CHRISTIAN UNION VERSUS FEDERATION.
By G.
CHRISTIAN union, as contemplated by Christ, is defined in His memorable prayer recorded in John 17. The burden of that petition for His disciples—in whose hands He was so soon to leave His earthly work—was "that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee." The great purpose of this unity is, "that the world may believe" that Christ was sent of God. The intensity of the Master's desire for the salvation of the world, and how essential to that end is Christian unity, is further shown in His repetition of the prayer. He adds: "And the glory which Thou hast given Me I have given unto them; that they may be one, even as We are one; I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that Thou didst send Me, and lovedst them, even as Thou lovedst Me." Then this oneness among the disciples of Christ is so potent in the Gospel work that it causes the world not only to believe, but to know, that the One who is proclaimed to them as their Saviour is indeed the Son of God. Three times in this petition for His disciples, uttered a few hours before His crucifixion, was the supplication for unity of purpose and of action offered up to God. That this prayer of Christ for such a degree of unity between His disciples was not only for His chosen twelve who were with Him then, is manifest in their subsequent commission: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, . . . teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." It being so essential to the Gospel work in all nations then, is evidence that it is just as necessary now. The natural man is no more in harmony with the law of God to-day than he ever was. The "carnal mind" always was "enmity against God;" it never was "subject to the law of God," and can not be. Rom. 8:7. And in these "last days" even many of those who have a "form of godliness" are "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God." 2 Tim. 3:1-5. "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse," says the prophecy (2 Tim. 3:13), and it is so to-day; the deceptions of the adversary never were stronger or more varied. Among the great deceptions of our time is that of the church federation delusion. It is held up as a manifestation of Christian union, and a great progressive power against evil. By this means the world is to be made to feel the power of the churches (plural), and to realize the futility of opposition to their efforts to perpetuate their influence in the affairs of the world. But it is patent to both the church and the world that there is no love between the various church sects as such. Whatever of harmony there is between individuals of different denominations is not because of their denominational beliefs, but in spite of them. During the last meeting of the great Protestant federation this point was made emphatic. Some of the strongest men in the convention urged that it be distinctly understood that nothing was to be done that would interfere with the existence or polity of the different denominations. Whatever their interest in the movement for general church power, it was clear that the points which separated them into sects were dearer to the heart than the alleged purposes of federation. This is not Christian union, and never can convince the world that Jesus Christ was sent from God to save sinners. Another point is, that church federation is in almost every instance for some political purpose—for the purpose of gaining influence in some way or to some end not supported by the Word of God. The Spirit of God through His Word furnishes all the power that can avail at all in the effectual work of the Gospel. Any purpose or work that can not be effected by this means, and this means alone, is not Gospel work. It has no promise of the blessing of God, whether it apparently succeeds or not. It is also true that the great federation of Protestant churches, that is now endeavoring to wield so extensive an influence, was set on foot for the sole purpose of exerting a political influence. And it is through such influence that its best alleged purposes are sought to be achieved. Hence it is in no sense Christian union.