T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S SUBTLETY OF MORMONISM The fundamental opposition to Chris tianity which inheres in Mormonism was perhaps never more clearly set forth than by the new President of Utah Mormonism, Heber J. Grant. More than once during the last year or so he has publicly opposed the beautiful Christian hymn, Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me And that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come! Once he said that they had spent millions of dollars opposing that very doctrine by their missionaries! Yet probably no hymn lies closer to the heart of evangelical Christians than does this, or has led more souls to gen uine acceptance of Christ as their per sonal Savior, or has helped more Chris tians in renewed consecration. Its blessing has now extended over a solid hundred years, come next May. The reason for Mr. Grant’s opposition lies, in the basic untrueness of Mormonism to the basic truth of Christianity on this point, salvation by faith in Christ alone. Mormonism teaches that no one can be save.d without their ordi nances of baptism, etc., and good works; which is of course diametrically opposed to the Bible teaching. A gift is valued according to. (1) the love that prompts it— “ God so loved” ; (2) what it cost the giver— “ that He gave His only begotten Son” ; and (3) what it is worth to the receiver—^‘ever lasting life” (John 3:16). This gift is: Unspeakable ..........,............. 2 Cor. 9:15 Unsearchable ..................... .......Eph. 3:8 Unchangeable ..............Heb. 7:24; 13:8 Undefiled ................................ JHeb. 7:26 Unequalled..................... Rom. 8:32 Unmerited ............................... Rom. 6:23 Unlimited ................ i................John 3:16 ^¡ 4 . ^¡4. Sk Ms? GOD’S GREAT GIFT
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At the close of school he went home, or rather to the camp, to care for the sheep and goats near the Black Moun tains. As he followed the sheep and goats along he said to himself : “ There is no way to account for these sheep and goats except that God made them the same as He made man. I am not going to worship shakes, or lizards, or owls, or foxes/ or coyotes, hut I will worship the true God who made all things, and I will give my heart to Him today.” That Navajo hoy became a de voted Christian and today is a native pastor in the heart of heathendom. The religion of the Indian in his native haunts is a constant moral defile ment. The only hope for these child ren of the desert is in regeneration. Education cannot regenerate or elevate them. The power of the old manner of life drags them down. The Indian needs a new nature. He is infinitely meaner, apart from Christianity, with education than without it, because he invariably'applies his knowledge to the pursuit of rascality when there is no restraint or Christ-control in his héart. There are some men and women in the government work who have given the missionaries great encouragement and assistance, but there are others who seem to enjoy throwing wrenches into the machinery of real missionary work. For instance: A certain gov ernment agent, a Catholic, has appointed a well-known Indian gambler as head man of his district; and another In dian who has made a reputation for crimes against girls and women has been appointed government policeman by this agent. While the discouragements of the work are numerous, yet there are many encouragements noted from year to year. The Indians who are turning to Christ are making progress, and should get the benefit of careful teaching and be prepared to become native pastors, missionaries and evangelists to their own people. The people who pray are urged to pray especially for the Indian missionaries and the Indian people. There are great possibilities in all the Indian fields. THESE INDIANS SHOULD HAVE A BIBLE INSTITUTE ! “ Let us rise up and build!”
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