co .<[ ~frtHRISTIA TY TODAY :Q-~~~~~>- ,~l~)~i.~.====::':====-- ~>~4 ~ ~ ~ . o'ZP:>G II~I A PRESBYTERIAN JOURNAL DEVOTED TO STATING/DEFENDING III AND FURTHERING THE GOSPEL IN THE MODERN WORLD

SAMUEL G. CRAIG, Editor H. McALLISTER GRIFFITHS, Managing Editor Published monthly by . THE PRESBYTERIAN AND MID-OCTOBER, 1932 $1.00 A YEAR EVERYWHERE REFORMED PUBLISHING CO., Entered a, ,econd...,I ... matter May 11,1931, 01 Vol. 3 No.6 the Post Ollice at Philadelphia, Pa., under th" 501 Witherspoon Bldg., Phila., Pa. Act of March 3,1819.

The Corporate Witness of the Church

HE primary task of the organized corporate witness of the church to which nesses to the gospel in the community in T church as of the individual Chris­ we belong. As a matter of fact, how­ which our lot is cast. But" whatever the tian is to bear witness. Our LORD'S final ever, He did establish a church. More­ church to which we belong, we are under command was: "Ye shall be my wit­ over there is nothing to indicate that He obligation, as much as in us lies, to see nesses both in Jerusalem, and in all approves of un-attached Christians, those to it that in its corporate capacity it Judea and Samaria, and unto the utter­ who accept Him as their personal LORD bears full and unequivocal witness to the most parts of the earth." In obedience and SAVIOUR but who are not members gospel of the grace of GOD. This is not to this command the apostles (as soon of His organized church. Hence, the to say that it is enough that we belong as the Holy Spirit had come upon them) situation being what it is, we are both to an organization calling itself a church. entered upon a campaign of witnessing under obligation to be members of the Conceivably all the churches in a com­ -a campaign in which they continued organized church and to do all in our munity may have "so degenerated as to active until their memberships had been power to see to it that its corporate become no churches of CHRIST but transferred from the church militant to witness is both clean-cut and adequate. synagogues of Satan" (Confession of the church triumphant (Acts 1:8, 22; Ideally there should be but one church Faith, Chapter 25). Suppose, for in­ 2:32; 3-15; 5; 32; 10:39-42; 13:31; and this one church should bear faith­ stance, that the Presbyterian Church 22:15; with which compare MATTHEW ful witness to a full-orbed gospel. Lack­ should so modify its creed as to bring it 24:14 and LUKE 24:48.) ing this one church we must be content into harmony with "Modernism." In This campaign of witnessing stressed to belong to the church that best wit- that case its corporate testimony would both the facts and the doctrines that be hostile to the gospel of the grace of constitute the Christian religion. "I GOD and as such an organization to delivered unto you first of all," PAUL IN THIS ISSUE: which no genuine Christian should wrote to the Corinthians, "that which I belong. Editorial Notes and Comments also received: that CHRIST died for our We would not be understood as mini­ sins according to the Scriptures." A Significant Letter...... 2 mizing the importance of the witness of "CHRIST died"-that was the statement "Needed Emphases in the Church the individual Christian. Important of a fact. "CHRIST died for our sins"­ Today ...... 3 and indispensable as that is, however, it that was the statement of a doctrine, i.e. Two Calls to Repentance...... 3 is insignificant as compared to the cor­ the true explanation of the fact. The porate witness of the church to which fact without the doctrine would have Presbyterian Pelagianism...... 4 the individual belongs by as much as been meaningless: the doctrine without Wm. Childs Robinson that organization is greater than the the fact would have been empty. He who Notes on Biblical Exposition-XXII... 6 individual. How little, for instance, is is silent either as to the facts or the J. Gresham Machen the significance that attaches to the wit­ doctrines that lie at the basis of the ness of any individual Presbyterian as Christian religion is worthless as a Let Us Become "Antioch Christians" compared· with the corporate testimony Once Morel...... ;.... 9 Christian witness. of the Presbyterian Church in the John C. Monsma It is conceivable that CHRIST should U. S. A. with its two million members! not have established a church. In that Letters to the Editor ...... 12 The corporate witness of the church is case we would be under obligation to therefore a matter of great importance "Perfectionism": A Book Review. " .. . 14 witness for CHRIST as individuals; but in the maintenance and propagation of would not need to be concerned about the News of the Church ...... 16 the Christian religion, true as it is that 2 CHRISTIANITY TODAY October, 1932 the effectiveness of this witness is greatly Evangelicals not only its glory but its of life as well as a system of doctrines. weakened by the fact that everywhere usefulness will have departed. Then These two are inextricably bound to­ throughout the churches, and especially there will be nothing left for those who gether, organically related as the tree throughout the Protestant churches, worship CHRIST as GOD and who are and its fruit. In the interest of the what one man proclaims as saving truth conscious of themselves as sinners who Christian. life itself, we must maintain another man denounces as fatal error. have been redeemed by His blood except the purity and vigor of our doctrinal Hence distraction and confusion. "If to leave the organization in order to jo·in witness. Get rid of the doctrines and the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who with some organization that in its cor­ the Christian life will be cut at its roots. shall prepare himself for war?" There porate capacity would bear witness to Other things being equal, the life will be is· therefore no more pressing need than the gospel of the grace of GOD. The fact vigorous and well-developed as the doc­ the creation of a situation wherein the that we are opposed to an "inclusive" trines are known and believed. Ours is Church of CHRIST will bear undivided church does not mean that we are not a religion that loves darkness rather witness to the gospel of the grace of GOD. opposed in principle to revision of the than light or that thrives best where it Some churches boast of their "compre­ Confession of Faith. It does mean, is least understood. hensiveness" and seemingly glory in the however, that we are opposed to any Shall the Presbyterian Church main­ fact that Arminians and Calvinists, revision that would weaken it as an ex­ tain its historic and corporate witness Sacramentarians and Evangelicals, pression of the Reformed Faith or that as a church of the LORD JESUS CHRIST? Liberals and Conservatives, feel equally sits lightly to the Bible as divinely That is one of the most important ques­ at home within their borders. Such authoritative III all its length and tions before us today .. If we thought churches are little concerned about their breadth. that the proposed basis of union with corporate testimony. Other churches, Whether we speak of the witness of the United Presbyterian Church would however, like the Presbyterian Church the iridividual or the corporate witness purify and strengthen the corporate wit­ (until recent times at least) have been of the church we mean, of course, a ness of our church, or even leave it un­ keenly concerned about their corporate witness in deed as well as a word. The impaired, we would heartily favor this testimony. In order to maintain the word without the deed is insincere. The particular union. But inasmuch as it integrity of this testimony "the Presby­ deed without the word is dumb. An seems to us that it would seriously tetianChurch receives into its ministry effective witness must be both sincere weaken the corporate witness of our (luly those who profess to believe the and articulate. In harmony with this church and thus render it less efficient as Bible to be the Word of GOD, the only the corporate testimony of the Presby­ an agent for furthering the gospel we are infallible rule of faith and practice, and terian Church witnesses to the Bible as constrained to oppose it. Size gained who profess to believe that its Confes­ the infallible rule of practice (as well as at the cost of purity and integrity of sionof Faith contains the system of doc­ faith) and so to Christianity as a mode testimony is secured at too great a cost. trine taught in the Bible. In proportion as ministers are intelligently loyal to their ordination vows it is obvious that the corporate testimony of the Presby­ terian Church will be clear and definite. Editorial Notes and Comments If it be true; as unfortunately it is, that the testimony given by the Presbyterian A Significant Letter woman who interview prospective mis· Qhurch today is discordant and con­ sionaries for the foreign field and upon tradictory, this finds its explanation in ONFIDENCE in the Board of Foreign whose recommendations, it is safe to assume, Missions of the Presbyterian Church the Board largely depends in making its the fact that its ministry contains many inC the U. S. A. on the part of men and selections. We have previously directed at· who. have been false to their ordination women of evangelical conviction will not be tention to the fact that Mr. HADLEY is a vows. strengthened by the information contained signer of the Auburn Affirmation in which it It is impossible to close our eyes to the in the "Letter to the Editor" printed on is expressly affirmed that the full truthful· page 12. Inasmuch as the significance of this ness of the Scriptures, the Virgin birth of fact that there are many within the information is in no wise dependent on the CHRIST, the substitutionary atonement, the Presbyterian Church today who are bent identity of its author we see no objection to bodily resurrection and miracles of our on making. it an "inclusive" or "compre­ allowing it to appear anonymously. Under LORD are not essential doctrines of the Word hensive" church. This, If we mistake the circumstances, however, it may not be of GOD and our Standards. Mrs. CORBETT not, is .the motive back of most of the ou t of place to say that the Editors of this not being a minister is, of course, not a paper have seen copies of the letter from signer of the Auburn Affirmation. The fact, union movements that are being pressed. which our correspondent quotes and vouch however, that she has joined with Mr. In as far as this is the case, such move­ for the accuracy of its factual representa· HADLEY in signing this letter would seem ments should be determinedly resisted. tions. to indicate that she is in full sympathy with If they succeed and the Presbyterian The significance that attaches to the letter his position. Thus it would appear that from which our correspondent cites lies neither a young man nor a young woman Church becomes an organization which largely in the fact that it is Signed by the has much chance of being sent as a mission· in its corporate capacity ignores the Candidate Secretaries of the Board of ary under existing conditions unless he or -distinction between Modernists and Foreign Missions, i.e. the man and the she first secures the approval of those October, 19,32 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 3 sympathetic to the Auburn Affirmation. This "Needed Emphases in the Church of is more, it is a major error to suppose that does not necessarily mean that no Funda· Christianity consists of its facts in distinc· mentalists or Evangelicals or Conservatives Today" tion from its explanation of those facts. -call them which you will-are being sent NDER this title the Union Seminary The facts are indeed baSic. Apart from to the foreign field today; but it doubtless Review of Richmond, Va., for July them thQre could be no such thing as Chris­ does mean that only such of these are likeiy Ucontains a Significant article by WILLIAM tianity. But give them no interpretation to be sent as are judged willing to work in ADAMS BROWN of Union Seminary of New and they would be meaningless. Give them harmony with those ordinarily called York City: an interpretation other than that which the liberals or Modernists. It means in effect This article is significant, if for no other Bible gives and they would Yield, us some­ that militant Fundamentalists need not reason, from the fact that it was written at thing other than Christianity. It sh~uld apply. the request of the editor of "A Southern never be forgotten that the Bible contains The letter under consideration is ad­ Presbyterian Theological and· Religious not only a record of the facts that lie at, the dressed not to those who have been accepted Journal." When twenty-five years ago Dr. basis of our holy religion but an authorita.­ as missionaries but to those who are looking BROWN wrote an article entitled "Changes tive explanation of those facts; and that forward to it as their life work. Its pur· in the Theology of American Presbyterian­ the latter is as essential to our religi~n' as pose is to advise them as to how they can ism" it appeared in the American Journal of is the former. It is quite impossible to best prepare themselves for this vital task. Theology, published under the auspices of distinguish as sharply between fact and It stresses the need of technical prepara­ the University of Chicago, which then as theory as Dr. BROWN would have us believe.. tion but rightly insists that spiritual prep­ now was famous as a hot-bed of Modernism. It is to seek to divide between things 'in­ aration is "the one essential element." Today, however, he writes an article that is separable when he writes: "In religion we "Bible study, prayer, devotional books and far more radical in its implications and it are concerned with GOD, only secondarily some real experience' in sharing CHRIST appears in a theological review published with our ideas about GOD." As a matter' 'of' here," the letter says, "will be for your under the auspices of an institution that fact Dr. BROWN merely substitutes an' un­ spiritual preparation what your classroom hitherto has been noted for its orthodoxy. satisfactory explanation for the satisfactory lectures, theses and laboratory are doing for It is worthy of note that in this same issue one given in Scripture. your technical preparation." Such satis­ of the Union Seminary Review there appears Dr. BROWN falls into serious error in his. faction as we derive from this inSistence on an article by Dr. J. P. ROBERTSON, entitled references to the fundamentalist-modernist the need of spiritual preparation is, however, "Whither are We Drifting." controversy in the Presbyterian Church. fie turned into dissatisfaction by the recom­ Dr. BROWN writes in the interest of an repeats, for instance, the thread-bare mis­ mendation of the books mentioned by our inclusive church-a church in which there representation that the Assembly deliver­ correspondent as aids to spiritual prepara­ will be a whole-hearted recognition on the ances of 1916 and 1923 were attempts to tion on the part of prospective missionaries. part of all its members that the two types make the so-called five points "the final test We have examined all of the books cited and of mind, known as liberal and conservative, of ministerial orthodoxy," not to mention fully agree with our correspondent as to must be made to feel at home. His 'basic other equally unwarranted Npresentations. their character. If space permitted it would error is the assumption that what liberals We agree with Dr. BROWN that there. is be easy to show that each of these books is and conservatives hold in common includes need of emphasis upon the things in wh.ich distinctly hostile to evangelical Christianity all that must be there emphasized in order as Christians we agree but it seems to us and fitted to cultivate a type of religious life that the church may bear an effective Chris­ that if we emphasized nothing more than diametrically different from that which pre­ tian witness. What he overlooks, as Dr. what Dr. BROWN emphasizes we would have vails in evangelical circles. Two of these MACHEN made so clear in his little book to be silent concerning practically every­ books, those by FOSDICK and FLEMING, are Gh1·istianity and Liberalism, is that liberal­ thing that makes Christianity a source of written by men connected with Union ism and conservatism, in any of their hope and consolation to a lost world. Theological SeminarY of New York City and consistent forms are not varying expres­ rellect the modernistic viewpoint of that sions of the same religion but rather ex­ Two Ca lis to Repentance institution. The other by J. H. OLDHAM coh­ pressions of totally different religions. As sists largely of quotations, taken almost a matter of fact the issues at stake between N our news pages, our readers will find exclusively from modernistic writers such liberals and conservatives are not, as Dr. I the text of two "calls for repentance and as CANON STREETER and MIDDLETON MURRY BROWN maintains, issues that may be solved prayer"-one issued by the Federal Council . of England and JO~IN BAILLIE and E. F. in "an atmosphere of brotherly sympathy of Churches, and one issued by the Reforma­ SCOTT of America (the two latter being pro- and understanding"; rather they are issues tion Fellowship. The difference between fessors at Union Seminary, N. Y.)., We such as are at stake between mortal enemies. them is significant. have not read Mr. MURRY'S "The Life of The success of the one means the defeat of While appearing objectionless at first JESUS," from which numerous quotations the other. Here is a conllict in which there glance, the appeal issued by the Federal are taken, but the editor of the Evangelical can be no peace without victory. A church Council has one great, grave omission. It Quarterly has written thus concerning it: such as Dr. BROWN desires would be a church is surprising that the document has been "The book is decidedly disappointing. JESUS in which no true evangelical could be con­ so well received in many evangelical circles is to MURRY a mere man, and a mere man tent to remain a member. Suppose a church without notice being taken of this omissIon. can never be a SAVIOUR. Worse still, JESUS that stood only for what liberals and con­ While it has much to say about repentance, is to MURRY, although the best of men, a servatives have in common. Such a church the appeal, in its list of sins for which the sinful man." It seems to us that it would would bear witness to nothing that is church should repent, is silent regarding be difficult to recommend books less fitted distinctive of genuine Christianity. the one great sin that has paralyzed and to serve the needs of those preparing for Another basic error that vitiates all that is ruining the so-called evangelical churches. work on the foreign field. Dr. BROWN writes in this connection is his That sin is, in short, the sin ofunoelief. In our judgment our correspondent's letter assumption that the differences between The rise of Modernism in the church has calls attention to a situation that must be liberals and conservatives lie in the realm been the rise of unbelief in the Bible and in remedied if the Board of Foreign MiSSions of theory not fact. Such is not the case. the great Reformed System of Doctrine alone of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. They differ as much as regards the facts to taught in the Bible. The sins listed in the is to continue to command the financial be interpreted as they do in regard to the Federal Council's appeal surely ought 'iii' pe support of evangelical Presbyterians: interpretations they put on the facts. What (Concluded on page 12) 4 CHRISTIANITY TODAY October, 1932 Presbyterian Pelagianism By the Rev. Wm. Childs Robinson, A.M., Th.D. Prof~ssor of Church History in Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Ga.

