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About Pacific Christian messenger. (Monmouth, Or.) 1877-1881 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 10, 1879)
» •V * ■ i * " * s <L 1 r —f • "i . —• “GO YE, THEREFORE, TEACH ALL NATIONS.” » * MONMOUTH, OREGON; FRIDAY, OCT. 10, 1879. VOL. IX. NO. 41. » -fl C hristian M essenger , Devoted to the cause of Primitive Christi anity, and the diffusion of general in formation. Price Per Year, in Advance, S2.50 All business letters should be addressed to T. F. Campbell, Editor, or Mary Stump, Publisher, Monmouth, Oregon. Advertisers will find this one of the best mediums on the Pacific Coast for making their business known. BATES OF ADVERTISING —Ri»«. ~ tttï nri f Inch.......... H Col........... M Col....... .... U Col........... 1 Col............. »1 2 « 7 12 00 »2 4 50 tn 7 12 oe 00 20 50 00 00 00 00 stíi »4 7 12 20 35 00 00 00 00 00 STTT TTT $7 12 20 35 65 00 00 00 00 00 $12 20 35 65 120 00 00 00 00 00 Notice* in local column« 10 cents per line for each insertion. Yearly advertisements on liberal terms. Professional Cards (1 square) »12 per annum. r Correspondence. - Our European Letter. (UOVLAB COBU8T0MDXNCS). B erlin , G ermany , Sept. 8, 1879. In a few weeks the people of Prus sia will be called upon to elect a new House of Representatives, and already active preparations are being made for the contest. The Ultramontanes have issued their formed programme; ' the Government prints are warning constituencies of the fearful dangers to which they wdl expose themselves if they do not act as they are directed by the authorities, and the Liberals are doing what they can to meet the charges and insinuations of their op ponents. Everywhere it is felt that the results are likely to be in some respects more important than any that have attended a general election •ince the Imperial (’hanceller began his career as Prnssian Premier. At the time the iberals commanded an undoubted ajority in the country and over an over again in the course of their struggle with the crown gave proof of their power. Even now they do not altogether despair of victory, and it is probable that if no special cause operated to divert the current of opinion from its natural course their most sanguine hopes be realized. But they •would cannot disguise from themselves that the mass of the electors are at present affected by influences which are in the highest degree unfavorable to enlighten political ideas. In the first place, the personal authority of Prince Bismark is incalculably great. Whatever may be thought of him in other German States, the Prussian middle class almost idolize the states man who, they know, has made their country one of the formidable pewers in the world, and who sums up in his individual character, as they believe, all that is most enduringly excellent in the national temperament. The Conservatives are making the most of this advantage by impressing on the electors that the return of a Liberal majority would be a direct insult to the Chancellen They even go furth er, and wisest since it is known that the Emperor will never willingly part , with the Minister whose name will always be prominently associated with his reign, a Liberal victory would be a slight to the most popular of Sovereigns as well as to the most popular of Premiers. This is of course nonsense, but it does not follow that in the present temper of the nation it will be without eflect. Another de vice of the Conservatives is to repre- •ent the Liberals as mainly responsi ble for the rapid growth of Socialism. A more groundless accusation has nev er been prepared against any consider able body of politicians, for the prin- Faith. ciples of the most influential German Liberals are favorable rather to exces sive individualism that to a commu nistic ideal. The fact is perfectly un derstood by the Socialists themselves, who, from the days of Lasselle till now, have looked upon Liberals of all shades, but especially “ advanced ” Liberals, as their chief enemies. The parties from- whom they have at dif ferent times derived most encourage ment are the Conservatives and the the U1 tramontanes, both of whom still occasionally throw out hints that it might not be disadvantageous to make some concessions to the Social ist spirit. But many members of the middle class give evidence-of being to some extent impressed by the con trast recitation of vigorous assertings as to the inevitable tendencies of Liberalism, and should great numbers of them listen more and more approv ingly to these statements there can be no sort of doubt how the elections will go. For a time when Socialism was merely talked about, the middle classes seemed inclined to think that there might be something in it, at any rate they were not uuwilling to in dulge in a little mild patronage of its leading representatives, When its real power became apparent, there was a change of sentiment and now the mere suspicion of sympathy with the revolutionists would suffice to se cure to defeat if more than half the Liberal members of the Prussian Par liament. The semi-official organ in this city the North German Gazette, has some curious observation on a recent arti cle in the London Times which con tained a remark that durin » .the nega