“ONE THING I KNOW”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22066, 23 September 1933, Page 21

“ONE THING I KNOW”

Written for the Otago Daily Times. By the Rev. D. Gardnes Miller. My deep interest in the “ Group Movement” has engaged my tongue and pen for a, considerable time and I always hasten to make known any new development in what I believe is the greatest spiritual outbreak of the present generation. So when, a fortnight ago, I had the latest book connected with the movement sent to me, and having read it to my deep profit I wished to pass on to my readers some of the blessings I received. I believe I made slight mention of the book in my article of last week. It is called “ One Thing I Know,” and is written by that brilliant London journalist whose life has been so signally changed, Mr A. J. Russell. I believe I was the means of hundreds of people in New Zealand reading Mr Russell’s former book—a book that gripped the world — “ For Sinners Only.” As an indication of the paramount place religious books have taken in the reading of the masses, it is enlightening to know that “For Sinners Only ” has reached a circulation of nearly 120,000 in the English edition alone and that it is now being translated into some 10 languages.

The present work, “ One Thing I Know ” (published by Hodder and Stoughton, ss) is an amplification of the previous book and reveals, in a striking way, the marvellous and way human life opens out in terms of victory when it is surrendered to God. The book might truly be called a book of confessions, for here you have not only the author, but -also numerous others, including some who are known throughout the world, telling frankly what God and guidance and witnessing mean to them. You have only to read the first chapter to be fascinated and then captivated as you go on from one moving experience to another, told with the frankness and picturesqueness of a firstrate journalist. The scene opens with the account of meetings held in Dorcester by a team of “ groupers.” One man gets up —after an ex-convict had told of the marvellous change that had come into his life since he had asked Christ to run it for him—and, after confessing what a “ rotter ” he had been, goes on to say that now his outlook, direction and interests are changed he has such peace and assurance in his life that he could broadcast to the world at any time, anywhere, this four-word titled-" One Thing I Know.” Now, it is this revolutionary confidence that Christ does away with your sins and makes life for ever new that is the key note of the Group Movement. When men and women “ know ” that Christ is both Saviour and daily friend, when they can say with the blind, man, whoso incomparable story is told in the ninth chapter of John, “One thing'l know, whereas I was blind, now I see,” then, depend upon it that “ certainty ” will sweep through the world- producing the most marvellous results.

The method of the Group Movement is not beyond criticism, but it “works.” It -is not any different really from the fine old evangelical belief and practice that is the mainstay of the Christian Church, but its technique is different as is also its vocabulary.

A. J. Russell, in a section of hia book, where he very aptly describes the Barnum versus Bunyan section, outlines many of the more famous —or should it be- infamous? —murder and other antisocial crimes with which, as a journalist, he came into close contact. From the point of view of auto-biography these disclosures are interesting, but from any suggestion that they are a serious contribution to the subject matter of the book I take leave to express my dissent. Of what is of vital interest is the views on the Group Movement in general, and “ Guidance ” in particular, by a brilliant team whose names are known to the million: the Bishop of London, Gipsy Smith, Father Woodlook, Hugh Redwood and C. F. Andrews. These men, representing, in the main, all schools of thought within the Christian Church, bless God for the group movement and are in no doubt whatever that God “ guides ” the surrendered. The section on “ mending men ” is thrilling, while those chapters dealing with the way God "provides,” while leaving openings for difference of opinion, are a rebuke to most of us for our lack of faith. There is not a dull page in the book. I bespeak for it a rousing reception among those who are eager to live the conquering life. * * * At the risk of repeating myself let me say once again that the Group Movement, of which " One Thing I Know ” is the latest clarion call, is nothing less — and that means more than appears on the surface —than the New Testatment in action in the lives of men. I believe we are nearing the eve of a great and holy religious revival-. Men to-day are seeking after God—and for men to seek is to find. But don’t let there be any mistake about revival. A revival to be of God must get at the roots and deal with sin in human life. It is just here where I see the work of God in the Group Movement. Sin is faced and grappled with. The Atonement is not slurred over; it is accepted as God’s way of redemption. And not only is sin faced and grappled with, it is reckoned as “done away with,” as soon as Christ is accepted and the life surrendered to the guidance of the Spirit. Guidance and “sharing” (which is just witnessing—a command almost forgotten in the Christian Church, alas!) are the results of surrender.

Jesus meets every need and changes the defeated life into a life of victory. And isn’t that your greatest need?