowed object which it is feared will prove detrimental to such commendable operations.

It has started to move the whole nation to think along its line of thought. Three principal teams of the brightest minds to be procured are now visiting the larger cities of America, remaining a week or more in each place. For this work previous arrangements are made, and advance advertising is done, so that upon the appearance of a team in any place, a large attendance is on hand from the first of the series of addresses. Besides the night discourses, day institutes are held, in which subteams are educated to go out into every rural district, and extend the work of the order to the farthest possible limit.

The closing week of February last found one of the original teams operating in the cities around San Francisco Bay. The object of the movement was clearly set forth by its principal speakers. The space of a limited article is not sufficient to give all that was said concerning it. It is enough to say, perhaps, that this organization is openly committed to the strengthening of the work that is undertaken by the Federation of Churches. Its sponsors loudly declare that it stands for a Sunday rest upheld and maintained by law. One speaker said that the Men and Religion Forward Movement would make so great a noise in behalf of its demand that the nation would be compelled to speak in its favor.

Another speaker declared in substance that blood would flow before all the work contemplated by the movement should be accomplished, and advised that if any faint-hearted ones were present who desired to have part with the enterprise, they would better have their courage renewed. In all the speeches to which the writer listened, significant sentences were uttered that told of determination to carry forward a most aggressive campaign against all who stand in opposition to any of their designs.

It seems that the enemy of souls is ripening every conceivable scheme, in his final attempt to thwart God's plan of salvation for the human race. He is shrewd enough, too, to clothe all these schemes in a religious garb, in order to deceive the world into a state of hopefulness that the long-desired reign of Christ on the earth is about to begin, through these man-made attempts to wipe the blot of sin from society's escutcheon. How strange that these leaders of would-be reform do not see that their work is just what the prophecies point out as that which will hasten the time of trouble such as has not been since the world began. But because they do not see, an imperative duty rests on the student of prophecy to do everything in his power to inform all who will give attention to the true watchman's voice. Let no one neglect his duty at this time.

Mountain View, Cal.