) !oJ 'J a: ~ J f. I ...I CHRISTIA .. TODAY ~M aTY on > . '" > :'-"J]: 'J]: ~ ')~O

seem to be indicated by the fact that Dr. CHARLES R. ERDMAN and Dr. HUGH T. KERR reacted favorably when he put to them Editorial Notes and Comments the question: "Do you agree with me that we need, at this time, CHANGES the kind of leadership that Dr. FOULKES can give?" Dr. ERDMAN replied: "Your letter affords me the very deepest EADERS will notice that in recent months the pages satisfaction. There is no one in our church whom I should rather of CHRISTIANITY' TODAY have undergone alterations have elected as moderator of the coming Assembly than Dr. in arrangement and subject. With this issue, still FOULKES. This choice is based not only on my personal friend­ further changes are made. Four new departments ship for Dr. FOULKES, but on the conviction that he is better fitted have been added. These are first, the introduction to fill the office at this time than any other man in the church." of a systematic news coverage; second, a treatment Dr. KERR replied: "I certainly think that this is the year when of the International Uniform Sunday School Lessons Dr. FOULKES' name ought to go forward and be presented to the for February; third, the publication of our "one church as the next moderator. He has earned it, he deserves it, page sermon," and fourth, the first appearance of he is worthy of it, the church needs him. I am willing to pro­ our "Columnist" who will comment upon unusual claim this from the house tops if necessary and I would be glad or significant happenings. While the Editors, of course, agree to have you tell him the way I feel. I know there is a great with his general position, the views he expresses will be his own. many in the church who feel the same way." The news coverage is not complete in this issue, but we expect it It is possible that some of those who approve of the tendencies to be so in February, and in subsequent months. When complete that have been dominant in the Presbyterian Church in recent it is doubtful whether any American religious journal will be able years will, for personal reasons, prefer some candidate other to equal it. In trying to make CHRISTIANITY TODAY the very best than Dr. FOULKES. We do not see, however, how they can object religious paper anywhere, we will continue to add departments to him in principle inasmuch as he epitomizes those tendencies and make changes. At least one new feature-perhaps two­ as well as any man that could be named_ We do not have the will be found in the next issue. happiness to approve those tendencies and hence feel constrained to oppose the candidacy of Dr. FOULKES or any other man who THE NEXT MODERATOR may' be expected to further those tendencies. In our judgment, what the church needs is a type of leadership very different from HE Neu;a1'k Evening News for December 10th con­ that which it has had in recent years. tained an article that many regarded as a formal announcement of the fact that Dr. WILLIAM HIRAM FOULKES, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church DID THE PUBLICITY RELEASES GIVE A WRONG of that city, will be a candidate for the moderator­ IMPRESSION OF THE LAYMEN'S REPORT? ship of the next Assembly. "Presbyterian leaders," we read in the opening sentence, "are predicting the ,------,HOSE responsible for the report of the Laymen's election of Dr. FOULKES as moderator of the 1933 Foreign Missions Inquiry are still being criticised General Assembly." "For several years," the article because of the press releases they gave out in ad­ continues, "rumors have linked the name of Dr. vance of its publication. It is alleged not only that FOULKES with the moderatorship, but he has been unwilling, they broke their pledge, expressed or implied, to the because of pastoral and denominational duties, to permit his name Boards to keep the report confidential until after to be placed in nomination. Now, however, there seems to be a November 18 but that these press releases gave the general impression, not alone in the metropolitan area, but public a false impression of the report and thus throughout the church, that Dr. FOULKES time to serve his aroused unwarranted dissent and opposition. denomination as its official head begins next May," Whether its sponsors acted unethically in giving Dr. FOULKES' campaign manager (if we may so speak) is Dr. the series of releases to the press before the report had, been CHARLES LEE REYNOLDS, superintendent of church extension in formally presented to the Boards we have no means of knowing. the Presbytery of Newark. In commending his candidate Dr. Be that as it may, it does not seem to us that these press releases REYNOLDS said: "At this time we need a leader with special were fitted to give a wrong impression of the actual character of gifts; one who is spiritually minded and possessed of a strong the report. We read the releases as they appeared in the press evangelical faith, and we have such a leader in our own presby, from time to time. Our later reading of the report as a whole tery in the person of Dr. FOULKES." That Dr. REYNOLDS, in his only tended to confirm the impression we obtained from the re­ effort to secure the election of Dr. FOULKES, will have the support leases. At no time did we have the feeling that the press releases of those who have dominated the last eight Assemblies would had misrepresented or even given. a wrong slant to the Com-

(A. Table at Contents will be tound on Page 24) 2 CHRISTIANITY'TODAY JanuarYt 1933 mission's findings and recommendations. We are at a loss. there­ with Buchmanism. Mr. COMMONS who was once actively asso­ fore. to understand why the Foreign Missions Conference of board ciated with the Group says: "After three years on 'the inside' I secretaries after "recognizing gratefully" the value of the report finally severed my connection with the Group out of loyalty to should have stated that "we. are at the same time solicitous with my LORD. for I realized that it is actually far removed from real reference to unfavorable reactions throughout the church to press New Testament Christianity." In five small pages he sets forth releases given out in advance of the appearance of the report" the considerations that led him to take this step. His present and recommended "that in the measures adopted by the boards judgment is that Buchmanism "is another one of the many for fostering the study of the report special attention be given to counterfeits and delusions of the 'latter days·... This frank clearing up misunderstandings and removing wrong impres­ statement by a former adherent is at least worthy of wide dis­ sions." No doubt the headlines given the releases were some­ tribution. Copies may be secured at .the rate of one cent a times more startling than their contents justified; but that the' copy by addressing the author. 17 South Marion Avenue•. Vent­ releases themselves were o~her than fair as indications of the nor. Atlantic City. N. J. report·s contents as a whole there is- no warrant to affirm. Those whose knowledge of the report is based wholly on the press re­ leases may have received an inadequate but not necessarily a WILL THE CHURCH DIVIDE OVER THE MISSION wrong impression of the nature of the report. REPORT? T is safe to say nothing has happened in recent years more fitted to divide the churches than the Laymen's "BUCHMANISM" missionary report. We mayor may not like this HE movement variously known as "Buchmanism." report-we are among those who do not like it­ "The Oxford Group." and "The First Century Chris­ but there would seem to be no way to escape taking tian Fellowship" seems. to be spreading. If not. it an attitude toward it. It must at least be admitted is not" because of a lack of publicity. Its leaders• that those responsible for it have thrust it upon the .whatever else we may think of them. are adepts at churches in a way that makes it impossible to ignore obtaining publicity for the movement they sponsor. it. Church officials and others may assert that noth­ Recently. newspapers with nation-wide circulations ing should be allowed to divide us in our work as have had much to say about the meeting held in its Christians but such assertions are vain and futile in view of the interest in the ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria fact that the report urges Christians to make common cause Hotel of New York City at which Bishop WILLIAM T. with non-Christians. Disloyalty to our LORD is too large a price MANNING was scheduled to deliver the address of welcome and to pay for unity of action. at which the reception committee included such notables as Already there are indications that the report will sharpen the Bishop F. J. MCCONNELL. Dr. JOHN R. MaTT. Dr. and Mrs. C. B. line of cleavage between the evangelical and modernistic ele­ McAFEE of the Board of Foreign Missions and President and Mrs. ments in the churches. The modernists are apparently expecting J. Ross STEVENSON of Princeton Seminary. A more permanent it to divide the churches. In our last issue we called attention kind of publicity is being given to the movement by books like to the Christian Century's statement to the effect that because "For Sinners Only" by A. J. RUSSELL and "The Conversion of the of it "another major battle looms on the horizon of Protestant Church" by S. M. SHOEMAKER. Christianity." The New York Times (Jan. 2) relates that Mr. Such knowledge as we have of this movement does not lead ALBERT L. SCOTT. chairman of the Laymen's Foreign Missions us to rejoice greatly at the apparent success that is attending Inquiry (also chairman of the board of trustees of Dr. Fos­ its advocates. We cannot agree with them that what they are DICK'S church) dzeal to conquer the examples of Christian virtue. were not accustomed to relate the world. at home and abroad. for CHRIST. the Son of GOD and only triumphant experience of their conversion for the edification of Saviour.... For a long time we have thought that the new others. and still less disposed to suggest that their very visible thought of the day. the liberals and extreme progressives. would sanctification combined with their very visible un sanctification go so far that conservatives would see whither we are tending was a persuasive vindication of the righteousness of GOD-not and unite in a strong front to put a stop to the drift away from to say the final. conclusive and long lacking proof of GOD'S the true gospel. Perhaps as the Laymen's Report is examined existence" (p. 199). We do not indeed have the same estimate more and more. it will show us that the time has come to call a of Barthianism as does Dr. LO"ll<"RIE. true as it is that we look halt and get back to the essential beliefs which may not be given upon it with more favor than we do upon Buchmanism. up without losing the gospel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. We must It seems to us that the Rev. HAROLD T. COMMONS. pastor of the take our stand somewhere or lose all. With malice toward none First Baptist Church of Atlantic City. N. J .• has rendered a use­ and charity toward all. are we not at the time and place to say. ful service in making available an account of his experience (Concluded on Page 11) January, 1933 C H R 1ST I AN I T Y TODAY

The Editor j s Page

IS CHRISTIANITY TRUE? content that can be denied or neglected only as Christianity HIS question is meaningless apart from the pre­ itself is denied or neglected. This carries with it the ac­ vious question, What is Christianity? Thought­ knowledgment that the doctrines of Christianity belong to ful men and women attach relatively small its essence; and that because the doctrines are the explana­ significance to the fact that Christianity is so tions of the facts. Indispensable as are the facts, the doc­ widely confessed throughout the world today. trines are equally indispensable. Without an explanation the That fact is largely off-set 6-y another fact- facts are meaningless; Give -the facts explanations other . that fact. that what many call Christianity than those of the Bible and. they will yield us something other than Christianity. It takes both the facts recorded in L..-__-.J differs so radically from what others call Chris­ tianity that if what the former confess is basically true the Bible and the Biblical explanation of those facts to yield us Christianity. The doctrines without the facts are empty; what the latter confess ~s basically false. Contradictory statements cannot both be true. the facts without the doctrines are blind. Hence when we affirm that Christianity is true we mean not only that the When we ask the question, Is Christianity true? we are principles and ideals it inculcates are valid 'but that GOD asking whether that particular religion that had its origin has both wrought out in history a great series of redemp­ and that finds its continuance in JESUS CHRIST, conceived as tive acts-acts which culminate in the person arid work of the GOD-man, and which offers salvation from sin through the GOD-man--':'and given us the true explanation of those His atoning death, is true. Weare not interested in the supernatural facts. truth or falsity of some other religion even though it be called Christianity. Weare interested not in the label but Is Christianity true in the sense indicated? It has been in the contents of the bottle, so to speak. There is a so contended by the church of the ages. Upon that con­ religion calling itself Christianity, today, in which the per­ viction it was established, in that conviction it has grown, son of CHRIST occupies no essential place, in which more­ and only as that conviction is maintained will it escape over His death as an expiation for sin is expressly repudi­ decay and go on from strength to strength. As the late Dr. ated. Even if it could be shown that such a religion is PATTON once put it: "The world will not long continue to true, it would have only an indirect bearing on the question, value a religion which it believes to be irrational and Chris­ Is Christi~nity true? And that because that is not the kind tianity will be denied a hearing in the court of feeling once of religion that Christianity is. It is important, of course, it has been non-suited at the bar of reason." It is here that the word "Christianity" be given its proper meaning; that we place our finger on the primary explanation of the but, after all, it is the thing that the word is used to express present-day defection from Christianity, especially in col­ that is really important. Those who are concerned about lege and university circles. On more or less solid grounds realities rather than words will not contradict us. We they have become convinced that Christianity is not true. could look on with more or less concern as the word "Chris­ We do not.mean to imply that as a rule those who have re­ tianity" took on a different meaning if the thing that it had jected Christianity have deliberately examined the evidence originally expressed was still retained; but the retention of in its behalf and found it inadequate. Very few have done the word affords us no satisfaction if the thing passes that anything of the sort. The real explanation of their rejec­ the word has been used to designate these two thousand tion, or better of their indifference to Christianity, is found years. rather in the intellectual atmosphere in which they live­ an atmosphere that is deadly to the supernaturalism. of There is something more to be said in this connection. Christianity. That atmosphere, however, is itself the prod­ When we ask, Is Christianity true?, we are not only asking uct of those who have more or less deliberately rejected whether it is true in the sense of "truth of idea," we are Christianity. It is true, of course, that the mere removal also asking whether it is true in the sense of "truth of fact." of intellectual objections, even the advancement of incon­ Many, including the authors of the Laymen's Mission trovertible positive evidence of the truth of Christianity, report, write and speak as though the only important thing will not lead a man to become a Christian; and yet unless about Christianity were its ideas and ideals. Having these and until this is done we cannot hope that intelligent per­ it is implied, if not openly asserted, that we may be more or sons will become Christians. We must at least have a less indifferent about the alleged historic events with which religion that we believe to be true. The intellectual task they are associated in the Bible. Such is not the case. of convincing the present age that it has been overhasty in Christianity is constituted not so much by the ideas and concluding that Christianity is untrue is one therefore ideals inculcated in the Bible as by those great acts of that cannot be shirked. It is a fatal mistake to_ take th~ redemption wrought by GOD for the salvation of His people position, as some of our would-be advisers urge, that Chris- as recorded in the Bible. Whatever may be true of other religions, Christianity rests on a fact-basis and has a fact- (Concluded on Page 6) CHRISTIANITY TODAY January, 1933 A. New Princeton Apologetic By the Rev. Cornelius Van Til, Ph.D., Professor of Apologetics in Westminster Theological Seminary A Discussion in Two Parts Part I

INCE the reorganization of Princeton Theologi­ that man has a body as well as a soul. This body we may cal Seminary Dr. John E. Kuizenga has oc­ speak of as the lower aspect of man if we will. We may cupied the chair of Apologetics there. When even say that since our bodies are physical and the bodies Professor Kuizenga entered upon his work it of animals are physical that we have something in common became apparent at once that a new type of with the animal. But the Bible nowhere teaches that this Apologetics was to be introduced. His inaugural "lower" aspect of man is evil merely because it is lower. address, which appeared in the Princeton Semi­ On the contrary it is characteristic of pagan thought and nary Bulletin for November, 1931, served as a of pagan thought only to teach that matter is inherently manifesto of the new course t6 be followed. His articles evil. Christian theology has fought for ages to have this on "Religious Education," which were published in recent pagan doctrine ousted from the church. And now at this issues of the Bibliotheca Sacra, contained a further develop­ date Professor Kuizenga does not even think it necessary ment of the new policy already on its way. But we pass to argue that the pagan and the Christian doctrines are these by in order to call attention to an address which has identical but simply takes for' granted that they are. been printed in the Princeton Seminary Bulletin of Novem­ This assumption of the identity of the Christian and the ber, 1932. non-Christian view of human nature leads Professor The subject of this address is "The Remaking of Human Kuizenga to a thoroughly non-Christian formulation of the Nature." Professor Kuizenga seeks to answer three ques­ moral issue of the day. That issue is, he says, whether the tions: (a) "What is this human nature which may be re­ lower or the higher aspect of man is to conquer. But this made," (b) "What is the power which can do this work," exactly is not the main issue according to Scripture. Scrip­ (c) "How may we know when the transformation is actual ture nowhere teaches, and least of' all in Genesis one, to fact." We prop'ose to look in turn at the answers given to which Professor Kuizenga appeals in proof of his conten­ these three questions. tion, that the chief object in man's moral strife is to over­ Professor. Kuizenga tells us in effect that many modern come the evil naturally inherent in the body first and in the . psychologists and the Bible are agreed on the answer to be soul afterwards, If anything is made clear in the first given to the first question. Both speak, he says, of a lower chapter of Genesis it is that man's "lower" as well as man's and a higher aspect of man. The lower aspect is that which "higher" aspect were equally perfect when they were we have in common with the animal and the higher is the created by God. There could be no strife between them. more specifically human. On the basis of this supposed Scripture teaches not that man had originally merely a agreement between modern psychologists and the Bible, Pro­ "capacity" for God but that he was in actual, and full com­ fessor Kuizenga feels warranted in defining the moral issue munion with God. It was this perfect man, perfect in body of the day as follows: "The question of the day is whether as well as in soul, who wilfully, self-consciously, insulted we shall regard the animal powers as the essentially human, God by breaking His law. Thus man became a sinner. whether we shall build our lives around the animal powers Hence sin is primarily guilt before God. That in man as only, and use the higher powers so far as they are not he is today the "lower" often dominates the "higher" is the utterly delusive to build the life of humans as glorified result and not the cause of the guilt of man. Such is the animals; or whether we shall take seriously our higher doctrine of original sin. The individual man may add to powers, subordinate to them the animal, and so build our his guilt by yielding to his "lower" self but he is guilty be­ lives thru time to God." Both the psychologist and the fore he has done one self-conscious deed. Bible teach us, according to Professor Kuizenga, that man What then is the moral issue for man? Is it merely to is made with a "capacity for God" and that what is needed overcome the "lower" and to strive for the "higher"? It is is the development of this capacity. thus that all non-Christian systems of thought, interested . By means of this unsatisfactory way of putting the matter as they are in denying or making of non-effect the Chris­ Professor Kuizenga has succeeded in adapting the Bible tian conception of guilt, have constantly put the matter. to the needs of modern non-Christian psychologists and It is thus that evolutionary philosophy speaks when it says philosophers. He has done so chiefly by significantomis­ that the idea of guilt before a creator-god is a primitive sions of the specifically Biblical teaching on the question of notion that the race has naturally outgrown. It is thus human nature as it is today. The Bible does indeed teach (Continued on Page 12) January, 1933 C H R 1ST I A N I TY TO DAY "Renouncing. Missions" or IIModernisrn .U nmas k.. e 'd" By the Rev. Clarence Edward Macartney, D. D. Minister, The First Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, Pa., "M.oder~tor ~f the General Assembly of 1924.

