p. 4 | NO GERMAN-AMERICANS by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jan 10, 1906

NO GERMAN-AMERICANS.

By G.

THE emperor of Germany has the reputation of being eccentric, and it sometimes appears that he is so, almost to the danger line. However, he occasionally makes a point that is worth considering. It is said that not long ago he received a request for an interview from some one who claimed to be a German-American. The emperor dictated a reply that he did not recognize the existence of such thing as a German-American. If the gentleman would make his application as a German or as an American, perhaps it would be granted.

And herein lies a fundamental principle: one can not be a citizen of two countries at once. To change one’s allegiance from one government to another, and then claim favor from the one renounced because of former adherence, is not consistent. The emperor was right—the man must be either a German or an American to be entitled to favor.

This principle is doubly significant in the Christian citizenship. One can not be a soldier of Christ and be entangled with the affairs of this life. 2 Tim. 2:3.

To formally renounce the world and espouse the cause of Christ’s kingdom, and then claim favor of the world because of having been a worldling in the past, would be hypocrisy. A world-Christian is even more incongruous than the claim to being a German-American.

Christ recognized this principle when He said, “He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad.” The man who professes to be a Christian, yet curries favor with the world, can not be depended upon in any campaign against the corruptions of the world.

Again the Lord says: “No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye can not serve God and mammon.”

These are days of strenuous pursuit of material gain; the spirit of it pervades every phase of life. The Lord has warned us of it, leaving us without excuse. We know it is upon us because He has warned us. And the warning is given especially to God’s people, because they are in danger of being engulfed by it. Luke 17:26-30; James 5:1-9. The Mammon-Christian will not be recognized in the judgment; the individual will be counted as one thing or the other. Where will you stand?