Where? by William M. Blackburn

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 21, 1884

Where?

By William M. Blackburn

WHERE does the church stand? Out upon the sea of indulgence many a soul is tossed by “every wind of doctrine.” It is trying to make safe harbor. But money, folly, pleasure, mirth, and intemperance are driving it upon the sand-bars of moral ruin. Conscience warns of the shallow waters; but the heart insists that it is enough to keep in range with the church. So it is, if the church still stands upon the good old ground of the New Testament, having been built upon the foundation of the prophets and apostles, Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone. But if the church has been removed to some other ground, it may cause the wreck of souls. The question then is, Where does the church stand?

We mean, not the church at large, but your individual church, whoever our reader may be. We take it for granted that you have an attachment to some church. You ought to have. It may bless you; you may bless it. We honor the church as the most powerful of all organizations and the highest of all institutions. In our view, it is of divine origin, for a divine purpose. Yet it is composed of human beings. It is greatly under the control of fallible men. Their views and policy may change; and, as they are changed, the church is removed from an old to a new moral position.

What is the position of your particular church in reference to questions of self-denial and indulgence? What ground does the pastor take? What ground do the members take? What ground do you take? That position will determine the general influence for good or evil.—Rev. William M. Blackburn.