The Outlook by W. N. G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 16, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 49.

The Outlook

By W. N. G.

THE W. C. T. U. AND NATIONAL REFORM.

AT the late W. C. T. U. Convention for the State of Pennsylvania, held at Williamsport, the National Reform cause was given considerable attention. Mrs. H. H. George reports the matter to the Christian Statesman, and says:—

“The convention gave support to the work by making the National Reform a separate department and appointing a superintendent. Heretofore the departments of Sabbath Observance and National Reform were united under one superintendent, Mrs. R. J. George, who sent in a request asking that National Reform be made a separate department. Already a letter has been sent to each county president asking that a superintendent be appointed in each county of our State.”

In mentioning the fact of her addressing the convention on the subject of National Reform, Mrs. George's report says:—

“At the close of the remarks, one woman arose and asked that those present join in singing, ‘All hail the power of Jesus’ name.’ We hope that the time is not far distant when all who join enthusiastically in singing, ‘Crown Him Lord of all,’ may put forth every effort to have the crown of this nation’s honors put on his head.”

It is strange how well-meaning men and women will persist in tempting the Lord with the empty honors which this world affords. They will “enthusiastically” sing, “Crown Him Lord of all,” and then offer him the crown of a very small portion of this little sin-cursed earth, which he has long ago declared must be melted with fervent heat, and the works that are therein burned up, before it will be a fit dwelling-place for righteousness. See 2 Peter 3.

The Saviour King was once offered “all the kingdoms of this world, and the glory of them,” if he would worship the power that offered it to him, but he spurned the offer as a blasphemous temptation. But by a species of adherence, little if any short of worship of the power that places him there, is the only means any one has of obtaining a high position in this nation.

The rulership of this nation is a political position, and the W. C. T. U. has long been working on the theory that “the kingdom of Christ must enter the realm of law through the gateway of politics.” So that if Christ were to stoop to accept the “crown of this nation’s honors,” he would place himself under obligation to some political party or power. And if he should attempt to carry out in his official position the principles of the Golden Rule, or the Christian principle of forgiving offenders who say, “I repent,” even to “seventy times seven,” it would not be long before his administration would be denounced as a failure. The people who clamor for government interference in the affairs of Turkey, or Cuba, or for the maintenance of a large army or navy in order to combat for prestige, would not long endure such a passive administration as Christianity would give. In fact, no earthly government would long stand the test of such an administration.

Christ wore this world’s crown once, and it was a crown of thorns. And if he were to come again to endeavor to inculcate the same principles that he then advocated, the world would give him just as cool a reception as it did on that occasion. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Tim. 3:12. This world never will endure Christ as a ruler, in this or any other nation. No one knows this better than he himself. He not only refused its crown when offered it by “the prince of this world,” but he declined it when the people would make him king. There is but one throne in

this world of sin that is acceptable to him, and that is in the heart of the penitent sinner. “If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:23.