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About Christian herald. (Portland ;) 1882-18?? | View Entire Issue (Oct. 12, 1883)
CHRISTIAN H1ERALD contemporary says : “ We have. heard far too much, in recent years, against ‘ creeds ’; and their binding and limiting influence has been very foolishly exaggerated. Our minds demand a framework for the guid ance of their operations. If the old form in which doctrine was express ed has ceased to convey adequately the truth to our minds, then let us seek to set it in new and fitter lan- able to improve upon the stat< • ments of truth which the Holy Spirit has made. Hence we agree with our contemporary only so far as the opposition to human creeds is sometimes intended to cover the real point of attack, which is the Word of God itself. We have no doubt that this is often the inten tion of those who attack the various religious symbols, but it is far bet- •™’guage \ but “demot' away those definite expressions of *Wé’rèVeaIêTtrûïK^nn^^ mater ially aid clearness of conception, and firmness of grasp.” Now we fail to see how human creeds can bejof any service in the desirable end aimed at. These creeds are the produc tions of men and must, therefore, at their best be imperfect. They may assist certain minds in tfie " grasp ” of certain truths, but other minds equally honest and earnest may be driven away from the Bible itself by statements which are wholly un • satisfactory. The Word of God, however, is inexhaustible, and while all are free to study it and act upon their conceptions of its teachings " ‘that Word will receive reverence. But the moment we set up other standards the Bible begins to lose its binding authority. We readily grant that it is possible for some who take the Bible as their only rule of faith and practice to misinterpret its meaning, but this does not indicate a fault in the 'y1* sons who read it. But what we claim is, that none are more likely to misunderstand the Bible ffian they are to misunderstand the creeds which attempt to summarise .the Bible’s teaching. We feel quite sure that God is able to speak to our comprehension with more clearness than men can possibly speak. Now, what we would be glad to see is this—a hearty return to the Bible, and the Bible alone as a sufficient rule of faith and prac tice. It alone contains the doctrine which is adapted to every creature, and which will assuredly correct the rationalistic tendencies of the present age. We heartily agree with what Mr. Spurgeon says on the subject, and trust that his ut terances may be repeated by his students wherever they may go to preach the gospel. But we prefer that the sound doctrine of the Divine Word shall not be weakened by transferring it to human creeds. Let it remain just where God has put it, for it is highly probable no one man or a thousand men will be ■ e . r • ting down the authority of thè Bi- blé, to"inakeTEe^attachspartïaïïy successful. We go heart and soul for the old doctrine, but we want it older than it is found in any human creeds. The moment we come to these we find only what will satisfy a limited portion of mankind. But the truth which God has revealed in the Holy Spirit’s own words is capable of supplying every heart with all the instruction that is need ed in order to the fullest enjoyment of the salvation which is offered through Christ. • * • WriAT of the E nd ?—In an edi torial note in the Old Path Guide the writer is moved--to-say : — __ Itis said that every minister e l e ct e d in—the ehureh of Geneva since 1874 is either an avowed ag nostic or a declared opponent of Christianity. After making till necessary allowances for exaggera tion in that report, there will yet remain, no doubt, enough truth in the statement to make it alarming At first thought one is puzzled to y any-elmreh- shotd«!- want a minister who is an agnostic or avowed opponent of Christianity. But when we reflect that doctrinal convictions are at a great discount in many churches ablaze with ad miration for clerical cranks and scientific theorizers we are disposed to receive the statement concerning the church of Genava as by no means incredible, barring probable exaggerations, of course. We are constrained to ask what shall the end be ? Our opinion is that unless those professing to be children of God soon learn and practice the differ ence between entertainment and the worship of God; and pomp, show, glitter and declamation in the pulpit be distinguished from plain practical preaching of Christ, the end will be anything but a good one. It is the easiest thing in the world to be happy, if men and wo men could