We often think of the ministers of other denominations as our enemies, because many do bitterly oppose our message. Doubtless in many instances this opposition is due to ignorance of what we really believe and teach. At any rate it seems reasonable that we should always assume a friendly attitude toward other Christian ministers, and should earnestly strive to get before them in a favorable light the blessed truth which God has given us for the whole world. In a personal letter, Dr. H. C. Menkel, who has for many years labored as physician and preacher in India among the English and high-class Indians, tells of a very interesting experience with a group of other ministers. He says:
"In Simla there is a ministers' fellowship, in the form of a monthly meeting of the ministers from the different local denominations who meet at one another's homes in turn during the season and discuss topics of interest as pertaining to ministerial work. Last Tuesday it was our turn to entertain the fellowship, and I had been requested to lead the discussion by presenting a paper on eschatology, and giving a review of our denominational position on these matters. This has been my first experience in presenting a subject of this nature to a critical group of ministers representing different denominational groups.
"The discussion following the paper was very frank and free. You can judge of the interest developed from the fact that we were together for three hours developing this subject. Quite naturally it led to many questions about our understanding of the nature and relationship of Jesus in His mediatorial position, the nature of man, his condition in death, the resurrection, the understanding of future life and occupation. In fact, we covered so many aspects that the ministering brethren gained a fairly good concept of our teachings. They expressed themselves as being most pleased over the meeting and the better understanding which it had given them.
"This experience convinces me that it would be well worth our while to try to cultivate the fellowship of other ministers and to look for opportunities to bring before them the Biblical basis of our faith. We have had several other almost equally interesting experiences during the present season."
M. E. KERN.
