Earlier text: Loving WordsThe Inter-Church Federation Conference
By K. C. RUSSELL
It may be truly said that the Inter-Church Federation Conference recently held in New York City was one of the most notable events in the history of the churches of this country. Perhaps no event of modern times, no religious gathering of the past century, can transcend in importance and future bearing on the so-called religious life of the nation, this co-operative council participated in by thirty great religious bodies with a communicant membership upward of eighteen million; nor can we believe that the preliminary arrangement for a more complete federal unity will close with a final union of all the evangelical Protestant denominations, but will ultimately result, as foreshadowed by the foremost speakers, “in the federation of the world,” the “reunion of all Christendom.” “This is one of the most important meetings in its influence on American Christianity that has ever been held. Fifty years ago such a conference was impossible. The hope of the nation lies in the church.” The keynote of the conference seemed to be the evangelization of the world, the centralization of power, and oneness of purpose in their endeavor to Christianize the world, as will appear from the following— Statements of Representative Delegates
“We must come together in social unity and concerted action, that we may convert the world.” “Our interests should be consolidated.” “There is co-operation in the air everywhere.” “We are now one in our faith in Jesus Christ, and a great federal union is assured.” “As the American States are united, so must the church of Jesus Christ be united to win the world to Christ.” “The application of the principles of federation will lead to a reunion of Christendom.” The results of the first four days’ proceedings of the conference are crystallized into the following outline of— A Plan for Church Federation
A Federal Council of the churches of Christ in America to be the governing body and meet every four years; an executive committee to act at intervals. Its function to direct energies of the churches. It will not meddle with creeds or forms of worship. By federation, to improve the social and moral conditions of men. Only the Unitarian Church excluded from participation. Thirty churches, with eighteen million communicants, interested. Each National Church Organization to appoint four members of the Federal Council, and one member for each fifty thousand communicants. Local councils to be organized in cities by the federal councils. The report of their scheme for inter-church federation was listened to with almost breathless silence by the delegates representing the various denominations, as they realized that their long-dreamed-of idea of church unity had at last been accomplished. The hand of this great federation movement is reaching across the gulf and beckoning the Roman Catholics to join them. Bishop David H. Greer, of the Protestant Episcopal diocese of New York, said, “Our Roman Catholic brethren, who are not with us in this conference (and I am sorry they are not), have something to teach us here, in teaching as they do the value and the need not merely of a past, but of a present, incarnation.” The New York World of Sunday, the 10th inst., in a report of the conference says, “Hope was expressed that the Roman Catholics, to whom the door is open, would enter.” Since these denominations have federated themselves together in one body, they must certainly have a head; for a body without a head would be a gruesome thing indeed; and when the Roman Catholic Church shall unite with them, they certainly will not want two heads; for if so, it would be a hydra-headed body. Is it difficult for the reader to determine who will finally be the head of this great inter-church movement, after the Roman Catholics have joined hands with it? Hon. Samuel B. Capen, L. L. D. (Congregational), president of the American Board of Commissioners for foreign missions, of Boston, Mass., said:— The two words that express the principles that rule to-day in the business7world are “co-operation” and “economy.” Co-operation through a closer federation is the need of the hour. Mr. Capen asked that these principles be applied in church work. What would the application of these principles result in?—A veritable church union or trust. It might be asked in this connection, How would a church be regarded which was not connected with this trust or union? The following from another speaker will in a degree answer this question:— No community in which any denomination has any legitimate claim should be entered by any other denomination through its official agencies without conference with the denomination or denominations having said claims. A feeble church should be revived, if possible, rather than a new one established to become its rival. It is not difficult for one to forecast the practical result of the application of this principle; for any sect or denomination that does not belong to the union would be regarded as a rival, or, in the familiar term of labor unions, a “scab.” Imagine a missionary in China, India, or Japan who is not connected with the trust. Would the reception which would be accorded him by this federation breathe forth the spirit that is voiced in the golden rule? The Rev. Charles A. Dickey, D. D., L. L. D., pastor of Bethany Presbyterian church of Philadelphia, former moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, in speaking on “What Practical Results May Be Expected from This Conference,” presents the real