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2 .
, Original Contributions.
Our Inconsistencies.
BY F. M. BAINS.
*
It is a lamentable fact, and one
that should lead every Christian to
humble himself before God that the
best of us by our weaknesses, foi
bles, and inconsistencies afford the
world too many occasions for stum
bling. Many date their first im
pressions against the, cause of Christ
from having observed the professed
followers of Clirist walking not in
harmdnyTwitliTnsgospel. Andwe
all judge an in.stitutionl.iy its pro
fessed votaries. We estimate Ma
sonry by the lives of its members.
It is often asked why our churches,
do not prosper ; and it may as often
be answered : They are inconsist-
ent. Churches are inconsistent—
when,
1. They expect their preacher to
meet promptly all his financial ob
ligations, and yet, they do not pay
him what they have agreed to pay.
I know some churches guilty of this
sin.
_
,
2. When they employ cheap
preachers. Some things are dear
• at any price, and this is true of a
cheap preacher.
This is always
true when he is simply engaged lie
cause he is cheap, and when he ac
cepts simply for the sake of a
“ place.”
3. When they spend much money
for costly church building liecause
their religious neighbors do. We
should have attractive ami comfort
able church buildings for their real
worth to the cause of Christ, and
for this reason only. A church is
inconsistent when it has a dingy,
dirty, and pig-pen of a place in
which to meet; or when it has an
elegant building, with a mortgage
or debt hanging over it; and when
it has a flashing temple to be like
others. Let the churches study
Paul’s language when he. says,“ For
our rejoicing is this, the testimony
of our conscience, that in simplicity
and godly sincerity (not in worldly
show'), not with fleshly wisdom (op
posite to spirit), but by the grace of
God we have have had our conver
sation (manner of living) in the
world, and more abuntly to you
ward.” 2 Cor. 1: 12.
4. When they give much atten
tion to life in the church and little
attention to spiritual life.
Your
church life necessarily implies spir
itual life, but this is not considered
by some churches when, they speak
of life iu the church. A large and
fashionable congregation with much
talk and show constitutes life in the being extinguished. The lamps climate, soil and productions, from
church with them. This is an er sent their cheering rays far out into Main to California, and from olir
roneous conception of church work, the sea save where the piece of tin own loved Oregon to the sunny
and is sure to lead to dangerous and threw a dark shadow’, widening as land .of Florida, with our fifty
hurtful results. The poor arc neg it fell upon the-distant waters till millions of people, where each one
lected and the rich are attracted. it covered many a mile. Vessels may find a congenial home, where
The,, last class profess to embrace passing that wray during the night climate, soil and productions may
Christ and his teaching. They saw no light where one ought to best suit their convenience and
came in while the train is moving have been and some Were wrecked happiness." So inotheTlafidSTWl ~
and have not considered what it upon the rocks and- precious lives climes we find the means adapted .
takes to keep it in motion; and w'ere lost because while the lamp to the ends. When We look at the
when they come to an up grade it was burning brightly it did not spiritual universe we find there
is not what they expected, and they shine where it should. So our beautiful system aifd adaptation.
are disappointed and instead of faults cast shadows and many re We find in the first, or Patriarch ial
being servicable to the church they main in the darkness for not having . .Disjwnsatiojua •'jystmnof worship
are burdens Tor the cliurcK to carry. seen the light which should ema just adapted to the primevlal state
The churches should seek to make nate from our lives. “ Let your of the race; the head of the family
the world realize the turpitude of light so shine,” says Jesus, “ before (or tribe) was the high priest. As
sin, and to make a full surrender to men that others seeing your good families and nations are multiplied,
the authority of Christ.
