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About Pacific Christian messenger. (Monmouth, Or.) 1877-1881 | View Entire Issue (April 1, 1881)
4 PACIFIC CHRISTIAN MESSENGER, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1881. would seem most natural ,to follow ers of Zacharias and Elizabeth. Jesus your own conceits. Recompense to confessions and deprecations, with in person, responded to the prayers of no man evil for evil Provide things ’ supplications for pardon, mercy and thousands by healing their maladies honest in the sight of all men. If it J be possible, as much as l^etb in yon, grace; after these, intercessions for and bestowing blessings. T. F. CAMPBELL, E ditor . I The prayer of Cornelius was an live peaceably with all men. Dearly those for whom we ought ,to pray, swered ly the visit of an angel, and beloved, avenge not yourselves, but Miss MARY STUMI’, and then, without being over-anxious about anything, we ought “ in every the Gospel preached by Peter. The rather give place unto tvrath; for OFFICE EDITOR AND PUBLISHER. thing, bvprayer and supplication with prayers of the Disciples brought Pe | it is written, vengeance is mine; I T—~ . ■ , . " FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1881. thanksgiving ” to make known our ter out of the prison at midnight. will repay, saith the Lord. There Dorcas was raised from the dead in fore if thine enemy hunger, feed h*m ; requests unto God. Will Subscribers please notice the For whom and for what may wo. answer to the prayer of Peter, and if he thirst, give him drink : for in so date following their names on the pray?' Eutychus, in answer to Paul. doing thou shalt heap coals of fire 'Blessings and mercies more than on his head. Be not overcome with paper ? It tells the time when your The first point is answered by subscription expires ; thus, if the date Paul: “For all men.” The reasons we could name, of all kinds, temporal, evfl, but overcome evil with good.” reads 1|82, your subscription will ex assigned for the general prayer are spiritual, and eternal have been Romans, xii. 17-21. two. First^^That we may lead quiet given and secured to men and women Living and acting in the spirit and pire Jan. 1, 1882. If tlie date after and peaceable lives in all godliness in answer to prayer. light of these and similar scriptures, • your name is a time pant, you are in and honesty.” The first and greatest of all bless he seeks not for a text,to sustain him arrears. Please remit a little before This is a matter of purely temporal,, ings is pardon. For this the Chris in an obstinate course marring the present benefit. We are to pray for tian may pray. John says: " If we peace of the church. your time is out, if possible. But the man who cares not for the those in autho^ty, not only to propi confess our sins, he is faithful and Change of Address. tiate their favor, but that, the gov just to forgive us our sins, and to cause of Christ nor the harmony of ernment being preserved in purity cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” the brethren will become a great Bro. D. W. Elledge, recently of we may participate in the peace and And James adds : “ Is any among you stickler for principle. He will tell Howel’s Prairie, has changed his resi afflicted ? let him pray ♦ * * Is you that he would yield to the influ dence to Douglas county. His post- prosperity thereof. Thus Jeremiah taught the captive any among you sick ? let him call for ence of the peacemaker, but he can »office address is Payton Springs, Jews:—“Seek the good of the city., the elders of the church; and let not sacrifice principle; net knowing Douglas Co, 0^ ----- .-------- - whither the Lord has caused you to them pray ovar him, anointing him that the leading principle in Chris Prayer. be carried away captive ; for in the with oil in the name of the Lord; tianity is, “ Peace on earth and good and the prayer of faith shall save the will amongst men.” peace thereof shall you have peace”’ The Scriptures—Old Testament and Such an one is sure to court sym But the second reason is a more im sick, and the Lord shall raise him lip; - New—are full of texts showing the portant one, looking beyond the tem and if he have committed sins, they pathy and gain followers ; and, unless importance and urging the necessity , the greatest prudence prevail and poral and the present, to what will shall be forgiven him.” of prayer, No>are we without in Jesus ?aught his disciples to pray the wisest counsels govern, the shame be pleasing to God. The Apostle