THE following remarks are here and now set forth by way of briefly reviewing our troubled condition as a nation, and in the desire that we may learn and know that the word of truth, with its pure principles, is a divinely-given remedy. If we are brought to prize it, shall we not seek to be channels for the outflow of the remedy?
It may be thought that in referring to industrial or national problems, we are in debatable land and outside of the domain of true religion. Our remarks are penned in no desire for controversy, but in the hope of benefiting, and of pointing the way to the solution of problems of appalling magnitude. The morasses in which the so-called civilised nations are bemired and in dire danger of incalculable harm are of vast length and breadth. Our rulers tell us that there is a way-out, and it is
* Ministers and Men in the Far North, p. 50, 2nd edition.
indicated that Britain is to lead the van. Yet we do not hear of much value being set on the “highway and the way, wherein the wayfaring man shall not err,” to help us in the matter. This way in the very face of God’s judgments is, in practice, shunned and passed-by. There is still, however, a remnant using it and, keeping up for themselves and generations yet-to-be, the “right-of-way,” granted by God for Christ’s sake.
Europe, evidently, is the main centre of the present unrest or wherever European interest extends. The troubles of the age seem to pertain especially to the nations which professed to receive the Bible and had a semblance of Christianity. Along with the above, we are to include the peoples under the spell of Mohammedanism. Our present remarks are confined to Britain.
The present chief seat of unrest is among miners and transport workers in general. We heartily desire their domestic comfort and individual well-being. The various matters specially affecting them, and other problems bearing in an even more serious manner on the moral life of this and the coming generations, are not to be touched upon here. We believe that a vast amount falls to be done to ameliorate conditions of life in an outward way. This, however, we ask in all goodwill, “What is being done or to be done with leisure time?” Much that is profitable and beneficial for each individual and families may be a reply. The answers to such a question are legion. It is, however, disquieting to read, e.g., that groups of men bet on the number of the first tramcar to come along on a “Sunday” morning, and on the number of the first hymn given out in the chapel! Is there religious, moral, or social benefit in this? What is lawful recreation, and what unlawful? Is there, after all our privileges and possession of much-vaunted freedom, reason to believe with thanksgiving that the unchangeable moral principles of God’s truth and law so affect us generally that we desire to act spontaneously according to them in our relations between man and man? Are not moral truths inoperative in practice, because we lack spiritual pith and marrow in our souls?
As concerns the solution of many of our problems, especially those bearing on moral welfare—character—the upbuilding of a better social order with suitable environment, we are gratefully aware that there are many who desire and labour to see the remedy applied. Many, perhaps, may be inclined to hope that there is more underlying the present unrest than even those immediately connected with it know of. The striving and struggling is avowedly for a material state of well-being and freedom. Yet, however satisfying—outwardly—housing, health, and other schemes may be, the words will still hold good, “Arise ye, and depart, for this is not your rest,” until men are brought to receive God’s way for healing our running sores, and to adopt His way for the formation of character. Till then we shall go on saying, “Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.”
What gracious power is needed from on High! What a turning of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just! What a turning of the children of this generation to “the hearts of the fathers,” by God’s grace, if we are not to end for a period at least in moral and industrial chaos, as are some of the large States of Europe in these days of trouble and distress!
We believe that to help forward the cause of righteousness and robust Christianity, there is unspeakable need of instructors and spiritual teachers who themselves are becoming more and more “living epistles of Christ.” We must needs learn that the Bible is the Word of God, that in a very real sense, it must become a natural Book to us, as well as a supernatural. We must be changed, not it.
We must further come to give the Lord’s Day its own place in our personal and national life. It is ordained for use, not for abuse. Works of necessity and mercy are most becoming, but, never will a right spirit animate us, never will we breathe in a peaceful and God-blessed atmosphere until the Sabbath is honoured and enjoyed. We sorely need salvation from a “liberty” in this matter which is really bondage, for the proof of such bondage is the amount of bigotry, boycotting, and mockery, which still is common (as repeated instances in the recent War have shown) wherever men seek to give obedience to God’s law concerning His day.
We require a blessed revolution that what is radically wrong may be put radically right, as far as that is possible in this world, by the choice and ever-new, ever-satisfying possession of “the one thing needful.” We require godliness with contentment—a contentment that is not stagnancy, but quite in accord with all right progress, and the welfare of ourselves and our neighbour for time and for eternity. In fine, we require the law of love, which is the law of righteousness, in our hearts; and on the gracious realisation thereof hangs our general good. According as this takes place, the offering of the children of men to God of themselves and their service, through the Lord Jesus, will be in righteousness. “Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.”
M.