tives preceding the Berlin Treaty Ger many always sided with the Western Powers and against Russia. “ This statement, says, Prince Bismark’s or gan,” is in most flagrant opposition to the facts, as recorded in the minutes of the Congress. It can, therefore, only be assumed either that the au thor of this article is totally ignorant of the Congress debates or that he judges it for the interest of his coun try to sow discord between Germany and the Panslavists. The Russian journals shotdd circulate lies respect ins Germany’s attitude at the Con gress is intelligible, for they are con cerned to edver Russia’s faults and failures by laying the blame upon others; but an Euglish journal has no such excuse.” _ __ •» In a comment on Heb. ii. 1, I see this Sentence as a conclusion in P. 0- M essenger of Sept. 12th, viz: rrFa'ith, then, is the foundation of our hopes, the clear conviction of things not seen.” This is a blessed truth, but it is not found in Heb. ii. 1, except so faf as the last sentence is concerned; but if the last sentence be taken as explana tory of the first, then the whole is far from being what is stated in Heb. ii. 1. I give Heb. ii. 1: “ Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” It is true that substance (sub-stare) liter ally means that which stands under —hence foundation, and its Greek equivalent u/wMfcsia (hupostasis) has the same radical meaning. But is the word used literally here ? The con text shows it impossible; for while faith is the foundation of hope it is not and can not be the foundation of things hoped for. The things hoped for are heaven and future blessings of the redeemed. These do not rest on faith as a foundation. That is, there will be a heaven, and the future joys will be, whether we have faith or not. We will not enjoy them without faith, I grant; but then, our faith is hot the foundation of these things hoped for, holding them up. The word rendered “ substance ” in Heb. ii. 1 is translated “ confi dence in 2 Cor. ii. 17, and Heb. iii. 14. This is not the literal meaning I know, but the context of Heb. ii. 1, for the-reason given above, will not admit of a literal meaning of that word. Again, the ord rendered “ evid ence ” edeyxos (elegchos) never did mean evidence, and evidence is no part of faith either, for evidence, as we use that word, produces faith, and that which produces a thing can not be the thing itself. This word, in verb-form, means to convict or con vince, according as it is connected or not connected with crime. The Savior said, “ Which of you convict- eth me of sin ?” (not convinceth). A man is convicted when proved guilty, but he is convinced when he yields as sent to a proposition. I now give the rendering sustained by Bro. H. T. Anderson, the Bible Union, and critics generally, viz.: “ Faith is the confidence (or assurance) with respect to things hoped for, the conviction with respect to things not seen.” This is full of meaning and comfort and beauty. Observe that the two clauses “ with respect to things hoped for,” and “ with respect to things not seen,” limit the two words “ confidence ” and “ conviction,” making faith a peculiar kind of confidence growingput of the things hoped for, and conviction a special conviction arising from things not seen. 1 have a conviction that the three angles of a triangle are equivalent to two right angles, but I don’t believe it, because it is not a matter of faith, I inow it, from de- monstration. I am convinced that there is an ink stand before me. I don’t believe there is. I ¿sow there is for I see it; but faith has to do ex clusively with things not seen, about which we hear or read. Things not seCn may be in the pre sent, |>ast, or future, but things hoped for belong exclusively to the future. Hence “the conviction with respect to things not seen ” is the broader ele ment of faith, and is, of itself, called faith in the Scriptures. That is when Loui!|. -•4 Independent Societies. One brother said he had in con templation “ a society independent of every other society or organization on earth.” Then it would be independent of the church. Should it not, to be con sistent, be independent also of the Bible and of the Savior ? Paul said Christians were «< "com plete in Christ,” “ thoroughly furnished to all goad works.” Perhaps this brother did not mean as much as he said. Let us hope so, and wait to see. C. K. —Says Dr. Albert Day t " A large majority of the 4,000 cases of insanity which I have treated commenced their course of drunkenness by the use of what is termed light drinks, such as wine, beer, etc. I am fully satisfied that the use of light beverages is the initiatory step to a life of enebriety.” O ft » one accepts as true a statement of any fact, belonging to the past, present, or future, he believes that statement; but whether he have any^c^nfixtence wit^ regard to anything hoped for, from the truth of the statement, would depend upon whether the fact received as true belonged fo'ttfe future or not; if not, then he could not have any hope, nor any confidence with respect to things hoped for, simply because hope belongs to the future alone. Furthermore the confidence with regard to things hoped for comes through obeying the conditions on which the promises are based. The Christian has both elements of faith. Those among the chief rulers who be lieved what Jesus said (John xii. 42) and yet would not confess him had simply the conviction with regard to things not seen, but they, nor the demons, have any confidence with respect to things hoped for, because to the last no promises are given, and to the first no assurance, because they would not obey the conditions on which the promises ef Christ were based, one of which was to confess him, which those rulers would not do. Think on this for the present. 