Randolph County journal., 1859-12-29
For the Journal.
UNION CRY, Ind, Dee. %, 1893.
Theological Discussion
No. >

them up in order, and give a brief
summary of the principal arguments
offered by both parties. We shall give
but little more than the principal pas
sages of Scripture relied upon, to sus-
tain the truth of the propositions dis
cussed. Many persons appear desi:ous
to know the difference between the two
both protesting to
take the Scriptures as rule of faith
and practice. The real issues were in
tended to be, and we think were. en-
braced in the propositions discussed.
And as it is of paramount Importance
to know the time when the Church Of
Christ was fully set up and establish
ed; and to know the law of induction
into it as set forth in the Scriptures,
We will, with pleasure, give to the
reader the principal proof texts re-
lied upon by both parties, that all
those interested may be able to decide
for themselves.
Elder Mcdonnell, the representa-
tive of,the Christian order-sometimes
called "New Lights" s"-atfirmed first,
THAT the Scriptures teach. that the
New Covenant (meaning the Church
of Christ was fully set up and estab
lished while Christ was on earth. or
during lis personal ministry" Now,
if the Scriptures do teach that Christ's
Church was fully set up and establish
eel before his death, burial, resurrec-
ton and ascension. we are entirely
willing for the world to know it. But
if it was necessary for these great facts
to transpire. in order to open up the
way of salvation through a crucificd
and risen Redeemer, then the world
ought to know it. With this view OF
the subject, and with a sincere desire
for the world to know the truth. we
will submit the following passages re-
lied upon by our brother in support oil
his Affirmative proposition.
His first proof text reads as follows:
The sceptcr shall not depart from Ju-
dab. nor lawgiver from between his
feet, until Shiloh come; ard unto him
shall the gathering of the people be.
(Gen. 10: TO-. Upon examination il
was found, that this passage furnish.
ed equally as good evidence to prove,
that Chris,'s church was fully set up
and established, after the death. buri.
all resurrection and ascension OF
Christ, as before. The passage says
not one word about the time when the
Church was set up and established
therefore, this passage was taken en-
tircly out OF hi, hands.
His next proof text reads thus
The Lord thy God will raise up unto
thee prophet from the mi,lst OF the,
of thy brethren. like unto me; unto
him shall We hcarken." (Deut. Is
10. } The particular point our brother
laborcd to make, by the use of this
passage, was to show, that as Moses
was a law givcr to the Jews; SO Chris
was law giver to the people of this
iispensation. But upon examination
it was clearly seen. that it furnished
not particle of evidence to prove th'
time when the new law was given
The passage says not one word abou
the Church being fully set up and cs
tablished while Christ was PERSONAL,
on earth. 1t gives no intimation o
any such thing. But on the othe1
hand it was clearly shown that the new
law was given after the ascension o
Christ,--''If hewerc on earth he shoulC
not be priest" Heb. S:4.) Again
"lie entered not into the Holy place
made with hands. but into Heaven it
self" Heb. 9:24. And again: 9TH
} priesthood being changed. made of ne
cesslty change of law. Heb. I:l2.
Thus was his own proof text brought
with all its force, against the truth o
his own proposition.
His next prooftext reads as follows
"For unto us a child is born, unto u
son is given. and the government
shall be upon his shoulder" lsaia|
9:6.) When this passage was exam
ined, it was found to contain no evl
dencc to prove the truth of his propo
sition. 1t gives not the least intima
ton of the time when the Church o
Christ was fully set up and established
His next proof text reads thus: "Be
hold the days come, saith the Lord
that | will raise unto David a right
eous branch. and a king shall rcig
and prosper. and shall execute judy
ment and Justice in the earth" Jerc
miah 23:5.) Here. brother McCou
nell made desperate effort to sho'
that he'was crowned king while he wa
Ion earth, but it was all in vain.
was seen. by examination. that Christ
reign commenced after his resurreC
tion and ascension; that he was crown
ed king in Heaven. and not durin
his personal ministry on earth. 1t wa
seen that God raised him from th
dead, and exalted him with his ow
right hand. to be a Prince and Sa
viour. (Acts 5:30,3l.
On earth he was crowned with thorn'
but in Heaven. he was crowned wit
glory and honor. to be Prince an
Saviour. Thus his own proof tc,
was brought. legitimately. to bea
against himself His next proof te,
reads as follows: And the Redeem
er shall come to Zion. and unto thel
: that turn from transgression in .Iacol
: saith the Lord" Isaiah 50: 20. J
Every one could see. that this passa:
|, furnished no evidence to prove Il
truth Of his proposition. 1t says n,
, one word about the time when Christ