purpose that this movement designs to attain. Some of the practical results mentioned by the speaker, which we will herewith quote, have long been “expected” by others besides himself. The chief thing which has been “expected” is the pressure which will be brought to bear upon “lawmakers” and “rulers” by this Inter-Church Federation Movement. He says:— We stand together in the defense of religious liberty and for a definite separation of church and state. But I trust that one of the practical results of this conference will be the organization of a force that lawbreakers and lawmakers will respect and heed when great questions of morals are involved. Our gospel is the fulfilment of the law. It is our province in the name of our Supreme King, and seeking the good of mankind, to ask rulers to respect the code of our kingdom. Rulers may ignore sects, but they will respect the church. This federation will compel an audience, and it will speak with power if it will put aside its differences and make its agreement its argument. Just now, when the nation is awake and conscious of the perils that threaten the home, when the very foundations are being destroyed by Mormonism and reckless divorce, the representatives of a third of our citizenship will surely resolve to stand and speak for the Scriptural defense of our homes and plead for the purity of the family, which is the hope of our nation and the hope of the church. Providence is showing us an open door, and there is great encouragement for effort. . . . As the outlook is revealed, it seems undeniable that we shall fall short of a realization of our responsibilities and of our power if we fail to take advantage of the inspiration of this conference and resolve, before we part, to provide means to make the force of this possible federation effective in the settlement of grave moral questions. It will be noted from these statements of Mr. Dickey that the practical result to be obtained is to have the organization a force that lawbreakers and lawmakers will respect on great moral questions, and, further, that federation will compel rulers to give audience, and make the force of it effective in the settlement of great moral questions. These results, as outlined by him, can find no parallel since the days of the papal supremacy, when the Roman Catholic Church was the force that compelled the rulers to give audience on questions of morals and religion. The history of the papal federation of the Dark Ages ought to be an everlasting warning to Protestants against traveling over the road which has been illuminated with the light caused by the burning of the millions of martyrs who refused to unite in that wicked confederacy. Religion and Emotionalism
By L. A. S.
CHRISTIANITY is not emotionalism. The true religion is not disconnected from feeling, indeed, but feeling plays a wholly minor and subordinate part in Christian experience. The essential thing in Christianity is not feeling, but faith. The true Christian will show faith always; he may or may not show feeling. Feeling is not always under the control of the will. Faith holds the soul to the right in the hour when feeling would drive it into darkness and despair. The devil is not opposed to a religion of feeling; he is strongly opposed to a religion of faith. Counterfeits of the true religion are based upon something else than faith, and often emotionalism is the foremost thing displayed. A description in Leslie's Weekly of a recent “holiness” camp-meeting in the West, says:— The wildest frenzy was rampant in the camp at all times. Shrieks born of religious enthusiasm, mingled with peals of laughter and appeals for mercy, were uttered by the workers as they sought purity by their strange and uncanny actions. . . . Women and children jumped from their seats, and with arms outstretched or waving wildly in the air, glided down the aisles to the center of the building, where they knelt in supplication, crying, shouting, and waving their bodies backward and forward while they sought satisfaction from on high. . . . Around the prostrate forms other worshippers gathered, and lent assistance by shouting. If such actions were a manifestation of the influence of the Spirit of God, heaven would be a vast pandemonium. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father,” says the apostle James, “is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” Charity, says Paul, “doth not behave itself unseemly;” and the same apostle exhorts: “Let all things be done decently and in order.” A religion that is known chiefly for its emotionalism is under suspicion. The religion of Christ was to go about doing good, healing the sick and teaching the people, speaking to them the words of eternal life. We can not do better to-day than to imitate the example of Christ. The Difference
By G. B. THOMPSON
