CHtlisTiAlsT HERALD
I
lbwering this estimate '. He tells abroad ; authorized gatherings for
us that it is possible these writings reading or speaking the word of the
contain some things unauthorized ; Lord, any day or evening, to old or
(Here lie helps Col. Ingersoll, and young, Sunday morning, when it is
permits suspicion to rest upon it called a Sunday school, or Wednes
all!) and that “ it is certain that the day night, or any convenient time.
apostles tught much that has He also authorjzHl Jjeffffülti1 ig and
ITngTndl
never reached us?* Tins would be circulation of Bibles, Ijooks of
hard to sustain ; as the same things sermons, religious papers, tracts,
ANTI-BIBLE TALK
were taught in all the churches ; so, etc, to aid in teaching. And when
much of apostolic teaching was he enjoined “ teaching ami admon
BY M. B. LEMF.BT.
repetition. The fault-finding is ishing in psalms, hymns and spirit
- Is the Bible a sufficient rule for continued. Th se w r 111 n a re 11 e— ual songs, singing and making
man in his earnest efforts to pass heie nt in details, m o that w e m ay
m their hearts to the Lord,"
from sin and death, to purity and do things not specified ; and we he authorized making apd using
eternal life—from corruption to need not do all that is therein re hymn-books, containing such com
incorruption — from
earth to corded.
Besides, another great position ; and had he command
heaven ?
defect is, they give no authority for ed making music, all musical in-
would
have been
Tins ought not to be a question 7Ioing tilings hidTspensable — the sEruments
•with us, of The Carrent Refomia- building of meeting houses^—setting thereby authorized ; but as he gave
lion, as its fathers sustained the an hour for assembling—preparing no such command his people have
affirmative against the combined' a place for baptizing, and for Sun no such authority. But our very
forces of the religious world. But day-schools. This is strange talk l>enevolent C. Missionary would
I see it is called in question, and a for a Christian—nothing more and have us act without Scriptural
labored effort made to sustain the nothing less. Such are generally authority—would have us accept
negative-, in our beloved paper, the pleased and satisfied with thé his instead thereof! He tells us
C. H erald , No. 22, by Christian Bible. I can see no reason for such that some things would be right, if
Missionary ! ! He has pious fears fault-finding with this blessed Book, no reference was made by the
that w e as a people have mistaken only as it ~h in the way of the ... ffcriptinw to themy Hear him,
He must want to in- I " You may take an instrument and
the peculiar spirit and genius of fault-finder.
■
the religion of Christ—fears that troduce something he is conscious I use it to help revel or to aid you in
we think Christianity is contained the Bible does, not favor; ami he is praising God.” He knows; he is
wholly in the code of laws, called doubtful about succeeding, unless authority ; but .the Scriptures are
the Bible, especially the New Tes he first weakens the backbone of of doubtful authority! Is it not
tament. He would benevolently those loyal to their King, by weak equally true;, you may dance to help
disabuse the minds of all who have ening their confidence in the holy revel or to aid you in praising God?
Then we would have the organ
accepted the teaching of the Camp Scriptures ! (Acts 20 : 2^32.).
Let us see what truth there is in and the dance in church ! The
bells and coadjutors upon the im
portance and sufficiency of the the charge that the Scriptures give quotation is continued, “ If a Chris
written word of the Lord ' He no authority for building* meeting tian can use an organ anywhere, he
thinks it very defective as a rule of houses, etc. To illustrate, A farmer can use it in the assembly of the
action. He cannot endorse Paul’s upon the eve of leaving home for a saints.” Thus he states his favorite,
assertion that the Scriptures furnish few days, says to his servant, plow principle. It is certainly right for
** instruction in righteousness that a certain field of corn while 1 am a Christian to whistle, following
Returning, he finds the his plow; then it is right to whistle
the man of God may be perfect, gone.
