THE STRENGTH OF THE CHURCH.
By W. E. Howell
IN its issue of May 10 the Northwestern Christian Advocate quotes the following from the Inter-Ocean on the closing of the World’s Fair gates on Sunday:— They [the church people of this country] have shown themselves strong, and are entitled to respect. They were strong enough to induce Congress to make it a part of the law of the land that the World’s Fair should not be opened on Sunday.
What is this boasted strength of the church which professes Christ to be its leader? Is it the power with which Christ promised it should be endued from on high? The last part of the quotation reveals the whole truth in the case: “They were strong enough to induce Congress to make it a part of the law of the land that the World’s Fair should not be opened on Sunday.” Ah! power in civil matters, is it—civil power? Whence came it? From their avowed Leader? Does he bestow civil power on his church to carry forward its work?—“The Lord will give strength unto his people.” Ps. 29:11. What kind of strength is this? Is it civil?—“God is our . . . strength.” Ps. 46:1. “Thou shalt call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21. This shows the nature of that strength which the church should possess. The church is the ordained instrument of God to proclaim salvation. “O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation.” Ps. 140:7. Is civil power power unto salvation? If not, then the church has no business to have anything to do with it. The power, or strength, of the church is the “gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” Rom. 1:16. The State cannot give that which it has not; therefore it cannot bestow upon the church that power which is unto salvation. What is the only reason the church seeks for civil power?—It is because it realizes a lack of power in its work. Has God told the church that the resource of its strength is the civil power? “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” Isa. 40:29. Here is the resort of the church if it feels a lack of strength. Even if the State could give the right kind of power to the church, the Bible tells us that “wisdom is better than strength.” Eccl. 9:16. Can the State bestow wisdom? “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God; . . . and it shall be given him.” James 1:5. And for the benefit of those who are so enthusiastic as to threaten the use of armed troops to enforce the decrees which the church has made through the civil power, the Bible tells us also that “wisdom is better than weapons of war.” Eccl. 9:18.