A DANGEROUS RECOMMENDATION.
By W. N. G.
DR. JENKIN LLOYD JONES is reported to have advocated, at a Baptist ministers’ meeting in Chicago, that the “trust methods” be adopted by the various denominations for the advancement of church work. He bases his recommendation upon the fact that the “trusts” have been eminently “successful ‘in building up big enterprises.’” Before becoming enthused with this idea, it would be well to remember that successful church work is a proposition widely different from any worldly enterprise. The former is founded in sacrifice and self-denial, the latter in selfishness and greed. Legitimate church work aims to benefit the masses, the trusts are designed to benefit the few at the expense of the many. Christianity, which is the legitimate aim of the church, says, “Let the brother of low ‘degree rejoice in that he is exalted; but the rich, in ‘that he is made low.’” The worldly “trust” says, Let the rich rejoice in being made richer, tho it crush all the poor in the land. Objects so widely different can not be advanced by the same means. Union for saving the lost can not be on the same lines as combination for crushing the weak. Union for Gospel work must be union in Christ, on the basis of His Word, while union for building up the “trust” enterprises of the world are based in self-interest. The motto of legitimate church work is, “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do ‘to you, do ye even so to them.” The motto of the “trust” is, Anything to make money, no matter how others are affected. Stooping from God’s way to the way of the world will never bring success to the cause of salvation. Rather, ‘Let the wicked forsake his way, and the ‘unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return ‘unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; ‘and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.’ Seeking to do the Lord’s work by the ways of the world is a dangerous experiment; for “the way of ‘peace they know not.” W. N. G.