Christianity and Five-Dollar Banquets
PROMINENT men representative of the “Federal Council of Churches” and of the “Church Peace Union” and of the “New York Peace Society” were sent to Japan some months ago to study the peace question and to work in the interests of peace. The object is certainly a very commendable one. The Christ who is the Prince of peace has pronounced a blessing upon the peace-maker. He has said that “they shall be called the children of God.” But He has also warned us that a great many people whom He regards not will work in His name. “Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt. 7: 22, 23. So according to this text it is clear that Christ will not own all of the individuals who prophesy in His name. Of the Master it was said, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.” Matt. 8: 20. This statement in regard to Him leads one to raise the query in his own mind as to whether or not the Lord Himself could have attended the banquet that was given in New York City when these peace representatives returned from Japan. Each person that attended had to pay $5.00 for the privilege of sitting at the tables. That may not seem like very much to wealthy people, but it is too much to pay for a dinner that is supposed to represent the meek and lowly Christ. “Carping critics” are not needed in this world in these times, but the fear of being called a “carping critic” ought not to deter an individual from seeing that much which passes under the name of Christ in these times does not measure up to the presentation of Christ’s methods and plans of work as given in His word; and one of the greatest dangers before the world is that of being deceived by the false movements that will undertake to develop and foster the idea that we may have peace in this wicked world during the wickedest period of all its history.