Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1858-05-27
SRlorat auU 2seIl9(ous.
The True and Catholic Spirit cf Christian

The True and Catholic Spirit Il Christian
ity.
In a sermon, recently delivered by the
Rev Charles Wadsworth, d. d.. Of Phil
adelphia, a,-and published in pamphlet form
for gratuitous ditribution by two members
Of his church-we find the following sound
and liberal sentiments, which if properly
appreciated and adopted by Thelogians gen
orally, would do much to soften denonlina-
tional asperities and give to the preaching
of the gospel It's desired power and infu-
encc:
There is an exclusive aud sectarian bigot-
ry-not confined to any one Christian demon
Ination, but in Il measure, at least, common
to them alI-which talks rather Of the
church. than Of Christ crucifed of Saera-
ments, rather than of the Sacrifice which
practically regards The Grace of God as flow
ing in the channels Of its own exclusive ordi-
nances, and the heating power of the living
water as abiding rather in the earthen chalice
than in the sparkling spring. To hear these
men talk Of ordinations, and confessions, and
succession7, and baptisms, one would think
that this Fountain of Salvation were, like Il
mineral spring at "A watering place, enclosed
appropriated, and surrounded by liveried
water-dppers, so that the soul that will not
drink from these particular cups, must perish
in agony.
And the abominaton of this last thing is
worse than the first Tell me that Gods
eternal decree shuts me away from salvation,
and ! could better be reconciled to it. The
grandeur Of the Eternal One, as with his ma
estic sceptre he waves me back from the
Fountain, would give dignity to destruction.
But to be repulsed from the sweet waters by
a poor mortal gesture; to lose the healing
draught because a spiders web is spun by
the well side; to be driven backward upon
Gods uncovenanted mercies by some fair
Tipped champion Of SUGGESTIONS and Daptisms;
to die of thirst in full view Of the swelling
Fountain, because the cup wherewith | would
draw and drink hath not the blazon Of shib-
boleth-oh, this is intolerable!
TO be told that Salvation is TO be found
only or even especially in the Presbyterian
communion or the Methodist communion, or
the Baptist communion, or especially or only
in any or all of them-this is intolerable
blasphemy!
Why, what is the Church The Fountain
of living water? No, sirs An enclosure
round about that Fountain? No, sirs! The
Church altogether, or in its distinct denomi-
nations, is only company of thirsty men,
who have come to drink, each man for him
self, of that blessed Fountain, and whose only
Office is that Of the Bride to say Come
Come Is Baptism salvation? No, sirs !
Is the Lords Supper salvation? No, sirs !!
Are Church ordinances salvation? No, sirs
Christ cyucifed is saIratj0n! Let me meet a
Al 1
heard of Church or of Sacrament, and to
whom in his circumstances Sacrament we're
impossible, and as | tell him the story of
Christ crucifed for sinners, say, Repent
and believe, and thou shalt be saved for ever
All, ye troublers of mems consciences about
the poor mint and anise of rites and cereme-
MES go up to Mount Calvary and shut away
if you can, if you dare, that dying maefac-
ter unto Gods uncovenanted mercies, because
he sat not at your board, and went not forth
to your baptism, and the forgiving look of