In Eph. 2: 11, 12, we have an inspired photograph of the unconverted man. “Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands; that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” This is a dark picture, but no darker than the facts warrant the inspired writer in drawing. In the story of the prodigal son, away from home, substance squandered, ragged, discouraged, feeding swine, and living on husks, we have placed before us the condition of a sinner, unregenerated and lost. From the record of the man possessed with devils, we have the following facts stated concerning his deplorable condition:— 2. He lived in the graveyard. Id.; Mark 5: 5. 5. He injured himself continually. Id. What a graphic picture this presents of an unconverted man. It is a true picture of all who place themselves on the side of the enemy, and refuse to yield to the Lord. But while others might flee in terror from this demoniac of Gadara, the Saviour did not flee. Devils have no terror for him. He who had power to cast Satan and his rebel host out of heaven, did not tremble at8their approach. He rebuked the foul spirits which controlled this poor man, and the transformation was so marvelous that angels must have looked on with astonishment and joy. We are told that afterward— 3. He had his “right mind.” Id. The contrast in this man’s condition is but the difference between the natural and the spiritual man. There is indeed a striking difference between the one who serves God, and the one who does not. One is a jewel, indestructible, and a treasure in the eyes of the Lord. The other is but chaff, to be carried away by the wind, and burned up in the fires of the last day. G. B. THOMPSON. The Proposed Anti-Polygamy Amendment to the Constitution
By K. C. RUSSELL.
At the last session of Congress instructions were given by the Senate to its judiciary committee to report a form of constitutional amendment for the suppression of polygamy within thirty days after the assembling of Congress. Recognizing this as an opportune time to advance their cause and secure that for which they have for many years been laboring,—a religious amendment to the Constitution of the United States,—the National Reformers have seized upon this proposal for an anti-polygamy amendment as the basis for a campaign. Petitions are being circulated by them, asking not only for such an amendment, but “that it shall contain an acknowledgment of the moral laws of Jesus Christ as the basis and standard of such legislation.” They have also published a leaflet, which they are vigorously circulating, setting forth their views respecting this matter, and are urging the friends of National Reform far and near to agitate this question, and to circulate these leaflets and petitions. They are also planning to have a hearing before the judiciary committee as soon as Congress convenes, in which to set forth and urge their views in this matter. This campaign which the National Reformers are entering upon so strenuously should be a danger-signal to every lover of Christian liberty. When those who are seeking for a union of church and state regard the introduction of a constitutional amendment against polygamy as a providential and opportune time to realize their long-cherished desire “to secure such an amendment to the Constitution of the United States as will declare the nation’s allegiance to Jesus Christ, and its acceptance of the moral laws of the Christian religion; and so indicate that this is a Christian nation, and place all the Christian laws, institutions, and usages of our government on an undeniable legal basis in the fundamental law of the land,” it should arouse every lover of liberty to sound the warning against this wicked scheme. The tract which they are circulating so largely is a well-written presentation of the question from their standpoint. In their arguments to show that this is a Christian nation, they say that out of our present State constitutions more than forty contain some more or less explicit form “of religious acknowledgment.” The decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, handed down by Justice Brewer Feb. 29, 1892, declaring that this is a Christian nation, is also cited as another evidence. And further, they say that “it is not too much to say that the American people have recorded their deliberate and emphatic judgment that a written constitution of government ought to contain some acknowledgment of the Supreme Ruler of the universe.” While the Seventh-day Adventists do not oppose an amendment for the suppression of polygamy in this country on purely civil grounds, as is contemplated by the Congress of the United States, yet they should at the same time enter a most emphatic protest against this rider which the National Reformers wish to have tacked on to this proposed amendment. Their purpose is briefly stated in their own words, as follows: “That such an amendment may contain an explicit acknowledgment of the moral laws of Jesus Christ as the basis and standard of our legislation relating to the family.” In these words is involved all that the National Reform Party has ever sought; and should their proposed measure carry, it would open the flood-gates for all the evil legislation that has ever blighted the world. We trust that the reader will be ready to co-operate with us in our efforts to warn the people against this effort to unite church and state as proposed by these National Reformers. AN editorial in a recent issue of the Washington Post deals with the subject of “world crises.” The fact is impressed upon minds, wholly independently of the testimony of Bible prophecy, that the present time is an eventful one for the world. After touching on the prospect of revolution in Russia the Post says:— It could not well be that such an upheaval should terminate without far-reaching effects outside the immediate field of its activity, and there are already ominous rumblings in the long-time stagnant and stolid Turkish empire. Should it grow to an earthquake there, and the sultan be shaken from his throne, the shah must soon follow, and the great seismic convulsion may travel round the globe, till autocracy everywhere is toppled down and trampled in the dust. Never in its history was this old world of ours in such a state of universal stir and expectancy.
