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Published semi-monthly by THOMAS R. BIRCH. J. GRESHAM MACHEN Editors THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN PUBLISHING COMPANY NED B. STONEHOUSE Managing Editor 1212 Commonwealth Building. Philadelphia. Pa.

THE NEED OF EDIFICATION How shall we avoid the shame of having our work thus destroyed at the judgment day? How shall we T IS interesting to observe how much the Bible uses I avoid the shame of finding that our work, of which the figure of a building to describe the things of the perhaps we were so proud, was but wood, hay, stubble, Christian life. One of the most notable passages where after all? How shall we learn to build, instead, with the that is done is the great passage in the third chapter of gold, silver and precious stones that will stand to all I Corinthians. The only foundation of the Church, Paul eternity? says, is Christ: "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Surely we can do that only byaftending to the direc­ tions that are given in God's Word. If we do the things But then, Paul goes on to say, we build upon this that the Word of God plainly directs us'to do, and do foundation, and let every man take heed how he builds. them with an honest heart, thenwe may very humbly Every man's work in building upon the foundation will and yet very confidently hope that our work may en­ be tested by the judgment day. That majestic Day will dure to all eternity. be revealed in fire, and the fire will test every man's work, of what sort it is. What then are the things that the" Word of God plainly directs us to do; and are the activities of our Very sad will be the case of the man whose work in present-day churches within the nnmber of those building upon the one foundation will not stand the things? test of the judgment. Well, about many of the activities of our present­ It will not, indeed, be like the case of the man who day churches we may well be' in doubt. Perhaps they are actually defiles the temple of God. About such a man things that the Word of God, by implication, directs us the apostle seems to speak in very different terms, when to do; but perhaps also they are outside the category of he says: "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall those things. Perhaps they are gold, silver or precious God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which stones; but in some respects they do look uncommonly temple ye are." Unlike such a man (whom the apostle like wood, hay or stubble. Frankly, we are in doubt seems perhaps even to place outside the category of about them. We ought no doubt to be slow about con­ true Christians altogether), the man who does not demning them when others are carrying them on. We t destroy what has already been built, but builds with ought always to remember that Christ is the judge.inot 1 perishable materials, is distinctly said to be among we. Our brethren stand in His presence, and one day those who are saved. they will stand before His judgment seat. But for our­ J Yet his case will be a sad one-at least in comparison selves we surely ought to seek those kinds of service in with what it might have been. Although he will be the Church about which there is no doubt, those kinds of saved, he will be saved so as through fire. He will be service which are clearly in accordance with the direc­ saved, but his work will pass away. tions which God has given us in His Word.

The Presbyterian Guardian is published twice a month by The Presbyterian Guardian Publishing Company. at -the f..ol1ovring rates,' payable in advltn'Ce. ;fo~':elther .old or Dew subscribers in any part of the world. postage prepaid: $1.00 per year; five or more copies. either to senarate addresses or in a package to one address. SOc each per year; introductory rate. for new subscrihers only: Two and a half months for 250: 10c per copy. Address all editorial correspondence to: The Rev. Ned B. Stonehouse, Th.D. No respOnsibilit.v is assumed. for unsolicited manuscripts. Editorial and Business Offices: 1212 Commonwealth Building, Philadelphia. Penna.

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We shall not attempt to give a list of those kinds of sure. We are perfectly sure that the historic Standards service. But about one activity there can surely be no of our Faith must be taken from the shelf, and must manner of doubt. Whatever other activities may be in be given their proper place in the edification of the accordance with the Word of God, surely there is one people of God. activity that is clearly in accordance with it. It is the im­ It is a mistake to think that the Christian should partation of a solid knowledge of the Word of God itself. neglect the help which he can receive in his study of the Word of God from the previous study of it by That activity has been sadly neglected in our present­ godly men. No doubt some "helps" to the study of the day churches. Bible are harmful. But the proper remedy for helps It has been sadly neglected in Modernist churches. that are harmful, helps that only seem to help and do That goes without saying. Modernist churches do not not really edify in the long run, is not the neglect of all believe, in any real sense, that the Bible is the Word of helps, but the use of helps that are true to the Word. God, and naturally they are not particularly interested We Presbyterians profess to find such true helps in in the impartation of a knowledge of it to their people. the historic Standards of our Faith. Our ministers and But it has also been sadly neglected in evangelical elders and deacons have solemnly declared at their ordi­ churches. Many preachers, evangelical in their beliefs, nation that they hold those Standards to contain the have sadly neglected the work of edification. They have system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures. The preached fine sermons-sermons that are perfectly good Presbyterian Church of America at its second General and perfectly true. But the trouble is that those fine Assembly, recently held in Philadelphia, formally sermons deal only with those parts of the contents of adopted those Standards in their purity. the Bible on which it is easiest to preach. The conse­ Those professions are splendid. We rejoice in them quence is that the people have not been built up. They have not been grounded in any solid and systematic with all our souls. knowledge of the Word of God. But are they enough? No, they are not enough. The The teaching of the young also has been sadly neg­ Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms have lected. The preachers, who ought to be the principal been adopted as the doctrinal Standards of our church. teachers in the church, have been called on to do so That is good. But one other thing is also needed-that many other things-things that others could do just as the system of doctrine contained in those Standards well-that they have not been able to discharge their shall be written in the minds and hearts of the people. proper educational function. Sunday school instruction We say advisedly "of the people," and not merely has too often been desultory. Real catechetical instruc­ "of the ministers." It is true we welcome into our com­ tion has been neglected. munion as members of the church-not as ministers­ The result has been exactly what it might have been those who have not yet come to accept that system of expected to be. Where a knowledge of the Word of doctrine. But it is a very great mistake, though a com­ God is absent from people's lives, the people have been mon mistake, to suppose that the Westminster Stand­ led astray. A certain great theologian used to say that ards are intended only for ordained persons and not the Church is "dying of ignorance." He was not far for the laity. No doubt persons can be received into wrong. The great need in the church-the necessary the membership of the church who are babes in Christ, basis for evangelicalism, the necessary basis for prayer, but that is not in order that they shall remain babes. the necessary basis for every other good 'thing-is a Onthe contrary, it is in order that they may be built knowledge of God's holy Word. Before we can speak up in the Faith. And the means by which they are built about God to others, even before we can speak to God up in the Faith is solid instruction given to them, ourselves, we must listen to what God has said to us. through the pulpit and by other means-solid instruc­ How shall that knowledge of God's Word be pro­ tion in the full system of revealed truth taught in the moted? How shall the people be built up in a knowl­ Bible and so gloriously summarized in our historic edge of the great system of revealed truth which the Standards. Bible contains? We Presbyterians have a glorious heritage. God No doubt in a great many ways. We have not space grant that we may now address ourselves earnestly to just now to attempt even a bare enumeration of them. the task of using it to the edification of the Church and But about one thing that must be done we are perfectly to the honor of Christ the Head! THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN 95 Higher Ground By the REV. JOHN J. DeWAARD Pastor of the Calvary Presbyterian Church of Cedar Grove. Wisconsin

N Cedar Grove, the question which so many of us ground. But it will not be easy. The I where it .has been asked ourselves over and over again separation was necessary and 'the my privilege to preach during the past year, "Why must it separation was hard. It has cost us the gospel for eleven all be?" If I had ever been anxious to very much to break these associations years, we have moved spare my people unnecessary expense, which were dear to us. But the work to higher ground. for they work hard for their living, which is before us in building our The beautiful church I had been more anxious to spare church on higher ground. is more building in which my them unnecessary pain, for life is full difficult. "To pluck up, to break down, Mr. De Waard people worshipped for enough of troubles. to destroy and to overthrow," which sixteen years stands in what is almost And I thought again of the events a real love makes necessary so often the lowest place in the little village. of the past year. It would have been in this world of sin, requires courage The site was once a hole, the hole so easy to compromise here a little and strength of conviction. But "to has been filled in and it now is an and there a little, and so have avoided build and to plant" requires more attractive place for a building. The the split in the church, than which courage and even stronger convic­ new building, now in process of erec­ there are few things harder to en­ tions. The task before us is more diffi­ tion, stands on a knoll, very nearly dure. Just a little compromise on cult than that which the Lord has the highest place in the town. The things most surely believed to be ac­ thus far done through us. In a very higher ground to which we have cording to the will of the Lord Jesus short time Israel went out of Egypt, moved is so much higher that the Christ and all this trouble might have but they wandered about in the wil­ main floor of the new building will been avoided. I had been willing to derness for forty years. Yet the same be almost on a level with the peak of make the compromise, once I had Lord who led them out of bondage the building we could not keep. even expressed my desire to compro­ was with them every day. As the One day last summer, while pre­ mise in public. But the freedom Lord Jesus separated us from a tending to help the men in the work actually to compromise with untruth church which ceased to be a church of excavation, I looked down towards would not come and what I wanted to when it ceased to believe in the Bible the church we could not keep, across do I did not dare to do. The liberty as the very Word of God, so will He the field a little more than a city block to do that which would have kept the by His grace enable us to build our away. A feeling of sadness and dis­ relatives and friends of long stand­ church according to the pattern He couragement came over me. It seemed ing together in the same church was has made in heaven. And as the Lord such a waste of effort and money not given. It seemed to me that after­ refused to give us liberty to compro­ to build still another church in this noon, however others may judge, mise, so will He also graciously re­ little village. There are already two that the Lord Jesus Christ had Him­ fuse to give us His peace until we large churches in the town of about self complete control of all the events have done alI to place His church on eight hundred inhabitants. These two which issued in the building of an­ the higher ground from whence her churches are large enough to accom­ other church on higher ground. And light may shine out in every direc­ modate the people of the village and if the Lord Jesus Christ, whose de­ tion. We are few in numbers and we surrounding country for years to mands are always exacting though do not have much money but we are come. One of these churches, with a not unduly severe, was the author of persuaded that we do have the bless­ seating capacity of about seven hun­ what had happened, He would also ing of our Lord. So let us look around dred, will have less than two hundred complete the work. By His love He and see how we may move our gathered in its auditorium for wor­ would constrain us to move to higher church to higher ground, uphill work ship. And now we are building an­ ground in the years which are before though that necessarily is. other church with a seating capacity us. And if the Lord Himself would con­ We will have to educate our people of about six hundred. Are we busy in strain us to move to higher ground, in the specific doctrines of the Re­ a bit of folly which better judgment then the building of another church formed Faith, beginning with our will have to condemn when a few and the pain we had all suffered would children. There is a great deal of so­ more years have gone by? There will not be useless. I dug my shovel deeper called Christian Education in the now be two Presbyterian churches into the ground and the men around churches of our day, even in those where there should be one. I thought me, not knowing the thoughts I had churches which are known as Re­ of all these people, whom I had been thinking, smiled to see me work, formed, which is not at all Christian. learned to love, and who had been and they did not quite understand me Arguments supporting overtures to worshipping together in one church. when I said, "Fellows, it is sound the­ the Syracuse General Assembly in I thought of those who could not go ology which makes the dirt fly." regard to the Board of Christian Edu­ out with us. Their pain was just as I want to speak to you on the sub­ cation of the Presbyterian Church in great as ours. Some of them are hon­ ject, "Higher Ground," for I do be­ the U.S.A. have shown us how much est, sincere, and lovable people. They lieve it is our privilege, under God, Modernism is being taught by that also spent nights in thought, asking to build our new church on higher Board in the Sunday School literature