only think so. Happi ness is only another name for love, for where love exists in a household there happiness must also exist, even though it has poverty for a companion, Original Contributions. t . J--------------------------. -------- —; f— MAN’S WORK IN THE TEMPLE. Bi M. B. LEMEBT, 1 Beloved readers, I have thus far discoursed to you, principally from the Old Testament, trying, as best I could, to place some of its precious lessons beforö the mind, to she made a frank, full confession, and returned to her allegiance, and maintained it to the end, strong in .. faith, while the man sinned against God, in courtesy to his wife, know ingly. We may be deceived and slow to learn the right; but having learned it, we will be as loyal as our lords. The word Man, in our heading^ " includes woman, as it does very generallynrthe. Scnpnires.~Tlid two are but corresponding parts of humanity, in the image of God, and for whom Christ died. Neither is the man without the woman, nor the woman without the man in the Lord. At death sex is obliterated. In Christ there is neither male nor female, sex being ignored, in a and impress his fear, and thus aid lii one^fibrt to reach the heavenly country, having set our faces thitherward. I trust that my efforts have not been wholly fruit- less. sEair~mal<e’~some change now, but earnestly entreat you to study the Old Testament much and carefully. Your Father has given it you for your benefit. It will none could be priests but men; in greatly ai<k you in understanding Christ all are priests. Both of the New, besides giving you a these lawgivers prescribed the man better knowledge of God, and of ner of ordaining, sanctifying, con yourselves, than you could other secrating to this office. „ Moses wise have. manner typified that prescribed by As you see, I have changed my Christ. He required that the ap heading, and adopted a very com plicant be first washed in water, prehensive one. Sometimes the then followed putting on priestly first in design is the last in execu-to robes, and an application of oil and • ._tiòn. It may be so in tins in blood, a sprinkling of theblood of stance. Perhaps if I should here | i animals. After this formal sancti whisper that the “ Hackneyed fication, these priests w’ent always Theme” was in it, half my readers or daily into the sanctuary, temple, would turn away in disgust, and holy place, to “ accomplish the ser read no more from my pen. To vice,” to " minister unto the Lord prevent this,-the above heading is in the priests office.” (Ex. 40, and selected, in a wily manner, instead Lev. 8). From this time forth, it ■,i^a^""Trotr“only^’thi6i'i‘" but... — Will I not in this way secure a their duty, their life work. All hitter hearing ? I think at least were holy, all could approach his that men will give it some more presence—draw nigh to God ac attention. This is earnestly de- ceptably, offer sweet incense, etc.; sired—their criticisms. If wrong none daring to say, Why do ye conclusions shall be reached, wrong these things ? or, It pertains not to positions taken, I respectfully and you, thus to serve; nor could one earnes'Tly request our scholars, our priest prevent another from dis teachers, our profound thinkers, to charging the duties of his office; set me right. I desire to be right for, by divine appointment, it was o O upon this, and all other subjects. I his right and duty. Christ’s man have long“studied it, carefully, ner of consecrating, sanctifying, or prayerfully. I claim to have as daining to this office, and consti profound a reverence for God’s tuting us sons of God, are one and word, as any one who may have the same, including baptism, put come to a different conclusion. I ting on robes of righteousness, re claim also to have subjected my ception of the Holy Spirit, and will to his. To say, as has been sprinkling of the blood of Jesus. said, "Mo man can prevent a wo Paul, writing to the Hebrews, tenth man from speaking that wants to, chapter, speaks of this formal and no man can make her speak if sanctification to the priesthood as she don’t want to,” is doing my having taken place when they en sisters great injustice. I think tered the new covenant, and re woman has as high an appreciation ceived the remission of their sins; of the majesty of law, and as much at which time their hearts were reverence and tender regard for the sprinkled from an evil conscience, authority of her King as man has. and their bodies washed with pure In the garden woman was deceived water. He also speaks of duties., and sinned. Upon learning this growing out of this state of sancti- ---- — — —,4— .I, mit ;