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A PRESBYTERIAN JOURNAL DEVOTED TO STATING1 DEFENDING I II AND FURTHERING THE GOSPEL IN THE MODERN WORLD III SAMUEL G. CRAIG, Editor H. McALLISTER GRIFFITHS, Managing Editor Published monthly by THE PRESBYTERIAN AND MID"DECEMBER, 1,930 .. $1.00 A YEAR REFORMED PUBLISHING CO., 1 EVERYWHERE 501 Witherspoon Bldg., Phila., Pa. Vol. No.8

The CentraJ SigniFi~an~e of Christmas HRISTMAS commemorates the birth danger is rather that enamored of His culty is raised by the fact that the pres­ .C of a great man who spent His life hliinanity we will' be forgetful of ; His ence of 'the GOD-MAN in this world in­ doing good. It commemorates that but divinity. Be this' as it may those of, us 'Volved a break in the order of nature, a at the same time it commemorates so who regard Him as infinitely more than miracle in the strict sense of the word. much more that we need to be on out a man yield to others in no respect in our We live in an ordered world, a casually guard lest we forget that it really dObs confeSSIon of His humanity: There is connectad . world; and yet on the assump­ do that. This greater thing that it COlU­ no hesitation at all on our part whim we tion that JESUS was a GOD-MAN it is cer­ memorates is the advent, the entering into say that in all that goes to make a man; tainthat the causes ordinarily operating the sphere of human life of the SON of whether as regards 'his ;body or his soul, in this world cannot· account for Him. GOD. ' JESUS was and is a man. None the 'less From a more ethical viewpoint, a diffi­ Christmas commemorates not so much the culty is raised by the presence of one ~ho Those who deny that the BABE of birth of.the best and most· beloved or the was holy, harmless and undefiled In a BETHLEHE~I was boni of a ·Virgin and sons of 'men as a "'momentous event in world filled with sin and shame, in a who maintain that the possibilities that the eternal life of 'GOD: a manifestation, \vorld reeking \ with iniquity and blas­ slumbered in MARY'S SON .were the re­ a forth-coming, a mission, a redemptive phemy-and . that as a result of His own' sult of a favorable heredity, in fact all movement, a visitation, a great descent:" choice. The ethical problem raised is but the few misguided. individuals who similar to that which would be raised by think of JESUS asa legendary being, speak Thepresence of a GOD-MAN iiI this the discovery of one distinguished for of the birth of CHRIST and with few ex­ world calls loudly and insistently for e~­ purity and good works in a night-club of ceptions regard Him as the greatest and planation-and that whether we' consid~r ,th" fa.&test sort. But whether we be con­ best of those born of women. There are this more than extraordinary, this sup!!r­ cer~ed .over the intellectual or the ethical an increasing number today, however, natural being from .an inten'ectual' ~r difficulty, or both, that is raised by the who cannot bring themselves to speak of from an ethical viewpoint. .' presence of the GOD-MAN in this ,vorld an advent of CHRIST; and that because . From an intellectual viewpoint a difli- of ours, the needed explanation for all such a mode of speech implies that He those who have eyes to see is given in that had existed previous to His birth in "]j'aithful Saying" by which the early Bethlehem of Judea and that for the ac­ Christian community expressed its prac­ complishment of a definite purpose He IN THIS ISSUE: . f tical belief in the Advent of our LORD: had left that glory that He had had with What Shall We Do With Christianity? 4 "Faithful is the saying and worthy of all the Father before the world was and en­ William Bittle Wells acceptation that CHRIST JESUS came into tered into the conditions of earth. Un­ The Eternal Child ...... , ... i...... 6 the world to save sinners." If sin had less we see in JESUS not only a man but Clarence Edward Macartney not entered this world, JESUS would never . the GOD-lfAN it is hardly likely that we have come; but sin being here as an will think of Christmas as commemorat­ Three Tributes to Dr. Wilson...... 8 aw~ul reality, His coming was necessary ing His advent. Books of ReligiousSignifjcance ...... ,110 e- if men were to be saved, if a fallen raC3 No doubt it is possible to be so taken Letters to the' Editor ...... ~ ...... 1 3 was to be restored to its GOD. JESUS did up with the divine in JESUS as to lead us not come into this world because He was Questions Relative to Christian ,Faith to forget His humanity, the fact that He and Practice ...... ~ ..... ;. 14 attracteC!. by the ways of sinful men. Far became bone of our bone and flesh of our from .it. Sin was the one thing that He flesh. There is little danger of our fall­ Current Views and Voices ...... " ... 15 hated with perfect hatred. He was here ing into that error today, however. The News of the Church ...... 17 on an errand .of mercy. It was His love 2 C H IU S TI A NIT YT 00 A Y December,'1930 not of sin but of sinners that brought Him need of such an act on His part. But as the "Auburn Affirmation" goes deeper here and that kept Him here until He when they hold that men are in an ab­ than that which points out its denial or had accomplished His task. normal condition,' morally and spiritu­ indifference to the factual basis of Chris­ ally; that they have gone wrong, so wrong tianity as shown by its attitude toward To say that it was specifically to save that they constitute a lost and condemned the virgin birth and bodily resurrection sinners that CHRIST came into this world race, a race that left to itself will fester of our LORD and especially its attitude is not to say that that was the only end in its corruption from eternity to eter­ toward His death as a sacrifice to satisfy He had in view; and yet if we are to pre­ nity; then by as much as they believe in divine justice and to reconcile us to GOD. serve the emphasis of Scripture and of the the existence of a good GOD who is in­ We do not indeed agree with those who Church of the ages we must say, without terested in the welfare of His creatures tell us that Christianity consists of facts hesitation, that it was the central end they are disposed to think that He will not doctrines-facts without doctrines He had in view. It is true that He came intervene, that He will put forth His are merely facts that are, not understood to reveal GOD, to be the light of the world hands to save and redeem. -but certainly doctrines which are not in things moral and spiritual. It is true the explication of, facts are something that He came to reorganize human so­ If Christmas is to nfean to us all that other than doctrines as they have been un­ ciety, to establish a kingdom in which it ought to mean and may mean; if it is derstood in Christian circles. At the best justice should prevail and in which love to speak to us not merely oft.ransi~nt they are myths and at the worst lies. should be the law. But important as are joys, given imd received, but also of abid­ these, and other ends, they are subordi­ ing joys and unfailing hopes, it must be A mighty series· of facts that find their nate to the great central purpose of His because it brings to us the vision of Him culmination in the incarnation, atonement coming. To regard them as primary is who became incarnate' for us men and and heavenly priesthood of JESUS CHRIST to misunderstand His life-task; it is to our salvation. All well-grounded hope, supply the foundation of the. Christian exalt a corollary above the main proposi­ whether for ourselves or for humanity, religion. It cannot be stated too strongly tion; It is to value the by-product above is bound up with the conviction that one or too frequently that Christianity is the principal product. What is even more who was on an equality with GOD entered grounded in facts, in events that hap­ important to note is that only as CHRIST into the conditions of humanity some nine. pened. Whoever rejects these facts or saves from sin does His work as revealer teen hundred years ago. Education and denies their eternal value and signifi­ and social reorganizer become effective. legislation and such like, important as cance, whether or no he realizes it, is an It is sin that lies at the root of our moral they are, have no power to transform the enemy of the Christian religion. The and spiritual ignorance as well as of our • heart, to develop the spirit of good-will famous declaration of Lessing "accidental social maladjustments; hence only as sin among men. JESUS alone has the ability truths of history can never be the proof is eliminated from our lives do we profit to do this; and yet only as this is done, or necessary truths of reason," consistently by the knowledge He brought or adjust and in proportion as it is done, can we applied, tears up Christianity at its very our social activities to the requirements intelligently hope for a society in which roots, inasmuch as Christianity derives its of that kingdom of love and righteousness justice shall, prevail, in which love shall distinctive content not from "necessary He came to establish. be the law, and happiness the universal truths of reason" but from what Lessing condition. We, however, are not merely calls "accidental truths of history." We We are constantly told that there is an the children of time, we .are also the chil­ would not admit of course that there was overwhelming presumption against the dren of eternity; hence our deepest joy anything "accidental" about these "truths belief, held by the whole Christian world, on Christmas Day ought to have its of history" hut truths of history they cer­ that so tremendous an event as the coming source in the fact that it speaks to us of tainly 'Were and are. No doubt this ex­ of the SON of GOD into this world ever One who is able to bestow upon us the poses Christianity to the peril of historical happened. That, however, is because men forgiveness of our sins and to make us investigation. A religion independent of persist in trying to ignore the fact of meet not only for the work of this life historic facts need not concern itself sin in this world. That such is the case but for the inheritance of the, saints in about the historicity or unhistoricity of is evidenced by the fact that whether or light. any alleged events. Not so, however, not men think there is an overwhelming Christianity.' It stands or falls with the presumption against such an event having question whether certain events actually occurred is found to almost invariably happened. Apart from these events, it turn on what they think about the moral. The Factual Basis of and spiritual condition of mankind. Christianity has, could have no gospel. For "gospel" When they think that men, on the whole, means "good news," information about AN outstanding characteristic of mod- are in a normal condition, as good something that has happened. This is 1'\.. ern-religious liberalism-and one morally and spiritually as could reason­ not to suggest that it is at all doubtful that places it in sharp antagonism to his­ ably be expected at this stage of the evo­ whether these events actually happened, toric Christianity-is its open or implied lutionary process, we find them thinking but it is to 'say that apart from denial of the facts upon which the Chris­ that the presumption is overwhelmingly events, there is and could be no such tian religion rests. against the thought that GOD'S own SON thing as Christianity as it is set forth in assumed flesh and dwelt among us-be­ No criticism of that Manifesto of liberal­ the New Testament and in the· historic cause they feel that there was no real ism in the Presbyterian Church known creeds of the Christian church. December, 1930 C H R 1ST I A NIT Y TO 0 A Y 3

It is in the light of this tendency to inate the miraculous without eliminating place, if at all, in the conditions of time maintain that the value of Christianity is CHRIST Himself as lIe is pictured in the and space. A valid religion for sinful independent of the historic truthfulness New Testament and yet it. is this CHRIST men includes in it, accordingly, ofneces­ of the Bible that we should evaluate the who 'stands at the center of Christianity sit)' an actual historical element, an actu­ wide-spread denial of the virgiri birth and makes it what it is. ally wrought expiation for its sin. It is of our LORD as an essential doctrine of the very nerve of Christianity and the Again, to perceive the sense in which the Christian faith. No doubt there are essence of its appeal to men-by virtue of Christianity rests on a factual basis is to many ,exceptions but as far as those who which it has won its way in 'the world­ perceive that there can be no such thing are at all consistent in their thinking that it provides this historical element and as a non-doctrinal Christianity. A reli­ are concerned it will ordinarily be found proclaims an actual expiation of human gion based on facts is necessarily a doc­ that back of their skepticism as to the sin" ("Christology and Criticism," p. trinal religion; because these facts have story. of the virgin birth is the notion that 340). meaning only as they are interpreted. It no historical events are essential to Chris­ is not the bare facts recorded in the New Finally, not to mention more, to per­ tianity. As a matter of fact the story of Testament, it is those facts interpreted ceive the place that facts occupy in the the virgin birth is so well supported that as the New Testament interprets them Christian religion is to perceive that the it is hardly supposable that any informed that gives us Christianity. Give the facts chief value of the Bible lies in the facts persons would regard it as unhistorical no interpretation and they would not that it records. Men often write and did they not have the notion that no yield us Christianity; give them an in­ speak as though the main value of the miraculous events are historical. Readers terpretation other than that given in the Bible lay in its moral and spiritual lessons of Dr. MACHEN'S "The Virgin Birth of New Testament and they will yield us and that as long as these are retained we Christ" will hardly contradict us at this something other than Christianity; it is need not be greatly concerned about the point. If those who maintain that the only when we accept both the facts re­ historical facts with which they are asso­ value of Christianity is independent of corded in the New Testament and the .ciated in the Bible-as though the Bible historic truthfulness of the Bible most interpretation of those facts found in the was like a great parable whose value is frequently cast suspicion on such events New Testament that we have what can independent of the truthfulness of the as the virgin birth and bodily resurrec­ honestly and intelligently be called Chris­ story upon which it is based: There tion of our LORD that is only because such tianity. There is but one Christian inter­ could be ~o greater mistake. Valuable statements are less fitted to arouse the pretation of these facts and that is the \ as are the moral and spiritual lessons in­ dissent of the rank and file of Christians one given by CHRIST and His apostles. culcated in the Bible, its chief value lies than would similar statements concerning Hence the falsity of the antithesis ex­ in the fact that it records those great acts the deity of CHRIST or His existence to­ pressed in the saying "Christianity con­ of redemptoin that GOD' has wrought for day as our ever-present LORD and SAVIOUR. sists of facts not doctrines." A non­ the salvation of His people-acts that Be that as it may, it should be remem­ doctrinal Christianity just as truly as a have their culmination in the birth, life, bered that we have to do with a movement non-miraculous Christianity is just no death and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST. of thought that concerns itself not merely Christianity at all. with this or that single occurrence as essential to Christianity but with the Yet again, to perceive the sense in question whether any historic facts are which Christianity rests on a factual basis Tributes To Dr. Wilson essential to Christianity. What is more, is to perceive that Christianity is a E should like to call our readers' it should not be forgotten that the more> redemptive religion, not in the vague attention to several tributes to important of the facts recorded in the sense characteristic of other religions, but W the late Dr. ROBERT DICK WILSON which Bible as historic are so bound together in the particular sense that it offers salva­ appear on other pages of this issue. Many that there is no good reason to reject some tion from sin, conceived as guilt and notices of the life and work of Dr. WILSON without rejecting all. Really they stand power and pollution, through the expia­ have been published during the last month or fall together. We hold that they stand tory death of JESUS CHRIST. Chris­ in the religiQus press. We have not space together. tianity is a redemptive religion not in the to publish other fine remembrances of this sense that it ~ells men what they must To perceive the sense in which Chris­ do to save themselves but rather in the great man of GOoD which have come un­ tian~ty rests on a factual basis is to per­ sense that it tells them what CHRIST has solicited to us. All these notices bear ceive that a non-miraculous Christianity done, and does to save them. At the heart witness to the love in which Dr. WILSON is just no Christianity at all; and that of the Christian religion is the conviction was held by so many, and to the secure because the facts upon which Christianity that CHRIST bore our sins in His own place he will undoubtedly occupy as one rests are through and through miraculous. body on the tree. Apart from that fact­ of the great scholars of the Church uni­ Our choice, therefore, is not between a a fact as truly historic as any fact that versal. It was a cause of rejoicing to Dr. miraculous and a non-miraculous Chris­ can be mentioned-there is and could be WILSON to the end of his days, as it is to tianity; it is between a miraculous Chris­ no redemption in the Christian sense of so many now, that GOD spared him long tianity and no Christianity at all. How the word. Warfield rightly says: "Ex­ enough so that he could make his witness true this is appears most clearly perhaps piation, in its very nature, is ,not a prin­ in no uncertain way when the clear call When it is perceived that we cannot elim- ciple but a fact, an event which takes came to establish Westminster Seminary. December, 1 What ShaUWe Do With Christianity? By William Bittle Wells

[We are glad to be able to publish this month the first half of an article by a well-known Western Business man. Mr. Wells is a graduate ()f Stanford University, Palo Alto, California. For eight years he was Editor and Manager of "The Pacinc Monthly;" and for five years Northwest'Editor arid Manager of the "Sunset Magazine." He is now Northwest special agent for a large life insurance Company, with offices in Portland, Oregon.]

HE present situation in the religious seemingly are striving for the "kingdom Modernist movement T world is at once so anomalous and con­ of God.': great, essential facts of Christianity, tradictory that _any attempt to analyze it eventually to' have them 'entirely discarded, fairly and truthfully is fraught with great We do not have to go far to seek the The puzzling and the alarming thing about reason for this attitude"on the part of those difficulty. This is so because we find men the whole ,situation is the, indifference of high in religious councils who hold dia" outside the Church. When the Modernist the laity to the nature of the calamity which metrically opposed views as to what con­ says that "Christianity isa life," he makes threatens them. The plea is ,made for peace,' Christiattity broad enough' to take in the stitutes a Christian, and as to the meaning When there is no peace. The plea is made and significance of Christianity itself. Jew, the Unitarian, and all others Who are for unity, when a man' who really has con­ en rapport with, such a definition. It is ap­ victions that are, or should, be, as deep­ The breach in the Church, whether due Parent, of course,. that anyman-even an rooted as nature itself should scorn to com­ primarily to the Fundamentalists or to ,the agnostic or an 'atheist.,-could and. would, be promise when there is, there can be, no' Modernists, furnishes the secular world a a, Christian, under such a definition, if he common ground for conciliation and peace. squared his life to the highei>t ethibal coh­ peculiar, and, in some respects at least, a But the plea is made to pussyfoot, and the fascinating intellectual problem, that, at cepts. In fact, this very claim is made by whole Church is pussyfooting. From a first glance, it would seem a scho'ol-boy the Modernist theory of Christianity; When purely intellectual ·point of view the present could solve, so simple are the principles that carried to its logical conclusion, because it situation is astounding. are involved. When we ask, What is Truth? teaches that Christianity is an, evolution, we get, and are entitled to get, a variety imd tliatth~old beliefs are no~ passe. That Those who hold to Christianity as a "faith of answe~s. But when it comes to a ques­ is, ~ehav~ gone beyond the simple thiilgs which was once for all delivered unto the tion as to whether a thing is, or is not, it .of early' Christianity, since ali life is an saints" (Jude, 3), have no quarrel with would seem that so simple a question' could evo'lutionary.process,: and reiigionmust those who would, formulate a new religion, and would get an immediate and conclusive pr'ogress with it, or die., Therefore" beliefs, although they would deprecate such a de­ answer. That it does not get it, nQr, in'.fact, ,essential possibly, at one .time, are. non­ parture 'from the true faith. But to call an answer that is even commonly accel?table. esseniiais in our highly eniightened age. the Modernist movement ,Christianity, Imd is one of the ahomalies of the present'reli­ to preach it in Christian churches, is nothing Accordingly, pasedupon the teachings· of gious situation that puzzles those on the short of .blasphemy, if the Scriptures tell Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, ,and outside, and is causing dissatisfaction' and the truth and do not tell lies. It is as if a disintegration within the Church. others, the world can come to a common il6ishevik of the worst type were to come religious understanding, and as a result to America,' preaching revolution, sedition, Is this difference of opinion a fundamental there can arise a newer, broader, higher, and T11in', and people should say, "Well, and irreconcilable difference, worthy of and better religion: one of kindness"right is a nne talker. Let us not have trouble." justifiable separation, or is it a ·question living, and broad brotherhood, freed from What "would we think of our vaunted that can and should be settled by deprecat­ childish' dogma arid outworn creeds, impos­ patriotism in such an instance? Yet there ing the "divisive spirit," and striving, for sible and chimerical miracles, myths, and is something now 'at stake greater, far peace and unity? mysteries. Jew and Gentile" Greek ,and greater; than your mere patriotism and Barbarian can accept such a religion, and The last meeting of the General Assembly mine. It is the essence and truth of the under such auspices it can progress in its Christian religion; _and if we can pussyfoot of the Presbyterian Church, jUdging by press development until man's selfishness is dis­ reports, evidently took the ground that more upon that question" then we are indeed ,a solved into thin 'aIr, his sins sunk in the ,ace' of mollycoddles, and deserve that good than harm will come from alilissez evolutionary process, ·and life at last a ~tigma that is ours. faire attitude. The impression was made heaven upon earth! that this Church could not handle the ques­ This unwillingness of men today to face tion frankly and fearlessly; that, if it at­ ThIs outlinebf the neWer religion,or, if facts squarely i£3 one of the unfortunate and tempted to do so, there might ensue a schism you prefer, tliis broadening of Christianity significant signs of the times. It is true of in its ranks more deleterious and fateful in accordance with the spirit of the times many lines of endeavor, and of many of the than the present underground rumblings of and religious progress, has possibly some­ bad social conditions, but nowhere else is discontent and possible division. Some thing to commend it along purelyaltruisUc it as true as it is of religion. There is not other Protestant organizations were able to and ethical lines. To call it Christianity, only an indifference, but a sort of stupor take a firmer stand for the Fundamentalist however, is a shocking perversion of the pervading the intellectual world, an umy-ill­ cause. truth and a traversty upon real Christianity. ingness to exert the mind, a lazy acceptance It is in no sense' a rational development of All this discuSsion of Fundamentalism of diametrically opposed things rather than Christianity, nor is it in keeping in the and Modernism' seems to the secular press disturb. the $tatu8 !J.u'O., SO, ratheI'than pro­ slightest degree with that most indispensable to be a "much ado about nothing," and the test,.as it is their duty in honor to do, men of Christian .ideals-the acceptance of Jesus onlooker does, not understa,nd why there are allowing a movement in religion to Christ as the ('nly begotten Son of the liv· should be any controversy at all, since both undermine the very warp and woof of Chris· ing God; factions are preaching abo~d Christ, both tianity; and, instead of having a real emphasize many of the same things, and both In order, however, to attain its ends, the religion, to substitute for it an ethical con- December, 1930 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 5

