How to Make Christians by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 8, 1910

How to Make Christians

By Editor

DISCUSSING the question as to the United States being a Christian nation, a writer in the Christian Statesman for November says:—

It follows that much remains to be done before it can be said we have a nation that is Christian in the truest sense. It remains for us to labor for the regeneration of thousands of individuals; for without individual Christians, there can be no Christian nation.

We agree with this writer that the chief object of our labor should be the Christianizing of the individual units of society. But in doing this we must follow the methods of our blessed Lord, and labor in harmony with the principles he has enjoined. We can not make men Christian by law. Forcing them into outward acquiescence with so-called Christian laws and usages, will not change their hearts. The effect would be to lead them to hypocritical pretension. There will come a time in the history of God’s dealings with the human family when he will call to account every misused privilege. Those who have done despite to his Word of truth, and rejected his proffers of salvation, must suffer the results of their transgression. But God has not committed to us the keeping of this account. We are to labor to lead men to God, leaving to them the consequence of their acts and to God the adjustment of their accounts.