p. 677 | Christian Nations by W. N. Glenn

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 13, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 43.

"Christian Nations."

By W. N. Glenn

THIS is a term commonly applied to several of the more prominent nations of the earth, but the appellation is of exceedingly doubtful propriety. The claim is especially set up in this country, for this nation, and the assumption is offered as an argument in favor of "such an amendment to the Constitution of the United States as will indicate that this is a Christian nation, and place all the Christian laws, institutions, and usages of our Government on an undeniable legal basis in the fundamental law of the land."

When we consider that the people of the United States spend more money for alcoholic drinks and tobacco than for all necessary supplies combined, including even the preaching of the gospel of Christ; when it comes to the point that leading men and leading journals assume that the moral character of candidates for the highest offices is not a legitimate subject for public inquiry, and the masses act upon this principle; when men who are selected for positions of trust because they are presumably the best men for the positions, and able to command the largest following among the people, so often prove false to their pledges;—when these things loom up before us so conspicuously, it gives emphasis to the doubt that this nation may properly be styled a Christian nation.

There is much complaint in all ranks of society against the insincerity, profligacy, and mercenary tendencies of office-holders; especially is there an outcry against the venality of judges, Congressmen, and State legislators. Now, who are the office-holders in this republic? Are they not the men who have been put forward by their respective parties as the best men, and held up by the party organs as the best men, and indorsed by a majority of their constituents as pre-eminently qualified for the positions? It will not do to say that their incumbencies make them dishonest; it is more probable that the opportunity merely develops the previously existing propensity. Men do not become defaulters, pledge-breakers, schemers, and monopolists in a day. No honest man steps into office to-day and becomes dishonest to-morrow. If he is really honest at heart, he will be honest wherever he may be placed.

The political office-holders of this country are of the people, selected by the people who know them best, generally with great eclat, and are more perfect representatives of the people than is generally supposed. The degeneracy of the last days is exemplified in the place-holding circle, which develops outwardly that which lies smoldering within. How often it occurs that those who make the loudest complaint against the officials, on gaining like position do the same things themselves. No, the opportunity does not make the dishonest man, it merely develops his character.

The chosen representatives of the people of this Government are the real gauge of the moral status of the nation. By them we see the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning the character of the people of the last days—lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, traitors, high-minded, etc. See 2 Tim. 3:1-7. There are, of course, exceptions among the representatives, as there are also exceptions among the people.

Verily something more than a display of verbiage in the Constitution, binding men, against their convictions, to certain dogmatical forms, is necessary to "indicate that this is a Christian nation." The Pharisees of old endeavored to indicate by their gorgeous garments, their broad phylacteries, and their wordy traditions, that they were the people of God; but the Lord repudiated their pretensions. As with individuals, so with nations, their Christian standing is known by their fruits rather than by their outward indications. When that constitutional amendment shall have been enacted, we shall see the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy repeated: "This people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men."

God never recognized but one nation as his people in the capacity of a nation. The condition of this recognition was on the express condition that they should obey his law (Ex. 19:5, 6); that they should not add thereto nor diminish therefrom (Deut. 4:2). The honor is thus expressed in verse 8: "And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous, as all this law." And Israel might have retained her exalted position, had the people remained true to their covenant. The covenant with Israel was designed for an everlasting covenant (1 Chron. 16:17), and the Lord never would have violated it, for he is a covenant-keeping God (Deut. 7:9; Neh. 1:5; 1 Kings 8:23; Ps. 89:34) "to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments." Dan. 9:4.

But Israel transgressed the covenant by violating the law, and adding so much of tradition to it that its legitimate influence was made void. Ps. 119:126; Matt. 15:3-6, etc. As a nation they turned away their ears from the "schoolmaster" that would have brought them to Christ (Gal. 3:24), so that when the promised Messiah "came unto his own his own received him not." John 1:11. They knew him not because they had been estranged from the Father through disobedience to his law (John 8:55; 16:2, 3). On this account "their foolish heart was darkened," and not knowing the things that belonged to their peace, they were rejected and their city destroyed. Luke 19:41-44. Nor is it probable that any nation which covers up God's law with human traditions, especially in transgressing his Sabbaths (see Isa. 58:13, 14)—even compelling the people by law to obey the traditions of men—will ever win the recognition of Heaven as a Christian nation. God will not accept any nation while it indulges the same sins for which another has been condemned.

Yet we have hope, based upon God's word, that the earth will yet be peopled by Christian nations. When the earth that now is reserved unto fire (2 Pet. 3:7) shall have been thoroughly purged, and its works burned up, there will appear a new earth, "wherein dwelleth righteousness" (verse 13). The commandments of God are righteousness (Ps. 119:172), and if righteousness dwells there, the law will be in force—nothing added, nothing diminished. "The nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light" of its capital, the New Jerusalem, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory and honor into it. Rev. 21:24. From one Sabbath to another shall all flesh come to worship the Lord. Isa. 66:23. Here, then, will be Christian nations indeed, for Christ himself will reign King of kings.