• 96 THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN used in the churches, as well as in Christian Education, threw himself the work may be difficult it can be other literature distributed by the into the plan with characteristic zeal. done. A subscription to THE PRES­ Board. However, even if there had There were at one time one hundred BYTERIAN GUARDIAN which treats the been no specific heresy taught in the of these "session schools" as they Catechism in every issue will be no literature approved by the Board, its were called, scattered through the mean help to pastor and people alike. literature would not have been satis­ country, one of which continues to Application to our task and our eyes factory to us. For one looked in vain this day. I am telling you this bit of fixed on Jesus Christ will crown our for those specific doctrines of the Re­ history to show you that the Presby­ efforts with success. Increasingly our formed Faith which distinguish that terian fathers did not apologize for church will occupy higher ground if system of truth from other systems. the particularities of the Reformed we do not fail in this our opportunity. The teachers and leaders of that Faith. They believed that the shib­ In the second place, we must make church seem to be afraid of the boleths of that system are true and a more diligent and more intelligent "grand particularities" of the Re­ they knew hQW to say shibboleth, too. use of the Scripture itself. One of formed Faith; certainly they do not In these schools, in the Catechism the reasons which constrains us to believe these "grand particularities" classes, and in the home the Shorter give this instruction in the Reformed to be according to the Word of God Catechism was the chief text-book of Faith is that our people may use the for they studiously avoid them. A religion, and that precious little book Bible itself intelligently, without note moderator of a recent Assembly ex­ deserves to have that place again. or comment. One day when I had pressed in the last Assembly, in an­ It will not be possible for us im­ read a paper in presbytery in which other connection, the principle which mediately to establish and maintain I constantly appealed to the Confes­ also dictates the policy in religious these "session schools." Most of our sion of Faith, a fellow minister said: education, in these words: "We must churches are at present financially "Mr. DeWaard seems to believe that not emphasize the shibboleths of our and numerically too weak to do so. the Confession is the infallible rule own form of Christian faith." There But we can gather the children to­ of faith and practice, for he con­ is an effort in that church to attract gether in week-day Bible classes and stantly appeals to it as the final the sympathy of as many people as help the children to memorize the authority." If that brother had known possible with various and contradic­ Shorter Catechism. We can urge our the Confession he would have made tory opinions concerning Christianity people to use that precious little book no such foolish remark. For when we which, as Dr. Frank Stevenson (who in their homes. We can also use this appeal to the Confession of Faith we knew how to say a thing) once ex­ little book in our preaching service. do not imply thereby that the Confes­ pressed it, is "like trying to speak It will not be easy. Children do not sion is the Word of God. Our appeal words of no particular language in take to memorizing the Shorter Cate­ to the Confession, aside from the fact the interest of universal speech." chism as a duck does to water. The that it helps us to state our meaning Even if there had been no specific little book is by no means the simple, accurately, also shows clearly what heresy taught in the literature of that superficial milk diet upon which so our conception of the Scripture is. Board, we who love the "shibboleths" many sickly Christians in our day at­ For the chief corner stone of the Con­ of our Reformed Faith would have tempt to sustain their Christian life. fession is the Scripture to which it been more than merely dissatisfied It is not easy to preach on all the always directs us. An earnest and with it. questions of the Shorter Catechism careful study of the Confession of In contrast to the spirit in the for these questions take us into the Faith leads us directly to the Word church we know best, consider the deep things of God. Our task in of God and instructs us to use that spirit of the Presbyterian fathers. teaching the doctrines of the Shorter ocean of infallible truth intelligently. From 1846 to about 1870, there was Catechism in special classes for that And if some one should say to us, in the Old School Presbyterian purpose, in Sunday School and in the "But you come to the Bible with cer­ Church a strong movement to teach, Church services, will be the more tain presuppositions," we would an­ especially the children, the doctrines difficult because so many of our peo­ swer, "So also does everyone else of the Reformed Faith. Not only in ple are accustomed to a much easier and of all the presuppositions that are the Sunday School and in the Cate­ method of education than that which possible we, by the grace of God, chism classes, but even in the grade was used when this Catechism was have selected the best. schools established and maintained written, but the method of our day Now it is but recently that God has by the church, this movement found teaches the child nothing. However driven us out from a fellowship in expression. In 1847, Dr. Charles difficult our task may be we dare not which the Bible is not honored as the Hodge preached a sermon in the As­ neglect a serious attempt, asking the very Word of God. Our former asso­ sembly of that year in which he Lord Jesus to bless our feeble efforts. ciation has had influence upon us. It urged the church to adopt the plan Our church cannot occupy higher cannot be otherwise. Our minds are of establishing grade schools in every ground unless our people are in­ never like blank sheets of paper and parish, a high school in every pres­ formed. They cannot love with us the we are not now returning to the Bible bytery, and a college in every synod principles of our Reformed Faith with minds like blank sheets of paper in which "religious instruction from unless they know these principles. If on which the Father may write what­ the Word of God, in connection with the men of another day are going to ever seems good in His sight, while sound, intellectual culture" might be justify the erection of another build­ passively we receive the impression. given. The plan was adopted. Dr. ing in Cedar Grove it is my task now Some methods of Bible study, per­ Courtlandt Van Rensselaer, corre­ to teach the children to pronounce haps even unconsciously acquired, we sponding secretary of the Board of the shibboleths of our Faith. Though will have to exchange for others. THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN 97

Some ideas which seeped into our the thought was to place in the hands show the people what joy and pleas­ minds by the pressure of modern of the people a Bible with authorita­ ure there is in the study of the 'Nord. church life will have to be uprooted, tive interpretations of every passage. Perhaps there is no one in our fellow­ thrown out and cast into the fire to be It was an ambitious plan. Many ship who can do what Dr. Vos suc­ burned. New and better ideas will serious objections were raised to this ceeded so well in doing. But we can have to take the place of these and plan. It was said that there was no attempt to do the same thing in a only in the sweat of our brow can man or group of men who could write small way. If our sermons are little we acquire them. We must work. If a commentary on the Word to which morsels of food which our people the task before us is difficult let us the church could give the sanction of take on the Sabbath day in order to take courage in the thought that we its authority. If there were a group live thereby the rest of the week, their have in the history of the Christian of men who thought that they could spiritual lives will be weak, and our Church a great help. Mighty men of do this it was proof that God had church will occupy very low ground. God have labored abundantly in the given them up to strong delusion. A I wonder, would it be really worth­ Scriptures and the fruits of their further objection was that no group while to continue? But if our sermons labors we can make our own. We do of men could give an authoritative are little bits of spiritual food which not have to begin in 1936, as a little interpretation of unfulfilled prophecy, whet the appetite of our people for church, where the Church began in of the visions of Ezekiel, Zechariah, more, so that they themselves go to the year one hundred. There is a Daniel, or John. Because of these the Word in search of more, without testimony of the Holy Spirit in the and other objections, advanced by contentment until they have found, history of the Christian Church and Dr. Charles Hodge, the plan was not then the spiritual lives of our people we may and must make use of it. Let adopted. And it would have been a will be strong, and our church will that humility of heart, characteristic tragedy for the church if this plan occupy increasingly higher ground. of the Christian who knows that he had been adopted. For it is certain Unless by the help of the Holy Spirit has been saved by grace, express itself that there would have been some peo­ we can send our people back to the in this also, that we thankfully and ple who would have taken the several Bible to see for themselves whether joyfully receive the inheritance of interpretations of the Word which the these things which we teach them are our fathers, which does indeed help Assembly approved as the Bible, rather true, our building is in vain and our us to a better and richer understand­ than the Word itself. Only the Word efforts will go down in history as an ing of the precious Word. For the ex­ itself is life and gives life, not the illustration of how men ought not to perience of the Church in the past is several interpretations of the Word, use the Holy Bible. a good, perhaps even the best, com­ however helpful very many of these And finally I should speak about mentary on the Word. Just how seri­ often are. Beyond all doubt the com­ the higher and nobler worship of ously we meant it when we said that mentaries of Lightfoot are excellent God, which is necessary if our church we believed the Bible to be the Word works that no student of the Bible is to occupy higher ground. As the of God will be shown in the years to can afford to ignore, but it is express­ study of the system of Reformed come by the way in which we use it ing a truism when we say that these Faith leads us to the Bible, so does in our churches and in our homes, commentaries are not the Word itself. the Bible lead us to God, for the even more than by our actions of the And if our church should accept the "Scriptures principally teach what past. many interpretations of Lightfoot as man is to believe concerning God, and But in this fact that we are re­ authoritative and final, while she what duty God requires of man." I turning to the Word to use it in our could do many worse things she would was raised on the Heidelberg Cate­ homes and in our churches, with nevertheless be on low ground. chism and it is a good Catechism too. minds influenced by the modern spirit. Increasingly as the years have gone The second question of that Cate­ there is a danger for us. From one by I have learned to appreciate more chism is: "What three things are nec­ extreme we may fall into another. I and more the courses of study given essary for thee to know that thou can best say what I mean by using- an by Dr. Vos. His courses were com­ may est live and die happily." And the illustration from the history of the mentaries on the Bible, his lectures answer, given in my own words, is Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. were exegeses of the Word. I loved this: First, I must know how great A very zealous and earnest Presbyte­ him when I studied there; I love him my sin and misery is; second, I must rian, whose love for the Bible was more now, not because he has given know how I may be delivered from felt by all, one day seriously proposed me a number of valuable interpreta­ my sin and misery; third, I must know that the Board of Christian Educa­ tions of the Word, but rather because how I may live a happy and thankful tion be instructed to ask men, sound he has given me through his lectures life for so great a deliverance. It is a in the faith, to write a commentary a desire to study the Word itself. He high note which this beautiful Cate­ on the whole Scripture, to which the demonstrated in class that the method chism strikes at the beginning. Cer­ Assembly could give the sanction of of Bible study which lies at the heart tainly the salvation of a soul is im­ its authority. According to this pro­ of the Reformed Faith is the best. As portant. But a higher note is struck posal there would be given to the peo­ we listened to the lectures we forgot by our Shorter Catechism when it be­ ple a Bible with an explanation of ahout the man speaking, while our gins with the words, "Man's chief every text bearing the sanction of the minds were fixed on the wonders of end is to glorify God and to enjoy him church. Instead of placing in the the Word. We did not leave class forever." But time does not permit hands of the people a Confession of with four or five outlines for sermons me to develop this important thought. Faith having general principles to we could use in the pulpit later, but It was June 7th and it was the last guide them in the study of the Word, we did leave class with the desire to Sunday morning that I was to preach

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in the church where I had labored thee, but they have rejected me that Christ, in teaching young and old the for ten years. There were about eight I should no longer be king over doctrines of our faith and the use of hundred people in the church that them." I could also easily repeat the the Word in their homes, I often feel morning. As the hour drew near story of Samuel and the people of that same way. It has pleased the when I was to enter the pulpit, I felt Israel which caused the Lord to use Lord Jesus Christ to use the sermon utterly unable to say what I knew these words to his aged servant. But of June 7th. If with utter humility of ought to be said that morning. It there is something more to preaching soul, with application to my task, I do seemed to me that I could not say the blessed Word than just that, and my work, I am persuaded it will what ought to be said to the glory of I felt I could not do it. And as I think please the Lord Jesus Christ to bless. God and the salvation of their souls. about the future and the work I must And my people will not have laid one I could easily repeat the text I had do among the good people of Cedar brick in vain, nor spent one penny selected: "They have not rejected Grove, as a servant of the Lord Jesus uselessly. May God grant it.

Constraining Love By the REV. J. GRESHAM MACHEN, D.D., Litt.D.

