Martyrs’ Monument in Greyfriars Grave yard is a silent testimony to the cour age of those gallant followers of Jesus Christ, the seventeenth century Cove nanters. Near Glasgow, in the village of Blantyre on the banks of the Clyde, David Livingstone spent his boyhood and today a national shrine to his memory graces the spot. Patrick Hamilton, Rob ert Murray McCheyne, Mary Slessor of Calabar, to mention only a few, were Scotland’s gift to the Church of Jesus Christ. What a tremendous spiritual heritage the Scottish Church has! But the church cannot live on her spiritual heritage and that is what the church in Scotland is trying to do today. The result is that she has lost her in fluence to a large degree, especially over the masses. The laboring classes are for the most part unchurched and even more serious is the fact that there is very little aggressive evangelism going on among them. The Church in America, although not blessed with such a rich spiritual herit age, faces a similar danger, the danger of theological ossification. The faith of our fathers must not be something merely to honor, revere and defend. It must be our faith too—a present, living and dynamic faith for us as it was for them. And every succeeding generation must experience this faith for itself and accept the challenge of the Lord Jesus Christ anew, “ Go ye . . . and preach the gospel.” W. W. W. GOD’ S CALL If God calls you to His service, You must hear and heed His call, For the only joy worth having Comes from giving Him your all; If you want to know true blessing, Then obey His blest commands, If He sends you, go rejoicing Even to far distant lands. When He calls you, don’t be looking Back at chances you've turned down, Chances for this world’s great riches, Fame, or honor, or renown,- All these things are for a moment, But His glory is for aye, And if you will do His bidding, You will know His joy alway. Has God called you to His service? Go then to earth’s farthest lands, Take the message of redemption, It will break the sinner’s bands. When He calls you, go rejoicing, Heed not any tempting thing,- When He calls you to His service, Do not stoop to be a king! — J. Russell Davis Page Five
whom Christ died. God has stirred up the hearts of His children to leave the home land and journey into that country in order that the banner of Christ might be lifted up. Victory will come eventually as the people of God lay hold on Him in believing intercession and pray down upon these brave servants the eventual victory. Trends of the Times T HE student of the Word of God is the only true statesman today be cause he alone knows the meaning of con temporary world trends. As the Christian studies his Bible, he discovers that the first half of the twentieth century is the most remarkable period since the close of the Apostolic era. Approximately eigh teen prophecies of the Word of God be gan their unfolding at the turn of the century! These developments seem rapid ly to be pushing to complete fulfillment. Among the trends of the present time of deep significance to the student o± prophecy is the regathering and estab lishment of Israel in Palestine. Next in order for Israel will be the complete jurisdiction over Jerusalem, the destruc tion of the Mosque of Omar, the build ing of a great temple and the re-estab lishment of their ancient worship. This generation now living will probably wit ness these thrilling events. Another trend to watch is the rise of Russia and her increasing interest in the Holy Land. Ezekiel 38-39 describe her invasion of Palestine. At that time God will make an open spectacle of “ Gog” and will bring Russia to her knees militarily and politically. Another most significant de velopment is that of world government. The present UNO is the shadow of the coming coalition of nations under anti christ. The Christian also keeps his eye on the rise of Romanism in the West, and the gradual formation of a semi state Catholic Church in the United States. These trends and others cause the Bible believer to expect the Rapture at any moment. Let us be ready to meet Him when He comes! C. J. P. the friendliness of the people and the beauty of the landscape. The conserva tive (except on Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year’s eve!) Scot is warmhearted and, contrary to popular opinion, gen erous! The mountains, “bens” as they call them, the fragrant heather, the deep blue lochs and white rushing streams are beautiful almost beyond compare. The religious atmosphere too is im pressive. Everywhere one goes in Scot land he is reminded of her great Chris tian heritage. In Edinburgh there is the house of John Knox on the High Street and St. Giles Cathedral from whose pul pit the great reformer scathingly de nounced the excesses of his day. The Impressions of Scotland O NE cannot fail to be impressed upon arrival in “ Bonnie Scotland” with
the persecution of Protestants in Colom bia and appealing to them to voice their opinion to the International Roman Catholic authorities to stop this. When this ad reached the desk of the editor to clear for publication the ques tion was asked why this type of informa tion had not been submitted before and the reply was that much had been sub mitted but never was able to get beyond the city editor’s desk. The result was that the Evening Star printed a three- column spread oil the evening of Satur day, January 19, calling attention to this entire matter. Highlights of this article show that more than 100 Protestant congregations have ceased to function as a result of persecution since late in 1948. One Amer ican missionary has been killed, some beaten and jailed and many forced to flee from the missions in Colombia. A former Washington girl, Miss Marjory Jones, fled to another section of Colom bia after an attempt was made to dyna mite a mission she was operating. Our own State Department officials report that numerous informal protests have been made to Colombian officials over the last few years which have brought assurances of renewed efforts to enforce Colombia’s constitutional guar antee of freedom of worship but with very little direct action. Late in December a beautiful new building of the Southern Baptist Church in Bogota was stoned by a mob assem bled by the neighboring priest by means of loud speakers from his church. This was on the eve of the dedication of this new Baptist church. The Honorable Capus Waynick, U. S. Ambassador, witnessed this action and appealed for police inter vention. The next day, called by the au thorities of their church, Roman Catho lics assembled to make a demonstration of their faith in front of the wrecked church and the few remaining stained glass windows were shattered. Over one hundred and thirty windows were broken. Other United States officials witnessed this second disturbance. It has long been understood that a principle of Roman Catholic operation is that the end justifies the means. In other words, as long as their church was be ing advanced, nothing should stand in the way. Fortunately, in our own beloved land of America, there is a Protestant majority which forces the Roman Catho lic operations to be held down to lawful procedure. In other countries where there is a Catholic dominance, the situation is wholly different. Persecution, harass ment and even death are not unusual or unlikely in order that the end desired be secured. However, in many cases, the Catholics have overstepped and the force of public opinion has caused them to withdraw. This may happen in Co lombia. All of this leads us to remember the work of Protestants in this country to the south of us. There are many souls there in the bonds of superstition and false religion. These souls are those for M A R C H , 1 9 5 2
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