THE center of interest in the Eastern question has shifted from the far East to the near East, and again Russia and Turkey become the central figures in the contest which is bringing this question to its solution. Dispatches dated November 20 tell of an impending move on Russia’s part to coerce Turkey into payment of the arrears of the indemnity exacted at the close of the Russo-Turkish war of 1878-79, threatening, in case of a refusal, to occupy a point in Turkish territory. Thus the prospect of the occupation of Turkish territory by the powers of Europe again comes into view, and we are reminded that it is by the expulsion of the Turk from Europe that this question is to be settled. Circumstances favor this move on the part of Russia. Russia has a large army, fresh from service in the field. Turkey has refused compliance with the demands of the powers respecting Macedonia, and the powers have decided that Turkey must be coerced. Turkey, it is reported, is preparing to resist the powers, and something more than a mere naval demonstration by the latter may be necessary. Events may be at hand which will bring the Eastern question much nearer its solution, and the prophecy of Turkey’s final downfall much nearer its fulfilment, than is now anticipated. Religion and Politics in Sioux City
ACCORDING to the Sioux City (Iowa) Tribune, the coming municipal campaign in that city will present as one of its leading features a plain case of the union of politics with religion. The Sioux City Ministerial Association will enter the campaign, bent on securing the election of officials who will close the saloons and eliminate vice. “The preparations being made by various religious organizations,” says the Tribune, is evidence “that one of the hottest campaigns in the history of the city will be waged in Sioux City next spring.” “As yet,” the report says, “the plans of the ministers are in embryo. They do not know whether they will have candidates of their own, or whether their support will be given to the candidate who will abide by their wishes. But the fact is plainly written that Sioux City will witness the greatest political upheaval in years.” Any logic which will justify the union of religion and politics in this instance, will justify it in every other instance. If there should be such a union in Sioux City to eliminate certain existing evils, there may just as properly be such a union in every city to eliminate similar or other evils susceptible of control by the ballot, and just as properly also a general union of the churches to purify politics in State and nation. This would be a plain union of church and state. The history of church and state union gives a most emphatic warning against such an experiment. The union of religion with politics corrupts religion, and the final result is the promotion of degeneracy in both state and church. The Call of the Hour
By R. C. PORTER
Brief Messages From Conference Presidents THE week of prayer should be a week of such unreserved consecration to the work of God's closing message as this people has never before made. It is the only reasonable thing we can do. All that we have looked for in the light of prophecy is meeting us at every step of our advance. Not one thing has failed of all that God has spoken. Some are laying all upon the altar of service, and devoting themselves to selling books, papers, tracts, or to house-to-house work; others are increasing their offerings to home and foreign missions; yet we are forced to admit that some are being overcome with the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of the flesh. Unless all now working shall quicken their pace, and those following the spirit of the world are awakened, the week of prayer will not accomplish its purpose this season. All worldliness and indifference must be put away, and we must keep step with the advancing hosts of the Lord in their homeward march if we hope to triumph with the message. R. C. PORTER, of Missouri. Delay No Longer
By J. M. REES
WHILE the week of prayer is designed to bring God's people together in a great spiritual convocation of prayer and heart searching, wrestling, Jacob-like, for the blessing from heaven, none should wait until the very day appointed to begin the meetings to arrange and prepare to attend, but now is the time continual prayers should ascend to the Giver of all gifts, that we may realize the great work to be performed in so short a time. The Lord has told us that what we neglect to do now in time of peace, we must do later in time of trouble. The evil powers are at this time wonderfully pressing every soul with some kind of scheme. It is all hurry, hurry, keeping our minds on the various things that would bring coldness to our souls. So on account of this condition of things, the Lord is saying, “Go out quickly.” Go