TO WHOM DO MEN BELONG?
By Editor
IN another column is a quotation from Bishop Brent, whose diocese is the Philippine Islands. Comment sufficient is made on the quotation in general in the article which contains the quotation; but there is one clause in particular to which we wish to call attention. The bishop says, in speaking of the Filipinos: We have our duty to perform. It is to give these people—for they are ours now—all that we are capable of giving them.
It is to the parenthetical clause, which we have italicized, that we call attention. The importance of the thought in the bishop's mind is clearly indicated; he felt that it could not be left out. But what an assumption it is! What a low view of the Gospel ministry it is! What a narrow conception of the great commission! 1. What an assumption it is, in the light of American principles, for even an American to say, "These people are ours"? The Philippine Islands may belong to the United States, according to the rules of barter and trade in the commercial world; but who sold to this country the Filipinos, the people? Where is the bill of sale for the flesh and blood—the living souls of the millions who inhabit those islands? They are ours no more than the nations of Greenland, Liberia, or Madagascar are ours. They belong to God by creation, by redemption; and low indeed is that American's conception of human freedom—not to say Christian's—who would count these people, or any other people, as belonging to us. 2. It is a low conception of the Gospel ministry to simply give to our own. Before the people were ours, no particular duty rested upon this political Christianity; but "they are ours now," therefore we have our duty to them. The Christian owes duty to all of every land and race and clime. Paul, recognizing that all were blood-bought candidates for eternal life, himself included, Jew tho he was, born in strong Pharisaic prejudice, could say in the freedom of the Gospel: "I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you also that are in Rome," where the loathsome dungeon and the martyr's death awaited him. 3. The bishop's words express a low conception of the great commission. Jesus said: "All authority hath been given unto Me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and4make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the consummation of the age." How the Master's words obliterate all national and international lines! If the bishop is an ambassador of Christ Jesus, he is more than an American citizen, more than a governor, more than President of the United States. He is plenipotentiary of the Court of Heaven to declare the Gospel, the terms of Heaven's glad message to a world enslaved in sin. While physically limited in ability, in field, in time, his heart-love and heart-mission should be as broad as the Master's orders. His duty is not to civilize, but to preach a Gospel in the power of God, which, received, will bring all other blessings in its train. "Preach the Word." "Preach Christ." "Preach the Gospel." Preach it to all men—"to every creature."