[We are glad to ~ublish this trenchant ~rticle by Dr. Macartney. His devotion to the everiasting'Gospel and his great ability to defend it are written indelibly in the history of the Presbyterian Church. In these excerpts from a . sermon preached before his congregation 6n January 8, Dr. Macartney not only. shows the true nature of the "Lay­ men's Report" but also courageously bears witness to the faCt that the missionary leaders must bear their share of . responsibility for the state-oF-affairs today.] .

And some days after Paul said unto only way of Eternal Life, or the Name Barnabas, "Let us go again· and visit of Christ the only name given under our brethren in every city where we Heaven among men whereby we must have preached the word of the Lord, . be saved, but just one of the numer­ and see how they do." (Acts 15:36.) ous religions of the world. These other religions are not to be assailed FTER nineteen hundred as false, but to be appreciated as years of Christian Mis-­ other. paths that lead in the same sions, the Laymen's Com­ dirlO)ctiou as Christianity. In the mission, ht;lad.ed. by a amazing statement of the Commis~ Harvard Professor of phi- sion, we are to "look forward, ~ot to losophY, financed by Mr. the destruction of. these religions, but Rockefeller, and broad­ to their continued coexistence with cast by Mr. Ivy Lee, the Christianity, each stimulating the same. who in 1922 broadcast Dr. other in growth towards the ultimate Fosdick's famous sermon, "Shall the goal, unity in the completest religious Fundamentalists Win?" has made the truth." interesting discovery that the whole The unique thing in the Christian foundation of Christian Missions revelation, so this Commission de­ must be ehimged if this work is to clares, is not any one of. its great doc­ continue. trines, in contrast with the heathen . The Commission set before itself The Rev. Clarence E. Macartney, D.O. religions; but what they call the as the first question, "Shall these mis­ "grouping of these doctrines." "Chris- sions continue?" Their conclusion tianity," they tell us, "proffers a selec­ is that they ought to continue, but when we read what they tion which is unique." For Christianity, they tell us, to are to do and to teach, it sounds like a complete repudia­ contest priority or uniqueness in regard to its great doc­ tion of historic and evangelical Christianity. trines, is a "humiliating mistake." The disqualification of this Commission to pass judg­ The Commission commends to our modern churches and ment upon the work of the churches in foreign lands is missionaries the methods of the Apostle Paul in the Greek glaringly set forth in the Foreword to the published Report. and Roman world. But how strange their motive for mis­ In this they say that while to some of their members the sions is, and how different the qualifying beliefs of the mis­ "motive of Christian Missions can only be adequately ex­ sionary, according to this Commission, when compared with pressed as loyalty to Jesus Christ-to others, this motive the commission which was given to St. Paul at the time of would best be called the spirit of altruistic service-to his conversion at Damascus. This was r:otfto start out on still others the desire for a deeper knowledge and love of a quest after God through the pagan w\f}d, nor to share God." All this is in striking contrast with the historic with them some of the blessings of Christianity; but, as motive of Christian Missions, for it was not an altruistic stated by the Lord Jesus Christ, to be a witness of the desire to share certain benefits with mankind, nor was it a things which he had seen and heard; "de.livering thee from quest after God, which sent the first Apostles into the the people and from the Gentiles unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to world, and after them, the great missionaries of the Cross. light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may According to the Report of this Commission, one would receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them l conclude that Christianity is not the Eternal Gospel,. the which are sanctified," (Acts 26:.18.) . 6 CHRISTIANITY TODAY JanuarYI 1933

The real significance of this report lies not in its divers to prove effective. Perhaps the better course for them now suggestions about missionary methods, which may be sound would have been silence, humiliating indeed, but consistent. or not, but in its confession as to the underlying motives of Nevertheless, the fact that this Commission's report has missionary endeavor, and its repudiation of Scriptural and compelled the middle-of-the-roaders and the peace-at-any­ evangelical Christianity. The Commission suggests the price men to break their silfince, reveals the fact that what reduction in number of the Theological Seminaries on the is called Modernism in our Churches has now reached such Foreign Field, and the abolition of the word "theological" a point of development that those who adhere to the stand­ altogether. This is only natural, since the Commission ards of historic Christianity, can no longer pretend to ignore seems to have abandoned all Theology, and reduced Chris­ its presence or the fact that it is "another Gospel which is tianity;tQ a quest-aftertlod -and- asliari~g" of'thefiigher not another." Therefore, for this reason, evangelical Chris­ way- with' otheriC---->' -: tians in all our Churches can thank the members of this The Report of this Commission is, in its doctrinal state­ Commission for their report. They have scattered the ments, the most carefully elaborated creed of Modernism fog; torn off from the face of Modernism its mask arid its which has yet appeared. This is at once recognized as its disguise, so that he who runs may now know that there is chief significance by the Modernist paper, "The Christian an irreconcilable difference between the Christianity of the Century," which, under the title 'Is Modernism Ready?' Scriptures, of the Apostles, and of the ages, and that vague enthusiastically endorses the report of the Commission and and inchoate collection of human thoughts and fancies says, "This is the first time that Modernism has acted ex­ which has been masquerading as a new and higher inter- plicitly and upon its own initiative to effect the reconstruc- - pretation of Christianity. . tion of any primary function of the Christian Church." "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve!" The question now before the Christian Churches of America is this: Is the organized Church ready to abandon Scriptural and historic Christianity? Has it discovered better motives for Christian Missions than those which Is Christianity T;ue?-Concluded Christ gave to St. Paul, viz, to open their eyes, to turn them tian conceptions have only a subjective validity and in­ from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto capable of validation in the forum of reason. If Chris­ God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins? tianityis to shape the future we must be able to maintain, The published report of the Commission is a book of 350 as all the great heroes of the faith have maintained, that pages. But in these 129,000 words, I can note just one, the Christian is the only true rationalist. All Christianity mention of the wor~ilh~' The omission is sig~rfi~t."- asks for, from an intellectual point of view, is a fair hear­ ~ ,~- "--r'-'--- Nor do I recall seeing a single mention Q,Uhe,,!T,.hi-r-d-Berson ing and a just verdict. The first charge we bring against of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, by Whose authority Chris­ the non-Christian is that he is irrational. We believe in tian Missions commenced, when He said at Antioch, Christianity because such faith is rational, not in spite of "Separate unto me, Barnabas and Saul," and by Whose the so-called fact that it is irrational. guidance and under Whose dispensation the work of the Is Christianity true? We might answer this question in Church is now done. the negative and still have an interest in Christianity as a Most of the Missionary Boards of the Churches which historical movement that has done much to mould the had unofficial representatives on this Commission, while thought and life of mankind; but we would not allow it to ready to accept and rejoice in any sound suggestions as to move our hearts and guide our hands or hold that it would missionary methods, have made haste to repudiate the doc­ continue to mould the culture and civilization of the future. trinal statements as to missionary motives and as to the It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of this ques­ relationship of Christianity to the heathen religions. tion. The question, What is Christianity?, has only an historical interest once it is seen that it is not true. More­ The missionary leaders of the Churches have been con­ over the question, What is the value of Christianity?, is spicuous for their repudiation of the doctrinal implications emptied of all real meaning. Our whole life and world of the report. Yet those who can remember back as far as view, our hopes as individuals and as members of society, ten years ago, will recall that when a Baptist clergyman are wrapped up in this question. Weare the advocates of was proclaiming from a Presbyterian pulpit practically the a Christian culture and civilization, and rejoice in the hope same ideas of Christ and the Christian religion as are found of a blessed immortality through the riches of GOD'S grace in this report, these men did not seem to be in the least as revealed in JEsus CHRIST, because we believe that Chris­ disturbed. They gave no encouragement or counsel to tianity is true. Others are the advocates of a different those who, because of their protest, were bearing the heat type of culture and civilization, and anticipate a very dif­ of the battle, but by their silence gave comfort to the ferent future, because they believe that Christianity is enemies of evangelical Christianity. Therefore, the ringing false. It is our conviction not only that Christianity is repudiation of the report by some of our missionary leaders true in the sense indicated but that it is capable of rational has, to the minds of many in the Churches, come too late defense in the forum of the world's thought. January, 1933 <: H R 1ST IA NIT Y TO DAY

The Importance of Doctrine: DOES IT MATTER WHAT A MAN BELIEVES?

A Discussion in Two Parts: Part Two

By the Rev. G. F. Cox Minister, St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Victoria, British Columb,a.

.-----.T is a well-known fact that in Christendom literal truth, without diminution or addition, will determine every church has its distinctive type of char­ at the last great day whether he is the possessor of eternal acter. Why is this? Many of their services life. Arresting, even startling, perhaps to some fair pro­ \~ are alike. You might go into a Baptist, a fessors condemning, this inspired statement sounds, a brief ' .. United, or a Presbyterian Church for an moment's reflection will convince of its utter logicalness. occasional service, and never know the differ­ Every regenerate man and woman receives their light from :> ence . between them. But. yet their types of the Holy Spirit shining upon the portions of the Word of '------'.f character are quite distinct. Why? They God that influenced their decisions for Christ.. If they are differ in doctrine, that is the main reason. These doctrinal to continue in a state of g~ace, it must be by the aid of that differences dip deep down. They color thought, andemo­ same Spirit who inspired the Word. To deny the Word, in tion, and sentiment. They set up certain prejudices, affec­ whole or in part, is to grieve the Spirit and deprive the tions, and antipathies. Calvinism is credited with putting soul of that spiritual food which is necessary for its life. iron into the blood of Covenanters and Puritans; Methodism The soul starved, or given unnutritious food, slowly dies·. with inflaming zeal for souls; the Baptist faith with raising That is the one side of the case. Notice the complementary up the modern zeal for missions. Today the appeal is for statement with which the Beloved Apostle completes his soft, easy-going doctrines, with the Cross left out; but you dictum: "But he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he cannot abolish all the blood-and-bone-making constituents hath both the Father and the Son." Stronger or more com­ of Christianity without coming into a legacy of marrowless plete inscription of the overwhelming need of faithfulness and flabby characters with weak wills and flabby souls. in adhering to the faith once and for all delivered unto the You may abolish hell and the fear of God, but in so doing saints could not well be penned than we have in this com­ you lose iron from the blood and elevation from the spirit. plete verse of Scripture. On the one hand the lack of con­ You may cast aside your belief in election, but in so doing tinuance in that doctrine robs one of Christ, and on· the you minimize your God to suit your own shrinking soul. other the continuance in that doctrine ensures one the pos­ You may deny the Virgin Birth and the wonder· of the session of "Father and Son" for all eternity. Similar state­ Incarnation of the Son of God, but in so doing you lose a ments of our Lord could be quoted to prove that this is Divine·Saviour and sink back into a mere unregenerate son Jesus Christ's own teaching upon this subject. of Adam. Give me a faith which makes me, by right The recent pronouncement of the Laymen's Foreign Divine, a son of God. I am certain that something of truth, Missions inquiry at New York that "the religion of words" something of vision, of honesty, of reverence, of righteous­ has failed and that "the church must transform faith into ness, is lost with every doctrine demitted from our system a thrilling way of life" sounds very heroic; but when one of faith; and that something of falsehood, of short-sighted­ reads that the method of achieving this is to be by a move~ ness, of dishonesty, of irreverence, and of unrighteousness, ment away from doctrine toward a "religion focussed ·upon is imparted to it, and actively works for the moral ill­ the vital issues of life," the proposal strikes us as very like health and undoing of the soul of man. that of a ship's captain who, in a bold and adventurous In answer therefore, to those who would tell us that it mood, should throw his chart and· compass overboard, and does not matter what a man believes, we would point first cramming on all sail should shout, "Ho, for the o.pen sea!" to this insistence of our Lord and His apostles upon a true His cruise would be bold and jolly while it lasted, but it and full belief in His own unadulterated words as contained probably wouldn't last long. And when one reads further in holy Scripture; and also to the further fact that it is that the cause of these resolutions of the New York laymen further taught in the Bible, that a man's whole standing in is the weakness of several of their churches, one is .inclined Christ, his spiritual destiny indeed, are likewise dependent to ask: Have they first found if there was enough doctrine upon his having a true and right belief. There is no equi­ in the churches that are weak? Was it ascertained that vocation in John's statement: "Whosoever transgresseth and these churches all had apostolic faith and doctrine, as well abideth notin the doctrine of Christ, hath not God." That as apostolic practice? And as to "a religion of words," is to say, that upon whether or no a man continues to hold though we do not stand for words and nothing else, was not the Bible teaching regarding Christ in all its integrity and Christ's own ordained methoci ofpropagatingth~ Qo.sp.el 8 CHRISTIANITY TODAy JanuarYt 1933 that of "the foolishness of preaching": a method of words? They had also them which held the doctrine of the Nico­ And has not that method been blessed in the past, and laitanes, "which thing I hate," saith the Lord. "Repent, or proved wonderfully successful when practised in conformity else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against with the Bible and in the power of the Holy Ghost? Then thee quickly with the sword of my mouth." In the church why should it not succeed likewise in this present time? at Thyatira, there was found another form .of false teach­ The Word of God predicts that in the time of the end, ing: they were there guilty of "teaching and committing just before the glorious revelation of our Lord from heaven, fornication, and to eat meat sacrificed unto idols." In that all manner of Satanic cults, with all subtlety and every case the prime fault for which punishment is demonic power, shall fill the earth. Never have there been threatened is not practical but credal. Those whom the so many evidences of the presenc() ofthese false cults than Spirit clears of guilt, it is significant to note, are" those that now. A modern author tells us that in the early days of have not this (i.e., the false teaching specified) doctrine, the Roman Empire the city of Rome was a religious Babel. and have not known the depths of Satan." Does this last It was the meeting place of cults and creeds without num­ clause mean that the deepest depths of the devilishness of ber. The classic gods of the Graeco-Roman West were Satan centres around some new and subtle perversions of joined by these of the Eastern mystery cults. Philosophy the truth? It is at any rate well for us to recognize that, and scepticism abounded. Men might believe anything or wherever men may have placed the emphasis of guilt and nothing on condition that they yielded nominal homage to wrongdoing, the wisdom of the Spirit reveals that in the the State religion. A religious Babylon indeed! Today we sight of. God not on~y the holding of wrong doctrine, but have a religious Babylon in this North American Continent. even the toleration of others who hold such views in the Men may, and do, believe anything they please. Regard­ church, is a sin of major importance which the Great Judge less of the fact that belief shapes life, and that false be­ will punish with severe penalties. lief destroys life, body and soul for all eternity, they heap Second, to the individual. Not less severe is the con­ to themselves "teachers having itching ears, men-pleasers,'" demnation of the Word against private and individual lax­ being turned away from the truth and following doctrines ity in matters of doctrine. "If any come to your house and of devils that deceive and destroy. These cults are very bring not this doctrine (of the Gospel of Christ) receive subtle and deceitful, as we should expect. We find them him not into your house, neither give him Godspeed." (II denying the essential doctrines of the Christian faith, yet John 10). Paul is equally emphatic: "Mark them which using the same forms of worship; reading the Holy Scrip­ cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which tures and piously singing psalms and hymns inspired by ye have learned, and avoid them." (Rom. 16: 17). Do not genuine saints and martyrs of old. In such ways do they go to their meetings out of curiosity; do not read their allure the simple and unwary in the name of religion. Verily, literature: "avoid them." Crafty men are represented in "Satan is transformed into an angel of light!" We hear the Bible as out to d()ceive the simple and lead them astray. such God-given words as faith, and love, and truth, upon Those who follow these are "tossed to and fro" inwardly. their lips. "Truth" is especially parodied and monopolized They do not know whether this spiritualist or that theos­ among them. When they enter their false faith they are ophist is the better, but like silly sheep, run from one to said to "come into the truth." They call their deceitful the other. They are like billows of the sea, unstable. The systems by this holy name, as "Unity truth." They give various teachings are the "winds" which keep them tossed their antichristian leaders Divine names and attributes, as about on a sea of doubts. They are in the evil atmosphere do the' deluded followers of that impious and immoral in which the various currents of devilish teaching exert their woman, Mary Baker Eddy. unholy and destructive influence. How different those wise The Word of God sounds a solemn warning note both to and faithful ones to whom the pastor of the :flock can turn the church and the individual in regard to their attitude and say: "But; God be thanked, ye have obeyed from the toward transgressors of the doctrine of Christ. heart that form 01 doctrine which was delivered you." First, to the churches-Churches which pride themselves The acceptance of the true and full doctrine of Jesus on their toleration and broadmindedness would do well to Christ is vital to the full health and well-being of the church. consider the arresting fact that the condemnation of the Everything depends upon the recognition of and continued churches in Asia mentioned in Revelation chapter two, was insistence of this fact. The words of God are seven times not primarily for wrongs committed, nor yet, as is com­ refined. They contain the perfect antidote for all human monly supposed, for coldness of heart and indifference. A ills. They see the end from the beginning. They are fitted careful reading of the passage will show that it was for to guide, exhort, instruct, and reprove. God's Word, their toleration of the teaching of false doctrine in their through the Spirit, imparts Divine wisdom. Less than this midst. Thus, Rev. 2:14: The Spirit had this against the Word we dare not have,for' every word of man has failed. church at Pergamos, that she had there them that taught This Word overcame the world when the whole world and the doctrine of Balaam, the effect of which was to corrupt the kingdoms thereof were in league against it. It is a the peopie by causing them to marry unbelievers, to defile word of power for the problem and oppositions of Christ's their vow of separation, and to become worldly-minded. church today, Whittle it away, deny it, or disbelieve it, There was a second ground of condemnation, also doctrinal. (Concluded on Page 13) JanU!lry, 1933 CHRISTIANITY TOD_AY 9

The One Page Sermon

IS ~HRISTIANITY PASSING?

