A Note of Warning

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 19, 1914

A Note of Warning

IN the Christian Observer (Presbyterian) of January 21 an editorial note of warning is sounded against what might be called the proposed Christian lobby at Washington. The editor had in mind the appointment of Dr. H. K. Carroll by the Federal Council of the Churches as associate secretary of the council, with offices in Washington, and referred to the intimation printed broadcast that Dr. Carroll was to act in the same capacity for the united Protestant churches that the Roman Catholic apostolic delegate acts for the Roman Catholic Church. The editor fears that in making such an appointment the Federal Council would be "committing a blunder in the matter of the relation of church and state," and believes that an earnest protest should be made against the appointment of an official charged with such a duty. He says: "The church must be true to the trust imposed upon her by her divine Lord." The writer seems to see clearly that whenever church and state are joined, either in name or in fact without the name, the rights of the King are jeopardized, and freedom of evangelical action is circumscribed and hindered. Would that there were many more voices warning and protesting against the on-sweeping movement toward a union of religion and the state.