Clergymen Form Ayer Union for Social Reform
ANOTHER “federation” is reported to have been entered into at Ayer, Mass., where thirty-one clergymen have banded themselves into a union, the specific purpose of which is the social and moral improvement of the community. The ministers who have thus come together represent very diverse religious views, some being Baptists, some Unitarians, Congregationalists, Universalists, and one Catholic. Their platform is: “Friendship and acquaintance with each other's religious doctrines, local coöperation with each other on the basis of love to God and man, the furtherance of social reforms, and the bringing in of the kingdom of God.” The latter expression is one of the battle shouts in popular religious ranks of the day, and carries with it a sound of great worth. It is a catching phrase, but no one should be deceived by it. The kingdom of God and of Christ does not come through social and political reform exertions. The testimony of statistics the world over, and the evidence that every thoughtful person may see for himself, show that the world is full to the overflowing with wickedness, and waxing worse and worse. The kingdom of Christ is due when his work is accomplished. These so-called social and political reforms propose to do that work and set up a throne for Christ with a religion made to order. But the Lord will do his own work and establish in his kingdom his own worship. There is all the difference in the world between the two methods, and their results.