By the Rev. I. Sturger Shultz Minister of the Trinity Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pa.

"Watchman What of the Night?" (Isaiah important purpose. It is a day established for 21:11). the protection of spiritual life. All life must r-- OME was not built in a day, nor be protected. The color of the animals of the was Rome destroyed in a day. forests; they were designed to protect life. The Nero fiddled while Rome burned, same is true of mineral and vegetable life, but there had been many years God protects all life; He protects spiritual life of iniquitous fiddling long be­ by establishing His holy day. That protec­ f fore that final conflagration. tion is gradually being destroyed; Sunday is '--- Rome had been burning for years; going; every year determined attempts are the fires of idolatry, of greed, of made to take it from us. individuals are lust, of hate, of inhuman persecution, had been rapidly surrendering the day for worldly en~ consuming Rome for many years. Aye, Rome joyment. Can Christianity survive without was burned one fateful night, but the truth is, The Rev. I. Sturger Shultz a Christian Sunday? If the Lord's Day goes, she was destroyed gradually, destroyed uncon­ will the Lord's Church go, too? . sciously so far as the majority of her- people The Christian Home is a Divine institution. was concerned. Rome was powerful, advanced, rich, se1£­ Marriage is ordained of God, and blessed by our Lord J esu~ satisfied and comfortable, but her ignoble end came. Wicked Christ. Yet the home is being viciously assaulted. Divorce Rome was a suicide. is no longer a disgrace; indeed it is become a popular thing Christianity has beel). a long time in the world. She today. Immorality has become more general, and is judged boasts of centuries of noble and inspiring history. She has very tolerantly. Where are the Christian Homes in which been the forerunner of the world's greatest civilization. the Father is the Priest and the Mother is the Priestess? She has held the torch of truth high. Her Cross "On which There are some, thank God, but their number is decreasing the Prince of Glory Died," has been a refuge for all man­ rapidly. Can Christianity survive the passing of the Chris- kind. Today the Church is great; in wealth, in charity, in tian Home? . influence, in educational. equipment, and in its opportunity The Christian Church is a Divine institution. It was to keep step with the Infinite in His purpose to redeem a instituted by our Lord through His apostles. He is its head; lost and ruined world. The greatness of any institution, we his disciples are its body. It is the agency for the pro~ however, does not necessarily insure its permanence; nor mulgation of Christianity. What is the general attitude does the goodness of an institution; nor does its noble his­ toward the Christian Church today; the attitude .of the tory; or its splendid purpose; or even its Divine origin, mean world; what is the attitude of the nations; what is the. atti­ that institution will abide. In fact men and women, think­ tude of the press toward the Church and her ministers; ing men and women, are talking and writing about the new what is the attitude of Church members toward the Church? religion; the new faith; the new Church, the new "gospel I need not answer these questions for you. Any informed of Brotherhood and progress." Are we witnessing now the person knows that the attitude of these ranges from se1£­ passing of Christianity? complacent indifference to that of ugly enmity or even open I am not a pessimist, nor am I an alarmist, but .with eyes hostility. If the Church passes will Christianity abide? wide open I cannot fail to discern the face of the open sky. The Bible is our Divine revelation; it is the word of God. That Christianity is waning is a fact that is irrefutable; by It contains God's message of salvation. It is the source of any definite, tangible test this sad fact is revealed. Her authority in our religion. Is the Bible revered as it once sacrificial service is decreasing; her family altars are pass­ was? Is it read as faithfully as it used to be? I know ing; her prayer meetings are passing; the family pews are it is the greatest seller, but the majority of its volumes passing. The world no longer respects· the Church as it once are freely distributed in mission fields. Where are our respected it. The minister is no longer the divinely com­ Bibles? Do we read them as we once read them? . The missioned representative of God. The follower of Jesus is chief attack upon Christianity is directed against. our not now one who lives a separate and surrendered life. We Bible; its credibility; its authority; its Divine inspiration; say the times have changed. The people have c.hanged its age; its authorship; its miracles; its prophecy; its. Divine also; are we witnessing the passing of Christianity? Saviour. Can Christianity survive the passing of the Bible? Sunday is a divinely established day set apart for an (Ooncluded on Page 11) 10 CHRISTIANITY TODAY JanuarYt 1933 Notes on Biblical Exposition By J. Gresham Machen, D.O., Litt.D. Professor of .New Testament in Westminster Theological Seminary XXIV. THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE

"Just as Abraham believed God; and it was reckoned by whose gracious ministration the written Word has been unto him for righteousness. Know, therefore that those who given unto men. Let it never be forgotten that the real are of faith, these are sons of Abraham. And the Scrip­ source of life for the Church is the holy Book; when the ture, foreseeing that God wouZd justify the Gentiles by faith, Church seeks life apart from the Book, as it is doing today, proclaimed the gospel beforehand to Abraham, to the effect: then it always faces, as it faces today, a terrible loss of 'In thee all the nations shall be blessed.' So then those who power. If the Bible were rediscovered, as it was redis­ are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham" (Gal. covered at the time of the Reformation, we should have in 3:6-7, in a literal translation). the Church today the same new life as that which then set the world aflame. The Argument from Scripture The Promise to Abraham N the last number of CHRISTIANITY TODAY, we considered the first of the arguments which It is not surprising, therefore, that Paul appeals here to Paul adduces in favor of the great central doc­ the Scriptures of the Old Testament. They were authorita­ trine of justification by faith alone apart from tive in the Gentile churches from the very beginning just all human merit. "You received. the Holy as much as in the Jewish churches. Spirit, plainly manifested," the Apostle says, "Just as Abraham believed God," says Paul, "and it was "by receiving in simple faith the story of the reckoned unto him for righteousness." The proof from '------' Cross, before you ever heard of the Judaizers Scripture joins so closely to that which has preceded that or ever thought of trying to attain merit by your own ob­ some modern editors place the paragraph division after this servance of God's law. But if you received the Holy Spirit first verse instead of before it. "When the Holy Spirit was thus apart from the works of the law, what more can you so plainly manifested in the Galatian churches, not on the possibly expect to have through your works; what can pos­ basis of human merit, but simply on the basis of the grace sibly be higher than the presence of the Spirit of God? Nay, of God received by faith, that," Paul says, "was in exact in seeking to establish your own merit, you are doing despite accord with what happened when Abraham became right to the Spirit of God, and are really descending from the with God not on the basis of works, not on the basis of his Spirit to the flesh-to the things in which unaided humanity own merit, but through faith." . relies." -. The Old Testament passage which Paul is here quoting This month we turn to the second of Paul's arguments. is Gen. 15:6. In the fourth chapter of Romans he quotes It is the argument from Scripture, and to it Paul attaches the same passage and expounds it more fully; and, in here as always supreme weight. It was particularly impor­ general, the best commentary on this whole part of the tant, of course, in dealing with the J udaizers: in their Epistle to the Galatians is the fuller treatment of the same insistence upon observance of the ceremonial law they had subject in Romans. no doubt appealed to the Old Testament against Paul; and In Gen. 15: 6, Abraham is represented as believing the it was important, therefore, for Paul to show that their promise of God that he should have numerous descendants interpretation of the Old Testament was wrong. But only -that his seed should be as the stars for multitude. But the shallowest reading of the Epistles can possibly lead a that was .only one 01 the promises of God to him; and the man to think that the Apostle's appeal to the Old Testa­ Apostle rightly treats the promises as forming a unity. In ment was merely an argumentative device-useful in de­ the promise of a n\lmerous progeny was included the blessed feating the Judaizers but not valuable in the Apostle's own promise of that One of Abraham's descendants through mind. Nothing could be further from the fact. As a matter whom the blessing should come to all mankind. Abraham of fact, to Paul as well as to our Lord Jesus Himself, the believed the promise, and it was reckoned unto him for written Word of God was decisive in all controversy. People righteousness-that is, it was through his faith, not through who make "the teachings of Christ" instead of the whole any good works of his, that he was made right with God. Bible the seat of authority in religion are doing despite to the teachings of Christ themselves; and people who make Christianity Not a New Religion what they wrongly call "the living Spirit," in opposition It is a great mistake to say that Christianity, as over to the written Word, an independent source of our knowl­ against the old dispensation, was a "new religion"; indeed, edge of God are doing despite to that blessed Holy Spirit it is a mistake to say that Christianity is a religion at all, JanuarYI 1933 C H R 1ST I A NIT Y TO D.A Y 11 among other religions. On the contrary, there is just one not merely the Jews to be righteous through faith; now revealed religion, and the :revelation that is at the basis of we see the fulfilment of that ancient promise of God. it is recorded in both the Old and the New Testament. The "So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Old Testament saints were saved in just the same way as Abraham." That is the conclusion of this first division of that in which the New Testament saints are saved-namely, Paul's argument from Scripture. "Abraham was justified by the death of Christ-and the means by which the Spirit by faith, not by works," says Paul; "and those who are of of God applied to them the benefits of Christ's death was faith, being his true descendants, share his blessing." exactly the same as the means by which the same Spirit applies those benefits to Christians today-namely, faith. Editorial Notes-Concluded The Old Testament saints, like Christians today, received Thus far and no farther s~a~t thou go? Can we not do more, and the gospel of the grace of God; and, like the New Testa­ insist that great sums of money given by saints in the past and ment saints, they received it by faith. The only difference still poured out by living givers, most of whom were and are is that the gospel was proclaimed to the Old Testament conservatives, shall be put to the use they intended." Apart saints by way of promise, while to us it is proclaimed by from the allegation that the differences that have been dividing the conservatives are "unimportant" this editorial as a whole way of narrative of what has already been done. Immedi­ has our hearty approval. ately after the Fall of man, the plan of God for salvation It is high time that those who love the LORD in all sincerity began to be executed-with the promise contained in Gen. and heartiness were awakened to the fact that there are many 3: 15-and the men who are saved in accordance with that within the churches who not only reject the gospel but are bent on employing the church itself as an instrument .for propagating plan are not adherents of "a religion" among other reli­ essentially pagan conceptions, conceptions of life and destiny. gions; they are not men who have built upon a common By using orthodox language to express unorthodox conceptions, human fund of "religion" certain special religions known by representing basic differences as' only minor differences of as "Judaism" and "Christianity," but they are men to whom interpretation, by crying "Peace, peace; when there is no peace," God has supernaturally revealed and supernaturally applied they have long kept multitudes of Christians in ignorance of the fact that the foundations were being undermined by those of His saving work. That one revealed "religion" does not their own household. If the Laymen's Mission Report be the differ from the religions of mankind merely in degree; its occaSion of arousing those who are Christians in fact as well as supremacy does not consist· even in being the one perfect name and of leading them to insist that the Church of CKRIST religion as over against the imperfect ones; but it is differ­ bear undivided testimony to the gospel of the grace of GOD, it will prove to be a blessing in disguise. There was less warrant ent from the religions of mankind because, while they rep­ for ABRAHAM LINCOLN to say that this country could not remain resent man's efforts to find God, this "religion" is built upon half free and half slave than there is for saying that the Chris­ the sovereign and gracious and entirely unique act by which tian Church can remain half evangelical and half modernist. God found man and saved him from the guilt and power of sm. The One Page Sermon-Concluded The Bible is passing; what a shame. The world's greatest The One Way of Salvation book j God's only book. God has made many worlds, but To that marvellous unity and uniqueness of God's sav­ only one book. ing work both in the old dispensation and in the new, the My friends, can it be that we are helping to destroy the ApostlePaul appeals in the passage now before us. "Know, church and the influence of Christ in our day? The church therefore," he says, "that those who are of faith, these are of Christ can not, of course, be destroyed permanently. sons of Abraham.;' Not those who are descended from The Kingdom of God is sure; the gates of hell shall not pre­ Abraham by ordinary generation, not those who have united vail ultimately against ,the church. Our apathy and un­ themselves to Abraham's descendants by circumcision and belief hurt chiefly our souls and our day. Despite our the keeping of the law of Moses, certainly not those who smug complacency and indifference the true church will have tried-vainly-to attain merit with God by any kind live. God forbid that the visible church, with its work of of observance of God's law, but those who have the same charity and redemption, should be made ineffectual in our faith as that which Abraham had are his true sons and the time. We pray that active, genuine, effectual Christianity true heirs of the promises which God gave to him. may live. May real Christianity live. May it live amid "And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the galaxy of our noblest institutions; may it live express­ the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the gospel beforehand to ing itself in deeds of beneficence, in the prayers of the faith­ Abraham, to the effect: 'In thee shall all the nations be ful, in the esteem of the righteous; may it live in minds blessed.'" Here we have a reference to Gen. 12:3, the same that are cultured, in hearts that are sanctified, in spirits passage being quoted in a speech of the Apostle Peter in that are perfected, in lives that are glorified. May it live Acts 3:25. When the Scripture said, reporting the words long, honored, triumphant and beloved. May it live for­ of God to Abraham, 'In thee shall all the nations be blessed' ever blessing and forever blessed! -that is, 'The blessing that is now pronounced upon thee, The years seem long, the tears grow strong, Abraham, shall be a blessing to all the nations'-when the Faith falters and is dumb. Scripture said that, it said it in view of this fact which we But God's time is a certain time, now see before us, that God is pronouncing the Gentiles and And this will surely come. C H R 1ST I A NIT Y . T 00 A Y January, 1933

