FEDERATION by W. N. Glenn

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 5, 1895

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 21, No. 35.

FEDERATION

By W. N. Glenn

BY W. N. GLENN.

This is the title of an article in the Christian Citizen, which indicates the line of Christian union now being presented for public favor. While the boldness of its presentation is comparatively new, the spirit of it has been practically in operation for some time. “Christian citizenship” is the latest guise of the church and state spirit now looming up all over the country. We give the entire article, in sections, however, for convenience of comment, and italicize some of the expressions and phrases:—

Denominationalism is all right provided it be kept within the limits of charity. A generous rivalry does no harm—the rivalry of faith and good works. Moreover, each denomination sets forth in a distinctive way some feature of the spherical truth. No one has it all, yet each types some more or less essential phase of it. And it is only by correlating these representative denominations that we get the rounded truth. Truth is a wheel, of which the denominations are the spokes. One spoke does not make a wheel; it takes all; formerly, the various spokes forgot their mutual dependence, and set up each one as being the entire wheel.

“The rivalry of faith” is a strange term, a kind of “sibboleth,” in the language of Christianity. We read of special provisions “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God.” Eph. 4:11-13. The work of the Spirit (John 16:13) through the word (chapter 17:17) is to “set forth in a distinctive way” all “features of the spherical truth,” every “essential phase of it.” But this can not be accomplished while one says, “I am of Paul,” another, “I of Apollos,” another, “I of Cephas,” and another, “I of Christ.” 1 Cor. 1:12. Christ is not divided, and his prayer for his disciples is, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.” There is no “rivalry” between the Father and the Son; one does not hold one “feature” or “phase” of truth, and the other hold some other feature or phase. So with the spokes of a wheel, they radiate from a common center, and the purpose of each is identical; the divergency is simply a matter of location not of design. The apostles went out from the pentecostal meeting place to different regions, not to build up denominations, but to preach the gospel. Paul said to the Ephesian elders, “I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” Acts 20:27. And that is the business of every minister. What can be the purpose, then, of one denomination to “set forth” one “feature” of truth, and another body to represent some other “essential phase” of truth? Can one body afford to forego the essential phases of truth held by the others, for the purpose of maintaining a nonessential

organization whose main purpose is the promulgation of some nonessential pretext for the existence of the body? In the multiplicity of sects is it not clear that, on the theory that “each one sets forth in a distinctive way some feature” of truth, each one is virtually combating, or at least ignoring, the “essential phases” held by all the others? What meaneth this apology for the divided condition of the professed followers of Christ, who has expressly stated that “a kingdom divided against itself can not stand”? It means that the churches are being deceived with the idea that they can be divided and yet united; that they can hold on to their denominational idols and still make a passable show of union in Christ.

While there is, no doubt, on the part of many an earnest, honest desire for closer union, yes, for absolute union, the very forces and means relied upon to bring about that union is evidence that they are deceived. The fact that they are depending upon human devices for union while persistently maintaining the causes of disunion, is evidence that they are deceived. That we are in the last days is evidenced by the extent of this deception. The Lord himself has told us of deception in the last days so very deceptive in character that it would, if possible, “deceive the very elect.” Here is another paragraph:—

One of the most marked and hopeful signs of the times is the drawing together for common purposes of the different denominations of Christians, without loss of denominational power and interest. The young men and women who are banded in Christian Associations, Christian Endeavor Societies, Epworth Leagues, Y. P. Baptist Unions, Brotherhoods of Andrew and Philip, and King’s Daughters, like their elders who are connected with bodies like the Evangelical Alliance,—are devoted Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans, Congregationalists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians. Yet they have recognized that their agreements are many more than their differences. And Christians are recognized in folds outside of their own special one. This is an enormous gain.

Yet, notwithstanding this “enormous gain,” it is not even contemplated that the union will be of a character to cause “loss of denominational power and interest.” It is not a “unity of the faith” that is desired; if it were, recourse would be had to the means prescribed in the word of God for accomplishing that end. This fact is further shown in another paragraph:—

The time has come for another form of union. Christians need now to federate against common foes and in defense of common interests. Borrowing the method from the union of the states, which, for some purposes, preserve their local autonomy, while for other and common purposes they rally each for all and all for each—so Christians, while holding on to their distinctive names, should combine for municipal reform, and for the preservation of the Sabbath and the free school and the purity of the ballot. The National Christian Citizenship League affords the medium. Here Christians, without losing their individual distinctions, or surrendering a jot or tittle of their denominational preferences, can cooperate for the “righteousness” which “exalteth a nation,” against the “sin which is a reproach to any people.”

Thus are we brought to the point at which the modern idea of Christian union is aimed. It is no longer union that is sought, but federation. The grand purpose of Christ, expressed in his memorable prayer to his Father as he was about to close his earthly mission, that his disciples might be one in him, is thus perverted to an unholy, deceptive purpose. Men are beguiled into the belief that a holy purpose, the work of the Holy Spirit through the word of God, may be achieved through the union of religious errors in imitation of a human government. And they are beguiled into the belief that such unscriptural effort is the work of the Gospel.

There is but one basis of true Christian unity, and that is through the truth of God as it is in Jesus Christ. It is thus expressed in Rev. 14:12: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” This united band will be all that will be left after the Babylonian church has completely fallen and the wrath of God is poured out upon those who have chosen the “mark” of the “beast” instead of the “seal” of God. To fear God and keep his commandments is the whole duty of man (Eccl. 12:13); but this can be done only through the faith of Jesus Christ. Hence the faith of Jesus Christ is keeping the commandments of God. Therefore, on this foundation only can Christians unitedly stand, and this includes every “feature of the spherical truth.”

It should not be overlooked that the leading purpose of this proposed federation of churches is the enforcement of Sunday observance, the badge exhibited by the Roman Church as the “mark” of her authority everywhere recognized by the nominal Protestant churches.