Christian Nation Vol. 18 1893 - Rparchives.org

Mar. 22.1893.A FAMILY PAPEE.NEEDS OF OUR DAY.Paper read at a meeting ofthe Belle Centre congregation and Sabbath School, Dec.'ZXst, 1892.In the New Year of 1866, Tennyson the lateEnglish Poet Laureate, exclaims in one of hismatchless pieces" O years, that meet in tears.Have ye aught that is worth the knowing?Science enough and eiplonng,Wanderers coming and going,Matter enough for deploring.But aught that is worth the knowing?"Suited though that was for that occasion,I think it is still more suitable for the presentday, when with Jeremiah we can exclaim,"Princes are hanged up by the hands, the facesof the elders are uot honored." The chiefcharacteristic of the age seems to be a chronicunrest. There is a constant demand for novelty.Like the Athenians in Paul's time all are wishingto see and hear some new thing. Nothing,however venerable It may be, is safe from theattacks of the newer gtSneration. Doctrinesand creeds which sufficed our forefathers andwhich have been held in universal respect forages, are ruthlessly whistled down the wind,by the so-called liberal thinkers of the nineteenthcentury. Scepticism and infidelity whichheretofore were content to keep in the backgroundnow boldly advance to the front andadvertise themselves from every housetop.But such are not the worst evils. Even amongthose who like the remnant of Israel have notbowed the knee to Baal there are some whoin verity are wolves in sheep's clothing, andavail themselves of the outward garb of truth,to promulgate insidious doctrines which aremore dangerous by far than the open unbeliefof the loud-mouthed agnostic. The difficultyis to know what we ought to accept, and whatAnother question which arises to my mindis. What is the duty of the cburch in regard tothe great social and economic questions wbichare forcing themselves on us, willing or unwillingthough we be? Is the church only to instructmortals how to secure forgiveness fortheir sins and gain Heaven, or is it also part ofher duty to mingle in matters temporal andtry to ameliorate the hard conditions of life?To me it seems that the latter alternative constitutesa part of her mission as much as theformer. Have we not before us the example ofJohn the Baptist who exhorfed the soldiers to"Do violence to no man neither accuse anyfalsly and ue content with your wages" and wasnot our blessed Master himself a friend ofpublicans and sinners? Did he not teach theJews to "render unto Csesar the things whichare Csesar's?"A great crisis in the history of our countryis rapidly approaching. Labor cries out againstCapital while Capital oppresses Labor. Wealthis taking to itself the reins of power and Povertycrushed, but not subdued may at anymoment burst forth in maddened crime. Shallthe church stand aloof absorbed in spiritualpursuits alone, or shall she step down into thearena and quench the ire of the opposing factions?God help her to choose the right."MOEE LABORERS AND MORE MONEY."By Est. Wm. Littlejohn.The trumpet of the church is sounding constantlyfor "more laborers" and "more money."Both of these calls are in harmony with theposition we occupy as a church. As a Irotherana servant of Christ and the church I feelconstrained to add my voice to the general callfor more work and larger means to carry it on.To me it seems thf one great essential in ourchurch work is the need of concentration ofenergy. Scattered and divided energies tendto a diminution of the power exerted. Someaction ought to be taken at our coming Synodin the direction of unifying our efforts inOhrist's work.I am convinced of the urgent need for morelaborers; but I think that it would be well tomake more of the resources at our,disposal. Ifeel that I have so much to say that would bebeneficial lo the well-being of the church that Iam afraid I would weary my readers. I will confinemyself to one point for the present: namely,the consolidation of the National Reform, TestimonyBearing, and Domestic Missionschemes. The three ought to be joined intoone. I believe that it would be for tbe goodto reject. Truth is ,truth and it comes from of the church and the extension of the Eedeemer'sGod whether the speaker be a Balaam or anElijah, a Caiaphas or a St. John, while error kingdom.1. They are all embraced in the divine command,"Go ye into all the world and preach theis error though spoken by sacred lips. Buthow