0. A. -C arr . - Enthroning the Word. The International Series of Sun day School Lessons. This series of Sunday School Lessons has been before the world for • almost 6even years, and has had every opportunity for a fair trial. It has had much opposition, especially in tjie first years of the course ; but the opposition has gradually given way and it is almost universally used by nearly every religious body. I began the study of these lessons, , and to use them in the Sunday school in 1872, and as far as I have yet learned, was the first to introduce ‘ them on the coast. I presume, how ever, that there were ether Sunday school workers as enthusiastic in the work, and hence began with the Series. My object in writing this is tostate that the present year will close this course of seven year’s study on the Old and New Testaments. And with the year 1880 another course will begin. I would like not only to recommend but to urge every Sunday school that has not done so to begin the study with the beginning of the new year. ' In fact I would suggest that they take up the present^ course even now'and get under way by the time the next course begins I propose to give a few reasons why Several times, during the State the International Series of Sunday Meeting, Elder Wm. Lane (78 years School Lessons should be used. old, and a preacher for nearly GO 1. It is a most systematic study of years, able, clear headed and earnest), said he so venerated the word of God the Bible. 2. Better help is placed in the that he would at once preach and hands of teacher and pupil than here practice infant baptism, purgatory, tofore. counting beads, or any thing else, if it 3. It enables teachers to assist each was shown that the Savior and the other better. apostles taught it; and that he would 4. It makes it possible for families cease, ft once and forever, to teach to keep a particular line of Bible faith, repentance, baptism, prayer, etc., truth before them during the week. if it was shown that the Savior and 5. It gives the preacher or pastor the apostles Sid not teach them an opportunity to render greater This is the true ground. We may assistance. give our opinion outside of revela 6. Assists superintendents in the tion ; but we cannot labor to propa management of the school. gate it, or seek to enforce it on others, 7. Makes all Sunday school work especially to the disruption or distur ers help each other. bance of the church, or to the wound 8. It increases Bible students among ing of even weak members. old and young. It is a fact just now especially 9 They are a formidable barrier worthy of note, that the peace and against infidelity. harmony, the union and prosperity-of 10. It has increased the study pf the the church have never been materially Old Testament. injured by differences concerning 11. It places the best helps in the what is taught in the Bible. All the hands of teachers. evil has come from differences as to 12. It produces a stronger incentive what is not taught. to study when we know that on a This is a fact fully proved by the certain day millions are studying the history of the church and the present same Scripture. surrounding facts. Let us study and 13. It makes more working and profit by these facts. better instructed Christians. A few of us, at least, are disposed 14. More accomplished in one week to stop where the Bible stops, and to now than formerly in a months stu , resist and oppose the introduction of dy. humanisms. We simply stand for 15. Begets a good feeling of religi the pure, sure t. uth, the confessed ous people toward each other. truth, all the truth, the perfection of 10. Puts parents and their children truth; others disturb the church for ' to study the Bible together more than the sake of matters the Savior and formerly. the apostles never taught, and which 17- Thu systematic study of the all admit they never taught. Of this we complain, not of their opinions, Bible makes better teaching and mak but of their disturbing the churches es them more enthusiastic in their with them. If we are omitting or work. neglecting any Divine command or 18. The system is doing more to ordinance, let it be shown, and we break down barriers of Sectarianism will amend our w»ys. But let no and unite the people of God than any man disrupt the church, or sow dis other work. cord among brethren for a humanism The. above are respectfully submit of any kind. ted to all Sunday school workers and C. K all who are interested in the progress of truth. And if any brother or sis —Gossiping and lying are twin sis ter can ¡»resent any thing reason ters. able to the contrary, I would be ready —Experience is a torch lighted in to hear from them. the ashes of our delusion. J. D urham . A 4 » s' V