cept that is as far from the Christian ideal different sense than all humanity is divine, Hypocrisy is a damnable thing under any as the East is from the West. or else He was the greatest liar and the circumstances, but it is doubly damnable in greatest imposter ~ince time began. In a minister who attempts to undermine that Let us see whether this is true or not. view of the fact thc:..t C!goodness" is not faith which, to say the very least, he is !laid In the first place, we are dealing with the compatible with lying, it is absurd to say to uph'old. Yet there are ministers in many, facts of the Gospels, and not with their in­ that Jesus was a "good man," when He if not all, the Protestant denominations who terpretation, upon which tllere might claimed to be the actual, divine Son of hang thus dishonorably onto their jobs, properly be a variety of opinions. The God. There is no other alternative: ·either when they, of all men, should have stamina New Testament, then, is the acknowledged He was the Son of God, or else He was the enough to starve rather than to stand before authority as to what constitutes a Christian. very devil incarnate. men.. as liars and hypocrites. It is to that source, and to no other, that Jesus made a profoundly Significant claim The strange part about all this is that, at we must go to find out about Christianity, for Himself. "Which of you," said Jesus, this late date, it has become necessary to however much we may differ as to what a "convinceth me of sin?" No other man in define Christianity in terms Of Ghrist, and Christian actually is. But even that point all history ever made such a claim for upon the rocks upon which it was founded can be simplified, if we depend upon the himself, and no mere man, good or bad, and upon which it has rested down through Scriptures and not upon what men today in his senses, could or would make such a the ages. When once the Christian Church .may say or think. claim. Only a God can be free from sin. parts company with the Divine Christ,it A Christian is one who believes in Ghrist. is on the road to destruction, and most cer­ Again Jesus said: "Before Abraham was, "To believe in," according to Webster, "is tainly deserves to be destroyed. This is I AM." (John 8:58.) Such a statement must to believe that the subject of the thought true because the rejection of the diviriity give any man pause. The Jews did not mis­ exists; to believe that the character, abili­ of Jesus, according to true Christian prin­ understand it. They took stones to storie ties, and purposes of the person are worthy ciples, does not let the matter rest there. It Him, because, as they said, being a man, of entire confidence-especially that his brings into question the very existence of Jesus made Himself out God. Did Jesus promises are entirely trustworthy." "Let any God, and the authority of the whole lie, or did He tell the truth when He said not your heart be troubled; ye believe in Bible, as well as its truth or falsity upon that He existed before Abraham? God, believe also in me." (John, 16:1). A all the subjects with which it deals. The believer In Christ, Webster says further, is Again Jesus said: "If ye believe not that divinity of Jesus is inextricably involved In "One who receives Christ as his Savior, and I am He, ye shall die in your sins." (John all these matters, and in the entire scheme accej1ts the way of salvation unfolded in the 8:24.) These are strong words; no uncer­ of the Christian religion. If it falls, the gospeJ." tainty about them. According to Jesus, whole structure falls. And, if it does fall, Himself, then, the unbeliever is to be pun­ no honest and intelligent man, who has been We submIt that that is a fair and honest ished for not believing that Jesus is the a Christian, could then consistently have definition of a Christian; that It has been SonJof God. Therefore, it is worse than idle anything to do with any religion, which to the definition that has been accepted since to speak of Jesus as a "good man," when him must then be a sham and a mockery, a the foundation of Christianity, and that any He denied that He was a man, and Bet Him­ delusion and a snare. There would be left other definition is a fraud upon real Chris­ self up as God, Himself. "I and the Father nothing to do but to eat, drink, and. be tianity. It is absolutely vital to sound rea­ are one." (John 10:30.) merry, for tomorrow we die. soning that we keep this point in mind in connection with this entire controversy. "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" Therefore, it is futile to speak of the Therefore, Christianity could not be a "life," said Jesus. Christian religion as an evolutionary process: unless there is a certain, clear-cut, definite The foundations· of Christianity. were laid belief before life. If we emasculate the "He answered and said, 'Who is He, Lord, by Christ Himself, once for all, and its faith, meaning of. the word Christianity to meet that I might believe on Him?'" if the Bible is any authority whatever, was given once for all. Jesus delivered prall:­ our own particular ideas, we cast ourselves "And Jesus said unto him, 'Thou hast into the mire of unsound reasoning. Why both seen Him, and it is He that talketh tically but one message: the acceptance of Him as the Son of Almighty God, and sal"a­ should men call themsel"es Christians if with thee.' they discard the Christian concept? tion through that acceptance. No process, "And he said, 'Lord, I believe.' And he evolutionary or otherwise, could improve Now, what is the Christian concept? worshipped Him." (John 9.:35-38.) upon a perfect message. It could only dis­ tort it or misrepresent it. Primarily, it is that Jesus Christ is the We submit, then, that the man who does only begotten Son of God; that He was not accept the divinity of Jesus is not a There are two other phases of this Mod­ crucified, dead, and buried; that the third Christian, and if the Church tolerates a ernist movement which we wish to discuss day He arose from the dead in the same man·made, and not a divine Christ-the because of the intellectual problems in­ body, according to Jesus Christ, in which very sine qua no,!/- of Christianity-the New volved. One has to do with miracles, and He was crucified, and that, accordingly, His Testament and Christianity itself must, the other, the resurrection of Jesus. In resurrection was actual and not spiritual; without question, be thrown into the dis­ view of the complaint of the Modernists that Jesus now sits upon the right hand of card. It is absolutely vital to the life of that those who believe in the Bible are prone God, from whence He shall come to judge Christianity that it uphold the purity of its to take the teachings about Jesus, rather the quick and the dead; that salvation comes beliefs. Therefore, the minister who pussy­ than what Jesus Himself actually said and through this acceptance of the divinity of foots upon this most vital and fundamental did, we will consider the miracles and the Jesus. point should not only not be tolerated, as resurrection from that point of view, as The extreme Modernist takes the ground unfortunately he is being tolerated in the recorded in the Gospels. that Jesus was no more divine than you or 9hristian pulpit, but he should be driven In the first place, however, attention is I, but that we are all "Sons of God" in the from it as Christ drove the money changers called to that peculiar quality of mind which same sense that Jesus was. Modernism, from the temple. Such a man has only one accepts it as a fact that there is a God, and even at its best, is inclined to emphasize honorable thing to do: get out of the Chris­ immediately limits that God to finite the divinity that there is in each of us, and tian pulpit, and, if necessary, swab the powers. For example, there are those in to minimize any particular idea of divinity streets, thereby retaining his own self­ apparently increasing numbers who accept, in Jesus. Yet, Christ was divine in a far respect as well as the respect of men. or, say they accept, the divinity of Jesus, 6 CHRISTIANITY TODAY December, 1930

but who do not believe in miracles. The and followed him, and so did His disciples, and would have passed by them. But when idea that even a God could do anything 'con­ and behold, a woman which was diseased they saw Him walking upon the sea, they trary to what they understand as "Nature's with an issue of blood for twelve years, supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out. Laws" is abhorrent to them. But what kind came behind Him, and touched the hem of For they all saw Him, and were troubled. of a God would it be who would be unable His garment; for she said within herself, 'If And immediately He talked with them, and to suspend a law that He had created ~ I may touch the hem of His garment, I saith unto them, 'Be of good cheer; it is shall be whole;' and when He saw her, He I; be not afraid.' And He went unto them What is a God ~ said, 'Daughter, be of good comfort; thy into the· ship; and the wind ceased; and· Webster says that a God is a "Being con­ faith hath made thee whole.' And the they were sore amazed in themselves beyond ceived as of possessing supernaturaZ power woman was made whole from that hour. measure, and wondered. For they con­ ... the Supreme Being; the Eternal and "And when Jesus came into the ruler's sidered not the miracles of the loaves; for Infinite Spirit." Therefore, to say that we house, and saw the minstrels and the people their heart was hardened." (Mark 6:48-52.) beiieve in God, but we do not believe in making a noise, He said unto them, 'Give The four gospels are thus replete with miracles is a contradiction of terms. It is place; for the maid is not dead, but sleep­ miracles which Jesus performed. We can­ impossible to hold to the one, and not to eth.' And they laughed Him to scorn. But not question the genuineness of these hold to the other. Therefore, again, the when the people were put forth, He went in miracles without questioning the validity rejection of the miracles in the New Testa­ and took her by the hal}d, itnd the maid of the Scriptures in every respect. It is ment means not only the rejection of the arose. And the fame hereof went abroad again a question of fact: do the Scriptures authenticity of the record, but, what is more into all the land." (Matthew 19:18-26.) lie in this respect, or do they tell the truth? vital, if possible, the rejection of the If they do not lie, granting that the writers divinity of Jesus, and throwing overboard "And great multitudes came unto Him, having with them those that were lame, were honest and sincere, were the men de­ the whole idea of Christianity. This mu~t blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and ceived and was Jesus deceived~ The answer be the i.nevitable conclusion because Christ's cast them down at Jesus" feet; and He to this is that no man can read the account entire ministry, and consequently, Chris­ of the miracles without being impressed tianity, were founded upon· miracles. healed them: Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to that the truth is being told. It seems to be "Behold, there came a leper and wor­ speak, the maimed to be made whole, the inherent in these statements about Jesus. shipped Him, saying, 'Lord, if Thou wilt, lame to walk, and the blind to see; and They have the ring of absolute sincerity. Thou canst make me clean.' they glorified the God of Israel." (Matthew No fact in history is better attested than 15:30-31.) are the miracles of Jesus. "And Jesus put forth His hand,and touched him, saying, 'I will; be thou clean.' "And there arose a great storm of wind, Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to And immediately his leprosy was cleansed." and the waves beat into the ship, so that it Jesus by night, and said, "Rabbi, we know -(Matthew 8:2-3.) was full. And He was in the hinder part that Thou art a teacher come from God: for of the ship, asleep on a pillow; and they no man can do these miracles that thou "Jesus said unto the Centurion, 'Go thy awake Him, and say unto Him, 'Master, doest, except God be with him." (John way; as thou· hast believed, so be it done carest Thou not that we perish?' And He 3:1·2.) Peter emphasized the same point: unto thee.' And his servant was healed in arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto "Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus the selfsame hour." (Matthew viii; 13.) the sea, 'Peace, be still.' And the wind of Nazareth, a man approved of God among "Behold, there came a certain ruler, and ceased, and there was a great calm." (Mark you by miracles and wonders and signs, worshipped Him, saying, 'My daughter is 4:37-39.) which God did by Him, in the midst of you, even now dead; but come and lay Thy hand "About the fourth watch of the night, He as ye yourselves also know." (Acts 2:22.) upon her, and she shall live.' Jesus rose cometh upon them, walking upon the sea, (Concluded in our next issue) The Eternal Child A Christmas Sermon by The Rev. Clarence Edward Macartney, 0.0./ Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, Pa.

"Behold, this child is set tor the tall and filled with wonder and awe as she sees far bring their child here to the church to be rising again ot many in Israel; and tor a in the distance the strange destiny of the baptized, we could cast the horoscope of the sign which shall be spoken against; ••• child who rests in her arms. child and speak its destiny, the mother's That the thoughts ot many hearts may be face would be filled with wonder and awe, Simeon, a just man and devout and who revealed."-Luke 2: 34, 35. perhaps also with dread. As she contem­ waited for the consolation of Israel, and HAVE never read any comment on it, to whom it had been revealed by the Holy plated the path of hardship, of sorrow, and but I take it for granted that Raphael's Ghost that he should not see death before of pain which her child was to tread; or the greatI painting of Jesus and His mother in he had seen the Lord's Christ, had come b:y career of honor and of fame which he was the Dresden gallery is an attempt to describe the Spjrit into the temple when Joseph and to accomplish; the days of loneliness, the the thoughts and emotions of the mother Mar{brought Jesus up to present Him. By hours of anguish,._perhaps also deeds of diS, and her child at the presentation in the a revelation he knew that this child was the honor and of shame-no doubt, it is just as temple. Mary, listening to the words of Lord's Christ, - and taking Him up in' his well that the future is veiled and that no Simeon, presents and yet holds back her arms, he bJessed Him. If we had the gift Simeon can stand in our midst and sketch child, and her unfocused eye seems to be of Simeon, and when mothers and fathers the future of the child as he did the future Decembert 1930 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 7

of the divine child who lay in Mary's arms. ableness of them only the more arouses the without being made thereby either better or Yet every life is full of wonder, of mystery, antagonism of human nature. worse. It is the proclamation of life eternal of awe, and what the people said when they to them that believe; the proclamation of This is why it is a solamn and searching death to them that reject Him. were amazed at the circumstances of the thing to be confronted with Christ, in the birth of John the Baptist, we can all say Scriptures, in the proclamation of the II. Christ will always be opposed in the _ wilen we look into the bce of a child, what Church, in the lives of His followers. To World. "Behold this child is set for a sign manner of child shall this be? have a duty presented to us and then refuse which shall be spoken against." The angels when they announced the birth of Christ When he took the child in his arms, the it; to have a higher path opened for us and had foretold only His glory and His devout Simeon blessed Joseph and His decline it; to have a sin revealed to us, and refuse to leave it or mourn over it­ triumph. It remained for the devout Simeon mother, and spoke unto Mary His mother. this is to stumble, and to fall. But to obey, to tell the plain truth that Christ who had If a little before, St. Luke says that the to change our life, to repent, to believe­ come in the beauty of holiness and inno: parents brought in the child Jesus,' as if this is to rise to new levels of character. cence, the incarnation of divine love and Joseph were just as much a parent of the pity and compassion would be encompassed child as Mary, let it be noted how carefully It has become sort of a fashion today to by hatred and enemies at every step in he is to say here that it was to Mary His eulogize (loubt, and praise doubters as su­ His earthly career until at length the storm mother that Simeon addressed himself when perior minds, and presumably superior of human passion an.d anger broke over he declared the destiny of the child. "Be­ characters. It is worthwhile remembering, His head upon the cross. hold, this .child is set for the fall and rising therefore, that we have nothing of this in again of many in Israel; and for a sign Christ, or in the Scriptures, and that Christ There are many scenes in the history 01 which shall be spoken against; Yea, a sword makes it clear that the different attitudes the human race which are of a nature to shall pierce through thy own soul also, that of men towards Him is to be accounted for undeceive those who will know nothing of the thoughts of many hearts may be re­ by a difference in their hearts. He told them human nature but its original goodness and vealed." In this statement of the destiny plainly that the reason they did not believe excellence. But the one chapter in the his­ of Jesus, there are three things said of in Him and love Him was because the love tory of humanity which forever refutes such Him-all of them strikingly illustrated and of the Father was not in their hearts. They a definition of human nature is that chapter fulfilled in the life of Jesus, in the history were not of the truth, therefore, they would which relates for us the life and the death of His Church ever since, and in the lives not come unto Him. In the gJ:eat doctrines of Jesus Christ. In that chapt"er we learn and hearts of men today. First; that Christ of the Christian faith, the Incarnation, the what human nature is and to what length is to men either a blessing or a condemna­ Atonement, the Resurrection, the gift of it will go. This child is set for a .sign which tion. Second, that His presence,His truth, the Holy Spirit, the present intercession of shall be spoken against. When I recall His Church, will ever create oPPosition. the Son of God and His Second Coming to that some said He had a devil, others that And third, that Christ Himself is the re­ judge men and angels-in these doctrines He was mad-that men took up stones to vealer of the thoughts of the heart, the some find only an occasion for scorn and stone Him, that they tried to throw Him supreme touchstone of human nature. angry 'rejection; and others treat them as over a precipice, that they betrayed Him impossible and old-wives tales; while others and mocked Him and spat upon Him and . I. Christ is either a Blessing or a Con­ again rise upon these granite foundations crowned Him with thorns, crucified Him, demnation; He is set for the fall and rising of faith to holiness of life and fellowship and reflect that I share the same nature as again of manY in Israel. Christ either con­ with God. They find them to be not a those men, then I come to understand how demns men or justifies them and saves stumbling block as some do, or foolishness far the heart can go in its rebellion against them: In Him, men are' saved or lost. He as others do, but the power of God and the God. is a stone of stumbling upon which men fall, wisdom of God. How shall we account for or a rock by which. they rise unto life In how striking a manner, the prediction this difference, this contrasting reaction to eternal. of Simeon has been fulfilled. Wherever Christ and His Gospel? Not in environ­ Christ, His cause, His Church, His Gospel, When Simeon, inspired by the Holy Ghost, ment; not in training; not in education, or His doctrines, His true disciples are, there said that Christ is set or appointed, estab­ heredity-for those who have had the same Christ will be spoken against. Wherever He lished for the falling and ;oising again of training, environment, heredity and educa­ is not spoken against, wherever His Gospel many in Israel, what he means is not that tion immediately part company in the is not rejected and scorned, but received Christ is sent by God to make men stumble presence of Christ. Some stumbling upon with polite courtesy or dismissed with cool and fall, but that stumbling and rising Him and falling, others rising through indifference, there you can be sure that it again wfll ever be the effect of His person faith and obedience to nobility and beauty is not Christ who is preached, and that and His truth as men encounter Him upon of life. "The reason," Christ says, "is a what appears to be the Gospel is another the pathway of life. In Christ there is no difference in life." Gospel which is not another. The' real neutrality. Men are either for Him or J' Christ, the. real Gospel will always be a The last scene in the earthly life of Christ against Him. They rise through Him, or sign to be spoken against. because of Him they fall. is a tragic demonstration of the way in which Christ divides among men. It was It is possible so to preach Christ that He We know how true this was during a prefiguration, too, of His influence upon shall not be spoken against. You can leave Christ's life upon earth. There were many human nature through all the ages. There out His awful claims to pre-existence, deity, who were offended in Him; many who He hung between the two thieves, one of world dominion and judgment, you can stumbled and fell-the scribes, the Phari­ whom reviled Him and cursed Him and omit His stern demands upon believers; you sees, the Sadducees, Herod, Pilate, Caiaphas, mocked, while the other said, "Remember can be silent as to the solitary and exclu­ Judas-all of these men fell, whereas others me when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom." sive way of righteousness and salvation, by rose. Many who stood high fell; many who So Christ is set for the falling and rising faith in Him alone-all these things which were poor and humble were exalted. To again of many souls, so He divides between are repugnant to the natural mind and some His person and His doctrines present men. He is the savor of death unto death, heart of man-you can leave out, but only insuperable difficulty and make demands or to others the savor of life unto life. It to discover that Christ so preached is not which only serve to arouse the bitter is this fact which gives an immense earnest­ a sign to be spoken against. St. Paul tells antagonism of the heart, and. the very ness and solemnity to the preaching of us in his letter to the Galatians how men righteousness of these demandS, the reason- Christ and. His Gospel. ,No one can hear it urged him to tone down a little the terms 8 CHRISTIANITY TODAY December. 1930