A Sermon Preached on the Opening Day of the Second General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church of America. the Sermon Being Followed by the Administration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper

"For the love of Christ constraineth marized by the words: "The fear of tian's life is the love he bears to us; because we thus judge, that if one God constraineth us." Christ, his Saviour! That love in the died for all, then were all dead: and "The Love of Christ Christian's heart is a restraining that he died for all, that they which Constraineth Us" force even more powerful than any live should not henceforth live unto In our text, however, it is some­ fear. themselves, but unto him which died thing other than fear that is the As a matter of fact, however, that for them, and rose again" (II Cor. thing that is said to constrain us or is not Paul's meaning here. The love 5: 14f.)· hem us in. It is love. "The love of of Christ which he here says con­ N THESE great Christ," Paul says, "constraineth us." strains us is not our love for Christ, I verses Paul speaks What then is here meant by the but it is Christ's love for us. We are of love as a con­ love of Christ? Our first impulse, restrained from doing evil things, straining force. Love, perhaps, might be to say that it is Paul says, by that unspeakable love he says, hems us in. our love of Christ, the love which we which Christ manifested when He There are certain bear to Christ, the love in our hearts died for us on the cross. things which love for Christ our Saviour. The com­ "Because We Have prevents us from do­ Dr. Machen parison with verse 11 might perhaps Thus Judged" ing. suggest that view. As there the fear Well, then, if it is Christ's love for Earlier in the passage he has which is in our hearts when we think us which constrains us according to spoken of another restraining force of our standing before the judgment this verse, how does Christ's love for -namely, fear. "Knowing therefore seat of Christ constrains us from do­ us produce that contraining effect in the terror of the Lord," he says, "we ing things that we might otherwise our lives? persuade men." Since we must all ap­ do, so here the love which is in our The following words give the an­ pear before the judgment seat of hearts when we think of what Christ swer. "The love of Christ constrain­ Christ, it behooves us to stand in fear has done for us might seem to be the eth us," Paul says, "because we thus of Him; and there are many things second constraining force of which judge, that if one died for all, then which because we shall stand before Paul speaks. were all dead." I do not think that His judgment seat we are afraid to Now if that is the right interpre­ the translation "because we thus do. tation, the verse tells us something judge," though it appears in both the That motive of fear is used III that is certainly true. It is certainly Authorized and in the Revised Ver­ many places in the Bible. It is used true, and eminently in accordance sion' is strictly accurate. It ought in the Old Testament. It is used in with Paul's teaching elsewhere, that rather to be "because we have thus the New Testament. It is used with the love of Christ which we have in judged." The great conviction that particular insistence in the teaching our hearts restrains us from doing Christ died for all and that therefore of Jesus. I think it is one of the things which otherwise we might do. all died is not formed again and strangest of modern aberrations We refrain from doing those things again in Paul's mind as though it when men say that it is a degrading not only because we are afraid to do were a new conviction, but it has and sub-Christian thing to tell man them, but also because we love Christ already been formed. It is one of the to stand in fear of God. Many pas­ too much to do them. Ah, how power­ basic convictions underlying all Paul's sages in the Bible might be sum- ful a restraining force in the Chris- Christian life. "The love of Christ 1 ! THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN 99

constraineth us," Paul says, "because to die; he dies that those others may do not look as though you had died. we formed the conviction long ago live. You look as though you were very that Christ died for all and that Yet here we have it said that one much alive." therefore all died." Those who have died for all and then all died. Appar­ "Yes," says the sinner, "I have that conviction, as Paul had, already ently the death of Christ did no good died. I died there on the cross out­ formed in their minds are restrained to those for whom He died. Appar­ side the walls of Jerusalem; for Jesus ever after from doing certain things ently He did not succeed in rescuing died there as my representative and which otherwise they might do. Since them from death. Apparently they my substitute. I died there so far as they are convinced that Christ died had to die after all. the penalty of the law was con­ for them they cannot thereafter do It might look at least as though cerned." the things that are displeasing to Him Paul ought to have recognized the "You say Christ is your representa­ -to Him who by His death for them contradiction. It might look as though tive and substitute," says the law. showed that He loved them with such he ought to have said: "One died for "Then I have indeed no further claim a wonderful love. Once they are con­ all, nevertheless all died." But he does of penalty against you. The curse vinced that Christ's death was a not recognize the contradiction at all. which I pronounced against your sin death for them, their gratitude to the He puts the death of Christ not as has indeed been fulfilled. My threat­ one who died hems them in, restrains something that might conceivably enings are very terrible, but I have them from evil, more effectively than prevent the death of others, but as nothing to say against those for they could have been restrained by something that actually brought with whom Christ died." prison bars. it the death of others. He says not: That, my friends, is what Paul That much, I think, is certainly in "One died for all, nevertheless all means by the tremendous "therefore," this passage. We have here a true died," but: "One died for all, there­ when he says: "One died for all, Scriptural basis for the great hymn fore all died." therefore all died." On that "there­ of Isaac Watts: The thing might seem strange to fore" hangs all our hope for time and the unbeliever; it might seem strange for eternity. When I survey the wondrous Cross to the man who should come to this For Whom Did Christ Die? On which the Prince of Glory died, passage without having read the rest My richest gain I count but loss, But what does he mean by "all"? And pour contempt on all my pride. of the Bible and in particular the rest "One died for all," he says, "there­ of the Epistles of Paul. But it does fore all died." He seems to lay con­ The overpowering love of Christ for not seem at all strange to the Chris­ siderable emphasis upon that word us, manifested when He died for us tian; it does not seem at all strange "all." What does he mean by it? on the cross, calls forth our all in to the man who reads it in connec­ Well, I suppose our Christian response. Nothing can be so precious tion with the great central teaching brethren in other churches, our Chris­ to us that we should not give it up to of the Word of God regarding the tian brethren who are opposed to the Him who gave Himself there for us Cross of Christ. Reformed Faith, might be tempted to on the tree. Christ died for all, therefore all make that word "all" mean, in this But although that is no doubt died-of course, that is so because passage, "all men"; they might be taught or implied in the passage, a Christ was the representative of all tempted to make it refer to the whole great deal more is taught. There are when He died. The death that He human race. They might be tempted great depths of additional meaning died on the cross was in itself the to interpret the words "Christ died in the passage, and we must try to death of all. Since Christ was the for all" to mean "Christ died for all explore those depths just a little representative of all, therefore all men everywhere whether Christians further before we sit at the table of may have been said to have died or not." the Lord. there on the cross outside the walls But if they are tempted to make it of Jerusalem when Christ died. "Therefore All Died" mean that, they ought to resist the We may imagine a dialogue be­ "The love of Christ constraineth temptation, since this passage is tween the law of God and a sinful us," Paul says, "because we have really a very dangerous passage for man. thus judged, that one died for all, them to lay stress on in support of "Man," says the law of God, "have therefore all died." Those are rather their view. you obeyed my commands?" strange words, when you come to In the first place, the context is think of it-"One died for all, there­ "No," says the sinner, "I have transgressed them in thought, word dead against it. It is rather strongly fore all died." How does the second against the view that "Christ died for of these two propositions follow from and deed." "Well, then, sinner," says the law, all" means here "Christ died for all the former? Why should we draw men." All through this passage Paul from the fact that one died for all "have you paid the penalty which I have pronounced upon those who is speaking not of the relation of the inference that therefore all died? Christ to all men, but of the relation A very different inference might con­ have disobeyed? Have you died in .. of Christ to the Church. ceivably be drawn. It might be said the sense that I meant when I said, with more apparent show of reason: 'The soul that sinneth it shall die'?" In the second place, the view that "One died for all, therefore all did "Yes," says the sinner, "I have "Christ died for all" means "Christ not die; one died for all, therefore died. That penalty that you pro­ died for all men" proves too much. all lived." When one man dies for nounced upon my sin has been paid." The things that Paul says in this pas­ others, the usual purpose of his dy­ "What do you mean," says the law, sage about those for whom Christ ing is that those others may not have "by saying that you have died? You died do not fit those who merely have 100 THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN

the gospel offered to them; they fit forting doctrine; then no doubt it only those who accept the gospel for would conform wonderfully well to the salvation of their souls. Can it be This Sermon is Avail­ what we in our puny wisdom might said of all men, including those who able in Pamphlet Form have thought the course of the reject the gospel or have never heard world should have been. But a uni­ it, that they died when Christ died O PIES of this sermon, versal atonement without a universal salvation is a cold, gloomy doctrine on the cross; can it be said of them C preached by Dr. Machen that they no longer live unto them­ indeed. To say that Christ died for selves but unto the Christ who died at the opening service of the all men alike and that then not all for them? Surely these things cannot Second General Assembly, are men are saved, to say that Christ died be said of all men, and therefore the now available in pamphlet form for humanity simply in the mass, and word "all" does not mean all men. for general distribution. It is that the choice of those who out of that mass are saved depends upon the Perhaps, indeed, it will be said that hoped that many churches Paul is speaking only of the purpose greater receptivity of some as com­ of Christ in dying for all men, with­ and individuals will wish to cir­ pared with others-that is a doctrine out implying that that purpose was culate it among their members that takes from the gospel much of accomplished. Perhaps, it will be said, and friends. Copies may be its sweetness and much of its joy. he means only that Christ died for secured from the office of The From the cold universalism of that all men with the purpose that all men Presbyterian Guardian at the Arminian creed we turn ever again might live to Him who died for them, with a new thankfulness to the warm without at all implying how many following nominal prices, post­ and tender individualism of our Re­ of those for whom Christ died actu­ paid: formed Faith, which we believe to be ally accomplished that purpose by 3c a copy in accord with God's holy Word. Thank God we can say everyone, living in that way. 25c a dozen Well-quite aside from the diffi­ as we contemplate Christ upon the culty of supposing that God's pur­ $1.00 a hundred Cross, not just: "He died for the poses ever fail-I can only say that mass of humanity, and how glad I if that meaning be attributed to the am that I am amid that mass." hut· passage the force of the passage is, Do you ask how that could be? Do "He loved me and gave Himself for to say the least, seriously impaired. you ask how Christ when He died me; my name was written from all Did Christ upon the cross die merely could have in His mind and heart eternity upon His heart, and when to make possible my salvation? Did everyone of the millions of those He hung and suffered there on the He die merely for the great mass of who had been saved under the old Cross He thought of me, even me, as humanity and then leave it to the de­ dispensation and who were to be one for whom in His grace He was cision of individuals in that mass saved in the long centuries that were willing to die." whether they would make any use of to come? I will tell you how it could "Should Not Henceforth what Christ purchased for them at be. It could be because Christ is God. Live Unto Themselves" such cost? Was I, in the thought of Being God He knows us everyone, the Son of God when He died there with an intimacy that is far greater That is what Paul means when He on Calvary, merely one in the great than the intimacy of the tenderest says, "One died for all, therefore all mass of persons who might possibly mother's love. died." But is that all that Paul says? at some future time accept the bene­ People say that Calvinism is a N0, he says something more; and we fits of His death? dour, hard creed. How broad and must consider briefly that something I tell you, my friends, if I thought comforting, they say, is the doctrine more, before we turn away from this that-if, in other words, I became a of a universal atonement, the doctrine marvelous passage. consistent Arminian instead of a that Christ died equally for all men "All of us died," Paul says, "since Calvinist -I should feel almost as there upon the cross! How narrow it was as our representative that though the light had forever gone and harsh, they say, is this Calvin­ Christ died." But what then? What out of my soul. No, indeed, my istic doctrine - one of the "five becomes afterwards of those who have friends, Christ did not die there on points" of Calvinism - this doctrine thus died to the curse of the law? r Calvary merely to make possible our of the "limited atonement," this doc­ Are they free thereafter to live as I salvation. He died to save us. He trine that Christ died for the elect of they please, because the penalty of died not merely to provide a general God in a sense in which He did not their sins has been paid? benefit for the human race from die for the unsaved! Paul gives the answer in no uncer­ which we might at some future time But do you know, my friends, it is tain terms. "One died for all," he draw, as from some general fund, surprising that men say that. It is says, "therefore all died, that they what is needed for the salvation of surprising that they regard the doc­ which live should not henceforth live our souls. No, thank God, He died trine of a universal atonement as be­ unto themselves but unto him which there on the cross for us individually. ing a comforting doctrine. In reality died for them, and rose again." He called us, when He died for us, it is a very gloomy doctrine indeed. Some people upon this earth, he by our names. He loved us not as in­ Ah, if it were only a doctrine of a says, have passed through a wonder­ finitesimal particles in the mass of universal salvation, instead of a doc­ ful thing! They have died. That is, the human race, but He loved us trine of a universal atonement, then Christ died for them as their repre­ everyone. it would no doubt be a very com- sentative. They have died so far as THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN 101 concerns the death which the law of What has caused them to do so? The brought by carnal men that the Chris­ God pronounces as the penalty of answer is "Christ's love." He loved tian life is a narrow and restricted sin. They died there on Calvary in them. Loving them He died for them life, life hemmed in by "Thou shalt the person of Christ their Saviour. on the cross. Dying for them on the not's" but without high aspirations or But what of them now? Look at cross He wiped out the curse of the a worthy goal. No, it is not a narrow them, and you might think if you law against them, that in the new life and restricted life at all. What sweet were a very superficial observer that that they then began by His Spirit and lovely thing in human living may they are living very much as before. to live they might by thinking on His not be included in that one great busi­ They are subject to all the petty limi­ death be led to live no longer unto ness of living unto Christ? Art, you tations of human life. They are walk­ themselves. What a wonderful re­ say? Is that excluded? No, indeed. ing the streets of Corinth or of straining force was exerted by Christ made the beauty of the world, Philadelphia. They are going about Christ's dying love! How many and He made men that they might their daily tasks. They might seem things, freely done by the men of the enjoy that beauty and celebrate it to be very much the same. Ah, but, world, the Christian is restrained by unto His praise. Science? All the says Paul, they are not really the Christ's love from doing! wonders of the universe are His. He same; a great change has taken place Yes, it is indeed true that if we made all, and the true man of science in them. They are living upon this are real Christians "the love of Christ has the privilege of looking just a earth. Yes, that is granted. They are constraineth us." Paul is not afraid little way into His glorious works. living in the flesh. Very true. But to use a very drastic word in this con­ Every high and worthy human pur­ their lives-their humdrum, working nection. He is not afraid to say: "The suit may be ennobled and enlarged by lives upon this earth-have now an love of Christ hems us in, surrounds being consecrated unto Christ. But entirely new direction. Formerly they us on every side as with a barrier or highest of all is the privilege of bring­ were living unto themselves; now wall." ing other souls to Him. That privi­ they are living unto Christ. What The reason why he is not afraid to lege belongs not only to the wise and greater change could there possibly say that is that he is going to wipe learned. It belongs to the humblest be than that? the paradox out in this very same Christians. To be the instrument in Christ had that change definitely verse; he is going to show his read­ saving a soul from death-what more in view, Paul says, when He died for ers at once that the restraint of which wonderful adventure can there be them on the cross. He did not die for he speaks is the most glorious free­ than that? No, the Christian life is them on the cross in order that they dom; he is going to make abundantly not a narrow and restricted life. It is might live with impunity in sin. He plain right in this very passage that a life most wonderfully free. What did not die for them on the cross in the Christian life is not a cabined rich harvest fields it offers, what broad order that they might continue to live and confined life at all but a life that prospects, what glittering mountain­ for themselves. He died that they is marvelously rich and free. The heights! might live for Him. Christian is restrained from doing Inall that life of high endeavor the "One died for all, therefore all certain things. True. But he is re­ Christian thinks always of the One to died; and he died for all that they strained from doing those things not whom he owes it all, the One who which live should not henceforth live in order that he may do nothing at died. Ever does he remember that unto themselves" - let us stop just all. but in order that he may do other one died for all and that therefore all there for a moment to notice that at things that are infinitely more worth died. What depth of love in the Chris­ that point the grand circle is com­ while. He is restrained from doing tian's heart is called forth by that plete. Paul has got back to the asser­ evil things that he may do the things story of the dying love of Christ! tion with which he began; only now that are good; he is restrained from What a barrier it is against selfish­ he has shown gloriously how it is that doing things that bring death in order ness and sin, what an incentive to that assertion is true. He began by that he may do things that belong to brave and loving deeds! He died for saying, "The love of Christ constrain­ eternal life. all, and in the true Christian's life eth us," and now he has shown how the purpose of His dying is indeed that constraint has been brought "But Unto Him Which fulfilled that they which live should about. "The love of Christ constrain­ Died for Them" not henceforth live unto themselves eth us; because we have thus judged, What are those good things in the but unto Him which died for them. that one died for all, therefore all doing of which Christian freedom is died; and that He died for all, that shown? Ah, how wonderfully does "And Rose Again" they which live should not henceforth Paul sum them up in this glorious We have almost finished. We have live for themselves." "Should not verse! Listen to the grand climax read the passage almost to the end. henceforth live unto themselves" ­ with which the sentence ends. "The But there is one word that we have that is the constraint of which Paul love of Christ constraineth us," he so far not touched. It is the very last started out to speak. A man who may says, "because we have thus judged, word. Sadly incomplete would our ex­ not live unto himself is indeed under that one died for all, therefore all position be if we did not now notice constraint. All the impulses of fallen died; and that he died for all that that tremendous word. man lead him to live unto himself. A they which live should not henceforth "The love of Christ constraineth hundred selfish passions and appetites live unto themselves, but unto him us; because we have thus judged, crave free course. Yet here are fallen which died for them." "But unto him that one died for all, therefore all men who check the free course of which died for them"-ah, there is died; and that He died for all, that those selfish passions and appetites. the refutation forever of the charge they which live should not henceforth 102 THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN live unto themselves, but unto Him The Presbyterian Churc:h Ah, what a marvelous opportunity, , ,t which died for them, and rose again." of Americ:a my brethren! What a privilege to ~ "And rose again"-that is the word This morning we, a little branch proclaim not some partial system of " (one word it is in the Greek) that we of His Church universal, are gathered truth but the full, glorious system must notice at last before we sit down for the first time together around His which God has revealed in His Word, together at the table of our Lord. table. We shall go forth from this and which is summarized in the won­ How does our thought of the death service into the deliberations of this derful Standards of our Faith! What of Christ restrain us from evil and Assembly and then into the varied a privilege to get those hallowed in­ inspire us to good? Is it merely like work of the Church. struments, in which that truth is sum­ the thought of some dear one who has If we remember what this service marized, down from the shelf and gone? Is it merely the thought of that commemorates, there are certain write them in patient instruction, by last smile on a mother's face; is it things which we shall be constrained the blessing of the Holy Spirit, upon merely like our thought of the last by Christ's love not to do. the tablets of the children's hearts! touch of her vanished hand; is it We shall be constrained, for ex­ What a privilege to present our his­ merely like the memory of those last ample, not to weaken in the stand toric Standards in all their fulness loving words when she bade us be which we have taken for the sake of in the pulpit and at the teacher's desk true and good? Christ. How many movements have and in the Christian home! What a Well, we do think of the death of begun bravely like this one, and then privilege to do that for the one rea­ our Lord in some such way as that. have been deceived by Satan-have son that those Standards present, not We commemorate that death today in been deceived by Satan into belittling a "man-made creed," but what God the broken bread and the poured out controversy, condoning sin and error, has told us in His holy Word! What cup. We think of that simple story in seeking favor from the world or from a privilege to proclaim that same sys­ the Gospels which tells how He broke a worldly church, substituting a tem of divine truth to the unsaved! the bread with His disciples, endured worldly urbanity for Christian love. What a privilege to carry the mes­ mocking of wicked men, was taken May Christ's love indeed constrain sage of the Cross, unshackled by com­ outside the walls, and died for the us that we may not thus fall! promising associations, to all the love that He bore to us sinners. And We shall be constrained, in the world! What a privilege to send it to as we think on that story our hearts second place, from seeking unworthily foreign lands! What a privilege to melt within us and we are ashamed our own advantage or preferment, proclaim it to the souls of people who to offend against such love. We say and from being jealous of the ad­ sit in nominally Christian churches to ourselves, in the words of the vantage or preferment of our breth­ and starve for lack of the bread of sweet Christian hymn: ren. May Christ's love indeed con­ life! Oh, yes, what a privilege and strain us that we fall not into faults what a joy, my brethren! Shall we 0, dearly, dearly has He loved! such as these! lose that joy for any selfishness or And we must love Him too, We shall be constrained, in the jealousy; shall we lose it for any of And trust in His redeemingblood, And try His works to do. third place, from stifling discussion the sins into which everyone of us for the sake of peace and from (as without exception is prone to fall? But is that all? No, it is not all, my has been said) "shelving important Only one thing can prevent us from friends. It is not all, because that One issues in moments of silent prayer." losing it, my brethren. Only one thing who there died for us is now alive. May Christ's love constrain us from can bestow it upon us in all its ful­ He is not dead but is with us in such a misuse of the sacred and ness. That one thing is the love of blessed presence today. He died for blessed privilege of prayer! May Jesus Christ our Saviour-the love all that they which live should not Christ's love prevent us from doing that we celebrate as we sit this morn­ live unto themselves, but unto Him anything to hinder our brethren from ing around the table of our Lord. which died for them and rose again. giving legitimate expression to the That love alone can restrain us from We do more than commemorate His convictions of their minds and hearts! the sins that will if unchecked destroy death when we sit around the table We shall be constrained, in short, this church's life-the sins of the this morning. We rejoice also in His from succumbing to the many dan­ preacher of this morning, the, sins of presence. And as we go forth from gers which always beset a movement those to whom he preaches. That this place we must live as those who such as this. Christ's love alone will alone can send us forth rejoicing to are ever in His sight. Are we in temp­ save us from such dangers. live for Him who died. As we sit now tation? Let us remember that He who But Christ's love will do more than at His table, and commemorate His died for us, and who by His dying restrain us from evil. It will lead us dying love, may the blessed words love constrains us that we fall not also into good. It will do more than that we have read together this morn­ into sin, is with us today, and is prevent us from living unto ourselves. ing sink deep into our minds and grieved if we dishonor Him in our It will also lead us to live unto Him. hearts and bear fruit in our lives. lives. It is not to a memory merely What a wonderful open door God May it now indeed be true of us that: that we Christians have dedicated has placed before The Presbyterian "The love of Christ constraineth us; ourselves. It is to the service of a Church of America! A pagan world because we thus judge, that if one living Saviour. Let us remember al­ weary and sick, often distrusting its died for all, then were all dead: and ways that "He died for all that they own modern gods. A saving gospel that he died for all, that they which which live should not henceforth live strangely entrusted to us unworthy live should not henceforth live unto unto themselves but unto Him which messengers. A divine Book with un­ themselves, but unto him which died died for them and rose again." used resources of glory and power. for them, and rose again." THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN 103

