FEDERATION OF CHURCHES by Alonzo T. Jones

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Feb 28, 1906

FEDERATION OF CHURCHES

By Alonzo T. Jones

PRESENT OPPORTUNITY AND PRESENT DUTY.

FEDERATION of the churches stands accomplished. In the preceding articles of this series, we have studied the principles and the chief errors involved, and the certain meaning of the thing. What now is the present duty of all who understand the situation?

The next meeting of the Federation is to be in December 1908. This gives a space of three years in which to work. And, surely the principles and the errors which characterize the Federation as accomplished, and the certain mischievous meaning of it to the nation, the people, and the world,—surely these things are sufficient to incite to utmost endeavor every soul who understands the movement or who cares for the welfare of nation or people, and above all who cares for the purity and true power of the church, of Protestantism, of Christianity.

When the Federation shall meet in 1908, it is to meet as "the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America." And to those who attended the late "Conference on Federation" and were observant of the currents and under-currents, there can be no doubt that when the "Federal Council" shall meet it will be a church council in every sense of the word, fully up to the manner of the church councils through which was perfected the meaning of federation at the first in the early centuries of the Christian era.

And this makes it certain that in that "Federal Council" in 1908 there will be developments as far in advance of the present situation, as the present situation created by the late "Conference on Federation" is in advance of what was before that conference was held. And this makes it especially urgent that all who understand shall do all that is possible to show to all others that they may understand the present situation, as a preparation for the developments that will certainly appear in the "Federal Council" in 1908.

Those who do not understand the present situation as created by the "Conference on Federation," and who do not live intelligently, and work industriously, in view of it, will be totally unprepared to understand, and to live and work in view of, the new and advanced situation that will be created in the "Federal Council" in 1908.

As already stated, this "Federal Council," when met, will surely be a church council in just what that term signifies. And to know what that term does signify, read up on the Councils of Nice, Sardica, Milan, Rimini, Constantinople, Ephesus, etc.; and while reading, remember that among the denominations composing this Federation there are doctrinal differences as distinct, and issues as pronounced, as any among the denominations of those times. In addition there are new distinctions and issues among these—issues and distinctions of to-day, springing from evolution, "higher criticism," and other "scientific" speculations.

When now that "Federal Council" shall meet, these denominational preferences will inevitably appear for recognition in the actions of the council. As an inevitable consequence "old controversies will be revived, and new controversies will spring up; new and old will co-mingle," and the same old tide will be set anew flowing rapidly to the same old consequences in a new form—as the original produced the beast, the new must produce the image of the beast.

It is therefore perfectly plain that every person who knows even only as much as the A B C of this matter must be awake and alive to do all that he possibly can just now to enlighten all the people on this subject. The three years until December, 1908, is time graciously granted us by Providence in which to do this essential thing.

And this is really essential. It is essential in order that nation and people may know what is certainly coming, that they may avoid it. And even more than this, it is essential to those who know what is coming, and the meaning both of what is and what is coming. To these it is essential that they be all life and industry in this matter that is now before them, lest they themselves lose the light and knowledge both as to what is, and what is coming. Only in the right use of the opportunity with respect to the situation as it is to-day can there be retained the light and knowledge to discern the truth with respect to the situation that will be developed in December 1908.

How shall this thing be done, that is the essential thing just now?—Read, read, read! Study, study, study! Educate, educate, educate! The literature on the subject is ample and easily accessible. Many of the people have it in their own houses now, and have had it there for years. It is there for just this time and for the work that must be done in this time.

Will the people who know the meaning of these things, now and to come; the people who for years have been looking for just these present developments—will these people now really awake to this for which they have been looking and that is now here? Will these now put away every other issue, every other thing, and give their attention and energy to this one great and all-important issue, to this one essential thing, of giving the Third Angel's Message as that message is in very words and intent?

If not, then what can possibly recompense for the lack? and what can possibly redeem the loss? May the Lord in His infinite mercy save His people from that infinite mistake.

ALONZO T. JONES.