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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 28, 1910)
TEE MEDFORD MAIL TRIBUNE, MEDFORD, OREGON, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1910. 3 f THIS SERMON IS Ooo PEOPLE'S Sermon by CHARLES T. RUSSELL, Pattor Brooklyn Tabernacle. Ooo Sunday, Jan. 30. The third meet ing for the consideration of Church Federation was held today. The spa clous Urooklyn Acudcuy of Music was crowded with Christian people of till denominations to attend the third of the series of four meetings called by the Peoples Pulpit Association. Pastor C. T. Itusscll of the Brook lyn Tabcrnaclo addressed tho large audience for nn hour and a half. The deep Interest felt was evidenced by the profound silence, as well as by the eagerness of face. The text was the same as on tho two previous occa sions, "Say ye uot, A Federation, to all them to whom this people shall sny, A Fedcrntlon; neither fear ye their fear, nor be nfrald" (Isaiah Till, 12). The speaker said: We meet today to consider what sac rifices would need to be made In the interests of Federation by the three oldest denominations of Christendom. Of these Lutherans hare least to sur render. Their tenacity for tho Word of God they may still maintain, even though others of the federated bodies might more and more abandon the Holy Scriptures, under leadership of tho Universities. Colleges and Semi naries teaching Illghcr-Crltlcism-Infl-dellty and the Evolution theory. The Federation nevertheless would still permit Lutherans and others to lovo and reverence the Word of God nnd yet be in fellowship. Almighty God. the Son of God and the Holy Spirit, .firmly believed In by Lutherans, would nil he acknowledged with more or less of mental reservation by all the de nominations associated In tho Federa tion. Nothing along these lines would need to he abandoned. Kven Luther's plea of consnlistantlatlon in the Eu charist may be held without objec tion. Even tlu- honor of being the first denomination of the Reformation might still be held. We conclude then that Lutherans would not be required to sacrifice nnythlng. Some Things In Common. Episcopalians and Catholics have Bono things In common. They each claim to represent the original apos tolic Church. They each claim (through their bishops in the laying on of hands) apostolic authority. Their common claim Is that all other denom inations of Christians whatsoever are false churches without Divine author ity and hence not to be recognized or tolerated. Accordingly no minister of another denomination would be per mitted to preach either In n Catholic' or an Episcopalian pulpit. And If by mischance such a circumstance should occur It would bo considered neces sary to purge the sacred spot by n kind of le-eonsecratlon. From the stnndiM)lut of these denominations all others oro heretics; but, they say, not willingly so, but Ignorantly so. Here note the fact that a cleavage is In process amongst Episcopalians. A minority, termed lilgh-churchuieu, are gradually separating Homeward, while the majority are sharing the senti ments of olher Protestants, to the ef fect that the mutter of "apostolic suc cession" is probably less Important thau their forefathers supixscd. For the purposes of this, discussion we may without otTc-usc Ignore the high church miuorlty nnd say that the Scriptures which plainly foretell the perfecting of Church Federation indi cate that it will Include Episcopalians, but will not Include Catholics. Never theless the Intimation is that while tho Federation will be a Protestant one, It will not be antl-Cnthollc. On tho contrary the two great systems, Catholic and Protestant, will frater nize and eo-oxruto along various Hue especially In the manipulation of so cial and political lutlucuces. The breadth of the Episcopal creed will not call for particular sacrifices In Federation. If only their pride on the subject of njKwtolIc succession can be satisfied. They are all prepared to admit that uo particular wisdom or holiness has been communicated from geueratlon to genoratlou, from bishop to bishop and from bishop to lower clergy through the laying on of hands. They are willing to admit that there have been mou us wise and others as foolish outside as inside their Com munion. They are willing to admit that uo greater light ukhi the Word of God nnd its meaning has come down to humanity through Its chan nels than through outside