of God and justification by faith. The The Right to Truth and the supreme authority of the Word of God is meaningless unless departure Right to Heresy from that authority is heresy. Entirely apart from the conception of confes­ A Review by the REV. PAUL WOOLLEY sional churches, the assertion of the of Westminster Theologic:al Seminary right of private interpretation of the Scriptures does not mean that a de­ THE RIGHT TO HERESY - CASTELLIO of Calvin about 1554 as a high and parture from an interpretation so AGAINST CALVIN, by Stefan Zweig: mighty tyrant rigidly ruling an obedi­ Translated by Eden and Cedar Paul. reached, whatever that interpretation New York: Viking Press, 1936. $3.00. ient host of patiently submissive citi­ may be, is not heresy. The confusion zens, a tyrant whose word was law of thought in Zweig is manifest. H IS is a day when to kings and princes throughout What sort of history is it that rep­ Tthe glorious prin­ Europe is patently absurd to anyone resents the Catholic Church as hesi­ ciples of political lib­ who knows the situation in Geneva tating for a thousand years to burn eralism are dying out and in western Europe in 1554. The anyone alive for a dogmatic interpre­ of the public con­ dark days of the Interims were not tation but points to Calvin as over­ sciousness in the west­ ended in Germany; France was under coming that hesitation (pp. 139, 140) ? ern world. The citi­ a policy of the strict repression of What possible notion of the opera­ zens of an increasing Protestantism carried out by Henry tions of the Papal Inquisition can Mr. Woolley number of European II; Charles V was ruler of the Neth­ Zweig hold? We are all aware that states are anxious to have their minds erlands; John Knox had not even capital sentences in the Middle Ages supplied with carefully prepared prop­ begun his great work in Scotland; were carried out by the civil arm but aganda, partisan in the extreme and and England was on the eve of the so was the burning of Servetus which disregarding the claims of truth in Marian martyrdoms. Calvin, far from Zweig is discussing. the interests of a fixed set of ideas. being the dictator of even all the Anyone who might be interested When, in the face of this situation, policies of Geneva, had not yet se­ could compile from this volume quite an attempt is made to defend free­ cured for the Consistory of the a catalogue of historical inaccuracies, dom of thought by the use of the Church the final authority to enforce but worse than their mere presence is methods of the propagandist for a the penalty of excommunication, a the fact that they are cumulative in modern dictatorship, then tragedy power he had sought for that body building up an utterly false picture stalks abroad indeed. since 1541. He himself was not yet a of the work of Calvin. That this has just been done is the citizen of this city of Geneva of This is a day when liberty needs accusation which must be laid at the which he is credited with being the every defense which she can rally. door of the talented Austrian littera­ uncrowned king. The principle that the state should ex­ teur, Stefan Zweig, in view of the Becoming even more specific, Cal­ tend, within the bounds of public most recent volume to appear from vin was not a man who "played no morals and decency under common his pen in English. Attempting to be games of any kind" (p. 46) and he grace, complete liberty of religious would have been amazed to find him­ a defense of the right to freedom of belief is a principle the validity of self represented by an exceedingly belief, of the right to religious tolera­ which John Calvin failed to recog­ forced translation of a French sen­ tion unhampered by civil enactments, nize. For his work toward the recog­ tence, as the recipient of some sort it springs to this defense with a series nition of that principle we honor the of special divine revelation (p. 34). of inexcusable misstatements which, memory of Sebastian CasteIIio. in the eyes of real lovers of the truth, There is simple misrepresentation of facts when Bolsec's banishment from But when an attempt to honor that are calculated to destroy practically memory and defend the great founda­ completely the usefulness of the vol­ Geneva is made out to be an acquittal tions of civil liberty results in the ume for the end in view. with respect to the charges against production of one of the worst cari­ Instead of combining with his un­ him (pp. 121, 122). catures of history that has come to questionable literary gifts a sound The description of the operation view of history, based on the knowl­ and enforcement of the sumptuary this reviewer's attention for some edge of simple facts, Zweig turns his laws (pp. 56, 57) shows what can be time, it is time to pray that we may be imagination to the embroidering of a done by a vivid imagination when delivered from such defenders and picture of John Calvin that is worse there is no real comprehension of the that men of talent may realize that than a caricature of the truth, and actual situation. sound scholarship is an indispensable then fails to atone, even in part, for Zweig shows his complete misun­ adjunct of an appeal that is to im­ this grievous fault when he presents derstanding of Protestantism when press free peoples permanently. Even a picture of CasteIIio that falls far he states, "In and by itself, the very Herr Zweig himself admits that lib­ short of showing the power of de­ notion of 'heretic' is absurd as far as erty has flourished and freedom scription that marks the portion of a Protestant Church is concerned, bloomed in the countries most deeply the book devoted primarily to Calvin. since Protestants demand that every­ penetrated by Calvinism (p. 226). A To make this clear, let me indicate one shall have the right of interpre­ sound method will show that civil a few of the errors that overflow the tation." The basic principles of Prot­ tyranny is no essential of Calvinism. earlier portion of the book. The pic­ estantism are, as every student knows, Freedom, if it is to endure, must ture, presented in the Introduction, the supreme authority of the Word have defenders who love the truth. 104 THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN

the blessing we seek from His favor. Prayer in Earnest If selfish man can be won by prayer A Meditation on the Fifth Psalm and importunity to give, and unjust man to do right, how much more shall By the REV. DAVID FREEMAN the gracious Lord Jesus bestow, and the righteous One do justice! UCH praying is Thanks be to God, there is given to Expectancy in Prayer M not always one who truly prays a Helper. He is Only a vain prayer expects nothing earnest praying. Many the Holy Spirit. "He helpeth our in­ from God. If there is not belief in an words uttered before firmities: for we know not what we answer from God, why pray at all? should pray for as we ought: but the God are not always When the supplicant is not expectant Spirit itself maketh intercession for true words. There was confidence in God is renounced. There us with groanings which cannot be a Pharisee once who was a divinely implanted assurance prayed much and uttered" (Rom. 8: 26). Mr. Freeman in David's heart that the Lord would loud. He knew how Prayer Without Ceasing not withhold His help from him, even to advertise his prayers. Nearly every­ Prayer that is in earnest is persist­ though the present state was not fav­ body knew the extent of his prayer ent. It is not discouraged by delays orable. The Psalmist did not pray, life. But for all his boasted piety, our or its own weakness. It knows only only to forget that for which he Lord Jesus has told us that he was the urgency of its own case and the prayed. Prayer was not just a spirit­ not justified before God (Lk. 18: 14). grace which is in God. And is God ual exercise for his own inward good. In the prayers of a true man of wearied by our importunity? Oh, no! It was for him, and is for every child God there is none of this boasted Ceaseless asking touches Him. Our of God, a pleading with a super­ pomp and show. Oh, how deceitful is Lord Jesus Christ has put before us natural Person, who is the Covenant­ the human heart when it can, in the a man who knocks at the door of a keeping God. very act of calling upon God, have friend at midnight. The friend is in But why now should the Psalmist respect unto men. Is it possible that bed with his children. He is awakened think of his enemies? They, being such a holy exercise as prayer may be from his sound slumber and the man God's enemies, are bent on frustrating used to further man's own ends? asks him for three loaves of bread God's plans and purposes for His Where is the man who betakes with which to feed a weary guest. own. Would they bring to naught himself to God alone? His prayers Such a request at such an hour what God had promised to do for are not cold and cluttered with many angers the householder. He would him? By no means. The victory was words. That man is earnest, because pay no attention but for the ceaseless His regardless of what man might begging of the midnight visitor. His his needs are great. He knows that do. No human devising can overturn continued asking makes his friend the Lord alone is able to help him. God's purposes for His saints. God The self-sufficient have no need to give him as much as he needs. And hates all wickedness and will there­ call on God. The Lord has nothing to now what did the Lord Jesus say, fore bring to nought the counsels of give to those who do not need a phy­ after He put this case before His dis­ His foes, yea, He will destroy the ciples? These are the words, "Ask, sician. The sick and needy cry and wicked in His wrath, even though the Lord is gracious in answering and it shall be given you; seek, and for the present they hinder God's them. Every word that comes from ye shall find; knock, and it shall be work of grace. Even amid persecu­ opened unto you." a heart burdened with sin and stead­ tions and tribulations which God's fast in its gaze upon a Saviour in vVe are taught not only to pray, children endure, God will fulfill all heaven is as a sweet smelling savor but to be increasingly urgent in the good pleasure of His goodness, before God. Stammering, from a con­ prayer till we carry away from God and the work of faith with power. trite heart, pleases God better than It is sad indeed that men are all the fine and flourishing figures of wicked, but it is not sad if they are rhetoric man can command. This Week in Religion justly punished. "It is a righteous Helped by the Holy Spirit thing with God to recompense tribu­ David's heart is full. God's strange religious newsbroadcast lation to them that trouble you." And providences have driven him to his THE by "The Presbyterian Guar­ this very threatening against the knees. He is hardly able to speak. dian" will be heard on Decem­ wicked is not without grace to the Words do not come forth freely. He godly. Here is God's warning to them can only say, "Give ear," "Consider," ber 12th, and every Saturday also, not to look for escape from pun­ "Hearken," "I will look up." Earnest thereafter. from 5.30 to 5.45 ishment when there is deliberate fall­ desire prompts these words. Inward P. M. over Station WIP, Phila­ ing into sin. The display of the divine anguish forces him to cry out. Yet delphia (610 kilocycles). wrath is one means whereby God there is not despair. There is evident Those living within the area leads His children to enter into His the conviction that God will not turn holy abhorrence of sin and to delight aside those who sincerely place them­ reached by Station WIP are in His acts of justice. selves before Him. The Son says, urged to listen regularly each Those born again by the Spirit of "Him that cometh to me I will in no week and to tell their friends God have entered into a high and wise cast out." Did David not come of this unusual opportunity. glorious calling. May God count them to the same God who said, "Come worthy of it, that the name of our unto me, and I will give you rest?" Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified. THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN 105

