CHAFF IN THE WIND - Communism versus Christian Freedom - article written decades ago, but still timely

CHAFF IN THE WIND - Communism versus Christian Freedom

This article was written decades ago, but is still timely today. 

Articles from Biblical Treasures (Volume II) – C. R. Dickey

INTRODUCTION

                The Staff at Destiny Publishers, having read all the articles written by the late C. R. Dickey (Christina R. Dickey) found in DESTINY Magazines from July 1938 to October 1967, received such a blessing from her writings that we wanted to share the information with all who are seeking God’s wonderful truths.  We are hereby publishing all her articles in two volumes, which we believe you will find most inspiring and of genuine interest and value.

                Her knowledge of the Scriptures was unbelievable so she must have had a very close association with her Lord, as she certainly became a champion for His cause.

                Our late beloved editor, Howard B. Rand, realized her talent as he published many of articles in booklet form.

                The reader should take into account the time element when each article was written, which was from the late thirties to the middle sixties.  We found her articles to be up to the minute as though she had written them yesterday.  Her writings on various subjects are backed up with Scripture verses, as well as with quotes from reliable sources, when making a point.  From her writings, the Lord surely made use of her God-given talents.

                Although we do not have any knowledge of her background, we do know that she was a Congregational minister.  Her sermons given must have been of interest and value to her congregation.  We are sure her articles contained in this book will do the same.

OTHER BOOKS AND BOOKLETS BY THE AUTHOR

One Man’s Destiny – recommended by Pastor Murray on 09/02/09

An Emerging Civilization – out of print

The Basic Principles in Bible Study – out of print

The Bible and Modernism

The Bible and Segregation

Facing the Sunrise

Origin and Transmission of the Bible

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CHAFF IN THE WIND

                As the world is being shoved steadily toward a full scale war, apprehension rises again to plague multitudes everywhere who are already weary of strife and uncertainty.  Christian people in particular have been slow to see the threatening clouds of another armed conflict gathering over the nations.  This is due to the fact that they are “slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.”

                After David escaped the wrath of King Saul, he confessed, “When the pangs of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.”  Our citizens, awakening belatedly to danger from “floods of ungodly men,” now confess that they are afraid.

                Unfortunately, many political and ecclesiastical leaders in Christian lands have been deluded into believing they can and ought to do business with totalitarian leaders, notwithstanding abundant evidence that they are tyrants, unmistakably evil, committed to a campaign of ruthless destruction in all nations.  These wicked planners operate in every country around the globe.  They are the real foes both within and without our borders.

                These scoundrels take the advantage of conspiring against fellow citizens who do not suspect their sinister conniving.  They are the hidden masters who train stool pigeons and place them in important government posts to carry on their business of treason, sabotage and deception.  For some years now they have seen to it that our enemies have been supplied with implements of warfare from our own stockpiles; they sidetracked war supplies which Congress appropriated for our friends in China and delivered them to the Russian and Chinese Communists; they are the schemers who maneuvered the escape of Gerhart Eisler; moreover, their unseen hands direct the activities of the Klaus Fuchs and Harry Golds in slipping to the Kremlin gangsters the know-how to produce our deadly new weapons, such as the atom and hydrogen bombs.

                Occasionally a Congressional committee, some energetic Senator or other investigator, succeeds in exposing a traitor, who invariably turns out to be only a tool of the secret conspirators.  When exposure comes, the stooge takes the rap.  Alger Hiss is an example.  Who, for instance, are the crafty planners who guided Hiss at San Francisco, at Yalta, and in the transfer of vital documents to our enemies?  Here, indeed, are the enemies to track down and expose.  It is dangerous business, to be sure, but men risk their lives on the battlefront; if they would risk them as courageously to crush despoilers at the home base, there would soon be no battles for our sons to fight at home or abroad.  One never conquers a serpent until he strikes at the head!

                Once in a while our courts manage to indict an Eisler or a Hiss --- though they rarely serve a sentence.  Why?  Who, or what group, is powerful enough to defeat justice with so much protection?  Eisler, you will remember, was gallivanting all over the country lecturing at Harvard and other educational institutions when he ought to have been behind bars in a federal prison.  The full story of these treasonable activities, and the identity of the instigators behind them, has yet to be told.

