IS IT A REAL OBJECTION?
By R. F. Cottrell
It is alleged, as an objection against our work as a people, that nine-tenths of those we gather in are from the churches of various denominations; that is, that not more than one in ten of our number are from the ranks of unbelievers and those that have never before made profession of faith in Christ. Now it is the worse for those who make this allegation, and the worse for professing Christians generally, that it is not true. Many of our number have come from the ranks of non-professors and even avowed infidels, and a large proportion is made up of conversions of young people who never before professed faith in Christ. It is true that our message gathers some from almost every church. But is this really an objection to our work? Viewed from a sectarian stand-point, it doubtless is. It is a matter of regret to churches to see their members leaving them; and there is the more reason for it if their most conscientious and spiritual members are taken. But view it from another stand-point. Admit for a moment that our message is really the fulfillment of God's promise in the prophecy of the “third angel,” and is consequently a Heaven-sent warning, as we believe without a doubt it is. In this case it is the highest commendation of any church that, amid the general worldliness of professed Christians, it still has many members retaining so much of the spirit and life of godliness as to believe and obey a message from Heaven. In this view of the subject, that church stands highest in God's estimation that contributes the greatest proportion of its members to make up the “remnant” which are distinguished and described as those that “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Would to God that more might be found in the churches. But thank God that there is, even at the present time, a remnant according to the election of grace. See Rom. 11: 1–5.