of redemption, to persuade him to say that the clouds, also draws out of the earth its -what is the reaction to it? Men speak although men were saved by Christ, it was noxious mists and vapors. So Christ acts of salvation by character. Yes, if by that also necessary for them to observe certain upon the hearts of men. you mean the Gospel standards of character, Jewish laws and rites. But, he said, that the Gospel's method of ascertaining the true In Christ, the one great decisive, search­ if he should do that, then would the offense . character of a man's heart. For the su­ ing thing is His remedy for sin. Forgive­ of the Gospel cease. But what he declared preme test of character is the offer of Christ ness through faith; cleansing through His to be the offense of the Gospel, that the sin­ crucified, the acceptance or the rejection of blood. How that test at once revealS, ner is saved only by his faith in Christ that that shows the moral drift of a man's na­ searches a man's heart. When we say that to Paul was the power of the Gospel, the ture and nothing that he can say or do, good He searches the heart of man, reveals its Gospel of which he was not ashamed, the or bad, is of the least significance as com­ secrets thoughts, we do not mean that in one Gospel in which he gloried-nothing less pared with that acceptance or that rejection. man He discovers only that which is un­ than this seems now to be the question be- worthy, and in another only that which is When Sir Walter Raleigh was led to the . fore the Church of Christ. Shall the Gospel, worthy. For all have sinned, and co.me block his executioner asked him if his head a stone of stumbling or a rock of rising, a short of the glory of God. But that in one, lay right. Raleigh answered, "It matters sign to be spoken against or a truth to be He discovers a refusal of God's will and little, my friend, how the head lies, provided embraced with rapture, love and joy, shall plan, and in the other a,humble ·and grate­ the heart is right." Here in the presence of it cease to be the Gospel, good news, and ful acceptance of it. In one, self-righteous­ God, here before Him to whom are revealed become merely good advice, meditation, ob­ ness; in the other, the publican's cry­ the secrets of all hearts, here before the servation, warning? "God be .merciful to me, a sinner." Let the cross of mercy and of love, what does your III. Christ is the touchstone of human cross be plunged down today into your heart heart speak, how does your heart lie? hearts. Behold this Child that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. The one great purpose of' our earthly probation. Is that God might know our hearts.· Not that in His omniscience, He cannot know and see what is in the heart now, or what the Three Tributes to Dr. Wilson heart will· do in the years to come, but rather that by the experiences of life, by the AMONG the many tributes to the life and workings of the matter, was constrained use or abuse of its opportunities and its .tl.. work of the late Dr. Robert Dick .Wil­ by his conscience and convictions, and at dispensations, every man should write a son, the three following are typical. Two are great sacrifice materially, to wfthdraw and description of his character. This, we are selected from Church Bulletins. The first is take the lead in founding Westmins.ter. His told was His purpose in His dealings' with from the pen of the Rev. H. H. McQuilkin, family testify that his year in the new in­ Israel. Thou shalt rem~.mber all the way D.D.,· minister of the First Presbyterian stitution was the happiest of his life. Here which the Lord thy God hath led thee. Church of Orange, N. J. The second is from as a wise Diasterbuilder, he laid the founda­ . These forty years in. the wilderness that He the bulletin of the Benedict Memorial Pres­ tion of a theological school that is destined might humble thee to prove thee, to know byterian Church of New Haven, Conn., and to strengthen and enrich the entire Protes­ what is thine heart, whether thou wouldst was written by the Rev. L. Craig Long, the tant body with its positive, emphatic, keep His commandments or not. The life of minister of that ··Church. The third is from triumphant testimony to the faith of the the heart is the critical thing. . Out of the a leafiet recently issued 'by Westminster Reformers. heart are the issues of life, not what goes Seminary. "His name will forever remain entwined into a man, but what; comes out of his with Westminster's. From her portals he heart defileth him. If men do not love "A Wise Masterbuilderu went home to God. The splendor of his Christ it is because the love of God: is not , fame and faith will linger with the faculty in their hearts. With the heart, man be­ "WESTMINSTER Theological Semi- and students of W/estminster like some lieveth unto life. It is therefore in harmony nary in Philadelphia has sustained an superb sunset against the sky, and will with this great fact of- life that Christ is irreparable loss in the death of this great surely raise up men and women of faith declared to be the One who above all others scholar, inspiring. teacher, stalwart defender throughout the ·Church to aid in maIntain­ tests the heart and reveals its secrets and of the faith. He was master of more than ing and expanding the work he loved so its thoughts. 30 langnages and always carried on his in­ well." We can see how true this was during the vestigations ~n the original tongues-a thing life of Christ upon earth. There was some­ that scholars like even Prof. Driver of Ox­ One Who Fought the Good Fight thing in Hi.m and in His truth which ford could not do. awakened latent evil and latent good. The "For fifty years he had ferretted out every "MANY hearts have been filled with sor- row during the past week because scribes, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, Herod, fact that has any bearing on the Old Testa­ Pilate, Caiaphas, Judas, brought before ment Scriptures. Toilfully, open-mindedly, God has called Home,. one of His faithful servants. Those who shall miss him are Christ, revealed themselves, their anger, eagerly he ransacked the treasures of hypocrisy, blasphemy, bitterness, enmity to knowledge. The results of his search those who have loved him, and who have looked to him for more than fifty years, as good, their hatred and their treason. While brought assurance that the Christian has a others brought before Christ had discovered sure foundation for his faith in the Sacred one who has been able to build up intelli­ gent faith in those who studied in his in themselves the things which God delights Word. to find. Mary, her gratitude; the publican, classes, in the accuracy and infallibility of his penitence; the Magdalene, her love; the "He taught first in the Western Theo­ the Old Testament. Dr. Wilson began his centurion, his great faith; the thief, the logical Seminary at Pittsburgh, where the theological study more than fifty years ago, penitent and his hope. So Christ has ever writer was one of his 'boys,' as he always and has held professorshipsinthr~e ='LllJ.-___ _ been revealing, uncovering, discovering what called his former students. Then for thirty naries: Western, Princeton, and finally West­ is in the heart. The same sun which shines years he shed the light of his brilliant at­ minster. As a student, he realized the great upon the earth today ripens the good seed, tainments on Princeton Theological Sem­ need for a type of Biblical scholarship which the wheat, and also the tares. The same inary. When the contl'ol of Princeton was would be .objective and thorough in dealing sun which' scatters the darkness, dissipates shifted, he, knowing intimately all the inside with facts that could be known only by Decembert 1930 C H R IS T I A NIT Y TODAY 9

exhaustive research over the whole range The Power of a Noble Example he not round out his life in pealle? Could of the ancient languages related to the Bible. he not leave to younger men the battle for He faced the need, and answered the call. N Saturday: ?cto~~r 11, 19~O, the Rev. the Faith? In his preparation, he mastered some twen­ O Robert DlC" WIlson, Pn.D., D.D., ty-six. languages; to these he added many LL.D., Professor of Semitic Philology and Those considerations and many like them others in his later study. Babylonian, Old Testainent Criticism in Westminster were no doubt presented to Dr. Wilson in Ethiopic, Phoenician, all the Aramaic dia­ Theological Seminary, entered into his very persuasive form. But he would have lects, and Egyptian, Coptic, Persian, and heavenly reward. none of them. His Christian conscience, trained by a lifetime of devotion to God's Armenian, Arabic, Syriac and Hebrew, were Dr. Wilson was a notable scholar. Where Word, cut through such arguments with just some of those which he learned in order others were content to take the results of the keenness of a Damascus blade. He that he might read for his own study the philological investigation at second hand, penetrated to the real essence of the ques­ original manuscripts, versions and copies, he had recourse to the sources. His lin­ tion. He saw that for him to remain at from which our translations have come. guistic attainments were broad and deep. Princeton would be to commend as trust­ When asked, on one occasion by Mr. Philip He was at home not only in Hebrew and worthy what he knew to be untrustworthy, E: Howard, Publisher of the Sunday School Aramaic, and of course in Latin, Greek and that it would be to lead Christ's little ones Times,-'Professor, what do you try to do modern languages, but also in Babylonian, astray. He knew that a man cannot have for your students?' He instantly replied, 'I Arabic, Syriac, and other tongues. His God's richest blessing, even in teaching the try to give them such an intelligent faith in knowledge of the Old Testament was pro­ truth, when the opportunity to teach the the Old Testament Scriptures that they will found. never doubt them as long as they live. I truth is gained by compromise of principle. try to give them evidence. I try to show He devoted all of this vast learning to the He saw clearly that it was not a time for them that there is a reasonable ground for defence of Holy Scripture. He believed with him to think of his own ease or comfort, belief hi the history of the Old Testament. all his mind and heart that the Bible is but to bear testimony to the Saviour who Whenever there is sufficient documentary 'true, and he supported his belief with a had bought him with His own precious evidence to make an investigation, the state­ wealth of scientific material which even his blood. opponents could not neglect. Only a short ments of the Bible, in the original texts, have He.did bear that testimony. He left his stood the test.' The writer of this brief time before his death he was engaged in an answer to a notable monogr~ph, published home. at Princeton, and all the emoluments tribute ·is but one of thousands of Ministers and honors that awaited him there. He who owes much to Dr. Wilson for the part at Oxford, which had recently devoted itself to a consideration of his views. cast in his lot with a new institution that that he had in the establishment of his faith had not a dollar of endowment and was de­ in the Bible. One of his greatest contribu­ He was greatly beloved as a teacher and pendent for the support of its professors tions was made, when after Princeton Sem­ as a friend. With the simplicity of a true upon·· nothing but faith in God. inary had been reorganized by the General scholar, he was always ready to cast reserve Assembly, he became an inspiration and a aside and receive his students into his heart. Dr. Wilson was supremely happy in that leader, with Dr. Machen and Dr. Allis, iIi He called them his "boys," and they re­ decision. He never regretted it for a mo­ the establishment of Westminster Theo­ sponded with affection as well as with ment. He entered joyfully into the life of logical Seminary. The Hymn printed on respect. the new seminary, and God richly blessed the front-page of this Bulletin ('When I him there. Then, having rounded out more survey the wondrous Cross'), is one which But great as were Dr. Wilson's achieve­ than the allotted period of three-score years holds great meaning for many who have ments throughout a long and fruitful life, and ten, a Christian soldier without tarnish known and loved him. It was sung ,on two his· greatest achievement was his last. It of compromise upon his shield, he entered occasions as a favorite. The one time was was the achievement by which, putting sel­ into the joy of his Lord. on the first commencement day of the I'{ew fish considerations and unworthy com­ Seminary, when thirteen young men were promise of principle aside, he left his home His example is a precious possession for receiving their diplomas. It was after Dr. at Princeton and entered the Faculty of a those whom he has left behind. He is, in­ Wilson, a veteran soldier of the cross, had new institution devoted unreservedly to the deed; no longer with us in bodily presence. given final charge to these, his last students, :Word of God. His great learning is with us only in his that the hymn was sung. In closing he said, writings and in the knowledge of the Bible Many arguments might have been adduced that he has imparted to his host of students 'Fight the good fight of faith' ... 'Until we to lead Dr. Wilson to remain at Princeton meet at Jesus feet' ... A summer past, the throughout the world. But the power of his Seminary after the reorganization of that example will not be· lost. Westminster second year of the Seminary opened, Dr. institution in 1929. He was at that time in Seminary, by God's grace, will ever be true Wilson met one class, and then 'went Home~' his seventy-fourth year. An honorable and to the Lord Jesus, as this beloved teacher Not much wonder that many who attended advantageous retirement awaited him when­ his final service in Westminster on Tuesday, was true. Trustees, Faculty and students ever he desired. "He had a gooq. salary and will be moved always to sacrifice themselves October fourteenth, had a new meaning a comfortable home. He had the friends placed upon the old hymn 'When I survey for an institution to which Dr. Wilson gave that he had made at Princeton during a so much. the wondrous Cross,' when it was again sung residence there of nearly thirty years. that day by the Seminary quartet. Only a Might he not retain these advantages with­ His example will touch also the hearts of man like Dr. Wilson could so perfectly prove out being unfaithful to the cause to which those throughout the Church who love the by example that the words· of this hymn he had devoted his life? Would not the new gospel that he loved, and who know that were the feelings of his heart. A few of us Board of Princeton Seminary keep in the that gospel cannot well be preached unless who knew htm intimately, and who received background, for a time at least, the real there be a school of the prophets to train new ·Christian courage at each hand-clasp, character of the revolution that had been men to preach it in all its purity and all shall miss his living faith, as we thank God wrought? Would not the doctrinal change its power. The Seminary that was so dear that He spared him for such a long life of be gradual only, as at. so many other insti­ to Dr. Wilson's . heart, and in whose found­ service for Presbyterianism. Let us pray tutions, formerly evangelical, . which have ing he had so large a share, will not, we that his ~tudents and followers may follow conformed to the drift of the times? Could think, be allowed to call now in vain; but in. his footsteps of . faith, Singing, with he not, ·meanwhile, serve God by teaching gifts will pour in from those who, IIlre Dr. sinceremearilng the words-'When} survey the .truth in his own class-room, no matter Wilson, have hearts full of .gratitude to the wondrous Cross.''' what the ·rest of the institution did? Could Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. 10 CHRISTIANITY TODAY December, 1930 Books of Religious Significance

