CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR AND CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP.
By W. T. Knox
NEVER in all her history has California witnessed such a gathering as that of the Christian Endeavor Convention just closed at San Francisco. It was a notable gathering in many ways, and various are the lessons that may be learned from it by the careful observer, for the Christian Endeavorers are well organized in many lines of Christian work. As one gazed upon the thousands of delegates that thronged the streets and filled the halls of San Francisco, it was evident that among them was to be found the very flower of our young people. Of their number there were doubtless many earnest Christians whose hearts were fired with ardent love to God and fervent zeal for his service. One could but pray that their zeal might always be according to knowledge, and that the fire of their love be continually kept burning, and that they, "being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ," a love that caused the Son of God to take upon himself our nature, live his life of suffering and ministration here upon earth, and finally led him to dark Gethsemane, and was not quenched even by Calvary or the cross,—and all this that poor, sinful man might be won for God and redeemed from death; won by the wonderful display of love; but never once by a manifestation of any power but the drawing of his loving-kindness. From a number of expressions made by some of their speakers it could be readily seen that all did not realize the wonderful power that Christ has placed at the disposal of his followers whereby they may win souls for him. A misunderstanding of the Gospel commission on the part of some was plain from the great prominence given to politics, and the desire expressed to regulate and reform the State. On Friday afternoon in the Y. M. C. A. Auditorium, the committee on "Christian Citizenship" met in conference to consider this phase of their work. The meeting was presided over by Rev. W. E. Davis, of Lebanon, N. J., and was addressed by Rev. A. A. Murphy, pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of New Brunswick, Rev. G. W. Scott, of Boston, and Bishop Samuel Fallows, of Illinois. From the addresses delivered by these gentlemen, it could not be wondered at if the hearers would be in doubt as to whether they were listening to politicians or clergymen. The burden of all appeared to be that the church-members should perform their duty at the polls and attend the primaries. Dr. Murphy dwelt upon the scripture, "Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and to God the things that are God's," applying the first to the Christian's duty of voting. To the speaker's mind, this duty to Cæsar was equal to our duty to God. It was stated that "politics were not to be brought into the pulpit, but that the pulpit must be taken into politics." The object to be accomplished by the pulpit in politics was revealed in the statement that "there will always be rings and machines, but it is our duty to see that we have the right men in the rings and machines, for God demands that Christian men should control the world." "Office is not to be refused by Christians, but we are to see that they [the officers] are in the hands of men that will enforce Sabbath laws." The difference in the plan of work at the close of the nineteenth century and that in vogue immediately after the ascension of Christ was very manifest. The followers of Jesus then, as well as now, felt the need of power. To-day they are seeking the power of the State; then they were trusting in the promises of the Saviour, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." They were in the upper chamber, striving to place themselves where they could be controlled by the Spirit of God; to-day they are seeking to gain control of the political rings and machines in order that Christian men may wield the power of earthly governments for the enforcement of Sabbath and other religious laws. Would that all could be brought to see that the Gospel of Christ is of itself all the power that this universe contains, even the "power of God unto salvation," that "the friendship of the world is enmity with God;" that it is "not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hosts." "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. And he shall be for a sanctuary."