They Are of the World.
Zion's Advocate, 1901, Vol. 41, No.
"They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them." I. John iv. 5.
The fifth international convention of the Epworth League was opened at San Francisco, California, July 18th. Congratulatory messages were sent by many noted men. President McKinley said:"I have much pleasure in sending to the International Epworth League convention assembled at San Francisco my hearty congratulations upon the good work the great body of Christian men and women which it represents has accomplished in the past, and my earnest wish that even greater success will crown the future efforts of the league."
Vice President Roosevelt worded his message as follows:
"Heartiest greetings and may good luck attend the Epworth League in its efforts for social and civic righteousness."
"Social and civic righteousness?" What is that? From a study of the words we conclude that social righteousness is that which pertains to society in general, or to the public as an aggregate body; and that civic righteousness is taht which pertains to the government, or the citizenship of the government. In short, social and civic righteousness is that formal, law righteousness, which is adapted to the taste of fashionable society, which relates to a worldly government. The "good work the great body of Christian men and women which the Epworth League represents has accomplished," is, we presume, the development and cultivation of "social and civic righteousness."
This institution is purely of the world, very young, but, like all worldly plants, of very rapid growth, and is already quite a large tree. Great men of the world speak of the world, and the world heareth them. Thus when these messages were read to the great convention, wild shouts of applause from thousands of enthusiasts rose loud and long. The humble, old-fashioned church that Jesus founded is not observed by the world, for the world will love its own. But the church needs not the approbation and support of the world, for she leans upon the arm of One who is much stronger.
J. R. D.
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