A N:ew Princeton Apologetic-Concluded Christianity asa distinct message for the world .. Professor Greene contended boldly for the utter insufficiency Of the that the higher critics speak when they deal with the "blood­ "naturalist" interpretation- of human life and the complete theology'.'. of Paul. It is thus that Pelagian theologians sufficiency of the "supernaturalist" interpretation. Profes~ speak when they. wish to remove the offense of the cross sor Kuizenga, so far as he at spots seems to indicate· that in order .to make it palatable to the natural man. It is the supernaturalist and the naturalist· interpretation of thus,finally, that ~odernism, heir to all this patrimony, human life differ at all, hastens to apologize Jor the implied speaks when it wishes to lead poor benighted Fundamental­ affront to the natUral man by showing that the best of non­ ists on to higher things. Chri§tians have really always held to the same thing that _. Scripture, however, does not define the moral issue in this Christianity-holds to. way. Isaiah said that all our strivings after higher things < What, we now aSK, is the practical significance of this are in themselves as filthy rags before God. Paul strove difference between the old and the new Apologetic? The mightily for "higher things" till he met Jesus on the way to practical difference is that the old Apologetic was a help Damascus. Then he learned that Christ's righteousness and the new Arologetic is a hindrance to the spread of the must be the foundation of our striving if our striving is not gospel. The gospel needs to be clearly understood and to be in vain and sinful in the sight of God. The taproot of boldly proclaimed if .it is to bring men to Christ. If it is sin remains untouched so long as man strives for "higher" scarcely distinguished from and meanly apologized for, it things unless his guilt has been atoned for. "How shall a chloroforms men akready asleep. man be right with God?" That is primarily the moral issue for man as he is today. The new Apologetic is dangerous to the church especially From these considerations it appears clearly that a new at this time. The report of the Laymen's Foreign Missions type of Apologetic is being taught at Princeton. One could ~nquiry tries to show that there is really no difference be­ not possibly think of Professor Wm. Brenton Greene, tween Christianity and other religions. According to the formerly Professor of Apologetics at Princeton, speaking recommendations of this report the highest and best that is or writing in the way that Professor Kuizenga does. Profes­ in Christianity should unite with the highest and best in sor Greene's Apologetics sought to be in harmony with the other religions in a common battle against the tendency Systematic theology of the great Reformed theologians of man to yield to the lower aspect of his being, to the such as Charles Hodge and B. B. Warfield. The numerous merely animal within him. According to this report Chris­ articles of Professor Greene all attest his anxiety to point tian missionaries should no longer go to heathen lands with out not only the distinctive character of orthodox theology the claim that they have a distinctive religion but should but also the distinctive character of Reformed theology. He join the other religions in a common fight against irreligion; pointed out again and again that Christianity.teaches while "The case that must now be stated is the case for any reli­ modern evolutionary philosophy denies that man was origi­ gion at all." (p. 33). Will the church agree with such a nally created perfect.· He taught clearly that man as a proposal? Mode_rnism will,. of course. The only hope, so sinner is subject to the wrath of God unless the substitu­ far as human agency is concerned, lies in an outspoken op­ tionary work of Christ has reinstated him into God's favor. position on the part of orthodox leaders In the church. But Accordingly he boldly spoke forth against the modern in the present emergency the church will look in vain to evolutionary philosophy whether it appeared in the cur­ the Apologetic of Princeton for help. If they look there rent pragmatic philosophies or in the more subtle form of for help they will be dismayed to find that in the writings ~dealism. Indeed it was Professor Greene's constant con­ of professor Kuizenga there is the same vague indefinite cern to show clearly that the idealist type of philosophy, talk about the "lower" and "higher" aspects of man, the which speaks iri·terminology that resembles the terminology same idea that man's chief struggle everywhere is against of Christianity, is often a greater enemy of Christianity mechanism and materialism that one finds in the report of than the crassest materialism just because the difference the Laymen's Foreign Missions Inquiry. petween Christianity and idealism is for the untrained Then too Buchmanism threatens to overrun the church. mind difficult to detect. In effect it denies the centrality of the cross of Christ. It _ The new Apologetic, then, differs from the old, we believe maintains in effect that Christians and non-Christians can in two important respects. In the first place the old have genuine spiritual fellowship with one another. Mini­ Apologetic was clear and the new is obscure. No one could sters as well as Laymen are led astray by it. They need read the articles and lectures of Professor Greene and not guidance. Will they get it from the new Apologetic at know precisely what the difference is between Christianity Princeton? Certainly not! From the new Apologetic no and non-Christian types of thought. In contrast with this one could learn that the cross is central to Christianity at no one can read the writings of Professor Kuizenga and all. Paganism from without and paganism from within discover. from them clearly that Christianity has any dis­ are besetting the church. Yet we look in vain for a clear tinct teaching at all. note of warning from the new Apologetic. That Apologetic In the second place the old Apologetic was strongly de­ is useless not only but dangerous to the church in the present fensive of and the new Apologetic is weakly apologetic for emergency. January, 1933 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 13

The Importance of Doctrine-Concluded and will. Is her glory departed? Is it time to write and you whittle away and deny the power of heaven sent "Ichabod" over her doors? Not where that Word is still to save us. Accept it, depend upon it in its entirety, and the revered and obeyed. It may be where ministers, with more whole power of heaven is at our disposal to sweep away the covetousness than conscience, take their vows "with mental defences of the mighty. reservations;" it may be where her people, smitten with the Why did the Presbyterian church become the mightiest blight of Modernism, hesitate to accept this or that that is body in all Protestantism, despite all the persecutions and written; it may be where the pulpit sounds an uncertain sufferings she encountered? Because she was pronouncedly note; but where the old faith remains, the faith of martyrs and preeminently a doctrinal church: a church with her and Covenanters, the glory of Disruptionists, it will still be doctrine squared at every point, through much prayer and' the power of God unto salvation in them that believe. the Spirit's guidance, aided by the noblest scholarship em­ "Gates of hell can never, ployed in the framing of her articles, so that down to the 'Gainst that church prevail, minutest particular they should, as far as was humanly vVe have Christ's own promise, possible, perfect, interpret and set forth the Divine mind And that cannot fail."

Sunday School Lessons Lesson for February 12, 1933 JESUS TEACHING BY PARABLES "For FOUR KINDS OF HEARERS (Lesson Text-lJ:ark 4:1-10, 13-20. Also February stucly Matt. 13 :1-30, 36-43. Golden Text­ John 15 :8.) (International Uniform Series) This parable is one of the most familiar Lesson for February 5, 1933 take pains to separate the good from the of all our Lord's "dark sayings." It was evil. The evil we can get along without; preached as part of a sermon from a boat JESUS CHOOSES THE TWELVE and for the good we never need to search -delivered to the crowd that stood or sat (Lesson Text-Mark 3 :7-19a. Also study beyond the blessed everlasting gospel. upon the shore. The language of our Lord 1 Matt. 10:1-4; Luke 6:12-16; John 15 :15-27. II. The Twelve Chosen. After a night was perfectly adapted to His hearers, Golden Text-John 15 :16.) spent entirely in prayer (following a day though it may seem unfamiliar to many I. Jesus' Popularity. Because our Lord which must have greatly wearied His body), people who have never planted seed. He had healed the man with the withered hand our Lord chose from out of the crowds told them simply, graphically, of four kinds in the Synagogue on the Sabbath day, He those who should remain with Him and be of hearers of His "word." became both despised and popular. Already His own. We might have thought that our I. Hearers Who Never Received the I it was becoming apparent that He would Lord Jesus would have no need to pray. Word. They are like the part of the road not live in peace with the dry, dead formal­ No, we were wrong. Of all mankind He where the wheels have beaten it down, or ism, the hypocrisy of heart of those who who had been with the Father before the where the feet of animals or men have made controlled the Synagogue. And because world was, knew the peace, the power, the it impossible for seed to do anything but He healed disease and cast out demons, the blessedness of communion with Him. If lie on the surface. The seed never gets in. crowds of the "common people" thronged our Lord needed that communion, how much Before,o,it had lain on the ground ma~ about Him. Indeed, the crowds became so more we! minutes, these grains were eaten by the dense, and the people pressed so close to No doubt the twelve had been under ob­ ever-present birds. Hearers like this have] Him in the frantic search for healing, that servation, with others, for a time-some for hardened their hearts,-either deliberately it became necessary for Him to separate longer than others. But the final choice is or through long indifference. And lest the Himself from them, after He had healed made when morning has come. Did our seed somehow take root, the agents of many. Lord point to them silently, one by one, did Satan are always on hand to take it away. The healing of the body is, and has always He call their names? We do not know. But :Wherever seed is being sown the adversary J been since the days of our Lord's ministry, they were chosen because He knew infallibly lS present to see what he can do about it. I a sure way to popularity. We have plenty the men He wanted. Why did He choose II. Hearers_-Who-~are_S1taIlow. The of illustrations even today of the fact that disciples at all? The immediate reason is second kind of hearers is lik;-the thin if someone claims to be able to heal the indicated in the text: to be sent out to soil over the hard near-surface rock. They body, multitudes of people will follow him preach and cast out demons. The need and hear the Word and, iml2ulsiE.~'accept" it. no matter how foolish or heretical or the demand was too great to be met by one, It wo~, but does ~t blasphemous his doctrines may be. Some­ so twelve were deputized. Yet He had a penetrate to the will, so that regeneration how people feel that if one can heal the longer time in view in choosing them-look­ really ne~ comes. Having no ~eep body, he must be of God and his other ing on toward His later ministry, His in the soul, the little plant is soon at the teachings must therefore be true. No passion, death and resurre~tion, the day of end of its time. The sun of life beats upon thoughtful Christian, of course, will deny Pentecost and the planting of the seeds of it. It wi1hers, ~ies. Xn "expenence"of God's ever-present ability to heal whenever the visible Church. And Judas? Why? Was Christ that does not reach down to the will He wishes. The danger is in our attribut­ it, perhaps, to show to all time the lesson is just no experience of Christ at all. ing to God what may be a "counterfeit that no matter how favorable the environ­ nt Hearers Who Want Truth-pro­ miracle" or in following wrong doctrine be­ ment and example given to the natural vided theycaIlieep error too. The seed cause its preacher may show real cures. man may be, yet unless repentant and saved hertr-fell among t~ome people are And remember that every heresy has some by grace, he is still the natural man, and perfectly agreeable to Gospel truth and element of truth in it that gives it its appeal. his heart a chasm of unplumbed wicked­ seem to want to be Christians. But while That is where its danger lies. We must ness? they say they want to love Christ, they 14 CHRISTIANITY TODAY January, 1933

