Jury 15, 1905 THE DIVINE STANDPOINT Question—Please explain Rom. 4:17-—“God who... calleth those things which be not as though they were.” Answer.—The Apostle is discussing Abraham and God’s promises to him, one of which is, “I have made thee a father of many nations.” ‘The Apostle calls attention to the fact that Abraham, in this matter, was a type of God, and that these words, therefore, imply that many nations would hecome children of God. The thought is somewhat beclouded by the translation, “before him whom he believed.” If this were rendered, “foreshadowing him whom he believed,” or “typifying him whom he believed,” the thought would be clearer to many. The words concerning which you particularly enquire signify that God here as frequently in other places, speaks of things not yet accomplished as though they were accomplished. Abraham was not a father of many nations at the time, and God did not even refer to his natural seed, through Ishmael and Isaac, and the sons of Keturah, but referred to the seed, the antitypical son of Abraham, which ig Christ, ZION’S WATCH TOWER (221-227) the antitypical Isaac, and the church, the antitypical Rebecca, through whom during the Millennial age all the families of the earth will Fe blessed, and be granted opportunity for regeneration, as children of God. HOW ARE WE UNDER GOD’S PROTECTION? Question—How are we under divine care? How does the Lord’s protection come to us, his followers? Answer.—lIt is as new creatures and not as old creatures, according to the flesh, that we are reckoned members of the body of Christ, and under control and supervision of our Head. It follows, then, that the interests of the new creature are those which will have the Lord’s special care and protection—even though this be at the expense of his earthly, temporal, physical interests. The flesh is consecrated to death anyway, and our desire and the Lord’s promise is that the faithful consummation of that earthly sacrifice shall work out the far more exceeding and abundant honor and blessing to the new creature. In a word, then, the Lord’s special care toward us is in respect to our spiritual] interests, as members of the royal priesthood. THE TEMPLE GOD IS BUILDING “Of all the beautiful lessons With which God’s book is filled, This one, of wonderful sweetness, Hath most my being thrilled. Oh, wonderful care of the Father! Oh, wonderful love so free! To know that the Maker of all things Careth so much for me! “Tis said that the temple, so stately, That crowned Moriah’s hill, Was built without sound of hammer, The toilers working so still. Far off from the grand foundation Was all the noise and strain Of fitting one stone to another, From base to turret’s fane. “And when all were brought together, The stones of every size, The columns, so strong and graceful, Each in its place to rise— They formed so grand a temple As never before was seen; So true in its great proportions, So bright in its glittering sheen. “Yet there is a greater temple, And God is he who plans; Now gath’ring his stones together For his ‘house not made with hands,’ And each ‘living stone’ will be there, Which evermore, day by day, He’s fitting for this great temple, Which will last for ever and aye. “Our pains. temptations and perils, Our sufferings, sighs and tears, Are God’s chisels, tools and hammers, Until the Master appears. Let no one shrink from the process, Let none of the Lord’s complain; But wait with meek submission, "Twill not be long nor in vain.” Vout. XXVI ALLEGHENY, PA., AUGUST 1, 1905 No. 15 VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER UNION OF CHURCHES A move toward the formation of a federation of the Protestant churches of Cleveland, O., was taken yesterday morning at the Ministers’ union meeting, A paper was read by Dr, Paul F. Sutphen of the Second Presbyterian church, in which he presented an argument in behalf of unity among the churches on the basis of a federation similar to the relationship between the United States government and the States, the denominations to retain their names, but be members of a federation. Dr. Sutphen said that he thought the time was now ripe for the organization of such a federation. The paper was followed by a discussion. The views expressed by Dr. Sutphen met with approval and the ministers selected a committee of five, of which Dr. Sutphen is chairman, to look over the situation in Cleveland and ascertain whether or not an organization can be formed. The movement in Cleveland is similar to the movement which has been started to form an organization including all the Protestant denominations in the United States. At a meeting in New York next November delegates will meet to discuss the situation. It is expected that there will be 600 or 700 delegates at the meeting, over which President Roosevelt has been invited to preside.—Cleveland Plaindealer. * * * This is precisely what we suggested as the probable outcome of the “Union” movement,—a federation on the plan of the union of the several States in the United States of America. Denominations of kindred creeds and spirit may indeed unite absolutely, but federation alone will bring opposing creeds into accord. This is really a revival of “The Evangelical Alliance,” but it will include the Episcopal church and thus get the “life” mentioned by the Revelator. (Rev. 13:15) The proposal to have the chief executive of the nation preside at the meeting for proposed federation is significant of the close political alliance which will result. SEVENTEEN MILLION CHURCH MEMBERS TO FEDERATE We clip the following from the North American:— Long strides have been taken towards the practical federation of the Protestant churches of the United States. Fourteen denominations have already agreed to participate in the great conference to be held in New York City during November of this year. It is understood that the synods of the Lutheran church will vote to participate, and the Protestant Episcopal church, through its Committee on Unity, will do likewise. If these two denominations assent, seventeen millions of communicants will be represented. It will be the first time in the history of Christianity since the Reformation that such a unity has been realized. There will be no union along the lines of rules of faith or church organization, but there will be consolidation of effort in all the matters pertaining to the broad moral and national questions wpon which all sects can meet on a common basis. It will be a great church “trust,” in fact, if not in name. The leaders of the movement prefer to say they are adopting the national spirit; forming a union of denominations similar to the union of the States. But the spirit of consolidation of energy is predominant. One of them said yesterday: “In many of the general charities, and in scores of other ways, we are dividing our energies; we are accomplishing a minimum of good with a maximum of energy. It is clear that by such a federation as is proposed we can reverse the proposition.” An eminent clergyman, who has done more, perhaps, than any other person to bring this church unity, for which all sects [3601]
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