channels. They nre willing to admit that their clergy have uo more of Divine Grace and Truth. Wisdom and Power than have others of God's people, both cler gy and laity, outside their boundaries. Hence they are willing. nu. auxlous. for Federation, and ask only thut their "face bo saved," by some acknowledg ment of the loug (dollied thought that ability to expouud the Scrtpturtw aud the Greco of God In expounding tuein could be had only thP'Uitu their than nel. They have no delr to roe their claim to suiwrlor gr' and truth by measuring swords of th Spirit with rther minister. . Cp to the pnaeut time Episcopalian decline to be iartie to the Federatlun unleas their special claim tw Id torn sense or degree recognized. Prldw says It would never do to retra' t n- v all that the denomination has stood for In separation for itnturlei The; A REGULAR WEEKLY FEATURE ooO PULPIT... Mass Meeting No. 3 CHURCH FEDERATION a Counting the Cost What Episcopalians, Catholics and Lutherans Must Surrender. ooO would urge Christians of the other de nominations, especially tho clergy, to consider the advantage which would accrue to the Federation by having all Protestant ministers accept their ordi nation. They do not claim that It would make them wiser or better men, nor more ctllclcnt teachers, cither of truth or error. But they do Claim that it would give them an authority in the eves of the people and give color and reasonableness to the Federation of many churches with discordant creeds posing ns one church in the Federa tion arrangement. The argument Is, "The common peo ple, the laity," are disposed more thap ever to think for themselves on religious subjects and to study the Bible for themselves. If, therefore, as ministers, you desire to hold the people in check so that they shall not thluk for themselves you would do well to concede the claim of npostollc succession that uo one Is permitted to luterpret or teach the Bible except those who have received apostolic benediction. It was disregard of this claim of apostolic benediction which led to freedom of thought on religious subjects and ultimately led to the for mation of the various sects. You should now seek to restrict further In vestigation of the Bible nnd further Interpretation of It by accepting our theory, by permitting us to grant you recognition in some simple form of the rights of apostolic authority through our bishops. If you do not do so you will more and more lose your hold on tho people, for we are coming more nnd more to a time of individual thought on every topic. The Scriptures lutlmate that this argument "111 ultimately prevail and grck'.t Protestant denominations be tlin . vitalized nnd, In co-operation with Catholicism, for n short while Jomlnate Christendom socially and politically, crushing out individual thought and negativing and black-listing all lellglous teachers outside the Federation nnd its Catholic Ally. From this standiolut the Eplei'ul system will lose nothing, but even be a gainer of prestige through the Fed eration. What Catholics Would Surrender. For Catholics to Join the Federation would signify the surrender of n great deal, and yet. In the light of the Twen tieth Century, surely much could be surrendered without any sacrifice of mauhood merely with the sacrlfleo of a, little pride. For the Church at Home to federate with the Protestant Churches would mean that they ceas ed to protest aud that she relinquished her peculiar claims: (1) That she alone is tho Church of Christ and has authority to instruct; (2t That she Is more than a Church or prospective Kingdom that to her has been committed by God the ruler ship of the world In respect to nil mut ters temporal and spiritual, hence that she Is the reigning Kingdom of God. (ID That her Popo is tho authorized representative of Christ, auoluted and commissioned of God to fulfill nil the prophecies of the Scriptures respecting the reign of Christ, his Millennial Kingdom, etc. This claim of Papacy that the Pope's- reign Is de facto the reign of Christ Is expressed In tho depuration that he Is tho vico-gerent f Christ the one reigning instead of Christ. (-1) The doctrine of traus-bubstantla-tlon that by the blessing of a priest the ordinary bread and wine are trans muted into the actual soul of Christ (his flesh and his blood) for sacrifice afresh In each celobratlon of the Mil.. Whatever moy have-beon true iu the remote past, assuredly our Cuthoik frteuds can