keep other loves, contrary to His, in their results, while where two or three are raise the human arm, drive the fingers as lives and will not let them go. But their gathered together God may be fashioning they write: thought moving matter. "love" for Christ is really no deep love at the bolt that will shake the world. The second manifestation of our Lord's all. They love the weeds of this world power has in it a deeply human undertone. 1more than Christ. If they loved Christ they Lesson for February 26, 1933 The Gadarene healing has for centuries been would want the weeds torn up. Again, the the subject of sermon and exposition. I truth has not reached down to the will. JESUS SHOWS HIS POWER think it was the great Welsh preacher, When the weeds and thorns of sin choke out (Lesson Text-Mark 4:35-41, 5:1-8, 15, Christmas Evans, who preached the most what seemed to be the true life of the 18-2IJ. Also study Matthew 8 :23-34; Luke graphic sermon of all about this incident,­ Word it is apparent that regeneration has 8 :22-39 ; Matthew 14 :22·33; Luke 9 :37-43a. a sermon worth the reading. never really taken place. The day of grace Golden Text-II Timothy J :12b.) The reality of demon-possession is, of has been sinned away. course, a subject of jesting among sup­ .) IV. Hearers who receive the Gospel with Twice in this lesson there flash forth upon the fearful and astonished disciples, posedly "liberal" and enlightened people. all their hearts. They begin by conviction It is much easier to laugh away demon­ of sin and repentance. The-solrof-tlTer soul realms of power of which they had not dreamed. possession than it is to face undeniable is broken up roithe planting. They have facts which confirm its reality even today become utterly Christ's. When the seed Crossing the lake in an open boat, Jesus fell asleep. No doubt He was tired with the in certain parts of the world. The person comes up as a plant, the plant's roots reach who laughs without investigation is only a deep down. Because love for Christ is the labor of the day. A sudden storm came up. He slept on. More and more afraid, the shallow kind of nit-wit; the one who investi­ ,\great passion of the soul, His love expels, gates the objective facts, who studies God's crowds out, the weeds and the noxious disciples finally awoke their master, ask­ ing petulantly if He did not care that they Word, will believe. The man who jeers con­ plants. Here is no divided allegiance; here victs himself of wilful ignorance. is the Christian life""at its best,-the normal all were in danger of death? Instead of replying to them our Lord turned toward Christian life-the life of faith and viCtory, Our Lord healed this p'aor man, and the thosg raging waves. To the disciples they because it is hid with Christ in God. Where unclean demon left him. The man wanted were of mountain-size and of fearful the Word once enters, life follows. to be one of the disciples. But nO,-our portent. To our Lord they were but the Lord Jesus "suffered him not"-but sent / ------slightest thing; a little ripple upon a small him horne, to the very place where his Lesson for February 19, 1933 body of water on a little floating grain of affiliction had been most known, there to ·cosmic dust called the earth, which He Him­ testify to those who could not deny the JESUS TEACHING BY PARABLES self had brought into being, together with fact of his cure of the great things the THE GROWTH OF THE KINGDOM the wheeling galaxies that march across the Lord had done. One of these great things (Lesson Text-Mark 4::21-34. Also study heavens. Small 'Wonder that He the was inevitably his physical cure. Can we Matthew 13 ::24-50; Isaiah :2 :2'4; Ezekiel Creator, was not troubled! "Peace, be doubt that another of them was the for­ 47 :1-12; Revelation 21 :1·8, 22-:27, 22 :1-5. still!" The voice that said "Let there be giveness of sins by that One whose purity Golden Text-Isaiah 11 :9.) light" has spoken again, and His creation awoke in the hearts of men a longing to Still using the analogy of the planting of obeys. Let those who scoff at. this, first be like Him, and a recognition of their own seed, our Lord taught the people of the explain the fact of the power of thought to sin? outward growth of the Kingdom of God. No doubt, having seen His miracles of heal­ ing, many of the crowd hoped to see Him use His powers to overthrow the Roman rule, and to establish a Kingdom that would The ComFort of the Scriptures rule the world. Such, of course, was not His plan. A Devotional Meditation by The verses from 21 to 25 seem to be in the form of an introduction,-possibly in­ The Rev. David Freeman, Th.M., tended to arouse the indifferent and the Minister, Grace Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia complacent. The real message of the par­ able begins with verse 26. Here our Lord " ... I count not myself to have appre­ servant Paul said, "I have fought a good tells His auditors that the growth of the hencZed . ..." "I press toward the mark. fight, I have finished my course." Kingdom of God is a growth that is derived .... ."-Philippians 3 :13, 14. from the life of God in it. By His super­ But the past with all its devotion and natural power that life is being constantly ow true these wo,ds are to the experi­ labor is nothing for us to glory in. A Chris­ supplied, whether men sleep or are awake. H ence of every child of God. They tian can only say after a review of the This is true of God's Kingdom and Word strike a responsive chord in our hearts, espe­ things that are behind, "I count not myself in men's hearts no matter under what as­ cially at the beginning of a new year. to have apprehended." Over the written pect it be viewed. It does not live by the These words were uttered after years of chapters of our lives we place the word agreement or consent of men merely, but by devotion to the cause of the Lord Jesus "FAILURE" because it is all so different the indwelling presence of God. Christ and after much labor for the Kingdom from, and comes so far short of what God The second parable, that of the mustard of God. The Apostle Paul filled his years has required of us. In our prayer at the seed, is found in verses 30-32. It is elo­ with suffering and noble effort for his Lord. close of this year there should be this con­ quently simple. The mustard seed is very He did not live merely to pass the time feSSion, "0 God we have sinned and come small. Proportionately its result, the away as do those who live only to spend short of thy glory." mustard plant, is very great. So is 'God's th.eir years aimlessly and hopelessly. That is the way Paul felt about it. But Kingdom. Never despise movements or 0, shame upon us if we have lived merely did Paul need to feel that way in view of his societies if they be of God, simply because to pass the time! Christ did not live that singular devotion to Christ? Yes. The they are small. Often great, crowded meet­ way. When He came to the end of His devoutest saint always feels that way because ings, full of joking, back slapping or even course He said, "I have finished the work he measures himself with the rule of God's earnest preaching, are void of eternal which thou gavest me to do." And His true righteousness. Any want of conformity to JanuarYt 1933 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 15 that is sin and for sin, we stand before God produced by any form of natural exertion. souls is that Buchmanism may delude some in penitence. It is of Christ Himself who worketh in us, into thinking they can have "peace" without Forgive Lord! How miserably we have "both to will and to do of his good pleasure." the atoning blood of Christ, which is a ter­ failed! For all the days to come our highest de­ rible wrong to do anyone! Much of the With such a confession upon our lips our sire is to rest and abide in Christ. This will vaunted "good" it does is, I fear, of this souls grasp the Saviour. In the acknowl­ show itself by our walking before the Lord kind. But as for the future-Buchmanism edgement of our unworthiness lies our hope in holiness. will not trouble us very many years. The in Christ. The prize is ours because our Christ will accept a resolve of faith like plant, not having doctrinal roots, will need of Him is so great. He will give Him­ that and bring to ultimate victory the issues fiourish a little while-then wither and die. self in all His mercy and love us, even as of such a life. He did to those who pressed toward Him in "Lord, Thy mercy still entreating, their infirmities, when He trod among men. This. is the time for the bringing out of We with shame our sins would own, We "press toward the mark for the prize .9.I trial balloons for "candidates" for the modera­ From henceforth, the time redeeming, the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." torship of the forthcoming Assembly. The May we live to Thee alone." Such a going after Christ is not something first balloon to get away this year is that of William Hiram Foulkes, genial organization "yes-man" of Newark, N. J. It seems that the minds of a number of "leaders" over the This Changing World church have simultaneously turned toward Dr. Foulkes (pronounced Fowks). What By a coincidence! Several years ago it was freely rumored that this new man of the "Ccavinist" hour for 1933 was to have been the man of the hour for 1932, according to an often HE passing of Calvin Coolidge is gener­ truth of these mighty realities it all appears asserted but unproved "five year plan" for Tally agreed to mark the definite close of as a fearful trifling with the patience of an the fiIling of the moderatorship. Dr. Foulkes an era. Walter Lippmann called him (as almighty and sovereign God. How long will was, I think, supposed to be about number President) "The Puritan in Babylon." Keen He forbear? four on that "plan_" But along came revolt insight. Whatever his own personal con­ against too much machine politics, so the victions (and Calvin Coolidge did not wear Foulkes balloon was deflated for 1932, and "Buchmanism," (pronounced "Book-man­ his heart upon his sleeve) there is no doubt a western man elected. Now it has been ism") sometimes sonorously termed the that he was a product and an inheritor of dusted-off and is, apparently, ready. But it's "Oxford Group Movement" or the "First the deeply rooted puritan background of the a long way for a trial balloon to travel­ Century Christian Fellowship" has begun to older New England. Of that puritan life and all the way from Newark to Fort Worth! culture it cannot be alleged (no matter what make a loud, well calculated bid for public is said against it) that it did not produce attention. It is likely to have a large im­ strong men of conscience and the fear of mediate vogue, but in spite of it, your God. Calvin Coolidge may not have been columnist refuses to become excited. This During the past few weeks I have been among our greatest presidents, but it seems is neither the place nor the time to deal ex­ indulging myself at odd moments with the undeniable that if more of our people tensively with this queer movement. Those reading of The Letter.s and Speeches of possessed the traits that made Calvin who are interested will find the little book­ Oliver Cromwell, By Thomas Carlyle. In Coolidge respected and loved, we would have let of Mr. Commons, (mentioned in an spite of the great author's sometimes a greater America. editorial note on page 2) exceedingly in­ splenetic anti-Presbyterian bias, what stimu­ formative. Since he is a former adherent lation! An intellectually neutral person­ of this sect, Mr. Commons may be presumed someone who, reading, merely receives and It is reported in the press that a Dr. Elie to speak with some knowledge. Stripped records impressions without ever thinking Ivanoff, of Moscow, "eminent Soviet scient· to its bare essentials it is quite ·plain that about them-will, when he reads Carlyle, ist" has for some months been experiment· Buchmanism is simply a high-sounding, non­ either stop in disgust before he is well be­ ing with the creation of a modern "missing doctrinal apparatus for the retention of gun, or else suddenly find himself experi­ link"-"using nine adult female chimpanzees Christian evangelical emotion, while ignor­ encing the rare and tonic pleasure of reflec­ in his experiments, three of which died." ing or jettisoning Christian truth. This tive thought. It is reported further that this scientist has movement believes in "conversion,"-but the Carlyle, as he unveils a man, reveals not now, for the purpose of his "work" cut kind of "conversion" that can do without an individual merely, but an age,-an epoch himself off from civilization. Well he might! the blood of Christ. It has secured a long which, in spite of many acknowledged de­ This "missing link," of course, if created, list of highly placed converts in the last few fects, was one of the noblest of recorded would, being present, not be "missing" and years since "Frank" (Buchman) sailed off time. An age of black and white, wrong and being modern, would not be a "link," ex­ to bring the light to Britain. It has even right, Hell and Heaven in sharp contrast cepting, presumably between Dr. Ivanoff and blithely appropriated the name of a great and in deadly warfare_ The period of the his hybrid grandchildren, if any. Seriously, university of a land foreign to both the Civil Wars and the Commonwealth might the mind cannot help revolting in disgust origin and spirit of the movement, because be called the age of Courage and Faith. at the very thought of what all this inevit­ it made some "converts" there! With the There lived Christian men who believed, and ably means. I do not understand enough of prestige of the real Oxford Movement (be­ who because they believed had courage to biology to know whether one of these pro­ gun in 1833) somehow being associated go out in the name of God and smite down posed hybrids could live. But living or dead with this "Oxford Group Movement," many wrong and unbelief wherever they found it. its ghastly form would prove nothing except have been confused, thinking them one move­ As a surgeon lets blood with the knife that the tragic reality of its own pitiful existence. ment. Even the amiable Emil Brunner, he may save life, so they shed blood and Without doubt the learned Russian would disciple of Karl Barth (pronounced Bart) poured out their own for the life of the scoff at those "outworn ideas" of soul, seems to have been amusingly caught in this Christian state and the liberties of the responsibility, eternal destiny, image of God. mistake, if reports of his article in a Swiss people of God. It is easy for pigmies of a But to the Christian, who believes in the paper are accurate. The possible tragedy for later age to strut about, with their little 16 CHRISTIANITY TODAY January, 1933 squeaky voices professing their own price in Church and state) had no place in view of Missions" which will answer the superiority to these mighty dead. But the the same universe with these men. They Modernist report of the Laymen's Mis­ pigmy is still a pigmy. Whether Indepen­ prayed, opened their hearts to God, struck sionary Committee. A general discussion dent or Presbyterian, Resolutioner or Pro­ hard and true, gave Him all the glory! A of the subject by those present will be tester, these men were, in the main, pos­ friend of mine and I were talking about included. sessed of souls of iron. This is not set these things a few days ago. While I The Rev. William A. (Billy) Sunday has aside by the undeniable fact that one man, fumbled for words to express the contrast concluded his four weeks revival at our Cromwell, towered so far above the rest. between that age and ours, he probed the first church of Hollywood; and the pastor, The weak and fiabby sentimentality which profound and deep chasm in a sentence: Dr. Stewart P. McLennan, reports great in so many quarters now passes for Chris­ "You mean," he said, "they were men, and blessings to the church through the ministry tian emotion (mother of Mr. Peace-at-any- we,-why, we are a lot of sissies." of this seventy-two year old evangelist. All of our churches are bending their energies toward a great ingathering at Easter time, and preliminary campaigns are reported on various cities up and down News of the Church the coast. We find there is a general increase in Correspondence, General church attendance caused by the depres­ sion, but the financial stringency has created a serious problem. The churches First Church of Boise, Idaho, was elected Washington, Oregon and Idaho Notes that are winning out are 9.oing so on their moderator of the North Idaho Presbytery. By Dr. Roy Talmage Brumbaugh knees. An Indian was appointed vice-moderator. Free speech for Communist orators came AT l3. Christian Life Conference recently As he was moderatirig he said, "I stand here into the Los Angeles Ministers Association held in Portland, Oregon, a number holding the gavel as your vice-moderator ..t\.. recently, and the dove of peace sailed out of churches and pastors participated, in­ and not with the tomahawk of former days." of the window minus most of his tail cluding the Rev. G. H. Lee, D.D., of the Jesus saves! Christianity transforms! feathers. Dr. F. M. Larkin, secretary of Roseway Community and Acreage Com­ The .First Presbyterian Church of Van­ the State Church Federation, debated hotly munity Churches, the Rev. W. C. Faucette, couver, Washington, is without a pastor. with Bishop Charles E. Locke citing Hyde pastor of the Millard Avenue Church, and Pastorates do not last as long as they used Park in England and Madison Square in the Rev. H. R. Geil, pastor of the Calvary to. And why should they 7 We are living New York as examples of free speech. Presbyterian Church. in a different world than did the last genera­ Evangelist James Merry told the ministers In a Welsh paper I read that Mr. Evan tion. I know of more ministers who have they should stop and consider that some­ Roberts, the well-known revivalist, who was stayed too long in a church than I know thing more than free speech was wanted humanly responsible for the spiritual of ministers who have not stayed long by Communists. "They want license," he awakening which swept over Wales in 1904 enough. Expository preachers are few. said. "You don't know what you're talking and 1905, began a revival crusade in Why should not these men go from church about in regard to Hyde Park. Let me tell AIitlesey, Wales, iIi December. Mr. Roberts to church indoctrinating God's people 7 And you, you have more liberty here than there." has lived in seclusion since 1905. Spiritual ministers who review books, deliver ethical The deep feeling regarding this vital leaders today seem to be too busy to go essays, or vociferate political twaddle need problem waxed so hot that a layman, Dr. apart and pray. Ana the result 7 A mini­ to be hurried on just as quickly as possible. Fred H. Ross, finally declared: "As mum of conversions and edifications. For the time being, the age of long pastor­ preachers you seem vastly more interested ates is past. We might as well accept the The Rev. Dr. Divine of San Francisco has in Socialism and Communism than in' fact and plan accordingly. been called to the pastorate of the Union Evangelism." Church (union of the First Presbyterian The University Presbyterian Church of Church and the First Congregational Seattle is still looking for a Bible preach­ church) of Olympia, Washington. ing pastor. The University of Washington Letter from Colorado and Near-by Forty-seven new members were recently is located within a few blocks of this church received into the membership of the First which is situated in the heart of a splendid States Presbyterian Church of Tacoma. Two residential district. By the Rev. H. Clmoe Welker, Th. M. The Presbytery of Olympia met in the more Branch Schools have been taken over, HE Rev. Harry Rimmer of Los,Angeles First Presbyterian Church of Tacoma making a total of seven Branch Sunday conducted an especially successful January 17th. Schools manned and directed by this church. Tseries of meetings in the Central Presby­ Churches and Sunday Schools spend too More than fifty per cent of the children terian Church, Denver, Dr. Martin E. much time and energy on by-products. The of school age in the State of Washington Anderson, pastor, early in the winter. His work of the Church is two-fold: (1) to seek are out of Sunday School. There are no general subject was, "Science and the the lost; (2) to build up the saved. "Art states in the Union in which Sunday Bible." This church, which was host to the thou a master of Israel and know est not Schools and missionaries are more needed last General Assembly, frequently was too these things 7" than the states of Washington, Oregon and small to accommodate all those that desired Idaho. to hear Dr. Rimmer. This was true even The Rev. E. W. Hallowell, Sunday School California Column on the evening that President Hoover visited missionary in Idaho, traveled over twenty­ Denver and spoke to a crowd estimated at By the Rev. Stanley H. Bailes four thousand miles in 1932, covering an 50,000 at the hour of Dr. Rimmer's Sunday area as large as the state of Pennsylvania. HE western, branch of, the Presbyterian evening service. All of the general services Tracts, books and Bibles were distributed. T League of Faith, meeting monthly in closed with an unusually strong evangelistic Sermons were preached, teacher training Los Angeles, reports good attendance and appeal. classes taught, personal work done and pul­ sustained interest. During the week of November 18, the pits supplied. Much pioneer work is done At the January meeting of the .League Montview Presbyterian Church, Denver, every year. Dr. A. B. Prichard, veteran California mini­ Dr. Wm. L. Barrett, pastor, celebrated the The Rev. William C. Ross, pastor of the ster, isto present a paper entitled: "A Re- thirtieth anniversary of its founding and the JanuarYI 1933 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 17 tenth anniversary of the present pastorate, ary 16 to 18, arranged to change the meet­ U. S. (locally called Old School) use their with appropriate services. Shortly before ing from Tuesday, January 10th to Monday, building for two pioneer years. At, least this date the same church was host to the January 16th, at 9.00 A.M. in the First one Texas town of 12,000 inhabitants has 1932 meeting of the Synod of Colorado. Presbyterian Church. The principal ad­ three different varieties of organized Pres­ The Rev. Albert C. Ramsay, stated clerk dress on the first day of the Convocation byterianism; another of 15,000 has four! of Boulder Presbytery and for about· eight was by Dr. John Timothy Stone and the Last fall the U.' S. Synod of Texas, re­ years the pastor of the First Presbyterian second day a Presbyterian Men's Luncheon membering the felicitous meeting of the Church of Ft. Morgan, Col., recently was was addressed by Dr. William F. Weir of previous year when the two Vance brothers called to the pastorate of the First Pres­ Chicago. Dr. Albert W. Beaven was an­ spoke, adopted a resolution of welcome and byterian Church of York, Nebr., to succeed other outstanding speaker of the Convoca­ greeting to the U. S. A. General Assembly the Rev. Paul Turner who resigned to ac­ tion. which is to meet this spring in the. First cept a call to the Lowe Avenue Presbyterian Rev. Albert C. Ramsey, pastor of the Church, Federated, of Fort Worth. To ar­ Church of Omaha. First Presbyterian Church of Fort Morgan, range some suitable way of presenting this The Rev. W. J. Gregory, H. Ro, of West­ Colorado, has accepted a call to the church greeting, synod appointed three of its most minster, Col., has a very remarkable private at York, Nebraska and will enter upon the distinguished D.D.'s: Moderator W. A. Mc­ collection of ancient manuscripts and ver­ work the fourth Sunday in January. The Leod of Cuero, Stated Clerk Stonewall sions of the Bible which he is often called former pastor of this Church, Rev. Paul Jackson McMurry of Van Horn, and David upon to exhibit before churches and other Turner, was recently installed pastor of the F. McConnell of Broadway, the largest of religious bodies and which he accompanies Lowe Avenue Church at Omaha. ' synod's Fort Worth churches. The resolu­ tion of welcome, which of course passed un­ with a very interesting address on the The Beatrice Church, Dr. Ross S. Mc­ animously, bore the signatures of a score origin of our English Bible. The' collection Cown, pastor, is rejoicing in the fact that of commissioners when it w:as presented. includes the following:- ' ' the finances of that church have not yet re" One unreconstructed rebel, as he added his An ancient Armenian uncial manuscript quired the borrowing of any money. In name near the bottom of the page, remarked, to be dated, probably, not later than the connection with their Christmas services a "Well, we've got to live with those fellows 7th century. "White Gift" service was held on Friday in heaven, I reckon; so we might as well night before Christmas. A cursive Latin Gospel of about 1427. learn to get along with them here!" A leaf from an 11th century liturgy. In the Fairbury Church, Dr. Robert C. President Thomas W. Currie, Professor It also includes fac-similes of Codex Shupe, pastor, a unified Sunday School and of Church History in Austin Theological Sinaiticus made by Tischendorf at the Church Christmas service was held. After Seminary, is also taking charge of the High­ order of Emp. Alexander II; Codex Vati­ the usual class exercises some special land Park Church of Dallas. Rev. J. L. canus (selected pages); Codex Alexarinus Christmas music was given by the choir Davis, whose pastorate at Caterina has been and appendix to same, royal edition; Codex followed by a Christmas message by the marked' by outstanding evangelistic results, Ephraemi; Golden Latin Gospels; and Freer pastor. The service closed at 11.30. In will be full-time assistant at Highland Washington Gospels. It also includes the the evening a candle lighting service was Park.. Dr. Currie is a recent Ex-Moderator following versions :""':Bible Latin, Petraeus, held and Van Dyke's story "The Other Wise of the Southern General Assembly; before 1519; N. T. Greek and Latin, Erasmus, man" was read. JOlmng the seminary faculty he was 1522. The Rev. Mr. Gregory received this Y. M. C. A. Secretary at the University of collection from his brother, the late Prof. Texas. Caspar Rene Gregory, D.D., LL.D. Notes from the Southwest Dr. O. C. Williamson, of the Spanish­ In accordance with an established cus­ By W. T. R. speaking department of the same seminary, tom the ministers and ruling elders of HE First Presbyterian Church, Feder­ will move to Alexandria, La., Feb. 1st to Denver Presbytery meet each New Year's ' take the pulpit of the beautiful church Day for a service of worship and a celebra­ ated, of Fort Worth, formed by a sort ofT marriage between a U. S. A. and a U. S. erected there during the 33-year pastorate tion of the, sacrament of the Lord's Supper. of the late BI. L. Price, D.D. The Austin This year the service was held in the Cen­ church years and years ago, holds member­ ship in both U. S. and U. S. A. Presbyteries Seminary professors will hold a conference tral Presbyterian Church, Denver, and the for Louisiana pastors next summer. sermon was preached by the Rev. Benj. F. of Forth Worth. The pastor, Dr. James K. Judd of the North Presbyterian Church, Thompson, has served in both the larger The beloved William M. Anderson, Jr., Denver. There was a large attendance of branches of American Presbyterianism. who follows his father's successful foot­ ministers and ruling elders. Under his fine leadership the First Church steps in the First Church, Dallas, and for entertained its two presbyteries in a joint several years has been one of the most meeting. Then, in 1931, it entertained the popular Bible lecturers at Montreat, led his two Synods of Texas in a happy celebration church in an eight-months "Through- Nebraska Notes of the centennial of Presbyterianism in . the-Bible Reading Course" last year. The By the Rev. W. F. Perry Texas. Nevertheless at least one competent weekly lesson was studied by groups on N tho e Westminster Church of Lincoln, historian, the venerable Dr. W. S. Red of Wednesday night, on a weekday morning, I Dr. Paul C. Johnston, eleven years of Austin, asserts that in the original docu­ by part of the Sunday School, and by the service was completed by 'Dr. Johnston on ment relied on to establish the date, the Young People; and from some part of the Christmas Day. figures are 1834 instead of 1831. But no lesson one of the pastors preached Sunday specialist in research is needed to show that evening. One Wednesday night I saw about In the Fremont Church, Rev. Ralph V. the overlapping of Northern and Southern 600 people signify that they had read the Gilbert, pastor, on Christmas morning a Presbyterian churches in the southwest is Epistle to the Hebrews, the lesson assigned copy of the pastor's sermon, "The Three­ largely the result of the Cumberland union for that week. More than 250 persons were fold Symbolism of Christmas," was given of a quarter of a century ago. Previous to awarded diplomas on a basis of written to each member present. that time, Cumberland and Old School were lessons covering every book in the Bible. The Presbytery of Nebraska City in treated by most people as entirely different The outline booklet prepared by the church order to permit the brethren to come to the denominations, so the two churches were staff has been widely adopted. At least two January meeting and remain for the established side by side, as in Cleburne, strong Texas churches are repeating the Nebraska's Pastors' Convocation on Janu- where the Cumberland Presbyterians let the course this year. 18 CHRISTIANITY TODAY JanuarYt 19:33

