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 We
continue reprinting a reprint: “Combines
in the Church” by C.M. Pullias; first printed in TIDINGS OF
JOY in Nashville, Tenn., July, 1919. And, we’ll back up a full
paragraph, connecting thoughts of the two issues.
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“The
main principle violated by a missionary society is
combining of all the congregations to do what God has assigned
to one. There is no work that cannot be done by the power of
God. “Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly
above all that we ask or think according to the power— that
worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end.” (Eph. 3:20,21) That
which the church has not the power to do, then. should not be
considered. Beside this we might say this way of a few getting
together and saddling on the church of Christ orphan homes and
schools or anything else is a very serious thing, and will in
the course of time prove to be a curse to the church. An
individual Christian or congregation might have a school or
orphanage if it is able and so chooses, but to have one for the
church at large is to bind what God has not bound, so whatever
befalls one befalls every one. All such combines are wrong and
in them the man of sin is working, just as in Paul’s day; and
in the course of time he will be revealed to the sorrow of the
church. (2 Thes. 2: 3-10)
A
brotherhood paper or school or orphanage or a brotherhood
anything else will prove itself to be a dictator and usurper’
of the church of Christ, and an octopus that
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grips the interest and life out of the
church. If you say they make the church more efficient, I answer
that men can, then improve upon what God has made. This I deny.
The Lord had a purpose in making the church. He made it to fill
a place and do a work, and there.. fore it is adequate to such.
He also made the church small, poverty stricken, insignificant
institution in the eyes of the world, so designing men would not
want it; but so soon as it gets to be respectable with the world
the armistice is signed and peace is near, but not the kind of
peace that God approves. There is, Therefore, great danger in
human methods and wisdom. “The wisdom of this world is
foolishness with God.” All conventions, associations,
societies, and even elders’ and preachers' meetings may prove
to be a curse to the cause they claim to love.
There
is no combine with the church and human institutions that does
not take the life and power from
it. There is no peace till the last
enemy is destroyed. Anything that is called peace before evil is
annihilated is dishonorable and a disgrace and shame on the
church. But the church is ‘the pillar and support of the
truth,” and I cannot believe it will ever wholly surrender.”
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As
a matter of historic interest, if any reader has the original of
the above, or articles of that period which show any react ion
to the article, we would like to have photocopies, and will glad
gladly pay for them. Robert
F. Turner
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