FEDERATION, ALIAS TRUST.
By W. N. G.
FEDERATION is the order of the day. In business circles, especially in the large corporation caste, it is called "trust," and is quite extensively condemned. True, the condemnation is largely nominal, being in great measure by men who have no opportunity to profit by its operation and by men who expect to profit politically and otherwise by opposition to it. The loudest opposition is of the political platform character, which, of all things, is generally the most insincere. A once prominent California politician said, after election, "Platforms are only molasses to catch flies;" and the expression has been many times verified. Then we have the Federated Trades, which is simply an enterprise to advance the profits of the business of those who unite with it, on precisely the same principle of the great corporation trusts. And we have the new proposition of a great federation of all the distinctive orders of railway employes. And so, in all worldly matters, even in the political parties, federation is the dominant idea. But outside of business or trade circles, the trust, popularly styled "federation," has become a veritable slogan. The one which, perhaps more than all others, is endeavoring to include everything in sight, is the "Bureau of [so-called] Reforms," with headquarters at the national capital. Its object is to control Congress, and, by means of plausible measures with innocent exteriors, to eventually commit the government into the hands of that class of religionists who would enforce their ideas of religion by civil law. This bureau, or religious lobby, adopting political means, is the outgrowth of a federation of interests on the part of various associations whose idea of national reform in general is religious legislation. We have before noted the movement for a "confederation of evangelical churches," by which the movers, despairing of ever securing a union of popular Christianity, hope to secure co-operation in establishing certain religious institutions. It is thought that in some way this federation will pass for Christian union, while the different sectarian factors may still retain their varied doctrines and animosities, which constitute an emphatic disunion. The principal point on which such a federation could unite would be enforced Sunday observance, and in such a union or religious trust they count on the co-operation of the Roman Catholic Church. Indeed, why it could not come into such a federation, or apology for Christian Union, we see no reason. It is well known that there has been much hostility between the Epworth League and the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, especially within the limits of the M. E. Church. But the Epworth League is willing to federate with all young people's societies. Its Board of Control, at a recent meeting, adopted the following resolution:— Resolved, That we desire, as heretofore, to express our wish for close fellowship with all Christian young people, and our readiness to co-operate in practical Christian work with the young people of all evangelical denominations, and hereby authorize the general Cabinet to receive or make such advances for a federation of young people's societies or for a young people's congress in the year 1900, as they may deem advisable. This is not the only suggestion for federation of young people's societies; the subject is being favorably considered by the Christian Endeavorers, and, in fact, by all the young people's associations of any note. Yet the idea of these societies, as with the churches in proposed confederation, is to promote, rather than sacrifice, the interest and strength of the individual society. There would be no such suggestion for the purpose of advancing the general welfare at the expense of the interest of the individual organization. In all these propositions, the characteristics of each church or society must be preserved, no matter how much at variance each may be with all the others. In such a principle there can not be anything like Christian union. It is simply trusting for aid in the arm of flesh. Christian union is a oneness of heart, as the union of the Father and the Son. Christian union is an individual union with the Father and the Son, and the union of all such individuals with each other follows as a logical consequence. Christian union is not a federation of churches, for there is but one Christian church, and Christ is its head. Christian union is union with Christ, not necessarily with societies of any character; it is union in sacrifice, not in self or society aggrandizement. It is union in sacrifice for the advancement of the cause of God, the salvation of souls; it is a union for the reformation of individuals, without reference to society or civil government. The Spirit of the Lord foresaw all this federation craze, and gave his people a prophetic warning concerning it. "Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word, and it shall not stand; for God is with us. For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear; nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." Isa. 8:9-13. W. N. G.