struction as to’the manner1 and mat adds; ‘ For this js good ,'and acc<q ta- for their daily bread, for the remission and ruin of the church must follow. ter of acceptable prayer. Jesus gave : The church should in no case bo- tble in the sight of God our Savior, of their sins and for delivery from to his disci; les a model worthy of im who will have all men to be saved, temptation. Elsewhere we are taught 1 come-an open- theatre of -caudal, nor itation, There is 'not in any lan ake our requests known to God, sink to -the level of a police court in and t£,come to the .knowledge of the guage- a finer -specimen ol litera- will withhold no good ferreting out iniquity and exp’osihg truth." . ture breathing a purer spirit' of \love and obey the weakness of its members. ’ The It is then in harmony With the di thing devotion. His own prayer, (John very weakest and humblest in the vine will to pray for all men; and him, xvii.) addressed to the Father feu the- We may ely conclude, then, that chinch can tell brethren what is right t iiisTT 'SUrriy- tl*«-vciy_ best reason unity of his disciples and all those ay f or all men—qn-e- dll any given ease, and -point to the ■ that can be given for doing anything. B K We who should believe on him through But examples of .specific prayer for mies as well as friends', we may also scriptures whioh show them how they their words, furnishes to all Christians I particular persons and special favors, pray for all good things, with the ut ought to act. a standing subject of prayer until the The apostle, in reproving the Cor as health, peace, grace, &c, abound in most confidence, that oui* Father will means there sought—th erm i tv of the the apostolic writings. This gives us answer us in mercy, granting our re inthians for going to law, says: •' Lf church—be attained and the end ac precedent for praying for the afflict quests where they would do us good then ye have judgement of things complished—the conversion of the ed, for those in any wise distressed, and withhold them where they would pertaining t» this life, set them to world. and especially for those whom we do harm to ourselves or to others. In. judge who are lea?t esteemed in the The apostle Pau), in his first letter this assurance "let us come boldly to church.” “ Is it so,” ho-says, “that love. to Timothy, ii. f, instructs us very How delightful to bear them upon the thfone of grace, that we may ob there is not a wise man among you ? fully in the matter, style and efl’ict» the altar of our hearts before the tain merey, and find grace to help in no, not one that shall be able to judge of a good and acceptable prayer."! time of need." between his brethren.?’’ ** Now there throne of grace! exhort therefore, that, first of all, is,” he continues, “ utterly a fault The second point may be answered supplications, prayers, intercession», among you, because ye go not to law in very general terms ;—we may pray Church Trials. and giving of thanks be made for all one with another. . Why do ye not fur all things for which we Zan ask in men ;ffor kings and for all that are in We call particular attention to Bro rather suffer yourselves to be de I faith—for which we can ask accord authority ; that we may lead a quiet ing to the will of God. We can aak McCullough’s article in another col frauded ?” and peaceable life in all godliness and When brethren make the glory of in faith only for things promised ; umn on “ Church Trials.” Though honesty. For this is good and accept and ask according to the will of God we may not agree with his article in God, the honor of Chris*:, and the able in the sight of God our Savior ; every specification, it certainly has peace of zion supreme in their hearts \ only when the heart .is -right. who will have xli men to lie saved, James tells us that we ask and re- the merit of a middle course between and minds, they will find no difficulty and to come unto the knowledge of cieve not, because we ask amiss—IF -tKOMtremes. If only Christians, full in settling their disputes. Only let the truth.” cur Father in heaven knows how to of love and guided by the spirit, were them lie piompted by love and led In this apostulic classification of “give good things to them that ask involved in a church trial there would by the Spirit as becometh saints— duty, four specific items are set out, him,” he knows how to withhold be but little trouble in settling any only let them practice that charity deprecations, supplications, intercess case that might come up. without which all othei