Christian Nation Vol. 18 1893 - Rparchives.org

T h e GhristiaD flationAJournal of Christian Civilization.WEDNESDAY, APKIL 5, 1893.New To«k.reporters' tables, he added, "through the pressfor whom these reporters write, I will speak tothe nation 1"The power of the press, that secured its ownright of free circulation, and that secured themanumission of the slave, is able to securefrom (he nation recognition of Ohrist the lawgiver,and obedience to His law.Terms; 5 cents a copy ; $ 1 50 a year, in advanceJohn W. Pritchard,Editob and Managbb.Assooiate Editors:Rev. W. J. Coleman,Eev. 0. D. Trumbull, D. D.,Prof. J. M. Ooleman.Department Editors :DepartmentofMiisions,'B6y. F. M. Foster.Sabbath School Lesson, Eev. T. P. Eobb.Primary S. S. Lesson, Grace Hamilton Qeorge.Prayermeeting Topic, Eev. T. H. Aoheson.Christian Endeavor, Rev. T. Holmes Walker.The Week in Review, Prof. J. M. Littlejohn.Literary, Educational, Harriet S. Pritchard.Helpful Corner, Eev. Wm. Littlejohn.Children's Corner:Irs. Eev. E. J. George, Mrs. M. S. Gibson,Beaver Falls, Pa.New Oastle, Pa.LET LITERATURE BE WIDELY CIRCULATED.The history of the spread of Christianthought, principles, and practices is inseparablyassociated with the history of Ghristianliterature, the Book, and the books and paperswhich reflect the Light ot the Book. Whereverthe Bible itself has been carried, and has doneits perfect work, from that place darkness hasfled away. In whatever nation a particularsin had become a national characteristic, andthere has followed the development and circulationof a literature to reflect specificaliy theBible's light and truth as to that particularsin, the effect has been in course of time toeradicate it from the national system. 80many and outstanding are the examples of theyictories of moral and Christian literature oversocially and legally intrenched habits of sin,thai} a volume of them were gathered and published,a generation ago, in England. Notableamong these victories is the permission obtainedfreely to distribute such literature, the crusadefor the freedom of the press having beeninaugurated by Milton and carried on to ameasure of success, in his own time, by aspecial literature published for that very end.England and other nations have given us, sincethen, examples of the power of special reformliterature, scarcely less eminent than theexample of the anti-slavery press that wroughtsuch havoc amongst the devil's forces in ourland a li.tle more than a quarter of a centuryago. And even as we write, the national liquorcurse, both in England and America, is beingbombarded to its death, and only God can tellwhich nation shall enter before the other intothe kingdom of prohibition. At a great meetingin Boston, Wendell Phillips stood up toplead for the slave, but the bowlings of themob prevented those who would from hearinghim. " Howl on," he said, and bending to theCHEISriAN NATION. Volume 18.At its last meeting, the Synod of the E. P-charch adopted unanimously the foiiowingrecommendation :" We recommend that all our members be exhorted to a renewedof power. It is suicidal for religous meu totalk of having nothing to do with politics, ifinterest in the cause of Christ in this nation, thnt literature bewidely circulated, . . . and that prayer be offered continuallythey mean that the influence of the churchesfor God's blessing on every effort made to secure the recognition of is not to be concentrated on politics, when tbeseHis Son and our Saviour, Lord of all."By way of putting this recommendation intopractical operation, some time ago, a worthyelder conceived the idea of raising a fund ofone thousand dollars, in shares of $10 each, forthe purpose of sending the Christian Nationfor an entire year to one thousand public readingrooms, the payment of each share conditionedupon the entire one hundred sharesbeing subscribed. The proposition was submittedto a few persons and something like atenth of the shares were immediately subscribed; but because of difficulties involved,the proposition was not given any fnrther publicity.One of the friends however, who hadsubscribed $10 to the fund with the conditionattached, not content to have it dropped, has,in the subjoined letter, revived it, and in amanner which removes all obstacles. The letterreads as follows :Mr. j. W. Pritchard, Dear Brother;—I promised to be one ofa hundred to give $10 each to put the Christian Nation in onethousand reading rooms. I have not seen anything in the Nationin regard to it, but I will give my $10 to go in that way regardless offall. A nation will never rise above its Bible,what others may do or not do. I think you are doing a good work, and a nation's rulers will never act on a higherand I am aware that you have made great personal sacrifices in the scale than the model upon which they act.past in order to maintain the principles of the church which we What is the political bible of the United States?believe to be founded on the Scriptures, and we hope to see you It is the written Constitution. What do weliberally supported now that you are continuing in that good work.find there? Everything of a Christian characterWe regret that the author of this kind letterhas requested his name to be withheld. Itcompletely ignored. There is no lack of Christians,aye of voting Christians, in the country.would give us pleasure to print it. ButSynod's recommendation and tbis brother's But the mistake is that when Christians go toletter are now laid before the church. This the poll they put their consciences into theone contribution will put our principles, week political machine and forget that they areafter week for an entire year, into ten publicChristians. If every professing Christianreading rooms, where thousands will readthem ; and of course we will be pleased towould vote himself Christian and his countryreceive other similar subscriptions until every Christian, a Christian amendment would findpublic reading room in the land is supplied its place in the Constitution before another yearwith the Cheistian Nation. Thus the passes by. John Jay, while ambassador at Paris,church, through its individual members, canexpress their confidence in the wisdom ofSynod's recommendation " that literature bewidely circulated."The other friends who subscribed to theoriginal proposition are not expected, byattended a party that was composed of men oframpant infidelity such as flourishedin Francein those days. Many of them spoke contemptuouslyof religion, and asked Jay in reproachif he believed in Christ. Before a crowd ofinfidels Jay avowed that he did and thankedreason of this one's breaking away from the God for it. If the Christians of America hadconditions of it, to do likewise. The conditions,the same courage today as their distinguishedas to amount subscribed, etc., not having ambassador and would openly make conf essionbeen fulfilled, they are absolved from their of Jesus Christ, they would fare better bothprom'se. All who are of like faith with ourselves,however, as to the broad and all-comprehensivenature of Christ's authority, areinvited to help spread the truth.with God and men. This is a time in which—C. E. Societies are asked to help in above.CHRISTIANS AND POLITICS.The New York Observer says: "We havegreater battles to fight for national integrityand political liberty than those of the Eevolutionor the Oivil War. They may be peacefulif we do our duty now. But unless the Christianmasses of this nation rise to their duty andmake sacrifices of time and strength and money,they will findtoo late, that the adversaries havetaken possession of their laws and their placesinclude such matters as the triumph of rum,the desecration of the Sabbath, the obliterationof all traces of Christianity from our laws. Ourpulpits can never afford to lessen their force inpreaching the gospel and seeking to make menChristians. But our ministers and laymen andwomen must show that they are Christians bylifting up their standord against the enemythat is now coming in like a flood. They mustif necessary, forget all other politics in this onekind of politics, the politics that compels ourrulers to respect the opinions of the Christianpublic." These are true words, and yet theydo not go to the root of the matter. It is notby rushing into office, nor is it by learning andtalking politics, that Christians will secure thedesired end. Why is tbe name of Christ nevermentionad by a politician iu office? For thesimple reason that so far as the politician isconcerned there is no Christ and no God in thepolitical bible. A church never rises above itacreed or confession, however far below it mayChristian patriots are wanted very much.There are questions being raised all aroundthat have a moral and spiritual significance;ifthey are answered simply from a social standpoint,degradation and dissolution lie before