to the rural districts, to the cities; make haste; do not delay. The people are dying without the truth, and the Saviour is about to leave the mediatorial throne; all the pleadings for mercy will then be made with a deaf ear turned to them. Not another day of hope for the careless then. With these awful things so soon to be realized, is it not time for us to “weep between the porch and the altar,” and cry for God to spare his people? Now, my dear brethren, when we see these things just before us, should it not stir our very souls, and knowing that we are right at the end, shall we not enter the week of prayer with the assurance that now is the time to lay all on the altar that it may be consumed in bringing souls to a knowledge of the truth, and to an acceptance of the same? This must be the banner year of our offerings. The Lord needs it. O that each from his Lord may hear the glad words, “Well and faithfully done! Enter into my joy, and sit down on my throne.” J. M. REES, of Southern Illinois. Things Necessary
By S. H. LANE
THREE things are essential for the advancement of the cause of God in the earth: first, a messenger to carry the truth; second, the influence of the Holy Spirit to give power to the word proclaimed; and, third, means to sustain the messenger in his noble work. Christ says to his messengers, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” He is with them through the ever-abiding Spirit’s power. Those who have preached the gospel have constituted a mighty host, viewed not from earth’s standpoint, but heaven’s. They have constituted an army valiant in storming and successfully subjugating the strongholds of sin, ever conscious that in the end they would be fully successful. This army has seemingly been defeated at times in battle; but it will not be defeated in the war. These soldiers have never lost confidence in the word of God. In order to support the army that has carried the truth everywhere, it has taken a vast amount of means, every farthing of which has been furnished by those whose hearts have been more or less touched by that spirit which has been the motive power in disseminating the truth. The means donated has not only carried on the work, but has brought a great blessing to the donors. We are living in the closing work of the gospel. The conflict deepens. Valiant men and women are now anxious to be soldiers in carrying the conquest to all parts of the world. The Spirit’s power is waiting the demand of the army, that the conquest may be completed. But, alas, the means are insufficient to support the messengers! The week of prayer is just at hand, a time of special blessing to the church, and of donating to the cause of God. Shall not every Seventh-day Adventist church constitute a recruiting station to supply our depleted treasury? Every year has brought its demands because of the increase of the work. And as the message is spreading rapidly, the demand for means for 1906 is greater than that of any previous year, and happy will he be who contributes now. How much can I give? is the question which each one should ask himself at the present time. And we trust the response will be so liberal that the sum realized will be far in excess of any donation previously received. The Need of Prayer
By A. O. BURRILL
THE present year is nearly closed. We need prayer at all times, but there are times when we in a special manner need to supplicate the throne of grace. In our efforts to overcome during the last year, many of us have often met with defeat. This should show us our defects of character, and the need of the power of the grace of Christ. The Lord can not save us from trials, but he can save us from defeat. If we are willing to receive Christ's warning, then we must be watching unto prayer. We should walk with fear and trembling lest our feet should slip. We may receive divine help so that we can meet the wiles of the devil. Do any who read these lines think that the coming of Jesus is in this generation? Do any of us find the blessed hope dying out? If we do, then in a special manner we need this week of prayer. We need to pray earnestly for the Spirit to write the coming of the Lord upon the tables of our hearts. When the Holy Spirit has done its office work with us, the coming of the Lord will be fresh before us. Its power in us will constantly formulate plans to help others to realize that he is near. We shall find that we want to tell others about it. The Spirit will urge us forth to warn our neighbors. We shall then want to use our money to warn the world. Nothing will be too dear to us. When the Spirit writes this in our hearts, at the same time it will open our pocketbooks to send the tidings, “Behold,10the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” In view of this the writer feels the need of prayer. In our conference we hope that there will be a determination in all our churches and companies to assemble during that week as often as possible. A. O. BURRILL, of Ontario. Praying for a Purpose