Book Notes trust all such will give a welcome to this Zenobia Bird, who will be remembered by book and make it known to their friends." many for her delightful story "Under Whose NE of the most unusual books we have Moving upon a high and spiritual plane Wings" of several years ago. Miss Bird's O seen in recent months is entitled "The these sermons are emphatically out of the stories are not, so far as we know, dupli­ Prophetic Prospects of the Jews Fairbairn ordinary, yet never pedantic, always breath­ cated in any way by those of any other VS. Fairbairn" by the Rev. Patrick Fairbairn, ing with life. Both books are 5 shillings net writer. She writes of Christian young men edited by Prof. Albertus Pieters, D.D., of the ($1.25) and may be ordered from the Rev. and women who find the grace of God more Western Theological Seminary of the Re­ D. Beaton, Wick, Caithness, Scotland.... than sufficient for every need and problem. formed Church in America, at Grand Rapids. The Rev. J. D. Leslie, D.D., LL.D., Stated It is a story that will appeal to teen age (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Clerk of the General Assembly of the Pres­ boys and girls, interesting them with a fine, Rapids, Mich.) The volume is arresting byterian Church in the U. S.; has recently bracing tale, and leading them closer to and unusual in that it represents the can· issued a volume on Presbyterian Law and Christ. (Fleming H. Revell Co., New York, tradictory views of an unusually keen mind' P1'ocedu1'e in that Church. (Presbyterian $1.50.) •.. W. Bell Dawson, M.A., D.Sc., at different periods in his life. As a young Committee of Publication, Richmond, Va.) M.Inst.C.E., F.R.S.C., widely known author Minister of the Church of Scotland, Dr. It is a work of almost four hundred pages, on scientific and religious subjects has writ­ Fairbairn delivered a lecture on "The Fu­ compact and succinct. It should be invalu­ ten a booklet small in' size, but mighty in ture Prospects of the Jews," taking strong able to all Ministers and office bearers of theme, entitled, The Hope of the Future. ground favoring' a literal fulfillment of the Southern Church, and deserves circula­ This hope Dr. Dawson finds in the pages prophecies relating to their return to Pales· tion among those in all Presbyterian and of the Bible to be nothing less than that tine. About twenty-five years later, as a Reformed bodies who desire to be kept in­ "blessed hope" of the return of our Lord famous professor of the Free Church, he formed of the law of a great sister Church. to earth. He believes that that coming will published a book usually referred to as .. , Professor William Bancroft Hill, of be preceded by apostasy, and that the com­ "Fairbairn on Prophecy" in which occurred Vassar College is the author of a volume ing of our Lord is now imminent. Dr. Daw· a chapter on "The Prophetical Future of the entitled The Resurrection of Jesus Christ. son occupies the pre-millennial position. Jewish People." He then championed the (Fleming H. Revell Co., New York, $1.25.) While in general agreement with him, the opposite position-namely, that everything Dr. Hill approaches the evidence for the writer of these lines feels sure that this ,promised to Israel was promised to God's Resurrection from a novel point of view. distinguished man of God would not wish people, and that Christians being now that "The Starting Point," says the author, "is to have differences regarding the manner of' people, all Old Testament prophecies and the need of the disciples. In their state of Christ's coming divide those who are con­ promises are typical of spiritual blessings mind,-their fear, dismay, ignorance and tending for the Faith once for all delivered to be received in Christ. Dr. Pieters takes hopelessness-could anything other than to the saints. This is a booklet that will no Sides, but leaves the reader to make his what the Gospels relate have transformed repay serious reflection and study. (Pub­ own decision between two great arguments them into the men We see on the Day of lished by Marshall, Morgan & Scott, Ltd., by the same man.... Presbyterian Scot­ Pentecost 1 In other words, was there a London and Edinburgh. May be ordered land is justly famed for its great pulpit tra­ need of the post-resurrection appearances; from' the author, 7 Grove Park, Westmount, dition-as is the Reformed family of and if there was, can we doubt that it was Montreal, Canada.) Churches over the world. But too often our supplied, unless we doubt all that the H. MeA. G. knowledge is confined to men who preached Gospels tell of our Lord 1" The Book affirms in cities, and who were much in the public the resurrection as historic fact. It deserves THE DOCTRINE OF GOD. By Albert C. eye. Recently two delightful volumes have a wide reading ... Christianity or Reli­ reached our desk, volumes brimful of human Knudson, Dean of Boston University gion? by the Rev. A. C. Gaebelein, D.D., School of Theology,' and Professor of interest, instruction and inspiration. They ("Our Hope," 456 Fourth Ave., New York' are Some Noted Ministen of the Northern Systematic Theology. Pp. 434. The City, $1.50 postpaid), has recently been is­ Abingdon Press, New Y01'k, 1930. Highlands, and Sermons by Noted Ministers sued in a third edition. It is a "study of at the Northern Highlands, and both books the origin and growth of religion and the HE book before us presents "the first are from. the pen of the Rev. D. Beaton, of supernaturalism of Christianity" from a T of two independent volumes that to­ Wick, Scotland,-the first as written and the strongly conservative point of view. It is gether will cover the field of Christian second as edited by him. Sketches are given an instructive and inspiring w9rk, breath­ theology." Ther~, are reasons for thinking of the lives of thirty·three men who labored ing devotion' and scholarship on every page. of this book as of more than usual impor­ in the period from the seventeenth to the This is a bOOk to put into the hands of tance. The doctrine of God is of perennial nineteenth centuries, sketches which; re­ any who may have dipped superficially into Significance. Yet many recent writers have capture the very atmosphere in which so completely changed the idea of God that the well of "comparative religions." On people and Ministers lived, struggled and the term -as used by them means nothing at one point only do we venture to disagree believed for the sake of the covenanted all. One can scarcely enter a bookstore with Dr. Gaebelein. He distinguishes be­ faith. Of the sermons, the author says, "It without noticing that some new deity is is with wistful feelings we read these noble tween Christianity and all religion, feeling ,born. Usually these gods are born into the pulpit utterances from lips that were that to call Christianity a religion would be pragmatic family. As the space-time con­ touched with a live coal from off the altar, to blur the line of distinction between the tinuum advances in age she becomes the fruit­ and which ring so true to the Scriptures. Gospel and the false hopes of lost humanity. ful mother of gods. The immanence-idea is Gone are the noble messengers that pro· It seems to us, however, that it is no con­ so overworked that it has turned .into iden­ claimed the message-gone are the gracious cession to call christianity a religion. It is tity. Any "value" or "ideal," that strikes men and women who drank it in, and in a religion. But it is the only true religion, some one's fancy is promptly impersonated doing so forgot all their sorrows. vVe be­ -the only way by which man may be re­ and deified. If the author of such a: deity lieve there are still some who value the conciled to God .. , . Eyes in the Dark is is a prominent scientist it becomes forth­ Gospel, as set forth in these sermons, and the name of a new book from the pen of with a sure token of bigotry to say that December, 1930 CHRISTIANiTY TODAY 11

such an author is nota Christian or a - Christian philosophy of our day" our in­ cause we hold that on the basis of a meta­ theist. terest will be to show that this prevalEmt physical relativism no knowledge what· phiiosophy is not identical with nor- a soever is possible. Parmenides was quite In the book of Professor Knudson we meet logical d~yelopment of Biblical Christianity right when he said of Heraclitus's flux that on the contrary with a serious attempt to or, more oroadly, traditional theism. And if opposites do change into one another com­ take God seriously. Knudson would have secondly, our cdticism may suggest some pletely, there is no abiding subject about transcendence be more than a word. He which we can say anything. For the Chris­ does not sympathize with the extreme prag­ reasons why traditional theism and the "overcome position" of orthodox Chris­ tian theist God is the ultimate subject of matic tendency of the day. Moreover, he all predication. It is not as though we does not wish to build up his theology on tianity may still be the more defensible philosophy or theology of the two. could sacrifice God and retain ourselves. just one aspect of human experience. He If we sacrifice God we also sacrifice our­ stresses the equal or perhaps superior value In developing our claim that Knudson's selves. of the volitional as compared to the intellec­ position is a radical departure from instead tual aspect of personality but by no means of a logical development of Christian theism, Corresponding to and involved in this wishes to set the intellectual categories we are in a very fortunate position for two theory of reality is an equally theistic aside in order to find room for faith. His reasons. In the first place, Knudson him­ theory of knowledge. If God is absolute is to be a theology based upon the "logic self offers us a definite and to us an en­ personality He is completely self conscious. of the whole personality." In connection tirely acceptable criterion by which to judge God is light and in Him is no darkness at with this it should be said that the author a genuine theism. This gives us the ad­ all. There are no hidden depths of troubled does not fear metaphysics. All of us have vantage of judging the author by his own possibility within or beyond Him. He some metaphysics or other. The only ques­ standard. In the second place, we have knoweth the end from the beginning. It is tion is what kind of metaphysics we have. -the good fortune of being able to refer to this absolute selfconsciousness of God that We cannot base oui- religion on an "as if." the author's book on "The Philosophy of forms the basis of certainty for our knowl­ Thus we see that Knudson seeks to give Personalism," for a more definite statement edge. Possibility for us is deeper than- the us a well-rounded and metaphysically of Knudson's theory of reality and theory deepest sea. If it were so also for God grounded doctrine of God. As such it is of knowledge than could well be given in the whole of our coherent experience would worthy of our serious consideration. the book now - under discussion. This is be adrift on a shoreless, bottomless void. Our thought would be operating in a In consonance with the phil@sophical. especially valuable since we believe that the vacuum. If there is to be any rationality seriousness of the author is the high reli­ chief weakness of the book is an antitheistic or coherence anywhere there must be abso­ gious tone that pervades the book. When theory of knowledge. lute rationality somewhere. Our ration­ one turns, for example, from Bruce Barton Beginning with the first point we find or Roy Wood Sellars to Knudson one that in the chapter our author devotes to ality rests upon God's rationality. emerges from a stifling secularism to ~he the Absoluteness of God, he is very in­ It is this that Christian theism has ex­ mountain air of religion. Such things as sistent on the necessity of an absolute God. pressed in its conception of authority. Its these we value highly. The fundamental demand for unity that view of authority has never been that of Moreover, the author is a leading repre­ marks human thought can be satisfied with mere tradition. If prophets or apostles, if sentative and exponent of a movement in nothing less. More than that, the unity Christ or the Scriptures are said to speak _ theology and philosophy that has consider­ that we seek must be a concrete unity. If with absolute authority this is said because able influence on the Christian church in God is not to be a .. 'spectral woof of im­ it is believed that an absolute God speaks America. An unpublished doctor's thesis palpable abstractions or an unearthly ballet in them. If the Scriptures are claimed to in the University of Chicago Divinity li­ of bloodless categories,''' He must be per­ be inspired in a unique sense, this doctrine sonal. An absolute, personal God is the of inspiration is logically connected with brary by Bernhardt on Borden Parker Bowme and the Methodist Episcopal Church, proves most urgent requirement of rational the claim of an absolute God. How seldom that the philosophy of Bowne has a con­ thought. Of such pivotal significance does does one meet with a critic of Christian trolling influence on the Seminaries of the Knudson consider this point that he con­ theism wJJ.o will even attempt to state fairly the denomination referred to. The writer siders belief in such a God the only alter­ the various implications of the conception of this thesis sees a great difference be­ native to skepticism. "Either a theistic Ab­ of an absolute God, as they appear for tween the old method of instruction and the solute or completely philosophical skep­ example in the doctrines of Christ and of new method of instruction in these semi­ ticism would seem to be the alternatives that the Scriptures and thereupon assume man­ naries_ The chief difference he finds to be confront us; and as between the two a fully the epistemological consequences of the fact that the new method begins from healthy reason ought to have no difficulty rejecting all. It is much easier to isolate, human experience while the old method in making its choice." (p. 250.) - for example, the inspiration theory, present began with an assumed authoritarianism of We are qu!te ready to subscribe to Knud­ it as something mechanical and cast it aside the Scripture. We cannot but agree with son's alternative ... The only alternative to as of no religious Significance. Bernhardt that if this difference exists be­ a theory of reality of which God as abso­ According to the theistic theory of knowl­ tween the old method and the new, it is not lute personality forms the controlling con­ edge then, God is the one who interprets the a matter of detail or of emphasis. It be­ cept is a metaphysical relativism. Of meaning of reality to man. Man's, mind comes a question of which method is proper course it is easy to find intellectual difficul­ must be receptive to this interpretation if and which is improper for the subject of ties in traditional theism. It is quite cus­ he- is to have any knowledge at all. Man theology. More than that it becomes a tomary to reject Biblical theism for no cannot begin his speculation upon facts question of which is true and which is better reason than that we cannot fathom and thereupon ask whether God exists. If false. Knudson maintains that his position how an absolute God could create the uni­ the facts do not exist apart from God, they in theology, based as it admittedly is upon verse or become actually incarnate. To are the product of His plan. That is it is Bowne's, philosophy, is the logical develop­ purchase relief from intellectual difficulties then God's interpretation that is prior to ment of true Christian thought. "Per­ in this fashion is too expensive a procedure. the facts. How then could man separate the Sonalism is par excellence the Christian Where is the system that has no intellectual facts from that interpretation of God? As philosophy of our day." (Doctrine of God, difficulties? We do not hold to Christian well could you separate a drop of ink from p. 80.) It is this claim of Knudson that we theism because it has no, or even in the the ocean. Professor Hocking has given ex­ would call in question_ Or if it be granted first place because it has less of intellectual pression to this thought by saying that our that personalism is "the most prevalent difficulty in it than other systems but be- God-consciousness must be basic to our ex- 12 CHRISTIANITY TODAY December, 1930

perience. If the God consciousness does point." The infallible inspiration of the tive reference at all. On the contrary, he not enter at the level of our lowest sensa­ Scripture is, he thinks, easily shown un­ tells us that religion "involves a personal tions, says he, it will never enter at all. tenable by evident errors in the Scripture. attitude toward an objective realm of Here we could have wished that an eminent values." (P. 48.) Again he says, "A sub­ If these considerations are true it is an systematic theologian should at least not missive, trustful, conciliatory feeling toward err.or to suppose that the chief contribution have descended to this easy method. As the powers that be in the universe is pri­ of Christianity to the advancement of suggested above we have a right to expect mary in religion." (p. 40.) And once more, speculative thought is the concept of per­ that such doctrines as inspiration shall first 'ffi.eligion in its essential nature means sonality as such. Christianity reintroduced be shown in the!r correlation to the central faith in the rationality and purposiveness the conception of God as Absolute person­ doctrine of an absolute God before they are of the world." (p. 42.) The point of im. ality primarily and therefore the concept lightly cast aside. But let that pass. The portance is that for Knudson the "realm of of finite personality; secondarily, Chris­ main point is that Knudson resolutely sets values" need not necessarily be personal. tianity is restorative and supplementative of himself to an empirical investigation of the Religion "is unequivocal in attribUting su­ an original theism; Christianity and theism facts of the religious consciousness of man preme worth to the spiritual realm, but stand or fall together. in order to determine what religion is before whether the transcendent Reality is to be With this brief explanation of the theory he goes to God. The assumption of this conceived as personal or not is left unde­ of reality and the theory of knowledge of method is that the religious consciousness cided." (p. 51.) Very definitely then the Christian theism we may now ask to what exists and functions or at least can function conception of an absolute God is not a sine extent Knudson's contention that his normally even if no absolute God exists. It qua non of true religion for Knudson. It theology is a genuine development of tra­ is taken as a matter of course that this is is desirable but not indispensible. ditional theism can receive our assent. To the only scientific procedure. But what then We have now seen that the root of the do this we inquire not about details but of Hocking's demand that the God conscious­ antitheistic tendency in Knudson's book is ,only about his theory of reality and his ness must come in at the very beginning of his uncritical assumption of the ultimacy theory of knowledge. our experience lest it do not come in at all? of finite personality. When in his work on A true theist must make God the highest Knudson is keenly aware of the fact that "The Philosophy of Personalism," he seeks interpretative category of experience and to teU us what the distinguishing character­ not every type of personalism can furnish he cannot do so unless God interprets at the the basis of a Christian theistic theology. istics of a true "typical theistic personal­ beginning as well as at the end of experi­ ism" are, he defines personality in general In order to make it as clear as possible ence. To say this is not a way "of com­ and afterwards makes his distinctions be­ that his personalism is' genuinely theistic, pletely escaping subjectivity," (p. 104) as he distinguishes it from several other types tween human and divine personality. It Knudson would have us believe. To have follows that this method precludes the pos­ of personalism. There is first of all the a truly empirical theology it is not neces­ . atheistic personalism of men like J. M. E. sibility of ever deriving at the conception sary first to study religious experience apart of an absolute God. God is then a species McTaggart. Then there is the pantheistic from God. The truly theistic position is personalism of Wm. Stern. These two are of a genus. If there are limitations in the also the truly empirical position. We may genus they will also be in the species. clearly antitheistic. But even of the say that Knudson has untheistically isolated theistic personalisms there are some varie­ human experience from God. It is this fact that God's personality can ties that are contrary to a true typical be no more than a species of the genus of theistic personalism. Of these he men­ The so-called experiential method is personality that comes most defin{tely to tions the absolutistic personalism of the definitely based upon "the autonomous the foreground when God's relation to time Hegelian'school, the relativistic personalism validity of our religiOUS nature." (p. 225.) is discussed. About this our author says of Charles Renouvier and the purely ethical Criticising the view of theology that teaches little and we wish he had said. much. Yet or teleolo'gical personalism 'of George H. it as a "doctrine de deo et rebus divinis, he says something directly and more indi­ lIowison. The absolutistic personalism does he tells us that, "It fails to see that in rectly which enables us to conclude that injustice to the reality of human person­ our day theology must be anthropocentric for Knudson, as for all other non-theists, ality. Relativistic personalism might better in its startingpoint." (p. 192.) So also the ·Universe is a more inclusive conception be called finitism because it will have no when the question of the origin of religion than God. We have already seen that for absolute at all. Purely ethical or teleo­ is discussed the author finds it a matter of Knudson religion consists of an attitude logical personalism denies the creation of total indifference what the origin of reli­ toward an ideal realm which is an aspect of man by God, gion may have been. "One might, like the the Universe. We may now note that for sage of whom Van Hugel tells us, trace the 'These exclusions on the part of Knudson Knudson man partakes of the essential na­ origin of religion back to 'the scratching would seem· to bring him' very near to ture of eternity and on the other hand God by a cow of an itch on her back: and yet Biblical theism. He rejects finitism and partakes of the essential nature of time. not undermine the religious belief of the absolutism because they fail to distinguish As to the former it is involved in the con­ day; or, on the other hand, one might find tention that in personality as such, there­ between the personality of God and the the ultimate source of religion in a primi­ fore human as well as divine, .is contained personality of man. Thus Knudson very tive revelation and yet leave it with as the final unity' that our experience needS. clearly means business with the conception little rational justification as ever." (p. (Philosophy of Personalism, p. 83.) In the of . personality. Moreover he rejects any 217.) But surely this is most too strange last analysis the finite personality does not view that wipes out the creation idea. Thus for words. Only upun the assumption of need God for knowledge. "The reality of Knudson wants God to be a higher per­ a complete metaphysical relativism could the soul or self or 'I' is the fundamental sonality than man. But does our author one make. such a statement consistently. presupposition of personalism; it is even a really take seriously the conception of .an If the universe has been created by God, more characteristic doctrine than the ex­ absolute personality? We are persuaded man's religion is dependent upon and even istence of a personal God." (Philosophy of that he does not. defined by that fact, while if religion might Personalism, p. 67.) have originated in independence of God its The author writes a good deal about .the But more important, if possible, is the definition cannot, even eventually, be prolegomena to theology. Nat.urally in SUch second point that God partakes of the essen­ formed by a reference to God. a discussion the question of. method is im­ tial nature of time. That this is the case portant. As to this. he tells us that We would not be understood as saying can best be realized if we study Knudson's "authoritarianism" is an "overcome stand- that for Knudson religion needs no objec- conceptions of creation and of incarnation. December, 1930 CHRISTiANiTY TODAY 13