cause of his spiteful talking. Yet Jesus loved him unto the cross. Here The Sunday School Lessons is another who has insulted us and therefore we hate him like poison­ By the REV. R. LAIRD HARRIS a man for whom Christ died t Finally when we see again the supreme gift of God we are taught to renew our December 20th, The Supreme the Father, a gift that proved His allegiance to the Lord. Let us resolve Gift of Love. I John 4:7-19. supreme love, when He gave His only again to stand true and strong for begotten Son, our Lord, the cherished Him, realizing that the God we serve N THIS Sunday Second Person of the Trinity, of the has shown Himself to be abundantly O in all too many same substance with the Father and worthy of all glory and honor and places the lesson will with the Holy Ghost, and sent Him praise in earth and heaven above. be slighted for Christ­ into degradation and disgrace and mas exercises. Pro­ the pains of death and hell for us December 27th, Review: The grams in themselves and for our salvation. Such is God's Spread of Christianity in are not objectionable, love which we celebrate at Christmas Southern Europe. Hebrews Mr. Harris but fine. But the time. Such was His attribute that 2:1-4: 11:32 to 12:2. Christmas message made the angels sing, "Glory to God dealing- as it does with the incarna­ in the highest." It would be a difficult matter for us tion of the Son of God is altogether The giving was not done only by to go over every lesson of the last too important to be given a place God, the Father, however, although quarter in detail for this review. We inferior to Santa Claus and the chil­ it was He who appointed Christ to ought of course to test ourselves by dren's stockings. Understand, I do the mediator's office (Heb, 5 :4, 5). taking a Bible with good maps in the not wish to deflate St. Nicholas. But Christ gave Himself. "This office the back and tracing the missionary I do want to plead for Christmas joy Lord Jesus did most willingly under­ journeys of the apostle Paul. But founded upon and realized through take," says our Confession (VII, 4). fine as this sort of review would be, the Christmas Evangel. In every age No word of ours can begin to tell the this time it might be interesting by of spiritual decline the facts of the boundless love of our Master. It is way of variation to look just a little Christmas message are forgotten. In measurable only by His humiliation beyond the labors of Paul, and follow eighteenth - century Germany the and the depths of that we cannot for a few years the history of the liberals preached on Christmas about know. At Christmas we are so apt to churches founded by him and by the the humaneness of keeping animals see the cradle as the purest thing we other disciples. The study of these indoors. Let us not fall into the same have that we forget it represents first few years of church history is error, exalting mangers and sheep Jesus' first step in the via dolorosa. exceedingly important and yet it is and babyhood and wise men above At Christmas time we ought to see neglected by many Christians because the coming of the Lord of Glory. the Lord of Glory "away in a man­ the sources are not always available. The topic of our lesson is so ex­ ger no crib for his bed." True the For this review lesson, then, let us pressed as to emphasize the teaching Son of God did never lay aside His look very briefly at the spread of the that God gave His Son as the gift deity; He only concealed it from gospel and the influence to which the of love. Such representation that the mortal eyes. But did it not add to His Christian church had attained before Father gave the Son is scriptural and reproach that "He who bore in or about the year 100 A. D. good. It is expressed familiarly in heaven the second name had not on In those times the home country John 3: 16. The magnitude of the earth whereon to lay His head"? of Christendom was relatively unim­ Father's love can be seen when we Truly, nothing but the depth of the portant. Such a statement might seem consider first that it was a love which voluntary humiliation of the Son of queer, but from about 60 to 70 A. D. triumphed in justice and second that God can be used as a rule to meas­ Palestine was baptized in blood. Civil it was a love which resulted in sacri­ ure the love of the Good Shepherd war among the Jews was but the fice. God's love was not an idle whim who cares for His sheep. precursor of the awful overthrow of nor an easy and indiscriminate for­ Some conclusions for us are fairly Jerusalem in which, according to giving of all men without regard to plain. First, if there is an ounce of Josephus, over a million people their nature. Such love would not logic left to us let us realize the perished. Allowing for all exaggera­ have been love at all, but foolish necessity of our believing on the Son. tion the slaughter and famine were dotage and indulgence. It would not All sin fades away beside this sin of terrible. Christians for the most part have reckoned with our spiritual re­ refusing the insistent calf of the had heeded prophetic warnings and bellion. Instead He measured out the mercy of God. We would not think had escaped across the Jordan to full weight of our penalty and be­ of refusing a Christmas present even Pella where the Christian colony con­ cause of His love that was real and if it were a small one. Much more, tinued. true He paid the price and satisfied unsaved reader, in this matter, "See Syria to the north had been im­ His own justice and set us free. The that ye refuse not him that speaketh" portant from the first. There in second point-the sacrifice of God, (Heb. 12: 25). Second, "if God so Antioch the disciples were first called the Father-is measured by the depth loved us we ought also to love one Christians and from there Paul had of humiliation to which the Son de­ another" (I John 4: 11). Here is a started on his missionary work. An­ scended. It was indeed a Sacrifice of person whom we Cannot endure be- tioch continued in this leadership. We 106 THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN meet the church there again in 117 these early times is of real meaning enlightened civilization. It became A. D. when its bishop, Ignatius, was for us. These early martyrs in their widespread at once while the facts taken to Rome to die. Ignatius had writings declare the same gospel of were ascertainable and the eye-wit­ lived in Antioch during this period redemption by the incarnate Son of nesses still alive (I Cor. 15: 6). It and from his pen we have the seven God which we today believe. It was took its stand on the life, death, res­ epistles which he wrote on his Biblical Christianity, and their' writ­ urrection, and coming again of the martyr's journey. ings are of value to us today. The Lord Jesus Christ and on the super­ If we follow the sea around to historic orthodox Christian Church, natural work and gifts of the Holy Asia Minor, the scene of Paul's first from the first public appearance of Spirit. It claimed to be founded on journey, we find evidence of Chris­ the Messiah, proclaimed redemption the supernatural intrusion of God tianity in many quarters. John, the by the Lamb of God which taketh Himself into the world and this apostle, lived in Ephesus at least until away the sin of the world. But also spectacle of an enlightened church his exile to Patmos, His Revelation the size of this early church teaches springing full grown into existence includes letters to seven churches of us that its doctrines were true. These is only explainable by acknowledging this region. Papias apparently wrote things were not done in a corner. that God did come down to save. Its a commentary on the Gospels here Almost at once, after the death of devotees were found in all walks of at this time. Polycarp lived here until, Christ, we find the church remarkably life. Their only offence was good in 155 A. D., he was martyred de­ large and prosperous and bearing moral living and pure worship; they claring that he had served Christ for testimony unto death to the truth of were persecuted most by the most 86 years and would not renounce the very facts which the Auburn infamous; and they were faithful Him now. From Bithynia we have a Affirmation declares to be non-essen­ unto the martyr's death. Men will not letter from Pliny the younger to tial. Even the heathen historians of suffer so for a lie. A mistake will not Trajan at about 110 A. D., saying the Rome add their testimony. Our faith carry this widespread assurance. The "Christian superstition" was wide­ did not have its origin in the distant truth alone will conquer as did the spread. Christians were guilty of no dawn of time, but in a cultured and gospel of the cross. crime, he said, but refused to wor­ ship the Emperor and sang hymns to Christ as God. Paul had been denied entrance to Bithynia, but the Holy Studies in the Shorter Catechism Spirit had evidently sent other mes­ sengers. By the REV. JOHN H. SKILTON Rome and Corinth of course were centers of the faith. We have a letter LESSON 10 "For as the Father hath life in written by Clement of Rome to the QUESTION 5. Are there more gods himself; so hath he given to the church at Corinth during the last than one'! Son to have life in himself" (John decade of this century. Rome itself ANSWER. There is but one only, the 5: 26). had a Christian colony that numbered living and true God. "But the Lord is the true God, he is among its members those of Csesar's One Lord the living God" (Jeremiah 10: 10). household even in Paul's day. Before HE Shorter Catechism, in accord- "And this is life eternal, that they 100 A. D. the Christians at Rome Tance with the teaching of the might know thee, the only true God, were persecuted twice. In 64 A. D., a Scriptures, emphatically declares that and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast furious fire of mysterious origin there is but one God only. . sent" (John 17: 3). broke out in Rome. The city burned "Hear, 0 Israel; the Lord our God It is apparent that the Catechism, for eight days with fearful loss of is one Lord" (Deut. 6: 4). like the Bible, disagrees not only with life and damage to property. Nero "That all the people of the earth those who believe in more gods than was suspected of causing the fire and may know that the Lord is God, and one, but also with those who assert to divert suspicion he accused the that there is none else" (I Kings that they believe in only one God, yet Christians and persecuted many of 8: 60). whose god is not the God revealed in them horribly. Again by 96 A. D., the "I am the first, and I am the last; the Scriptures. Those who have not church at Rome was large enough and beside me there is no God" found our Lord Jesus Christ to be the for Domitian to blame the new re­ (Isaiah 44: 6). only Redeemer of God's elect (see ligion for his defeats and he perse­ See also Isaiah 44: 8; 45: 5; I Cor. Question 21), the only Way, the cuted it accordingly. 8:4; I Timothy 2:5; and James Truth,andtheLife,andhavenotbe- Much more could be said of this 2: 19. lieved in the only God, are lost. How- early church. We have lately found The Living and True God ever much they may condemn athe- a precious fragment of John's Gospel The one God, beside whom there is ism, ridicule polytheism, and think in Egypt proving that the church no God, is called by the Catechism they have advanced beyond idolatry, was founded early in Alexandria too. "the living and true." He is the gen- if their God is not the God of the There is much other tradition that is uine God, infinite, eternal, and un- Bible they are in the general class of vague, but these facts are true and changeable in His Being and in all those whose views they disparage. easily proven and ought to be the the perfections of His Being. He is With the most superstitious savage, property of more Christian laymen not a lifeless idol made by the hands they are without any source of cer- for their encouragement and help. of men or a product of man's imagi- tainty (see Lesson 2) and they are For the spread of Christianity in nation. without life. Only a living God can THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN 107 impart eternal life to His followers. 9. How many times does the word everlasting Father, The Prince of Their false gods cannot say, "As the "only" or some similar word occur in Peace. Of the increase of his govern­ living Father hath sent me, and I live the Shorter Catechism? In what con­ ment and peace there shall be no end, by the Father: so he that eateth me, nections? Is Christianity a distinctive, upon the throne of David, and upon even he shall live by me" (John 6: a unique religion? Why! his kingdom, to order it, and to estab­ 57). Would that such unbelievers IO. Is it possible for Christians to lish it with judgment and with justice might realize that their plight is like have spiritual fellowship with unbe­ from henceforth even for ever." that of the heathen mentioned in the lievers! In the New Testament Christ is one hundred and thirty-fifth Psalm: II. In what ways are Christians definitely said to be God and He Him­ "The idols of the heathen are silver sometimes tempted to form compro­ self asserts His deity: and gold, the work of men's hands. mising unions with unbelief! "All things are delivered to me of "They have mouths, but they speak my Father: and no man knoweth who not; eyes have they, but they see not; LESSON 11 the Son is, but the Father; and who. "They have ears, but they hear not; QUESTION 6. How many persons are the Father is, but the Son, and he to neither is there any breath in their there in the Godhead! whom the Son will reveal Him (Luke mouths. ANSWER. There are three persons in 10:22). "They that make them are like unto the Godhead; the Father, the Son, "The Word was God" (John 1: 1). them: so is everyone that trusteth in and the Holy Ghost; and these three "I and my Father are one" (John them" (Psalm 135: 15-18). are one God, the same in substance, 10:38). The Trinity equal in power and glory. See also Matthew 16:16,17; John Although the Bible teaches that God, the Father 14:9-11; Romans 9:5; and Titus 2: there is but one God only, it makes In our last lesson we saw that the 13. clear to us the fact that there are Scriptures teach that there is but one Then, too, in the New Testament three persons in the one Godhead. God and we considered briefly the the statements of the Old Testament These three persons, the Father, the fact that there are three Persons in concerning God, even Jehovah, are Son, and the Holy Ghost, are the same the one Godhead. In this lesson we taken to refer to Jesus. Consider, for in substance, equal in power and shall begin to treat of some of the instance, Matthew 3: 3 and Isaiah 60: glory (Question 6). Each of the three revelations of the Scripture concern­ 3; John 12:41 and Isaiah 6:1. Of is God and the same in Being with ing the three Persons who are the one similar importance is the frequent ap­ the others; but each is distinct in Per­ God, the Father, the Son and the Holy plication to our Saviour of the title, son. Men, of course, 'cannot compre­ Ghost. Lord, equivalent to Jehovah. hend the great mystery of the Trinity. It is obvious that the Bible teaches The New Testament teaches that Full knowledge of God is beyond that the Father, the first Person of Jesus Christ possesses such attributes them: but they must not refuse to ac­ the Trinity, is God. Some verses mak­ as only God can possess: cept the truths about Himself that the ing the fact of the deity of the Father In Him was life (John 1: 4). That infinite God who comprehends all very clear are John 1: 18; 3: 16; 10: life was absolute, independent (John things has made known. 29; 17: 3; and Hebrews 1: 1, 2. 5 :26; Hebrews 7: 16). SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION "God, who at sundry times and in He is from age to age the same I. Summarize briefly views that divers manners spake in time past (Hebrews 13:8. "Jesus Christ the various non-Christian thinkers and unto the fathers by the prophets, hath same yesterday, and to day, and for followers of false religions have in these last days spoken unto us by ever"). formed of their "qods;' and compare his Son, whom he hath appointed heir He is the Truth (John 14: 6). these views with the revelation that of all things, by whom also he made He is holy (Luke 1: 35; John 6: 69; God has given of Himself in the holy the worlds" (Hebrews 1: 1, 2). Hebrews 7: 26). Scriptures. God, the Son He is from everlasting to everlast­ 2. Does the Bible regard it as satis­ It should be obvious also that the ing (John 1 : 1. "In the beginning was factory for a man to have faith in Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ is the Word"). any other "god" than the living and God. He is everywhere present (Mat­ true! Why? In many places the Old Testament thew 28:20). 3. How is kn'owledge of God ob­ intimates that the Messiah, the Son He knows all things (John 11: 24, tained! of David, would be more than man; 25; I Cor. 4:5. Col. 2:3). 4. Is man's knowledge of God full in other places it expressly asserts His He is all-powerful (Hebrews, 1: 3). and comprehensive? Is it valid and deity. The New Testament attributes to certain! Good representatives of the Old our Lord works that only God could 5. If God is all-powerful could there Testament witness to the deity of perform: be any other all-powerful being! Christ are the forty-fifth Psalm and "All things were made by him" 6. What effect would belief i~ a Isaiah 9: 6-7. In Psalm 45: 6 we read (John 1: 3). false god have upon our thinking and of the Messiah, "Thy throne, 0 God, He is the sustainer of all things living? is for ever and ever." Isaiah writes (Col. 1: 17; Heb. 1: 3). 7. Find several hymns that call our (9: 6, 7) "For unto us a child is born, He is to judge the world in the last attention to the doctrine of the Trin­ unto us a son is given: and the gov­ day (Matthew 25: 31, 32). ity. ernment shall be upon his shoulder: He gives life (iJohn 10: 28) ; sends 8. Find some verses of Scripture and his name shall be called Wonder­ the Holy Spirit (John 16: 7); and bearing on the doctrine of the Trinity. ful' Counsellor, The mighty God, The sanctifies (Eph. 5: 25-27). 108 THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN

The name above every name, that be more than man? bound to the authorities of the State, of Jesus, is linked with that of God in 3. In what ways does the New Tes­ but the new policy of Entconfession­ no subordinate way (Matthew 28: 19: tament indicate that Jesus Christ is alisierung des oeffentlichen Lebens "Baptizing them in the name of the God? (the removal of confessional differ­ Father and of the Son and of the Holy 4. Does Jesus Christ have a human ences from the national life) is, once Ghost"). See also I Cor. 1 : 3; II Cor. nature? See Question 2 I. again, confining the activities of the 13: 14. 5. In what ways does the Sermon Church more and more to public wor­ Other indications of Christ's deity on the Mount indicate that Jesus ship. Hindrances are even put in the are His making Himself equal with Christ is more than man? way of preaching and pastoral work; God (John 5:18; Phil. 2:6); His 6. If Christ is God is it hard to be­ there is a campaign against Christian use of titles indicating His deity and lieve that He performed miracles! schools; the Christian religion is the application to Him of these titles 7. If Christ is God what should our openly abused and derided by those by others, and the fact that He is re­ attitude toward Him be? who represent the State. No complaint garded by the inspired writers as an 8. What should the attitude of is made (though it well might have object of worship. Christians be toward those who do n;t been) against the gross persecution of Truly in Christ dwells all the full­ believe in Christ? many ministers for no offence but ness of the Godhead. 9· What should the attitude of loyalty to the Gospel, but the strongest SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION Christians be toward those who take protest is made by the Confessional I. What is Unitarianism? Why can­ the name of Christ in vain? Church as by the Romanists against not it be considered a form of Chris­ IO. Find some verses of Scripture the persistent and thorough-going pol­ tianity? indicating that the Holy S pirit is God. icy of the State to detach the youth 2. In what ways does the Old Testa­ I I. Memorize several texts teach­ of the country from any kind of ment indicate that the Messiah would ing the deity of Christ. Church education whether through . .. schools or ... associations. "There can be no doubt of the na­ tional policy. Herr Baldur von Schi­ BRITISH WRITER REVIEWS THE CHURCH IN GERMANY rach, the Reich Youth Leader, as quoted in the Times of October 14, N The British Weekly, of October tians than that the revolution supports addressed the young men of Germany I 29th, under the nom de plume of itself upon a 'myth' or theory about in these terms. 'A little band of Hitler "IIico," an observer comments on the the nature of man, and of the Nordic Youth has destroyed the Confessional policy of Reichsfuehrer Hitler regard­ race in particular, with which the and "Marxist" youth organizations in ing the rights of relig-ion in Germany. Church can make no terms. favour of a great companionship of Hitler, he thinks, does not desire to "I have before me two papers, one youth.... Nobody can distinguish quarrel with the church but that the a document signed by Dr. Koch ad­ what they used to be, because ... they revolution supports itself upon a dressed 'to Protestant Christians and have already become a league ... "myth" or theory about the nature of the authorities in Germany,' dated in pledged only to Adolf Hitler and Al­ man, and of the Nordic race in par­ August of this year, the other a pas­ mighty God.' ticular, with which the church can toral letter of the German Roman "Is this necessarily anti-Christian? make no terms. "Ilico' continues: bishops which was to be read from Let it be read in the light of a (typi­ "I conceive ... that the quarrel with the chancel in all churches at Mass on cal) declaration issued on behalf of the German Churches was never in­ August 30. the teachers of Nuremberg on Janu­ tended by Hitler and has been a sur­ "The bishops repudiate the widely ary 29, 1936: 'The fate of the Nordic prise as well as a sad vexation to him. disseminated suggestion that Rome man is determined by belief in his Let people believe what they like, pro­ is in league with Moscow against the own strength, his courage, his power. vided they remain good citizens and German Government. Events in Spain ... He knows no division between a patriotic Germans; religion is a pri­ prove conclusively, they say, that power that is creator and a creature vate matter with which the State as Communists look on the Roman that is created.... Equally foreign to such has no wish to interfere. Hitler, Church as their great enemy. None him is the idea of salvation. It is for­ as I suppose, neither desires to quarrel the less, they complain, the influence eign to his ideas that one should come with the Church nor sees why any of the Church in Germany is being who should act as mediator between quarrel should arise. more and more confined to the four God and him. It is foreign to the Nor­ "Yet the quarrel is inevitable, and walls of the Church buildings. Church dic man to look for salvation from no 'solution of it is in sight. It is not organizations are everywhere hin­ above, through faith. Belief in him­ that the Christians are unpatriotic. dered, the Church Press is muzzled, self is Germanic. The word "Grace" On the contrary, except where perse­ and, above all, the Church schools, in is unknown to him.' cution has turned them against the spite of promises to the contrary, are "So, too, on the morning of June 29, Government, most of them are pre­ being- suppressed. 1936, as I understand, the school pared, not merely to be loyal to the "The Protestant document declares pupils in a big North German town present regime, but to thank God for that the issue is raised whether or not were told by the Director that the the great change that has come over in the future the Christian faith can children were forbidden to take part Germany. The cause of the trouble is find any home in Germany. The Ger­ in the Evangelical Youth Camps. less that most of those in responsible man Protestant Church, it says, recog­ Whoever joined these camps would be positions under Hitler are not Chris- nizes that God's Word holds it in duty given the worst possible marks for THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN 109

'behaviour,' and would have no pro­ support. In addition to deposing these motion; only the Hitler Youth Camps MRS. FRANK H. STEVENSON orthodox men, the constant refusal of the General Assembly to admit the presence and other Government organizations GIVES HER REASONS FOR of modernism and to take measures of were permitted. The children were reform concerning it, has led me to sever told not to buy Bibles, but to buy M ein LEAVING OLD ORGANIZATION relations with the Presbyterian Church Kemp]'; their slogan should no longer in the U.S.A. and join The Presbyterian NA letter to Dr. Frank R. Elder, Church of America. be 'All for Christ,' but "All for Ger­ My prayer is that the officers and mem­ many.' I pastor of the Covenant-First Pres­ bers of the Covenant-First Church will "It would be grossly unfair to quote byterian Church of Cincinnati, Mrs. come to see the hopelessness,inconsistency this were it not typical of what is Frank H. Stevenson has outlined the and spiritual danger of remaining in the reasons which led her and her chil­ Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. No widespread and official in Germany to­ one knows any better than I, from the day. The children of Germany are to dren to sever their connections with years of effort which my dear husband be indoctrinated with the new pagan­ that church. The Stevensons have and his friends and associates made at ism and withdrawn from the oversight been deeply attached to this old con­ Princeton Seminary, and in subsequent gregation through worship and testi­ years, that reform from within the and education of the Church. We Church has failed, and that now it is need not suppose that Hitler himself mony for five generations. And the time to "come out from among them, has in intention repudiated Christian­ much-beloved Frank H. Stevenson, and be ye separate, saith the Lord." ity, still less that he personally ap­ who was president of the Board of Frank and Mary join me in making Trustees of Westminster Theological this request. proves of the shameful and terrible With deep appreciation of your friend­ persecution of many of the faithful Seminary for five years before his ship and kindnesses of the past, I remain, German pastors; but there can be no death in 1934, was pastor there for Sincerely, question of the deliberate educational thirteen years. The letter: MARY SHIllITO STEVENSON, policy of those who act in his name, Cincinnati, Ohio, (Mrs. Fronk H. Steuenson.) and no question that the violent anti­ October 20, 1936. Dear Dr. Elder: Christian forces in the Government It is with deep and sincere regret that are largely and inevitably out of Hit­ I am writing to ask you to drop our NEW CHURCH FORMED IN ler's personal control. names from the roll of the membership "These Christians must be isolated of the Covenant - First Presbyterian NORTHERN NEW JERSEY Church. Frank, Mary and I are joining where they cannot be suppressed. '. The Presbyterian Church of America. June, 1936. To the Leaders of the . I am sure that you realize, as no one N SUNDAY, November 22nd, Branch of the Reich Labour Camps. else, what this request means to the chil­ O a new church of The Presby­ The Leader of the Provincial Labour dren and me. It has not been a decision terian Church of America was or­ that I have made hastily, but has been ganized in East Orange, New Jersey, Service has made the following rul­ soul-stirring from the very depths, and ing: "On inspecting Branch ... the I have prayed to God to direct me every to embrace the larger territory of the head of the Labour Camp Leaders step that I take. You know, as others do, Oranges. The name chosen by the noticed that two theological students that this particular church is dearer to group, which already has twenty-six belong to that Group. In the interest me than life itself, with the precious, members, is the Covenant Presby­ sacred memories that it will hold in my of our educational work I order that heart forever, and I assure you these terian Church. no Branch is to have two students of ties are not easily cast aside. From my Three elders were chosen by the theology.... Only one such student childhood I have known no other church congregation for its session: Mat­ may remain in each Group" , and there for five generations my family thew McCroddan, L. Halsey Perry have worshipped and there my dear hus­ "It is almost impossible for English band preached the blessed gospel message. and Charles A. Freytag. The elders Protestants who are not in intimate I can never forget the loyalty and devo­ were installed by Dr. Lawrence B. personal touch with German Chris­ tion of that faithful congregation to him Gilmore, who was appointed moder­ and their beautiful tribute to his memory ator of the session by the Presbytery tians of the Confessional Church to -how can I help but love every member have any idea of the muzzling of the of that dear church? of New Jersey. Immediately follow­ Press, especially the Church Press, of However, I cannot conscientiously be a ing the service of installation the the espionage (which even pursues member of a body supposed to be a Lord's Supper was celebrated by the church of Jesus Christ that, by its acts profoundly thankful and happy con­ all members of the Confessional at the General Assembly in Syracuse last Church that come to this country), of June, excluded a certain number of sin­ gregation. the real reign of terror that oppresses cerely consecrated ministers of the The work in the region of the the faithful in many parts of Ger­ gospel. Men who have been the recog­ Oranges was begun last September many, of the deliberate official at­ nized scholars and teachers in the Pres­ by Westminster Seminary student byterian Church in the U.S.A., and are tempts to win the children from the now denied the right to preach the way Richard W. Gray, who has been faith of their believing parents, and of salvation from the pulpit of this chosen as temporary student supply even to get them to lay information church, or any other pulpit of the Pres­ until next May. Two special services against their parents. The British are byterian Church in the U.S.A. The same are planned by the group. On Decem­ is true of the Westminster Seminary in grave danger of underestimating graduates, who are standing steadfastly ber 20th they will have as guest alike the very notable and splendid for the Faith, without compromising with preacher the Rev. Professor R. B. achievements of Hitler's regime, and modernism in preaching or actions. To Kuiper and the following Sunday the the dark and heroic days through my mind. the stand that is being made Rev. Charles J. Woodbridge. at Westminster Seminary today, by the which our Christian brethren in Ger­ Faculty and their associates, and those All services are held in the hall of many, both Roman and Protestant, who have been deposed from the church the local W. C. T. U. at 29 North to-day are passing." is right and has my full sympathy and Essex Avenue, East Orange. 110 THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN

the sum total of human life, then we for good in the community. The work NATIONAL PREACHING MISSION abdicate." was placed under the care of trustees OFFERS MODERNIST PROGRAM Dr. Jones asserted that Christianity of three Presbyterian Churches­ should drop "ideals" for reality. Just West, First and Second-to continue TO PHILADELPHIA CHURCHES what was meant by "ideals" he did its valuable service. not state, but it was clear to many In recent years the leaders and Dr. E. Stanley Jones Pleads for that they included most, if not all, of teachers in the chapel increasingly a "Return of the Kingdom the cardinal doctrines of Christianity. became in sympathy with the aims "The housewife and the teacher and purposes of those who exposed of God on Earth" can bring the Kingdom into their and attacked Modernism in the Pres­ day's work," he said. "Just put God byterian Church in the U.S.A. All IGHTEEN thousand Philadel­ back into life. Jesus was not an were intelligently well-informed of E phians representing about a thou­ idealist. He was a supreme realist." the issues in the controversy. sand local churches on Sunday, No­ At one point Dr. Jones asked those As soon as The Presbyterian vember 29th, packed every seat in the who felt a personal sense of "con­ Church of America was formed one mammoth Convention Hall for the version" to raise their hands. Thou­ teacher became a member. Others opening session of the four-day Na­ sands of the great audience com­ followed, and the superintendent of tional Preaching Mission, sponsored plied and remained after the service the Sunday School, who was also by the modernist-dominated Federal to hear Dr. Jones expound a "way president of the Board of Managers, Council of the Churches of Christ in back to the principles of Christian expressed a wish to become a char­ America. living." ter member of the new body. The speaker at the initial service Philadelphia is the twenty-seventh The Board of Trustees called a was the noted Methodist missionary city to be visited by the preaching meeting for October 5th at which to India, Dr. E. Stanley Jones, who mission in the interest of a modern­ time, according to one leader, insults coupled dramatic oratory with com­ ist-indifferentist coalition of Protes­ and abuse by pastors of the First and fortable vagueness in a successful tant forces. Notable among those Second Churches were rained upon example of modernist rabble-rousing. absent from all sessions of the mis­ those who dared to think of joining, Speaking from a rostrum lighted sion were the members of the local or had joined, the new church. The in part by the rays from a huge elec­ congregations of The Presbyterian Rev. Clifford S. Smith, pastor of the tric cross he flung out the challenge Church of America. West Church and a member of The of a militant Christianity as the Presbyterian Church of America, was saviour of the world. It was evident ordered from the room and his part that in Dr. Jones' mind "militant NEW JERSEY CHAPEL in the direction of the Chapel de­ Christianity" was nowhere identified clared to be at an end. with the substitutionary atonement of DISRUPTED BY ORDER The Presbytery of West Jersey Christ. He declared that a practical OF OLD PRESBYTERY then took up the cudgels, and the re­ application of the Christian religion sult was the receipt of the following throughout the six continents would Workers Summarily Dismissed tender letter by Mrs. Gibson and end poverty, overcome the twin similar letters by all who had joined threats of fascism and communism, For Joining Presbyterian the new church. Spelling and other and create a genuine "brotherhood of Church of America obvious stenographic errors have been man." corrected. "The kingdom of God," he said, "is EVENTY years of consistently For the years of service you have ren­ my magnificent obsession. I'll tell you S evangelical work in the Mary S. dered at Fithian Chapel, the Governing why. First of all because Jesus was Fithian Chapel of Bridgeton, N. J., Board wishes to take cognizance and pass along a line of appreciation. obsessed with it. If the Christian was a·bruptly terminated on Novem­ Inasmuch as West Jersey Presbytery church had been true to that concep­ ber 9th by action of the Presbytery at Atlantic City, N. J., on October 20th, tion we would have had a different of West Jersey of the Presbyterian passed a regulation making it impossible world than we have today. We would Church in the U.S.A. in dismissing, and imperative that anyone connected with the so-called Presbyterian Church have a new order against greed and through the Governing Board of the of America, could any longer serve Fith­ selfishness. Chapel, the superintendent, Mrs. ian Chapel, a U.S.A. Presbyterian church "Now we have come to a tragic Laura W. Gibson, and four teachers. project, either in the capacity of Superin­ moment in the earth's history, fac­ Avowedly the sole reason for this ac­ tendent or Teacher, we beg to advise therefore, that your services in connection ing a breakdown. Where shall we tion was that all five had joined The with Fithian Chapel, in either of the two turn? At this moment of confusion Presbyterian Church of America. aforesaid capacities are terminated. three great forces bid for mortal The Mary S. Fithian Chapel was The Chapel will continue to operate­ man: First, communism, totalitarian founded as the Pearl Street Mission as usual-and should you wish to worship there-since it has always been so dear and absolute; on the other hand, in 1866 for Christian instruction and to your heart-there are no objections fascism, also totalitarian and abso­ service among the families of those to your presence in the congregation or lute, and third, the kingdom of God, employed in the several glass manu­ in the School as a scholar. totalitarian and absolute. facturing companies of Bridgeton. The above regulation becomes effec­ tive upon receipt of this notice to you, "It may be, instead of going com­ The work, which has been carried on Yours truly, munist or fascist, we may go Chris­ in the same location for seventy GOVERNING BOARD OF FITHIAN CHAPEL. tian. If Christianity does not direct years, grew to be a strong influence Sec. H. G. WILKINSON. THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN 111

Average attendance at the Sunday serve the proper atmosphere and School from March, 1935, to March, INDIA'S UNTOUCHABLES ritual. 1936, was 73. On Sunday, November The "untouchable" class restric­ 15th, following the crushing action EMANCIPATED BY DECREE tions originally arose as a measure of presbytery and the chapel's Gov­ OF YOUNG MAHARAJAH whereby Aryan Hindus sought to erning Board, six former scholars preserve the purity of their race and two teachers were present. The Proclamation Viewed as Attempt against intermarriage with subject evening church service found just "non-Aryans,' three persons in addition to the to Forestall Revolt This action of the 24-year-old Ma­ speaker. harajah was hailed by many as one Thus a useful Christian work of AOCORDING to a recent dispatch of the greatest reforms in Hinduism seventy years was broken, teachers ~ from Madras, India, a partial since the days of Ramanuja, 800 dismissed, scholars scattered, rooms answer to the spirit of unrest and years ago. It is believed by compe­ empty and supplies confiscated, all dissatisfaction among millions of tent observers to be a step toward because consecrated Christian women Hindu "untouchables" was a decree the forestalling of a widespread re­ dared to stand on their rights to wor­ promulgated on November 13th by volt of the untouchables against ship in the church of their choice. the young Maharajah of Travancore, Hinduism. This revolt has manifested declaring that none of his 4,000,000 itself in a refusal to worship Hindu subjects may in the future be barred deities, to observe Hindu festivals, or GOVERNMENT INTERFERES from temples under his jurisdiction to visit Hindu holy places. Represent­ on grounds of "birth, caste, or com­ atives of Islam and Christianity have IN MANCHURIAN MISSION munity." been invited to present the claims of The decree provided that rules and their respective religions, and mis­ RIT ING in The Covenanter conditions might be laid down to pre- sionaries are eagerly watching for W Witness of November 25th the Rev. J. G. Vos, missionary to Man­ choukuo under the Reformed Presby­ terian Church of North America, tells of a vigorous attack by the gov­ ernment on the preaching of the gos­ pel. It is quite possible that the seven A Christian Solution to missionaries in Manchoukuo under the Independent Board will soon experience similar difficulties. The Gift Problem "The work in Taikang," writes Mr. Vos, "was prospering with unusual signs of the working of the Holy Christmas gifts should be Christian gifts. if true Spirit in convicting and converting blessinq is to rest on both the receiver and the donor. sinners. The results were more fa­ What finer gift can you buy for that lonely Christian. vorable than in any other town, con­ those members of your Sunday School class. your sidering the short time spent there. From 80 to 100 persons were attend­ pastor. your missionary friends. or a loved one away ing daily evangelistic services, not from home than a year's subscription to counting children, and the interest in the gospel message was intense. Sud­ The Presbyterian Guardian denly, on July 10th, an order was issued by the police authorities in Taikang to stop all preaching and The cost is only SOc each in clubs of five or more take down the chapel signboard. This (a dollar each for less than five subscriptions) and order was issued by the Japanese Ad­ twenty-four times a year the blessinq of your gift will visor to the Chief of Police in that renew itself. town. The reasons alleged were two: (1) In one of our tracts there was To each friend for whom you subscribe we will the text, Acts 4: 12, 'Neither is there send a Christmas greetinq card tellinq of your gift or. salvation in any other: for there is if you prefer. the cards will be sent to YOU to be siqned none other name under heaven given and mailed over your own siqnature. Make out your among men, whereby we must be saved.' This text was held to be un­ "Christmas Club" list today. We will qladly charqe U patriotic, because Manchuria is to be to your account if you would rather pay after the saved by faith in Japan, not by faith first of the year. But send in your list now. for Christ· in Jesus Christ. (2) It was claimed mas mails are alWayS slow. that the authorities had never given us permission to open a chapel in Taikang." 112 THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN opportunities to convert the untouch­ co-operatives; the organization of As a result of this rally it is con­ ables. cottage industries; introduction of fidently expected that a new church The Hindu caste system is social better methods of agriculture; wide­ will soon be organized in this key regimentation carried to its ultimate spread education. Says Dr. Jones: city of Pennsylvania. conclusion, and is visible in prohibi­ On Thursday, December 3rd, the The coming of the kingdom of God is tions on intermarriage between castes the one open door into a brotherhood of Rev. J. Gresham Machen, D.D., or eating, drinking and smoking with man for all men. Please note that we do Litt.D., and Mr. Rian assailed an­ members of other groups. The four not offer you a brotherhood of Christians other stronghold of the enemy by generally recognized castes of India only. The kingdom of God, as Jesus holding a successful rally in Trenton, taught it, extends the brotherhood to are the Brahmans or priests, the war­ man as man. N. J., plans for which had been ar­ riors, the husbandmen and the serfs. ranged by the Rev. Leslie A. Dunn. I f the caste system is radically modi­ Christians may judge conclusively It is hoped by many that down-town fied throughout India so as to permit of Dr. Jones' work in India by its Trenton, the capital of the state, will a greater measure of justice to the effect on a certain group of natives soon have a truly Presbyterian, truly suppressed millions it is likely that who said to a local missionary, "We evangelical church. the revolt of the lower classes will like Dr. Jones, for he would wel­ be effectively checked. come us to the Christian fold with­ The higher castes have so far out insisting upon our giving up our voiced no reaction to the recent proc­ Hinduism." lamation but some observers are of Dr. Jones is at present in the NEW CHURCH ORGANIZED the opinion that the Brahmans, re­ United States, speaking as one of the senting this innovation, will try to leaders in the widely publicized Na­ IN SOUTH PHILADELPHIA bring pressure to bear on the gov­ tional Preaching Mission of the Fed­ ernment in favor of the caste system. eral Council of the Churches of HE Atonement Presbyterian It is extremely unlikely that the Christ in America. TChurch of America, formed on Brahman will immediately break November 25th in south Philadelphia, bread with an untouchable. Pa., is the most recent applicant for admission to the Presbytery of Phila­ E. Stanley Jones and the delphia. The charter membership of "Kingdom of God" Movement TWO IMPORTANT RALLIES PAVE the church is twenty-one and two Meanwhile Dr. E. Stanley Jones is elders, George Doherty and Robert seeking to promote a movement in WAY FOR NEW CHURCHES H. Gordon, comprise the session. Dr. India that approximates the program Cornelius Van Til, of Westminster of Kagawa in Japan and is popularly T Harrisburg, Penna., on De­ Seminary, presided at the association known as the "kingdom of God" A cember 1st and at Trenton, N. J., meeting. movement. Dr. Jones is attempting on December 3rd leaders of The The membership of the new congre­ to solve the social problem of the de­ Presbyterian Church of America held gation is made up largely of former pressed classes or "outcastes" by the rallies of unusual significance. Both members of Grace Presbyterian gospel of Jesus. To him the gospel cities have hitherto lacked any pas­ Church who with their pastor, the Rev. of Jesus means what he ventures to tor or church that was truly sympa­ David Freeman, withdrew shortly designate as "the kingdom of God on thetic with the cause of true Presby­ after the Syracuse General Assem­ earth." terianism. Consequently, no construc­ bly. Mr. Freeman is now pastor of The following quotations from a tive work has ever been attempted, the New Covenant Church of West pamphlet by Dr. Jones show clearly and all doors have been effectively Philadelphia. The first meeting of the the modernist genius of his propa­ closed. group as a south Philadelphia unit g-anda: Through the efforts of the Rev. was held on October 11th, in the What, then, did He [Jesus] mean by Robert S. Marsden, who energeti­ Roosevelt Bank Hall. Mr. Francis A. "the kingdom of God on earth?" He did cally applied himself to the task of Schaeffer, a Westminster Seminary not mean that the kingdom of God was pulling door-bells, a group of true student, preached at both services. some state beyond the borders of this life Presbyterians were discovered who Services have been held each Sabbath into which we enter at death.... It was not a fold into which men run and are were anxious to lay plans for a new since then, and mid-week prayer safe, ticketed and labelled until Jesus church to be affiliated with The Pres­ meetings in the various homes have takes them home to heaven. . . . It is a byterian Church of America. been well attended. new order, founded on love, sharing, On December 1st, in the Penn­ The church, while at present small, good-will, co-operation and brotherhood. This higher order is the final order or Harris Hotel, about sixty persons from is healthy. All expenses have been goal for all mankind.... It is that order Harrisburg and vicinity gathered to met, and a small balance is on hand. which fulfills and completes the best de­ hear the Rev. Charles J. Woodbridge The newly organized congregation sires of all religions and races. It is the answer the question: "Why The Pres­ earnestly seeks the prayers of every­ completion of the salvation of mankind. byterian Church of America?" and one interested in The Presbyterian In summing up the matter, Dr. the Rev. Edwin H. Rian tell of "The Church of America. It also extends a Jones outlines a program for bring­ Presbyterian Church of America To­ very hearty invitation to all within ing about this kingdom of God, com­ day." Questions were freely asked the bounds of south Philadelphia to prising a long list of items such as and answered at the conclusion of the attend a church free from all en­ the following: the organization of addresses. tanglement with modern unbelief.

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