Ohio and Indiana Letter Leadership Training School, which holds Georgia sessions each Tuesday, January 10 to (Ministers in Ohio, Indiana, eastern The ,Assembly's call to make the year February 14, will be found the name of 1933 a year of evangelism is occupying the Illinois and eastern Kentucky are asked to Dr. Paist as teacher of New Testament. send items of interest to the correspondent forefront of the interest in the Synod of of this section, the Rev. Gerard H. Snell, Georgia. This subject, repentance, and the Shreve, Ohio Ohurch of the Oovenant, Oincinnati, Ohio, doctrine' of the Holy Spirit occupied the before the first of each month.) Rev. W. H. Christian, minister of the attention of the Synod's All-Day Prayer Hopewell and Shreve Presbyterian Churches conference arranged for January 5th at ECENT steps taken in connection with writes, "1 held services during the last Columbia Seminary. The Presbytery of the proposed merger of the First R month, and latter part of November for Augusta recently held a retreat at Wash­ Presbyterian Church and the Church of the two weeks each at both the above churches. ington' Ga., for prayer and plans for this Covenant, two of Cincinnati's oldest, larg­ There was a deepening of spiritual interest, purpose. Oarrying out these plans Dr. est and most historic downtown churches, and 1 believe a revival within the hearts of Wade C. Smith is to be in Augusta for three have been: (1) Presbytery's unanimous the members. Sometimes very tired, but weeks in January, teaching personal adoption, at a meeting December.27, of the' happy in preaching of the miraculous, aton­ worker's classes and leading evangelistic report of a special cpmmittee which recom­ ing, resurrected Jesus, God's only begotten services. In Atlanta the Central Presby­ mended that the First Church take steps to Son." terian Church has already set,the pace with unite with the Church of the Covenant. (2) enthusiastic services that frequently over­ A meeting of the congregation of the First flowed the large auditorium conducted by Church, December 28, at which the recom­ Gipsy Smith, Jr. The pastor, Dr. S. R. mendation of Presbytery was adopted and N~ws Notes from the Southeast Oglesby, diligently prepared for these serv­ a committee of five appointed to confer with .. ices with a personal worker's class for men By Dr. Wm. O. Robinson representatives of the Church of the Cove­ and with his assistants' is carefully con­ nant. (3) A meeting of the congregation Alabama serving the valuable fruit thereof. Rev. J. R. of the Church of the Covenant, January 9. Williams a member of Atlanta Presbytery HE 1932 Synod of Alabama was ma­ At the present writing, it is expected that a has held several successful series of serv­ terially strengthened by the presence committee will be appointed to confer with ices in the Presbytery. Mr. Williams is a ofT new pastors in five of the strongest the First Church representation. vigorous and clearcut preacher of the churches of Synod:-Dr. Harold F. Branch, Crucified Redeemer as the only Saviour Should the merger be effected the com­ pastor of the host Church, Tuscaloosa of sinners. On November 13, 1932 the Rock bined congregation will meet in the Church First; Dr. Warner H. DuBose of the' Springs Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, of the Covenant, and the property of First Government Street Church of Mobile; Dr. Rev. Wallace Alston, pastor was dedicated Church will probably be sold. Melton Clark of Anniston First; Dr. John free of debt. The First Church was organized in 1790, M. Alexander of Birmingham First, host Prohibition forces of the state have been almost six years before any other church church for 1933; Dr. W. A. Alexander of consolidated into an organization of which in the territory. Dr. John Garretson is the South Highlands, Birmingham. The value Dr. C. E. Burts, pastor of the First B~ptist present minister. The Church of the Cove, of these able men has already become evi­ Church of Macon is head. The fact that Dr. nant began its active career when Lyman dent. Dr. Branch in addition to vigorously Burts was also chairman of the movement Beecher became pastor in 1833. More re­ pushing the world of Tuscaloosa Church is .that years ago carried South Carolina dry cent ministers have been Dr. Robert convassing the Presbyterians of Alabama may be interpreted as a good omen. Dry Watson, Dr. James D. MolIatt, and Dr. to support a University Pastor.' Dr. Du­ rallies will be held all over the state be­ Frank H. Stevenson. The present minister Bose showed himself a worthy son of his ginning in Macon January 17th with ad­ is Dr. Frank R. Elder, who is assisted by noted father in insisting that the Synod in dresses by Sis hop Ainsworth, Dr. J. A. taking action different from that taken by Rev. Gerard H. Snell. Crain,and others. The slogan of the move­ Mississippi must do so in a spirit of love Cincinnati Presbyterianism mourns the ment is: 'Enforcement Not Repeal.' and brotherly regard for Mississippi Synod. loss of two outstanding men, Rev. Dr. Dr. W. A. Alexander was host and guiding Frank GranstalI, and Ren Mulford, Jr. Dr. spirit in a period of Bible study held in Mississippi GranstalI recently concluded an eleven year Birmingham Nov. 8-11 during which the A notable step was taken by the Synod of period as a member of the faculty of Lane plan of leading the congregations in Bible Mississippi in refusing to continue an agree­ Seminary,. and during that period and until study worked out by Dr. Wm. M. Anderson his death was in constant demand as pulpit ment by which each of the synods support­ of Dallas was presented. Dr. C. C. Carson ing Southwestern University at Memphis, supply. From 1903 to 1910 he was 'a mem­ of Montgomery voiced objection to the con­ Tenn., had arranged elect one of their ber of the Chapman Evangelistic Team, to sideration of this plan on the ground that trustees from Memphis. Dissatisfaction holding meetings in the United States and British Isles.' Ren Mulford, sports editor· it presented premilleniarian or dispensa­ with the administration of the institution, tional viewpoints; Dr. Mac Guire of Mont­ of a Cincinnati newspaper, was known and and inability to get through Synod a resolu­ gomery and others took the view that the beloved as a leader of Presbyterian laymen tion instructing the Memphis trustee plan should be studied and adopted or elected by Mississippi how to represent the in Cincinnati. adapted as each pastor saw fit. Dr. John electing synod resulted in the Synod declin­ M. Alexander was host at a gathering in ing to elect a member from the home city Lancaster, Ohio the interest of Southern Presbyterianism in of the college. The other supporting synods Dr. Benjamin F. Paist, minister of the Birmingham a month later, at which the have declined to concur in this step taken First Presbyterian Church reports splendid esteemed Moderator of the Southern As­ by Mississippi. success of the cantata, "The King Cometh" sembly Dr. Wm. Crowe of St. Louis was Columbia Theological Seminary is invit­ by R. M. Stults, given Christmas Sabbath the chief speaker. During the last quarter ing nearby ministers to attend the institu­ morning by the church choir. The conjunc­ of the year Dr. Clark has preached to in­ tion for two weeks special study January tion of Sunday and New Year's Day was creasingly interested congregations exposi­ 15th-28th at which time Dr. Jos. H. Cudlipp" observed, with the celebration of the Lord's tory sermons on the Epistle to the Director of Religious Education of the Supper. In the announcement of the Hebrews at both the Sunday and the mid­ Synod of South Carolina and Dr. Henry W. faculty of the Fairfield County Standard week services. McLaughlin, Assembly's Director of Coun" January, 1933 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 19