                Under what flag do these planners and their satellites operate, inasmuch as they are disloyal to the countries in which they live?  At a hearing before the House investigating committee in 1931, William Z. Foster was asked if Red followers in this country look upon the Soviet flag as their flag.  He answered:  “The workers of this country and of every country have only one flag and that is the Red Flag.”  Undoubtedly this ensign is the Red banner of Esau, whose bloody hand is still against every man who loves peace, freedom and righteousness.

                The trial of the eleven Communist party leaders charged with conspiring to teach the violent overthrow of the United States Government brought out some salient points which everyone ought to remember and ponder.  “Under this indictment,” one writer comments, “evidence was that the conspiracy was carried on by secrecy, false names and code language under the direction of emissaries of the Russian Communist Government.  The teaching and advocacy of violence was shown by textbooks, courses of study and accounts of lectures and classroom discussions, in all of which the violent overthrow of capitalistic government was presented as unavoidable in the setting up of the dictatorship of the proletariat in the United States.”

                For example, in their discussions and recommendations, revolution was defined as “an act in which one section of the population imposes its will upon the other by rifles, bayonets, cannon, etc., and the victorious party is inevitably forced to maintain its supremacy by means of that fear which its arms inspire in the reactionaries.”

                Here are some of the means proposed for subduing the United States:

1)      Invasion of the United States by Russia through Alaska and Canada.

2)      Setting up of a Negro republic in the South by inciting and backing the Negroes in a revolt against the southern white population and the Government of the United States.

3)      Infiltration of labor unions and all other important organizations “for the purpose of sabotage and industrial paralysis of the country.”

At the trial of the eleven Communists an FBI man planted within the party testified that in 1948 at a secret meeting in Boston, a woman leader of the group declared that war between the United States and Soviet Russia would be an unjust war and in such an instance it was the duty of the Communist party to fight against such an unjust war, which would be an imperialistic war on the part of the United States.  “She said the imperialistic war should be converted into civil war.”

                This same witness swore also that the party policy is to preach “peace” to the American public, while actually supporting the military aims of the Kremlin revolutionists.

                Another FBI observer within the Communist party, who kept active membership up to the time of his testimony in the trial, swore that at a secret meeting of underground Communists in Ohio it was estimated that the revolution in the United States would come within less than ten years from that date --- 1945.

                These fantastic aims are no figment of a lunatic’s imagination.  They are a mere fragment of an actual diabolical plan that is in the process of realization.  The present conspiratorial blueprint seems designed to involve the United States in a disastrous struggle in the Far East.  Beginning in Korea, the conflict may advance to include Formosa, the Philippines and the whole continent of Asia; then, with American men and equipment spread thinly over a vast area, the time would be at hand for an invasion of the United States via Alaska and Canada; and also for sabotage and revolution throughout our forty-eight States.  With this program well under way, the conquest of Africa and Western Europe might well proceed simultaneously with comparative ease.  It is quite a plan!  And the tragedy is that it is working --- for the time being --- with amazing precision.

                The following excellent summary of the situation appeared as an editorial in The Dallas News on July 14, 1950, under the title, “Movement Aimed at Weakening U.S.”:

                “Several letters recently addressed to The News have endorsed the world peace movement which has already gained several million signers, including quite a few in this country.

                “Whether they know it or not, they are lending their names to a Soviet effort to cripple the United States by limiting its preparedness program --- and especially by working up sentiment against the use of the atom bomb.  Here is the reason why:

                “The Russian cold-to-hot war strategy is now obvious.  Without using its own troops, it is in position to stir up war on many fronts, just as it is now carrying on war in Korea.  We have gone to the defense of Korea directly.  But can we afford to go to the assistance of Formosa, Indo-China, the Philippines, India, Iran, Arabia, Yugoslavia, Greece and Western Germany?  The Politburo is in position to start the brushfires of warfare in all of these places, using local man power except for top-bracket direction which would come from Moscow.

                “In the event of such a development, Russia would have the tremendous geographic advantage of sitting on the inside of the circle of conflict.  Russia would have the short lines of communication.   Ours would extend around the world.