As to creation he makes no very definite trine of the Trinity not a useless super­ Trinity into the fiux with the result that statement. He realizes that an eternally additum, but that it forms the fO)lndation no unity of any sort can ever be obtained. necessary creation would lead readily to of philosophy and theology. In the Trinity In conclusion, let us note again that the pantheism. But he thinks that perhaps all unity and plurality live in eternal harmony. author's doctrines about the Incarnation the purposes of religion may be served by But now note that according to Knudson and the Trinity followed necessarily from conceiving of creation as "eternal, yet free one of the members of the Trinity is or may his experiential startingpoint. If you begin and actuated by love." (Doctrine of God, be a "human personality." Thus the diver­ your investigation of reli.gion by assuming p. 369.) What this may mean I cannot sity factor consists of a temporal element. that finite personality has within itself suffi­ fathom. More definitely, however, does he The unity is no more than a unity within cent unifying power so that it need make tell us that just as it was true that in a Universe that is inclusive of both time no reference to an absolute God at the out­ man as well as in God, one can find the and eternity, of both God and man. Knud­ set, the reference made at the conclusion final principle of unity so it is equally true son has thought to make the Trinity do will be no more than a polite bow to a name. that in God's being as well as in man the genuine philosophic service by bringing it For Knudson, man is the standard of truth rationale of change must be found. "If God very close to us, but he has brought it so while for Christian theism, God is the stand· be thought of as a changeless substance, close to us that it does us no service at all. ard of truth. there would be no way of accounting for Worse than that, Knudson has brought the CORNELIUS V AN TIL the advancing cosmic movement. Changes in the world must be due to changes in its underlying cause. An unchanging cause could produce only an unchanging effect." (Doctrine of God, p. 316.) It is difficult to Letters to the Editor distinguish such a view from an outspoken metaphysical relativism. Time is made an [The letters printed here express the convictions of the writers, and publication in these ingredient element in God as well as in columns does not necessarily imply either approval or disapproval on the part of the man; the absoluteness of God has disap­ Editors. If correspondents do not wish their names printed, they will please so request, peared. but all are asked to kindly sign their names as an evidence of good faith. We do not print letters that come to us anonymously.] In more direct connection with Chris­ tianity, the same inherent temporalism ap­ To the. Editor of CHRISTIANITY TODAY: called you to a task, and my prayer is that pears in the author's view of the incarna­ SIR: I am sending you my check for a He may strengthen you for your labors, tion. He tells us that no religious purpose crown your efforts with victory, and may is served by the Chalcedonian creed which year's subscription to your paper. I have been preaching the kind of Christianity its your cry ever be "I am doing a great work endeavored to keep from intermixture the therefore I cannot come down." temporal and the eternal. The "impersonal columns express for over sixty years. Dur­ Sincerely yours, manhood" of Christ by which the Church ing the last nearly fifty years I have .been F. McAvoy. sought to safeguard the transfusion of God preaching it as the pastor of one, of the and man has for Knudson no Significance. oldest and most historic churches of Geneva Presbyterian Church, "We find it simpler and more satisfactory America, The First Baptist Church, New Chesley, Ontario. to think of him as 'a human personality York City. I feel I should like the monthly completely and abidingly interpenetrated tonic which the paper gives. May God To the Editor of CHRISTIANITY TODAY: bless you in meeting and antidoting, the by God's indwelling.''' (Doctrine of God, p. SIR: Those who are loyal to the West­ brilliant and superficial cynicism and square 421.) If now in this connection it be real­ minster Standards in the Presbyterian infidelity which operates under the false ized that Christ is conSidered to be no less Church, U. S. A., may awake to a more pretense of "Scholarship." divine for His being a "human personality," threatening, 'though obscure danger than Sincerely yours, it becomes still more difficult to call Knud­ anything that has occurred for a generation. son's position Christian or theistic, and to 1. M. HALDEJIUN. It is in connection with negotiations for dIstinguish it from metaphYSical finitism. New York, N. Y. union of Presbyterian denominations. It is upon the basis of this metaphYSical There is the possibility that the Confes­ relativism' that Christianity is regarded as To the Editor of CHRISTIANITY TODAY: sional Statement of the United Presbyterian standing in no more than a climactic relation SIR: I have been reading each issue of Church may be proposed as a substitute for to other religions. (po 109.) Christ is no your paper with increasing interest, and the Westminster Standards, for the doc­ longer the incarnate Son of God suffering finding in it the compiement of my own trinal basis of union of the two denomina­ in His assumed human nature for the sins thinking I am herewith enclosing my sub­ tions, United Presbyterian, and Presbyterian of man, but God Himself in the human per· scription for one year. CHRISTIANITY TODAY U. S. A. This appeared sufficiently clear, in son of Christ is the "chief of burdenbearers." has surely been born at a time of crisis a joint meeting of United Presbyterian and (po 413.) If this is not to mean that God is and if we in Canada prior to 1925 had such Presbyterian ministers in Pittsburgh, Nov. responsible fOll evil it must mean that evil a periodical perhaps the debacle called 24. The chief speaker disparaged tb,e West· is at least as original as God in which case Church Union might have been different. minster Confession, slighted its statement one has a finite god. And this accords with However, we got a sifting which perhaps of the doctrine of reprobation, and empha­ the author's statement that the "unsur· has done us much good and many of those sized the Confessional Statement of the passability," of Christianity has no more re­ who would likely have been a "thorn in the U. P. Church, as a basis of the union of ligious significance for us. (p. 114.) This fiesh" are with us no more. My own ob­ these two denominations. is true if God as well as we are brethren servation is that Modernism and Church Be it observed that this brief Confessional fighting side by side against an evil that Unionism are bedfellows, since only by a Statement omits the Calvinistic doctrine of exists independently of both in a Universe process of mental reservation can one reo reprobation or preterition. Here might that is greater than both. main even luke warm to the historic and come into play almost the whole series of Finally in the last chapter, on the Trinity, biblical standards of the Presbyterian masterly articles by that famous, former the author once more reveals to us that, Church.... The Presbyterian Church has New School theologian, Dr. Shedd, repub­ to him, God is brought down into th1ltem­ always had her "thin red line" and perhaps lished in his "Calvinism Pure and Mixed," poral fiux. He says, and we believe rightly through your paper you are mustering a "Defence of the Westminster Standards," so, that the Christian church has in its doc- yours. It is at least evident that God has particularly those unanswerable discussions 14 CHRISTIANITY TODAY December, 1930

about preterition. Passing strange it is lamentable shortage of new literature on the someone who, loving and revering Dr. Wil­ that the present danger occurs, since ever conservative side, with which to answer son, and at the same time discerning the increasing millions are singing hymns of liberal and radical argument. For instance, importance of the project herE) mentioned, preterition, in English and other languages, conservative Christian colleges are in need will be able and eager to furnish such a hymns having exactly the same Scriptural of textbooks on Bible study, in modern sum as will guarantee that, though Dr. Wil­ basis as the statement ofpreterition in our pedagogical form. And there are able son is gone from us, his works shall live Confession. Many. United Presbyterians in scholars on Westminster's Faculty nobly after him, and that the cause for which he our day have learned to sing them. For equipped to produce such works-if they lived and died shall be maintained in the instance, "Pass me not, 0 God my Father!" have not already written them. realm of religious literature. -preterition! The publication of technical works such DAVID DEFOREST BURRELL. In the past five years the United Presby­ as these, particularly when it involves the Williamsport, Pa. terians have circulated perhaps less than use of the various ancient languages, is expensive. Seldom or never is there any fifty copies of the Confession of Faith, but To the Editor of CHRISTIANITY TODAY: thousands of their brief Confessional State­ pecuniary profit derived from it. The SIR: Westminster Seminary was brought ment. How long, then, before that' denom­ whole matter is a labor of love. to the Kingdom for such a time as this. ination consigns the Westminster Standards It hap:Qens that just at "this time West­ The great need of the Church in this hour to oblivion? Are we to be maneuvered or minster Seminary is seeking the $500,000 is for expository preaching; not only men misled into the same situation? Let the endowment which is necessary, under equipped to defend the faith, but to pro­ conservatives of the Presbyterian Church Pennsylvania law, to secure'the privilege of U. S. A. promptly organize their protests. claim it as well. The Church cannot stand granting degrees. A small part of the nec­ with a compromising, halting ministry. Let them record their conviction that the essary sum has already been given by friends proposed union of U. P. and Presbyterians of the Seminary. It would seem peculiarly Men of conViction and passion <, to pro­ U. S. A. should be on the same basis only, appropriate that just at this moment an claim our divinely revealed message is the as that of the O1d and New School, the effort should be made to secure a consider­ need: Westminster Standards, pure and simple. able sum whose income would be applied to Westminster has been called of God to CHAS." E. EDWARDS. the publication, first, of manuscripts by the the ministry of providing such men. Pittsburgh, Pa. members of Westminster's Faculty, and sec­ The Session of the First Presbyterian ond, by other scholars friendly to the theo­ Church of Hollywood, unanimously and en­ logical position of that Seminary. The very thusiastically endorse the program of West­ first book published should be by the hand A Memorial to minster Seminary. of Dr. Wilson; and this particular fund ROBERT DICK WILSON should be called the Robert Dick Wilson God's blessing be upon it! Publication Fund. ' To the Editor ot CHRISTIANITY TODAY: STEWART P. MACLENNAN. Hollywood, Calif. SIR: Not often do men see courage such I am confident that 'there is somewhere as that of Dr. Robert Dick Wilson. The Minute adopted by the Faculty of West­ minster Seminary on the occaSion of his Home-going made mention of his willing­ ness, in leaving Princeton for Westminster, Questions Relative to Christian to be counted a fool for Christ's sake. The cost of his decision was greater, probably, than most men apprehend. For, far beyond Faith and Practice the loss of worldly prestige, or of money, was the pain of tearing up roots that had Our Relation to Christ sin conceived as guilt, pollution and power. sunk deep into the soil of Princeton. Let Apart from the sinner's inability (apart us not forget that. Editor ot CHRISTIANITY TODAY: from Christ), to do what is spiritually good! But there is another item of cost to be Why do you in yOU!' definition of "What is he is guilty and polluted-guilt expressing: figured. For some years Dr. Wilson and a Christian?" use the expression "religious" his relation to the justice of God while pollu­ my father discussed the possibility of se· as you do? You say "a C7wistian is one tion expresses his relation to the holiness of: curing funds for the publication of some of who stands in a religious relation to Christ God. and receives and rests, upon Christ alone tor Dr. Wilson's most important manuscripts. We agree with our correspondent-who­ salvation from the guilt and power of sin," What those manuscripts contain,-save that obviously approves our definition as far as, Why introduce the ambiguous term "I'eli· one is a most necessary and valuable study it defines a Christian as one who receives, gious relation" in such a tundamentai un· on Daniel,-I do not know; that informa· and rests in Christ alone for salvation­ folding ot saving tact? ... Do you sub· tion is in the hands of certain members of that the word "religious" as used today is sume "the pollution" ot sin undel' the the Westminster Faculty who have the often an ambiguous term; and yet we know "power" ot sin? manuscripts in their keeping. But I do of no better term to express the thought we know that my father held the same opinion Appreciating your noble w01'k, sincerely had in mind, viz" that a Christian stands of them that is held by these professors,­ C, E. A. in a relation to Christ such as he stands in that they would be invaluable in the defense relation to God. The need of stressing this of the Scriptures and ought to be published EFERRING to the last question first, thought in any definition of a Christian at once. Since my father's death Dr. Wil­ we would say that while we would be today is occasioned by the fact that for son has, I understand, added greatly to the R disposed to subsume the "pollution" of sin Modernists in general a "Christian" is one value of his manuscripts by his _recent under the "power" of sin rather than under for Whom Jesus is an example for faith but studies and conclusions, the "guilt" of sin, yet that we think it not the object of faith. In other words the But Dr. Wilson is not the only member would perhaps h&.ve been better if we had Modernist professes to believe like Jesus but of the Faculty whose manuscripts ought spoken of the Christian as receiving and he does not pretend to believe in Jesus. soon to see the light of day. There is a resting on Christ alone for salvation from Back of this attitude of the Modernist to- December/ 1930 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 15

ward Jesus 'is, of course, his belief that only that Jesus regarded the Old Testa· cult, if not impossible. to deal. except in Jesus was a God-filled man rather than the ment as altogether trustworthy but that a broad way. with the allegation that the God-man who as such is a proper object of when He did so Ha had in mind precisely "extreme claims of Fundamentalism" drive worship. Hence the need of stressing over those books that are included in the Old intelligent people away from religious faith. against the _Modernist the thought that Testament as ordinarily printed. Among Doubtless "Fundamentalism" like every Jesus was and is God as well -as man; and the Jews of Christ's day there were three other movement has its "lunatic fringe" and hence that His genuine disciples necessarily things that were esteemed peculiarly sacred: suffers from the fact that many confuse stand in a religious relation to Him, i.e., the Temple, the Sabbath, and the Scrip­ the views of this fringe with the views of in such a relation as they stand to God and tures. They found. fault with the attitude its representative exponents. If our in­ not merely in such a relation as they might of Jesus toward the Temple and the Sab­ quirer had specified the "extreme claims" he stand to one who is a man and only a man. bath; but there is nothing to indicate that had in view we could have expressed our they took any exception to His attitude opinion as to their tendency to promote or toward the Scriptures. Had He said a single hinder the progress of true religion; but in The Old Testament Canon word against the Old Testament which they the absence of such specifications we are not in a' position to pronounce any judg­ To the Editor of CHRISTIANITY TODAY: held in utter reverence we may be sure Is the statement true (which I have read that the reaction of the ever-hostile Jews ment. It is quite possible that what he recently) that "the Old Testament canon ';Vould have been as hostile as swift. The calls "extreme claims" we would look upon was not finally settled (even in the form only possible inference is that Jesus. like as claims that must be maintained if Chris­ we have it. ,omitting the apocrypha) until the Jews themselves. taught that the Scrip­ tianity is to be preserved; on the other hand about 90 A..D."? tures of the Old Testament are completely it is quite possible that we would fully trustworthy. share his view as to their harmful char- If true. is anyone justified in asserting In the absence of specifications it is diffi- that Ch~t gave His seal Of approval to eConcluded on page 23) "e,verything in the Old Testament"? Did the Apocrypha have a place in the Bible as He knew it? I do not ,know. but if it did. does not consistency requil'e the be­ liever in an "Infallible Bible" to think that Current Views and Voices the Apocryphal books. too. were endorsed by Christ? The Last General Assembly absolutely nothing of the character of a deliberative body. I think one is safe in I heard a deeply religious and earnest (As seen by the Rev. H. Clare Welker, Th.M./ of young college sedor say that the extreme saying that almost as much time was con­ Brighton, Colorado/ in his report to the Presbytery sumed in the friendly but rather meaning­ claims of Fundamentalism merely drove of Box Butte) some of his classmates farther away from less gesture of presenting and receiving FATHERS AND BRETHREN: religious faith. He himself. specializing in gavels-four of them to one moderator!-as a scientific branch. seems to have found Prompted fully as much by my feelings was occupied by all, the commissioners on firmer ground under his feet because of the of warm personal affection for the members the floor in presenting their views during temperate attitudes and strong faith held, of this body as by my sense of responsibility the whole course of the assembly. This by rndny whom you would probably consider to it. I beg leave to submit the following was not due to the fact that the commis­ dangerously modernistic. report on my attendance at the last General sioners had no convictions to express but Assembly as the ministerial commissioner of simply to the conditions under which the Yours sincerely. Box Butte Presbytery. assembly was held and. more especially. to A. B. I am sorry to have to say that. as a whole. the way in which things were engineered N our judgment it is not true that the the General Assembly of 1930 was a sad from the platform. Certain speakers on the I Old Testament canon was not closed disappointment to me. In the first place. platform were heard almost ad nauseam if until, 90 A.D. or thereabout. Rather we the auditorium in which the sessions were not ad infinitum'. Over and over again the think that the evidence is conclusive that held was almost entirely unsuited to the members of a little group. scarcely a score the Old Testament canon was closed. purposes of such a gathering. The building in number; made reports and spoke to them "finally settled... before Christ lived and was so compactly seated it was exceedingly or were accorded the privilege of the plat­ taught. Were this not the case. it would difficult for any except those on the ends of form for the purpose of promulgating their of course be true that no one is justified in the long rows to get in and out. This is of special views, but if a duly elected commis­ saying that Christ has set the seal of His special significance due to the fact that no sioner on the floor had a word to offer. he approval on the Old Testament in the pre­ 'commissioner could make himsE)lf heard had first to get the attention of the mod­ cise form in which we possess it. It is true from the floor so t~at if he were to say any­ erator,-a thing not always easy to do. also that if the Old Testament as Christ thing at all it was necessary for him to get Then he had to climb out over anywhere used it included the Apocryphal books. con­ out of his crowded quarters. make his way from one to a dozen fellow commissioners. Sistency would require those who accept the to the platform and speak befOre a micro­ make his way to the platform~ be intro­ Old Testament as part of God's holy Word phone. One can readily guess how few duced in due form and make his remarks on His authority to also believe that the commissioners would attempt this and how through a microphone and that with a time­ Apocryphal books are just as authoritative completely any general discussion was fore­ keeper at his elbow because the mere com­ as the books ordinarily sPQken of as Old stalled as a consequence. In addition to this, mon or garden variety' of commissioner was Testament books. We think. however. that fully one-third of the commissioners were ordinarily allotted only five minutes to here too the evidence is conclusive that the seated under a very low balcony where the speak on anyone subject. Apocryphal books had no place in the Old light was so dim one could read a printed In the third place. whenever matters Testament as Christ knew it; and hence that page only with difficulty. One of the com­ touching upon doctrine were acted upon' at While the testimony of Jesus is to the effect missioners had the temerity to request more all, which was not frequently, the matter that the Old 'Testament books. but the Old light but was rather shortly advised by the was always so handled by those in charge Testament books only, are a part of that moderator that all the light available was of affairs that the assembly invariably ,went divine Word that "cannot be broken." turned on. on record as favoring an unabashed modern­ It is quite certain, it seems to us, not In the second place. the assembly had ism if not an openly-avowed rationalism. 16 CHRISTIANITY TODAY December, 1930