no longer claim thut all the purity, all the faithfulness to God. all the sunctlty of life amongst be lievers In Christ are to be found In her communion. St. Paul dechites, "If nny man have not the Spirit of Christ he Is none of his," Surely all Chris tians admit this standard aud h; ror rectn ess of tho Apostle's teaching Hence the Ignoring and setting aside of all creeds and barriers which have heretofore hindered the Unity of the Church of Christ might be possible Thus the first Catholic objection might easily bo removed In faTor of Federa tion, or, still better, In favor of Union. As our Episcopalian friends full to prove that the apostolic succession to ordination gave either greater wisdom or more grace to their clergy than to other ministers of the Gospel, might not our Catholic friends reasonably admit the same? The second claim that Papacy U God's Kingdom, that the Pojmjh reign tuccotwlvely as Cbrikt's Vicegerent febould uot be difficult for Catholics of our day to lay atlde. Ilowevor strong ly it wa held lu th dark past It U surely little appreciated by Catholics today No longer do the Pope dotal nate the civil ruler of Christendom And no lout-r d the people cuusidei It wlfce that i hey buid do so. Mun aud more the iuhiumm apprweiau the fact that the orlffial kingdom of earth was giveu to father Adam and that mankind a hi, ih;.dmi are the uat ural heirs of the inheritance. More i !'d more the f pl. are dlapoeed consider pop-:- .irs emprora a: ' kings a1-' mf-rf ''gv.rr- head- with any real title or ami. tty Horn heaven to rule or to coerce the people. More nnd more the masses demand Con gresses, Parliaments. Hclchstogs and Doumns. And more and more do they demand that these shall reflect the sentiments of the people in civil and religious matters. The. day of dark ness and Ignorance in which the peo ple believed that popes and kings were Divinely appointed to rule them with Divine authority has gone by. Gen eral Intelligence has taught mankind that it Is n mistake to suppose that one God-apK)lnted king and kingdom were Divinely nppointcd to wipe anoth er Divinely appointed king and king dom 'off the face of the earth. Hence popes and kings now admit that they reign by a popular sufferance, and their appeals for money, for armies and navies, Is no longer on the score that they were Divinely Instructed to obliterate each other, but ou the score of Belf-dcfensc. This claim, however, wholly de stroys the argument that we aro now or ever In the past have been under Christ's Kingdom, cither direct or through the popes. Neither now nor at nny other tlmo in the world's history has there been a reign of righteousness such as the Scriptures declare Christ's Kingdom shall be. May we not, then, with good grace Catholics and Prot estants admit that neither our Catho lic popes, emperors and kings, nor our Protestant kings, emperors and heads of Churches are reigning with any DlTlne authority manifest to human Judgment? Let us humbly admit the nonsense of the legcuds on our coins, Catholic and Protestant, to the effect that kings and popes rclgn by the grace of God by Divine appointment. Let us rather sny that they camo Into power through the exercise of brute force and In a time of common public Ignorance. Nor by this do we mean any disrespect to tho governments of today rather we have shown that to day the people nre ruling through their Congresses, Parliaments, Helch stags, etc., and that the kings and emperors nro mcro figure-heads of power, more or less useful and de pendent upon the good-will of their people. If' It bo asked how we shnll account for the period of tho dark ages and au tocratic and devilish misrule, our re ply would bo to point to the Apostle's words. He declares that Satan Is the god or ruler of this world, who now operates through the disobedient through those not In harmony with God, who constitute the vast majority In Christendom nnd elsewhere. And we remind you that our Lord Jesus also spoke of Satan ns being the Prince of this world or age (John xll. 31), nud of himself ns tho Prince or Huler of the coming Age, the Millen nial Age (John xvlll. 