The evangelization of the world is authorized by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We find it in the last commission. We must accept Christ's authority as supreme, and his last commission as final.

      God's purpose as respects man is his redemption; and to accomplish his redemption God has appointed the means, the way, the plan, and it is our duty to use the means, walk in the way and accept the plan. Note some of the essential considerations in the evangelization of the world.

      The gospel is declared to be "the power of God unto salvation unto every

JOHN L. BRANDT.

one that believeth." It is God's power to save man from sin, to change his nature, to introduce him into His kingdom, to adopt him into His family, to make him an heir of God, to give him victory over death and to give him everlasting life. Within this glorious gospel may be found the solution of every problem of society.

      There can be no substitution for the gospel of Christ in the evangelization of the world. Christ is the way, the life and the truth; no man cometh unto the Father save by him. He is the one only foundation. He is the only hope of glory. He is the door into the sheepfold, and if a man climb up any other way, he is a thief and a robber.

      The statesman may assume that human government is the balm of Gilead for the world's woes; yet all history demonstrates that this theory will not bring relief. The educator may claim a universal system of education as the remedy for vice, and may set self-culture as the chief glory of man. Has not vice in its most hideous forms existed in the midst of communities where the highest honor was paid to intellectual culture? The benefactor may lay claim to philanthropy as the efficient remedy for vice. I grant that well-directed charity may help to improve the general condition of man, but it will not save from sin.

      Jesus did not come as a statesman; yet he taught, "Render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and unto God the things that are God's." He did not come as a schoolmaster; yet in him was hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. He did not come as a philanthropist; yet he went about doing good.

      A divided church will never win the world to Christ. In union there is strength. In union Christ's prayer that we may be one is answered. In union there is the bond of peace and the unity of the Spirit. In union there is harmony with apostolic teaching--being of one mind and speaking the same thing. In union there is the word of God sufficient to make us wise unto salvation. In union there is one baptism. In union there is only one foundation, that of Christ Jesus. In union there is strength of organization, centralized, harmonious and well-directed effort. In union there is a holy zeal for Christ. In union there is a common faith, a united army and a combined effort in attacking the ramparts of heathenism.

      Various theories have been proposed for the union of God's people.

      Papal unity: But this would be a union on the Pope and not on Christ.

      The Lambeth Conference: But the proposition of the Historic Episcopate would receive an almost unanimous rejection.

      The Evangelical Alliance: But their propositions contain so many mental abstractions and doctrinal points, that [588] they could not be accepted as a common ground of union.

      The Creed Theory: But history has shown that every man-made creed has been tried and failed.

      The Spirit Theory, advocating unity of spirit, no matter how diverse in doctrine: But this is union in theory and not in fact.

      We turn from these theories and plans to the one Scriptural basis of union: faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Saviour of the world, the Center of light, faith and hope. This foundation has divine authority. It is simple and comprehensive; It makes one all that believe in Christ. Faith in Christ, obedience to Christ, loyalty to Christ, service to Christ--and outside of this, perfect liberty to follow the dictates of wisdom, love and expediency. When this bond of union is accepted, we shall accept the word of God as our rule of faith and practice. We shall use only authorized Scriptural names for God's people and God's church. Then faith in Christ will take the place of faith in creeds. Then Christianity will supplant dogmatism. Then we shall have one faith, one Lord, one baptism, one body, one spirit, one hope, one God.

      How may this union be hastened?

      Let the different religious families that hold much in common unite, and thus give encouragement to a general union of Christendom. Let God's people cease to misrepresent one another. Let there be special conferences upon the subject to draw us closer together. Let there be a hearty co-operation wherever possible in both home and foreign work. Let all of God's people pray for it. Let the conversion of the world be kept in mind, for it is in this direction that our hone of union lies. Let the gospel of Christ be preached in all its simplicity and power, as the salvation of man. If to save the world is the mission of the church, everything else should be subordinate. I know not what great reforms the church may accomplish in the years to come, but I do believe that the greatest victory of God's people will be their union in Christ. If the most striking event in the last century was the widespread influence of Christianity, we believe the most striking event of the present century will be the union of God's people. A united Christianity means the world for Christ.

      I do not decry organization. It is both necessary and expedient. There is a marked tendency toward organization and co-operation. Christ organized a company of twelve apostles to carry on his work. The church is a complete organization with its members, officers and order of worship. Paul exhorted the brethren to do everything decently and

JAMES SMALL.

in order. Organization, therefore, is needed to develop the talents, control and direct the labors of the church. But, in evangelizing the world, there would be utter failure if we depended upon organization. The need of personal responsibility and activity is most marked.

      1. Observe, then, as regards the personal element, Personal Consecration. The Christian must get his heart right with God. Judgment must begin at the house of God. The church must cleanse itself. The members must don the white robes of righteousness. There must be the assurance of personal salvation in order to win souls. Nothing convicts like conviction. Faith produces faith. To pull a drowning man out of the water, one must have a sure footing. Jesus said to Peter, "When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." The one who would bring others to Christ must turn away from sin and selfishness and yield the whole heart to Christ. Without this fire in the individual heart, there will be no kindling of the fires of evangelism, either in the pulpit or in the pew.

      2. Personal Prayer. Prayer is needed to turn people to righteousness. The word of God teaches the efficacy of prayer. Christ taught us to pray to the Lord to send laborers into the whitening harvest. "Whatsoever ye ask in my name ye will receive." "Whatsoever ye ask [589] believing ye shall receive." "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." God promises to hear before we call upon him.

      Every Christian should go to God in prayer for the salvation of souls, for the laborers in the field at home and abroad and for success to attend his own efforts in winning men to Christ.

      I do not decry the special evangelistic meetings, for they bring many blessings. They revive the church, quicken into activity her dormant powers, and awaken her to her divinely appointed mission. The gospel meeting is needed to attract those not reached by the regularly conducted work in the church, to gather into the kingdom those that are near and to strengthen the church by the addition of new recruits.

      But it would be a great calamity if all evangelizing was confined to the special campaign. I freely admit that the church began with a revival, that it has been blessed with revivals and will ever need the power of special meetings to produce great and deep convictions; yet I am as fully persuaded that personal service in saving souls must be more and more taught and practiced.

      The great work of the church of to-day is to enlist every member in the heavenly appointed work of winning souls to Christ. Christ's commands require personal effort. His example requires it. He associated with publicans and sinners, and by that association transformed them. There are nineteen private interviews in the New Testament between Christ and individuals. Christ's salvation is personal. He tasted death for every man. Christ loved me and gave himself for me. He has given to every one his work. He has assigned a mission for the man of one talent. He has declared that every one of us shall give an account of himself to God.

      In conclusion, considering the past history, the present activity and the encouraging outlook of the Disciples of Christ, it seems to me it is incumbent upon us, more than any other religious body, to take the foremost place in the conversion of the world. We have the plea, we have the enterprise, we have the evangelistic spirit, we have the resources, we have the numbers, we have the young men and women of talent. What a grand opportunity and awful responsibility! The hour has come when the church must awake to the necessity of preaching the glorious gospel of Christ, uniting all our forces and enlisting every individual in this conquest for the Lord.

      Hymn: "Where He Leads Me, I Will Follow."

      A motion was made and carried that we have a nominating committee, and a committee on recommendations to work in conjunction with the American Christian Missionary Society.

      A motion was made and carried that a committee be appointed, among the singing evangelists to confer with the different program committees for our next Convention concerning music.

      The Chairman introduced Herbert Yeuell.

[CCR 588-590]