This was due not so much to the fact that "official" magazine as edited by a man, who thing to do. Yet for reasons difficult, for the majority of the commissioners favored denies the necessity on the part of our Min­ some at least, to understand this action was such views as it was to the fact that the isters of belief in these fundamental doc­ strongly opposed by the new Board ot presentation was always so graciously subtle trines,-doctrines, the importa·nce of which Trustees and its wishes prevailed with the and the chance for discussion so limited has been so repeatedly affirmed by our Gen­ Assembly. that few of the commissioners had the op­ eral Assembly. portunity to grasp the significance of what A fourth thing which was a cause for was being done. And yet the effect was the sadness of heart was the almost total silence The Pastor and Detail Work same as if they had given hearty approval. of the assembly on the great essentials of This was especially the case in the matter From the American Lutheran the Christian faith,-confession, humility, of Dr. Henry Sloan Coffin's report on the sacrifice, and dependence upon God rather DECENTLY we came upon a pastor of a union of the churches of Scotland. In this than upon ourselves. True, there were re­ .1 \. fairly large city church folding form report he paid high tribute to the creedal peated references to Pentecost and the work letters, putting them into envelopes and basis of union and, sad to say, his re­ of the Holy Spirit but most of them were affixing stamps. His labors were in con­ port was warmly applauded. A single item merely incidental to something else. nection with a campaign conducted by his of that report in so far as doctrine. is con­ church. The man was busy, but we claim -eerned is sufficient to indicate with crystal By way of conclusion, permit me to mak~ that he was misdirecting his time and energy clearness what is in the offing. On the mat­ a few statements regarding the matter of and was occupied in work which should have ter of the authority of the Scriptures the Princeton Seminary. been delegated to some of his church mem­ following, according to Dr. Coffin, is the By action of the 1929 General Assembly a bers. Every Minister should, of course, be basis on which the union was effected. new Board of Trustees consisting of thirty­ humble enough to do any kind of work, but "We believe the Word of God contained in three members was elected to serve in the he has no business doing any kind· of work {italics the writer's) the Scriptures- of the future as the sole governing body in place in the church that others can do just as Old and New Testaments to be the sole rule of the two boards previously in control of well. The spiritual duties of his office are of faith and practice." the affairs of the seminary as soon as the so manifold and complex that they should engage all· of his time and attention. One has but to contrast this statement necessary amendments to the charter of the with that of our own statement, ''We believe seminary had been secured from the civil A Minister cannot do justice to his pulpit the Scriptures of the Old and New Testa­ authorities in a valid way. In the mean­ and to his pastoral Service if he spends ments to be the Word of God and the only time, the same group of men was elected to many hours of his valuable time in me­ infallible rule of faith and practice," to see serve as a temporary Board of Directors. chanical details which others could do. His that in effect these two articles are as far At the 1930 General Assembly this tem­ time is so valuable thai) any unnecessary apart as the poles,-as according to the for­ porary Board of Directors reported that diSSipation of it must be burdensome to his mer it rests with each subscriber to deter­ the proposed amendments had been secured conscience. -And while he is performing mine for himself just what amount or portion and that the new Board of Trustees was now these detail jobs members of his church are of the Word of God is contained in the functioning as the sole governing body of becoming· indifferent because they are as­ Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. the seminary. signed no place in the activities of the On the above report by Dr. Coffin, the church. Many of our good people want to .It chances, however, that there is grave help and stand ready to place time and General Assembly Daily News for Monday, question as to the legality of these amend­ June 2, 1930, comments as follows:- energy at the disposal of the church. We ments to the charter of the seminary and in admonish them to work in the kingdom and "It was a ringing report and was given view of the fact that Princeton Seminary fail to provide the opportunity to do any ~mthusiastic applause. Moderator Kerr com· . has assets in excess of five millions of dol­ work. In the meanwhile the pastor flits mented that Dr. Coffin's inspiring and im· lars, this constitutes an exceedhlgly im­ about feverishly, wearing himself to a passioned address was one of the most glow· portant consideration. Manifestly, if the frazzle with detail jobs, devoting a minimum ing features of a great occasion." new Board of Trustees has the power of his time to his sermons and the other The thing that is so sadly significant legally to amend its charter once in the spiritual duties of his office. His people about the whole matter is that by such manner in which these amendments have soon take his performance of these detail means our own Church is being prepared for been secured, it has power to do it any num­ tasks as a matter of course. They fail to union on a like basis with other denomina­ ber of times. If this be true, the General realize that for the sake of general con­ tions in our own country. Assembly has no effective control over the gregational welfare and efficiency the pastor seminary and it can readily be seen that A second action which was significant as should not be permitted to perform any tasks at some future time such amendments that someone else in the church can do. regards the matter of doctrine was that might be secured to the seminary's charter taken with reference to confirming the ap­ Every arrangement which will release his as would permit its assets to be diverted to time for the performance of his actual pointment of Dr. Wm. T. Hanzsche as uses diametrically opposed to the wishes of editor of the Presbyterian Magazine, in view pastOral duties is bound to redound to the the donors and even to the wishes of the welfare of the church. of the fact that he was a subscriber to the Presbyterian Church itself. Auburn Affirmation which denied the neces­ In a well·organized church. there are· usu· sity of belief on the part of Presbyterian This possibility was called to the atten­ ally plenty of jobs that might profitably Ministers in the infallibility of the Scrip· tion of the Assembly by Dr. Craig, a member be assigned to the laity. Often most of· the tures, the virgin birth, the sacrificial atone· of the former Board of Directors, with an jobs are loaded on to a few willing work­ ment, the bodily resurrection of Christ and urgent appeal that the new Board of ers and the rest of the tasks the pastor in the reality of the miracles. An objection Trustees be instructed by the Assembly to assumes. Ordinarily the pastor himself is to the confirmation of Dr. Hanzsche's ap· institute a friendly suit in the civil courts to blame. But his willingness to undertake pointment was raised by Dr. Craig but the to determine if the charter of the seminary every odd job that offersits€lf is not -con· latter was dealt with in rather summary and had been legally amended. In view of the tributing to the .efficiency of. the church nor certainly-unparliamentary fashion. The ap· showing by Dr. Craig that some of the most to the effectiveness of his ministry. He is pointment of Dr. Hanzsche was confirmed able attorneys of the State of New Jersey making himself a detail slave to the neg­ and some thousands of dollars were voted hold the amendments to the charter are not lect of his real office and .is training a set to make up the deficit in the budget of our legal, it would seem this is the only logical of congregational drones. December, 1930 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 11 News of the Church Interesting Facts of Churches and Ministers

Rev. J. Sidney Gould, New York to Tilla· Ordinations Presbyterian Church in U. S. A. mook, Ore.; Rev. C. P. Carlson, Hayfield, Minn.; Rev. C. W. Solomon, Karnes City, Tex. Oct. Churches Organized 26; Rev. W. M. Forsyth, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. Rev. Charles W. Kernan, as evangelist in First Church, Minneapolis, Kans. 5' Re~. A. T. Smith, Portland, Ore., stated Cooke Co., Tenn. Churches Disbanded supply at Klamath Falls, Ore.; Installations Rev. A. G. Miller, San Francisco, Cal. to Salt Creek, Colo. stated supply, Lakeview, Ore.; Rev. M. J. Murray, Faison, N. C.; Rev. Lane C. Findley,. Spencer Memorial Rev. P. C. Adams, Immanuel Church. Wil· Calls Church, Lemmon, S. D., Nov. 13; mington, N. C.; Rev. S. C. Pater, Gustine, Cal., Nov. 13; Rev. L. 1. Hill, Whiteville and Chadbul'll, Rev. John Murdock, Ojai, Cal. to First Rev. Chas. E. Evans, J. A. Henry Memorial N. C.; Church, Bakersfield, Cal.; Church, Phila.• Pa., Nov. 14. . Rev. H. H. Thompson, 1st Church, Bristol. Rev. Harold B. Cook to St. James Church, Tenn.• Nov. 16; . .Orosi, Cal. (deClines); Rev. Reginald Lowe, Moorhead, Miss., Oct, Rev. Roger F. Cressey, Corry, Pa. to Henry, Changed Addresses 13; Ill. Rev. Paul M. Watson, Griffin, Ga., Oct. 26; Rev. L. V. Schermerhorn, 4231 Jenifer, Rev. Jas. L. McGirt, Carrollton, Ga., Oct. 26; Calls Accepted N.W., Washington, D. C. Rev. W. G. Harry, Warm Springs, Ga., Nov. Rev. C. H. Reyburn, Mountain View, Cal. 2' Rev. Daniel S. McCorkle, Bearcreek, Mont. Re':. W. E. Crane, Porterdale, Ga. to Orll1€· to Conrad, Mont.; wood Church, Atlanta Ga., Nov. 2"; Rev. Ralph Orr, Belgrade, Mont. to Libby, Resignations Rev. W. M. Crofton, Rose Hill, Columbus, Mont.; Rev. Geo. M. Cummings, from Garden Me· Ga. Rev. John Pate, Libby, Mont., stated supply morial Church, Washington, D. C.; at Hot Springs, Mont.; Resignations Rev. D. D. Mitchell, LeRoy, Minn. to Hast­ Rev. Llewelyn Jones. from Moriah Church, ings, Minn.; Utica, N. Y. to take effect May 31, 1931; Rev. Wilbur M. Smith, 1st Church, Coving­ Rev. C. F. Geiger, Raymond, S. D. on or ton, Va.; Rev. Hugh K. Fulton, stated supply, Raw­ before April 1, 1930; Rev. J. C. B. McLaughlin, New Providence, lins-Parco, Wyo.; Tenn, Rev. E. W. Perry, Goldendale, Wash. to Rev. Wm. T. Paden, First Church, McIntosh, Kirkpatrick Memorial Community Church, S. D. on Dec. 15, 1930. Parma, Idaho; Rev. Lewis B. Hart, D.D. from Newman. Rev. Jasper R. Lamp, Emmett, Idaho; Cal. Presbyterian Church in Canada Rev. Stewart C. Potter, to First Church, Gustine, Cal.; Deaths Calls Accepted Rev. James A. Grant, Presbytery of Man­ Rev. Walter M. Sutherland, Lemon Cove, Rev. Robert Shemeld, Washington. D. C., Cal. to Chowchilla, Cal.; kato, U. S. A. to Erin and Ospringe,. Rev. V. Butler.. Mackinaw City, Mich.to Oct. 24. Canada; Mt. Hope Church, LanSing, Mich. Rev. John V. Mills, Dundalk and Ventry, Retirements Canada. Ordinations Rev. J. E. Blair, Winton, Cal. Inductions Rev. W. Clyde Wolfe, Ellsworth, Kans. Rev. H. S. Lee, St. Andrews, St. Lambert,. Rev. Donald J. Henry, stated. supply, Myton, Quebec. Utah. Presbyterian Church U. S. Changed Addresses Installations Churches Organized Rev. Edmund Barnes, Rupert St. Church. Rev. Wm. Pfantz, Kipp, Kans. to First Edmonton, Alberta. Church, Beloit, Kans.; First Church of Dickenson Co., Birchleaf, Rev. Homer Greene, Idana, Kans. to Culver, Va. Deaths Kans.; Rev. Jay C. Everett, Larned, Kans. to First Calls Rev. D. G. McQueen, D.D., LL.D., Edmonton,. Church, Minneapolis, Kans.; Alberta, Oct. 22. Rev. F. E. Piper, Rifle, Colo. Oct. 3; Rev. J. W. Hassell to Sequin, Texas; Rev. R. O. Gorden, Huntingdon, Tenn.; Rev. J. H. Pollard to Falfurrias, Tex. Rev. C. Levy Shelby, D.D., Greenfield, Tenn.; j" Reformed Church in the U. S. Rev. Daniel .J. Kerr, St. Paul, Minn. to " Calls Accepted Grant's Pass, Ore.; Calls Accepted Rev. Claude B. Protler, Portland Unity, to Rev. Geo. M. Matthews, Clinton, N. C. to Medford, Ore.; Durham, N. C.; Rev. F. K. Stucki, La Crosse, Wis. to Wau· Rev. D. T. Robertson, D.D., Fargo, N. D. to Rev. J. Irwin Knight, Holsten Valley, Tenn. kow, Ia.; Marshfield, Ore.; to Mt. Olive and Calypso, N. C.; Rev. L. A. Moser, Harvard, Nebr. to. Rev. John Burns, Brighton, Colo. to Cor· Rev. R. A. Lapsley, Jr., D.D., Columbia, S. C. Merengo, Ia.; vallis, Ore.; to 1st Church, Roanoke, Va.; Rev. P. J. Kohler, Alleman, Ia. to Harbine. Rev. M. S. Weber, Chicago, Ill. to Eugene, Rev. R. D. Bedinger, D.D., missionary to Neb. Ore.; . Africa. to Jackson, Miss.; Installations Rev. Grover C. Birtchet, D.D., Colombia, Rev. Geo. F. Swetnam, to Uniontown, Ala.; S. A. to Salem, Ore.; Rev. W. T. Pearman, Sparta, Ga. to Daw­ Rev. Ernest Gauder, Zion Church, Dawson,. Rev. A. G. Pearson, D.D., Idaho Falls, Idaho son, Ga.; Neb., Oct. 5. to Pendleton, Ore.; Rev. John H. Grey, Jr., Bedford, Va. to be Rev. Herman S. Reichard, D.D., Walla Walla college pastor, Lexington, Va.; to Central Church, Portland, Ore.; Rev. J. S. Smylie, Evergreen Church, Mem­ Reformed Church in America Rev. M. G. Montgomery, Parma, Idaho to phis. Tenn. to Central Church, St. Louis, Moreland Church, Portland; Mo.; Churches Organized Rev. Wm. L. Killian, D.D., Davenport, Wash. Rev. Wm. C. Colby, 1st Church, St. Charles, to Mizpah, Portland, Ore.; Mo. to Rumson, N. J. Church. First, Wynantskill, N. Y. 18 CHRISTIANITY TODAY December, 1930

Calls Accepted The Six Committees which had been ap­ salvation of souls from the guilt and power Rev. C. Dolfin, Firth, Neb. to Hingham, Wis. pointed submitted then reports to the con­ of sin, the growth of Christ-like qualities ference as a whole. After considerable dis­ of character and the development of those Changed Addresses cussion, and in some instances, modifications, powers which make for devoted and efficient Rev. John Black, Hagaman, N. Y. the mind of the conferees was expressed as service. The establishment of the Kingdom follows: of God in all the earth is the goal to be Deaths From the Report of Oommittee on Doctrinal attained. Rev. J. M. Lumkes, Holland, Mich., Oct. 20. Standards and Terms of Subscription. "In pursuit of its task to establish the reign of truth and righteousness on earth, Christian Reformed Church Questions to Be Put to Ministers Before Their the Church shuns all political alliances and Ordination or Admission to a Charge entanglements, and all other associations Calls that would tend to lower its spiritual tone Rev. W. Van Peursen, Hope Christian Re­ "1. Do you believe in one God-Father, and to subtract from its spiritual power. formed Church, Los Angeles, Cal. to 1st Son and Holy Spirit; and do you confess The Church seeks to Christianize human Reformed Church, Zeeland, Mich.; anew the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour life in all its phases and to bear faithful Rev. C. Groot, Brooten, Minn. to Hamshire, and Lord? Tex.; , and fearless testimony, through its indi­ Rev. Wm. Van Peursen, Zutphen, Mich. to "2. Do you believe the Scriptures of the vidual members, against every form of sin Lagrave Ave. Church, Grand Rapids, Mich. Old and New Testaments to be the Word and evil, and all that opposes the Kingdom of God. In the maintenance of the non­ Calls Accepted of the Living God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice? political and non-secular' character of the Rev. J. M. Voortman, Randolph, Wis. to Church, moral questions only, apart from Wright, Ia.; "3. Do you believe and acknowledge the their distinctive political implications, are Rev. Candidate B. Vanden Brink to Oost­ fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith burg, Wis.; proper subjects for its corporate action. Rev. M. Arnoys, Dutton, Mich. to E. Leonard professed by the, united ,ChurCh and con­ The Church carries on its great wor;k in St. Church, Grand Rapids, Mich.; tained in its Standards, as agreeable to, and behalf of 'all righteousness and equity, pray­ Candidate K. E. N. J. DeWaal Malefyt, founded on the Word of God, revealed in ing daily in the words of the Master, 'Thy , Leighton, Ia. to Edmonton, Alta., Canada; the Holy Scriptures? And do you engage ,Candidate N. DeVries, Grand Rapids, Mich. kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth to Zillah and Sunnyside, Wash. to adhere to, maintain and proclaim them? as it is in heaven."" Installations "4. Do you acknowledge and agree to Rev. R. J. Frens, Hanford, Cal., Oct. 1. the government and discipline of the united Committee on Polity of the Church Church? Changed Addresses In view of the subjects committed to the "5. Do you promise to give dutiful at­ :Rev. J. DeJonge, 1362 Quincy St., Long various sub-committees, the Committee on tendance upon the courts of this Church, to Beach, Cal. Church Polity defined polity, as referring submit yourself in the spirit of meekness to the governmental organization of the to the authority of this presbytery and the Church. United Presbyterian Church superior courts, and to follow no divisive courses, but to maintain according to your "As it is unreasonable to expect interpre­ Churches Organized ability the unity, purity and peace of the tation and elaboration of the Presbyterian 'Manhattan, Kans. Church? form of church government that will be wholly acceptable to the constituencies of "6. Have you been led so far as you know Calls the negotiating Churches, we believe that your own heart to. seek the office of the holy Rev. C. Spoelhof, Lodi, N. J. to Grand there must be a real spirit of faith in one ministry by zeal for the glory of God, love Haven, Mich.; another. Believing in the sincere deSire :Rev. J. L. Van Tielen, W. SayVille, N. Y. to for the Lord Jesus Christ, and desire for of all our brethren in' this union effort to Hoboken, N. J. the salvation of men? promote the Kingdom of God, we present the Changed Addresses "7. Do you promise to be diligent in the following basic 'principles, and recommend 'Rev. W. L. Kennedy, Santa Anna, Cal. cultivation of personal piety, endeavoring to that they be recognized and transmitted to adorn your profession by a course of life all the negotiating Churches as a declara­ becoming the gospel and the ministry of tion of the fundamentals of Church polity: Church Union Christ? "1. That the Lord Jesus Christ is' the "OFFICIAL representatives of five bodies "8. Are you now willing to take the supreme and sole Head of the Church. , of the Presbyterian and Reformed charge of this congregation agreeably to "2. That the Word of God is the ultimate Church family met in the First United your declaration at accepting their call? source and authority in Church govern­ Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, Pa., on And do you promise to discharge the duties ment. November 12 and 13, and adopted a partial of a pastor to them, as God shall give you report planning organic union of The Pres­ strength?" "3. That the Church's nature, relation byterian Church in the U. S. A., The Pres­ and function are spiritual, and spiritual byterian Church in the U. S., The United Committee on the Spirituality of the Church only. Presbyterian Church of North America, The "We declare the union of the Reformed "4. That witnessing for Christ is the Reformed Church in the U. S., and The continuous business of the Church. Reformed Church in America. As a basis Churches holding the Presbyterian system ,of the proposed union, the existing stand­ to be based on the teachings of the Holy "5. That the evangelization and Chris­ ards of the five bodies were approved, as Scriptures as set forth in those portions of tianization of the world is the aim of the follows: The Westminster Confession, The their Standards which define the spirituality Church. Larger and Shorter Catechisms, The Doc­ of the Church. "6. We accept and practice the Presby­ trinal Statement of the United Presbyterian "The Church of Christ, under the guid­ terian system as the method or form of Church, The Heideroerg Catechism, The ance and throl!f,h the power of the Holy Church organization and government, be­ Canons of the Synod of Dort, and The Belgic Spirit, is entrusted with a distinctively lieving it to be in harmony with. the Scrip­ , Confession. spiritual mission. It has to do with the tures. December, 1930 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 19

