THE GREAT FORWARD MOVEMENT

The FORWARD MOVEMENT was a program of evangelism, service, stewardship, missionary education and social concern.

The following is an address to the Maritime Synod meeting in Charlottetown, as reported in W October 03, l9l8.

The FORWARD MOVEMENT was then taken up, an address being delivered by Rev. Dr. Gandier, (Note: Dr. Alfred Gandier was later Moderator of the General Assembly in I923 and his sister Sophie married Sir Robert Falconer, son of Rev. Alexander Falconer) Principal of Knox College, Toronto on "The Challenge of the War to the Church of Christ." It was one of the most powerful addresses ever heard in the Synod, thrilling, inspiring and gripping the large audience. After eloquently picturing a world ravished by war, Dr. Gandier said that this war must never occur again. The only hope for society and the world is in change to the hearts of men which only Christ can give. The primary challenge to our church is to make, not only our own country, but the whole world Christian. Unless we Christianize the Orient in this generation, the Orient will take a terrific toll on Christendom in the war between the yellow and white races.

The third challenge is to take advantage of the spirit of devotion and selfsacrifice which the war has kindled. This is what the FORWARD MOVEMENT means to do. Dr Gandier made a most earnest appeal to carry on the movement on a war scale, to increase our little missionary army, to put our blood money into the redemption of Canada and the world. - Dr. Gandier in his address pointed out that the church had failed to prevent war and that was not to be wondered at as it was viewed by many as an effete institution. Socialism had failed as miserably as the church and in Russia had developed a welter of brute force in conflict. The Doctor quoted General Smut's remarkable statement that if one-hundredth part of the thought that was devoted to war was devoted to the schemes of peace, we would never see war again. The Doctor said it was all well enough to appeal to patriotism but the Germans had been preaching patriotism in their schools for forty years prior to the war. We tnust get above even imperialism and reach the broad humanism of Christ before there is hope in the world. He said that the war has revealed the world's need of Christ in a new and startling way. Even one nation can break the peace. The present war has shown that one powerful nation moved by jealousy, hatred and envy has plunged the world into a Gehenna of blood. (aullmrx note: Gehenna: Where the kings Ahaz and Manat'seh were said to have sacrificed Ilreir som- Io Muloclr; near Jerusalem, where rejirse was burned in Biblical limes; a place aj'lorment, hell).

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