try Church work will give special courses each night is that no cumulative effect is Fellowship. He· tabled a proposed overture in their respective fields. At the same time obtained and odious comparisons drive out to the Assembly, to be voted on at the unified work will be presented by the resi­ the true spirit of prayer and evangelism. March or April meeting. Drs. Littell and dent professors; including a special study No greater opportunity for maiSS evan­ Herrick, members of the Presbytery's Com­ in Calvinism. There has been a rising in­ gelism existed in the history of the church mittee on Foreign Missions who are also terest in the doctrine of Calvin at the than exists today. If God uses these weeks members of' the Foreign Board, were ex­ Seminary in the last year, as shown by the of prayer and of preaching to produce con­ cused from sitting with the committee dur­ number of copies of "the Institutes" pur­ viction, a true time of refreshing may be ing the time it is considering evidence relat­ chased and read by the students. ahead. ing to the Board. It was stated on tIre floor Dr. Melvin Grove Kyle of Pittsbugh­ of Presbytery that the Board itself was South Carolina Zenia Seminary recently returned from divided concerning the Modernist Laymen's Palestine, where he was engaged in exten­ Missions report, a minority being presum­ During the first week in December Stand­ sive archeological investigations at Tel­ ably in favor of it. This was credited to the ard Training Schools were held in the after­ Beit-Mirsim, which is the Biblical Kiriath­ fact that the Presbyterian Church is an "in­ noon at Carolina Church, Rev. A. N. Little­ sepher or Debir, situated about twelve miles clusive Church," being divided by Modern­ john, pastor; and in the evening in the south of Hebron. He affirms in collabora­ ism in its synods, presbyteries and. congre­ Bennettsville Church, Rev. J. S. Garner, tion with Dr. W. F. Albright of Johns Hop­ gations. Such statements were regarded pastor, by Dr. and Mrs. J. H. Cudlipp. The kins University, that the fourth to the sixth by some as of the highest significance. Carolina Church enrolled 150 people in the strata show occupations of the site by im­ The Presbytery also received Mr. John training school, a record for one church. portant Canaanitish towns, which were the H. Skilton of the East Park Church as a Rev. Fred Hay of Dillon assisted in the center of woolen and dyeing industries dur­ candidate for the ministry. Mr. Skilton, Bennettsv.ille School, presenting the life of ing the period of 1400 to 2000 B.C. The who is an exceptionally brilliant student is Christ in a most attractive way. 150 town of about 1700 B.C. was under the studying in Westminster Seminary and the credits were issued in this school. Hyksos dominion and was destroyed by the University of Pennsylvania. He has also Eygptians. Important Hyksos scaribs and taught at the latter institution. pottery have been found. The towns of the The Patterson Memorial Church has ex­ News from Western Pennsylvania 14th and 13th centuries were destroyed by tended a call to the Rev. Vincent Dee Beery. By the Rev. Harold J. Ockenga the Israelites. And the last city was de­ The call will be disposed of by Presbytery at an adjourned meeting on January 30th. ITTSBURGH'S gift from Mr. and Mrs. stroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. It had walls The Rev. Clarence E. Macartney, D.D., R. B. Mellon of the most beautiful ten to fourteen feet thick. Exceedingly addressed a great rally of the Philadelphia PPresbyterian edifice in the country is interesting in the Abrahamic period is the County C. E. Union held on January 16th. rapidly being shaped out of steel and whife find of a huge door sill showing the strength Recent deaths among Philadelphia mini­ limestone. This church will compare with of the door because of the lack of police sters have been those of the Rev. Chas. G. the Riverside Drive Church of Dr. H. E. protection. It is a side light on the type Hopper, D.D., pastor of West Park Church, Fosdick. No doubt, crowds of visitors will of house Lot had in order to repulse the and the Rev. William Henry Wells, D.D., throng it, and present a great opportunity mob in Sodom. Another enlighting fact pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of for the preaching of the Gospel. Certainly is that the finest pottery after which the Olney. the prayer of Christians should be that this succeeding is modeled was found in the The Rev. Wm. B. Riley, D.D., pastor of cathedral-like church will be as committed patriarchal period of Abraham, Isaac, and the First Baptist Church of Minneapolis, to the Gospel as the other mentioned church Jacob. Most marvelous engraving of this Minnesota has begun a three weeks evan­ is to "another gospel which is not another." period was also found. Evidently a very gelistic service in the Bethany Presbyterian With the erection of this building, the superior civilization existed under the Church of which the Rev. C. F. Ball is Tabernacle Presbyterian Church will pass Hyksos kings in Palestine during the pastor. out of existence by means of a union with patriarchal period. Dr. Kyle is doing an The Rev. J. E. Kuizenga, D.D., Professor the East· Liberty Church. The property invaluable work in establishing the founda­ of Apologetics in Princeton Seminary will will constitute a Sunday School and mis­ tions of our Faith. deliver a lecture on the "Macartney' Founda­ sionary endowment, amounting to a con­ tion" in the Arch Street Presbyterian siderable sum. The union was consummated Church on January 26th. The pastor is the January 1, 1933. Eastern Pennsylvania Letter Rev. H. B. Boyd, D.D. The Church was also Changes in Pittsburgh pastorates have By Y. A. D. recently the host of the "Oxford Group" led been rapid lately. Edgewood Presbyterian AT the January meeting of the Presby­ by its apostle and founder, Frank Buchman. Church, formerly served by R. W. Lloyd, ft tery of Philadelphia the Rev. Howard now president of Maryville College, called M. Morgan was received from the Presby­ W. L. Moser. Dr. W. L. Ritter of the tery of Lexington, Presbyterian Church in New England and New York State Fourth Church accepted a call to Altoona, the U. S. Over strenuous objections of By the Rev: L. Craig Long Pa., and Thomas Pears of the Waverly one member, he was excused from answer­ Church has become church historian, thus ing the constitutional questions on the HE writer of the Church Notes for leaving two important east end Pittsburgh ground that he had once before been a mini­ T the Synods of New York and New Eng­ churches vacant. The Waverly congrega­ ster of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. land will be attempting a large task, but tion possesses a beautiful new church build­ Installation arrangements included the one which promises great satisfaction as ing only recently completed. following: the Rev. Burleigh Cruikshank, it is attempted in the hope that in a small A week of prayer is being observed by D.D.; the Rev. J. A. MacCallum, D.D.; the way the effort may be used of God in mak­ numerous churches in Western Pennsylvania Rev. Wm. C. Covert, D.D.; the Rev. Matthew ing CHRISTIANITY TODAY not only indis­ this January. Some few pastors have dared J. Hyndman, D.D.; the Rev. John B. Laird, pensable because of its fearless and thor­ to controvert the prevalent idea that mass D.D.; the Rev. Alexander MacColl, D.D.; the ough defense of the Faith, but also an evangelism is dead by importing an evan­ Rev. M. G. Everett. indispensible paper for those homes and gelist for a real campaign, where soul­ The Presbytery listened to a report on individuals that desire news of the Churches. winning is attempted in a serious way. The Foreign Missions by the Rev. J. C. Monsma, In this monthly manner an attempt will greatest criticism of changing speakers General Secretary of the Reformation be made to have personal correspondence 20 CHRISTIANITY TODAY January, 1933 with the Presbyterian Churches of the minded churches either on its roll or within of Knox College this year, and' President Synods of New England and New York and the boundary of Presbytery. They are: H. J. Cody, D.D., of the University of briefly present the news. Within the Synod The Ukranian Presbyterian Church of Toronto, both spoke at the Knox Christmas of New England there are six States but Hartford, Conn., The Westminster Presby­ dinner. The former emphasized the chal" there are only four Presbyteries and fifty­ terian Church of Bridgeport, Conn., The lenge of Western Canada to the Churches. four Presbyterian Churches. Within the Calvin Presbyterian Church (Unaffiliated), The students have found Principal Johnston Synod of New York there are twenty-eight of New Haven, Conn., and the Community very approachable and easy to talk with Presbyteries and nine hundred and forty Presbyterian Church of Old Greenwich, during his short stays in residence. The churches. This makes a total of nearly one Conn. The Calvin Church of New Haven, Oxford Group delegation attracted thou­ thousand churches which we shall endeavor which has just cltlsed the first three months sands in the first few nights they were in to tell you something about in subsequent of her history, now is fully organized along Toronto, including Presbyterians.' Some of issues of the paper. Presbyterian standards, with a Session of the Evangelical congregations would have Of the fifty-four Presbyterian Churches four (male) .Elders, seven Trustees, all of nothing to do with them from the first. I in New England, it is interesting to note whom are ordained Deacons, and an active shall postpone judgment until after I have that the largest church from the standpoint membership of more than one hundred read A. J. Russell's "For Sinners Only." both of church membership and Sunday members. Both Dr. T. Wardlaw Taylor of St: School membership, is the First Presby­ Until later opportunity for getting news, Andrews, N. B., joint clerk of General As­ terian Church of Bridgeport, Conn., Dr. we say-"Pray for New England and New sembly, and Dr. J. H. Barnett of Ridgetown Alexander Alison, Jr., is the minister. In York." have retired to Goderich, Onto News from this church the historic doctrines of evan­ Western Canada also will appear in the gelical Presbyterianism have always been February number of "Christianity Today." preached and the church has always been The Presbyterian Church in Canada Beginning January 1st, accredited ministers a vital influence in the affairs of the city. and theological students 'will receive half­ By T. G. M.B. Dr. Alexander Alis.on is one of the Directors fare on either Canadian railroad wherever of Westminster Seminary, a strong sup­ ROM Nova Scotia comes the news of a they present a book of coupons obtainable porter of CHRISTIANITY TODAY, and of all F church being opened at Moser's River, through their Church's offices. efforts which are truly evangelic.al. May and of ministers from Ontario or Quebec it not be this is a testimony to the fact that being inducted at Glace Bay, Sydney, and Netherlands Letter God's Word will build up great churches Lunenburg, N. S., and Marshfield, P. E. L By the Rev. F, W .. Grosheide, D.D., Profes· wherever that Word is proclaimed for a These are the Revs. C. S. Miller, A. N. Sor in the Free University, Amsten'lam. life-time by a church? Miller (Stated Supply), Arthur J. Sinclair, The Presbyterian League of Faith is and J. A. Pritchard. Dr. W. A. Cunning­ HE honored Editors of this paper have represented in New England and this is a ham is minister at Rose Bay, N. S., while T asked me to write a monthly letter hopeful sign. The present Moderator of the Dr. J. Fraser Cocks, Charlotte, N. C., has about ecclesiastical affairs in my country. Presbytery of Bosto.n, Rev. Earl B. Van­ been called to Knox, Halifax. I accepted readily, for I have some good Zandt, is a signer, as are also Rev. Valentine Knox-Crescent 'Church, Montreal, has lost friends among American Presbyterians. Alison of Springfield, Mass.,· Rev. Wm. an elder, the General Assembly one who has Believers all over the world are my brothers Harllee Bordeaux of Old Greenwich, Conn. taken an active part for years, the Board and it is a joy for me to have relations with (who is a graduate of Westminster Semi­ of Administration its chairman, and many my American brothers in the Lord. nary), Rev. L. Craig Long of New Haven, causes a supporter, in the death on Novem­ Now, I write this first letter in the last Conn., Rev. Allan J. Crooks of Brookline, ber 22nd of Mr. James Rodger, aged eighty, week of the year 1932. In that time one Mass., Dr. Harry Davenport of Bridgeport, and fifty-two years an elder. On November is inclined, of course, to survey the general Conn., Dr. Charles Allen Fisher of Wor­ 12th, the Hon. Mr. Justice Wm. Patterson, conditions of the ecclesiastical life. That cester, Mass., Rev. Richard R. Lange of elder in MacVicar Memorial, Montreal, condition was a quiet one in the past time. Lawr·ence, Mass., Rev. John A. McClelland passed to his reward. In Ottawa, on Perhaps I should add, that in more than of New Bedford, Mass., Rev. John F. November 22nd the Rev. Geo. MacArthur one church troubles about finances have Nicholas of Graniteville, Vt., and Dr. Philip celebrated the 50th anniversary of his taken the greatest part of the interest. H. Clifford, formerly minister of the First ordination. In December word came from The ecclesiastical status in the Nether­ Presbyterian Church of Boston (now known Bermuda, whither he had gone to recover lands is a very intricate one. I cannot as the Church of the Covenant) and re­ his health, of the passing of Rev. George hope to explain it completely to my readers cently installed as minister of the Vance C. Taylor, Zion Church, Charlottetown, in this first letter. But a word about the Memorial Presbyterian Church of Wheeling, P. E. 1., 1911-1925, and Maisonneuve Church, very difference in the financial conditions West Virginia. Montreal, 1925-1932. Melville and Calvin­ of the churches is a good way to reach at It has been announced that th~ annual Westminster Churches, Westmount, are least some perspicacity. "New England Greater Presbyterian Day" uniting with Rev. W. O. Mulligan for Till the beginning of the nineteenth cen­ will be held in Boston on Thursday, March minister and Rev. W. J. F. Robertson re­ tury there was in Holland--excepting 2nd. One of the speakers will be Dr. signing. At Outre mont Church, Montreal, Lutherans, Mennonites and Remonstrants or Alexander Alison, Jr. Two of the speakers Rev. William McLean was inducted Decem­ Arminians,-but one great Protestant will be, the Moderator of the United Pres­ ber 15th. The Moderator, Dr. R. Johnston, Church, the Church of the Dutch Reforma­ byterian General Assembly and the Modera­ returned from the West in time for the tion, with a Calvinistic confession and tor of the General Assembly of the Presby­ anniversary and last services in old Knox Presbyterian ecclesiastical order. But terian Church in the U. S. A. The theme Church, Ottawa; the hall of the new church apostasy and even heresy existed. Things of the day will be: "Realizing and experi­ has been completed. grew worse, when our first king, William I, encing revivaL" At Knox College, Toronto, the lecturer in -for the rest in many regards an excellent Speaking of revival,-we are wondering Systematic Theology is Rev. Stuart C. ruier, gave to the church a new order, that how many Presbyteries have been growing Parker, D.D., sometime Black Theological was no longer purely Presbyterian, but during the past few years? The Connecti­ Fellow of Glasgow University, and since rather collegial. So there was great op­ cut Valley Presbytery has four compara­ April, 1923, minister of St. Andrew'S, position of the orthodox people. The Synod tively new Presbyterian and evangelically Toronto. The Moderator, who is Principal of the Church was not willing to listen to January, 1933 CHRISTIANITY TODAY 21 their complaints and even deposed ministers, religious journal, so as to embrace the in~ are being revived in congregations in which who had no other fault, but that they obeyed terests and strivings of a widely scattered they have been long in abeyance. the Word of God. Also when it asked brotherhood, bound together by a common EDINBURGH. of them to do acts forbidden by the rules of tie of loyalty to our historic faith. This the church, there were several secessions. close fellowship in academic and journalis­ The two main secessions were in 1834 and tic endeavour is urgently required in our From Our British Correspondent 1886. The congregations resulting from time not only to defend our rich heritage these secessions joined in 1892 and today against attack, but also to bring out of The Rev. R. Wright Hay they constitute the Reformed Churches (in our eternal resources the divine remedies HE Bible League founded in London the plural) of the Netherlands, with about which alone are effectual to bring order into T forty years ago to promote the reverent six hundred thousand members, whereas the the moral, ethical and spiritual confusion study of the Holy Scriptures and to resist great church, the Dutch Reformed Church which has created a pitiable helplessness, the varied attacks made upOn their inspira­ (in the singular) has about two millions. and, almost, despair in many countries. tion, infallibility and sole sufficiency as the Especially after the secession of 1886 In this country we are entering on a new Word of God was priviledged to have a (Doleantic) there were man" actions about year with a faint glimmer of a dawn of second visit for its anniversary meetings the property of the church. The seceders hope on the horizon. The year that is now last summer from Professor J. Gresham were defeated in the lawsuits. So at. this behind us is added to a long list of lean and Machen of Westminster Theological Semi­ time the Dutch Reformed Church is in the dismal years, which severely tested, not nary, Philadelphia. possession of the old buildings and a great merely the stability and temporal resources part of the ecclesiastical goods. In prospect of this visit the Executive of the country, but also the faith and hope A great part, for during the French of the Bible League called attention to some of devout and thoughtful people. Many Revolution another great part was dis· of the Professor's writings in a brief state­ persons of every grade of culture seem to possessed by the state. After the Revolu­ ment which included the following passage: have lost their faith in this trying ordeal, tion the state did not give back the goods, "For some years it has been recognized but the amazing fact remains that in this but accepted the obligation to turn over to generally that a book from the pen of Dr. little country the vast bulk of the Christian the church an amount equal to the proceeds J. Gresham Machen is an event of outstand­ people, who are the disciplined heirs of our of the dispossessed property. This amount ing importance in the sphere of religious rich reformed heritage, have proved the is one of the principal and surest revenues literature. In 1921 he published his power­ worth of their faith by contributing almost of the Dutch Reformed Church. During the ful and exhausive study, The Origin of as liberally towards all Christian purposes Great War, this was a damage, for while Paul's Religion. In 1923 the smaller volume during the past year of oppressive scarcity all things grew more expensive, yet the Christianity and Liberalism was issued, of money as during years of more favour­ amount paid by the state continued to be still acknowledged as one of the most able economic conditions. Scotland's reli­ the same. But today it is a great profit, authoritative pieces of analysis and scholarly gious life, as tested by money values, is not for now the church has great sure revenues. criticism of Modernism yet published. His therefore showing any signs of ebbing out. The Reformed Churches on the contrary larger book What is Faith? created, in 1925, widespread interest among scholars on both have no such property. They are obliged to On the contrary there are sundry indica­ sides of the Atlantic' and was reviewed by ,build their churches and to pay their mini­ tions of weariness with an unsatisfying reli­ practically every theological journal of im­ ster~ by contributions of their members. gious subjectivism and unprofitable specula­ portance. And then at Easter time 1930 And as there is much unemployment in the tions and of a longing, and even a return when the Christian world was thinking in towns and much misery in the country, to objective realities. In proof this the of a special way of our Lord's victorious these churches have great tr01ibles to keep well-known liberal theologian, Professor Resurrection and miraculous ascension 'Dr. up their position. The salaries of the W. P. Paterson, D.D., of Edinburgh Univer­ Machen gifted the church with a volume on ministers are reduced, and in some prov­ sity, has this week, administered a chasten­ the miracle which occurred at the beginning inces, there is instituted a "crisis commit­ ing rebuke to a highly placed minister of the of His earthly ministry, The Virgin Birth tee" to supply the greatest deficiencies. Church of S~otland who has been causing of Christ, a book by which even his former Finally a word about the great missionary considerable commotion by a daring attempt important works appear to be somewhat who died in the week before Cliristmas, viz, to foist ;'Spiritualism" and "Prayers for the overshadowed. It is a scholarly defence of Dr. D. Bakker. Dr. Bakker was· one of the Dead" on a shocked religious community. a vitally fundamental truth." first ministers of the Reformed Churches Of this minister Professor Paterson writes: who went to Java as a missionary. 'He ob­ "He is, besides, very dogmatic in th'e asser­ Three lectures given in 1927 to the Bible tained a prominent position in the mission, tion of very questionable opinions, and League by Dr. Machen on Is the Bible Right for he became Director of the Missionary lightly asks our Church to adopt an un­ About Jesus?' subsequently published in Seminary at Djocje (Java). The Free Uni­ warranted innovation that would be a shock booklet form has found acceptance among versity at Amsterdam recognized his merits to sister-churches throughout the world." students in every British University and the by giving him the honorary degree of D.D., Although Professor Paterson is favorably Professor's recent lectures in London on The at its jubilee in 1930. Thereby it is neces­ disposed to observing a "Saints Day" in Importance of Christian Scholarship, soon sary to' know, that the Free University the Church, he emphatically affirms that to be published as a booklet are certain to never before gave this honorary degree, and "if such a day is observed it should be on have a cordial welcome. One of the most that only three men received it at the the condition that intercession for the dead pronouncedly rationalistic of the religious jubilee, one of whom is a foreigner. The is prohibited." The Baptist Union of Scot­ journals of Great Britain said of 'Machen, Dutch Missions have suffered a great land is also applying its own method of "He knows all that the other side has said, affliction in the death of Dr. Bakker. discipline to a recalcitrant minister who has but is absolutely sure of his own ground," been openly casting grave doubt on the It is well that Bible-believers in America Deity of our Lord. For the time being, at From Our Scottish Correspondent should know in what high esteem' this any rate, "diluted Christianify'" as a singularly gracious Christian Scholar is,held The Rev. Prof. Donald Maclean panacea for religious distress and world by all sections of the Church of God on this T is wise and opportune, that the pub­ woes is in the shadow. Divine Sovereignty side of the Atlantic. And that these pray I lishers of "Christianity Today" should is again being emphasized in responsible for the prosperity of the Westminster widen the influence of so helpful a monthly quarters, and the weekly prayer-meetings Seminary. 22 C H R IS T I A NIT Y TO DAY JanuarYi 1933