30). Ah, yes! the sooner both Catholics nnd Protestants admit what they and all the world now see, the better namely, that for a long time our great Adver sary held us In a bondage of ignorance and superstition, in getting free from which many bright minds have reacted towards iufldollty, because they did not see that many of the teachings of the past, both Catholic and ProtcMitnt. were not only Irrational, but most posi tively unscrlpturnl teachings of men, nnd, ns St. Paul declared, "doctrines of demons" (I Timothy Iv, 1). Not Vlee-jjerent Christ. lu view of the fore-going In view of tho fact that the Dlvlnu titles of ull kings and emperors are now abrogat ed, papacy need feel no special dl graco to her cause iu similarly ubru gating the claim that the popes reign ns representatives of ClirNt or have authority so to do. Indeed such ;i claim Is more safely denied than held, for In the light of our day papacy's best friends cannot look into the past nnd polut with pride to any achieve incuts as properly representing the reign of tho Prince of Pence Iuimnn uel. In the light of the present nil of God's people, Catholics nnd Protesants of every shade, should rejoice to Join In tho Lord's Prayer-"Tliy Kingdom come; thy will be done on earth us it I done lu heaven." Suroly this Is what all saints of all denominations should desire nud pray for and labor for. Not that we can hope to bring it to pass of ourselves, however. Nearly nineteen centuries of efforts show to the contrary. Even our last century of great missionary endeavor. Catholic und Protestant, proves this. United States statistics show that in the year 1S0O there were six hundred millions of heathens, and that In the year 1IM their numbers had doubled there-wcrc twelve hundred millions of heathens While continuing our exertions on be half of the heathens nbroud und at home, let us tie our faith to the Apos tie's words and "wait for God's Son from heaven" (I Thessalonlans L 10). At tho second coming of Christ and the glorification of his Church, "his elect," "his saints," gathered from all denominations, Catholic and Protes tant (and some from outside of uli of them) only then will the glorious rolgu of Christ nnd the Church begin Only then will the spiritual Seed of Abraham be complete nud the work f blessing the unregenorate world begin tho Millennial Kfngdom work- the overthrow of Satan and bis empire the scattering of darkuewi. lgnoran c nnd superstition which he funtered tbe flooding of the earth with the light of tho knowledge of th glory of ; ! the restoration of natural Isrsel t Divine favor the bringing lu of ei lasting; rlghUtouauetut through a ur-i, tal, pbytdral nuA moral uplift. Wlm ever then shall refuse nil tbo, hi eatings aud pr1vll-j.e will b ! Mroyed from aruuat the people Tbu eventually lu the clow f " Millennium God's will xhall be d"t . on earth eveu as It hi done tu heaven aa fully, as completely This U tlu "Kingdom of G-hI'm dear S-n" f r which we waif and prai And h- ever ur rr i I Mher kingdoms, e VETO BILL 18 TO COMEIJP FIRST Fato of Cabinet's Success Depends Upon Immcdlnto Consideration and Passage of the Veto Bill. LONDON, Feb. 28.Tlio Mippoit er? of tho Asquith mi'iistr as sume from tho nttitudo of tho king that tho veto bill will be passed, oven if King Edward is compelled to swamp the'houso of lords with new ly nppointcd liberal peers. The fnte of tho cabinet's success through itR nllinnco with nationalists ntul Inboritcs, depends upon tho im modinto consideration nnd pnssnpe of tho veto bill. Premier Asquith prncticnlly lias tho king's assurance tlint if the lords balk nt the cur tailment of their prerogatives suffi cient liberal peers will be appointed by him to carry out tho program of tho ministry in the house of lords. It is understood that ttie premier told tho kiiif; that ho would bo com pelled to resign tho premiership un less tho kinc agreed to tho plnu. STANFORD TRACK CAPTAIN HITS SOME HARD LUCK STANFORD UNIVERSITY, Cnl.. Feb. 28. OwitiR In n torn tendon in his loft leg, Captnin Scott of the Stanford university truck team did not pnrticipnto in tho trvont of tho team on tho track Itere today. It is feared thnt Scott has run his last nice in his collego enrcor. Scolt injured his log whilo sprint ing yestcrdny afternoon. It is ex pected ho will bo kept from trnining for nt least two weeks ns a result. Whilo ho amy not lie nblo to sprint again, it is prnbnblo that Scott will compote in tho polo vntilt as hereto fore. GOLD HILL ITEMS. (By Spectator.) M. T. Howard nnd Rox II. I.ntnp mnn returned Friday evening from tho Meadows district, where they have boon visiting Mr. Lampman's father. j Grant Matthews of Foots Crook iwns a Gold Hill visitor Friday. , Miss Ruby Dungoy camo down from Fortlnnd