''We believe the books of government of "1. That we discover nothing as far as cancelled its appropriation. Despite denials the negotiating Churches to be in harmony these educational institutions are concerned to the contrary it is asserted by the China with these principles. to act as an insuperable or even serious ob~ Sunday School Union that this drastic step stacIe to the union of the Churches. "In creating a book of government for the was taken in order to silence its witness to united Church, we recommend that the fol­ "2. That for the strengthening and more the great doctrines of the Christian faith in lowing provisions be made: effective service of these' institutions a the interests of Modernism, and this asser­ union of thA Churches will be advantageous. tion is backed up by abundant material from "1. Congregations holding the consis­ the files of the China Union. torial form of organization as practiced by "3. That a comprehensive unified program The Union was created by the act of the the Reformed Church in the U. S. and Re­ of Christian education can be more easily formed Church in America, shall have the and naturally carried out following a union Centenary Missionary Conference, held in right to retain their present form of or­ of the Churches. Shanghai in 1907. Three years later, by the aid of the World's ASSOCiation, it was ganization, and new congregations organized "4. That meanwhile the Committee on thereafter may at their own choice adopt able to secure a full time secretary in the Education of the Western Section of the person of the Rev. Elwood G. Tewksbury, the consistorial form of organization or that Alliance, in line with authority already practiced by the Presbyterian Churches. who had previously served about seventeen given, be urged to undertake at once a com­ years as a missionary of the American "2. Presbyteries or classes as existing plete survey of the whole field of Christian Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mis­ at the time of union shall not be merged or education as it relates to our Presbyterian sions. Although other organizations, notably their boundaries or membership altered with­ and Reformed Churches and propose recom­ the Stewart Evangelistic Funds, have con­ out their consent." mendations based thereon." tributed liberally to the Union, the uninter. rupted help of the World's Association has Committee on Boards and Agenc:ies Committee on Property Rights been no small factor in enabling the Union "Your committee would respectfully re­ "Your Committee on Property Rights re­ to render increasingly large service. Mr. port as follows: spectfully reports as follows: Tewksbury has proven himself an able and wise administrator, and has done a great "1. After hearing detailed statements "At this time, without having before it work. from the representatives of the different the recommendations of the other com­ denominations, your committee has dis­ mittees with respect to the basis of a union Doctrinally the China Union has always covered a remarkable Similarity in the of the several Churches concerned, It is adhered to what is known as the "common _ Boards and Agencies that have been set up impossible for your Committee on Property zone" policy. The fact that the China Com· by our Presbyterian and Reformed bodies Rights. to make a report in any detail, for mittee had upon it representatives of dif­ for' carrying on the Church's work. the reason that it does not have before it ferent denominations made it necessary to define the doctrinal limits within which it "2. Should these denominations .decide the. specific questions invol'ved. We accord­ should move. Accordingly it was early re­ to unite organically, it is our opinion that ingly confine this report to a statement of solved that "The C.S.S.U. Committee is there is nothing in the present organization general principles underlying such a union. representative as regards its literature, o()f their Boards and Agencies that would· "When a basis of union has once been which emphasizes· those aspects of Biblical present any real obstacle to their consolida· agreed upon and such a basis of union has truth which. are held in common by the tion. been approved by the governing bodies of churches of the larger denominations and the respective Churches, in accordance with "3. In the event of the organic union of are contained in their Standards and the procedure established by their respec· these bodies, it is our opinion that these' Declarations." Notwithstanding the clear tive constitutions, then the several Churches agencies can be so united as to preserve realization that many in the cooperating involved in the union may be merged and the individual interests of each, increase churches did not believe the doctrinal stand­ united into one Church, under such name their efficiency, and reduce the cost of their ards of their own organizations, the Union as may be agreed upon, and such united administration. consistently maintained a strong witness to Church will succeed to and become vested the truth of the Gospel. Its literature was "4. Should the committee decide to go with all of the property rights and powers all of an evangelical, conservative nature. forward in this endeavor, we recommend of the constituent Churches. It must be But this, naturally, did not satisfy the that representatives of their different understood, of course, that if any of the Modernist element_ Therefore, at the Boards and Agencies be called together to Churches hold property subject to a specific Jerusalem Missionary Conference in 1928, work out the details for their consolidation. trust, such a trust must be respected and Drs. Weigle and Diffendorfer of the World's its terms complied with. "5. As a concrete illustration of how they Sunday School Association Committee called can be combined, we submit for your con­ "In working out the details of the union, Dr. Lyon of the China Committee into con­ sideration: many problems on property rights I may sultation regarding the matter_ Later, Dr. arise, but your c019mittee are of the opinion "'A proposal to create a central board to Lyon Issued a statement In which it was that there are. no legal barriers in the way administer the foreign missionary work of clearly implied that if the China Union did of consummating any union that may be the Reformed and Presbyterian family of not change its "common zone" doctrinal agreed upon." Churches in the U. S .. June, 1919,' substitut· policy so as to issue literature favored by ing In the plan the new Church as or­ .. Modernists as well as conservative litera­ ganically united for the Alliance of Re­ The Heroic Stand of the Bible Union ture, there might be established another formed and Presbyterian Churches." union organization which would pursue the of China Against Modernism desired policy. NotWithstanding this threat, Committee on Educ:a!ional Institutions OR twenty years the China Sunday for such it was clearly seen to be, the China Committee later in the same year "The committee of the joint conference School Union has been one of the co­ passed the following resolution: "that the of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches operatingF units of the World's Sunday Executive Committee of the China Sunday meeting In Pittsburgh on November 12, School Association. Annually it has re­ School Union reaffirms the present policy 1930, appointed to consider the bearing of ceived a grant of $4,000 per year from the the educational institutions of the con­ latter body as a partial aid in the carrying of the Union." stituent bodies on Church Union, reports as out of its work. Recently the World's Asso­ At the last Quadrennial Convention of follows: ciation has severed this relationship and the World's Sunday School Association, the 20 CHRISTIANITY TODAY December, 1930

Rev. R. M. Hopkins, D.D.,. was ele.cted Gen­ "1. That the present Constitution of the "'That the China Sunday School Union eral Secretary of the American Section. China Sunday School Union requires that go forward under its present Constitution After his election, Dr. Hopkins proceeded to two-thirds of its membership shall be 'elec­ and the Policy which is well-known both to China that he might study the Sunday tively representative of the Evangelical de­ its constituency and its supporters.' School situation. After many interviews nominations or churches, the remaining one­ "The Committee understand that this ac­ with individuals and groups, he presented third to be co-opted annually by the Com­ tion refers to the intention of the China certain suggestions to the China Committee: mittee itself.' .•. The mission and church Sunday School Union to serve the churches regarding literature, revision of the con­ representatives on this Committee repudiate of China under its present Name and with stitution, and retirement of the General ..• implications that their appointing the Aim and Functions, viz., Literature, Secretary. These suggestions were carefully bodies were not free agents in this matter. Education, Evangelism and Extension, etc., considered. It was obvious that they were "2. That the China Sunday School Union as specified in Articles I and II of its Con­ made with the idea of making the Union has voted to go forward under a general stitution and that the Union continues to representative of all shades of doctrinal Co=ittee elected as per its Constitution welcome the co-operation of mission and thought. At an executive meeting of the provided it is stipulated and clearly under­ church bodies interested in carrying out its Committee called to decide the matter, it stood that it will continue, as in the past, well-known policy of emphasizing those was voted "that this meeting recommend to conserve and 'emphasize those aspects of aspects of Biblical truth which are held in •.• that, when considering any proposed Biblical trut'h which are"held in common common by the churches of the larger de­ changes in the.. " Constitution of the China by the churches of the larger denominations nominations and are contained In their Sunday School Union, it be understood, that and are contained in their standards and Standards and Declarations. the China Sunday School Union adheres to declarations.' "RESOLVED: that the Rev. E. G. Tewks­ the policy and present practice, known as "The China Sunday School Union sees bury be ,heartily invited to continue as the the 'common zone policy,''' At a later meet­ clearly that the maintenance of this policy General Secretary of the China Sunday ing, the revision of the constitution desired is the only way in which a Union Sunday School Union. by Dr. Hopkins, in that it was understood School organization can be 'the servant of "RESOLVED: that the China SUnday to leave the doctrinal policy an "open ques­ the churches> iil China,' if the greatest num­ School Union hereby records its appreciation tion" to be determined from time to time ber of the church and mission bodies are to of the distinguished and efficient service to by a changing committee, did not secure be included. The China Sunday School the cause of Chl1'ist in China, rendered by sufficient support for adoption. At this Association therefore insists that this doc­ the Rev. E. G. Tewksbury. He came to time it was announced that the China In­ trinal policy be considered as a closed China under the American Board in 1890 land Mission, the largest mission body in question. If it should be left open, some of and for the last twenty years has served as China, would withdraw if the doctrinal the largest bodies in China would cease to the China representative of the World's .policy were made an "open question." In cooperate. In spite of Dr. Hopkins' asser­ Sunday School Association. spite of the intimation of Dr. Hopkins that tion in his Report that 'the issue before us "We of course recognize the abstract right he would find it difficult to recommend the therefore is not one of doctrine,' we definitely of the World's Sunday School Association . continued cooperation of the World's Asso­ state this is the only unresolvable issue. to discontinue Mr. Tewksbury's relation to ciation unless the church and mission groups "Inasmuch as the doctrinal issues in­ the American Unit of the World's Sunday were given full power to determine the doc­ volved were made clear to Dr. Hopkins on School Association. We WOUld, however, trinal policy from time to time, it was his recent visit to China, the conditions call attention to the fact that he was jointly voted "that the China Sunday School Union which the World's Association have made called to the China work by the World's go forward under its present Constitution regarding the ·continuance of its grant, can Sunday School Association and the China and policy which is well known both to its only be interpreted as a demand that the Sunday School Committee, and moreover in­ constituency and supporters." China Sunday School Union hold its historic structed by the World's Sunday School Asso­ Dr. Hopkins returned to New York, and and unifying doctrinal policy as an open ciation to serve under the direction of the at the meeting of the Board of Managers of question. This, the Co=ittee is not pre­ China Committee. This he has faithfully the World's Sunday School Association, pared to do. done and until the present Action of the American Section, Dr. Tewksbury was dis­ "It must be distinctly understood, how­ American Section of the World's Sunday continued as Secretary as of April 30, 1930, ever, that the China Sunday School Union School Association, no cause of complaint with a few scanty words of polite apprecia­ approached the problem of reorganization had been brought against him before this tion, transportation to America being offered with an open mind, and 'in fact in Com­ Committee by any co-operating church or him within six months, but no penSion being mittee-of-the-whole while Dr. Hopkins was mission body. The decision of the American allowed him after his long years of dis­ present, considered favorably most of the Unit to discontinue him as theIr representa­ tinguished service. His dismissal was suggestions made by him, but failed finally tive, without retirement allowance, with docketed as beng due to his "expressed in­ to adopt them because it became eVident only three and a half months' notice, and ability ... to fully represent the World's that the changes suggested would leave the even making return travel to the U. S. A. Sunday School Association..." and the Union's doctrinal policy an open question available only on condition that he leaves· committee expressed "its deep regret that and possibly place a group in control not China before July-this seems strangely in­ he has found himself out of accord with the in sympathy with that policy. consistent with what we understand to be fundamental policies involved in the work "3. That as regards future grants from the policy of the World's Sunday School of the World's Sunday School Association." the World's Sunday School Association, we Association in dealing with their Field At the same meeting, further financial sup­ fail to understand why a world's association Secretaries on a 'missionary' basis. We know port was conditioned upon the reorganiza· that is understood to represent the churches of no large Mission Board that would thus tion of the Union in accordance with the of Evangelical Christendom, can refuse to drasticaliy treat a miSSionary who is in desires of the ASSOCiation. . co-operate with an organization in mission good and regular standing. On receipt of the news of the Action of lands, whose operations in the future as in "It is to be noted, moreover, that the ac­ the American Section of the World's Asso­ the past twenty years, are based upon the tion taken by the World's Committee not ciation, the China Sunday' School Union Standards of these very churches. only' affects Mr. Tewksbury personally, but--­ met and passed a number of resolutions, in "RESOLVED: that the China Sunday can only be interpreted as directly intended part as follows: School Union hel eby reaffirm the vote taken to weaken the only union Sunday School "RESOLVED: that in reply ... we point at its meeting November 27, 1929, which organization in China, not only financiallY out: read as follows: but as regards its secretarial staff, and that Decemberr 1930 C H R 1ST I A NI T Y TO DAY 21

almost immediately, and at the very time the SUlLelay school organization in China in self-governing and able to develop their own when the cause of Christian Religious Edu­ the hands oj the dogmatists while they 01'­ character and mission in their visible com­ cation in China demands the most urgent ganizc a new body oj their o'wn, But the munion by their acceptance of a common assistance/' point is, that this deciSion has only come bona of faith and order. It will be noted that it is the- contentkm now, after the revolution in China has been "After it is achieved," he added, "we shall of the World's Association--thatno doctrinal under way for years; it is a belated attempt see, :maybe in our own time, a return to issue is involved, while the China Union to catch up with a procession that is already that form of viSible Unity which marked the claims that the changes in policy demanded far down the road. undivided church before Christendom was as a condition of further support would be "The organization of a new Sunday School scattered into its various fragments. There such as to completely alter the doctrinal movement in China is a beginning of an is only one cloud. There is no place at stand of the Union, and allow the produc­ attempt to win back a battle almost lost. present for the largest and greatest Chris­ tion of literature acceptable to Modernists But it is only a beginning. If this battle tian 'community, the Church of Rome. as well as literature of an orthodox and is not to be thrown away, some grim facts "The door which was open.ed in 1920 (by positive character. In this connection it must be faced, and some daring decisions the Lambeth conference oiiiiat year) is the will interest the readers of CHRISTIANITY must be made. The fact must be faced that door' which leads along a definite road TODAY to know that the Christian Century, more than half the missionary force. in China • toward a definite ideal." High Priest of Modernism among the reli­ and on other fields is a handic{Jp to the The Archbishop of York declared that the gious press, views the issue as frankly one Christian cause. Not because ot any slight­ task: of the Lambeth conference was "no of doctrine. In an editorial published in est shortcoming in purity and devotion of long~r one of issuing a general call to the issue of March 12, 1930, and entitled life, but in identifying Christianity with a unity," but has reached a stage of "definite "Can 'Christian Missions be Saved 1" it says day already departed, these consecrated negotiations." in part: (Italics ours) people are doing what they can to make The fact that the Archbishop of the estab- ' "To make concrete the situation as it ac­ Christianity's triumph impossible. They stand for the status quo-theologically, lished Church of Protestant England could tually is, we invite attention to the present speak of the Church of Rome as "the larg­ condition of the missionary enterprise 'in pOlitically, socially-some more than others, est and greatest Christian community" has China. We speak now, bear in mind, of th!tt Qut all sufficiently to link their whole serv­ caused many 'comments and severe con­ enterprise considered a whole. There are ice with the cause of reaction... _" demnation by those who insist upon the missionaries, there are missions, there Latest advices from China are to the ~re maintenance of the Protestant character of Chinese Christians who are trying des­ effect that the attack anticipated by the the .Church of England. perately to make Christianity an appreciable Christian Century is developing. The first influence in revolutionary China. But when of the World's Sunday School deputation, Christianity is considered as the' Chinese the Rev. J. L. Corley, D.D., of the Methodist Rome Versus the Jews see it, it must be remembered that it con­ Episcopal Church, has arrived on the scene It"CE the announcement on the part of sists far more 1argely of such elements as to study the situation, with a view, it is the British government of its Changed are placed in China by the Roman Catholic said, to the formation of an all inclUSive S policy with regard to Jewish colonization in Church, the China Inland Mission, the vari­ Religious Education Council. This council Palestine, the belief has been expressed in ous 'faith' missions, the ultra-conservative is expected to do the work that the China certain well-informed quarters that the Lutheran and southern fundamentalist de­ Sunday School Union would not do except Church of Rome, having deSigns on Pales­ nominations, than of anything else . ..• on a definite doctrinal basis. This, how­ tine. as a possible mandate under the "The ,situation is strikingly epitomized' in ever, cannot be fully "representative" as Leake of Nations to be administered by the a single recent issue of the Chinese Re­ desired so ardently by the World's Asso­ corder . .. _ ciation, as it will lack representatives from Papal state, was indirectly responsible for the British change of front. The CMistian "Aild in another part of the same paper the conservative elements. The net result of London, says: there is a discreet, but revealing account' of of the agitation will be to divide the Sunday the ineffectual attempt to rescue the work School forces of China into two groups, each "In a certain degree the strained situation of the China Sunday School Union from the avowedly standing for a different kind of in Palestine has been eased, but it cannot fundamentalism which has controlled it. teaching than the other. It will be a mat­ be said that any change of policy has been "This latter situation merits more than ter of congratulation to conservatives gen­ announced on the part of the Government. passing consideration. It is another ex­ erally to know that evangelical men and Nevllrtheless, it is something to the good ample of what happens when a reputedly women in China and throughout the whole tha~ last week the Colonial Office empowered united effort reduces itself to the lowest world are rallying to the _aid of those who the' Palestine Goyernment to issue fifteen common denominator basis. Up to the pres' count the reproach of Christ as of more hundred permits under the Labour Schedule ent moment, the attempt to instruct the value than ~he praise of men, and that the for iJewish immigrants to enter Palestine youth of China in Christian ideas, as car­ C~ina Sunday Sc~ool Union will continue during the next six months. Last May a ried on in the Christian Sunday schools, is unabated its noble witness to the truth. number of certificates issued under this in terms of a dogmatic that is completely sphedule were cancelled, to the extreme per­ opposed to every principle of -knowledge Rome as Viewed by the Primate turljation of the Jewish people. As indicat­ that young China is absorbing' in that -,na­ ing; the unrelenting spirit of the Arab tion's new schools. Because of the effort of All England leaders",. it is announced that they have to have no single word in any Sunday Schbol HE prospect of a great union of Chris­ urged the British Government to stand by literature that might offend the most deter­ T tian churches "maybe in our own time" the position (obviously hostile to the Jews) mined heresy hunter among the fun'da­ was discussed by the Archbishop of Canter· promulgated in the recent White Paper. mentalist missionaries-and China has a bury on Nov. 13, in addressing the lower Another element causing anxiety finds ex­ good many of them-the Sunday schools, House of the Convocation of Canterbury' at pression in a letter just to hand from a well­ Which should be equipping new Christians Westminster. informed Palestine correspondent. Writing for a new day, have been living in a bygone "The prospect is opening .up before our to us, that correspondent says :-- age. Some of the mission boards have at eyes," he said, "of groups of churches in all "~We are passing through a period of ex­ last awakened to this situation, under the parts of the world, Angelican, Orthodox, Old citement, in virtue of' the White Paper prodding of the World's Sunday Sc7iool Catholic, national churches like that of issued concerning the Jewish and Arab ques­ Association, and are now planning to leave Sweden and new churches which will be tion. It seems to me that this is a sop to 22 CHRISTIANITY TODAY December, 1930

