Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-05-30

tending his conversion9 Were they simply
to effect his conversionl Then it is certain
ly very remarkable, that of the many mil,
lions who have come to the knowledge of
the truth, and who have lived and died in the
faith, that not another one, since the ascen-
sion, has seen the Saviour or heard his voice,
that they have one and all done so simply
through the belief of the testimony of the
Apostles, and Evangelists, and other wit
nesses to the truth True it is, that at Pen
tecost, and at the house of Cornelius, the
truth was miraculously confirmed, and that
for special purpose, by the descent of the
Holy Spirit. But on neither of these occa-
sions did any one see, or hear the voice of
Christ. True it is, that on many occasions
during the ministry Of the primitive disci-
pies, there occurred miraculous things, to
give credit to their mission, and to put to ST.
lence the wicked opposition of Jews and
Gentes, and to confirm the faith OF the dis
ciples. But never did, and never has Christ
appeared or spoken to any one on earth, in
conversion, since the day that ga cloud re-
ceived him out of sight," except to Saul of
Tarsus, and that to make him, what he ever
after called himself, Paul an Apostle of
Jesus Christ"
but what saith the Scripture. Acts,
23d ch., ID to 18th VS. When Annanias
came to Saul in obedience TO Gods direc-
ton, he said, "The God of our fathers hath
chosen thee that thou shouldst know his
will, and and see that Just One, and shouldst
hear the roicc of his mouth. For thou shalt
be his witness unto all men of what thou
has seen and heard"
Again, in his defence before Agrippa, Paul
represents Christ as saying to him-Acts
26 ch. VS.. 16, II" for have appeared un-
to thee for this purpose, to make thee amin
lister and a witness both of these things which
thou hast seen, and Of those things in the
which will appear unto thee, delivering
thee from the people and from the Gen'Iles,
unto whom now send thee" Mark the ex-
preston, minister and mitncss, not a
Christian, but to enable him, like the other
Apostles, to bear personal testimony to the
things which he spoke.
This man Paul also, in writing to the
Church of Coriuth, IL ch. I'd Cor, V 18th,
says, "Truly the signs of an Apostle were
wrought among you in all patience, in signs
and wonders and mighty deeds
Turn again to Gal. lst chap. After an
nouncing himself as can Apostle, not oimcm,
neither by man, but by ]esas Christ, and
God the Father who raised him from the
dead," Paul proceeds TO say in the 1t" and
18th vs. "But certify you brethren that the
gospel which was preached of me is not
after man. For neither received it Of man,
neither was taught it but by revelation Of
Jesus Christ" This certainly goes to show
that his commission as an Apostle was not
from the Church, but directly from heaven.
That the Apostles also had the power OF
bestowng upon the disciples the gift of
tongues and Of working miracles, that by the
laying on of their hands, the Holy Ghost was
was piven. is evident from the Sth and 9th
chapters Of Acts.
Now, in the sth chapter we find that Phil.
ip, an Evangelist, when he preached at Sa-
maria, performed wonders before the people,
but he could not bestow that power on any
others. Hence, when the Apostles at Jeru-
salem heard of the great things at samaria,
how that the people received the word of
God, "they sent unto them Peter and john,
who, when they were come down, prayed
for them that they might receive the Holy
Ghost" Then laid they their hands on them
and they received the Holy Ghost.
In the 18th chapter, Paul finding certain
disciples at Ephesus, 9th v" And when
Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy
Ghost came on them; and they spake with
tongues and prophesied." Thus we see that
the apostleship was the channel through
which God bestowed this blessed gift upon
the believers. Have diocesan Bishops, or
other ministers, ever given any such evidence
of their succession to these ministers pleni-
potentiary of heaven9
But why pile up evidence in a case so
plaiu9 Verify any one must "see through
glass darkly" that imagines he discovers
any official resemblance between the Bish-
ops of our day and land, and the Christ.
called and commissioned ambassadors, that
went forth from the capital Of Judah's an
cient dominion.
We have a few words to say in regard 10
the Blackstone illus tration, and then we have
proposal to make by way of conclusion
Without noticing the whole quotation, let US
come at once to "the river" This famous
stream that runs by London town. is al
ways the same, though the particles that
make it are continually changing. We'll,
let it be so, and we think it decidedly unfor'
tunate for " PREssYrER's" argument that it
;so Now eperv one ofthese Darticles which