a post-election MEDITATION The 1960 Presidential election is now a matter of rec ord. If the issues involved in it had been merely a matter of partisan politics, one would have not be inclined to take the matter too seriously, or to engage in a post-elec tion meditation. But this was not an ordinary political campaign. Principles were at stake which strike at the very roots of the American way of life, and consequent ly the results of the election are deeply disturbing. For the first time in American history the White House will be occupied by a man who, by his upbringing and personal conviction, is pledged to a foreign power as dictatorial in its ideology as any type of government that has ever been in existence. Nor is this merely a dictatorship in the realm of the spirit. Actually, it is a dictatorship both spiritual and temporal. Abundant evidence for this is available in papal proclamations, in statements of canon law, in repeated experiences of many nations during the last several hundreds of years of their history. It is devoutly hoped that for the next four yea;rs the welfare of the coun try, as promised, will be paramount in the thinking, plan ning and decision-making of the President-elect. However, this new political situation in the United States is not by any means the only cause for concern on the part of born-again Christians. An even greater reason for anxiety is the light-hearted attitude displayed by so many Protestant citizens toward the serious issues involved in this election. It is perfectly evident that victory was obtained for the Democratic candidate because a great many Protestants voted according to their political affili ations rather than in line with their so-called religious convictions. So it is obvious that Protestantism in the United States is in a sadly decadent condition. Has it been forgotten that the very word "Protestant" was born out of the vigorous protests of individuals who opposed the inroads of the Roman Catholic Church into the privacy of their hearts, consciences, convictions and conduct? Our fore fathers in other lands deliberately and determinedly threw off the yoke of bondage, repudiating any connection what ever with this religio-political system. This attitude of Protestantism in the United States has been unshaken for nearly two centuries. Even as late as 1928, Protestants of this country— whatever their political affiliation— res olutely refused to allow anyone connected with this foreign power to occupy the office of President of the United States. But evidently during the past thirty-two years a tragic change has taken place. When the Roman Catholic Church urged their adherents to vote for John F. Kennedy, it was labeled as merely "expres sing one's convictions. " But when Protestants spoke out in person or in print, advocating the election of a Protestant rather than a Catholic president, that was described as "religious bigotry." And, amazing as it may seem, this charge was not made by Catholics alone, but also by fellow- Protestants, members of Protestant churches. However, the Protestant laity should not be blamed too much. It is else where the responsibility lies. This situation points up an extremely grave condition that exists in Protestant ranks today. It is this: Denominational leaders and ministers have departed from the faith to such an extent that they are no longer acquainting their congregations with the great
P H IL KERR "Music in Evangelism"
Two books in one: a history of Gos pel Music, plus many stories of famous hymns and their writers. 216 pages, cloth $1.50 PHIL KERR'S GOSPEL SONGS 50 cents
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-Unusual documentary sequences from the Upper Amazon -Living conditions and problems of indigenous missionary endeavor — Effectively used by missionary candidates or missionaries on fur lough itineraries 16mm COLOR SOUND
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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