"JUST when the Church had comfort- In the Introduction to Grace and Per­ Oman particularly rejects the Au­ ably settled herself to an idealistic, sonality Mr. Nolan R. Best invites the gustinian doctrine of grace, as the direct, hypocritical doctrine of the innate good­ reader to compare the volume with Cal­ inward work of the Holy Spirit "shed­ ness of human nature, modern psy­ vin's Institutes. Such a comparison ding abroad the love of God in our chology interrupted her slumbers with a yields several misrepresentations of Cal­ hearts," Rom. 5:5; cf. Augustine, On the realistic, Calvinistic note. By uncover­ vin's teaching, both in Mr. Best's Intro­ Letter and the Spirit. Oman recognizes ing the subtle process of rationalization duction, pp. xi, xii, xiii, xiv, and in Dr. that in the distinction between Au­ psychology destroys the illusions of the Oman's text, pp. 50, 86, 90. But more gustine and Kant there are two worlds righteous, and discloses the grimace of important than such details, the exami­ (p. 60). Repeatedly he sides with Kant, the Devil even in the lives of the nation of this volume in its distinctive condemning Augustine's doctrin.e that noblest." points of view, in its fundamental grace is the direct, inward, immediate, These radio observations by Dr. Rein­ . principles, in its specific doctrines, em­ supernatural action of God on the heart hold Niebuhr of Union Seminary (N. phatically contradicts the thesis of the (118, 95, 188), and ridi~uling that doc­ Y.) were perhaps intended to support Introduction that, "in essence Dr. Oman trine as "irresistible violence," "mechani­ his socialistic program; but to one is as Calvinistic as Calvin himself" cal," "impersonal," "arbitrary," "im­ hearer they were a means of starting (p. x). moral," etc. (pp. 40, 71, 86). Augustine this train of Pelagian ponderings. Calvinism is the most consistent form "from the beginning was on the wrong Every student of the history of Chris­ of historic Christianity. If one under­ road" (68). Grace, for Oman, is always tian thought is aware that a Church takes to formulate the teachings of Dr. indirect, external, oblique, determined may actually teach Pelagianism, while Oman's book on such historic Christian by his modernistic definitions of human it officially rejects it. Pelagius was re­ doctrines as sin (pp. 113, 123, 211), re-. personality. More correctly, Professor peatedly condemned by the Mediaeval demption (116-17), reconciliation (119), Emil Brunner has shown that these defi­ Church; but a neo-Pelagianism was sur­ justification (254, 259, 262, 265), re­ nitions lead to atomic individuality, not reptitiously re-introduced in the latter generation (76), the priestly (217), to gracious personality .. The Word and part of the Middle Ages and assiduously kingly (265) and prophetic (67) offices the World, p. 116. taught to Luther and his contemporaries of Christ, the imitation of Christ (259), Dr. Oman is a Kantian. Neither Au­ by the scholastic modernists. Therefore the Church (171), ethics (51, 67, 95, gustine nor Calvin would regard the it is theoretically possible for a Presby­ 251-4), he finds that the theology is not Kantians as disciples. The burden of terian Church, even though it profess the Calvinism; but Ritschlian "liberalism," Brunner's book is that the modern mind most anti-Pelagian creed in the world, with the earmarks by which Herrmann with its self-sufficient reason derived nevertheless to teach Pelagianism. distinguishes that system. For example, from Descartes and its autonomous will The most conspicuous actual example Herrmann's statement, "the foundations derived from Kant is the true enemy of of such teaching is to be found in Presi­ of ethics can be laid without any regard historic Christianity. And yet these dent John Oman's Grace and Person­ for religion-the development is in con­ principles are the very axioms of Oman's' ality, Macmillan. According to one of nection with a religious view of the volume. The absolute antimony be­ his students this volume was com­ world," aptly describes Oman's book tween Brunner (the neo-Calvinist) and mended, about two years ago, by Dean (pp. 51-2, 59, 95, 251). The same may Oman (the Kantian) is acutely sharp­ Weigle of Yale as an excellent example be said of Herrmann's dectrine that ened in their respective treatments of of the New Calvinism. One would Christian faith is si?1ply trust in God's autonomy and heteronomy. Oman agrees naturally infer. that the volume was providence induced by the impression with Kant that whatever is heterony­ Calvinistic from the very prominent which Jesus makes on the soul. Oman's mous is morally worthless (252); Brun­ place occupied by the author in English statement, "love is God" (138) is hope­ ner contends that "faith is through and Presbyterian circles, as well as from the lessly Ritschlian; just as his rej ection through heteronymous," The Word and Introduction.' After reading the volume of the justice (138) and the sovereignty the World, pp. 66, 105. the student properly reported that he (154) of God are both Ritschlian and The great Dutch Calvinist, H. Ba­ could find no Calvinism in it. anti-Calvinistic. vinck, holds that even Kant, with an eye'

1 Cf. also The Union Seminary Review) July on the inborn sinfulness of men, comes 1931, p. 414, note. foundly does the English l\Ioderator disagree A close reading of Dr. Oman's moderatorial with the doctrines of the Westminster Confes­ in the end to an appeal to the will, the address in the October 1931 number of this sion that one wonders "by -what liberality of periodical reveals the same doctrinal positions interpretation" he can find any [-jubstance of his wisdom and the powers of man, i.e. to referred to in the book. One remark in this faith in these Presbyterian standards. Union article should be applied to its auth')f: So pro- Seminary Review" October 1931, p. 36. heathenism, Gereformeerde Dogmatik October, 1932 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 5

iii, 425-6. Kant's axiom that man has ness of human nature has been for cen­ part of American Presbyterianism. The the ability to do whatever the moral turies the orthodox Chinese teaching, in­ Directory for Worship for the use of law demands is Pelagianism. Around the culcated by Confucius in his Analects the proposed American Presbyterian central principle of the plenary ability and by Mencius in his philosophy. The Church gives a thoroughly Pelagian of the human will Pelagius built his following lines from a Chinese classic form for the administration of infant autosoteric system. On this same foun­ could as well be used by every Pelagian: baptism. Documents relating to the dation, plus the self-sufficiency of man's Proposed Organic Union, December "Men, one and all, in infancy reason (pp. 65, 75), Oman has recon­ 1931, p. 186. The Augustinian elements Are virtuous at heart; structed the old building. The words in the instructions and the promise's of Their moral tendencies the same of America's greatest Calvinist scholar the older forms are carefully and 'com­ Their practices wide apart. offer the best characterization of this pletely deleted; so that parents are in­ Without instruction's kindly aid system. Dr. B.B. Warfield wrote: "The vited to dedicate their children to God, Man's nature grows less fair; New Protestanism, attaching itself to merely promising to instruct them.' The In teaching, thoroughness should be the Enlightenment" (even Oman's phi­ Confucian lines quoted above are con­ A never ceasing care." losophy of history follows Troelsch in gruent with the proposed form. In di­ depreciating the Reformation and mag­ -Translated by Giles. rect antithesis stand the excellent Au­ nifying the Illumination, Chapter 1)­ gustinian words of the editor of C ttn.is­ The finest opportunity which a minis­ "forgets even Kant's sense of radical tianity Today: ter has for indicating his own views and evil-this modern thought reproduces for indoctrinating his people in this "We take it that no doctrine of infant ancient Pelagianism with a less pro­ theme is at the baptism of a baby. The salvation is Christian that does not as­ found sense of guilt and with no expia­ old Westminster form for administering sume that infants are lost members of. a tion for sins." Therefore it is "a Pela­ baptism required the minister to exhort lost race, for whom there is no salvation gianism which out-Pelagianizes Pela­ the parent as to the danger of God's apart from Christ." gius." The Plan of Salvation, pp. 53, wrath to himself and to his child. Both 54,56. Quoted from Christianity Today, the U. S. A. and the U. S. Books of January 1931, by Boettner, Reformed Dr. B. J. Kidd, 'the Oxford historian, Church Order direct the minister to in­ Doctrine of Predestination, p. 145. • resolves Pelagianism "into two main struct those present at this sacrament propositions: (1) We do not need super­ that: "We are by nature sinful, guilty Pelagianism is naturalism. Out .of natural Grace, because (2) We do not and polluted, and have need for cleans­ the caves of the old man it creeps upon bring into the world with us Original ing by the blood of Christ and by the every man and every minister. . Only Sin." A History of the Church, ii, p. 64. sanctifying influences of the Spirit of eternal vigilance and the continual il­ The first of these is conspicuous in Dr. God." The Southern Presbyterian Book lumination by the W orC! and the Spirit Oman's volume. The second, whether or further proposes, as the first question to can keep any preacher from repeating not one enters the world with original be asked the parents: its suave phrases. Therefore in . the . sin, therefore, awaits attention.. Dr. case of the writer the cries of the con­ "(1) Do you acknowledge your child's John McNeil, the old Scottish evangel­ fessional must mingle with the pipes of need of the cleansing blood of Jesus ist, used to declare that one's doctrine the polemics. How easy it is to slip into Christ and the renewing grace of the of babies determined his whole the­ the popular habit of praising the good­ 'Holy Spirit?" In other words, the of­ ology. Certainly the doctrine of babies ness of modern youth, commending them ficial position of those who profess the distinguished the views of Augustine for never having known the deep things Westminster Standards (in America) is more clearly from those of Pelagius than of sin, especially when one shuts his eyes Augustinian. Alas, too often ministers any other doctrine. An Augustinian be­ to the things that are actually going on in both these great American lieves that the souls of these little ones ~om­ all the way from many circles of "high munions conduct this ordinance without are so precious to the heavenly Father society" married people down to some an intimation that infants are baptized (Matt. 18:10, 14) that, though they are junior and high schools. Cf. Sally Mar­ "because they have a sinful nature and "by nature the children of wrath" (Eph. tin, Youth and Prohibition in The 2: 3), they are sought by the Shepherd need a Saviour." Ministers make out Forum, February 1932. As a yOll11g (Matt. 18:11-13), redeemed by His questions of their own, no one of which "theolog" conducting a "revival" meet­ blood, and regenerated by His Spirit parallels the first question in the ing in a West Virginia mission point; I (West. Conf., Ch. 10, Sect. 3). The New Southern Presbyterian Book or other­ went up Saw Log Hollow to talk to a England Primer expressed this teaching wise indicates the primary reference group of children. After I had wasted in its opening sentence: "In Adam's fall which New Testament baptism holds to most of the available time telling the we sinned all." On the other hand, a sin. The opportunity for testifying one's group how good all modern children Pelagian merely dedicates a sinless and Augustinianism is allowed to pass and were, I called on an old Methodist local spotless babe to God, believing that the a service is presented that inculcates preacher for a few words. This brother child deserves Heaven for his own good­ ·Pelagianism. This regrettable practice told the children that they were guilty, ness. This doctrine of the innate good- is about to be authorized in the largest (Continued on page 7) 6 CHRISTIANITY TODAY October, 1932 Notes on Biblical Exposition By J. Gresham Machen, D.O., litt.D. Professor of New Testament in Westminster Theological Seminary XXII. THE CROSS OF CHRIST'

-;e'a foolish Galatians, who hath be­ why we are not told how Peter took the as we have just tried to make it olit to Witched you, before whose eyes Jesus rebuke which was given him at Antioch be; if Peter was really convinced by Christ wa80penly pictured as crtlcijiedJJ and what the result of the scene was. what Paul said to him at Antioch, why -'-(Gdl. 3:1; in a literal translation}. The silence of the Apostle about thi'3 does not Paul say so in triumph in our matter has seemed to some scholars to Epistle? The Divisions of the Epistle leave room for very serious conclusions Of course, it may be said, in general, - E have finished our consider a­ as to the history of the apostolic age. in answer to such questions, that the _ 'tion of the first main division of If Peter had been convinced by Pallh Galatian readers probably knew many W the Epistle, in which, in Gal. argument, why did not Paul point in things that modern readers do not know; 1:11-2:21, Paul defends his independ­ triumph to so gratifying a conclusion of very probably they knew perfectly well ent apostolic authority over against the the Antioch scene? The real result of that there was no permanent breach be­ contentianof the Judaizers that he was the scene--so the contention of these tween Paul and Peter, so that it was not an :apostle only through the rnediation of scholars runs-must have been far less necessary for their attention to be called those who had been apostles before him, edifying, and what really resulted was a to that fact in this Epistle. permanent breach or, at least coolnes':! N,ow we turn to the second main divi­ But something more definite can be sion, embr~eing the central portion of between Paul on the one hand and the Jerusalem apostles on the other. said in explanation of Paul's silence .re­ the Epistle from GaL 3: 1 to Gal. 5:] 2, garding the outcome of the Antioch With regard to this well-known con­ in which Paul defends the content of his scene. The plain fact is that before the tention of the "Tiibingen school" of gbspelof free grace as over against the Apostle has finished his account of what New Testament critics, it may be said, J udaizers' contention that faith, in thc he said to Peter at Antioch he is think­ in the first place, that the notion ofa attainment- Of salvation, must be supple­ ing far more of the present effect of his permanent conflict of principle between merited by works. words upon the Galatian readers than Paul and Peter is contradicted by pas­ 'But the divisions in the Pauline of the effect of them long ago at Antioch. sages, written long after this Antioch Epistles are not always easy to make; In the passage which we studied l:ast scene, in which Paul refers to Peter with arid so, in the present case, Paul's ac­ month he has been upon the very the utmost respect (I Cor. 3:22, 9:5, count of his meeting with Peter, which heights; as the fine old eighteenth­ '15: 5): it is contradicted, in the second we have just been studying, belongs as century commentator, Bengel, remarked, place, by the entire subsequent history much to the second main division of the the contents of that passage maybe of the Christian Church, which is quite Epistle as to the first. No doubt it is a called 'ithe sum and marrow of Chris­ incomprehensible if there was a perma­ part of the Apostle's defence of his inde­ tianity." Paul has been pouring out his nent breach between the apostles at the pendent apostolic authority: so inde­ very soul in that passage; he has been beginning; it is contradicted, in the third pendent was he, he says, that on one celebrating the glories of the Cross of place, expressly by I Car. 15: 11, where occasion he could even withstand the Christ. For him to have returned after Paul distinctly says that his gospel was chief of the original apostles himself. that passage to the details of what had the saine as that of the original apostles; But what he said to Peter on that past happened at Antioch would have been finally, it is contradicted by the very occasion at Antioch was the very thing almost pedantic. What he is thinking passage, Gal. 2: 11-21, which is appealed that he wanted to say also now to those of as he pens those glorious words at to most confidently in favor of it, since converts in the Galatian churches. So the end of the second chapter of G!).la­ in this passage Paul insists that his the passage Gal. 2: 11-21 contains the tians is the unspeakable grace of Gi)d principles were the same as Peter's and very heart of that gospel of free grace contrasted with the fact that his beloved objects only to Peter's inconsistency m which Paul is going on to defend in the converts in Galatia have turned their the application of those principles. following section of the Epistle. back upon it and have done despite to the Cross of Christ. No wonder that he How Did Pe!er Respond? Why Paul Does Not Tell refrains from rehearsing pedantically The fact that Gal. 2:11-21, especially But-.:-to return to the immediate point what the Galatians probably already in the latter part of the passage, con­ under discussion-why does not Paul knew about the results of the Antioch tains what Paul was desiring to say now complete the story of the Antioch scene scene; no wonder that, instead, he breaks t~ the Galatians may help to explain if the end of the story was as edifying out in' the words, "0 foolish Galatians, October, 1932 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 7 who hath bewitched you?" "You have rather than before they have been saved. will, and by the plenary ability of. his had bestowed upon you all the marvels The advocates of this method sometimes autonomous will to throw himself on·the of the free grace of God; you have re­ have kind things to say about doctrine; side of Christ. Faith is Presented asa ceived new life through the Cross of it is necessary, they admit, in its proper glorious venture made by thewill-to­ Christ; yet you are making it all of none place. A man who has already entered believe, betting one's life that there i:;;'g, effect in order to try to earn by your upon holy living, some of them no doubt God. This form of appeal has developed own miserable works what Christ has say, will go on to study his Bible and a considerable tradition. With such pilrchased for you by His blood. Who will attain an ever more correct view of names as Donald Hapkey;William hath bewitched you to make you turn Christ and of the meaning of Christ's .T ames, Fichte, Kant, Erasmus, WiUifl;m your back upon so great salvation'?" death. But at the beginning all that, of Occam and Pelagius, it tnightbe&aid it is held, is unnecessary; at the begin­ to constitute a "liberal" orthodoxy. Per­ The Missionary Preaching of Paul ning all that is needed is surrender of the haps it is about. time for Karl Barth "Who hath bewitched you," says Paul, human will. What a man needs to do and Reinhold Niebuhr to· remind those "before whose eyes Jesus Christ was first, it is thought, is to put away his who are cutting these ruts deeper that openly pictured as crucified." Here we sin by his own act of surrender; there the free, autonomous will· with plenary have one of the precious references in is time enough later for doctrinal ability has fared worse at.the hands of the Pauline Epistles to the missionary instruction. modern psychology than even at the preaching of the Apostle as distinguished Whether that non-doctrinal, anti-in­ hands of Calvinists. Indeed,Barth de­ from the instruction which he gave to tellectualistic method of religious work clares that if we are to have any will Christian people. There are many is right or wrong,it may be observed at at all we get it by positing our freedom things that we do not know about the any rate that it is quite contrary to the on the royal freedom of the Sovereign missionary preaching of Paul, since the New Testament from beginning to end. God. With biting irony Barth describes Epistles are addressed not to the un­ The New Testament does not, in the an ecclesiastical machinery with young converted but to Christians and since manner of these modern religious people's programs well prepared to keep the Book of Acts gives us only brief workers, offer a man salvation first and good people good or even totnake them examples of the Apostle's preaching to then preach the gospel to him after­ better. The magnificent responsewhicn the unconverted world; but one thing wards; but it preaches the gospel to him German youth has thus· far given we do. know about it-we do know that first-with the blessed doctrine of the Barth's own proclamation of the broken~­ at the very heart of it was the Cross of atonement at the centre of it-and then, ness of man's will and the sinfulness. flf Christ. "The story of the crucifixion," through his acceptance of that gospel, it his self-affirmation would serve to in­ Paul says in our passage, if we may brings salvation to his soul. It was to dicate that . he has approached a bit paraphrase his words, "was made so unconverted people that Paul preached closer to the hard facts of human psy" vivid and so plain in my first preaching in Galatia the message of the Cross of chology .. by leaving the ruts of "liberal­ among you that it was as though a great Christ; and when they accepted that ism." From personal observation and pic~ure of Christ on the cross were being message - that "doctrine" - they were information the writer can testify to. the held up before your eyes, or [if we adopt saved. wonderful response which the youth of a different interpretation of the word the Southeast and the .. youth of the that is figuratively used 1 as though a Southwest have given. Dr, "Bill" (W. Presbyterian Pelagian ism great placard were being held up before M.) A.nderson'spresentation of :the you with the words on it, 'Jesus Christ (Continued) Biblical portrait of man' and his need. Youth needs something more than the crucified.' " wicked, depraved little sinners, who unsuspected resources of spiritu.al power Of course, this story' of the Cross WaS needed the cleansing grace of the Holy in his OWn -soul; -the-latent energies· of not presented by the Apostle merely as Spirit. Both Pelagianism and Au­ his own will. He needs the supernatural, an inspiring story of a holy martyrdom; gustinianism were taught that day in inward, purging, regenerating and 're~ but it was presented as something that the Hollow. But the Presbyterian "Semi­ newip.g grace oLthe living God. .He h.ad profound meaning for those to whom nole'.' preached the Pelagianism; the it was proclaimed. "Christ died for Methodist brother supplied the Au­ needs,to havetheheart-ofstone 't*en away, to '-be- created aneW in 'Christ your sins," said Paul to those uncon­ gustinianism. verted people in the Galatian cities. Jesus, to have the 'love of God: sned Consider the average appeal made to abroad in his. heart by tne Holy Ghost. the college man to accept Christ. Ut­ Should Dodrine Be Preached to the ThE) actual YQuhgman ohe f~cB~a6ross terly oblivious to the Reformation doc­ Unconverted? tile pulpitqf ac()llege cl1apei' ne~ds th~ trine' that "faith is a certainty," the Gosp~loijdod A.imighty' ~no~ghto Ac.eording to the tendency of religious speaker begins with the assurance that make a' bad ma~ gObctpr~~ched"by' ;a work.which is prevalent at the present Christian faith cannot be scientifically day, Christian doctrine, including the validated or historically vindicated as man ;wh6 repents Mhis ~w~ sins(:t;,hji~ he calls others'to r~~eIltanc~.·-'· .., ' central doctrine of the atonement, is to other truths are verified. Then he ap­ ;i::(lf: be presented to people, if at all, after peals to the student to exercise his good Once more,Pelagiani,sm. shows; itself 8 CHRISTIANITY TODAY October, 1932 in. a poorly learned doctrine of election. scholar seeking a religion. Luther certi­ history of the Federal Council to date There is a very naive kind of com­ fied his Augustinianism by teaching the show that Presbyterian Churches have placency and self-satisfaction in the bondage of the will; Erasmus indicated held membership in it only at the cost conception of election held by some his spiritual ancestry by defending the of sacrificing the Gospel for the sake of Presbyterians. "Am not I rich, com­ freedom of the will. In our day the Au­ the social gospel, and is this not Pela­ fortable, ethical, cultured, one of the bon gustinian preaches the Gospel; the Pela­ gianism?" tons, the elite, yes the elect?" An old gian preaches a social gospel. The Au­ In frankness the writer should per­ Gettysburg elder told an incident which gustinian is a witness called "to testify haps say that he has three other ques­ happened years ago in Carlisle Presby­ the Gospel of the grace of God." The tions about this Council. (1) Has not tery illustrating this point. A younger Pelagian is an exhorter urging measures the Council taken up for discussion and brother was doing an excellent piece of of moral reform. In his Rutherford B. pronouncement matters which are be­ missionary work among a neglected Hayes-The Age of Hate, Mr. H. J. yond the scope of the Church's a,cti­ group of people of German descent. The Eckenrode has distinguished the two. vities according to chapter 31, section 4 successful mission was killed by the This author declares that Christianity is of the Westminster Confession? (2) pastor of one of the stronger churches not a narcotic; but the most overpower­ Has not the Council and its agencies who told Presbytery that "Pennsylvania ing stimulant humanity has ever experi­ professed to speak the mind of the af­ Dutch never would make good Presby­ enced; that the real narcotics are the filiated Churches on matters on which terians anyway." What an utterly reform movements to which men give these Churches hold divergent and con­ amazing statement for a minister who themselves as substitutes for Chris­ tradictory opinions? Eor instance, the professed to believe in unconditional tianity. Augustinians offer the Christian Westminster Confession holds that election! A real Augustinian absolutely stimulant; Pelagians shift from one re­ Christian magistrates "may lawfully, denies that he is of the elect in the sense form narcotic to another. A Lutheran now under the New Testament, wage of standing before God as one of the friend once asked the writer of this war upon just and necessary occasions" elite, the bon tons. The true Calvinist article why the conservatives were so (Chapter 23, Section 2). On the other confesses that he is the chief of sinners, much slower in preaching pacifism than hand, the most recent protagonist of the the' last, the least, the lowest at the the "liberals." The reply, then and now, Federal Council, Dr. William Adams Lord's table. He sees his egocentricity, is: "For the same reason that they were Brown, maintains that Presbyterians his opposition to God, his love of evil so much slower in preaching war; they "feel increasingly the fundamental con­ and hatred of good. The white light of have something else to preach." About tradiction between war and the spirit God's holiness wipes away that smug six years ago the American Mercury of Jesus." In the immediately preced­ complacency. Illusions are gone. The raised a storm by quoting the way in ing paragraph the New York professor sinner stands naked and undone before which the great Eastern pacifist preachers affirms that there is room "for honest his Maker, confessing "nothing good (of about 1926) had fervently damned difference of opinion" as to the right­ have I Thy grace to claim." Ah then, the Kaiser, in the years from 1914 to eousness of using "force" to accomplish he" catches a glimpse of the true char­ 1919. "a radical revolution in the whole social acterof grace. Grace is love to the A Pelagian desire for a great ec­ sphere," "among men who agree in hold­ undeserving, the ill-deserving, the hell­ clesiastical machine with sufficient num­ ing the Social Gospel." (Union Semi­ deServing. The election taught by Paul bers to dominate state politics is one nary Review, July 1932, p. 401). Is this, and Augustine was wholly unconditioned reason why there are so many calls for then, the casuistry of the Social Gospel: by anything the sinner could ever offer. church affiliation and union. This pur­ first, that it is right for certain advo­ Real predestination has its fOlmdation pose may be unknown or unrealized to cates of the Social Gospel to use force and its ground solely in God. All its many good men who push such schemes. in a radical, socialistic revolution; springs are in Him; none in the sinner. The writer has the highest regard for second, that it is proper for all the other "When we were hateful and hating one the doctrinal soundness of certain ones Social Gospellers to tolerate this armed another, then God's love to men ap­ of his brother ministers both in the attack upon the American Government, peared." Election by God uncondi­ North and the South who have recently since "here there is room for honest dif­ tioned by anything in man, "not that we advocated membership in the Federal ference of opinion"; but third, that it is loved Him, but that He loved us," sings Council. These particular brethren wrong, in "fundamental contradiction" "God is love" (1 John 4:7-10). could never be Pelagian themselves. to "the spirit of Jesus," for the Chief Augustine was a preacher of grace, They would never consciously tolerate Magistrate to wage war against armed as "the love-energy of the holy God. a Pelagian position for their churches. revolt as well as against the foreign Pelagius was the propagandist of moral May the writer have the temerity to abetters thereof? Except His Apostles reform wrought by human ability. The ask them to consider whether in sup­ had given a very different interpretation disciples of each have walked in the porting the Federal Council they are not of "the spirit of Jesus" in relation to steps of their masters ever since. It has unconsciously asking their respective civil authority (Matt. 22: 21; Rom. 12: been well said that Luther was a sinner churches to take a position which is 1-6; 1 Peter 2:13-17), this loved land seeking a saviour; while Erasmus was a logically Pelagian? Does not the (Continued on page 11) October, 1932 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 9

backsliders, preachers and people, who dis­ honor God's holy Name and despise His Holy Word. But there is also the grievous Let Us Become "Antioch guilt of those who failed to watch, and tp protest, and to act with definiteness and dl)­ cision at the proper time; the guilt of the Christians" Once More! 'men and women of God whose love for th\)il; Lord was too tepid and lukewarm, to \)I)lU An address by sparks and flames when His honor was ,at The Rev. John Clover Mosma stake. If therefore we mean to attempt a real ERHAPS the most glorious day of my emphasis these days, and evangelistic con­ church reformation we must start out with Plife was the one I spent some time ago ferences, and ministerial retreats. But the real penitence, a genuine humbling of our­ in the old city of Antioch, in northern trouble is that very many of the men that selves before Him whom we' have grieved ,so Syria, the city that may be rightly called are engaged in these "spiritual" pursuits deeply and so long. Our souls must Weep the capital of early Christianity. That day have a God in mind other than the One of tears of repentance. We must listen with represents a high tide in my spiritual life. the Scriptures. They will miss their mark. deepest attention and sympathy to Israel's Walking the streets of that ancient town I They have not set God-the God of the Scrip­ weeping prophet as Jehovah speaks through was, stirred to my heart's depths by a tures-before their eyes. He will not let Him ,and says, "Many pastors ha'Ve strange and thrilling sense of the presence Himself be found of them. A true "walking destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden of the Holy Spirit. Time and ages seemed with God," a deep and abiding spirituality, my portion under foot, they have made my to submerge and become lost to sight and I is possible only with those who embrace the pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. felt myself identified with the great church God of the Bible in unfeigned love and in They have made it desolate, and being that sent out Paul and Barnabas and a host the passion of a great, unquestioning desire. desolate it mourneth unto Me." But o,ur hearts must at the same time join themselves of other evangelists and missionaries, that , But that being understood, is there any­ entertained and put life and spirit into more to Jeremiah when he begs and cries, ,"0 thing our Church in its distress stands more Lord, though our iniquities testify against than thirty church conventions in post­ in need of than a true "walking with God," apostolic times, and that served as a spirit­ us, do Thou it for Thy Name's sake! For a genuine, intimate fellowship with the God we are called by Thy Name; leave us not!" ual powerhouse for all the world, from of its life? Has not the pulsebeat of our India to Spain. spiritual life during the last decades been Fellow-believers, the success of all at­ The 'church of Antioch was the church of extremely weak and intermittent? Have we tempts at church reformation is absolutely conditioned upon this attitude of soul and the Holy Spirit par excellence. Its deep not administered overdoses of artifici"al spirituality made it the institution it was. stimulants, to the extent that our large and mind. Let us confess our frightful sins of There was a real, direct, daily fellowship cumbersome body is rapidly becoming inured omission and neglect. Let us plead for, for­ between Christ in heaven and the soul of to them? Using the stethoscope of the giveness in the name of Christ. And then every member, man or woman, in that Divine Word, have not many of us detected let us beg for the Holy Spirit-the Spirit of church. And that meant faith, a deep, pur­ symptoms that literally 'affrighted us? And loyalty and courage--, for a willingness to poseful faith. That meant the exact oppo­ in these circumstances have we not cried suffer, if necessary, the worst of pain ,md site of apathy and indifferentism. That out for the living God, realizing that human shame for Him who loved us and gave Him­ meant victory-though Nero thundered and help is vain, that only direct action by the self for us. the Jewish chief priests ground their teeth Holy Spirit can help and lift up and stir I have spoken of courage. We shall need in impotent rage. Give me a hundred-a to new life and activity our sadly weakened it. +f we actualiy mean to follow King mere hundred-men and women that are Church? Josiah's example in destroying the' high daily in actual touch with God, and they And when God's Spirit begins to move places and clearing away the rubbish from will work wonders. The things that are -as we pray humbly and beseechingly that God's holy temple; if we actually mean 'to impossible with men will prove possible He will-the first thing that will stand out uphold the Book of God's revelation and' de­ with God-through their agency. before us, sharply and vividly, will be our fend its sacredness and inviolability against common guilt. I speak advisedly of "com­ Deep spirituality. Is there anything our all attacks, under-handed and open; if we mon" guilt. We orthodox have been too badly deteriorated Presbyterian Church actually mean to subscribe to Paul's ana­ much inclined to cast the blame for the thema upon the preachers of "another needs worse than that? I do not refer to Church's condition upon our opponents. We gospel" and to govern ourselves accordingly; the effervescent emotionalism that is so say that Modernism has sapped our much sought after among certain religious we shall need a courage that is truly born strength; that the Modernists have brought groups. That would be foreign to the genius of God. We shall need persistence, too. The all this shame upon our Presbyterian Zion. of Presbyterianism, of the Reformed faith. sad conditions in which we find ourselves We blame the false prophets; those whom What I have in mind is a quiet, steady, daily are not of recent date. Their roots run far Ezekiel described as daubinK with un­ walk with God. "And Enoch walked with down into the soil of church history. A tempered mortar; the wolves in sheep's God." "And I will walk among you and spiritual and psychological atmosphere has clothing, as Jesus with His customary will be your God, and ye shall be my developed in the course of long years that directness described religious deceivers. people." "Though I walk through the valley is far from homogeneous with our best And we forget that if the orthodox had done Presbyterian traditions and that has per­ of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, their duty, long ago, these false prophets meated the whole of our church life and for Thou art with me." And then the out­ would never have had their chance. We affected the minds of old and young, educated reach to heaven: "And they shall walk with also forget that if the orthodox were doing and uneducated, with {ts sweet, narcotic Me in white, for they are worthy." their duty today the assailants of God and poison. Besides, there is the Father of I,Jes Walking with God! Yet-mind you-not His Word would be on the defensive every­ and the Prince of Darkness who will leave just any God. Walking decidedly and un­ where, and their fight would be'a losing one. no stone unturned to hamper our efforts aI\d alterably with the God of the Holy Scrip­ And so I speak of "common" guilt. There spoil our good work. Persistence we sh,ul tures. We have committees on spiritual is on the one hand the enormous guilt of the need, as much as courage. Our battle will 10 ( H R ! S T I A NIT Y TOO A Y October, 1932

