December 1928
725
T h e
K i n g ' s
B u s i n e s s
them shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock . . . . And every one that heareth these words, of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand”? Does that mean “ every one” or only some? T h e Two C ovenants He also takes up the question of the fulfillment of the promises connected with the Abrahamic and Davidic cove nants and asks whether they are going to be fulfilled in an earthly Israel in the Jerusalem that then was, which was represented by Hagar and her son, or in the heavenly order, which is represented by Sarah and her son. If ful filled in the Hagar line, is it possible that He is to save the Jews in a different way from that by which He is saving the Gentiles? If so, is that to be consummated in the Hagar order? If consummated in the Hagar order, are Hagar and her son, having been cast out, going to be called back again? If it is going to be an earthly Jerusalem built from the earthly order of Judaism are we to have two Jerusalems at the end time? The last chapter brings us face to face with the fact that we are now “translated into the kingdom o f the Son of His love,” and points out that the Church has suffered CJSSIA is in a state of great spiritual famine. Thousands converted during the war and since have spread the Gospel and c r e a t e d wide spread expectancy of a mighty reformation. Whole towns in Siberia have sent deputations begging Protestant churches to give them more instruction concerning the Christian Faith and life. The people are thoroughly sick of a mere ceremonial religion. They are breaking away from superstition and ready as never before for the message of God’s Word. - There are practically no Bibles to meet this great awakening. One well-known independent Russian worker raised a large sum of money for Bibles for the Russians, but unwisely inserted an introductory article by himself in which an attack was made upon the Soviet govern ment, and not a copy will be allowed in the country. Fur thermore, he overlooked a governmental restriction requir ing the printing of Bibles to be done within the country. This brother contracted with a German concern for the publishing. This is a most unfortunate situation, for these thousands of Bibles cannot be circulated among those for whom they were primarily intended. Russia’s heart has been plowed deep. Sorrow upon sorrow has come upon the people. The war took 100,700,- 000 of her sons and left 7,000,000 wounded, many of them permanent invalids. Civil wars, hatred and revenge, reprisals, terrible epidemics, and famines have added to the burden of sorrow. The tears of millions have pre pared the soil for the seed of truth. The barrenness of their former religion has caused millions to turn to that message of salvation and comfort which they have been told is in the Word of God. Kissing a copy of the New Testament bound in silver and gold and kept in the State Church, is no remedy for their bleeding hearts. They MUST have the Bible in their own language and copies in their homes. There are newly
much by losing sight of the New Testament “Gospel of the Kingdom” which the apostles unquestionably preached to the very end of the New Testament. He asks the search ing question as to whether the preaching of any other Gospel can accomplish the purpose of God. These are a few of the searching questions that are raised by this Christian scholar and are entitled to a very serious consideration. For ourselves may we say without hesitancy, we be lieve that JesUs Christ came “in the fulness o f time” to do just exactly what He did and that He is coming again according to His promise in like manner as He went away, to do all that God has promised and to consummate every counsel and word of God in the Way He has set it forth in all the prophecies in the Old and New Testaments. In the meantime it is our impelling duty to “go and make disciples of all the nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I command you,’’ making it clear that the only way in which that is possible is through the redeeming grace of God made available and efficacious by the Holy Spirit through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. formed Gospel churches which do not- possess' a single copy of the Scriptures. Copies are so rare that when one is obtained, it goes to a church for public use rather than to an individual. Think of it—145,000,000 people and the Bible practically unknown! T h e B a ptist U n ion of R ussia The Soviet government has now given permission to the Baptist Union of Russia, of which Mr. Hugh R. Munro, 350 West 31st Street, New York City, is the American representative, to print 50,000 Bibles and 50,000 Testaments. The American Bible Society has paid for the plates, which are prepared and waiting. The cost of completing the work will be about $65,000, a good portion of which has already come in. Are there not many of the readers of T h e K in g ’ s B u siness who will desire to have part in making this issue possible? The distribution of these Scriptures will be carried out by the Baptist Union of Russia, but will, of course, be made without discrimination. The fact that the publishing is under the direction of Professor I. V. Neprash as the Russian representative of the Baptist Union, assures that the work will be carried out in a way satisfactory to the government, and the admission of the books guaranteed. No rental or salary charges are to come out of the funds, and every possible care will be taken in using the money solely for Bible distribution. This is the only agency at the present time which can reach the masses of Russia with the Bible, for the reason that all others have had their Bibles printed outside of the country and so cannot dis tribute them in Russia proper. Contributions may be sent direct to Russian Bible Fund, Hugh R. Munro, 350 West 31st Street, New York City. It will be appreciated if T h e K ing ’ s B u sin ess is mentioned in connection with these gifts.
sfe ite M
The Great Bible Fam ine in Russia
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker