Image provided by: Friends of the Dallas Library; Dallas, OR
About Pacific Christian messenger. (Monmouth, Or.) 1877-1881 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 9, 1880)
■-• ? î e *-- > C hristian M essenger . "GO Y®, THERBFORB, TCAtH ALL NAŒID —, a .. ------- — __ ______ _____________________________________ - MONMOUTH, OREGON; FRIDAY, JAN. a, 1880. VOL. X Pacific C hristian M essenger , Devoted to the cause of Primitive Christi anity, and the diffusion of general in formation. Price Per Year, in Advance, S2.5O All business letters should be addressed to T. F. Campbell, Editor, or Mary Stump, Publisher, Monmouth, Oregon. Advertisers will find this one of the beet mediums on the Pacific Coast for making their business known. KATAS OF ADVERTISING TEar H Col.. . k Col.. M CoL 1 Cot.. ------------------------ ~M„......... »1 2 4 7 12 oo $2 M $4 <0 7 00 4 00 !X) 7 00 12 00 00 W 12 00 20 00 00 20 00 ¿5 00 Notices- hi local columns 10 cents per line for each insertion. Yearly advertisements on lilieral terms. Profeiawonal Cards (1 square) »12 per annum. THE SABBATH QUESTION. BY S. C. AS1MS. (Continued.) THE JEW REDEEM ED FROM THE LAW. We proceed now to say that Christ was of theeeed of David, and there fore “ bom «under the Jewish law, to redeem thssn that were under <the law,” as in Gal. iv. 4, 5; “Bat wbea tbe fullneea of tbe time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under tbe law, to redeem them that ware under tbe law, that we might reoeivsdbe adoption of sons.” Eph. ii. 14: “Hath broken down the middle wall of partition b«Uween us; hav ing abolished -in Ilia flesh tbé enmity, even the law of cmaniaudments contained in ordiaaLces; for to make in himself af twain one new r.«a, so making peace.” Çol. ii. 14 : **BL»tting oat ths bandwrit ing of ordinances that was against ns, and took H out of tbo way, nailing it to hia «roes.'*’ The time il en is clearly stated, when the “ law by Moses ” came to an end. ■" The law a'as added TILL the seed shculd come,” (Gal. iii. 19), and Rom. x. 4 : “ Ciri.-tt was tbe END of the law, for r.igh teousness to every one that believed),” and in his death he “Blotted out the handwriting of ordinances, that '«vas against us, taking it.out of the way, nailing it to his cross." During ihis life therefore, tbe law was in full.force, and as he was “.not sent but unto tbe lost sheep of the house of Isscel,” (Matt. xv. 24), he en joined upoaotll a strict observance of the law. - Christ eaily began to teach his ■disciples tbe object of his mission, that he had come to destroy tbe law or the prophets, 4>ut to fulfill, be cause a large portion of the typical law could only be fulfilled in his death. In Matt. v. 17, 18, hje says : yet in our sins, and have no hope. Again, Christ did not explain to the Jews, nor his disciples, in detai1, the termination of the Jewish dispensa tion at his death and the es tablishment of his ewn ; but he simply instructed • them to “ make the * offer- ings that Moses commanded,” and to “ keep the law.” And why ? Because the law was in'full force “unto the Jew” until Christ “ took it out of the way,- nail ing it to his cro.se ;” and because all his instructions were " to the Jews only,” assuring them that ha “ was not sent, save to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Such was tbe darkening, blinding influence of the law (Matt. xiii. 15), that the apostles, even, were not able to receive the “ many things ’’ Christ desired to teach them prior to his de parture; but he assures them, that “ when the spirit of truth is come, he would guide them into all truth?’ John xyi. 13. After Bis ascension, this promise was fulfilled; and by this divine gui||jnce, they were then enabled to kriow “ the mind of Christ.” 