not be a brief and spectacular one, with honor it all was for Him whom we worship China, in Korea, in India, and other lands, heavy casualties and a quick decision. But in our hearts as the Wisdom of God. in which they lament the situation and it will be the battle of the Lord God of mourn" to God because of the attitude of the Hosts; and we have His promise that He That a church-political machine has been Boards. I repeat, we-you and I-know the " Htmself will be in the van. I pray and erected in our midst is a fact only too well facts. And we know, better than anything trust that at least a measure of that grim known. And that the machine represents else in this connection, how our high officials determination that in ages gone by featured and promotes doctrines and policies that are by a conspiracy of silence in the denomina­ the warfare of the Scots, the Scots-Irish, the contrary to Presbyterian principles, that tional press and by threatening the reputa­ old Cameronians, the Huguenots and the violate our most sacred covenants, and that tions and livelihood of our orthodox mis· Dutch, will be found in the hearts of the reduce in effect the Christ whom our fathers sionaries in the field and our ministers at Presbyterian orthodox of today as they set honored-the Redeemer-King before whom home seek to squelch or to forestall any about to defend and restore the heritage of Calvin and Knox and Melville bowed in effective criticism that might be directed their mighty fathers. humblest reverence-to a gilded figure-head, at them. while a coterie of high ecclesiastics hands "1" have already spoken of our most funda­ its orders around quite in arbitrary fashion God forbid that we should look upon this mental need as I see it-a genuine and deep -these, too, are facts with which we are whole matter of church deformation as an spirituality. There is a fearful decline in well acquainted. abstract proposition, or that in thinking of the personal, spiritual life of our people. A the Church we should think only and merely virile, personal faith in the Lord Jesus In fact, our whole Presbyterian system of of an organized institution, with its judica­ Christ and a consequent fearless witnessing government and discipline has suffered a tories, departments, executives, local officers for Him in every domain of life are almost breakdown. In the circumstances it is really and general membership. We are handling like strange, exotic plants in our denomina­ not to be wondered at that men ignorant of a living thing, my brethren and sisters! We tional garden. Men and women of convic­ Reformed church polity and with selfish are treating a high and holy thing! We are tion are extremely thinly sown. A world­ ambitions are lording it over the Church. dealing with the Church of the living God, liness is rampant among us so calloused and This mammoth institution which we call the the blood-bought possession of our Lord and shameless and raw that in all the annals of Presbyterian Church cannot be run without Saviour! We are "dealing with that of which our ecclesiastical history, from the days of some form of government! you and I confess to be living members Francis Makemie on, you will not find any­ This breakdown of our governmental and through sovereign grace, into which our thing like it. disciplinary system has not happened with children were born as the seed of the And upon the loss of personal faith a sad the suddenness of an earthquake or a vol­ Covenant, and in and by which we and our indifference as to faith's contents followed canic eruption. There has been a slow pro­ children are prepared for eternity~ Shall as a matter of course. We still have our cess of disintegration that started genera­ we be anything less than tremendously con­ precious Standards, but you and I know tions back. Today we hardly know what cerned about that which has so much to do that the authoritative character of those Presbyterian government and discipline are. with our eternal destiny and welfare? Shall documents is no longer recognized by thou­ The subjects have been wiped off the cur­ we not shrink with horror from the prospect sands of our fellow·communicants;" that even ricula of seminaries. Principles of polity of having our children and grandchildren hundl'eds of ministers regard them as are only seldom discussed or debated at our trained up under ministrations that cheat articles belonging in an antique shop or a judicatories. One would have a hard time them out of heaven itself; that lead them museum, instead of upon the moderator's to find even one Presbyterian Church along flower-strewn paths, to the tune of tables of our judicatories, small and large. seSSion well posted on church discipline, and soft and indolent music, on to" graves from 'Ve are fast becoming a non-confessional exercising it, for the benefit of the church which there will be no rising unto glory? Church. We have opened our doors to doc­ and in the name of Christ, our King. Then what must we do? trines un-Presbyterian and un-Biblical. In­ That our missions are in a bad plight fiiielity is trampling with amazing ruthless­ That a change in conditions is necessary everybody knows-even the dyed-in-the-wool ness upon that which our fathers deemed needs no argument. I only want to empha­ modernist. Our Boards are having an ex­ holy and exalted, by which they lived and size the great need of avoiding anything tremely hard time getting their money to­ died, and we, their spiritual descendants, superficial. We should and must have a gether, and with all their mechanistic con­ are actually expected to witness the spectacle thorm~ghgoing change, a reformation that trivances they have not been able to prevent with hands folded, as true "men of peace." goes to the heart of things, and that from the annual shortages that have begun as far heart reaches out to every section of the There is the question of education-in our back as 1925-long before the depression. periphery. seminaries, and also in our colleges. Of the rhe truth of the matter is that most of our seminaries not much need be said here and people are growing indifferent, and that Some of us seem in the past to have been now. We are, I take it, familiar with the some of them are growing suspicious. Though satisfied with a sort of laissez faire policy facts. The imperative necessity of the these latter have not the facts on hand, they on the part of the Church. "I won't bother establishment of Westminster Seminary suspect that something is radically wrong you if you let me alone." In other words, some years ago, in order to have at least and their enthusiasm has been waning. We they object to the control that the modernists one theological training school that dared who are here know that the preaching of the are now exerting alone and by themselves, to follow the apostle Paul in his wholesome Gospel of the Son of God to poor and lost but would apparently be satisfied if the intolerance of infidelity and doctrinal in­ sinners is no longer the dominating feature modernists and orthodox could "run" the differentism, tells rather enough of the story. of much of our mission work,-but "social Church on a basis of strict equality. Often­ That colleges supported or endorsed by our uplift," education and cultural development. times such people" are particular and care­ Church are working both insidiously or We know that our Boards are following ful when it comes to their own local church, openly to support the program of the more and more a policy of religious eclec­ but lenient and big-hearted when the Church ecclesiastical revolutionaries is perhaps not ticism, so that Hindus and Buddhists and as a whole is concerned. At home they so generally known. I have just finished my Shintoists throw their arms around the want an exclusiye church, doctrinally speak­ investigation of one of them, as the chair­ shoulders of our missionaries and whisper ing; they prefer and even insist upon the man of a special presbyterial committee, and sweet words of welcome and peace. I have old Gospel; but for the denomination at my heart is still filled with disgust and sor­ for years been receiving mail from some of large they favor,-at least, they toler~te-, row at the things we found. What a dis- our outstanding missionaries, in Japan, in the inclusive idea. Such an attitude, of October, 1932 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 11 course, is not only illogical, and even foolish, a tata morgana, a mirage. We have back of calls in question the supreme object of but dangerous in the extreme. us and with us and in us the history, the Presbyterian worship with a sermon, traditions, the Constitution, the doctrines, No, the inclusive Church idea must be the world-conquering FAITH of the Presby­ The Peril of Worshipping Jesus? Can torn up and cast out, root and branch. The terian Church in the United States of Calvinists properly support for social Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. stands America; we have going on before us the unequivocally opposed to it, both historically purposes a Council whose radio preach~ everlasting SON OF GOD;-and in these and doctrinally. Those who belong to her ers present aNew Protestantism antag­ circumstances the outcome should not be membership and yet attack her Constitution, onistic to the Reformation battle in doubt. All we need do, and do carefully her doctrines; her polity, and her historical and thoroughly, is organize. standard-justification by faith-in the methods, are interlopers and seditionists. nature of faith, the function of faith They have a full right to their opinions; they even have a full right to spread them the certainty of faith, the ground of as assiduously as brains and money will justification, the nature of justification, allow;-but not until they are outside our Presbyteri~n Pelagian ism and the graciousness or meritoriousness Church boundaries. And when once we of the whole process? Basing ecclesiastiC. have them outside-may God speed the day! (Continued) cal organization on social interests;tu ~they will at once become the objects of our loving missionary effort. We can then would have long since been Mexicanized, the disregard of difference in belief; is try to win them for our precious, eternal or Sovietized, or anarchized. This the characteristic of Hinduism, nofibf faith. method of defending the Federal Council historic Christianity. . I want to stress something else. A easily suggests the third question con­ Turning finally to the question, of thoroughgoing reformation requires more cerning that body: (3) Is the Federal Church union, Dr. Williilm A_ Brown';s than a revival. A genuine spiritual revival Council patriotic or unpatriotic, pro­ is the first requisite. I have already stressed article,already mentioned, furnish~s. the that at the beginning. But we need more, American or pro-Soviet? The wide prev­ latest basis for discussion. In the in­ far more, than the stirring of individual alence of this question is acknowledged terest of. Augustinianism statements by souls to a fuller and more zestful life. The even by those who defend Presbyterian prominent representatives of e~ch of.ti:le whole, enormous structure of the Church participation in the Federal Council, needs overhauling. Great reconstructive two Union Theological Seminaries. will e.g., Rev. Dr. J. T. Bergen of Min­ efforts must be made in all departments. The be opposed to the unionism' advo~~ted great doctrinal and governmental principles neapolis in CHRISTIANITY TODAY, July by this professor. emeritus of Unio~ to which our fathers held with utmost tenac­ 1932. N. Y., in the Review of Union, V~. I~ ity, by which they lived, for which they died, must again be brought to the fore; they But even if each of these three ques­ his inaugural address Dr. Ben R. :Ya,cy, must again be made to exert their powerful tions were satisfactorily answered, from Jr., of Union (Va.), very courageolj.sly directive influence-everywhere. the standpoint of this article there would drew a line of distinction and demarca­ Let Presbyterians no longer give heed to still be grave objection to Presbyterian tion between those .seminaries which the twaddle that those principles are out­ participation in this organization. Are accepted the supernatural and those worn; that they no longer fit in. the twentieth not Presbyterians taking a Pelagian which rejected the supernatural(Uni~'~ century scheme of things. Gold is gold, position when, for the sake of ac­ Seminary Review, July 1927, p. 3~())_ whether you find it new in the, gold mines of South Africa or bring it up from the complishing such social and political It does not admit of doubt that Dr. Lacy darkness of King Tut-Ankh-Amen's tomb in matters as the abrogation of the color used the word supernatural in .its usual Egypt. There is no old or new to it. It is line in the best hotels, the Americaniza­ and historical sense of miraculous' ~nd never outworn or out of style. _ Let Pres­ tion of Dr. D. C. Mackintosh, the proper that three years after the Aubur~Af­ byterians wipe the dust from the gold of firmation he thus heroically placed hir,n_ their principles, those principles that hail disposal of Fiume, the removal of the from eternity and belong to the ages, and German confession of unique war guilt self and his seminary on the side of th~ let them highly resolve that no materials in the Versailles treaty, the curbing of miracles of the new Testament. On the will be found in their reconstructed temple militarism, they support a Federal other hand Dr. Brown defends tJiie that are out of harmony with their solidness Council which uses as a radio preacher Auburn Affirmation and thtisuridertiikes and lustre. a man who has "decoded" the Resurrec­ to destroy Dr. Lacy's line of distinctiob, To introduce, in the name and with the tion of Jesus into the Greek doctrine of since The Affirmation declares that the help of God, our desperately needed reforma­ acceptance of the miracles· ,of the tion we must organize our orthodox forces the immortality of His spirit (The throughout the Church. If anywhere, the Modern Use of the Bible), who has re­ Gospels 'is not necessary for Presby" old motto is applicable in our situation: jected the Virgin Birth and the Second terian ordination. A careless readertnay "United we stand; divided we fall." No Coming of Christ, who has used the not gather this from Dr. BrQwn'sarticle. battle has ever been won by soldiers acting pulpit of the First Presbyterian Church The New York professor comes .out: in individually and for and by themselves. In solid, compact, well-organized ranks we must of New York to caricature and hold up large type for "THE RE-DISCOVERY meet our opponents. If we do, there is no to ridicule the doctrine of the atonement OF THE SUPERNATURAL." But the doubt about a victorious outcome. Our found in the Westminster Standards and sensitized reader will discern that in thi;; opponents have really nothing to fall back taught by the Southern Presbyterian section, Union Seminary Review, J\-1)Y on. They are religious privateers, everyone 1932, pp. 390-392, Dr. Brown.is not us­ of them. They have nothing authoritative Church, namely, the satisfaction of to back. them. They soar on Icarus-wings Divine justice by penal substitution ing the word supernatural in its~s~al and selik to reach the glamorous notliings of , .. (Shall the Fundamentalists Win?), Wi)D sense of the miraculous_Of 90~rse, 12 CHRISTIANITY TODAY October, 1932

Professors Whitehead and Oman do not Pelagianism; or shall she essay to re­ in itself a fearful blasphemy as we approach wish to be understood as standing with climb the steep and lonely path that the mercy seat. It is not enough to talk vaguely of "repentance." Our repentance to Dr. Lacy for the literal acceptance of leads to the mountains where her true be Christian must be directed to the one the miracles of the Gospels. To heed prophets-her Shedds, her Warfields, great sin that is eating like a cancer in the Dr. Brown's plea, then, and to unite on her Calvins, her Augustines, her Pauls, heart of the church. the basis of the Auburn Affirmation is her Moseses-have seen GOD? By contrast, the appeal of the Reforma­ to obliterate that line which the Presi­ tion Fellowship rings true. It places the dent of Union (Va.) so magnificently sin of unbelief in its proper setting, and in­ drew in his inaugural address. Editorial Notes and Comments sists that before all else the church should repent of it. Where the appeal of the Nor is this all. Dr. Brown closes by (Concluded) Federal Council in referring to "the way urging the submerging of lines of di­ of the Cross" is so vague that any Modernist the occasion of our repentance. But they could assent to it, the reference to the Cross vision by "simplifying our terms of sub­ are all comparatively unimportant as com­ in the appeal of the Fellowship is clearly scription, putting all emphasi's upon the pared with the great root sin of unbelief, Reformed, which is to say, Biblical. central convictions which we share as from which they all flow. To talk of "re­ pentance" in the great "evangelical" Which will bring bleSSing, a true repent­ Christians with all our fellow Chris~ churches today, and to leave out the most ance for the church's great sin of unbelief, tians" (Ibid, pp. 405-6). In the light flagrant sin for which we should repent is or a pseudo-repentance that ignores it? of his defense of the Auburn Affirmation these central convictions would cer­ tainly not include the Virgin Birth, the bodily resurrection of Jesus, or that He offered up Himself a sacrifice to satisfy Divine justice and reconcile us to God. Letters to the Editor It should also be remembered that not [The letters printed here express the convictions of the writers, and publication in these so many months ago Dr. Brown came columns does not necessarily imply either approval or disapprovdl on the part of the out in the Introduction to Horton's Editors. If correspondents do not wish their names printed, they will please so request, but dll dre asked kindly to sign their names as an evidence of good faith. We do not Theism and the Modern Mood for the print letters that come to us anonymously.] inclusion of the Humanists (men who do not believe in God) in Christian fellow­ The Board of Foreign Missions letter every six months, so that when their ship. Just which "central convictions" time of service does begin they will be fitted are common to the Southern Presby­ To the Editor 01 CHRISTIANITY TODAY: spiritually and in other ways for their w?rk terians, the Auburn Affirmationists, and SIR: In the columns of CHRISTIANITY as missionaries. Your readers will be especially interested, the Humanists? Certainly, the lowest TODAY attention has frequently been called as I was, in the character of the books to the theological drift which has taken common denominator of that equation suggested by the Board as an aid to the place within the Presbyterian Church away is' a sacrifice of Augustinianism. The spiritual growth and development of the from the evangelical position. This drift prospective missionaries. In this connec· humanistic motif in American religion has now reached a point which a few years tion the letter says: "Then there are books from Channing to John Deitrich and ago would have been thought impossible, but it has come so slowly and been manipu­ like 'Tue Devotional Diary' by Oldham; John Haynes Holmes has ever been the 'Today,' an outline of Bible readings; 'The destruction of the Augustinian-Calvin­ lated with such skill that many are hardly aware of it even yet. This is evidenced by Meaning of Faith' and others by Fosdick; istic doctrine of man. what has taken place at recent meetings of 'Marks or' a World Christian' by Fleming." General Assembly, by reorganizations, by If this list of authors is the best the Board of .. Across the entrance to the broad road Foreign Missions can give in witness to the measures ini'tiated within the Church itself opened by Dr. Wm. Adams Brow~ which a few years ago could not have Gospel of Christ, then the situation in Pres­ byterianism is indeed tragic! From the stands a warning sign written by the witnessed. suggestions here made one would suppose grandest Augustinian who ever occupied In this connection I wish to submit a little there were no writers, either within the a chair in the New York Union Theo­ evidence which will give an idea of the Presbyterian Church or any other denomina­ logical Seminary. Dr. Wm. G. T. Shedd length to which this drift has already gone tion, who had not gone over to the extreme warned that denominational unity was and to what a deplorable extent it has Modernistic position. As a matter .of fact affected even the Boards and Agencies of there are many safely evangelical authors undesirable since it would compromise the Presbyterian Church. Recently there that might have been selected. One of the the glorious Calvinistic doctrine of free came to my attention a letter sent out by men above mentioned, now perhaps the lead­ and sovereign grace (Orthodoxy and the Board of Foreign Missions of The Pres­ ing exponent of Modern Paganism in the Heterodoxy, p. 247). Dr. Shedd vigor­ byterian Church in the U. S. A. to more than U. S., was for years a cancer spot on the a thousand young men and women studying body of Presbyterianism. Finally the Church ously inculcated Christian philanthropy; in Colleges, Seminaries, and other educa­ got rid' of his blighting influence in a direct but as a true Calvinist he refused to tional institutions with a view to devoting way, but the Board of Foreign MiSSions, in subordinate "the praise of the glory of their lives to service as foreign missionaries. its position of power and trust, deliberately God's grace" (Eph. 1:6) to the Social The letter is signed by Lindsay S. B. Hadley seeks to reestablish and maintain such an and Minnie W. Corbett, Candidate Secre­ influence in the lives of prospective mis­ Gospel. Shall Presbyterianism walk the taries. It is evidently the plan to keep in sionaries. The other authors suggested, easy' road down the valley of popular touch with this group of young people by a though not so well known, are no less objec- October/ 1932 C H R 1ST I A NIT Y T O· DAY 13 tionable from an evangelical point of view. shall believe in thy heart that God hath The doctrine of Christ: "As Moses lifted From this it can be readily seen how in­ raised Him from the dead thou shall be up the Serpent in the wilderness, even so sidious an influence is at work within the saved." (Rom. 10:9.) Jesus said: "When must the Son of man be lifted up: that who­ Board itself to poison the stream of foreign He (the Holy Spirit) is come, He will re­ soever believeth in him shall not perish but missions at its source: It is equally plain to prove the world of sin, and of righteous­ have everlasting life." (John 3:14-15.) "I be seen what sort ·of missionary candidates ness, and judgment; of sin because they be­ am t:he good shepherd; the good shepherd would be selected for foreign service by a lieve not on me"; (John 16:8-9.) The sin giveth his life for the sheep." (John 10:11.) Board so dominated. Satan himself could of the world is unbelief. All transgressions "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that be­ not devise a more refined or more effective are fruit of unbelief. The fearful and un­ believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am scheme for killing the witness to the blood believing head the list of all the abominable the bread of life. I am the living bread of Christ as the one and only means of Salva­ ones that are cast into the lake of fire which which cometh down from heaven. If any tion for lost humanity in this or foreign is the second death. Read Rev. 21: 8. How man eat of this bread he shall live forever." lands. And this, we must realize, is actually about preachers who teach it does not make (John 6:47-51.) "I, if I be lifted up from being done within the organization of the any difference what one believes? the earth will draw all men unto me." (John Presbyterian Church. Surely the Great 12: 52.) "He (Jesus) took the cup, and Apostasy is well under way. The fact is if it is not true that: "By grace gave thanks and gave it to them saying, A LAYMAN. ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourself it is the gift of God." (Eph. 2: 8), drink ye all of it. For this is my blood of then ye are not saved now. Neither will ye the New Testament, which is shed for many "Christlike" Modernists? be till the judgment day when the books are for the remission of sins." (Matt. 26:27-28.) opened. What then? One frost kills the Jesus also said: "I and the Father are one." To the Editor of CHRISTIANITY TODAY: fruit buds and destroys the garden. One (John 10:32.) "What if ye see the son of Sm: In CHRISTIANITY TODAY, May number, puncture makes the tire tube useless. One man ascending to where he was." (John you answered the questions, "Are modern­ disobedience drove our first parents from 6:62.) "Say not to Him wh"om the Father ists more tolerant and Christ-like than fun­ the garden. They passed from life unto hath sanctified and sent into the world, damentalists?" also "Does it make any dif­ death. The wages of sin (not sins) is Thou blasphemest, because I said, I am the ference what one believes?" It is not what death. Once taking glory unto himself Moses Son of God." (John 10:36.) "Father, glorify this or that one says, but what is recorded did not enter the Promised land. To need thou me with thine own self with the glory in God's Word. The Word is very clear in no Saviour one's life must be perfect, sin­ which I had with thee before the world was." regard 'to both questions. Paul says: "But less, from birth to death. No good act bal­ (John 17:5.) Jesus' consciousness of pre­ though we or an angel from heaven, pr~ach ances a bad one. For we should always do existence and oneness with the Father is as any other gospel unto you than that which the good and never the bad. "When ye shall clear a proof of his divine birth as Luke's we have preached unto you, let him be ac­ have done all these things which are com­ gospel. cursed. As we said before, so say we now manded you, say we are unprofitable ser­ again. If anyone preach any other gospel vants: we have done that which was our If Jesus did not come into the world as unto you than that ye have received, let duty to do." (Luke 17:10.) Luke affirms but was born of human parents him be accursed." (Gal. 1:8-9.) The gospel He was no more divine than we are. Like Paul preached has a clear, definite ring. If true, by grace through faith we are produces like. Human only human. Then "I determined not to know anything among saved, then we are saved fully, freely right in Him did not dwell "all the fulness of the you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified." now. If Eternal life is the gift of God Godhead bodily." He might have had more (I Cor. 2: 2.) "We preach Christ crucified." through Jesus Christ His Son, then we may of the Holy Spirit and presence of Infinite "God commendeth His love towards us in have glory, honor, immortality, Eternal life God. But He would be orily finite. The that while we were yet sinners christ died now. "He that hath the Son hath life; and Jews said, "Is not this Jesus the Son of for us. Much more then, being "now justi­ he that hath not the Son of God hath not Joseph, whose father and mother we know?" fied by His blood, we shall be saved from the Life." (I John 5:12.) How is it that he sayeth, "I came down from wrath through Him." ''When we were ene­ John says: "Whosoever transgresseth, heaven?" (John 6:42.) No reasoning being mies we 'were reconciled to God by the death and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, can have "sound belief in Jesus as the Son of His son." (Rom. 5: 8-10.) "God was in hath not God. He that abideth in the doc­ of God and Saviour of Man" and not have Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, trine of Christ, hath both the Father and as sound a belief in his virgin birth as Luke not imputing their trespasses unto them and the Son. If there come any unto you, and states. hath committed unto us the word of recon­ bring not this doctrine, receive him not ciliation; now then we are ambassadors for unto your house, neither bid him Go'dspeed; In the sun's rays are blended the seven Christ; as though God did beseech you by primary colors. Which color is most essen· us; we pray you in Christ's stead be ye for he that biddeth him Godspeed is a par' taker of his evil deeds." (II John 9-11.) tial? Can part of them be not there and reconciled to God. For he hath made him The doctrine of Christ and that which Paul still have sunbeam? As all are essential, so to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we preaches are identical. with the Sun of Righteousness. He is the might be made the righteousness of God in Eternal Son of God. By the Virgin Mary He Him." (2 Cor. 5:19-21.) To see the kingdom of God first ye must becomes the Son of man. His sinless life 'Paul did not preach a gospel of reforma­ be born into this world or of water. Any made it possible for Him to become redeemer tion but of transformation. Is it "not what one who knows about physical birth knows of man. The miracles were a natural result one believes, but what he does?" Again it is a water birth. Second, ye must be of. His nature and life. He said "Believe me the Word says: "Therefore by the dee<:is of born of Spirit. On one side born of water, that I am in the Father and the Father in the law shall no flesh be justified in His of flesh, of will of man, of corruptible seed. me; or else believe me for the very works sight." (Rom. 3:20.) "We conclude that On the other, born of Spirit, of Will of God, sake." (John 14:11.) "If I do not the works a man is justified by faith without the deeds from above, of incorruptible seed. If the of my Father believe me not." (John 10:37.) of the law." (Rom. 3:28.) "Christ is be­ Spiritual birth is a figure of speech so is By His death He becomes the Saviour of come of no effect unto you, whosoever of being born into this world. One who is man. His bodily resurrection proves that He you are justified by the laws; ye are fallen born of Spirit is as conscious of fact as of is alive and can give eternal life. He said: from grace." (Gal. 6 : 4. ) "If thou shalt physical life. "If anyone is in Christ he is confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and a new creature." (II Cor. 5:17.) "No man taketh it (life) from me. I have 14 CHRISTIANITY TODAY October, 1932

power to lay it down and I have power to political divisions is exorbitant; crime, cor­ little for creeds and dogmas, but history take it up again." (John 10:18.) His ascen­ ruption and graft are rampant; respect for teaches that a nation without some religion sion shows that He lives as our high priest. law, order and decency are at a low ebb, and is without patriotism and a nation without God's Word makes clear that if any preach communism is spreading at a rate that those patriotism is doomed. any other gospel !han the doctrine of Christ of us who are in the best position to know "Congress met last December and has re­ which Paul and all other Apostles preached, dare not admit even to ourselves. mained in session until now, and most of the they are accursed, fallen from grace, not "If I were asked to name the causes for time has been taken up jockeying for po· from God, whose ways are evil. If any re­ all of this, the answer would be short and litiqal position. At the end of the last fiscal ceive them into their house or bid them God­ simple. Too much legislation; government year, the national budget was two billions speed he is a partaker of their evil deeds. in business; paternalism; extravagance, of dollars out of balance. Congress by a B. E. JACOBS. public and private; loss of respect for law niggardly spirit of economy, and by taxing Albany, Ore. and public officials; failure of courts, prose­ everything except the air we breathe, cuting. officers and jurors to discharge their claimed to have balanced the budget, and duties fully; the breakdown in the American then proceeded to provide for expenditures "Signs of the Times" home, and the departure from the religion which would again throw it more than two of our fathers. billions out of balance. To the Editor of CHRISTIANITY TODAY: "Our governments, national, state and "Our last legislature, elected on a plat· SIR: Such is the condition of the world municipal, have regulated business, in many form of economy, after the regular session today, nationally, politically, morally, reli­ instances unwisely and unjustly until it has and two extra sessions, adjourned, after giously and spiritually, that the absorbing been almost regulated out of business. having appropriated more money than ever question on the lips of everyone you meet in the history of the state, and having added "MyoId-fashioned idea of a home is a is, "What is the matter of the world 7" I many new. taxes including an additional place where a tired man returns at night am enclosing an address by Judge Akerman, automobile and gasoline tllX. as a haven of rest; there the dear mother of Tampa, Florida, Judge of the United "I have listened in on the two great po­ gathers her brood and teaches them prin­ States District Court, delivered before the ciples of honesty, integrity and respect for litical conventions and have read the long Rotary Club of Lakeland, Florida, on the law, order, decency and for the rights of platform of the republicans and the short subject, "The Signs of the Times." The ad­ others; a place to which the young men and platform of the democrats and again I can dress is so striking in the portrayal of world women, as they go out in the world will see nothing constructive, but only a play for conditions, that I feel that it should have a always look back as sacred. Now in a political position. In fact the only thing wider hearing. Hence I am commending mild way it has been turned into a bar-room I got out of these conventions was that when it to the readers of CHRISTIANITY TODAY. But and gambling den, and the children regard I observed the antics of the women dele­ before reading the address, and fully to it as a sleeping car to crawl into in the gates, I became a thorough convert to the appreciate its significance, the 24th chap­ early hours of the morning. repeal of the 19th amendment." ter of Matthew, the 21st chapter of Luke E. E. BIGGER. and the 3rd and 4th chapters of 2 Timothy "I am not a church man and care very Clearwater, Fla. should be read. In answer to the question by His disciples, Christ gave "the signs of His coming and the end of the world." And then He said, "Learn a parable of the fig tree. When the branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer "PerFectionism"-A Book Review is nigh. So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even PERFECTION by Benjamin Breckinridge tionism as it has found expression in these at the door." And then he said "Watch." Warfield. Oxford UniverSity Press. United States. Here we have not only an To fail to watch for these signs, indicates a Two VOlumes, pp. 399 and 611. $3.50 per extended account and running .criticism of want of interest or confidence in Christ's volume. "Oberlin Perfectionism" (Pres. Mahan and words! Charles G. Finney), of "John Humphrey HE great interest that Dr. Warfield Noyes and His 'Bible Communists,''' and of Having read the Signs given by Christ took in Perfectionism is indicated by "The Mystical Perfectionism of Thomas and Paul, you will be able to see the corre­ Tthe fact that it has required two large vol­ Cogswell Upham," but of "The Higher Life spondence in the signs given by the Judge, umes to reprint his contributions to an un~ and the signs given by Christ. The special Movement" (W. E. Boardman, and Mr. and derstanding of this subject. It goes without Mrs. Robert Pearsall Smith) and "The Vic­ importance that attaches to the Judge's de­ saying that what he has written in this con­ torious Life Movement" (Charles G. Trum­ liverance on this subject, is that it is not nection should not be ignored by anyone bull). While there is no independent treat­ by a preacher or even a Ch.ristian, but by interested in a movement that has played one who disavows any interest in Chris­ ment of the "Keswick Movement" there is and continues to play an important role in frequent reference to it, Dr. Warfield ap­ tianity or its creeds-by a man of the world. the drama of Protestantism. There certainly is a responsibility and per­ parently regarding it as the least objection­ able of the Perfectionist movements. sonal interest for everyone to watch. The first of these volumes is particularly Excerpts from the address follow: concerned with Perfectionism as it has mani­ According to Dr. Warfield the immediate fested itself in Germany. Here we have not source of most of the Perfectionism of mod­ "In a time of peace," he said, "millions only an account and explanation of the ern Protestantism is to be found in the out of employment, large percentages of "Higher Life" Movement as it has appeared teaching of John Wesley, particularly in his whom, with their dependents, are on .