Presbyterians, Baptist, Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Methodists, Roman Catholics, and, alas! Unitarians, Universalists, Swedenborgians, Buddhists, Mohammedans, Pagans, and Atheists, are all to meet together on one common platform, in the “stately art palace,” Chicago, on Monday, Sept. 11th. Thus their different religions are to be exhibited to the world for 17 days.
Representatives, they tell us, from almost every part of the world have given in their names to attend. “Over 1,600 men eminent in the religious life and work of the world, and representing nearly all the great Christian Churches, and all the leading historic faiths, have accepted places on the advisory council of the Parliament.” (From Review of Reviews, April, ‘93.) “Brotherhood of Human Good” is their motto. All is looked at from the world’s or a human standing point to “Unite the world in the spirit of co-operative unity.” Scripture says: “Now is the judgment of this world,” (John 12:31). “If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him,” (1 John 2:15). It is well to remember there has been such a fact as “The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Gal. 6:14), says the apostle, by the Holy Spirit. And again: “Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory: that your faith and hope might be in God,” (1 Peter 1:21). But this parliament of religions would put our risen Lord Jesus side by side with corrupt, fallen man, “A leader of men.” The only living and true God is thus insulted. These “raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame.... Having men’s persons in admiration, because of advantage,” (Jude 13:16), are only manifesting their folly. The mass of humanity care but little for these things—man is flattered and exalted, thus falls an easy prey to the snare of the devil. A more shameful, a more openly corrupt principle has never been put forth. Every abominable doctrine side by side with the truth. A chief rabbi suggests as a text for the parliament, “Have we not all one Father.” Jesus said to such: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do,” (John 8:41-44). It is just repeating, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built.... for the honor of my majesty.” Scripture speaks plainly, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” (2 Cor. 6:16-18). “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity,” (2 Tim. 2:19). We who know God in Christ Jesus, are sure, “The longsuffering of our Lord is salvation,” (2 Peter 3:15). We are living in a solemn moment. Jesus, whom God the Father raised from the dead and glorified, is shut outside by this Laodicea. “He patiently ‘knocks’ and says, He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches,” (Rev. 3:14-22). “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away,” (2 Tim. 5). “Ye do well that ye take heed.”
EDWARD J. HAYHOE.
The foregoing was written by E. J. Hayhoe, who died in January, 1913, age 69 years. Before he passed away, he requested that the two last verses of our hymn “The Sands of Time are Sinking” be sung at his funeral.
“Oh! I am my Beloved’s, And my Beloved’s mine!
He brings a poor vile sinner Into His “house of wine”!
I stand upon His merit, I know no safer stand,
Not e’en where glory dwelleth, In Immanuel’s land.
“The bride eyes not her garment,
But her dear bridegroom’s face;
I will not gaze at glory,
But on my King of Grace—
Not at the crown He giveth,
But on His pierced hand:
The Lamb is all the glory
Of Immanuel’s land.”
Although my father preached the Gospel for about forty years, he did not go to Heaven on this account, but because he was a poor vile sinner, washed in the blood of Christ.
J. C. HAYHOE.