p. 6 | THE FIFTH MEETING by Alonzo T. Jones

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Dec 20, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 51.

THE FIFTH MEETING.

By Alonzo T. Jones

A United Church and Missions.

Chas. L. Thompson, D.D.

THE fifth meeting was occupied with addresses on the general subject of "A United Church and Home and Foreign Missions." This discussion was preceded, however, by the passing of Dr. Gladden's resolution addressed to Russia, as follows:

The Inter-Church Federation of the United States of America, assembled in the city of New York, and representing 18,000,000 of communicants in the free Protestant churches of America, sends greeting to the Christian rulers and Christian ministers and the Christian people of Russia, beseeching them in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to do what they can, without delay, to put an end to the dreadful cruelties which are now being inflicted upon the Jewish people in many parts of the Russian Empire.

That those who bear the name of Jesus Christ should practise such cruelties, or tolerate them, brings pain to the heart and shame to the face, of every true Christian in all the world. And what grief it must cause to the blessed Christ Himself, who pronounced His blessing on the merciful, who bade us love our enemies and bless them that curse us, and who gave us that parable of the Good Samaritan who succored and befriended a suffering Jew. Our hearts go out to the Russian people in this day of their trouble and calamity. We are praying that peace and welfare may soon be restored to you, but our sympathy is chilled, and our prayers falter on our lips, when we read of this terrible carnage. The people of Russia must not, in her time of need, make it hard for their Christian brethren in all the world to think kindly of them.

We speak not as the representatives of any military or political power. Our churches have no connection with our government. We speak only as the followers and disciples of the Prince of Peace. It is the love and honor we bear our common Lord that makes us speak. It is the truth we have learned from Him that we are trying to utter. We speak not as Americans to Russians, but as Christians to Christian men; and we implore you, brethren, by the mercies of Christ, that you will act at once, with one accord, and rise up and speak the word which shall restrain these atrocities and heal the reproach which they are bringing on the Christian name.

The discussion of the question of the church and missions was opened by Dr. Mills, bishop of the United Brethren. He said that in this great conference we are indeed upon the holy mount with the glory of God overshadowing us, and the glorified Son of God in our midst. We must learn how

to make vitally pregnant and permanent the noble ideal of Christian unity in the spirit and plans and work of the church; even as our fathers embodied their glorious ideal of liberty, equality, and fraternity, in the great nation composed of federal states. Then the church will be, not in ideal only, but in reality, a glorious republic whose only head is Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and whose citizens are all brethren. Can not this federation secure such co-operation of the denominations in Porto Rico in the conducting of our educational institutions, instead of the several weak ones that are struggling for existence? The same can be done as to theological education at home, and in the foreign countries. The federation of churches can secure such co-operation in mission fields as in a crisis to loan a worker by one denomination to another, and prevent threatened disaster. Even beyond this federation of Protestant churches, we may confidently look and hope for a re-union of Christendom.

Dr. Niccolls, Presbyterian: This federation of churches promises the realization of the unity of Christians. It shall come to pass that the imperial cause of conquest of the world for Christ shall lift the churches out of sectarian divisions into one great unity.

Dr. Morehouse, secretary Baptist Home Mission Society: The mission of the church of Christ is missions. A united church for home and foreign missions, is the call of the present time. Never was Christendom more united in this than now. Another aspect of the case is unity and fellowship among denominations by home and foreign missions. Unless we evangelize the many elements poured upon us by immigration, they will demoralize us. Besides, here is a point where home and foreign missions join.

Bishop Warren of the Methodist Church was to have spoken, but could not be present, and Bishop Fowler took his place, and delivered a timely and splendid note of warning against anything tending toward centralization, or assumption of power, by this federation movement. He urged that the denominations as such, each in its place and in its own integrity, must ever be recognized and respected, however small it may be. If this federation should grow into a centralized power, under which the denominations lose their distinctive identity and native, perfect freedom, then we should see here despotism, cruelty, and persecution, by Protestantism. Human nature has not changed. It was a sorry day for the world when there was but one human brain in the world, and that brain in the chair of St. Peter's.

Bishop Levering, of the Moravian Church: The great meaning of this assembly is that it is composed of delegated representatives from the large denominations, sent expressly to consider and accomplish federation. We are glad that out of the crude efforts of earlier times there has emerged this grand movement for unity in diversity, to secure co-operation for the more effective promotion of the kingdom of God.

Bishop Galloway, of the Methodist Church, South: To my mind there is great significance in the meeting of this great assembly in this great city, where, in 1844, the church to which I belong was divided. There are two great problems that confront us to-day. The first of these is foreignism. The other, and especially, is the attitude of American Christianity toward the men of color. I believe in a Gospel that is adapted to human needs, under whatever sky or whatever color. I have no respect for that Christianity that applauds the missionary to the people of Africa and at the same time ostracizes the missionary to people of the same color in our own country. It is not wise for northern brethren to too severely criticize the white neighbor of our black brethren in the South.

Dr. Waters, United Presbyterian: Federation is an advance over comity. In order that federation shall be effective in foreign mission work, it must be international.