June 1930
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K i n g ’ s
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Propaganda or Prayer —Jffih ECLINE in church membership is causing anxiety to some of the larger denominations. The Methodist Episcopal Church (North) reports a loss of over 56,000 members in 1929. In an jraaigj?' attempt to recoup their losses and to again press iii-C forward in aggressive work, it is proposed that a special fund of $10,000,000.00 be raised for mission work at home and abroad. This causes the Presbyterian of the South to remark: This is the largest fund the raising of which has been at tempted by any church for mission purposes. We cannot help wondering whether a campaign to increase the spiritual life of the church would not accomplish better results. The Presbyterian quotes the above, expressing agree ment with its sentiment and adding comment of its own as follows: More and more it seems that church people think that a committee, a fund of money, a .great plan for propaganda will revive true spiritual and religious interests. We do not believe it. We may pile up money in abundance, have committees made up of great and impressive names and plans that are wise and widespread, but without the aid of the Holy Spirit the awakening will not come. Prayer, fasting, devotion, let us try them for a change. —O— Andover Seminary T HE Andover question is still awaiting settlement, When the Massachusetts Supreme Court decided that the Andover endowment funds could not be used by a school which did not subscribe to the old Andover Creed, conservatives thought that a great victory had been won. The control of Unitarian Harvard University over And over appeared to be broken. A number of conservative schools at once made a bid for the Seminary, expressing their ability and willingness to reorganize the school on its old theological foundations. These approaches were promptly repulsed by the trustees of Andover who were evidently bent on defying or evading the mandate of the court. Their latest proposition is to form a partnership with Newton Theological Seminary, a Baptist school which is so “liberal” that it has the hearty commendation and support of New England Unitarians. The practical effect of such a union, if it is effected, is described in the Watchman Examiner by Ernest Gordon. It is an inter esting sequel to the story of the looting of Andover which is hold by Mr. Gordon in his book, “The Leaven of the Sadducees.” Mr. Gordon says: The plan is to link Andover with Newton. But Newton is already affiliated with the Harvard Theological School, an essentially Unitarian institution . . . If the Andover-Newton merger is to be allowed, Andover would retain its building at Harvard, and Newton students would go there for certain courses. Unless it. is proposed to eject the Harvard. Theological School from its present residence in Andover Hall, all three seminaries would occupy the same building and by exchange of professors and similar courtesies would be very close ,to one
institution, practically if not legally. Here would be a situation even more satisfactory to Harvard Unitarians than when And over and Harvard alone were united in a single institution. And the wishes of those who founded Newton would be as little con sidered as those who sought so carefully to protect Andover from Unitarianism. The Christian Science Censor T)UBLISHERS of religious literature have during the last quarter century been rudely awakened to a sense of the power of the system known as Christian Science. Numbering less than two-tenths of one percent, of the population of the land, the members of this cult have been able to practically suppress or to at least make ineffective all unfavorable publications regarding Mrs. Eddy, and the religion she taught. The secret of this power is found in the organization that Mrs. Eddy built. While she lived she had more power than a Pope. Since her death all authority centers in the Mother Church in Boston, all other Christian Science churches being simply branches. The business of the Mother Church is controlled by a self-perpetuating Board of Directors of five members. This Board appoints a Committee on Publication, “which shall consist of one loyal Christian Scientist who lives in Boston, and he shall be the manager of the committees on publication through out the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Ire land.” Thus the publicity organization is practically under the complete control of one man. He is plentifully sup plied with funds. Through his State and local committees he is able to keep in contact with conditions throughout the land. Whenever any book or magazine article or radio talk displeases the Christian Scientists, the organi zation gets busy. By boycotts, by threats, by withdrawal of business, by lobbying activities, etc., pressure is brought to bear, with the result that statements that would offend the Christian Scientists have been largely silenced, while Christian Science propaganda has been given wide pub licity. No kind of publication has been exempt. The public is familiar with the controversy now on between' Charles Scribner’s Sons, Publishers, and Christian Science. The Brethren Evangelist has also incurred their displeasure through an article on the signs of the times written by Alva J. McClain. The editor of the Evangelist refused the Christian Science committee the privilege of their columns to answer Mr. McClain, and has been threatened with a law spit unless he backs down. Editorial Announcement T HE Circulation Department reports a net gain of 1200 names on the subscription list of T h e K ing ’ s B u si ness during April. This happy result is due largely to the efforts of satisfied readers, who without being urged become zealous and active agents of the magazine. Are you one of them ?
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