There work may glorify your Father who we find irr the second, or Jewish
must be a genuine spiritual life—a is in heaven.” We believe srreat Dispensation, a system of worship
life freed fi'om sin and unreservedly Unrigs and to be consistent we must best adapted to them, as a nation ;
a system that was calculated to
consecrated to Christ and his cause do greut things.
give
them higher aspirations and
Nothing short of this is true church
We who are engaged in the resto
work and without we can not ration of primative Christianity will grander ideas of the one true and
be consistent.
living God. Paul, in speaking to
be inconsistent,'
5. When' they do not take, relig
1. When we fail to declare all his Jewish brethren, said” of the
ious papers, and when they spend the counsel of God. “ Wherefore I law given by Moses, that it was a
more money for tobacco than for take you to record this day,” says “ school master to bring us to
missionary purposes, when there is
Chri s t.” Gal. 3 : 24;—Str wfind
trouble among brethren in the chui’clr] Mood -of all m«r. For I have not in thlfra nsitanrt r6tlgtoii“w!th'~'
*
—envyhigs, strife, ami hatred, w hen shunned to declare unto you all the high priest to officiate for
them in
you send your children to Catho counsel of God.” Acts. 20: 26, 27. things pertaining to God, with a
lic school, when children are taught We must boldly and positively code of laws to govern them as a
to appear well in society, and little sp< ak all that God has coinntaii'li il nation, elect and chosen by him,
attention given to make them ef We can not be guiltless without so as types and shadows of a more
ficient in the church. But you say doing. To fail here is to be guilty exalted kingdom and priesthood.
these are little things. Be it so. of the blood of our fellow’s. We This brings us to the third, or
But remember it is the aggregation have promised God and the world Gospel Dispensation. God said to
of little things that constitutes the that we would faithfully preach the Abraham, “ In thy seed (Christ)
telling sum and influence in every word. Will we be true to our obli shall all nations of the earth be
thing. The cost of a postal card is gation ? I believe we will. Thous blest.” We hear Jesus saying to
only one cent, and yet the whole ands of faithful men have «riven the woman of Samaria : “ The hour
amount sold in one year runs up in themselves to this noble W'ork.
has come when the true worshipers
to millions, giving the government
2. When we add to the word of shall worship in spirit and in
thousands of dollars. One grain of the Lord. The simplicity of con truth.” John 4: 23. No more
wheat is not much, but when the versions for which we have con Jewish altars from which was to
whole Mississippi valley empties its tended has been a tower of strength ascend offerings for the people
apron of wheat in our markets it to us. The simple scriptural church through a national high priest, but
makes a very neat little sum. In government ami congregational
the worship should become in
the Christian life one act does not worship, the world can easily nndeT
dividual, and to all nations, each
appear to amount to much, but stand, and will readily appreciate
one worshiping the true and living
when that is multiplied by ten in and respect if we will continue loyal
God in spirit and in truth. The
one day, the aggregate in a few to Jesus and lie consistent in our
good Father, in giving the world a
years is telling for good.
teaching and practice. Consistency system of individual worship, or
And just as the usefulness of a
is a jewel in everything in general religion, has appointed Jesus, his
Christian life grows out of little
ami in Christianity i 14 particular.
only begotten Son, our Great High
deeds well done, so the influence of
Leavenworth, Ks.
Priest and King. -Before— I m »- as
many a Christian is sadly marred
by little sins—little indiscretions, The Gospel Adapted to Man as cended to the Father, we hear him
saying to his chosen apostles : “All
it Finds Him.
little mcanesses, and little jealousy
power in heaven and in earth is in
and spite.
». M. DOTI.
my hands, go ye into all the world
It is said that a keeper of a light
house off the coast of Florida acci
He who will stop and, for a IUO- and preach the Gospel to every
dentally broke a pane of glass while ment, investigate for himself, may creature, he that believeth and is
lighting his lamps for the night. It see, in the spiritual, as in the baptized, shall be saved.” Mark
was Htoo late for him to repair it, material universe of God, a beauti 16:15,16. We find inti lis Gospel
and as the wind was blowing ful system of harmony ami adapta a beautiful adaptation to each in-
lividual as it finds him. We are
strongly, he fitted a strip of tin into bility. When wc look at our own taught in the Holy Writ that with
the sash to prevent the light from 1 beautiful America, with her varied out faith it is impossible to please
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