is the life that struggles toward personal good­ ness, which is beauty.· The most wonderful spectacle is to see someone making that struggle. The most triumphant moment in life is the moment when I realize, whether for my­ The Laymen' s ~~'JS!~~~r~ ...~~port self or for another, that a choice has been made, strength gained, a deeper content achieved by Outward Calm ,.1f, athered about these missionaries, men and one step more along that hard and stirring ad­ omen whom they have shaped to be like them- venture, the life of a man or woman who is elves. I listen to them go out and preach. I determined to find the best he knows and do it. HE mon th has b een one of comparative Ji.ear them r.epeat a memorized jargon to a group This struggle is made manifest in the Christian outward calm in the churches. Super- 'If eager, suffering, uncomprehending men and life. Others live it also, many who never have T ornen. The preacher says, !lyou must pray heard the name of Christ; but to know the ficial observers might have gained the im- his prayer every morning and night and if you meaning of Christ's life, to know how He lived . th t th . ·t· l·t d feli eve you will get what you wish. You must and died, is an inestimable support and help. It preSsIOn a, e lnl la eXCI ement cause j,elieve on the Lord Jesus and your sins will be has so proved to those peoples who have had by the report of the Laymen's Appraisal j-vashed away. Come to church on Sunday. Do Him, even though they have understood Him ' ot lie or steal or commit murder or adultery. very little. Commission having died down, the churches You must believe in the virgin birth of Christ would return to their ruts, forget about it. and in the miracles. Some day He will come "This does not mean that I consider all other ~,down out of the sky in person. You must join religions worthless beside Christianity. L do Careful watchers, however, were convinced Ithe church and you will be a Christian. The not._ belieye_. ~h~.! ,any..• !:~}jgi.P!1.js-~9flmJln~,,"I:!..~~ enoUg!lm-1l'XCTuae-a;ll others. I shoufdbe loath that the controversy was· merely brewing, Christians need not be afraid." to-see-tlftFuest-of'"'a:rtY'pass away from men's that officialdom "sitting on the lid" mignt be Mrs. Buck is nothing if not frank: knowledge.... "I should like to see every missionary sent rudely blown off before long. Indications "In the old days it was plain enough. Our to satisfy a special need of a community-not of the trend of affairs were several: forefathers believed sincerely in a magic reli- the -artificial need of a mission station for a 9ion. They believed simply and plainly that all clerical man Qr a woman evangelist or what who did not hear the gospel, as they called it, not, but a real need of the people. I should like were damned, and every soul to whom they him to feel that in satisfying this need he was Dr, Macartney Speaks Out preached received in that moment the chance for fulfilling the primary purpose of his religion, salvation from that hell) Though heard but for and not that he was to use it as a bait for 1a Single moment, the preacher gave that soul On Sunday, January 8, the Rev. Clarence enticing anyone into belief in a creed or the opportunity of a choice for eternity. If the into belonging to an organization. This, of ·E. Macartney, D.D., minister of the great soul paid no heed or did not believe, the preacher course, changes at once the whole basis of could not take the responsibility. He was mi.Sjsions ....J! 1 First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, absolved. There are those who still believe this, and if they sincerely believe, I honor that Mrs. Buck's husband is named J. Lossing came out with a powerful blast not only sincerity, though I cannot share the belief. I against the report but in plain and courage­ agree with the Chinese who feel their people Buck, not as erroneously stated in last should be protected from such superstition. To month's issue, J. Slosser Buck. ous condemnation of the miSSionary leaders me it would be a higher cause to refrain from presenting such a choice to any soul, hoping for their belated zeal for the faith. The that he might be saved by his ignorance, even substance of his sermon is found in an though I were damned because I kept him ignorant. Secretary McAfee's Book Hailed by earlier page of this paper. Undeniably, the rBut I think it goes without question that for Modernism entrance of Dr. Macartney into the fray was most ot us this kind of creed has been dis­ cardeqJ, We no longer believe that a soul can a notification of the gathering storm and 1in a moment choose its eternity or that God if "The Uncut Nerve of Missions--an the impending battle. He be a good God can let such a weight of Inquiry and an Answer" by Cleland Boyd responsibility hang pn the uncomprehending . limited human will. !Yet with that creed goes McAfee, D.D., a secretary of the Board of ' much of the motivatioh.... 'of the missionary move­ Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Buck Continues ment in the past and in a modified form even \ in the present. Where is our cause, therefore? U. S. A., has caused a near-sensation in in­ If we are not interested in saving people from In "Harpers MaQazine" for January an hell, if we are not interested in numbers of formed circles. Presumably written before article by Mrs. p(;rt Buck on "Is there jconverts to a religion, is there any cause left? the "Laymen's Report" appeared, Dr. Mc­ ,Can there be any appeal to those of ·us who have a case for Foreign Missions ?" sh~ed pub­ I arrived at a place in our thought and spiritual Afee's own private "Inquiry" is said to have lic'lnterest with tlie pronouncement of \ life where these things no longer are a striking similarities to that of the Appraisal ! cause? J .. Technocrat Howard Scott. "Let us face ourselves clearly. Some of us CommiSSion. believe in Christ as our fathers did. To some As formerly Mrs. Buck was more than of us he is still the divine son of God, born of Writing a review in The Baptist, modernist clear in her language, leaving no doubt of the virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit. But to many of us He has ceased to be that. Baptist organ, Stanley 1. Stuber said of the her theological position. Excerpts: Some of us do not know what He is, some of us care less. In the world of our life it does not book: "I suppose, next to the Chinese among whom matter perhaps what He is. If we are asked I have lived, there is no group of people whom we shall say, I admire Him of course. He was "By coinCidence, this book and 'Rethinking I know better than I do the missionary. I have perhaps the best man who ever lived. But that Missions-A Laymen's Inquiry After One Hun­ watched him with curiosity and affection is all He is. To you who are young, the sons dred Years' came to my desk on the very same amusement and pride and disgust. I have heard and daughters of this generation who must carry mail. Since the Laymen's report is now the him criticized in the bitterest terms, and I have on foreign missions after the older ones are criterion of judgment in 'missionaryland,' I was sometimes agreed with that criticism. U have gone, it is probable that Christ is no longer a compelled, and not against my will, to view this seen the missionary narrow, uncharitaole, un­ cause. You do not belieVe in His physical book in the light of the 'inspired' report. The appreciative, ignorant. I have seen him so filled divinity. You suppose Christ was a good man, comparison does harm to neither book; in fact, with arrogance in his own beliefs, so sure that but it matters little to you one way or the other it seems to enhance the value of Dr. McAfee's all truth was with him and him only, that my noW. Life is full of many things, or if it is volume. It reveals that here was a member of heart has knelt with a humble one before the empty, it is empty. The old beliefs do not fill a mission board (Presbyterian Church in the shrine of Buddha rather than before the God of it. Let us face the fact that the old reasons for U. S. A.) who had, in truth, as Dr. Hocking that missionary, if that God could be true~ I foreign missions are gone from the minds and said, 'antiCipated' everything that the report -' have seen missionaries, orthodox missionaries hearts of many of us, certainly from those of -says. This book proves that the report is merely - in good standing in the church-abominable us who are young. It may be hard for older the united utterance of most progressive mis­ phrase !-so lacking in sympathy for the people people to accept, and we may wish it were not sionary officials. they were supposed to be saving, sO scornful of true. But better it is to know the truth, and Missions is now front page news, and this ' any civilization except their own, so harsh in not be afraid of it. . . . book answers such vital questions as: Why their judgments upon one another, so course and insensitive among a sensitive and cultivated Should the Nerve of Missions Seem to be Cut? people that my heart has fairly bled with shame. Wh~t Mrs. Buck n:~-.~" not Has the Missionary Motive been Modified? What quite clear: is the Effect of our Changed Attitude toward I can never have done with my apologies to the Other Religions? What is the Effect on Missions Chinese people that in the name of a gentle of the Rising National Consciousness Around the Christ w!' have sent such people to them. It .is ~-would it mean to have Him we call Christ pass away from our country, from our­ World? and, What are the Critical Needs of the too true. 'L We have sent ignorant people as mis- Enterprise at this Juncture? The answers to r sionaries, we have sent mediocre people, we have selves? I know that for each of us Christ sent arrogant people, we have sent superstitious means something, someone different. But that these questions are in keeping with the modern 1 does not matter. We all think when we speak approach to missions, thus making this book a people who taught superstitious creeds and that name of a quality of humanity which is splendid vestibule by which to enter the Lay­ theories and have made the lives of hungry­ men's Missionary Report. H I; hearted people wretched and more sad.~. I have tinged with divinity, for some of us actual and i heard a missionary say, "Of course ~ll these physical, for some of us with the divinity of the f people their ancestors are in hell. If I did not whole vast and unknown universe which we can­ Observers agreed that the new year would believe that every heathen who did not confess not understand and perhaps shall never under­ not be made any happier for Secretary Mc­ Christ as his Saviour burned in hell I would not stand. . . . Am I willing to have the figure of I be here." There are still these missionaries. I Christ, however veiled, pass from the earth? Afee or the Board of Foreign Missions of have heard a questioning Chinese, a man of "I know that I am not willing. I know that the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. (of learning" and refinement, listen eagerly and turn active goodness is the most beautiful thing in a way saying, "I cannot, if this be true, believe the universe to me. The stars and suns and which Dr. McAfee is a secretary, not a mem­ in this new religion. Let me rather go with my the mystery of creation are not so wonderful fathers where they are when I die." My heart to me as this mystery, that we human creatures ber) by the sentence terming "this book a Isaid, "I also, my friend !';) know good and evil and can choose between splendid vestibule by which to enter 'the i "I see in China today a group of Chinese them. To me the most exciting life in the world JanuarYJ 1933 CHRISTIANITY TODAY )- I,

Laymen's Missionary Report,"-or in fact Next Moderator? and at St. Louis, December 6-11, 1916; any modernist joy over having discovered, adopted on December 4, 1924, by the as they thought, an ally in the distinguished Council as incorporated by special act of Secretary. the Legislature of the State of New York.)

PREAMBLE Philadelphia Investigation Whereas, In the providence ,of God, the Meanwhile the Foreign Missions Commit­ time has come when it seems fitting more tee of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, which fully to manifest the essential oneness of th~ had been instructed by Presbytery at its Christian churches of America in Jesus November Meeting to receive evidence relat­ Christ as their divine Lord and Saviour, and ing to the work of Foreign Missions as to promote the spirit of fellowship, service, carried on by the Board, had met. Before and cooperation among them, the delegates the committee appeared four members of to the Interchurch Conference on Federation Presbytery, who presented evidence regard­ assembled in New York City, do hereby ing modernism and the work. At the meet­ recommend the followi'ng Plan of Federation ing of Presbytery on January 9th the com­ to the Christian bodies represented in this mittee was not yet able to report. But. on Conference for their approval: their own request two members of the PLAN OF FEDERATION Foreign Board who are also members of the 1. For the prosecution of work that can be Presbytery's committee were excused from better done in union than in separation a sitting during the consideration of this Council is hereby established, whose name matter, and others were named to take their shall be the Federal Council of the Churches place. The Rev. J. C. Monsma, General of Christ in America. Secretary of the Reformation Fellowship made his own report to Presbytery, in ac­ 2. The following Christian bodies shall be cordance with its former permission, deal­ entitled to representation in this Federal ing heavy - blows against the present ad­ Council on their approval of the purpose and William Hiram Foulkes ministration of the work. His report -J::jein"g plan of the organization: (List of con­ for information only required no action by (5•• PP. 1, 15) stituent bodies.) Presbytery, but evoked considerable heated 3. The object of this Federal Council shall with all non-Christian, non-orthodox text-books; discussion. An attempt to bind the mem­ and to reform the curricula everywhere sO that be: bers to secrecy concerning the matter they will answer the true missionary purpo~e­ the upbuilding of ' the Church of Jesus Christ; I. To express the fellowship and catholic evolved into a dismal failure when it was 9. To break with the National Christian Coun­ unity of the Christian Church. shown that such action would be unconstitu­ cils everywhere and without delay; II. To bring the Christian bodies of tional and beyond any requirement in the 10. To avoid political, social, industrial and economic questions, and to refuse to have any­ America into united service for Christ and Word of God. Mr. Monsma presented a pro­ thing to do with Marxian Socialism and Com-· the world. posed overture to the Assembly, which is munism; as follows: 11. To set itself like fiint against the encroach­ III. To encourage devotional fellowship ments of "the fiesh and the world"; and mutual counsel concerning the spiritual . "The Presbytery of Philadelphia, being con­ 12. To bring about an immediate and radical life and religious activities of the churches. VInced of the need of a definite change in our reduction in administrative salaries and general foreign missionary .policies and activities, in overhead. IV. To ~ecurs a larger combined influence order th~t these polIcies and activities may be In connection with this overture the Presby­ for the churches of Christ in all matters brought mto agreement with Holy Scripture and tery requests General Assembly most earnestly our Church's Constitution, respectfully overtures to elect henceforth only such men to member­ affecting the moral and social condition of the General Assembly of 1933 to direct the ship on the Board of Foreign Missions Whose Foreign Miss~ons Board- orthodoxy is entirely above suspicion and Who, the people, so as to promote the application 1. To o'ppose definitely and aggressively by their own past record, have proved them­ of the law of Christ in every relation of Modernism and all that pertains to it ("Modern­ selves to be courageous contenders for the faith ism" meaning that school of rationalistic that was once delivered to the saints." human life. theological thought which denies, in one for~ or another, in larger or lesser measure, the The Overture will be considered at a later V. To assist in the organization of local truth of Scripture as interpreted in our historic branches of the Federal Council to promote Standards of Faith) ; meeting. its aims in their communities. 2. To change the quality and tone of its litera­ ture, making it more genuinely spiritual, more 4. This Federal Council shall have no thoro~ghly evang~lical, and more distinctively Presbyterian; Federal Council "Reorganization" authority over the constituent bodies adher­ ing to it; but its province shall be limited 3. To appoint a candidate secretary who is OLLOWING is the exact text of the new not an Auburn Affirmationist, but a militant to the expression of its counsel and the Evangelical; , Constitution and By-Laws as recently F recommending of a course of action in 4, To send only such men and women to the amended by the Federal Council of Churches. matters of common interest to the churches, field who are truly Godfearing, well indoctrin­ While the structure of the Council and its ated, and about whose orthodoxy there exists local councils, and individual Christians. not the shadow of a doubt; agencies is considerably modified, yet noth­ 5. To repudiate publicly Mrs. Pearl S. Buck as ing can be found that even pretends to meet It has no authority to draw up a common a· missionary of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A.; the requirement of the last Assembly that creed or form of government or of worship, 6. To state in clear and definite terms the the Council be "reorganized along evangeli­ or in any way to limit the full autonomy of unqualified opposition of the Presbyterion the Christian bodies adhering to it. Church in the U. S. A. to the doctrines and cal lines." genera,l tendency of the Report of the Appraisal 5. Members of this Federal Council shall Com~lsslon of ~he Laymen's Foreign Missions InqUIry, and to Issue a solemn warning against CONSTITUTION be appointed as follows: its grossly heretical and dangerous views; (Plan of Federation Recommended by The Each of the Christian bodies adhering to 7 .. To ~isco~tinue all church unionist activity; to d,ssoc,ate ltself from the Church of Christ in Interchurch Conference of 1905, Adopted this Federal Council shall be entitled to China: and to connect itself at the earliest date by the National Assemblies of Constituent three members, and shall be further entitled possible with the Presbyterian Church in China; Bodies, 1906-1908, Ratified by the Council to one member for every 100,000 of its com­ 8. To change all our mission schools back into genuine missionary institutions in the at Philadelphia, December 2-8, 1908, municants or major fraction thereof. Alter­ orthodox sense; to arrange immediately for alI­ Christian, orthodox faculties; to eliminate forth- Amended at Chicago, December 4-9, 1912, nates may be chosen and certified to the 24 CHRISTIANITY TODAY January, 1933

Council in the same manner and to the 8. The Federal Council shall meet once in ings and to fill all vacancies, except that it same number as members to fill vacancies every two years and the term of service of shall not have power to make any amend­ caused by the death, resignation, or per­ the members or their alternates shall be two ments to the Constitution or to the By-Laws. manent disqualification of members. Such years or until their successors shall be ap­ It shall meet for organization at the call of alternates may also attend sessions of the pointed. Special meetings may be called by the President of the Council immediately Council in the absence of members and exer­ the Executive Committee. upon the .adjournment of the Federal Coun­ cil, and shall have power to elect its own cise all powers of members as temporary 9. SECTION a. The officers of this Federal officers. substitutes during such absence. Council shall be a President, a Vice-Presi­ 6. Any action to be taken by this Federal dent, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, SECTION d. All officers shall be chosen at Council shall be by the general vote of its and an Executive Committee, who shall per­ the biennial meetings of the Council and members. But in case one-third of the mem­ form the duties usually assigned to such shall hold their offices until their successors bers present and voting request it, the vote officers. Vacancies in the Executive Com­ take office. shall be by the bodies represented, the mem­ mittee may be filled by the Executive Com­ SECTION e. The President, the Recording bers of each body voting separately; and mittee on nomination by the representatives Secretary, and the Treasurer shall be elected action shall require the vote, not only of a on the Executive Committee of the con­ by the Federal Council on nomination by majority of the members voting, but also stituent body in which the vacancy may the Executive Committee, but nominations of the bodies represented. occur. may be made from the fioor of the Council 7. Other Christian bodies may be admitted by any member at the time of the election. into membership of this Federal Council on SECTION b. The General Secretary and their request if approved by a vote of two­ other secretaries of the Council except the SECTION f. The members of the Executive thirds of the members voting at a session of Recording Secretary shall be chosen by the Committee and their alternates shall be this Coun.cil, and of two-thirds of the bodies Executive Committee, which shall have elected by the Council upon nomination by represented, the representatives of each authority to fix their duties and their the representatives in attendance of each body voting separately. salaries, and tI:tey shall aid in organizing of their respective constituent bodies. and assisting local Councils and shall rep­ 10. The expenses of the Federal Council resent the Federal Council in its work under shall be provided for by the several con­ the direction of the Executive Committee. stituent bodies. Nowl 11. This Plan of Federation may be altered SECTION C. The Executive Committee shall OT aJ:I!ended by a majority vote of the mem­ Send us three new subscriptions at one consist of two representatives from each of bers, followed by a majority vote of the dollar each, and your own name will be the constituent bodies, preferably one mini­ representatives of the several constituent entered for a year in payment-new or ster and one layman, and one additional bodies, each voting separately. Amendments renewal. Urge others to share with you the representative for every 500,000 or major to this plan shall be reported officially to the good things of this progressive, awake paper. fraction thereof of its communicants after several constituent churches. Subscribers say it gets better with every the first 500,000 who may be either a mini­ issue. Help· your friends, your church­ ster or layman, together with the President, (By-Laws and other features of the re­ and us! the Vice-President and the Treasurer of the organization will appear in the next issue.) Council. The Executive Committe Shall have CHRISTIANITY TODAY, authority to attend to all business of the The Overtures 501 Witherspoon Bldg., Federal Council in the intervals of its meet- wo overtures were sent down to the Philadelphia, Pa. T Presbyteries by the General Assembly of 1932. Dr. Lewis S. Mudge, Stated Clerk, Send CHRISTIANITY TODAY to: reports that on January 16 the record in his IN THIS ISSUE office of the votes of Presbyteries on these two overtures were as follows: The Editor's Page ...... '" ... 3 Overture A-On Substituting for Chapter XII of the Directory for Worship a New A New Princeton Apolgetic...... 4 Chapter Entitled "The Solemnization of c. Van Til Marriage." Yes, 57; No, 8; No action, 6. "Renouncing Missions" or "Modernism Overture B-On Amending Chapter XIV, Unmasked" ...... 5 Section V, of the Form of Government. Yes, 72; No, 9; No action, 2. c. E. Macartney The Importance of Doctrine...... 7 G. F. Cox Deposition Regretfully this letter is published for the The One Page Sermon ...... , 9 information of the Church: I. Sturger Shultz To the Editor of CHRISTIANITY TODAY: Notes on Biblical Exposition ...... 10 SIR: I regret to write that acting in ac­ J. Gresham Machen And enter my subscription for another cord with the action of the Presbytery of year. Three. Sunday School Lessons for February .... 13 Iowa City, Synod of Iowa,-The Rev. Armin H. Ziemer of said Presbytery, was this day The Comfort of the Scriptures ...... 14 deposed from the Ministry of the Presby­ David Freeman terian Church U. S. A. and his name ordered erased from the Roll. This Changing World ...... 1 5 CHARLES S. WILLIAMS, "Calvinist" Stated Clerk of Iowa City Presbytery. Enclosed $3.00. News of the Church - ...... - .. 16 Decembt:lr 19, 1932.

BENJ. F. EMERY co .. PHIL".