the Cerberus of Rome, designed to ease the under Christian auspices during their and Mrs. Howard Taylor were also guests Malta question for politicians. While the preparatory course, and thus Wheaton of the College at the same time and contrib­ Jew is' to be restricted from the purchase of Academy is attracting an increasing num­ uted much profit and blessing. The week land, the Latins, Greeks, and Armenians ber of young people. Many individuals of was begun with a day of fasting and prayer. may buy with all facility. The question is, mature years who are unable to complete Dr. Lewis. Sperry Chafer, President of the Rome versus the Jew; all else is a cloak.' their work in the public high schools find College, spent the summer vacation in the "This point of view is not wholly new. that the Academy provides a congenial at­ British Isles and Belgium, delivering 130 For some years past it has been clear that mosphere where this may be done. conferences addresses during his visit. At Rome has been exerting a malevolent in­ That true Christian education is still the opening of the fall semester announce­ fiuence, in the hope of defeating Jewish as­ popular among thousands of people through­ ment was made of the gift from an eastern pirations and furthering other designs. That out the country, is evidenced by the enroll­ donor of a $23,000.00 property which com­ the politics of Malta have played a part in ment of conservative colleges and Bible pletes an entire block frontage for the the White Paper business is, however, a institutes_ campus. The advance enrollment for 1931 new element in the Palestine problem."- is heavy. Evangelical Theological. College Wheaton College HE I Evangelical Theological College, CANADA HEATON College, Wheaton, Illinois, Dallas, Texas, opened its seventh annual T Conference With the United Church interdenominational, has attracted an session September 27 with dormitory space. increasingW number of students during the for both single and married students taxed, y authority of a resolution of the Gen­ past few years, the enrollment having with a number of students quartered out­ B eral Assembly, a meeting of repre"i,enta­ doubled in five years' time. For three con· side the College buildings. Dr. Alexander tives of Evangelical Churches was called for secutive years it has not been possible to B. Winchester, "Minister Extra Muros" of October 14th in Knox College Board Room. accept all of the students that have applied Knox Presbyterian Church, Toronto, Can­ The Assembly's resolution recorded its for /admission, due to the limitation of en· ada, preached the .opening sermon. Since "readiness, consistent. with its practice, to rollment. Six hundred and twenty-three the beginning Dr. Winchester, who was one meet in conference with representatiYes of students were registered in September, com­ of the originators of the movement which other evangelical bodies, upon matters of ing from approximately forty states and fif­ eventuated in the founding of the College, common interest to them in thei~ prosecu­ teen foreign countries_ One hundred and has been a member of its faculty as asso­ tion of the woikof the Kingdom of Jesus fifty-two of this number are members of the ciate professor of English Bible Exposition. Christ." The only response to this appeal senior class, and candidates for the After an absence of two years -due to ill' was a delegation from the United Church bachelor's degree. Of the new students ad­ health this scholarly and faithful man of of Canada. The committee appointed by mitted, sixty came with advanced credits God was welcomed warmly by students and the Assembly consisted of: The Moderator, from other colleges and universities. This faculty as he resumed his October schedule Dr. Baird, Dr. A. S. Grant, Dr. D. R. Drum­ is especially significant, since the majority of class room lectures. He is succeeded in mond, Dr.' George E. Ross, Dr. Robert of these came from state universities and the seriatim Bible courses for November and Johnston, Dr. James Wilson, Dr. L. B. Gib­ secular colleges where little or no attention December by Dr. George E. Guille, Presi­ son, Dr. S. Banks Nelson, Rev. W. Barclay, is given the spiritual development of the dent .of Bryan Memorial University, who, Rev. W. F. McConnell, and Mr; Jas. Rodger. students. like Dr. Winchester, has been an associate Upon Dr. Baird intimating that the com­ Two hundred and five students make up professor of English Bible Exposition since mittee was ready to hear from the United the freshman class. A vocational survey the establishment of the College. When Dr. Church, Dr. Oliver, Moderator of the"United made among the members of this group Guille accepted the presidency of the Bryan Church, called upon Dr. Cochrane, Home revealed the fact that fifty-four are looking University he made provision to remain on Mission Secretary, who raised the question forward to entering the teaching profession, the faculty of the Evangelical College also. of overlapping, and Dr. Laird who intro­ and fifty-two are planning to devote their Two new members of the resident faculty duced the matter of distribution of estates lives to the Christian ministry and to mis­ began work this fall. Rev. Ellwood M. and legacies in dispute between the two sionary activities. Schofield, A.M., Th.B., heads the department Churches and suggested the appointment of The departments of science, as well as of New Testament Literature and Exegesis. a committee of each Church to deal with the other departments of the college, are An alumnus of New York University, Prince­ such. Upon hearing these gentlemen, and headed by men with the highest type of ton Seminary and the Graduate College of no other person from the United Church scholastic training, holding degrees from Princeton University, Professor Schofield intimating .the desire to be heard, Dr. Baird the country's strongest universities. These continued his studies at the University of stated the hearing was over and if further men find no confiict between true science Berlin and finished the residence work for conference were necessary the United and Christianity. the Doctor of Philosophy degree in the grad­ Church would be advised. The committee A survey of twenty-one Illinois liberal uate department of the Louisville Baptist having deliberated, announcement was arts colleges revealed the fact that ten of Seminary. Rev. Wick Broomall, A.M., made, by special delivery letter, to the this number experienced a decrease in en­ Th.M., of Birmingham, Alabama, accepted United Church as follows: "That having rollment during the past year_ Of those the call to the departments of Biblical In­ heard a deputation from the United experiencing an increase, Wheaton College troduction and Semitic Languages and Old Church of Canada, this committee resolves ranked the highest, with a gain of one hun­ Testament Exegesis. Professor Broomall is that a communication be sent to the United dred and eleven students, or twenty per cent an alumnus of Maryville College and Prince- . Church of Canada, stating that, owing to over the preceding year. It is apparent ton Seminary. He won his graduate degrees the action of the last General Assembly, from this fact that conservative Christian at Princeton Seminary and Princeton Uni­ they are not in a position to discuss over­ education still makes a strong appeal to a versity. lapping; and that the Church also be ad­ great many people throughout the country. The faculty and student body haye just vised that, as the settlement of legal matters Wheaton College Academy, the prepara­ experienced a great spiritual uplift through is now attended to by a committee, the ap­ tory department of the College. also has a the presence and addresses of Mr. D. E. pointment of another committee is not, in record enrollment this year, with a total Hoste of London, Genera! Director of the their opinion, necessary." of one hundred and ten students. Many China Inland Mission, who spent a week This deliverance covered the only mat­ parents are anxious to place their children stopping on his way east from China. Dr. ters presented by the United Church. It December, 1930 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 23

was very remarkable that, notwithstanding is not to say that all men who are "modern­ their oft expressed desire for conference, istic" in their thinking are non-Christians; the question of the name, The Presbyterian but it is to say that "Modernism" in all its Church in Canacla, was not raised, nor the The Editors of Christianity Today consistent forms of expression is something Census to which such exteIld~ed reference other than Christianity in any proper sense was made in the 1929 Year Book of the desire to take this opportunity of of the word. We rejoice when men reject United Church. In speaking about over­ "the extreme claims" of Fundamentalism lapping Dr. Cochrane did not refer to the wishing a blessed Christmastide provided this leads them to get "firmer many instances of intrusion by the United ground" under their feet; but let us not Church into territory previously occupied and a happy New Year to their forget that the only really firm ground upon wholly by The Presbyterian Church in which any man can stand, religiously speak­ Canada, nor to the competition within the many friends and well wishers ing, was pointed out by Paul when he said: United Church of which complaint has been throughout the world. "Other foundation can no man lay than made to its last General Council, and from that is laid which is Jesus Christ." The which union was expected to provide a com­ Athenians were "deeply religious" but that plete deliverance. fact brought no satisfaction to the soul of Concerning the attempt of the United Paul. Church to have all those who record them­ selves as Presbyterians listed as belonging The Old Testament Canon to the United Church of Canada, The Mrs. Kennedy's Generous Gift Presbyterian Record, Toronto, remarks: (Conclucled frorn Page 15) "However praiseworthy the purpose of a acter. It is. possible, for instance, that our HE recent bequest of Mrs. John S. Ken­ religious denomination to seek accurate inquirer has in mind the claim of Funda­ Tnedy, of New York, to Union Theological registration for its own people, it should be mentalism that the Bible is infallible. We Seminary of Richmond, has reminded friends content with that. Not so the United believe that this claim, when properly un­ of the seminary that during her lifetime Church, for it is moving far beyond that derstood, is well-grounded and so cannot 'Mrs. Kennedy was liberal in her contribu­ limit. suppose that. its proclamation, any more tions to the same institution. In 1917, in her notable generosity, Mrs. Kennedy gave "Taking advantage of mere words it will than the proclamation of any other truth, $160,000 for the erection and equipment of have others registered as members and ad­ can prove harmful. On the other hand, it "Schauffier Hall" as a modern Sunday herents of the United Church who are not may be that our .inquirer has in mind the School building for the use of the Depart­ connected with it. Should one say to the notion that Christianity stands or falls with ment of Religious Education. This building census enumerator that he is a member or the question whether the Bible is Infallible was given in memory of her brother, the late adherent of The Presbyterian Church in or the "dictation theory" of the im,piration Rev. A. F. Schauffier, D.D. Canada, even though he is of those who did of the Bible (of which we have heard much not go into the Union, and therefore does without ever coming into contact with any­ The will of Mrs. Kennedy, who died at not belong to the United Church, the census body who held it). In the latter case we the advanced aged of ninety-seven years, is commissioner is to be informed by the would agree because we not only regard the said, to reach in valuation to ten million or United Church that such an one is to be "dictation theory" as untenable but are far more dollars. Her husband, who died about recorded as belonging to the United Church from supposing 'that 'we could have no Chris­ twenty-one years ago, willed fully ten mil­ of Canada. This intention is specifically tianity if we did not have an infallible ions to various Presbyterian institutions. set forth in page 46,. Section D of the United Bible, important as we regard the doctrine Church Year Book, 1929, already cited. of Biblical infallibility. Or it may be that Certain specific designations are made, after which it is provided that of the remain· "Nothing could be plainer than the intent our inquirer has in mind the claim of ing three-fourths of the residuary estate, here expressed to gather into the fold of the Fundamentalism that Christianity is through Union Theological Seminary of Richmond, United Church, so far as census enumera­ and through a supernatural religion and that Va., is to receive one-fortieth. The amount tion is concerned, all those Presbyterians a non-miraculous Christianity is just no Christianity at all. In that case we would has been estimated as being approximately who did not enter the United Church. That not regard the claim as, "extreme" but $200,000. church knows full well that these Presby­ rather as one so moderate that it must be terians will report themselves in no other maintained if we are to be Christians at all way, nor can they justly r.eport thernselves in any defensible sense of the word. If in any other way than as rnernbers and ad­ "REVELA TION" miraclesuever happened we could not have, herents of The, Presbyter'ian Chu1'ch in for instance, a divine Lord and Saviour; T the time that this issue goes to press, Canada. A and yet unless we flo Christianity is indeed copies of Volume one Number one of "To the end therefore that her people may 1"\.. the great delusion. be accurately registered let the United the new periodical Revelation have begun Church employ all proper agencies and It may be added that it is not enough that to appear. It is published in Philadelphia methods. They have a right to be credited men have a strong religiOUS faith. Funda­ by the "American Bible Conference Associa­ with all who are their own, even though mentalism is perfectly right, we believe, in tion, Inc." Its editor is the Rev. Donald they can hardly expect it because of their maintaining that only a Christian faith has Grey Barnhouse, Minister of the Tenth Pres­ instructions with respect to identity. How­ saving value. No doubt it is much easier byterian Church of Philadelphia. The ever, it is not accurate registration the to hold to the faith of "Modernism" with its paper has grown out of the Radio Ministry United Church seeks but improper and dis­ rejection of the supernatural but it is by no of Mr. Barnhouse over the Columbia chain honest registration, and to accomplish its means obvious that what is left of Christian of stations, in order that the printed page purpose pleads an Act of Parliament. faith after the supernatural is eliminated might extend his work. It is a finely put Neither in fact nor justice can they support is worth believing. If we must eliminate together magazine. Some of the contrib­ the claim that those who declare they belong from Christianity everything that makes it to The Presbyterian Church in Canada worth believing before it will be accepted by utors to the first issue are, The Rev. I. M. should be reported by the census as belong­ the modern man, why bother about the ques­ Haldeman, D.D., H. A. Ironside, and Mr. ing to the United Church." tion of whether or no he accepts it? This Barnhouse. 24 CHRISTIANITY TODAY Decembert 1930

Presbyterian Ministers' Fund of Trustees in uniting the Department of Semitic Philology and Old Testament Criti­ HE Rev. Perry S. Allen, D.D., President cism and the Department of Old Testament T of the Presbyterian Ministers' Fund was It is not yet too late to send Christian· History and Exegesis to form one enlarged called Home' on Saturday, November 8. department, the Department of Old Testa­ ity Today as a Christmas present and Funeral services were held at the Second t ment. The head of this department is the 'Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, on to ~ave a card sent to announce Rev. Oswald T. Allis, Ph.D., D.D., Professor November 11, and interment was made at of Old Testament, and Dr. Allis is assisted Woodlands Cemetery. Dr. Allen had been your gift. Our low subscription price by the Rev. Allan A. MacRae, M.A., ASSist­ President of the Fund for over thirty-five ant Professor of Old Testament. -only a dollar a year everywheret years, and was recognized by insurance ex­ perts the world over as a great admin' may help you to solve your gift prob. There are no two men anywhere better istrator. During his incumbency the Fund equipped to carryon the work of the late lem. A brank is enclosed for your was built up from a somewhat minor posi­ Professor Robert Dick Wilson than these tion so far as total insurance is concerned use. Should you not yet be a sub. two. Dr. Allis was for many years Dr. until it became recognized as a large and Wilson's assistant on the Princeton Faculty, important institution. Dr_ Allen was scriber you may use the blank for and following upon his graduate study in , the University of Berlin he has devoted his credited 'with having brought about tbis sending in your own enrollment. almost phenomenal growth. entire life to teaching the Old Testament. In this connection he was also for many The Fund was organized by the Synod years editor of the recently discontinued of Pennsylvania in 1717 as "The Fund for Princeton Theological Review. Mr. MacRae Pious Uses." For many years it continued for the fund for six years. He is President was selected by Dr. Wilson to be his own to report to the Synod and later to the of the Board, of Trustees of the Second assistant, and for the past year he has been General Assembly. It was a direct effort on Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. intimately in touch with Dr. Wilson's work the part of the Church to care for its needy and acti vi ty in every line, living within a Ministers and their families. In 1759 the' few doors of his home and spending many Fund was incorporated by Thomas Penn and hours with him in study and research. Richard Penn. Since that time it has op­ Westminster Seminary News erated as a life insurance company_ It is The Seminary lias- had flie privilege of HE initial half of the first term of hearing several special speakers within re­ the oldest life insurance company in the Westminster Seminary's second aca­ United States. T cent weeks. The latest have been Mr. D. E. demic year has just passed, and the readers Hoste, of Shanghai, China, General Director Shortly after the death of Dr. Allen, the of CHRISTIANITY TODAY will doubtless be of the China Inland Mission, the Rev. John Board of Directors of the Fund (by require­ looking for news from the various realms H. De Vries, D.D., of Saybrook, Connecticut, ment of law composed of a majority of lay­ of the Seminary's life. translator into English of many of the men) elected Mr. J. H. Radey Acker, a Through the generous invitation of two works of the great Reformed theologian of Philadelphia attorney as acting President. friends of the Seminary, who acted as the Netherlands, Dr. Abraham Kuyper, and The selection of a layman as President of hostesses upon the occasion, a Thanksgiving Dr. Thomas Lambie of Abyssinia, medical the Board has aroused considerable resent­ dinner, to which the members of the student missionary under the Sudan Interior Mis­ ment on the part of many Ministers, who body, the members of the Faculty and a sion. feel that the Fund should be exclusively number of other members of the Seminary The students carryon weekly prayer meet­ under the direction of a clergyman. They community were invited, was held in the ings under the auspices of the Stw:le;nts' argue that a Minister has usually been at Semina.ry on Monday evening, November Association and, in addition to these, class the head of the fund, and that the chairmen 24th. Some seventy-five were present. Dr. prayer meetings and a regular missionary of all its important committees have been Samuel G. Craig, the editor of CHRISTIANITY prayer meeting are also under the direction Ministers. The corporators of the Fund are TODAY, presided as toastmaster, and though of the student body. made up of Ministers and laymen in the it might appear that such a banquet would proportion of about two to one, respectively. minister primarily to the physical 'man, the In recent weeks a group of the students Among these corporators are the heads of intellectual and spiritual were amply pro­ has been holding open-air services on Satur­ Theological Seminaries, educational institu­ vided for by ,the proceedings during the day evenings in North Philadelphia, thus tions and administrative heads of the Boards latter part of the evening. Especially out­ providing the people of a crowded district of Churches in the Presbyterian Family. standing were the short addresses of Mr. with the opportunity of hearing the gospel Those Ministers who wish a Minister at the Murray of the Seminary Faculty on "The that alone is able to save. head of the Fund believe that, the Fund Reformed Faith in Scotland and West­ being exclusively for Ministers, should not' minster Seminary," and of Dr. Allis, like­ Another student group, which is preach­ be under lay control lest possibly the Fund wise of the Faculty, on "Occasions for ing and Singing the gospel, is the Seminary might be at a future time opened to un­ Present Thanksgiving." Quartet. These four young men have sung ordained men. On the other hand it is ob­ the good news and presented the message served on behalf of the position taken by Such bountiful feasts are not to be thought of the gospel within recent weeks at a num­ the Board, that while it is true that the of however, as interfering with athletic ber of services, 'a!llong them the Sunday Fund has been under Ministerial super­ exercise, as the basket ball team, which evening service at the First Church of intendence since the beginning, it was a promises fine sport for the winter session, Orange, New Jersey. Other engagements small enterprise until the genius of Dr. Allen already indicates. A number of games have been scheduled for the future. transformed it as few men, whether Min­ have been scheduled and the convenient The Christmas vacation will commence on isters or laymen, would have been able to gymnasium arrangements provided by the Friday, December 19th, at one o'clock. Dur­ do. Mr. Acker, Acting President of the Seminary make frequent practice possible. Fund, has been long and intimately con­ To turn to the more direct intellectual ing the vacation, one group of students are nected with the organization. He has been and spiritual activities of the Seminary, taking part in a series of meetings in a corporator for, twenty-two years. a Direc­ one of the ,most. important actions Qf recent Southern California. Others will be preach­ tor for twelve years, and General Counsel months has been the step taken by the Board ing and working elsewhere.

BENJ. F. EMERY co .. PHILA