AND STILL ANOTHER FEDERATION
By C. H. Keslake
For years our attention has been called to the work of the apocalyptic Beast and his Image. Revelation 13. But we have heard it repeated so often, especially of late in our periodicals, that our sensibilities have become blunted, and many have doubtless been tempted to think that the giving of life to the Image is still a great way off. But if we look at the means by which, according to the prophecy, this work is to be done, and then note the events that are occurring in the religious world, it will be seen that it is much nearer than many of us have supposed. How the Image is to be made is clearly seen: “Saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by the sword and did live.” Rev. 13:14. As the Image, when given life, is to be worshiped, it is clear that a great religious work must be carried on, having for its object the awakening of the people and the public conscience on what is regarded the crying need of the hour. Futile attempts have been made to have this work accomplished through the legislative powers, irrespective of the public conscience. Men have been in power who have understood the evils that must follow any union of religion and the State, and, like Nicodemus in the Sanhedrin, they have put off the evil day indefinitely. A change of tactics has been decided upon, and so, instead of appealing to the national Legislature, and stating bluntly what is wanted, as the National Reform Association and the American Sabbath Union have so often done, a movement, or movements, looking to the education of the public mind in matters of a religious character has been decided upon. In the REVIEW of December 4 two significant reform movements were reported and commented upon, both of them having their origin in New York State. At the time of the writing of this article the REVIEW has not had time to reach the thousands of its readers, reporting these two great movements; yet there has sprung into being still another organization that promises to be far more far-reaching than the first two put together. It, too, has its birth in New York State, having been organized in the city of New York, Dec. 3, 1900. Speaking of this movement,—it has not yet been formally named, although its aims are well defined,—a prominent New York paper says: “Probably never before in history did representative ministers and laymen of every prominent evangelical denomination and church society come together to plan a religious movement which was to comprehend their own organizations, and bring their work into greater accord and promote its co-operative effectiveness. Yet in spite of the diversity of doctrines, and the religious methods represented, the greatest harmony prevailed. Those who attended went away impressed, they said, with the meeting’s profound significance.” This meeting is to operate entirely through the medium of existing churches and religious societies. “Correspondence will be begun with every church in every city and village in the United States. Inquiry will be made of every church’s needs, and effort put forth, through suggestion, the circulation of literature, or the providing of religious workers, to accommodate those needs. It is hoped in this way to reach every religious enterprise in the nation.” As with the Conference of Religion, a report of811which was given in the REVIEW, it will not recognize doctrinal differences; its aim is the evangelization of the nation. In short, the following tells the whole story: “The whole nation is to begin, systematically, through the co-operation of existing religious agencies, working upon those fundamental Christian truths concerning which no evangelical denominations disagree, to work out the religious awakening and uplifting of this nation.” As certainly as this is so, so certainly will Sunday have a prominent place in this evangelical work. With the exception of the immortal-soul doctrine, it would be hard to find another so-called fundamental Christian truth upon which evangelical denominations are agreed, or in the interests of which they will more readily lay aside all differences, and unite, than the Sunday question. And the keeping of Sunday as an absolute essential to the uplifting and well-being of the nation, is believed in by many, who are at the head of this movement. And we may be equally certain, as before stated, that it will be made prominent in the work of evangelizing the nation. There can be no doubt that there is but one mind, but one unseen power, back of all these federations. However, it would be uncharitable to believe anything else than that the organizers of these federations, and the sympathizers with these movements, firmly believe that God is in them. And to them it would seem almost like blasphemy even to suggest that some other power is at the back of it all. But we must not forget that God’s word clearly points out these things, and shows that Satan is to work with all power, and signs, and lying wonders. As he has, in the past, used the machinery of the Church for the propagation of his work, so, at this time, he will carry on his work under the garb of Christianity. This will be one of Satan’s masterpieces of deception. The following, one of the latest statements from the Spirit of Prophecy (See REVIEW, December 4, 1900), is to the point:— “As we near the time when principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places will be brought fully into the warfare against the truth, when Satan’s deceptive power will be so great that, if it were possible, he would deceive the very elect, our discernment must be so sharpened by divine enlightenment that we may not be ignorant of Satan’s devices.” Federations of a religious nature are to be one of the characteristics of the last days, and it is clearly shown that God will not be in them; for thus it is distinctly written: “For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.” Isa. 8: 11, 12. That this refers to religious federations is plain, for verse 10 says: “Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.” This last expression implies that God, instead of being in these confederacies, will really be with those who protest against them. But it also shows that the claim will be made that God is with them. And the character of the work will be such as to make it appear that it is so. When these federations have developed more fully, it will require a large amount of faith to speak the truth concerning them; yet it is to be done. Nor are we to be deceived because some of these religious movements, like the one of which we are writing, are carried on as revivals. In “Great Controversy,” page 464, is the following: “In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power, he will make it appear that God’s special blessing is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be a great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian world.” Thus we are rapidly nearing the final crisis; the ruin of the world is impending; and the word of the Lord is, “Get ready.” C. H. KESLAKE.