                “Our only chance would be in striking directly at the seat of the trouble --- Moscow.  We would be able to do so primarily through the use of air power and, if necessary, the atom bomb.  So we have the Russian-sponsored ‘peace’ movement, aimed at arms limitation and outlawing the atom bomb, which is being supported by mass meetings in Madison Square Garden --- for which even some Texans seem to be falling.”

                Day by day the pattern of aggression is more clearly revealed.  Even the stouthearted among us confess to a sickening fear at the trend of events.  Again we are hearing the old wail, “too little and too late.”  And again American servicemen are dying in a distant land as the price of treachery and appeasement on the part of officials at the nation’s capital who are either disloyal or incredibly stupid.  “Floods of ungodly men” are not only behind the iron curtain, they are also in our midst to advise, to deceive, to betray --- and they make us afraid.

                Viewed strictly from the human angle, ungodly forces hold an advantageous position in the world today.  Thoughtful civilian and military observers are not so optimistic as formerly; there is an element of grave concern in their reports, a question as to whether or not Western civilization will be able to survive in a showdown with Communism.  Only those who place their trust in the Biblical promises of Divine intervention face the future with confidence.  Like the Psalmist, the trusting heart can say:

                ”The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?  When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.  Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear:  though war should rise against me, in this will I be confidant.  One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple.  For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion:  in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock.  And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me:….Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies:  for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.  I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”  (Ps. 27:1-6; 12-13.)

                Psalm 1 is appropriately placed first in the collection because its subject forms a suitable introduction to the Psalms which follow.  Its theme is the final destiny of man --- a topic that recurs constantly in the Psalms.  It contrasts the happy state of the righteous with the misery of the wicked and names the attributes, which determine a man’s character and destiny.  Note the simplicity and beauty, the irrevocable truth, of these imperishable words:

                ”Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scournful.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.  The ungodly are not so:  but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous:  but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

                “The ungodly are not so.”  Theologian Delitzsch tells us that the word used in the original for “ungodly” signifies the “loose man, the man loose from God.”  And W. L. Watkinson adds:

                “We see here that ungodliness is the source of all evil; ‘becoming loose from God,’ is the point of departure to positive and universal unrighteousness.  This great truth is often forgotten; and where actual sin would be denounced, ungodliness is often regarded with indulgence.  Indeed, that temper of mind which is loose from God is by many considered the most philosophic and desirable condition of the mind; the morality loose from God, the truest morality; the science loose from God, the wisest science; the character loose from God, the most sound and noble character.  The Psalmist in this place indicates the profound error of such reasoning.  Looseness from God, ungodliness, is the original and fertile source of all transgression.  Enmity with God is enmity with righteousness.”  (Preacher’s Homiletic Commentary.)

                “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counse of the ungodly.”  Evil men have attached themselves like leeches to presidents, premiers, kings and cabinet members to guide them in the ways that lead to destruction; and, as a rule, these wicked counselors are more powerful in establishing national and international policies than the acknowledged heads of governments because they are backed by the resources and coercive machinery of international conspirators.  It is the influence of such advisers that has created the difficulties within the nations, and between the nations, which now exist.

                If a man is blessed when he walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, it follows that he is accursed if he does heed the advice of ungodly men.  “Cursed in his counsels, cursed in his actions, cursed in his end,” as one expositor puts it.

                “The ungodly…are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.”  Considering the power of established evil as we see it today, and its tyrannous hold upon multiplied millions of citizens in many countries, one is tempted to question the truth of the Psalmist’s statement.  Surely nothing is more worthless and ineffective than chaff; how, then, can floods of inexpressibly cruel despots be likened to chaff?  Yet Israel’s inspired poet-king is not alone in making such a comparison.  The prophet Isaiah was led of the Spirit to portray a dramatic episode which might well describe the last act in Communism’s battle against the Lord God Almighty.  We quote Moffat’s version of Isaiah 17: 12-14:

”Ah, the booming of many a people,

Booming like sea breakers!

Ah, the thunder of great nations,

Thundering like the surge of the ocean!

But the Eternal checks them,

And they are chased afar,

Driven like chaff before the wind,

Like dust whirled by the hurricane –

At evening a terror,

And gone by morning!

Such is the fate of those who ravage us,

Such is the lot of those who rifle us.”

“Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in judgment.”  A commentator with keen insight writes as follows on this point:

                “Although the ungodly are in similar circumstances with the righteous, yet they derive no profit from this favourable circumstance.  They are spiritually dead and withered.  That which has matured in them has faded prematurely; for they have not appropriated to themselves the nourishment of life, and they have not formed in themselves the faculty for this appropriation.  Without root and without sap, they have not attained any vigor, nor brought forth any fruit (Matt. 21:19).  Thus they have [i]ripened only for destruction;[/i] unsubstantial and worthless as chaff, the sport of the wind until scattered by the storm, they go to destruction, and leave no trace behind.”  (Homelitic Com.)

                It is written in Matthew 3:12, that the Lord’s fan is in His hand and “he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

                Psalm 37 inspires confidence and patience for such a time as this:

                ”Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.  For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb….The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.  The Lord shall laugh at him:  for he seeth that his day is coming….I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.  Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not:  yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.”

                Since the fate of the wicked is thus sealed by Divine decree, the question arises, Why are they permitted to flourish and threaten the safety of the Christian nations as they are now doing?  Perhaps our question can best be answered by quoting the Rev. W. I. Watkinson:

                “History relates that Redwald, King of East Anglia, built a church, at one end of which was an altar for the sacrifice of the mass, and at the other end an altar for sacrifice to the old British idols.  How frequently the Church is in danger of making analogous compromises, allowing certain evils to exist within its borders for the sake of gold, or popularity, or peace.  It must not be, or God will not dwell with us.  And we must remember this in our personal life.  ‘Rest assured, Christ will not live in the parlor of our hearts if we entertain the devil in the cellar of our thoughts.’  (Spurgeon)  God does not tolerate wickedness.  It is no part of His pleasure, no part of His policy, that evil should be found in the human heart or in the world.”  (Homiletic Com., Psalms, Vol. I, p. 18.)

                As a nation of nominal Christians we have not put evil away from us as Israel was commanded to do.  If we are an Israel nation and a body of Christian believers, as we say, then we are under God’s mandate to cleanse both State and Church from the works of unrighteousness.  “Thou shalt put evil away from among you” is the command as stated in Deuteronomy in chapters 13, 17, 19, 22 and 24.  If one objects to the teaching in these chapters because they are in the Old Testament, let him turn to I Corinthians 5:11-13 and read:

                ”But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.  For what have I to do to judge them also that are without?  Do not ye judge them that are within?  But them that are without God judgeth.  Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”

                Israel was disobedient in the days of old; Israel is disobedient now --- it is a stubborn family trait.  Surely Christ will not punish His bride whom He loves so much, some say.  But the bride must be prodded awake, lest her Lord should come at midnight, and find her sleeping.  She has not made herself ready.  She dallies irresponsibly --- not realizing that the hour is late.  Even now the bride ought to be attired in the wedding garment of righteousness, waiting for her Lord.

                Thinking of the unspeakably horrible fruits of evil --- the enslavement and torture of helpless human beings, the snatching of 25,000 little children from their homes in Greece alone, the fate of American lads forced into combat with demon-possessed monsters --- one is led to understand what our Lord meant when He said we should pray, “Deliver us from evil.”  We understand, too, the burden of Israel’s king when he prayed:

                ”Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation:  O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.  For thou art the God of my strength:  why dost thou cast me off?  Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?  O send out Thy Light and Thy Truth:  let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy Holy Hill, and to Thy Tabernacles.”  (Ps. 43:1-3.)

                These lines from an old hymn challenge our faith:

“The storm may war without me,

My heart may low be laid;

But God is round about me,

And shall I be afraid?”

                There is no man living in the world today who can save us from the terror and destruction which floods of ungodly men plan to bring upon the Christian nations.  But the apostle Peter points us to One --- the only one --- who can save us:  “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment, to be punished” (II Peter 2:9).  Thanks be unto the Lord our Christ, who knows how to deliver us from evil!