1 Cor. ii. 16. And still the complete perfectness of this guidance, into ALL the truth, was not instantaneous, but, gradual (like all the developments of nature and of God), because even 15 years after Christ’s ascension, it required a miracle to convince Peter that the Gospel was intended to include the Gentiles. And even after accepting this advance ground, it was scarcely that the apostles, in council, were willing to release the Gentiles from those Judaizing teachers Who insisted “ that it was needful for them to keep the Jaw of Moses,” or they “ could not be saved.” Acts xv. 5, 23, 24. But in the last years of Paul, the yoke and bonds of the law had fallen for behind him ; and he had advanced so far into the light of set the Gospel, that he w forth his clear and masterly argu- meats, to the Romans, Galatians and Hebrews, in which the “ weak and beggarly ” character of the “ ministra tion of death " is put in contrast with the “ Wisdom” and power of God,” as manifested in the Gospel. Now let us hear his -argument to those “ foolish Galatians ” who had been “bewitched" by “false teach ers,” and " desired to be under the law serve : as Christ says here «that he came to fulfill the law and the prophets, and that they should ROT pass away until ad were fulfilled. And after his resurrection, and he bad finished this-work, he reminds his disciples of the above «tâtement, by saying in Luke xxiv. 44 : And Gal. iii. 24 : it be possible that any Christian man can admit for one moment, that he is under the curse of God ? What I a Christian and a Gentile under that ministration of death, and the curse of God I The thought is outrageous and preposterous I I need only say, that of all the hideous mon strosities that has bestrode the human mind like a waking nightmare, and a black pall of death, this monstrous delusion is without a parallel 1 ’ But was there no redemption from it ? Yes. ** Christ hath redeemed ns from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us . for it is Written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. Gal. iii. 13. Now it is just as evident from the above, that Christ fulfilled “ the law ” As that he fulfilled "the prophets.’* Jf he fulfilled either, he fulfilled both, ami they both ended in him. But if he did not fulfill the one he did not fulfill the other, and they are both still in full force. If the law was not fulfilled, and ended in Chrfet, neither were the prophecife concerning him. Jeaus WW NOT the Christ, and we are ■*. bi ethren, who, like a foolish horse will indisputably designated as that which T# The pith and point of this illustra tion is this, that if she be married to another, while the former husband be living, she is an adulteress. So the man who has been joined to Christ and then joins himself to the law, is a s/n/qfued adulterer. Listen to Paul’s application in 4th and ,6 th verses: was such (“ that the children of Israel could not steadily behold the face of Moses for tbe glory of his counte- nance;”) and that “which" being a relative pronoun, relates to the no minative (“ ministration of death ”)■ as its antecedent; and as a gram | matical necessity the interpolated word “ glory ” should be “ ministra “ But now we are delivered from tbe I tion.” So that the true meaning of law, that beiDg dead wherein we were I held, that we should serve in newness of the last clause of verse seven is,. spirit,and not in tbe oldness of the letter.” 1 “ which ministration was to be done away.” The whole connection re- What is it that is dead ? quires this change of words, as the " THAT BEING DEAD, WHEREIN WE WERE HELD.” word “ glory ” was inserted by the translators. Does any one say, “ Oh that was the The " ministration of death,” and ceremonial law ? “ the ministration of the Spirit ” are I will let Paul identify justu/udlaw placed in vivid contrast. The first he refers to, by reading the next verse. “ is done away,” the other “ remain- “ What shall we say then ? 1» th? law eth. ” Verse 11 : sin? God forbid. Nay, I bad not known Redeemed us : Jews. But, Paul, couldn’t a Jew be justi fied, or made righteous by keeping the law ? No. sin, bnt by the law ; for I bad not known Gal. ii. 16 : "Knowing that a man is not justified by the -works of the law, for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” ' Gal. iii. 11 : “but that no man is justi fied by the law in the sight of God, it is evideut: for, Tbe just shall live by faith. And the luw is not of faith: but the man •or Jew that doeth ‘them shall live in them ” -Gal. ii. 21; “I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if rigbteonsuesss come from the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Gal. iii. 21: “I«~Tbe law then »gainst the promises of God? God forbid; for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by tbe law.” What was the use or necessity of the law, then ? Gal. iii. 19: Wherefore then serveth the law ? It was added because of trans gressions, till tbe seed sbonld come to whom the promise was made.” “ up to the time of” “ I will wait till *' Wherefore the law was our schoolmas 4 o’clock.” ter to bring us to Christ, that we might Bo. iii. 20 : "Therefore bv tbe d< cd» of be justified by faith.” th e law there shall no flesh be justified in "The law was our schoolmaster his eight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin'“ uuto„<c>r UNTIL Christ.” Bo. iii. 98: “Therefore we conclude Not “ schoolmaster,” but pedagogue. that s man is justified by faith without Dr. A. Barnes says: “ The word re the deeds of the law.” ferred originally to a slave or freed Ro. x. 4: “ For Christ is the bid of the “ Those ars the word» whioh I spake man, to whose care boys were com law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” unto you, while I was yet with you, that „ all things must be fulfilled, which were mitted, and who accompanied them What then. Does this make void written in the law of Moses, and ia the to the public schools. The idea here prophets, and fe the psalms, concerning the law ? is not that of instructor, but there is reference to the office and duty of the pedagogics among the ancients. His duty was not instruction, but it was to watch over the boys; to restrain them from evil and temptation, and to conduct them te the schools where they might receive instruction.” How forcible this illustration, that the law was their pedagogue, to lead the Jews from Moses, down unte the time Of the great Teacher, But ob- NO. 2. “After that faith is come, we are sometimes rush back into the flaming was “ written and engraven on no longer under a echoolmaster.” Gal. stall, from which he has bean taken, stones iv. 25. “ Who also hath made ns able ministers that be is compelled to bring into Even “we” (the Jews) “are ne of the new testament; not of the letter, contribution one of the severest and but of the spirit; for the letter killeth, longer under the pedagogUs, after j most reflecting illustrations found in but the spirit giveth life. But if the ' Christ is come.” of d ath. written and engrav the sacred writings ! If Paul had ministration en in stones was glorious,so that the child But to continue the argument. not used it as an- illustration, just in ren of Israel could not steadfastly behold " when the fulness of the time was the face of Mosses for the glory of his - come, God sent forth his Son, made <rf point with all Judaizing teachers, I countenance; which glory was to be done woman, made under the law. To redeem would not dare to do so. away; how shall not the ministration of them that were under the law, that we the spirit be rather glorious? For if the Rom. vii. 1-4, showing the might receive the adoption of sons.” Gal. ministration of condemnation be glory, iv. 4, 5. law hath power only during its life: much more doth the ministration of right “li\wye not. brethren, (for I speak eousness exceed in glory.” Under the law, the Jews were ser i to tin that know tbe law.) how that the Any-grammarian will tell you that vant«, but in C hrist they receive the law th hath dominion over a man as long, as adoption of sons; and this adoption he livetb ? For the woman which bath a “ the ministration of death ” in verse they could not receive while they ; husband ia bound by tbe law so long as he seven, is. the logical subject, or no livetb; but if the husband be dead, she is were under the ’.aw ’ loosed from the law of her husband. So minative, in that verse, and that the then, if while her husband livetb, »be be subject or nominative is defined or Again, Gal. iii. 10 : married to another man, she shall be call “For as many as are of the works of ed an ad nite tens; bat if her husband be described as that which was “written the law are under the corse; for it is writ dead, she is frej from that law; so that and. engraven on stones;” and that ten, Cursed is every ore that continuetb she is no adulteress, though she lie mar not in all things which are written in the ried to another man. Wherefore, my what is predicated of the nominative book of the law to do them.” brethren, ye also are become dead to the (or ministration of death) is; that it law by tlie body of Christ; that ye should “ ivas glorious ” (or attended with Here tye have the positive state be married to another, even to him who is ment, that just as many as are under raised from the dead, that we should bring glory); and the degree of glory, with which that dispensation wras attended the law are under the curse ! Gan forth fruit to God.” “ Nor I say, that the heir as long as he a child, differeth nothingfrooa a servant, T ill —“ Search till she find it,’’ though he be lord of all; bat is under tu tors and governors until tbe time appoint '' not eat TILL they had killed Paul.” ed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the Rev. iii.: “ Shut him up TILL the elaments af the world." Gal. iv, 1, 2, 3. 