The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1860-09-20

"rhcref're all thngs whatsoever We would
THAI men should do to you, do ye even 50 e.
them for this is the law and the prophets. -
MATT:. 1912.
And "nat.oevcry ye do, do it heartily, as to
the Lord. aud not unto men "-t;OL 1928
land thou shalt speak my words unto them
whether they will hear, or whether they will
f,rJear.'- EEK. 2:7.
The very commonness Of preaching, in
these latter days, tenders its original
scope aud dr>i IN liable to be misappre.
hended. 1t is well, therefore, occasion
ally. to so back aud look into the original
Platform - the primitive commission,
given to prophets aud apostles. by the
author of the Bible aud o, the Chri>tia,,
'e.'gion. Almost every one, now, as iu
the days Of the C.r,n,hian disciples,
hath psalm, hath Il d,ctrlne. hath II
revelation, hath an Interpretation" -
But, Nv then, VIC need the exhor,a-
ton, "Let all things be done to cd
flying certainly desire, if l am
| not deceived, to be caudid and charitable
towards all, especially all ministers of tho
gospel And this is not incompatible,
surely, with Il fair and faithful exhibition
of the duties to which the ministry OF
these times is called, aud the dangers t.
which it is exposed. Ii shall say my.
thing, therefore, which is calculated "a
reflect upon any Of my brethren in the
ministry, | beg that It may not be Sc,
down to u disposition to be ut variance
with them, but to All honest aud earues,
conviction OF truth aud duty.
All extreme views and measures are
dangerous aud unwisc Extravagant de-
nunclation aud harsl, rebuke, arc rs con-
trary to the word Of God and the spirit
"f Christ, MS timid conservatism aud
cowardly silence. But plain and pun.
gent reproof. may be given in kir d and
christian spirit. 1t was SO given by
Christ, abuodantly. 1t was so given by
Paul. Aud he instructed Timothy and
Titus to "reproye, rcbuke, exhurt with
all l,ng suffering aud doctrine"
The extreme to which we are most
liable, as ministers, in these days, is that
IT t'''d drinking from du,y-smooth.
IN. over and sottening down the hard
things Of the word Of God. The time
fore c.told by the apostle has already come,
when many "will not endure sound doc
tri"e; but after their own lusts shall
they heap to themselves teachers, having
itching ears; and Mcy shall turn arny
their e"rs from the truth, and shall be
turned unto tables" Pertinent, indeed,
is the admonition Of the apostle to
Timothy: But watch thou in all things,
endure Affections, do the work of m
evangelist, make full proof of thy min
istry."
There arc several circumsta anccs which
concur to make this time Of temptation,
on the part Of ministers. to soften down
aud suppress the testimony Of the Bible,
on some subjects.
l. It's time Of great latitude of
opinion on religious subjects This is
par''cu'arIy the case in this countrv-
Everybody here thinks and bel;eves vh.,
nc p'eases, without restraint or opposi-
t'o": There i' no persecution, now for
truth or opinions sake. ~
2. 1t is "A time Of strong conflic. and
excitement on political and secul,r
topics; and where these touch mon
moral and religious grounds, there is a
munife>t tendency to demand the sur
render Of the latter 70 the former. The
earnest and faithful presentation Of the
supremacy Of conscience. and of moral
over political and secular views, will nat
urally excite the hostility Of those who
are not thoroughly pervaded aud con.
trollcd BY christian principle.
3. 1t j. also a time when denomina-
tionai feeling rises high, and competition
is active, among the different branches
OF Zion. This ia a temptation to sup.
press some things Of vital Importance. for
the sake Of building up ones own de-
nomination.
MovAovny -