October 1927
619
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
Christians who have injured one another must confess to those toward whom they have been unjust? When the matter has been of a public nature, confession should certainly be publicly made, so as to undo the mischief so far as possible. Above all, the matter should be sealed by prayer! In spite of these plain teachings how often Christian leaders have publicly made statements or written articles against their brethren—statements which have wrought untold injury not only to individuals but the work of God on a wide scale—and even when shown to have been in the wrong, have never made a move to confess o r make restitution. Some men in high positions have been famous for riding rough shod over others, and often it has seemed that they have grown fat on the injuries they have done. Our Lord views things very differently. A sad day of reckoning must come for every Christian who fails to play square with his fellow man. Matt. 5 :23, 24 states a fundamental of Christian living which all Christians should seriously ponder. ¿Wi. ¿Me. m? w? Keswick (Written by the Editor, who was in attendance ) T O the average tourist the word “Keswick” suggests one of the most beautiful bits of lake and mountain scenery in Great Britain, and for that matter in the whole world. It is quite worth the journey there to see it. To the literary man the region suggests poetry and art, for here Ruskin, Southey and Wordsworth got their inspira tion and in turn immortalized its picturesque waterfalls and lakes in letters. But to the Evangelical Christian, Keswick stands for religious inspiration and helpfulness —for the art that makes men and kindles the song of heaven in their hearts. Tired, discouraged and defeated Christian workers from all over the world have come to the peaceful shores of Derwent Water to discover that we need not live a dis satisfied and defeated life, and to find the secret of power that sent them back to the sacred task new men and effective workers. “The Keswick Convention,” which has been meeting here in tents for more than fifty years, is the secret of this religious interest and romance. There is nothing like it, so far as we know, for religious gatherings anywhere in the world. We have tried to get something like it in this country and, with this in mind, have invited recognized “Keswick speakers,” thinking that they would do for us what is done in Keswick from year to year. Nothing could be more futile than this. A few outstanding speakers do not make Keswick—it is a life and atmosphere created by earnest prayer and the spirit of expectation and faith on the part of groups of people who gather together during the Con vention in what is known among them as “house parties.” One of the most impressive and illuminating things about Keswick is that the speakers count for but compar atively little in what happens there. No speaker was ex ploited and no men were lauded so as to create a desire on the part of the people to hear them. Bible readings and meetings were announced at certain hours, and the people crowded to the great tent by the thousands to hear a message from God, not knowing through whom it was to be brought. A different man spoke at each hour and different men spoke at different hours when they spoke more than once during the week. Every man was given close attention and each man seemed earnestly desirous to help the yearning hearts which quietly waited upon his ministry. Indeed, some of the men were so anxious
true. He has asked forgiveness and received it. He has offered to make restitution so far as possible. There are, of course, many ready to suggest the motives behind Mr. Ford’s confession, and we do. not say that we are altogether satisfied with some phases of it. By saying that he was wholly unaware of the details of these articles which not only appeared for several years in his paper but had been printed in book form in many languages, to say nothing of the protests which must have been directed to Mr. Ford from all parts of the world, he puts himself in the position of never having read his own paper or !any other paper or magazine which com ments upon the news, or even his sown; ^correspondence. Furthermore, it'may not be considered particularly sport ing in Mr. Ford to lay all the blame upon his subordinate, the managing editor of the paper. In spite of all this, Mr. Ford has owned up to the entire world that he sinned against the Jewish race, and wants to be forgiven. “I deem it my duty as an honorable man,” he said, “to make amends for the wrong done to the Jews as fellow men.” The American Hebrew says in an editorial that any man who writes such words, “must be accepted as a true repentant. His statement breathes honesty and sincerity, no matter how the cynic may rationalize the motives be hind it. We forgive and will seek to forget.” Thus, both parties in the matter have shown a commendable spirit and the whole situation should bring to the minds of Christians the fact that those who profess to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ are often failing to reveal the spirit that has been shown by these men who make no special profession as students of the New Testament. If there is one thing our Lord clearly taught, it is the obligation of the Christian to carefully preserve Christian love and peace toward his brothers, and that if, at any time, a breach comes about in which he finds himself at fault, he will not only labor for a reconciliation but will hasten to confess that he was in the wrong. It is hum bling business to have to go to a brother whom we have wronged and beg his pardon and make restitution. It is not easy for a great man to "do such a thing, but according to the Lord’s words in Matt. 5 :23, 24 (words which He Himself declares were directed to “whosoever” and “everyone,” Chapter 7 :24,26), it is essential to the enjoy ment of real communion with Him and certainly to the progress of God’s work. It has been said that if one has wronged another, the shortest way for him to get to the Throne of God for him self is to go around by his brother’s house and make things right. “I f thou bring thy g ift to the altar” said the Master, “and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy g ift before the altar and go thy way. First be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer < thy g i f t It is implied that the brother has some ground for being offended; that some injury has been done, either real or in his apprehension. In either case, one’s duty is the same toward another who is known to be offended. We are to make short work of it. It is empty form to approach solemnly to God’s altar in prayer and to stand before the church as one who does the will of God, when we refuse to right the wrong we know we have done. The offended party is directed also to make short work of it by prompt forgiveness (Mark 11:25). Our religious exercises are not pleasing to God and He cannot bless us as He desires when malice and uncharitableness hold us in control. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another” (Jas. 5:16). What does this mean if not that
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