1000 years be fulfilled.” T ill , i. e., “ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the psoaUiet»; Æ come not to destvoy, but to fakfcll. For verily I aay unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, oae jot or one tittle shall in no .wise pass from the law, till all be tulfflled.” ■T ’ Bom. iii. 31 : “ Do we then make void the law through faith ? Ood forbid : yea, we establish I" establish“ not perpetuate) the law.” Christ came to fulfill the law and the prophets ! By so doing, did he moX-c void or destroy the prephets ? By no means/ He established them, by fulfilling them ; but did pot per petuate either ! So " grow and dull of hearing” were the ears and hearts of the Boman lust, except the law ( the Thou shalt not covet.” law ) " For if that which is cone away was had said, glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.” Now the law from which they were Would it be possible to identify “ delivered,” is the very law that said the “ Ten Commandments ” more cer “ thou shalt not covet.” Is that in tainly', for they alone wen* “ written the ceremonial law ? and engraven on stones.” To say’ Turn to Ex. xx. 17, and you will that it was “ the glory ” on Mount find that it was that law, which was Sinai, or “ the glory of Moses’ coun- included in the Ten Commandments, ■ tenance ” , that " was to be done and written on tables of stone. That away,” is a quibble that is unworthy is the law from which they were of notice. For that which was “writ “ delivered,” and that is the law ten on ston’es ” was “ the ministration wherein they were held, and that of death ,” and that was certainly Paul says was then dead . “ done a.way ’’ in Christ. The recep But says one, does not Paul say tion of that “ ministration ” on Sinai, that the law and the commandment was attended with the most dazzling was “ holy, just and good ?” Most I splendor and glory ; but still it was certainly, a law against theft and a " ministration of death.” murder and all crime is good, pro Where in that la ar do you find any I vided you do not apply it upon the provision for mercy, or pardon, or of innocent; or, as Paul says, “ unlaw life ? Or any way to obtain either of fully.” 1 Tim. i. 8; them ? There is none whatever ; but “ Bnt wn know that the law is good, if a every violation was visited by a curse , man use it lawfully.” and by the penalty of " death with But what is the lawful purpose of out mercy .” Heb. x. 28. law ? What is it designed for ? Rom. xiii. 4 : “ To execute wrath upon him that doeth evil,” and for this pro- teetion from evil doers, by “ the powers that be,” who “are the mit.is- ters of God for this very purpose ”— “ for this cause we (Christians) pay tribute,” or tares But we propose, still further, to identify the “Ten Commandments” as being the " law of sin and death,” which Christ “ abolished ” and “ took out ef the way.” Took away from the “ children of Ged,” or his church, please understand ; but not from “the powers that be.” In 2 Cor. iii. ", Paul shows the great superiority of the “ miuistrution of the Spirit” or Clni«tianity, over the "ministration of death,” or the Ten Commandments. Here the " dia- pensation of death ” is dearly and “ Six days shall work be done; out on the seventh dsy there shall be to you a I holy day, a sabbath of rest to the Lord; whosoever dijpth work therein shall be put to death. Y^whall kindle no fire through out your habitations on the sabbath day.” Ex. xxxv. 2. 3. "Whosoever doeth work therein SHALL BE PUT TO DEATH.” “ Ye shall kindle NO FIRE,” nor “ pickup sticks.’’ Num. xv. 35. " Whosoever doeth ANY " WORK, shall SURELY BE PUT TO Ex. XXXÌ. 14. Such was the character of thè law. Is it any wonder that Paul should^call it a " law of condemns tionf " à law of sin and death,” and " a yoke that we were not able to bear.” Time would fail me to present, in truthful contrast, the yoke of Moses with the liberty of Christ. The ministration of death , with the (Concluded on fifth page.) I DEATH.” 2