The Rapid Development of National Reform Principles
By George B. Wheeler
National Reform principles, which have been so long before the country, are rapidly assuming new phases, and are making an appeal to the country for recognition and adoption, under the cover of names that stand for patriotism and Christianity. A few years ago I attended a Christian Endeavor convention in company with a friend, the subject that day being Christian citizenship. As the principles of National Reform were presented under that name, and cheered by the thousands present, my friend remarked that he had attended many National Reform conventions, and had noticed the invariably small attendance, rarely over thirty or forty, and had wondered how the movement was ever to get a strong hold upon the country; “but now,” he continued, “I see it: these principles are accepted and advocated by this great society, and by other similar organizations, and are used by them to create public sentiment.” Since then these principles have assumed a still more practical shape. An article in the Christian Herald of February 5, on the National Federation of Churches and Christian Workers, in session at Washington, says:— “Seldom has the executive mansion in Washington been the scene of a gathering more significant than that which is to assemble within its walls to-day. At the invitation of President Roosevelt, a deputation of clergymen, representing many denominations, will wait on him to inform him of the progress of the association in which they are united, and in which he has long taken a deep interest. This is the National Federation of Churches and Christian Workers, which this year is holding its annual conference in Washington, D. C. The common idea of clergymen of different denominations is that they are rivals, if not enemies; but that idea must receive a check from the spectacle of so large and so representative an assembly conferring together in amity on the common interests of the Church of Christ. This is the second annual conference of the federation. The first was held February, 1901, in Philadelphia. The numbers now assembled show how great has been the progress made during the past year. The obvious advantages of co-operation in Christian work, as presented by Dr. E. B. Sanford, in various centers, have appealed to the leaders of all denominations, and have secured their active and cordial acceptance. At the evening session, the general topic was ‘Church Federation in the Interests of Social and Civic Righteousness.’” “Civic righteousness” is evidently nothing more or less than the principles of National Reform, the principal feature of which is the enforced observance of Sunday as the Sabbath. The article continues:— “The importance of such an assemblage of prominent ministers as this, can be realized from the fact that no less than sixteen denominations were represented. The number of communicants of those denominations in the United States is estimated at nearly fifteen million persons. Many of these, of course, are not familiar with the idea of federation, and have not as yet had an opportunity of uniting in it; but the welcome it has received from those who have been approached on the subject, encourages the hope that at no distant day the great majority will accept it. Should that day come, we shall have a compact organization ready to express its will on any important question that touches the religious conscience. That will be a most gratifying fact, for it will directly tend to public morality, and must have a wholesome influence on national legislation and the national policy. As was explained in this journal last year, when the first conference of the federation was held, it is not an organization tending to the union of the denominations, but only to facilitate their united action in a common cause. Should any great national question arise, in which it is possible that injustice may be done, the federation can speak as a unit, and with a voice that the most reckless of politicians will heed. Acting alone, a denomination has comparatively small influence; but when the great majority of the God-fearing men of the nation unite in a protest against a policy, and utter that protest through the official channels, such a policy is doomed.” A few points of interest in this article are (1) the large number of men who are leaders in the denominations which they represent who are leading out in this movement, and who will doubtless carry the great body of these denominations with them; (2) the numbers,—sixteen denominations represented, the communicants of which amount to nearly fifteen million persons; (3) its character,—“to express its will on any important question that touches the religious conscience,”—bearing in mind that the enforced observance of Sunday is the most important question that touches the religious conscience, according to their own statements, reiterated time and again; (4) its purpose, should any great national question arise, to “speak as a unit, and with a voice that the most reckless of politicians will heed.” We also note that the President has long taken a deep interest in this movement, and has received a deputation of clergymen to inform him of its progress.163 Certainly the progress of this federation will be watched with interest by all students of prophecy.