Again, the farmer
thoroughly furnished unto all good field not plowed, and inquires: did in church!
you
not
understand
me
to
tell
you
comes
in
at
noon
and his little ones
works—completely fitted for every
good work,” (2 Tim. 3 : 17). For to plow that field ? The servant clamor for him\o blow the horn
“ we wholly misinterpret Chris replies, I did, but you gave me no and make the dogs howl; he does
tianity (he thinks) when we require authority for using your horse, so, and they have a lively time;
a precept, example or legitimate harness or plow, and I could not do even the tired wife joins in the
inference.”
We must have a the plowing without all of these. laugh. This was right for a little
broader gauge — something more The farmer, quite displeased, re amusement in the family ; therefore
than is commanded, (a precept plied, you ought to have known it cannot be wrong in the assem
means a command). How does that when I bid you plow that field bly !! Thou great Shepherd of the
this agree with the following ? “ He I authorized you to use all these— sheep, shield thy people from such
that hath my commandments and use just wjiyX-. was necessary teaching. Again, it is right for a
keepeth them he it is that loveth to do the plowing. So when the Christian family to prepare a
me ;” also " Blessed are they that Lord requires his people to meet he bountiful meal, and for all to par
do his commandments that they authorizes them to secure a house take at home ; therefore it cannot
may have a right to the tree of life, and fix the hour; and when he be wrong to take this meal to
and may enter in through the gates commands baptizing, he authorizes church and eat it there 1 The
into the city.” Teaching that so all necessary preparations. Also Corinthians acted upon this princi
flatly contradicts the Scriptures when he bade his followers teach ple and were rebuked by Paul.
all nations—let their light-shine— “ If any man hunger let him eat -at
cannot with safety be accepted.
Christian (?) Missionary thinks hold forth the word of life—and home,” was his decision. So Paul
we place quite too exalWd an esti sound out the word of the Lord, he thought that it did make a differ
mate upon the writings of the New authorized preaching and teaching, ence while some things, right in
Testament, and desires to aid us in public and private, at home and themselves, were done. Our C. M.
him, the Christian wishes to wait a
little longer, and a little longer
still, and to hold heaven in delight
ful anticipation—a joy in reserve,
certain, eternal.— United Presbyte
rian.
I
tells us that “ Paul shaved his head,
made a vow, and circumcised Timo
thy but I venture he did not go
into the assembly of the saints to
do these things. The Jews, carry
ing out this favorite principle of
and money changing into the
temple, type of the church; but
the outraged Teacher, whip in
hand, scattered them. Some such
treatment is now called for in some
of our churches. O give us back
our Bible Ind encourage ' us In
studying it, treasuring its holy
precepts in our hearts, guiding our
lives by them. If we do so we
will be approved by Him who has
given us these precepts.
Hebron, O., June 16,1883.
.
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WHAT IS DUTY ?
Bro. Floyd:
Being desirous of a better under
standing of Christian duties, both
in regard to theory and practice, is
the prompter in this attempt to
solicit the true meaning of the
herein state.
First I will mention is the obser
vance of the -Lord’s day. It seems
to me much of the practice of both
elders and laity is in opposition to
the teaching of the Bible. What
secular matters are lawful on that
day ? I have known an elder to
choose that day to move, some go
a fishing, more common day to
gather up stock, do business, trade
and deal as on other days, some do
their letter writing mostly on Sun
day, as it were to save time. If
these practices are right why not
merchants post their books and
settle up, or sell goods, when no
distress call for such things ; others
break young horses to ride or work
on Sunday.
2. Family worship is seldom at
tended to, then only at night, per
haps only Sunday night; often no
chapter read on subject treated of.
3. Another sore evil is the
slack reins
of
the
tongue
bridle.
Some are supercilious
and claim to have the right of
knowing most of a brother's busi
ness. Their moods vary much,
sometimes hurt feelings by harsh
rebukes, at others by course flat
teries, sometimes they exalt them
selves, then abuse. They may say,
“ Pul! out the beam out of thy^jwn
eye.” “All men 'think all men
mortal but themselves,” &c. Were
we to keep back admonition on
this plea I fear most of our teach-.
era would be silent lest they would
Lt