~he in the churches of Germany but an extended teaching that justification and sanctification verge of starvation; manufacture is at a account of the assault on the Reformation are two separate gifts of God to be sep­ standstill; business is bankrupt; nations, doctrine of sin and grace made by Rational­ arately obtained by separate acts of faith. states, counties, districts, munkipalities and ist scholars like Ritschl, Wernle, Clemen, He points out, however, that Perfectionist indiViduals are attempting to repudiate just Pfleiderer, .and Windsch. The second con­ tendencies have appeared "constantly along debts; taxation in our country and all of its cerns itself more particularly with Perfec- the courses of two fundamental streams of October, 1932 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 15 thought. Wherever Mysticism intrudes, it to be sure, but 'miserable sinners' still, de­ stantaneollsly recovered" (Vo!. II, p. 563). carries a tendency to Perfectionism with it. serving nothing but everlasting wrath. That It is obvious that in as far. as Dr. War­ On Mystical ground-as, for example, among is the attitude which the Reformers took, field's account is correct most Perfectionism the Quakers-a Perfectionism has been de­ and that is the attitude which the Prot­ stands or falls with the validity of this veloped to which that Jaught by Wesley estant world has learned from the Reformers teaching as to justification and sanctifica­ shows such similarity, even in details and to take, toward the relation of believers to tion. Dr. Warfield maintains, rightly we be­ modes of expression, that a mistaken at­ Christ" (Yo!. I, p. 113). lieve, that su'ch teaching is contrary to the tempt has been made to discover an imme­ Pelagian Perfectionism involves so thor­ New Testament. "According to New Testa­ diate genetic connection between them. ough~going a rejection of the Scriptural doc­ ment teaching," he writes, "sanctification is Wherever again men lapse into an essen­ trines of sin and grace that it has found not related to faith directly and immedi­ tially Pelagian mode of thinking concerning little ad vocacy in professedly Christian ately, so that in believing in Jesus we re­ the endowments of human nature and the circles apart from the rationalistic scholars ceive both justification and sanctification as conditions of human action, a Perfectionism of Germany and their followers in England parallel products of our faith; or either the similar to that taught by Pelagius himself and America. Wesleyan Perfectionism, how­ one or the other, according as our faith is tends to repeat itself. That is to say, his­ ever, has not only characterized Methodist directed to the one or the other. Sanctifi­ tory verifies the correlation of Perfectionism teaching but has exerted a large influence in cation is related directly not to faith but to and Libertarianism, and wherever Liber­ non-Methodist circles. In fact, as already justification; and as faith is the instru­ tarianism rules the thoughts of men, Perfec­ intimated, most of the Perfectionism of mod­ mental cause of justification, so is justifica­ tionism persistently makes its appearance. ern times grows out of or at least is inti­ tion the instrumental cause of sanctification. It is to this stream of influence that Wes­ mately boun-d up with the Wesleyan teach­ The vinculum which binds justification and leyan Perfectionism owes its origin. Its ing that justification and sanctification are sanctification together is not that they are roots are set historically in the Semi-Pela­ two distinct experiences that are attained both alike effects of faith-so that he who gian Perfectionism of the Dutch Remon­ by two distinct acts of faith. According to believes must have both-because faith is trants.... Its particular differentiation is this view we are freed from the guilt of sin the prius of both alike. Nor "is it even that C\etermined by the supernaturalism which it by one act of faith and from the power of both are obtained in Christ, so that he who shares with the whole body of modifications sin by another act of faith. Hence it is has Christ who is made to us both righteous­ introduced by Wesley into his fundamental held that sanctification is as immediate as ness and sanctification, must have both be­ Arminianism, from which Wesleyanism has justification. This carries with it the notion cause Christ is the common source of hoth. acquired its Evangelical character" (Vol. I, . that a man may be justified without being' It is true that he who has faith has and p. 3; Vol. II, pp. 463 and 562). in any degree sanctified. It is to be noticed must have both; and it is true that he who Dr. Warfield maintains that Perfectionism that while this view has much to say of the has Christ has and must have both. But in all its forms involves a rejection of the guilt and power of sin it is strangely silent they do not come out of faith or from Christ type of Christianity taught and exemplified concerning sin as pollution and corruption. in the same way. Justification comes by the Reformers and imbedded in the doc­ "As wave after wave of the 'holiness move­ through faith; sanctification through justi­ trinal formularies of the Lutheran and Re­ ment' has broken over us during the past fication, and only mediately through faith_ formed churches. "It belongs to the very century," writes Dr. Warfield, "each has So that the order is invariable, faith, justi­ essence of the type of Christianity propa­ brought something distinctive of itself. But fication, sanctification; not arbitrarily but gated by the Reformation," he writes: "that a common fundamental character has in­ in the nature of the case" (Vo!. I, p. 363). tb.e believer should feel himself continuously formed them all, and this common funda­ Dr. Warfield of course is a "Perfectionist" un worthy of the grace by which he lives. mental character has been communicated to in the sense that he holds that Christ saves At the center of this type of Christianity them by the Wesleyan doctrine. The essen­ to the "uttermost" and hence that ultimately lies the contrast of sin and grace; and about tial elements of that doctrine repeat them­ believers will be completely sanctified. He this center everything else revolves. This is selves in all these movements, and form maintains, however, that God sanctifies the in large part the meaning of the emphasis their characteristic features. In all of them sinner not immediately but by process and put on justification by faith in this type of alike justification and sanctification are that this process is never completed in this Christianity. It is its conviction 'that there divided from one another as two separate life. "The power of Christ to save to the is nothing in us or done by us, at any stage gifts of God. In all of them alike sanctifi­ uttermost," he writes, "is the foundation of of our earthly development, because of which cation is represented as obtained, just like all our hope, and everyone who belieVes we are acceptable to God. We must always justification, by an act of simple faith, but in Him commits himself to Him for this and be accepted for Christ's sake, or we cannot not by the same act of faith by which justi­ nothing less; we do, all of us, expect to re­ ever be accepted at all. This is not true of fication is obtained, but by a new and sep­ ceive and do receive it all, without limita­ us only 'when we believe.' It is just as true arate act of faith, exercised for this specific tion and without diminution, and in this after we have believed. It will continue to purpose. In all of them alike the sanctifi­ expectation, sure and steadfast, lies all our be true as long as we live. Our need of cation which comes from this act of faith, comfort and all our joy. But the revelation Christ does not cease with our believing; comes immediately on believing, and all at of it (i. e. of salvation to the uttermost) nor does the nature of our relation to Him once, and in all of them alike this sanctifi­ would not need to be made to us-we would or to God through Him ever alter, no matter cation, thus received, is complete sanctifica­ not need to be told of it-if it were a pres­ what our attainments in Christian graces or tion. In all of them alike, however, it is to ent experience, not a matter of hope. Nor our achievements in Christian behaviour be added, this complete sanctification does would the revelation made in this great may be. It is always on His 'blood and not bring complete freedom from all sin; declaration be true, if the measure of salva­ righteousness' alone that we can rest. There but only, SaY, from sinning; or freedom tion we have already received were all we is never anything that we are or have or from conscious sinning; or from the com­ are to expect, if a complete salvation of soul do that can take His place, or that can take mission of 'known sins.' And in all of them and body were not the portion of His saints. a place along with Him. We are always un­ alike, moreover, this sanctification is not a And certainly it would not be true if even worthy, and all that we have or do of good stable condition into which we enter once the measure of salvation we have already is always of pure grace.· Though blessed for all by faith, but a momentary attain­ received from Him were unstable or liable with every spiritual blessing in the heaven­ ment, which must be maintained moment by to be lost tomorrow, its maintenance de­ lies in Christ, we are still just 'm~serable moment, and which may readill:",be lost and pending not on Him but on us. The whole sinners'; 'miserable sinners' saved by grace is often lost, but may also be repeatedly in- force of the declaration hangs precisely upon 16 CHRISTIANITY TODAY October, 1932 our being as yet viatores not consumrnatores; in the power of Lazarus to reject-it was volumes as it is safe to assume that they exactly what it does is to give us assurance not in his power to accept-the gift of life will not be available to most of our readers. of the consummation. The state of that which Christ gave him; nor is it in the We trust, however, that these citations will Christian is sad indeed who must believe power of dead souls to reject life-or to so whet the appetites of at least our minis­ that what he is already is the uttermost 'accept' it-when God 'gives' it to them. terial readers that they will not rest until which Christ is able to do for him, and that The God in whom we trust is a God who they have read the volumes as a whole. Both henceforth he must depend on himself" quickens the dead and commands the things historically and doctrinally they are of first (Vol. II, p. 517). that are not as though they were" (Vol. II, importance in any study of Perfectionism as p. 604). it has appeared in modern Protestantism. Dr. Warfield holds that it is a very im­ We have quoted at some length from these S. G. C. perfect perfection that the Perfectioni-sts ad· vocate. At the best it is an absence of con­ scious or known sins rather than an inner purity of character. In other words it stresses freedom from the guilt and power of sin but deals lightly with the pollution News of the Church and corruption of sin. What is more, he shows that an antinomian tendency has dogged the footsteps of all forms of Perfec· Westminster Seminary Opens turning to the new students, he -said that tionism. He does not of course maintain the faculty rejoiced to welcome the largest that all or even that many "Perfectionists" with Record Enrollment class by a considerable margin that had yet come to the Seminary. But he rejoiced still are antinomians, true as it is that he holds HE opening exercises of Westminster more in the conviction that they had entered that "Perfectionism is impossible in the Theological Seminary were held on the T in the sincere desire (1) to acquaint them.­ presence of a deep sense or a profound con· afternoon of Wednesday, September 28th, selves with the Word of God, and (2) to ception of sin." in Wlitherspoon Hall, 'Philadelphia. The proclaim it. There is always the danger fourth year of the Seminary's history was Dr. Warfield also points _out that at the that men will come to a theological seminary begun auspiciously before a large gathering root of most Perfectionism is a Pelagian as to any gradu3.te school,-simply follow­ of people from Philadelphia and vicinity. conception of the will that leads its advo­ ing the line of least resistance, and entering The Rev. J. Gresham Machen, D.D., Litt.D., cates to suspend sanctification in the last the ministry as one of a number of possible chairman of the Faculty, presided. (The, analysis on what man does rather than on professions. Westminster, he thought, was Semina,ry follows the old Princeton tradi­ what God does (Vol. II, pp. 533, 539, 578, as free of this attitude as any institution in tion of having no "President"-a tradition 602). Nothing is more certain, however, the world, because it is plain that students broken at Princeton with the appointment than that according to the Scriptures sal­ desiring "preferment" will not come to a of J. Ross Stevenson to that ofiice.) vation is in the last analysis all of God, seminary whose very existence is evidence After the hearty singing of the Long nothing of ourselves. _ The doctrine of the of its struggle against the temper of the age Metre Doxology, the Invocation was offered autocracy of the human will cannot be rec­ and of the visible church. onciled with the Biblical doctrine of the by the Rev. Joseph Taylor Brltan, D.D., sovereignty of God. It is primary Christian well known minister who is chaplain of the There were some things, he - continued, teaching to which Dr. Warfield gives expres­ Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia. that the Seminary could not offer. The new sion when he writes: "It is not true that Then was sung the old Scottish Paraphrase students had discovered before this that the 'God can save no man unless that man does beginning campus was rudimentary. But the students his part toward salvation.' Man has no part Supreme in wisdom as in power would be received into the warmest possible to do toward salvation; and, if he had, he The Rock of Ages stands; friendship. The speaker had had other could not do it-his very character as _a Though Him thou canst not see or trace academic experiences, in various parts of sinner is that he is helpless, that he is The working of His hands. the world, but never had he shared such a 'lost.' 'He is very active indeed in the The Scripture Lesson, Ecclesiastes 1: 1-11, warm experience as since the founding of process of his salvation, for this activity is was read by the Rev. Ralph E. Wallis, widely Westmins'ter. During that time he could of the substance of his salvation: he works and favorably known as the active pastor say sincerely that he had learned more from out his own salvation, but only as God of Philadelphia's Oxford Presbyterian Church. his students, then he could have taught them works in him the willing and the doing ac­ Prayer was then offered by the Rev. Burleigh -for they had come with a different pur­ cording to His good pleasure. It is not true Cruikshank, D.D., pastor of the great St. pose and ambition than students of other that 'God forces salvation on on man.' It Paul Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, and seminaries. The welcome, then, was to would be truer to say that no man is saved Moderator of the Presbytery of Philadelphia. on whom God does not force salvation­ (1) A Fellowship of Testimony. The fact -though the language would not be exact. The greeting to the entering students was of their entering Westminster Seminary is It is not true that the 'the eternal life in given by Dr. Machen. Already this feature itself a testimonY,-a protest against the Christ Jesus our Lord' which is the 'free of the opening is becoming a tradition. In current in the church and in favor of the gift of God' is merely put at our option and words that were simple, yet pulSing with the great doctrines of the Word. 'our wills are free' to accept or reject it. eloquent passion of a great conviction, Dr. (2) A Fellowship of Praye-r. All labor, Our wills are free enough, but they are Machen outlined to the- entrants the kind of study, or efforts of any kind were vain un­ hopelessly biased to its rejection and will fellowship to which he welcomed them. He less they had the blessing of Almighty God. certainly reject it so long as it is only an began by saying that it was a pleasure to That blessing comes to those who pray for 'offer.' But it is not true that God's free welcome so many alumni to the exercises. it. From the beginning, and always, stu­ gift of eternal life to His people is only an Although the Seminary was only three years dents and faculty should be united in a great 'offer': it is a 'gift'-and what God gives old it already possessed an active and bond of prevailing prayer. Nothing could He does not merely place at our disposal to fiourishing alumni society. He rejoiced also take its place. be accepted or rejected as we may chance in the fellowship of Christian friends of to choose, but 'gives,' makes ours, as He Philadelphia and vicinity, for all were (3) A Fellowship of Labor, Young men gave life to Lazarus and wholeness to the united by a common desire that men should had come to this Seminary because they man with the wit!iered hand. It was not be sent out to preach the pure gospel. Then, wanted to learn in an institution whose re- October, 1932 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 17 quirements and standards were exacting and The Reformation Fellowship high. He warned them against dissipation of energies in trying to become'proficient in "WHEREAS a union of the Pres­ CTOBER 2 and 3 have been dates of un­ everything. Unity of Labor 'is best for byterian Church in the U. S. A. and O usual importance in the calendar of work. The man who unifies his efforts and the United Presbyterian Church is be­ the Reformation Fellowship. On the date objectives is the man who actually accom­ ing proposed upon conditions that first mentioned, that being a Sunday, the Fellowship held its first evangelistic church plishes. The Seminary believed in that would in effect nulliFy certain import­ unity of effort. It was not trying to make service, in accordance with the extensive an­ ant doctrines contained in the West­ either mere "Promoters of the General Wel­ nouncement published in the September fare" or "Specialists in Religion." The minster ConFession of Faith, and vital issue of CHRISTIANITY TODAY. The service Seminary had one special task: to help men to its system of doctrine, and thereby was held in the Hollond Memorial Presby­ to become real specialists in the Bibl,e. The lead to an important change in our terian Church, Broad and Federal Streets, Philadelphia, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Bible as God's revelation was the central age-old conFessional basis;, "now, pivot in the Westminster Curriculum around The Rev. H. McAllister Griffiths was in which all else moved. He did not forget "THEREFORE, the ReFormation charge of the preliminaries, while the Rev. Church History or Philosophical Apologetics. Fellowship of the Presbyterian and John Clover Monsma preached the sermon, his subject being "The Depth and Passion These converge upon the Bible. We cannot ReFormed Churches of North America, understand the Word of God aright unless of Jesus' Love." assembled in annual meeting, this we see how, for, nineteen centuries, it has The objects of these services are to pro­ been a fire in men's souls. The understand­ third day of October, 1932, desires vide another much-needed service in the ing that there have been periods of apostasy to express itselF with dearness and city of Philadelphia where the preaching is like this in the past helped now (1) to de­ emphasis as not Favoring the above­ genuinely Reformed and absolutely true to fend the Bible against its enemies (West­ mentioned union upon the basis pro­ the Word of God, and to provide an oppor­ minster stands on the proposition that the posed; to exhort ministers and local tunity outside of the usual hours of worship truth is capable of defense so that men may for those who go spiritually hungry in their churches everywhere to uphold and not float in unbelief like chips on a own churches to "come and eat." At the stream) and, (2) to obtain a more than deFend the historic confessional stand­ same time evangelistic and missionary work acquaintance with the contents of the Bible. ards of the Presbyterian and Reformed is attempted by inviting visitors and This last result involved intellectual labor. Churches, and not to allow themselves transients in the. city to hear the pure and He did not apologize for that. Intellectual under any conditions to be drawn into simple Word of God. slothfulness was a quack remedy for un­ any process of church amalgamation These services will continue to be held belief. The true remedy is the consecration every Sunday, at 4 o'clock in the aternoon, that would mean surrender of vital of all man's intellectual powers.to the serv­ in Hollond Memorial Church, and Mr. ice of God. They must speak out as de­ Scriptural truths or compromise with Monsma will continue to be the preacher. fenders of the truth, with courage, because forces inimical. to the real interests of The Fellowship has invited all lovers of a they had first heard the voice of God. In the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ." powerful and unadulterated Gospel to give these days many men are too anxious to themselves a spiritual treat by attending speak to others before they hear God speak­ -(A resolution unanimously adopted these services. One of Philadelphia's'most ing to them. First get God's message! Then at the First Annual Meeting of the talented organists, Mr. Thomas R. Birch, has go and speak, and as you go forth you will Reformation Fellowship, held on consented to provide the instrumental music have the great joy of bringing lost men and October 3, in the Hollond Memorial from Sunday to Sunday. Anyone who ap­ women to Christ, and to bring people to a Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia.) preciates what inspirational and uplifting solid and orderly acquaintance with the power exists in real church music and Word of God. happens to know Mr. Birch as an organist will at once realize how fortunate the Fellow­ Following Dr. Machen's welcoming words, new students in the Junior Class, 23 stu­ ship has been in securing him for this the announcements were made. 