Guide to the works of J. Gresham Machen (1881–1937). Scholar. Preacher. Founder of Westminster Theological Seminary. Leader in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.
A Letter from Dr. J. Gresham Machen
Ever since I listened to your address last Thursday night I have been trying to put into words something of what my feeling was in listening to it. I felt that the delivery of that address was one of the most important events in the recent history of the Church. A great issue is now presented to the Church. And it is an issue that does not affect any one ecclesiastical body, but is of the profoundest interest to the true believers in Christ in the whole world.
Publication of your address would give untold comfort to Christian people throughout the world who have been longing for just such an utterance. There are many who are under this Modernist tyranny, with its effort to conceal the real issue.
It does seem to me that real possibilities of great revival lie in this thing. The hearts of people will be stirred if that address is published; there will be earnest prayer; and I do believe that, as a result of its publication, with the blessing of God, precious souls will be saved.
A member of the Episcopal Church told me that, after listening to that address of yours, another person in that Church had said to her what a splendid thing if this same issue could be raised in that communion. That seems to me to be typical. If we raise this issue aright and are not afraid to testify against Modernism and in favor of the Gospel in the Presbyterian Church, you are going to find that many people in many churches may be likely to do the same thing. On the contrary, if we cover this issue up, then other churches are going to continue to sleep in the deadly indifferentism in which they are now bound. Really, it does seem to me that you have a truly ecumenical opportunity just now.
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