As some have asked for an expression in help and food as to the " Interchurch World Movement " we give a few words on this Babylonish garment thrown upon the shoulders of the Church for its Christian name and support. It is a huge educational – philanthropic plan, based upon the popular idea that Christ was a reformer, of noble ideals, and what more or less imitates this is called Christianity. As to atonement by the Son of God, new birth, peace with God, deliverance from Satan's power, Christ's personal return and the judgment to come, it wisely keeps silence, as that would rend the combine from center to circumference. It is well-known that a large part of its most ardent supporters are inimical to these foundation truths of true Christianity.

A well-known newspaper correspondent, William G. Shepherd, has given his observations on this movement, from which we extract the following:

THE INTERCHURCH WORLD MOVEMENT AT CLOSE RANGE

A week in a private car, touring with a party which included John D. Rockefeller, Jr., served to give me their viewpoint. During that tour I saw nine audiences of business men thrilled to the point of cheering as Rockefeller and others told of the safety that would come to the world and to property and homes if the doctrine of love, as preached by the " Carpenter of Nazareth," was lived by all men.

Rockefeller himself said in his addresses that the sum needed for this year stunned him at first, but that he had finally come to the conclusion that it could be raised; indeed it must be raised. The audiences heard much of money and little of spirituality.

All this puzzled me, as it would have puzzled any outsider who had heard of " the old-time religion." I felt that a great chasm separated these ardent men, who were resorting to money for the furthering of the kingdom of God, from those other men in the church, whom I met in every city, and whose motto was not money but a Bible verse which runs :"I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me."

I cannot attempt to pass judgment on the issue. If I had been asked on which side of the controversy I would throw my lot, I could not have told you. But it seemed to me that the men with the Bible motto were more sure of their ground, more certain of success, if their motto was followed, than were any of the men who were asking for millions.

I saw audiences of laymen sit in the same puzzlement in which I found myself.

The first requisite for this Interchurch World Movement is money. The fabulous amount of 336 million dollars was, as first planned, needed for the five years' enterprises contemplated (though this amount has been much reduced of late, it is said), therefore the wealthy, irrespective of creed, had to be enlisted, and all the churches were to pledge themselves to raise the amounts apportioned to each branch. Some, it is said, have already pledged themselves to it.

And for what purpose are those vast amounts to be raised ? First, for the offices of various committees, each to plan and forward a vast propaganda " with American ideals." Some to take up neglected districts in view of better social conditions, send out literature, establish schools where needed, sustain poor churches, and help theological institutions to send out young preachers with the new ideas of Christianity. The chairman of one of these committees, writing to the Editor of a religious magazine desired his co-operation, asking him "to compile a comprehensive list of dramas, plays, pageants, masques, special day programs, etc., fitted to serve purposes of moral and religious education, or to develop community and neighborhood ideals."

All is to be carried out on a business footing, in business ways, which means of course fair salaries for the large number of persons engaged. A religious paper, widely circulated, says, "No movement, religious or secular, can go forward without money. Great spirituality, in the cause of the Interchurch, was a vital necessity, but spirituality could not succeed without funds to support the workers and make the world acquainted with its purposes."

With the Bible in hand, we might ask, What funds were collected by the apostles for the great work of Pentecost ? What funds carried the apostle Paul and those with him in spreading the glad tidings of Christ from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum-some 800 miles ? " Silver and gold have I none," said Peter to the cripple, shortly after Pentecost. "Yea," said Paul to the Ephesian elders, " ye yourselves know that these hands (his own) have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me." And the Master Himself?- oh, when we compare the Interchurch World Movement with the noble company of Christ and His followers it is a fall from heaven to the miserable ways of a world away from God, arrogating to itself the boastful "new ideals" of Christianity !

Contentions in the ranks of this Interchurch World Movement are occurring, as might be expected
and even signs of disruption. Whatever the outcome may be, it will but serve as a step toward that grand union called in Scripture"Babylon the Great." Christian ! if you value the truth, given to us by the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures, turn away from a movement which thinks that the gift of God may be purchased with money.