The Problem of Christian Civilization.
By M. W. H.
THE following observation, quoted from the current Christian literature of the day, regarding our nation and the world, prior to the stirring events which, for nearly two years have been exciting the whole civilized world, lately fell under my notice: "To a casual observer there was nothing to indicate but what Christian civilization was going on, peacefully working out the great problem of Christianity." Now let us ascertain what this assumed problem is, which seems to be so well understood and self-evident, that it needs no defining. Perhaps as concise and definite an answer as we may find is this: "To renovate this sinful world, or to lift it from its present sinful condition, to one of millennial purity, by the efficiency of the church, representing the gospel;" or, as some will say, when too closely questioned, "representing Christ; or, that the gospel is Christ!" Though this position has reared its Babel-front against the simplicities of truth as revealed in the Bible, we will seek to investigate it. Not long since I took up a religious magazine, and the first article I read contained the following: "Are these scenes of terror and anguish anything, but the clouds of dust which indicate the near approach of the great King. Are we not living between the pouring out of the sixth and seventh vials, when the unclean spirits go forth to hasten the last conflict of the world? And if the conflict be so dreadful here at the beginning, what will it be in its progress among the nations? But alas! multitudes see not the hand of God in these passing events; nor do they recognize his awful judgments. God is threshing our nation, and sifting it as wheat. Will it stand the dreadful ordeal? Will our institutions outlive the shock? One consolation remains: we have a kingdom which cannot be moved—a kingdom which will be promoted even by the wrath of man—the agitations of earth, and God, are doing the work in the best possible manner now." Had what I have quoted stood alone, I should have regarded it as correct (excepting the last clause); but it glided so naturally into that presumptive arrogance of man, which robs Christ of his rightful prerogative and glory, that I copied it on the spot, for its inappropriateness; for in close proximity I found such sentiments as these: "A large proportion of all civilized nations are restrained from fraud and theft, and other gross offences, not by the fear of God, or by moral principles, but by interest, and love of reputation." There is such glaring incongruity between these two quotations that one or the other contains the strongest burlesque. It is much easier to assert, than to prove by the Bible, that this great problem of the world's renovation is being wrought out in the God-ordained manner, i. e., by the power of truth upon the mind. Is it not high time that something be done to rouse mankind from their lethargic expectation of a good time coming? if perchance their indifference may give place to interest, and unbelief yield to the truth. But are there no means by which we may arrive at a knowledge how an opinion, which the Bible nowhere authorizes, comes to be so prevalent? For forty days after his resurrection, Jesus taught concerning his kingdom, Acts i, 3; and we cannot doubt but the early Christians understood it correctly. But it was so far away in the dim future that, like ourselves, they failed to realize it; and therefore mankind has gradually lost its individuality, and substituted in its place the prevailing expectation of the world's conversion as "the faith once delivered to the saints." And is it because this vague idea is so very prevalent that so few stop to inquire upon what authority the expectation is based? If so, how wise to ascertain if aught in Jesus' ascending commission justifies it. Certainly not his words in Luke xxiv, 47; neither as recorded in Mark xvi, 15, 16, nor yet in Matt. xxiv, 14. He assured them, "Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world;" and were the consummation of the gospel mission to be that the nations should bow to his allegiance, surely he would never have withheld this encouragement from them, or left it to be begotten of the fond hopes of man, ages afterward. But how different from this the whole tenor of his teaching is, let such scriptures show as Matt. xxiv, 36, 36-44; Luke xvii, 27-37; xxi, 26-35; 2 Tim. iii, 1-6; iv, 3; Rev. i, 7; vi, 15-17. Are any inclined to doubt if there be any difference between the gospel's being preached in every nation for a witness," and the prevalent idea of all nations' recognizing Jesus as their rightful Sovereign, let such reflect how far short of exemplifying this, comes our own once boasted Christian country? Or do any think that the conversion of the world has been by Christians generally hitherto regarded as the ultimate result of the spread of the gospel among the nations of the earth? This may be easily ascertained by looking back at the opinions of those who have been leaders in theology in their respective ages. And in doing this we find no further back than two hundred years, the originator of this theory of the world's conversion confessing that his views are a new doctrine. In an article (No. 9) by Dr. Edward Beecher, published in the Independent, he says: "The downfall of this rebellion (man's revolt from the government of God) the punishment of its leaders and incorrigible supporters, and the close of this dispensation, coincide. Then too occurs the resurrection of the dead, and the perfection, inauguration, and endless reign of the redeemed with Christ in his kingdom and on his throne. 1 Cor. xv, 24-28; Rev. iii, 21; xxi, 1-8; Matt. xxv, 31-32." "The millennial reign of Christ is to be preceded by an unparalleled and universal conflict with these powers, and their utter defeat, and the binding and confinement of their leader, from which ever after he shall not be released except for a little season, that he may make the last disclosure of himself before his final destruction. Rev. xvi, xx. The coming on of this battle shall be a time of unparalleled delusion among the nations, in order that Satan may rally his hosts to the war. Rev. xvi, 13-17. "In these facts, authenticated by the direct testimony of God, is contained a true, profound, and thorough philosophy of the history of this world." Now I fail to see in the above, anything like the orthodox, (so called) millennarian views of the present day and am therefore led to conclude, that he with Luther, Wesley and many other erudite theologians of the past with very many of the present day, award to Christ himself, for ushering in of the new order of things, promised in the Bible. And when in a succeeding article he says, "The acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God, always go together," it sounds so like Luther's words, "God will come to judgment, and amend all things in this world," that my heart goes out joyfully, that this scripture theory has such able champions. This lulling, soothing belief in "the good time coming" of which we hear so much, and than which nothing could better suit Satan's purposes, quiets more souls into his power than the rankest infidelity! I speak deliberately. Of infidelity most men are afraid. But this steals over its victim so unconsciously that he realizes not, that he is sleeping on enchanted ground. And this very fact is the strongest confirmation of my position, and also of the Bible itself; for are we not forewarned of "strong delusions?" of those who will "not endure sound doctrine?" And need we marvel here? Our Saviour has plainly told us, that in the days in which the Son of Man shall be revealed," it will be as in the days of Noah, and of Lot. How was it then? Noah preached righteousness for one hundred and twenty years, exemplifying his faith by preparing the ark, and yet only the eight persons composing his own family entered in and were saved. So too, only the night before God rained fire and brimstone upon the doomed cities, Lot in his anxiety for his sons-in-law, left his angel guests and went out to entreat and warn them. But they, as representatives of mankind, were so occupied with their cares of business or of pleasure, that "he seemed to them as one that mocked;" and so they heeded not, believed not, till the destruction burst upon them. So it has been in every age, "the carnal heart is enmity against God," and so will it ever be till Christ shall dash the nations in pieces like a potter's vessel. Then will those who have all along regarded the words of Jeremiah, "Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, or from the multitude of mountains: truly in the Lord our God is salvation," triumphantly exclaim, "Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us." And whilst in waiting, we survey the turmoils and agitations of the present, for surely none can look upon passing events, duly estimating their foreshadowings, without feelings of unspeakable awe and solicitude, let us serenely, calmly stand; for this consolation remains that He whose word has said, "the triumphing of the wicked is short," holds the reins of universal dominion, and when earth is darkest, still around his throne "shines one eternal day." Not one of his purposes shall fail of accomplishment. And may we not consistently pray, that He will hasten on those scenes, terrific though they be, which are to usher in his glorious reign? M. W. H.
Malone, Dec. 1862.