spiritual gifts those things ° which would . _ a do us hurt, ions, and giving of thanks. Thus_we are but “ as sounding brass or a tink ' Unfortunately, it is generally bad though we ask for them. are taught to deprecate evil—"Aban ling cymbal ”—and church trials will That our prayers are not answered men, without the spirit ofeChrist, don us not to temptation, but deliver become tame affairs. immediately, or that they are not an who originate the trouble, and who us from evil,” to supplicate favors;— ; When trials cannot be avoided, swered in the manner we expected, is have some selfish end to gain or sin " Forgive us our debts as we forgive they ought to be conducted by the by no means conclusive that God does ister motive to accomplish. our debtors ”—to intercede for persons, church in such manner as to do the The greater the confusion the bet not hear us, and will not answer our as Jesus did for his apostles“ I j petitions. The Scriptures, Old Testa ter such parties are pleased, and to least harm, having a tender regard for pray not for the world, but for them ment and New, abound in specific an- break up and ruin the church is a the feelings and reputation of the which thou hast given me,” and again ! swers to prayer. Abraham prayed triumph in which they take great brethren involved ; and looking espe for the faithful r—" Neither^pray- I cially to saving (he members to.the for a son, and Isaac was given, not pleasure. for these alone, but for them also who The Christian who is guided by church and re-establishins peace. v . immediately, but in due time. Jacob shall believe on me through their When the church has decided what I and Esau were the answer to the love will make any sacrifice, consist word ; that they all may be one ; as prayers of Isaac and Rebecca. Moses ent with christiah character, rather course it will take in any given case thou, Fatirer, art in me, and I in thee, prayed for Aaron, and his life was than do violence to* the church of te rtich these results, no one ought that they may lie 0Qe in us ; that the to object; and the parties in the trial spared. And on more than one occa- God. world may believe that thou hast He will suffer long, and yet be kind. ought cheerfully to acquiesce in the 1 sion he interceded for Israel, and, the sent me.” The apostle James, says: people were saved from distruction. He will be ever ready for the peace- decision, knowing if they suffer " The prayer, of faith shall save the Hannah asked _ for a son, and God maker; and ever willing to compro- wrongfully for Christ’s sake, and for sick, and the Lord shall raise him up ; mise, in which case he will be ready the sake of peace, they will receive and if l>e have committed sins, they ' gave her Samuel. < David, in the Psalms, says : “In my to make the larger concessions. He the richer reward hereafter. shall be forgiven him. Confess your distress I called upon the Lord, and will search out suclt scriptures as the faults one to another, and pray one —The Methodiet Recorder says that cried unto my ■ God; he heard my following, and pray God to give him for another, that ye may be healed. “ The man or woman professing godli voice out of his temple, ami my cry grace to walk in their light: "Love The effectual fervent prayer of a ness, who chooses not to unite with come before him, even into his ears.” your enemies, do good to them which righteous man availeth lcuch." To the Christian church, discards God’s " I love the Lord, because he has hate you, bless them that curse you, give thanks for favors and mercies plan of saving men. The church is hea.rd my voice and my supplications; and pray for them which despitefully received. Paul expresses his grati his vineyard, and, if ¿ve have the op because he has inclined his ear unto use you.” Luke vi. 27, 28. " Let tude in this style: “ I thank Christ portunity, we must etfter it and work me : therefore will I call upon him so love be without dissimulation. Abhor Jesus, our Lord, who hath enabled me, fer Christ, if we would be saved.” We that which is evil; cleave to that for that he counted me faithful, put long as I live.” know a great many professing Chris The Lord said unto Hezekiah, when which is good. Be kindly affectionate ting me into the ministry.” Again, tians, who for trivial matters hold one to another with brotherly love, in ‘ For this cause also thank we God afflicted with a deadly disease, “I , themselves aloof from the church and honor prefering one another. • • • without ceasing.” • Indeed, the spirit of have heard