King's Business - 1922-02

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THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NE S S

ganized on a large scale to contend for the vital doctrines of the faith which German higher criticism was seeking to undermine. Just who first applied the name “ Fundamentalists” to those who were opposed to the modern liber­ alism is not known, nevertheless it has made a good name. The books re­ ferred to, are volumes of miscellaneous sermons published some years ago by two laymen who felt that these mes­ sages from great men would prove a great inspiration to Christian workers around the world. It has been left to Dr. Jump to connect them up with the recent fundamentalist movement, and show how these two laymen have suc­ ceeded in putting over a personal propa­ ganda. The two laymen can have a good laugh over it, anyway. Editor of Immanuel Herald, referring to the recent movement of the clergy to prevent the movies from slamming them, while exalting the Romanist priests, says: “ As for ourselves, we feel highly complimented to have such references made by the adulterously di­ vorced and remarried, pajama party, painted faced, hell bound crowd that compose to so large an extent the ac­ tors and actresses of our present day, and to have the references made to the godless company that sit in front of them, who are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. We believe that it is an unsavory crowd, and if they love the Catholic priest and make fun of us, we feel good about it.” ARE YOU BASHFUL?—TRY THIS Mrs. Bramwell Booth, wife of the Salvation Army General, who has re­ linquished the position of British Com­ missioner on reaching her sixtieth birthday, was not always so eloquent and ready of speech as she is now. It has indeed been stated that it was not until she was hit on the forehead by a potato— on her way to open the first Salvation Army Rescue Home— that her tongue was, as it were, loosened, and she really— in highly justifiable indig- nation-Vconquered' her reserve.

According to the reports of the great World Conference of Methodists at Westminster, there are many leaders deeply concerned at present-day tenden­ cies. “ There are hundreds of Metho­ dists who never refuse a theatre or a dance, but who are never at church more than once a Sunday,” said the Rev. Wilfred R. Wilkinson (Primitive Methodist). “ They are never absent from a whist drive, and never at a fel­ lowship meeting, while they find prayer- meetings utterly distasteful and ser­ mons tame. Amusements whose after- math is a bored religion are not fit for Methodists. The growing def­ initeness of the claim for amuse­ ments and recreation of an organized sort has given opportunity tb a ten­ dency to seek Sunday recreation. Sunday in England is not the day it was. In London it is more disregard­ ed than in any other town in the land." It looks as if church lead­ ers are beginning to realize that the or­ ganization of amusements is no part of the Church’s work, and, indeed, mars its real success. Perhaps some of the churches which have missed their vo­ cation will now revert to their true mission of winning disciples for Christ. Some time ago we quoted from Dr. H. A. Jump who had jumped on the devil and tried to knock him out of ex­ istence. He is a Congregational preacher in New Hampshire. Having, as he thinks, licked the devil, he now has be­ come bolder and in sermons quite wide­ ly published he attempts to do away with the inspiration of the Scriptures, the deity, virgin birth and physical res­ urrection of Christ, the atonement and everything else for which the Christian church was founded. He declares that these beliefs are the propaganda of a new sect called “ Fundamentalists,” a name so recent that he states the city librarian cannot find it in any reference book. These “ Fundamentalists,” he says, are backed by millions of money and have been for several years circu­ lating free of charge, their text books called “ Fundamentals,” being twelve volumes sent out by unknown laymen. They have worked so slyly, he declares, that they nearly captured the last Bap­ tist convention. Thus he rambles on and insults the intelligence of the peo­ ple. The name “ Fundamentalists” came into existence a short time ago when “ fundamental conferences” were or­

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