By C. McREYNOLDS
LET us pray in faith, and pray for definite purposes. In one of our churches in this conference since our local camp-meeting in October, three earnest young people formed a prayer circle, and began to pray for one particular person. They labored carefully in harmony with their prayers. Soon the object was gained, and the new convert joined their circle. A few weeks have passed, and seven of their associates have been converted, and have, in turn, become laborers for other souls. This work is still going on in that church. If a similar move were made during the week of prayer in all our churches, hundreds of our young people would be rescued; and many of our neighbors would be converted. That kind of conversion includes the pocketbooks also, and we should see the largest contribution of money to the work that this cause has ever received. Let us do the praying and the personal labor, and have the revival. God will give the success and the blessing, and receive the gifts of souls and money. C. McREYNOLDS, of Wisconsin. In the Mission Field
By GEO. F. ENOCH
THERE is, perhaps, no one in our ranks to whom the week of prayer appeals more strongly than to the toiler in the mission field. He has left home and friends, and the comforts of the home land, for customs and climes both strange and new, sacrificing all worldly ambition, to carry this gospel of the kingdom to all the world. Everything that points to a speedy realization of the Saviour’s wish that his people may be with him where he is, finds a ready response in his soul. To him the week of prayer and the annual offering are a barometer, gauging the missionary zeal of those left behind in the home land, foretelling whether during the year to come the burdens shall be lighter in mission lands, or whether a lack of funds will weigh him down with extra burdens. In a recent religious gathering held there in Seattle, Wash., Secretary Patton, speaking as a missionary, in his report gave utterance to the following significant words:— “Within five years the missionary situation of the world has been so transformed as to be hardly recognizable by those who studied the problem in the previous period. There has been nothing like this in history since the preparation of the Roman empire for the advent of Christ. We are in a new fulness of time. Once our missionaries labored ten years for a single convert; now one thousand converts await baptism in a single province in China.”
We as a people know the meaning of this great transformation. Divine agencies, in a marked manner, for more than five years have so changed the attitude of heathen lands toward the gospel message that other denominations are led to say that there has been nothing like it since the preparation of the Roman empire for the advent of Christ. It is even so. It is the preparation of the whole world for the realization of the blessed hope, the second advent of our Saviour. This denomination has been separated from the world by the mighty cleaver of God’s truth, for this very fulness of time. The world is being prepared. It now behooves us, from the oldest to the youngest, to lay all on the altar of sacrifice, and sweep through the world with the last warning message, gathering out such as will be saved, and then shall the end come. Those who have gone out in the mission field believe that the Lord will finish the gospel work, by raising up a people whose meat it is to do the Father’s will and to finish his work. Some will have to leave home, others must remain behind; but all will have the one meat. If they are working for a salary, conducting some business, or running a farm, all their income will be consecrated to the finishing of this work. Had all this people done thus from the time of their separation from the world, there would have been in all the earth a mighty army, well sustained by those who remained at home, and we should now face a finished work. But it will come; we in the mission fields are certain of it. It may come sooner, or it may come later. It all depends on the attitude of those who read these lines. Let us make it sooner. We will look at the attitude of the people toward the week of prayer, and their response to the needs in the annual offering, as a gauge of their interest in the finishing of the work. How cheering it will be to hear of a good week of prayer, universal interest, enthusiastic, Spirit-filled meetings, and an unprecedented annual offering, showing a united people with hearts beating as one in the finishing of the work. Shall it not be so? GEO. F. ENOCH, Editor of The Caribbean Watchman, of Bridgetown, Barbados.