Editorial Postscripts

Expediency!—That expediency that will twist a fact or shade a truth into a misleading dis­tortion to win a point or gain a questionable advantage, is not one whit behind, nor different from, the notorious principle that the end justifies the means. Indeed, the higher the profession of truth, the greater the odium of such an expediency. And the purer the church in which it appears, the more onerous the iniq­uity of the thing. Let us smite the unholy thing whenever and wherever it lifts its head among us.

Leadership!—True statesmanship is broad in its vision and generous in its confidence. It is never petty nor partisan. It inspires confi­dence and injects an infectious loyalty. It rallies strong men of conviction about it, utiliz­ing their strength and profiting by their inde­pendent ideas. It recognizes and avoids syco­phants and patronizers. And it delegates re­sponsibility to capable associates, thus reliev­ing itself of detail for the larger tasks and mandates of leadership requiring every ounce of energy and moment of time.

Remedies!—Some men are prolific with their warnings. They are forever pointing out dan­gers. They analyze the situation keenly, and admonish gravely against its perils, which are very real. But their work is chiefly negative. They close lamely with their warnings, but do not present any adequate remedy or construc­tive program to really meet the situation. Ad­mittedly, this is much harder to do. It takes no great skill or insight to present the warning, but it does take divine wisdom and grace to give the remedy. This kind cometh forth only with tears, and prayers, and consecrated study. But it is this that we need.

Apart!—As Israel of old was a nation apart, peculiar, and not reckoned among the nations, so we too are to be a church separate and apart from all others in the world about. Nor does this imply or involve isolation from per­sonal contact, which is all too prevalent. But it does emphasize the need of guarding against an increasing tendency, and indeed a subtle pressure, of patterning after other religious bodies, whose attitude toward truth and whose penchant for federation at the price of sur­render, is utterly foreign to the whole genius of this distinctive movement, and subversive of its divine objective. To ape their phraseol­ogy, their form of service, ritual, music, or changing emphasis, is to turn from the prof­fered wells of salvation to drink from the tainted pools of earth. Our course of unique isolation is clearly marked out. Let us follow it with fidelity.

Music!—Sacred music is—or should be—an integral part of divine worship. As such it should ever be kept on a plane commensurate with its high purpose. Cheap, undignified mu­sic in the religious service, music with a secu­lar spirit, or music with a toe-tapping rhythm, is of the earth, earthy, and is out of harmony with God's exalted, spiritual purpose for wor­ship in His church.

Scholasticism!—This journal stands for a scholarly as well as an ardently evangelical ministry. It lifts its voice against any and all carelessness, superficiality, and incompe­tency. God's ministers should be sound, clear, careful thinkers. They ought to be most thor­oughly informed. They should be giants in the Word, and stalwarts in history. Snap judgments, false premises, and faulty reason­ing are not consistent with our heavenly call­ing. Nor is this standard incompatible with the deepest spirituality; rather, it is its true counterpart. Thorough initial training and unceasing study throughout life are therefore requisite to the highest ministry. But let us at the same time beware of becoming ecclesi­astics or isolationists, and of burying ourselves in the intricacies of doctrine, dogma, and form, as some have done, to their ruin. Indeed, this has been the curse of great sections of the historic Christian church. We live in a world of dire need, and we lose the evangelical pas­sion only at the peril of spiritual life, just as we abandon the ceaseless quest for truth only at the peril of stagnation or spiritual death.

Foundations!—If the foundations are de­stroyed, the rest is well known and con­ceded. But if the foundations are never laid, is there not as great peril and likelihood of catastrophe? Without Christian education for some of our children and youth, is it any won­der that there is a growing uncertainty on the part of such as to the essential integrity and importance of this movement and its unpopular truth and practices? And what of the worker whose own children go to the public school? How can he ask other parents to do what he himself does not do, or his words carry any weight if he preaches what he does not prac­tice? And in some lands children even go to school on the Sabbath. How can they possibly, under such circumstances have regard for the Sabbath as a vital principle? No wonder there is laxity of standards under such sad circum­stances, and a shakiness on principles that yields under pressure. Surely we as ministers are accountable to God for our counsels and Practices as regards Christian education for our youth.                                                     

L. E. F.