Friday to visit homo folks a few days. Mr. and Mrs. F. L. McClollnn. former resident of this place, arriv ed from Portland Friday nnd will again tnko up their rosidonce at this place. Hnrrv While of Woodvillo was (! inir husinos-i here Fridny. Sieve Jones, tho genial landlord THE ROADS ARE NEVER BAD, THE WEATHER IS ALWAYS GOOD, WHEN YOU WANT TO GO, CALL UP THE UNION LIVERY R. 0. DUNCAN, Shur-On Wm. E. STACEY & CO. REAL ESTATE AND EMPLOYMENT. Distrpt AK' nt for ALADDIN LAMP Local afeuU wantl Lamp on exh!M i.r( and for salt at tha following plaren Medfcrd Oarage. Allot & Kcnis. Wwrner, Wortmin & Ucro'n, HusmVii Cash Store and Mf-!f-' 1 Furniture Co 'a store ADDRESS BOX 826. MKDFORI), OR .of tho Gold Hill hold, who hns been confined to his room with n sovoro nttnek of la grippe, is on duty agnin. Tho Ladies' Aid Chincso supper , served nt the homo of Mrs. Q. B. I Turner on C street Thursday evening wns well patronized and netted tho j Indies a neat little sum. I Born On Washington's birthdny, to Mr. and Mrs. Jay E. Davidson, in Garden Row, n nine-pound boy. Mr. and Mrs. J. II. McClondon nro preparing to reopen tho McClondon house on C street nbont tho first of the month. This well-known hostelry hns boon closed tho past few months nnd will be opened with now furni ture complete. II. L. McClollnn of tho Mail Trib une was hero during the week look ine after tho subscription list. Mrs. C. 0. Gault. who has boon visting hor mother, Mrs. M. R. Rico, the past two weeks, returned to her homo in Fortlnnd the first of the week. Ketchell Fires Manancr. HOT SPRINGS. Ark.. Feb. 28. Stanley Ketchel believes thnt ho is shrewd enough to manage his own affairs and will not neccpt tho prop osition liiado by George Little, John son's guide, to succeed Willus Britt, Kcteliol's former manager. Ketchel plans remaining hero threo weeks to prepare for battles in tho cast. Ketchel lias turned down the (he. nlrical offer made by II. II. Frazco and snvs thnt tliero is not enough money to m.nko him tnko to tho foot-, lights. Ho declares ho is n fighter, not an nctor. A. L. VROMAN PLUMBING & HEATING CONTRACTOR No job too small, none too largo. Twenty-five .veal's' practical experience. OFFICE 113 SOUTH FRONT STREET. For the Best In harness, saddles, whips, olins, tents, blankets, wag on sheets, axle grease and Ball cure, as well as all kinds of custom work, see J. C. Smith 314 E. Main. Proprietor. DRAW A CHECK On tho Fanners' & FruitKrowor' bnnk for tho amount of your bills and note bow much more your cred itor will respect you. They at oiu-o cIubb you ns n man who doon btihi neHH in n busineHS way. Have 'an 1 nocount nt tho hank nnd your credit ! will bo bettor, your money safer. Don't think you havo to Htnrt biR.j Smull accounts nre ns ncceptublo ns ( big onen. Wo enn fit most any kind of u nose with Shur-On Mounts. Dr. GOBLE Optical Parlor 18 West Main Street. Wo havo no otlior business. R L UMBING Steam and Hot Water Heating. All work guaranteed. Prices reasonable. j I. F. MOORE AND E. E. SMITH i Old Tribune Building. Phone -J931. WAAtlED Timber and Coal Lands ENGINEERING AND SURVEYING CON TRACTS TAKEN AND ESTIMATES FURNISHED. B. H. Harris & Co. MFDFORD - - - - OREGON Office in Jackouo county Bank Upstairs mortgage: loanvS Money on hand to loan on Real Estate. City and County Warrants bought. Fidelity and Indemnity Bonds Furn ished. Fire Insurance. JAMES CAMPBELL, jl'liono .Main :t2itl. DRIVERS that know the country RIGS that cover the country Ql'ICKM AND WITH COMl MW TO YOU AHIC AIAV1Y8 TO UK KOtLND VI TIIH I-WUI.OW .M DOWNINO, I'ltOl'HIKTOHS. WEST SIDE STABLES I'HONK 2I!U 8. GltAPIS 8TRKIJT f GOLD RAY GRANITE CO, Office: 201) West Mnin St., Mcdford, Oro. Operating Quarry DEALKRS IN BUILDING, MONUMENTAL AND CRUSHED J. K. ENYA'KT. President JOHN S OHTH. fH-l." THE MEDFORD JAFITAL $50,000 SURPLUS . ... , $10,000 Safety boxes for rent. A general Banking Business transacted We solicit your patronage. " asm PLUMBING SUAM AND HOI WA1FR HEATING ' All Work (iiinrantci'd I'ricoH Roanonablo COFFEEN (& PRICE 11 North D st . Modford Ore. Phone 303 RESOLVED The beat resolution for you to mnko is to come to us (or your next suit, if you want something out of the ordinary. We do the best work nnd charge the lowest prices. W. W. EIFERT TUB FROOKKSSIVB TAH.OB UOH l'YultKroweriT Hank ltuliaiiiR at Gold Ray, Oregon GRANITE J. A. PBUItV, Vice-Proside.it W H. JACKSON. 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