Men and Religion Forward Movement
By Editor
THE new evangelism is creating more or less discussion, but it is not regarded very enthusiastically. The "Men and Religion Forward Movement," the latest embodiment, is backed by nine church brotherhoods, the International Sunday School Association, and the International Committee of Young Men's Christian Associations. Some of its great supporters are such men as William Jennings Bryan and J. Pierpont Morgan, and its representatives are visiting most of the towns and cities of the United States and Canada. Fred B. Smith, its "inspirational leader," as he is called, states that its object is to win men and boys to Jesus Christ, and to vital life in the church; while Fayette L. Thompson, another leader, declares that its object is to give the world "an adequate interpretation and representation of Jesus Christ." The principal strength of the movement, it is thought, lies in its "team work," the fact that it sends out its workers in groups, basing its appeal on six specific interests—evangelism, Bible study, missions, work for boys, social service, and community extension. And the grouping of the men together is so that there shall be an exhibition of all-around Christianity; or, as one writer has expressed it, "The kingdom can't win until they all play together," and there is where the "team" idea came into view. We wish every movement that has the salvation of souls in mind success; and yet that movement which does not emphasize, as the first and end of all, the salvation of the individual man, by connecting the individual man with Christ Jesus in life, will sooner or later fail. In this hoped-to-be great movement, the danger will be of depending too much on the scheme, the plan, the forces, the team, upon the great men connected with it, upon the influence which the mass will have upon a city or a town, or upon the individual. But this has not proved to be what it was thought it would prove in the Chapman movement, nor will it in this. The more these other forces are emphasized, of the less importance will be considered the individual connection with Jesus Christ, the Word of God, repentance, and faith. Let men be saved, and all good things will flow from that; but to endeavor to bring about the fruits of Christianity without its life in the individual soul, there will be failure. Poor China.—Torn by revolution, ravaged by famine and plague, China's case is direful indeed. It would seem that the revolution is both justified and successful. But before there is general, capable, permanent government organized, what will occur? Will jealousies between enthusiastic and ambitious yet inexperienced leaders precipitate crises in the provinces? Will the half-starved people patiently wait till time adjusts conditions and equilibrium is established? These are serious, vital questions. And one waits in agony almost for their answer. In the meantime let Christians pray that God may overrule and protect His people. War Imminent and Expected.—The London Daily News of October 11 truly says: "The last ten years, which have been a decade without parallel for magnitude of naval expenditure, have also been a decade almost without parallel for international strain and anxiety. They have been one prolonged period of crisis, now latent, now threatening to explode, and the nations have sat in hourly expectation that the dogs of war would be let loose." Jesus said of this time, "Distress of nations, with perplexity." The fourteenth national convention of the Anti-Saloon League of America is to be held in the city of Washington December 11-14, 1911. A strong provisional program has been printed, too long for us to publish. It may be obtained from Mr. P. A. Baker, general superintendent, Westerville, Ohio. Special consideration will be given to the interstate liquor traffic, and the liquor question in all its phases will be thoroly discussed by able speakers. Our correspondent in Portland, Oregon, informs us that the Rev. Henry Minton, one time moderator of the Presbyterian Assembly, president of the National Reform Bureau, left his home in Trenton, New Jersey, for the West to arouse interest for the "Christian citizenship" convention to be held in Portland June 29 to July 6, 1913. The purpose of this convention is to establish Christianity by law—an utter impossibility. Recent experiments in bomb dropping from aeroplanes indicate very clearly that in case of future war the aeroplane will be a decided factor. By that time, of course, guns may have been perfected so as to bring down the aeroplane, or, new aeroplanes may meet those in the air; but certainly some decided advances have been made in the dropping of bombs, making of maps, and photography.