Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

Theabroad."criticism."Glimpses of the Religious WorldFrank E. Allen, D. D.Spiritual DepthThe Associate Reformed Presbyterian, quoting from theNazarene Messenger says: "There is a crying need for strongChristians today. There is so much of the human in the churchand in everything. The tendencyfrom Christianity everythingof the age is to eliminatesuperhuman and miraculous."Intellectuality is largely taking the place of spirituality.The demand is for intellectual men, for orators, men who candraw the crowds, and can add unto the church those that arerespectable, and who have money, whether they have salvation or not. They tell us that the piety of the church is thesame as ever ; it is simply expressing itself in new forms. Timeshave changed and different methods are required today. Butwe notice that sin abounds on all sides and that the changedmethods are not bringingsouls to God. Some things have notchanged. Sin is the same, although it may express itself indifferent forms ....plan of salvation has not changed.The Bible has not changed, though the critics would have usbelieve otherwise. And best of all, God is the same yesterday,today, and forever. Never in the history of the world has therebeen a greater need for Christians who are 'strong in theLord.'In this age, when there are so many church membersand so few real Christians, we need folks who actually 'knowtheir God' that they may be strong and do exploits. People hadbetter get acquainted with the Bible than the daily newspaper. Preachers had better know God than higher criticismor any other kind ofCrisis in IsraelThis is a time of crisis in the land of Israel; so saysGeorge T. B. Davis, who leadsi the distribution of Biblesamong the Jews. Among the million and a half Jews whohave returned to their ancient homeland, multitudes of themare eager to read the Word of God. There are many secretbelievers among them. Because of the wide-spread distributionof New Testaments among the Jews, and the increasing success of missionary efforts, manyof the orthodox Jews inIsrael have become thoroughly aroused. They are doing everything in their power to combat the spread of Christianity inIsrael. Word reaches us that the Jewish religious leaders havesent out 200 young Rabbis to "villages to check the religioussituation."From various sources we have learned that persecution of Hebrew-Christians in Israel is increasing. A letterfrom a missionary in Israel says: "Some Jewish Christiansare facing persecution because of their faith in Christ. Afterfive years of service a dear Jewish brother lost his.position because he was attending Christian meetings. I could tell ofmany similar cases .... The Lord is also working in thehearts of Jews in many other lands in answer to your prayersand the prayers of others who love the Chosen People."Whisky tor IndiansA publication of American whisky, Repeal Review, saysof the Government's repeal of sales of prohibition to Indians,as quoted by Mr. Ernest Gordon: "The doing away of thisdiscrimination, long suffered by the Indians, has helped alsoto place our nation before the world as one which maintainsat home the freedom which it pours out money and blood todefendThe Indians think otherwise. To date not a single Indiantribe or pueblo has permitted the sale of liquor on their lands.370Several tribes have passed strict laws forbiddingeven the useof liquor in Indian territory, and are assessing stiff fines andjail sentences for violations.Three years ago, when the Legislature of Arizona passeda bill to legalize liquor for the Indians and the Governor announced that he would sign it, tribes from all over the statesent delegates to Phoenix to request his veto. They did notwant liquor on their reservations. So Governor Pyle did asthey asked and killed the bill.New Mexico, on the other hand, in 1953 repealed thestate constitution provision against sales to the Indians. Asa consequence, in Gallup, for example, the center of extensive coal mining, 1,200 Navajo and Zuni Indians went amuck.Shopkeepers were obliged to lock their doors, and the littlepolice force was paralyzed. The freedom ideals of RepealReview were realized.What the Lodge DoesA pastor who spent sixty years in the ministry writes inthe Christian Cynosure: "After years of experience and observation, as a pastor, I learned long ago, that the greatestforce in the world today that has rendered the Church ofJesus Christ so impotent as we see it today, is the mixedmembership. To illustrate: A church I served in years goneby, its Deacons, six of them, were ALL members of the Masons or Odd Fellow orders. This church once grew in revival,NOW it is very SOCIAL, but lacks Spiritual power. Alsomany churches I know well, have the same affliction theirleaders are nearly ALL LODGEMEN, God help the Church!"Protest World CalendarThe Board of Managers of the Lord's Day Alliance of theU. S., through its General Secretary, protested to the Economicand Social Council of the United Nations against the proposedWorld Calendar revision as follows:ing"The Lord's Day Alliance of the United States, representa great host of American Christians who believe in thesanctity of Sunday, the Lord's Day, protests against favorable(Continued on page 377)THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street. Newton. Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka. Kansasto promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writers inot necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll, D.D.Remo I. Robb, D.D.Subscription rates :10 cents.Departmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross Latimer$2.60 per year: Overseas. $3,(10: Sinirlo CopiesThe Rev. R. B. Lyons. B.A.. Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for theBritish Isles.Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton. Kansasunder the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.COVENANTER WITNESS