tating Scriptural testimony that all interested are earnestly invited to this conference, the details of which will be announced later. WILLIAM D. B. AINEY H. W. GRIFFITH-THOMAS ROBERT B. HAINES, JR. L. W. MUNHALL W. J. MONTGOMERY HERBERT MACKENZIE Conference Headquarters 1310 Morris Building Philadelphia WILLIAM L. PETTINGILL EDWARD RONDTHALER JOSEPH M. STEELE R. A. TORREY CHARLES GALLAUDET TRUMBULL C. F. WIMBERLY A. E. THOMPSON GREETING BY THE CHAIRMAN Charles L. Huston, Chairman of the Conference Committee, Vice-President and General Manager of the Lukens Steel Co. at Coatesville, Pa., and Chairman of the General Assembly's Committee on Evangelism of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., presiding, Tuesday morning session of the Conference, introduced Rev. Orson R. Palmer, Pastor Berachah Church, Philadelphia, Home Director, Africa Inland Mission for North America, who conducted the devotional period, assisted by Rev. Harry D. Tillis, Rev. W. W. Rugh, Rev. Wm. B. Riley, and Rev. P. W. Philpott. Mr. Huston, in opening the conference, said: CHAIRMAN HUSTON'S OPENING ADDRESS Our beloved friends and brothers and sisters in Christ: I take it that it is not out of place for those who have issued the call for this conference, to give such a greeting to you who have so splendidly responded. To you who have come in response to the call, at the very outset we want to say that the attitude of the conference committee, of the speakers, and, we trust and believe, of all those who are here, is that of absolute patriotism, absolute loyalty to the "powers that be." Our Lord has commanded us in His Word to "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's." Paul, in the 13th chapter of his Epistle to the Romans, tells us that "the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God." Again, the apostle exhorts believers to be subject to the powers "not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also," recognizing the civil authorities and rendering obedience unto them because they are ordained of God. It seems particularly fitting that at this time the program notices of the different days of the conference should be given. The keynote for the first day is "Humiliation"; the second day, "Exaltation of Christ"; and the third, and closing day, "Praise." This program is one that recognizes the need of absolute dependence upon God and of humiliation before him. We are also to bear in mind the proclamation that has just been issued by President Wilson, calling upon the people of the United States to spend, not only one day, but the entire week, in humiliation and prayer before Almighty God, confessing our sins and placing ourselves in the right attitude before Him, in order that His blessing may be upon us in this time of stress and strain and conflict; praying that our leaders may be guided, that we all may be guided, and that God will bless our nation and our allies. We trust that the especial blessing of God will be upon the sessions of this conference, because of the light that shall be thrown upon present conditions from the Scriptures. We are seeking to find out what the Scriptures have for us; what saith the Lord; not to fit a private or pet theory, but to learn what God hath spoken. In Deut. 29:29, we read: "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law": so the things that are revealed belong to us. It behooves us to seek the illumination of the Holy Spirit upon the revelation of God through the Spirit in His blessed Word, that we may know what He has given us; and we are here for this purpose. The call that was issued by thirty-five Christian men inviting you to this Bible Conference on the Return of Our Lord, is before us, and it seems proper that it should be read at this time. A CALL FOR A WORLD CONFERENCE This Bible Conference on the Return of Our Lord, held at Philadelphia this May 28th, 29th and 30th, 1918, adopts the following statement of belief: First: We believe that the Bible is the inerrant, one and final Word of God; and, therefore, is our only authority. Second: We believe in the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ; that He is very God; and in His substitutionary death, as an atonement for sin; in His bodily resurrection and ascension and the certainty of His second appearance "without sin unto salvation." Third: We believe that our Lord's prophetic Word is at this moment finding remarkable fulfilment; and that it does indicate the nearness of the close of this age, and of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Fourth: We believe that the completed church will be translated to be forever with the Lord. Fifth: We believe that there will be a gathering of Israel to her land in unbelief, and she will be afterward converted by the appearance of Christ on her behalf. Sixth: We believe that all human schemes of reconstruction must be subsidiary to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, because all nations will be subject to His rule. Seventh: We believe that under the reign of Christ there will be a further great effusion of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh. Eighth: We believe that the truths embodied in this statement are of the utmost importance in determining Christian character and action in reference to the pressing problems of the hour. And Resolves, if our Lord tarry, that a great world Bible Conference be held at Philadelphia May 27th to June 1st, 1919. It might be well also to give an outline of the program of the conference. You will notice that on Tuesday the general topic will be, "Teachings Fundamental to the Return of Our Lord," in order to establish the basis of the whole conference. As stated before, the keynote of the first day's conference is "Humiliation"; on the second day, to-morrow, the general topic will be, "The Return of Our Lord as Related to Present Conditions," and all the teachings will bear upon that part of the whole subject. The keynote of tomorrow is "Exaltation of Christ." On Thursday, the closing day, the general topic assigned is "The Return of Our Lord in the Program of Prophecy," and the keynote of that day is "Praise." The doctrine of the return of our Lord will be taught from the Word of prophecy, coupled with the question, "What Manner of Persons Ought We to Be?" What application has the doctrine to our conduct and to our daily activities? We are to have the pleasure of hearing from Rev. Harris H. Gregg, formerly pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of St. Louis, where Dr. |