Octroser 15, 1900 “Besides this measure of union already attained, there are promising movements under way in England. All the great Protestant churches outside the Establishment have for some years had a strong federal organization, as we have several times pointed out. During several years past an attempt has been made to unite organically two of the Methodist bodies—the Princeton Methodists and the Bible Christians. Both are offshoots of the original Wesleyan parent stock, but separated from it on questions of church government.” CHRISTIAN THEORY AND PRACTICE CONTRARY The following is from The Orient, a Japanese journal: “Japan enjoys the unique distinction of being the only non-Christian power that has been admitted into what is called the comity of nations on a footing of perfect equality, and, to judge from the utterances of the European and American press she is by no means the least respected power. Unfortunately the cause of this respect is not such as to satisfy all Japanese. Japan has made great progress in the arts of peace; but that is not really why she is respected. That respect was earned in a short nine months by the achievements of the Japanese army and navy. Now that sort of thing is pleasing enough to a nation’s amour propre, but on calmly thinking the matter over some Japanese would wish that the respect of Western nations had been earned by something else than by mere proficiency in the art of slaughter conducted on modern scientific principles. Russia, too, is respected and feared. Yet she is the only non-constitutional country in the comity of nations. The liberty of the individual and of the ZION’S WATCH TOWER (307-308) press is under the tyranny of mere administrative orders in Russia, and official peculation is nearly as rife as in China. And this gives rise to strange misgivings. Are the so-called Christian nations really followers of the religious cult they so ostentatiously and proudly profess? . . “Without going so far with Count Tolstoi as to say that his rendering of the real meaning of Christianity is the correct one, we do go so far as to say that the precepts of the Sermon on the Mount are the most important in the so-called Christian code of morality. And these precepts, unquestionably, are against war, and all against according honor to any nation or any man on the mere grounds of success in the exercise of brute force, much less of success in slaughtering enemies. And yet it is precisely on these grounds that nonChristian Japan has been accorded the respect of so-called Christian Europe and America! “We can very well understand the old Hebrews respecting us for success in war, for the old Hebrew God was a God of battles. But we have always understood that the Christian Father in heaven was no mere tribal war-god, but a God of love. The present situation is not a little puzzling to us poor benighted heathens of Japan, who have earned the respect of those who profess to follow the precepts of Christ on the Mount, by success in slaughtering our enemies, and by that alone. Will real Christians kindly explain what it all means?” * * * In our “View” of last issue we made a typographical error, in stating that Terah, Abraham’s father, died at seventy. It should have read—two hundred and five years. THE CHRISTIAN’S GOAL THOUGHTS SUGGESTED BY THE CHICAGO CONVENTION Perfect love—the mark for the prize; How shall I reach it, O Lord? The way thou hast walked is a narrow way, So we read in thy precious Word. We eagerly start in the way with joy, Thinking our love is pure; But the Father, seeking our perfectness, Purgeth us more and more. Till, by dint of strokes and of tears Made to look back o’er bitter years Our hearts in anguish deep exclaim “Woe is me!” “Wretched man that I am!” We know that in us dwelleth no good thing, But in the Beloved do we stand; O glory and honor and praises to him Who holdeth us in his hand! Perfect love! O Lord can it be Thou in infinite mercy canst see In one so unworthy, so helpless as I, A heart that unto thee would draw nigh? Perfect love! Lord, can it really be Thou hast so loved and cared for me, That when in me did sin so abound Thy grace more abundant was found? Perfect love—the mark for the prize Thou hast placed beyond the skies! O yes, our dear Lord, we will patiently run, With our eyes on thee alone; Not looking back on the way we have come, Battles fought, and victories won; But forgetting those things which are behind Press along our reward to find. Perfect love—we do see it in him, Who gave his life, our poor lives to redeem; That we might as sons to our Father draw near, For in Jesus we’ve nothing to fear, As in the light of his glorious face We press to the end of the race; Standing complete in his Righteousness, He alone our perfect dress. SEASONS OF As the time for the Dallas, Texas, Convention drew near, it became evident that it would serve only a small proportion of the Texas friends who would desire to attend, and so arrangements were made for two other gatherings in that large State—about 300 miles apart;—namely at Houston and at San Antonio. And another local convention of nearby friends was held at Columbus, Ohio, on the Editor’s return trip. All were seasons of refreshment in spiritual things, profitable, we trust, to all who attended. At Dallas the attendance was about 300; from all parts of Texas, from Oklahoma, Indian Territory, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and California. The three days were practically one continuous meeting with necessary intermissions for food and rest. Fifteen brethren and seven sisters symbolized their real baptism into Christ’s death, by immersion in water. At Houston we had only a one-day meeting, but it was a good one; full of love, joy, fellowship of kindred minds; its influence will abide, with some at least, through life, yea throughout eternity, no doubt. The attendance was about one hundred and twenty-five, chiefly local. —Mr. C. A. OWEN. REFRESHING At San Antonio we had great refreshment during two days’ meeting with about one hundred and fifty of God’s dear people, mostly from local points. Two informed us that they had driven over one hundred miles in a wagon, there being no good railroad connections, and, anyway, the expense being a consideration. The Lord’s blessing was with us all in bountiful measure as we considered together the grandeur of our high calling, and the “mark” to which all must attain if they would win it. At Columbus we had but one day, but it was one full of refreshment, as we met about one hundred dear brethren and sisters from local points, and communed together concerning the exceeding great and precious promises and arrangements of God for the elect, and through them for all the families of the earth, in God’s due time. The arrangements at every point were most complete, and with the cordial reception accorded ourself and all visiting brethren, bespoke—amongst all—a “Love divine all love excelling.” We shall cherish fondly to the end of our pilgrimage the remembrance of the hearty greetings and many kind atten [2711]
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