16
( Finally, the delegates recoITu~ended the formation of a permanent organization to combat modernism and evolution. As a result, in 1919, the World Christ- ian Fundamentals Association -was=- --ef-f'-rcially organized, with Dr. W. B. Riley as ifs President. Later they were able to organize branch conferences in the United Sates and Canada, thus arousing popular support and enthusiasm for an assault upon apostasy in Protestant churches. The World Christian Fundamentals Association continued for some time on the momentum generated in its formative years. Their 1920 Convention was perhaps the most significant in many ways. The President, Dr. Riley, set the tone in his keynote address, insisting upon an end to "infidelity" in the churches. In addition to adopting a doctrinal statement patterned after those of previous years, the delegates clarified the purpose of the organiz- ation. Any Bible Conference, school, church, or society could become a mem- ber of the Association provided it subscribed to their theological beliefs. The Association broadened the scope of its campaigns, and their activities reached at least twenty-five states and Canada. In due time the Association began to lose some of its momentum which was very -n9tic~able at its 1926 Convention in Toronto, Canada. At that time there was a definite shift of interests and emphasis from the battle with liberals to an anti-evolution campaign. In 1927 it received a new stimulus when some sister organizations, which had also lost their momentum, decided to merge with them. The merger of several organizations with the Association in 1927 gave it such a strong spirit of confidence that it prepared a series of resolut- ions outlining its grandiose assault upon evolution. They prepared a uni- form anti-evolution bill for presentation to the various State Legislatures, and requested that sponsors of fundamental measures clear such with the As- sociation before taking action in order to avoid diffusion of their conserv- ative power. They recommended that a standard propaganda line be followed
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter