Excerpt from The Witnessing Church: In Its Relation to Church Union, Civil Government, and Temperance Reform in Its Political Aspects

This book is practically a series of sermons de livered in the pulpit of the Third Church by the author. The subjects are deeply interesting, as they are of great importance just now. The question of church union is attracting wide attention and promises to be of special public interest for years to come. The question of dissent and protest demands just now special attention within the denomination. The undermining forces are active and persistent. They wish to surrender up the denomination. The question of voting for amendments has, it is true, been de termined by Synod in the affirmative. But to vote is believed by many in the denomination to be a giving up of dissent and protest. It appears that some voted for such decision in the interests of liber alism, and now demand that the church take a fur ther step. Moreover, the decision puts the denomi nation in a position so metaphysical that devout Christians 1n Slster churches, who are able to see a point if there is any, declare their inability to under stand the hair-splitting distinctions upon which the de nomination founds its right to separate denominational existence. This differs widely from the former position occupied by the church; it was clearly seen, but not believed. The resolution passed by Synod is believedto put the church in a wrong light before the world; subjects it to some ridicule; is made the stepping stone to greater wrongs; and should be recalled. To say to candidate for membership that there are some votes you can cast and other votes you cannot cast; that the one is a recognition of the government while the other is not; that he should go and cast the one and hold up his hands and swear before God that he who casts the other is sinning against heaven and against the light, would appear to be an invita tion to sensible candidates to escape away from such Court of God's House as soon as possible. Furthermore, liberalism seems to be in the air. Old landmarks are being forsaken. Old doctrines are being repudiated. What will please the world? Seems to be asked everywhere. The trend of the Christian Church is not out into the light. The ten deney is back toward Rome. These influences are insidious and treacherous. In the midst of all these evils, this breaking up, this breaking away, the voice of our beloved Lord should be the more earnestly heeded: Stand in the way, and see, and ask for the old paths, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. If the following pages shall be of comfort and assistance to one humble servant of God, they shall not have been sent in vain. And all the glory be to.

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