From the very beginning of America's history, Christianity has been vitally connected with it. When Columbus landed on the little island of the West Indies, the first thing he did was to set up a banner upon which was the cross. In the colonization of America, Christianity was an important factor. At the time Columbus made his discovery Europe was Catholic, and, had the early attempts at colonization been successful, this country would doubtless be Catholic to-day. But under the providence of God, more than a century passed before successful colonies were planted in America, and during that [212] time the German Reformation had swept over Europe, and the nations which were to take the lead in colonization had become Protestant. Christianity is vitally connected with the entire history of the American colonies. Bancroft, the great historian, says: "Our fathers were not only Christians, but almost universally they were Protestants. . . . The colonists from Maine to Carolina all had faith in God and in the soul."

      During that period when the colonies were merged into a nation, Christianity was in the forefront. When the representatives of the American colonies issued the Declaration of Independence, they appealed to the "Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of their intentions." When they pledged to each other their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor, it was "with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence." When the American colonies sent forth their army, they called upon the God of armies to be their leader. In the Constitutional Convention, it was Benjamin Franklin who pointed out the need of divine guidance.

      When the Constitution had been adopted and George Washington took the oath of office as the first President, it was with his hand upon the open Bible. There was no doubt in the mind of our first President about the relation of Christianity to the early development of America. "No people can be found," said he, "to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of man, more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency."

      Since the days of Washington our country has passed through many changes. It has grown from a narrow strip along the Atlantic seaboard to a great nation, stretching from ocean to ocean. Its three million have become almost a hundred million, and the country that was bankrupt has become the wealthiest nation on the globe. America has become one of the greatest nations of modern times. Its wealth is almost boundless, but its greatness does not consist in this alone. Its armies have been successful and it has never been compelled to sue for peace, but its greatness does not consist in this alone. Its citizens have been proud of their country and have never been slow to sing its praises, but its greatness does not consist in this alone.

      The greatness of America is in the Christian character of its citizens. During all its history it has kept Christianity

A. W. FORTUNE.

in the forefront. Of course we have sometimes been so intoxicated by prosperity that we have apparently forgotten God; but this has only been for the passing hour, and, notwithstanding our shortcomings, this country, which was discovered and colonized through religious impulses, has all down through its history been as true to God as any nation that has ever existed. The most influential men of State and nation are men who honor God. Our society is permeated by Christian principles. Our homes, our educational system, our courts, in fact, our whole social structure, rests upon it. America is a Christian nation, and if it were possible to blot all Christian influences out of American life, it would be left barren indeed.

      As Christian Americans, we rejoice in the position which our country has accorded to Christianity. We rejoice in the position which Christianity holds in our life to-day. But a careful study of some of the problems that are confronting us makes us anxious about the future. America has not yet reached the summit of its development. Judging the future by the past, there are undreamed-of heights ahead of us. We are just beginning to develop our natural resources, and there are great States yet to be peopled. Our industries are vast, yet who knows but they are still in their infancy. Our public schools and colleges are second to none, but they will undoubtedly be discounted by those of the future. Situated [213] between the old civilization of Europe and he new civilization of Asia, this continent is providentially destined to have wonderful development during the next century. Has the church enough vitality to keep pace with this development? If so, the future will be bright, but, if not, it will be fraught with perils.

      There are many forces at work in this country which are to determine its development, and there are three of these which seem to be of supreme importance. The first of these is the opening of the new West. The recent system of irrigation has transformed the desert into beautiful farms, and the construction of railroads has opened them to the world. Multitudes from the East are pouring into the Northwest and the Southwest, and new empires are being formed. The place that is now given to Christianity in these new countries will determine what place it shall hold during the next century.

      The second of these forces which are to determine the development of the future is the foreign immigrants. The number and character of these immigrants have made this a new problem. Each year a million foreigners land upon our shores, and the number is increasing with the passing of the years. These foreigners bring with them the manners and customs of the Old World and they must be conquered by American civilization, or they will conquer us. Foreign immigration is a real problem to-day, and it is one which will be difficult to settle by legislation. The church, by teaching Christian patriotism, must help to solve the problem.

      The third of these forces which are to determine the future development of America, is the great cities. Practically all the problems which confront American life center in the cities. If America is to have a bright future, our great cities must be redeemed, because they are soon to be the dominant power. Education and religion have won their greatest triumphs in the cities, but here they come face to face with numerous antagonists. In the foreign colonies in the great cities the dangers of immigration are most manifest. The lockouts and strikes indicate the seriousness of industrial conditions in these great centers. It is in the cities where there is the worst poverty. It is in the cities where the homes are in the greatest danger. In these great cities there are a thousand influences which tend to destroy American manhood. Some of the darkest spots on the face of the globe are to be found in this Christian land. There is deep-seated corruption in the political, commercial and social life of the cities, and even the church is breathing the poisoned air of a debased commercialism. Jesus wept over Jerusalem, and we can well weep over the great cities of to-day which are threatening the future of our republic.

