A True Statement.—In a recent issue of the English Churchman, a writer closes an article on the “Apostolic Teaching About Prayer” with the following words: “In this solemn time there is surely need for the churches to repent of grievous departure from the doctrines and precepts of God’s Word. They need to search and try their ways and turn again to the Lord. The leprosy of sin and error abounds in the professing church, and the chastening hand of God seems to have no effect in leading its members to return to the great principles and precepts of the Reformation from which there is a grievous departure. The pomp and vanity and idolatry associated with the Mass need to be abandoned. Altars, crosses, crucifixes, candles, and Mass vestments need to be swept away. The Church of England in particular needs to sound forth afresh the great doctrine of justification by faith only, abandon all worldliness and pomp in worship, and recognise fully the sanctity and perpetual obligation of the Sabbath day. Thus in larger and more perfect degree will its members be able to lift up holy hands in prayer. Added to this, prayer should be without doubting, ‘For he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.’ It is the fashion to ridicule statements like the above as “narrow-minded” and “old-fashioned,” but they are the words of truth and soberness, and our firm conviction is, that until churches and individuals come to accept, and act on, the above sentiments, we will not see the dawn of more peaceful days.
Trust in God.—The Watchman (Sidney) some time ago published the following concerning China’s Christian General. “A recent visitor in the home of the General and Madame Chiang tells how that when he was about to leave, the General said to him, ‘Must you go immediately? We should be happy if you would stay and join us in our evening’s devotions.’ Such an invitation comes to very few, and he quickly acquiesced, seating himself again. With that a Bible was produced, and the General began by reading Scripture; then the three joined in prayer, the General leading. ‘I never expect to hear such a prayer again in all my life,’ says the visitor. ‘The General began with a simple expression of thanks for the courage of the nation under fire. Then he prayed for strength for the men in the field and along the firing lines; he prayed for strength for himself, and added a most earnest plea for guidance and wisdom, that he should not fail the people. But the most amazing thing in his prayer was a plea that God would help him, and help China, not to hate the Japanese people. He prayed for the Japanese Christians, and for all the suffering multitudes of Japan whose impoverishment was making war on China possible. He prayed for the people who were bombed, for forgiveness for those who dropped the bombs. In the simplest and humblest terms he placed himself at the disposal of the Almighty God, and begged that he might know the divine will, and do it on the morrow.’ ” Here we see the secret of a man’s true greatness, and of how he can be a most useful asset to his country. It is noteworthy that after four years of fighting he, in spite of inferiority of armaments, has not only been able to keep his army intact but has inflicted a crushing defeat on the enemy.