'Then came dents in the Middle Class (of whom 3 are function. the main event of the afternoon,-the ad­ new), 10 students in the Senior Class, 7 stu­ On Monday evening, October 3, the Ref­ dress by the Rev. Harmon H. McQuilkin, dents in the graduate diviSion, 5 partial ormation Fellowship held its annual meet­ D.D., pastor of the First Church of Orange, students, and 2 special students. Orange, New Jersey. ing. A business meeting was held at 7 o'clock and a public meeting at 8. Dr. McQuilkin delivered an unusual Associated Press Begins The roll call at the business meeting re­ address on an un-hackneyed subject-"The vealed that the Fellowship now has members World Well Past the Experimental Stage." New Religious News Service in twenty-eight States and in two Provinces It is hoped that the next issue of CHRIS­ HE Associated Press from its New York of Canada. In its report to the members the TIANITY TODAY will carry this lucid and T headquarters on September 17 officially Board of Trustees stated, among other penetrating address, which made a deep announced the organization of a department things, "No actual reformation work has as impression upon the audience. to cover the activities of the Churches, yet been undertaken, unless our testimony against present-day evil conditions in the Following the address, prayer was offered headed by Herbert Yahraes, Jr., religious Churches be taken as such. An extensive by the Rev. David Freeman, pastor of the editor. The Associated Press has for the past correspondence has been carried on; thou­ Grace Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. fifteen years been giving increasing attention sands of pieces of mail have gone out; Then all sang the hymn beginning, throughout its service to the news develop. ments of religious organizations and now publicity has been secured through the At the name of Jesus centralizes control and direction of religious church press, the secular press, and the Every knee shall bow news throughout the United States by this radio ...." and were dismissed with the benediction. assignment. Thus the greatest and most The general secretary, Mr. Monsma, ex­ far-reaching news organization in the world plained at the meeting that since the The student body at Westminster on recognizes the increased interest of the Fellowship had been organized only last October 12 numbered 76. This includes 29 people in religious news. spring, it had had only the slow summer 18 CHRISTIANITY TODAY October, 1932

season in which to work, and that bigger Self-Appointed Modernist Mission The Hall of Religions will house the :ex­ and better things could reasonably be ex­ hibits of and pe the headquarters for Prot­ Investigators' Report pected in the fall and winter. The treasurer, estant denominationalism. The growth, of Mr. Kendrick C. Hill, of Trenton, N. J., was HREE changes occurring in the world the Protestant Church during the past able to present a very encouraging report, T during the last century were cited on century will be vividly portrayed through but at the same time a report that indicated October 9 as suggesting a "new orientation" exhibits brought· from all corners of the the great need of more members and more which foreign missions should adopt. earth. Statistical data, such as has never special contributions. The Fellowship is They were listed in a portion of the report, before been placed before the public, is being now praying and waiting for special funds soon to be issued, of a laymen's committee compiled with the avowed purpose 'of with which to carryon several campaigns "representing" seven Protestant denomina­ astounding those who declare that "C4ris­ for members. It is fervently hoped that tions which has made a two-year study of tianity is on the wane"-and that the God will lead many of his children through­ missionary work in Asia. Excerpts from "Church is losing ground." Refutation of out the land to send liberal gifts for this the report have been made public by Albert th'ese assaults is the main object of the Com­ purpose. L. Scott, chairman of the inquiry. mittee on Progress through Religion in the At the public meeting Prof. Dr. J. Gresham "Of the many changes in the world during erection of this beautiful building. the last century, a century of sweeping Machen delivered the main address, while A program of many conferences will' be changes in the life of the Orient as well as the Revs. Griffiths and Monsma, President directed to clarifying the objectives and in the life of the West," the report says, and General Secretary respectively of the methods for the solution of present social "three are peculiarly pertinent to the mission Fellowship, also spoke. Dr. Machen brought problems. Emphasis will rest upon co­ enterprises, an altered theological outlook, a stirring message on the great need of operation and not upon propaganda for spe­ the emergence of a basic world culture, the reformation in the Presbyterian Church. In cial religious affiliations. These conferences rise of nationalism in the East." his usual masterful way he enumerated vari­ will have for their subjects many phases of Speaking of the theological change, the ous evils that beset the Church and pointed religious education, the attitude of youth report says, in typical Modernist accents, out with great clarity; step by step, how the toward religion, changing forms of worship, "Western Christianity has in the main Church had in an astoundingly large measure the methodology of charity and social serv­ shifted its stress from the negative to the bacome disloyal to its confessional writings ice, the co-operation of religious bodies for affirmative side of its message; it is less a and ordination vows. One actually shuddered peace, and the organization of religious religion of fear and more a religion of at the picture drawn by Dr. Machen, the leaders for the reduction of poverty. more so since every indictment was backed beneficence. up with clear and convincing proofs. The "It has p:3.ssed through and beyond the Modernism, riding high, wide and hand­ speaker sounded a special warning against stage of bitter confiict with the scientific some! the union of the Presbyterian and United consciousness of the race over details of the Presbyterian Churches on the b:3.sis pro­ mode of creation, the age of the earth, the "Confessions of Dr. Fosdick" posed. He declared that the so-called Con­ descent of man, miracle and law, to the fessional Statement of the United Presby­ stage of maturity in which a free religion ECENT press notices quote Dr. Harry terian Church had virtually meant the dis­ and a free science hecome inseparable and R . Emerson Fosdick, famed for "Shall the continuance of that body as a Calvinistic complementary elements in a complete world Fundamentalists Win?" and "The Peril of Church, and that if the Presbyterian Church view. Worshipping Jesus" as saying some strange, in the U. S. A. were to enter the proposed "Whatever its present conception of the though true, words about Moder:nism, He union on the basis of that Statement and future life, there is little disposition to be­ is credited with the following: lieve that sincere and aspiring seekers after the proposed Constitutional questions it "You see, we -modernists . . . pare down God in other religions are to be damned; it would cease to exist as a Presbyterian and dim our faith by negative abstractions Church. has become less concerned in any land to save men from eternal punishment than from until we have left only the ghastly re­ An observer said, "There was a wonder­ mainder of what was once a great religion. the "danger of losing the supreme good." fully harmonious spirit at these meetings Then seeing how few our positive ,con­ With the emergence of a world culture the of the Fellowship. One was refreshed and victions are and how little they matter, report says there arises again the question, encouraged by the knowledge that the peace we grow easy going about everyone else's "Why the missionary need leave, his home .to that reigned was not a peace based on convictions and end in a mush of gen,eral hypocrisy and a sinful neglect of the ordi· convey his message." There is no illlPortant c~nc~ssions." nances and comman'dments'of Christ, but a idea which is not now. an item of world peace born of true spiritual and creedal knowledge, the report, continues, including And this: "Old-fashioned religion often did unity." the knowledge of the Gospel. produce an unconsenting.. a!ld courag\lous The Reformation Fellowship now has its With reference to the· development of individual conscience. At this point 'mOd­ permanent address at 4 Pelham RO:J.d, Nationalism· in the East, the repor.t .observes ernism often faiis. It has breadth and easy­ Philadelphia. Men and women all through there has come "a disconcerting 'conscious­ going complacency, 'and general good' Will, the land are invited to correspOIid with it. ness of the defects of Western culture, much but lacks moral grip to life men abov~' the sharpened by the Great War, and" a much ordinary levels of d'aily lifNew York City. He died of lush and sentimental. - We, fair-weifher cerebral ·hemorrhage. : The forceful and Chicago World's Fair mystical son of a Nova Scotia sea captain, NE. of the features of the Century of modernists, with our too easy gospel of God he became an avowed "liberal" and one of . Progress Exposition to be held in as a sentimental lover, WOUld better salute O those old Christians. They did not blink Modernism's most ,popular preachers. He Chicago next year .will be a large and beauti­ was frequeI\tly found in opposition to ,his ful Ball of Religions. . This building willp8 the facts; instead they achie~ed a faith ~iile conservative superior,Bishop Manning, of Mexico Versus Rome the claims of the Roman Church; and that pressed its grave dissatisfaction with the the marriages of Protestants with Roman OR six years the episcopate of the present achievements of the Disarmament Roman Church in Mexico has been in Catholics' be defended against depreciation Conference. F or complete destruction." bitter, almost continuous strife with The Management Committee of the World Mexico's Government. Grieved with what Alliance for International Friendship he considers persecution and what Mexican Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem through the Churches, assembled at Geneva, legislators call regulation, Pope Pius XI has passed unanimously the following resolution Enthroned watched in patience, hoping for peace chiefly on disarmament:- through the truce arranged between Church HE Rt. Rev. George Francis ·-Graham· "'The Management Committee of the and State by the late Ambassador Dwight T Brown, D.D., was enthroned in st. World Alliance for Internatio,nal Friendship Whitney Morrow. Late in September the George's Collegiate Church, Jerusalem, as through the Churches, having observed the Pope, uttered a sharp protest in an encyclical Bishop of the Church of England, in Jeru­ proceedings of the World Conference for headed Acerba animi ("bitterness of soul.") salem, and installed as Dean of the Collegiate the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments Addressed to the Mexican hierarchy, Church, on the Feast of St. Michael and All between the months of February and July, Acerba animi attacked anti-religious pro­ Angels, September 29. His consecration took 1932, and having considered the draft resolu­ paganda, expropriation of churches, exile of place at Canterbury last June 24. He succeeds tion adopted by the General Committee of clergy and suppression of religious instruc­ Bishop Rennie Maclnness, whose death oc· that Conference on July 23 . .. expresses tion in primary schools by Mexico's National curred on Christmas Eve, 1931. The Arch· with deep sorrow the feeling of bitter dis­ Revolutionary Party (Government). "In­ bishops of Canterbury and York and the illusionment throughout Christendom in iquitous" and "impious," said the Pope, are Bishop of London nominate to this office. face of the fact that the Disarmament Con­ the laws limiting clergy, deSigned under the Among the officials taking part in the ference has not yet reached any satisfactory Constitution to "correspond to the religious ceremony in Jerusalem were representatives result in spite of discussions which have needs of the faithful and of the locality" but of the Church of England in Palestine, Syria lasted for six months. actually administered to "eliminate [the and Transjordan, in Cyprus, Egypt and It expresses with a feeling of deep con­ Church] gradually from the republic." Of Iraq, a representative of the EpIscopal cern its conviction that a failure of this the many State laws limiting clergy (the Church of Scotland, Canon Bridgeman, Conference would inflict terrible injury not la test provides 24 churches and 24 priests 22 CHRISTIANITY TODAY October, 1932 for the million-odd inhabitants of the Fed­ At the same time the Legislature indicated nobler, sweeter song,' for she has passed era I District of Mexico City), the Pope cites ~ts desire to encourage similar action in the beyond all her suffering and is 'with Christ; those of Michoacan (one priest for 33,000 other States by voting to call the attention which is far better.' " Romanists), Chiapas (one for 60,000) and of its action to the other Legislatures and Veracruz (one for 100,000). This "unheard­ to the Federal Congress. of persecution," exclaims Pius XI, "differs The procedure, an aftermath of the ex­ United Church of Canada but little ... from the one raging within pulsion from Mexico of Archbishop Leopoldo Board Favors Birth Control the unhappy borders of Russia.... " Ruiz y Flores, pap3.l delegate, was accom­ The Pope counseled Mexican Catholics to panied by a deciSion on the part of Senators The board of evangelism and social serv­ obey the law but to protest unremittingly. and members of the Federal Congress who ice of the United Church of Canada has dEi­ "To approve such an iniquitous law or belong to the National Revolutionary Party clared in a report issued recently that spontaneously to give to it true and proper to investigate the status of Archbishop married persons may employ birth control co-operation is undoubtedly illicit and Pascal Diaz, of Mexico City, to determine methods providing these are justifiable sacrilegious. But absolutely different is the whether he is performing religious functions "under all the particular circumstances and case of him who yields to such unjust regula­ and whether he is entitled to do so by being in the light of Christian conscience." tions solely against his will. ... His be­ registered under the ecclesiastical laws. The report was referred by the general havior consequently is not much different The party caucus also decided to investi­ council of the church, meeting here, to its from that of one who, having been robbed gate wheter the Federal District law limit­ sessional committee on evangelism and of his belongings, is obliged to ask his un­ ing the number of churches and priests in so.cial service. just despoiler for at least the use of them." Mexico City to twenty-four is being enforced. The board also urged that a civil marriage be established in all provinces for those who The retort of Mexico's new young Provi­ Declaring all priests have lost their do not wish a marriage solemnized with Sional President Abelardo L. Rodriguez was citizenship, the new Vera Cruz law provides prompt: "In an unforeseen and absurd that because of this they are subject to the Christian sanctions. A third recommendation was that the manner there has been published the application of Article 33 of the Federal Con­ church should hesitate to take an absolute encyclical ... whose tone does not surprise stitution which empowers the President to stand against divorce and remarriage. us because methods filled with falsehood expel foreigners from the country. Regarding its views on birth control the ag3.inst this country are characteristic of It also directs the Governor to begin im­ board said every Christian married person the Papacy.... mediately to dispossess the clergy of all has the right to determine "in the light of­ "In answer to the open incitation made to churches and other religious property they all the facts and obligations involved how the clergy to provoke agitation, I declare have been using and to convert it into social far precautions against reproduction shall that at the slightest manifestation of dis­ and educational centers, or put it to other be employed in his or her own life." order the. Government will proceed with full public or social uses. Birth control should not be employed, it energy to resolve definitely this problem, Vera Cruz last summer limited the num­ added, "without competent .medical advice." which has cost this nation so much blood ber of priests in the State to one for each and sacrifice.... 100,000 people, the strictest limitation effec· tive in any State in the country. Most of "If the insolent, defiant attitude ... the priests left the State when the law went Great Losses by Theft of Canadian continues, I am determined that the churches into effect. will be converted into schools and shops for Church and College Funds Observers generally are agreed that had the benefit of the nation's proletariat the Roman Church remained out of Mexican great financial loss amounting to some classes." politics in the "palmy days" it would not $800,000 has come to the Church of Archbishop Leopoldo Ruiz y Flores, A now be the football of politics. England in Western Canada. The episcop3.l Papal Legate to Mexico, said he hoped the endowment funds of the missionary districts President "and all the enemies of the Church of Moosonee, Keewatin, Athabasca, Mac­ will be pleasantly surprised when they Annie Johnson Flint Called Home kenzie River, and Yukon have been seri­ read . Acerba animi in full, find it pacific N Thursday night, September 8, Annie ously depleted or entirely lost, while much and patriotic." O Johnson Flint, well known the world of the endowment of the diocese of Rupert's The Archbishop's hopes, however, were over for her Christian "poetry of affliction," Land has been lost. destined to be rudely and quickly shattered. was called from Clifton Springs, N. Y. to go Pension funds of the province of Rupert's Early in October he was awakened in the Home to Heaven. She was sixty-Six years Land and the endowment of St. John's Col­ small hours of the morning, haled before of age, and had been confined for thirty lege, Winnipeg, are gone. All of these had the authorities, and deported from Mexico as years to a wheel chair as a sufferer from been entrusted to Chancellor Machray, of an undesirable. This action had been de­ arthritis. Yet she was no complainer, and the diocese of Rupert's Land, who is now manded by the Mexican Congress, and Presi­ the songs that she wrote with trembling faced with the charge of misappropriation dent Rodriguez was astute enough to have fingers (almost the only part of her body of nearly a million dollars of the funds of the order for expulsion in effect before the she could move, it is said) went out over the University of Manitoba, of which he was representatives of the Congress called upon the world to bring strength and encourage­ chairman of the board of governors and him to acquaint him with the legislative ment to those for whom the days were dark. bursar. Mr. Machray is now seriously ill. request. Her death was peaceful, and when the phy­ The trouble is thought to have begun with On October 7, Roman Catholic Priests in sician asked whether she had anything to unsatisfactory investments, especially in the State of Vera Cruz were deprived of say, she replied, "No, its all right." The loans on land, the value of which has been their citizenship by decree of the State Sunday School Times, in which many of her greatly depreciated, and with general bad Legislature and all church property was poems were published said, '\Like blind management. Mr. Machray was one of the ordered confiscated by the Governor for Fanny Crosby, Miss Flint sang amid her most honored and trusted citizens of Winni­ other purposes. suffering and transformed affliction into peg. The news of his defalcations came like The action was taken at a special session blessing for multitudes. Of both it could be a thunder bolt to the whole Dominion of of the Legislature. The decree declaring said that they 'out of weakness were made Canada. the priests no longer citizens leaves them strong' through faith. 'Redeeming love' At the executive board meeting of the liable to expulsion from the country under was Miss Flint's theme, as it was William Anglican Missionary Society it was decided provisions of the Federal Constitution. Cowper's; and now she can sing of it 'in a to help meet the emergency by an appe3.l to October, 1932 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 23 the bishops and clergy throughout Canada to byterians in the United Church. This is in­ began during a period in which he defended make up for the next three years the sala­ credible in view of the extraordinary pre­ Bishop-elect Herbert Shipman, the Rev. ries of the missionarY bishops, to which the cautions taken by the United Church in Percy Stickney Grant, and the Rev. Lee agents of the Missonary Society have beEm carefully instructing its people in this Heaton of Dallas, Texas, against the opposi­ asked to give 7% of their salaries. An ap­ particular a year before the census; and was tion of the conservatives. peal is to be made to the laity throughout impossible under the requirement of the Canada on a three year basis to an Epis­ Chief Census Commissioner that: The Fourth Annual Conference of copal and Clerical Endowment Fund to be Owing to the organization of the United invested through the Consolidated Trust Church of Canada since the last census, the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship Fund of the General Synod. persons calling themselves Presbyterians, of Canada The Primate has issued a statement to Methodists, or Congregationalists, should HE watchword of the Fourth Annual the effect that all funds of the General be asked if they are or are not members Conference of the Inter-Varsity Chris­ Snyod and its boards are intact and well or adherents of the United Church, and T invested. the answer should be recorded as given. tian Fellowship of Canada this September seemed to be "Advance!" In all the ad­ Be it noted that in the Dominion Census dresses delivered by the speakers this was The Canadian Churches and the Census we have an independent official declaration the most prominent note, and Christ was of denominational standing, made by the looked to as the One who had not only HE proportion of The Presbyterian State, and based upon an authoritative and redeemed those present, but who was going T Lhurch in Canada which on June 10, exhaustive individual canvass. to show His power in the universities this 1925, united with the Methodist Church and What misapprehension therefore has pre­ year. Congregational Churches to form the United vailed throughout the world about Union in The conference opened on Friday, Sep­ Church of Canada is an important question, Canada, and how great the injustice done tember 16, at 8: 00 P. M. in the Prayer Room for upon representations in that regard the Presbyterians outside the Union both in of the China Inland Mission, "150 St. George legislation was passed, property distributed, repute and in the distribution of property! St., Toronto. This meeting was addressed and the world estimate of Church Union in by two young men who were leaving for Canada based. China the next night. They gave challeng­ At the time it was difficult to determine Death of Dr. Stuart L. Tyson ing calls to the students, to consecrate their with exactness that proportion, but it was HE Rev. Dr, Stuart Laurence Tyson, a lives to Christ's services. claimed by the United Church to be very T Congregational minister since 1925, who The next day the conference continued large and so over-shadowing the body re­ had been a leader of the modernist wing with discussions of personal problems and maining Presbyteriau as to warrant refer­ during his twenty-eight years in the ministry reports from a number of centers. In the ence to the latter as but a "remnant," re­ of the Episcopal Church, died September afternoon a hike and picnic supper was held duced, in some reports abroad, to "a few 16th of double pneumonia in St. Luke's and after that a missionary meeting took parishes" and even ·"a few families." As Hospital, New York, after a week's illness. place which was attended by over 170 dele­ high as 85% was publicly claimed for the His age was 58 years. He was pastor of the gates. uniting section, but a definite proportion was Community Church in Summit, N. J. On Sunday the delegates went to churches adopted by the Federal Commission, ap­ Dr. Tyson was born in Penllyn, Pa., on in the city and in the afternoon held a meet­ pointed to distribute the general property November 12, 1873. He was graduated from ing where they discussed the problem of of the Presbyterian Church, namely 64%, Nashotah House, Wis., in 1895, entered the winning students to Christ. and division was made accordingly. ministry in 1897, and two years later be­ Monday and Tuesday were taken up with Now the Dominion Census, 1931, compels came a special preacher at Oxford, England, business discussions and conferences on a revision of that estimate for it gives the and later an assistant in St. Paul's Church fraternal relations with other Christian number of Presbyterians as 870,482. At the there'. He was also a tutor at Oxford for a bodies. On Monday night the conference previous census, 1921, the number was time, and eventually held three degrees was addressed by Dr. John McNicol of the 1,409,407.' Therefore the number in 1931 is from the university-M.A., 1903, and B.D., Toronto Bible College on "The Biblical View in excess of 50% of that in 1921 by 165,792. and D.D., awarded in 1923, the last "in of the Kingdom of God." On Tuesday night Allowing for growth between 1921 and 1925, course." Mr. Paul Guinness, Evangelical Theological in keeping with the previous decade, a larger After teaching at the Western Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas, spoke on the proportion than 40% cannot be conceded as Seminary and the University of the South, "Gospel Distribution Crusade," which he is the part of the Presbyterian, Church enter­ Dr. Tyson was appointed honorary vicar of launching this year. By this plan one per­ ing Union. Two able analysts of the census, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in 1919. son will give out three hundred Gospels of a former minister' of the Crown, and the In 1924 he was appointed to the staff of St. John every year at a total cost of $3.00. Deputy Registrar of a provincial Supreme St. George's Church, where he remained Then the day for breaking up came. After Court, support this conclusion, the former until he joined the Congregational Church. a conference in the morning the students fixing 38% as the proportion of Presby­ Noted especially for his vigorous preach­ went as guests to the hOUSe of Mrs. R. J. terians who went into the Union. Thus the ing and writing, Dr. Tyson fought for the Fleming which is situated outside the city Dominion Census has turned the tables, modernist cause in many important contro­ of Toronto. Here relaxation of all sorts demonstrating that the general property versies within and without the Episcopal and kinds was followed by supper and, after should have been distributed in almost re­ Church. In 1923 he supported the view of the send-off of the London delegates in a ·verse proportions, that is, instead of 64% certain modernists who accused bishops of $12.00 Ford, the conference went to prayer. to the United Church and 36% to the Pres­ the church of encroaching on the freedom That prayer-meeting will not easily be byterians, 38% to the United Church and of both the clergy and laity. He demanded forgotten by those present. The Holy 62% to the Presbyterians. that any settlement must establish the right Spirit seemed to be present in a very real It has been contended, however, that the of Liberal Episcopal clergymen to "think way; and there many young people gave large number of . Presbyterians reported by freely and use present-day knowledge in themselves unconditionally to their master the census is explained by the fact that religion, as in all other relations of life." for His work, whatever it might be. "Presbyterians" in the United Church reg­ When he gave a public explanation of his So ended the conference and the students istered as Presbyterians, having been taught leaving the Episcopal Church he called his turned back again to their universities before Union that they would remain Pres- resignation the fimiJ result of a process that realizing that there were great things to be 24 CHRISTIANITY TODAY October, 1932 done and great powers with which to do spirit of fellowship in united interceSSion, them. They realized more than ever that it we set apart the week beginning October was not their work but Christ's and if they A CALL TO PRAYER 2, 1932, as a time when pastors and people would follow Him completely it would mean shall search their hearts and conduct, and great and glorious things done for Him. While the cause of our Lord Jesus by personal dedication and public services Christ has need continuously of the appointed to meet the need of the hour, dis­ prayers of believers, there have been cover for -themselves and for the nation the Federal Council "Appeal for in the history of the Church periods way to peace and power." Penitence and Prayer" when crucial events have brought the saints to a more keen recognition of ALTHOUGH the date for which the appeal that need. The perilous condition of British Methodists Unite fi was issued is now past, CHRISTIANITY the Church today, not to speak of the TODAY publishes the text of the "Call to world, calls anew for penitence and N September 20th in Albert Hall, Penitence and Prayer" recently issued by prayer. O London, was held the final ceremony in the uniting of the three branches of the Federal Council of Churches. The call We are profoundly convinced that follows: Methodism in Great Britain. Before an the present tragic situation in the audience of ten thousand persons, the Presi­ "Greeting: Grace to you and peace from Church is the inevitable result of the God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. dents of the three Churches, Wesleyan rise and progress of Modernism. We Methodist, Primitive Methodist and United "We address you o"n urgent business. The are beginning to reap the conse­ Church and the nation face a grave and Methodist signed the "Deed of Union" fol­ quences of the seeds of unbelief lowing which Dr. John Scott Lidgett signed serious situation. There is on every hand which we have allowed to be planted as the first President of the United Church. physical and mental suffering. This condi­ and watered with scarcely any protest. The new body includes 5,000 ministers, tion has long continued and no one can The Church has not lifted up the Cross, 200,000 Sunday School teachers, 1,200,000 point the way of escape. Our best men are whereon Christ in His suffering satis­ Sunday School scholars, and approximately powerless before the devasting effects of fied Divine Justice and bore man's sin, a million communicant members. Its prop­ commercial distrust and moral confusion. as the only way of reconciliation be­ erties are valu!ld at about $280,000,000. While we long for the return of prosperity, tween God· and man. We need to we pray rather for the correction of those " pray that God will grant us penitence The union, however, was not con­ causes of distress, without which prosperity for our unbelief, for our indifference summated without serious question hav­ may prove to be other than a blessing. and coldness toward a Gospel which ing been raised. When the matter was first "In many areas within the Church there we have professed to love. We need broached, it is alleged that promises were is an urgent desire for a religious awaken· forgiveness for our indifference toward made that the doctrinal basis of union would ing. On every hand thoughtful Christians the defense of that Gospel. God's be subject to final changes before union. feel that the root of our trouble is moral truth in itself will never suffer from the This right was denied in one of the negotiat­ and spiritual. All laws are moral laws and, scorn of men, but had we contended ing churches on the ground that the other while we cannot trace their working, of one more diligently for that truth, precious two churches had already adopted it as it thing we are sure, that out of the past has souls might not have been led astray. was. The basis is regarded as vague and come the present. We reap wnat we sow. We need to repent with unfeigned unsatisfactory, concessive to modernism. "We have worshipped at the shrines of sorrow for our indifference toward the The opposition to it was led by Dr. H. C. false gods-the false god of mammon, money, eternal destiny of our fellow-men­ Morton, Editor of The Fundamentalist. On things; the false god of power, produc­ an indifference which stamps us as the surface, however, the actual act of tion, bigness; the false god of nationalism, hypocrites in the sight of the world. union was without incident. One of the individualism, social injustice; the false We need to repent in that we have significant features of the day was a speech god of" pleasure, amusement, disregard for loved the world, its standards, ambi­ to an evening meeting by the Anglican things sacred; the false god of success, high tions and treasures, while our love for Bishop of London, who said, in part, "I living, careless thinking; the false god of God has grown cold. We have hope I shall live to see another great gather­ magic, reaping where we had not sowed, neglected continual prayer to God in ing in Albert Hall when, without any re­ profiting where we had not toiled. Christ, not remembering that only as absorption of one with the other, 'a great "The Church dares not stand aside and we ask in Christ will we receive power reunited Church, with the fire of Wesleyans whisper peace either to" itself or to the from on high. The present decayed combined with the faith and order of the nation when there is no peace. Only a condition of the Church calls for historic Church, shall advance with new national turning to God in repentance and penitence and reformation. power and cOIiviction. And why confine this moral restitution, seeking His divine for­ Therefore, we call upon our mem­ reunited Church to Wesleyans and the giveness, will restore the spiritual health bers and upon Christian people every­ Church of England? Why should not the of our people. We have looked for signs of where, to begin praying and to con­ Baptists, Presbyterians, Greeks, Old Catho­ repentance and the fruits thereof. We have tinue diligent in prayer that God may lics and, at last, a reformed Roman Catholic not seen them. On every hand there is a bring a mighty wave of repentance for Church all join with the molten glory of the demand for prosperity but little evident these and other sins; that the Church holy catholic Church throughout the world? deSire to return to the ways of faith and may be purified of unbelief, and be While, therefore, I welcome this reunion and prayer. The times are giving us moral warmed again with a mighty flame of wish you godspeed, I look upon it as only a diSCipline. God waits on man's response. passion to win men to Christ through prelude to the greater reunion in days to No social or political revival can come out the blood" of the Cross, so that the come~JJ of spiritual destitution, and no national whole Body of Christ may be strength­ It is significant til note that in the union awakening can arise out "of religious indif­ ened and renewed for the glory of suggested between Anglicans and Meth­ ference. The only adequate way is the way God Who is blessed forever. Amen. odists, the Bishop's suggestion was that the of Christ and the Cross. Methodists should bring in their "fire"-that (A call issued by the Trustees of the "We, therefore, call upon our people to is, their work and effort, while the faith and Reformation Fellowship, October 7, give themselves by an act of will, personally order, would be that of the Church of Eng­ 1932.) and corporately, in penitence and prayer to land. (Whatever that "Faith and Order" Almighty God. And in order to secure the actually is! )