thy prayer, and have seen its work, and wonder why God is not thy tears, an« I have added unto thy Bless them which persecute you ; bless i gratitude, thanksgiving and praise blessingthem spiritually. — Evangelist. and curse not • * • Be of the l>ervades every part of the. Luring days fifteen years.” Elijah shut up and opened the hea same mind one towarJ another. M ind —Mr. John B. Carrington, of the New Oracle*. not high things, but, condescend to Hsvsn Journal and Courier, the oldest vens by his prayers. John the Bap The order of arrangement in a pray men of low estate. Be not wise in editor in Connecticut, died February 11th. er may not be important; and yet it tist was giveu in answer to the pray- PACIFIC C hristian M essenger . Return to Primitive Christianity. DiscrseroN or uuldihg , - psiscirLss. • - I Selected. I BAPTISM. Immersion into water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the frui-t of faith in the subject, is tho most singular institution that ever appeared in the world. Although very common in p actiee, and trite in theory, although the subject of a good many volumes, and of many a conver sation, it appears to roe that this in stitution of divine origin, so singular in its nature, and so grand and signi ficant in its design, is understood by comparatively few. I beg leave to call the attention of the reader to it under the idea of the bath of regeneration. In the outer court of the Jewish Tabernacle there stood two important articles of furniture of most significant import. The brazen altar next the door, and the laver between the bra zen altar and the sanctuary. In this laver, filled with water, the priests, after they had paixF their devotion at the altar,* as they came in, and before they approached the sanctuary, al ways washed themselves. This ves sel was called laver, and the water in it loutron or bath. The bath of puri fication was the literal import of the vessel and its use, Paul more than once, alludes to this usage in the tab ernacle in. his epistles, and once sub stitutes Christian immersion in its place—that is, Christian immersion stands in relation to the same place in the Christian temple, or worship, that the layer, or bath of purification, stood in the Jewish, viz : between the sacrifice of Christ and acceptable wor ship. In the Jlewish symbols the fig ures stood thus-. 1st, Tthe brazen al tar ; 2d, The laver or bath; and 3d, The sanctuary. In the anbstupio or antitype« it stands thus: 1st, Faith, in the sacrifice of Christ, the antitype of the altar ; 2d, ' Immersion, or tho bath of regeneration, the entity,*« of th« loutron or bath of purification; and 3d, prayer, pra’se, ami vocal wor ship, the antitype of th« piiests ap- proaching the holiest of all. Now all Christians being made priests to God and made to worship, in the place where the Jewish priests stood, Jesus Christ having now, as «ur great High Priest, entered into the most holy place, he has “ consecaated a way " for us Christians; hs has au thorized us Christians to draw nigh to that place where stood th« priests under the law. Paul's exhortation to the Hebrews, taken in the whole con text, chapter x. stands thus: “ Brethren, we believing Hebrews are authorized to approach much nigher to God in our worship, than were the saints under the former economy. The people worshipped in the outer court, the priests officiated, at the same time, in the holy place— but we Christians stand not in the outer court, but in the sanctuary. Since Jesus, as our great High Priest» passed into the heavens the true holy place, he has made it lawful for us, or, consecrated a wav new and living for us to approach as priests to the entrance of the true holy placo, hav ing had our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience by faith in his sacri fice, and having bad our bodies wash-* ed in clean water, in the bath of re generation ; we are now to draw near, with a true heart, in the*4full assur ance of faith, and address Jehovah through the meditation .of our great High Priest, in our prayers, praises, and thank ¡givings.” Such, 1 say, are general terms, is the import of Paul’s exhortation to the Hebrews, based upon the fact that Christian immer sion stands in the place of the bath of purification in that most instructive system of types or figures, which God instituted to prepare the way of this new and perfect economy. But Paul, in connecting the bath of regeneration with the renewal of the Holy Spirit, geee no farther than the Lord Jeeus himself when he said, ex-