are we to distinguish between these two? Gospel to every creature." Christ's commissionOf ourselves we cannot. The only thing whichcovers all. Nowhere does our Lord ap­we can do is to cling closer to "Our Fatherwhich is in Heaven," and we may rest assuredthat He will guide us and protect us as He didpoint part of his disciples to go out as NationalEeform lecturers, and another part as specialTestimony Bearing agents, while the remaindergo as preachers of the Gospel. To all Hethe Israelites of old to whom He was a cloudby day and a pillar of fire by night.says, "Go ye and make disciples of all nations."All are to be reformers and testimony bearersand missionaries. No one can be a preacherof the Gospel unless he is such. Christ says,"Ye are my witnesses."2. It would furnish the means to put morelaborers in the field. The $20,000 appropriatedfor these schemes would pay the salaries oftwenty men with a salary of $1,000 each. Nowif these twenty men were appointed, say ten asstated supplies in weak congregations and missionstations for six months or a year to workup these places, what good might be doneand how many weak hands and feeble kneeswould be strengthened! And say that the remainingten were appointed to go and in conjunctionwith the ministers of some of the weakcongregations and mission stations, and atother points, holds a series of special servicesfor two weeks or a month, preaching the Gospel,and setting forth the distinctive position,of the Covenanter churcb. I believe greaterenthusiasm, and a larger increase of membershipwould be the result.3. Our people would contribute more willingly.The multiplication of collections has atendency to weary the people. The claims ofthe schemes could be more advantageously advocatedby the pastor. It is unwise and unfairto ask a minister to stand up two or three Sabbathsin the month and insist on the peoplegiving to this and giving to that. It reducesit to a daily harangue. It is easy for ministersseated m holy conclave to order so much tothis thing and that thing, whileifc is the membershipthat has to furnish the means. IndeedI cannot see how any court can say what eachmember must give and then call for a thankoffering,or a freewill offering. It would moreproperlv be termed a tax. Before Synod canauthoritatively levy such a tax according to thetithe system a yearly inventory must be takenof the positive income of each member. Ihave no fear of the willingness of our people tocontribute to such a scheme as I propose, Itsmerits are self-evident. It is a Christ givenmission and would surely prosper.4 Again, our influence would be more widelyfelt and our position more highly honored.Instead of going forward like a snail with onehorn out half afraid we would have both hornsout and move along without fear. Men willcome to hear the Gospel where they will not goto hear the Constitution torn into strips andthe officers of the state branded as infidels andathiests. Preach Ohrist to the hearts of men,and get them to believe the story of the crossand the true character of the divine Euler,then unchristian constitutions aiid ungodlyrulers will soon disappear. On the foundationof Christ crucified build a Christian state.Lay the foundation in Christ crucified the hopeof glory, and the banner heralding the imperialdignity of King Jesus will soon wave from thesturdy towers. It is by the foolishness ofpreaching, God has ordained to save them thatbelieve, and unto them that believe Christ isprecious.I do not write for popularity among men butin the interests of the cause of Christ and thespread of his glorious name. I pray and laborfor the time to come when from sea to sea,and from the river even unto the end of earth.His kingly sceptre shall be swayed, when allmen shall acknowledge Him as Lord of all.DR. J.R. W SLOANE:We have four more copies of the life of Dr. J. R. W,Sloane. These four books have just come into our possession.They are packed ready for mailing and wil'be forwarded immediately on receipt of price, $3.00,with 38c, extra for postage.BROAD SHADOWS:" An offering of a cup of living water which has refreshedthe author's own spirit," The object of thisbook is that Faith will work by Love. Cloth : $1,25,Any present subscriber to the Cheistian Nation sendingus a new; subscriber ($1.50) and IOc. for postage willreceive a copy of this book/ree. The new subscriber' will also receive a copy.