      While I am conscious of the dangers threatening our nation, yet I have faith in America's future. There is a tree whose leaves are for the healing of the nations, and I believe this tree will spread its branches into every part of our land. I have enough confidence in the church of God to believe it will soon realize its responsibility to America. Society naturally looks to the church to help solve America's problems, and it will not look in vain.

      The Disciples of Christ, more than any other people, are obligated to America. This movement was American in its origin, and it was doubtless influenced by the American spirit. It is here where it has had most of its growth, and it is peculiarly adapted to American life. Some of the other churches may neglect America, but we dare not. The greatest work before the Disciples is that of American missions, and I have enough confidence in my brethren to believe that we will not be negligent of this duty. I believe this religious body, which came into existence at the beginning of our national life, and has grown up with the nation, will do its part to help keep America true to its Christian ideals.

      During our second century we can render our greatest service to America by placing a new emphasis upon our fundamental plea. The Disciples should take such an unselfish step, in their effort to make practical the plea for Christian union, that all of God's people will fall into line. The Christian conquest of America will never be accomplished by a divided church. No single denomination is big enough to grapple [214] successfully with the problems confronting America. The work is too great for the churches, working independently, and if we continue the independent denominational policy of the past, we can hope to make but little progress in the face of the opposing forces. But if the church unites its energies, the hour has come to demonstrate its supreme power.

      Because of denominational difference we are being forced to abandon the downtown districts where the gospel is the most needed. In the Thirteenth Ward in the city of Boston, there are twenty-six thousand people without a church, while in the Eleventh Ward, which is the aristocratic Back Bay District, there are only twenty-five thousand people with thirty-three churches. All the great cities reveal similar conditions; and if we do the Lord's work, we must unite our forces and go back and reclaim these needy districts.

      A united church would mean the Christianizing of the new States without any wasting of material. A united church would mean the Christianizing of the foreigners in our cities, and nothing but a united church can accomplish that task. The time has come when we must seriously attempt to evangelize the foreigners in our midst, or we must cease our attempts to evangelize them abroad. A united church would mean the reconquest of abandoned sections of our great cities. A united church would be the solution of the religious problem of the rural districts, and it would do much to help solve the great social problems of our time.

      The church originated in Asia; in Europe it became divided into various denominations, and it remains for America to show to the world the example of a church that has been reunited. What body of Christians is better prepared than the Disciples of Christ to lead in such a movement?

      America has been called the land of opportunities, and the supreme opportunity before the American church at the present time is to make real the prayer of our Lord for union. Alexander Hamilton said: "It is ours either to be the grave in which the hopes of the world shall be entombed, or the pillar of cloud which shall pilot the race onward to millennial glory." If the gospel fails to win America, it is folly to try to Christianize the pagan lands; and if the church can not unite here, it is useless to try to unite it anywhere. But the land which is uniting representatives of all the nations of the globe under one government, can unite the followers of all creeds under one Christ, and a united American church would truly become a pillar of cloud to pilot the race onward to God.

      Selfishness and pride have ever stood in the way of human progress. Denominational differences are the greatest hindrances to the religious development of America, and denominational selfishness and pride are the greatest hindrances to Christian union. Perhaps the Disciples are not entirely free from this sin. We are beginning to place much stress upon numbers, and to boast of the great things we have accomplished. Denominational selfishness has sometimes controlled our policies. Our missionary boards have sometimes been too careful about the return on investments, and hence have many times neglected the most important mission fields in order that they might report self-supporting churches. The time has come when for the sake of a Christianized America we must be governed by unselfish motives. We must do our part with the other churches to help win the foreigners at Ellis Island, if there is never a dollar returned on the investment. We must do our part to help Christianize the foreign colonies in the great cities if there is never a self-supporting church that comes from our efforts. We must think less about becoming a great religious body and more about helping to advance the kingdom of God. When we become so unselfish that we shall forget ourselves, then God can use us to help fulfill the great plea we have been making; and when that plea for Christian union has been fulfilled, Christianity will dominate our nation as it never has before. The Disciples of Christ have had an important part in helping to make America what it is. As we enter our second century may it be with an unselfish desire to be used of God in the way that will mean the most, not only for the development of America, but for the development of the race. [215]

[CCR 212-215]