Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-08-25
RIGHTS.
RICHMOND WING.
TUESDAY MORNING, AUGUST as, 1889.
A Theological Dilemma.

A theological Dilemma
Tia F,r,,iu,r OF ', s,erd4y has lay sermon sug
ested by The religious CD erSanees Of last Friday, that
addresses 20 the public understanding some striking
and weghty subjects tor consideration The 4"
0uirsr of the same dsy publishes the Fast day
discourse OF a learned a,d jealous theologian
Of the city. Encouraged by these examples, We
venture for once 20 invade the ecclesiastical 6ed and TO
present single view connecle With the late aud pre-
ceding ProcamatiOns ha' think must have occurred
70 many minds We give notice, however, in advance
thai we are nosinVupg and will not accept eOntroVers!
on this subject and viii probably preach again As
long We live.
n, one viii dsny the propriety OF the PROCLAMATION
Of D.v of Fasting. Humiliation and Payer Presl-
dent Davs claims 20 be Christian Mag strAte and the
P,,,a NJ he Confederate States Christian People
,,Iis meet their fore las he )ns that when trials
=, and rsy.ses be Us We should seek to take home 10
., m hearts and cousceuces the lessons which they teach
" and the animation for which they prepare Us"
Now he manner Of disch4rgug our religious duties
and the mea IS OF cOnciArng the Divine favor are no
more 10 be dsreg,rded than the obi ct TO which they
tend and the motive that inpss Us. The Bible-GOd's
word-pO n' out the r0y in Which our H7aVei Father
IA to be approached by us-And if neglect the aPpro
pirate lie has appointed, We need not expect the
desired bic sing lie sAysof Himself, ~ am jealous
God They Who worship Him must 'WOrShiP Him II
sDir, and in truth-the Father sceketh s,eh
ship Him." Nan can only approach God aeesPtably
tbro' "the ouly mediator Jesus Christ" lie says; No
man cometh unto the Father sreepi By me-" "He that
honoreth the Son LonOreh the Father and he that hon
oreth not the Son lolOreth no, the Father"
When We read the Proclamation, in the light Of this
Divine testimony, Whit recognition DO We and of the
nam ch4rlc er and istOrial Cthce Of the SOn-the
Saviour o. Aaknd VITO sits at the right hand of the
Father, and thrO whom alone only mediator,
Jehovah y hear our prayer. HIS name, rho IS "he
,OIy tic truth and The itS does not appear IA tbs Proc
IA aatioa or ia any that preceded Il from The same
s.urcs Either Of there Sac papers may as we'll lave
proceeded from the Grand Turk the Great MOgu or
any o.her who believes in God. l. there no hing in
the Christian faith more de6o and distinctive than the
Tlsis0, Of P4glns Can this paper be said to hosOr
the Father which ignores the Son May this be one
reason Of the ~ ais I'd reverse3 which befal us"
Wnen the first Oonlsde,ates on this COntineut-the
Continental CJngresi and George WAshingtOn-pro-
claimed fAs, and recommended PRAYER, they e1hOrted
thepsope-Our FA,hsrs-to approach throne of Grace
expressly 'shroegR he mediation Of Saviour Jesus
tfrtSf, VINO AK 10 NY name auu
you shall receive"
Let no man say this ia unnecessary hypercrticd-
LlOk at the Divine History The Egyptians we're blessed
aud saved from the seven years Of famine for the Ike
aud BY the mediation Of Joseph, the of God
Nsbuchadnezzlr, the proud King Of sbyon, bless
cd Sld sustained prosperity through ID mediation o.
Daniel the prophet AID the President Of his Council
How often were the Eius Of Israel forgiven and their
puuishment remJtCd, by their cries and suppGcatiOl
through Moses and joshua? Nov these all types
Of our Saviour Jesus Christ a. all ChrsAns believe
Doe any suppose these inteTcessiOns would have
ayailed had thew been presented without such media
ton
Il may be said oar Constitution AMI laws do not re-
ooguiza the Lord Jesus Christ, and that consequently
the President could not u'e his name and point to
the eff ,aey of Ills mediation without excluding aud Of
fsnding Jews aud others Who deny bis divine ms
sion and Offices. II It's be 80, so much the y rse
for u.s. for thai would be deliberately sad purposely to
offend God by discArliag Him whom Jeho ssh has eK.
p-essly declared sour Hgh Prizes: over the house of
God II the alternative really be disoeAss the Most
High or 70 offend the ssnsibites Of unbsheving Jews
and we hesitate from fear . mistaken conscientious.
meas TO decide between them, there need be no more
fasts and prayers for they become q mOekery in the
sight OF Heaven.
Truly, We can Pray with little hope Of Divine assist
Haee and protection if the Jews shape our re.
lglous dulles As they do to extent our temporal
alirs Let it DO remembered thai when JOseph's Ad.
mlnstraton Of PnAraoh's kingdom MOrdecAi's 6desty
90 Ahasuerus, and Daniels wisdom and integrity as
Prime Minister Of Ns5uchAdnezzIr brought upon these
respective mOuarchs the choices. blessings OF benig
nant Providence, it because Joseph, MOrdecai and
Daniel we're faithful and well tried disciples of the true
tait4 Il was out of regard to them that God bes sed
the Kings and eOuatry they served But how is cur
casef Think Of Secretary Of State With Ais faith or
no faith signing the Presidents Proclamation summer
ing CRristiaH people TO prayer, Had the PrOcauA-
ton invoked the mediation Of Saviour Jesus Christ
would his 1apriaar Of "By the President" still hTve
been SHiKedS
II, a. people, We would entrsAt the favor Of our
Father and God country in her present Fri ais
With good hope of HIS blessing letPrssident and people
be mindful willis. rendering unto Ca ar the things lat
are CR5ars, 10 render also unto God the things that
are Gods.
The Next Yankee Congress and the War.
TIE &C ion OF the Northern Congress will invIlve
much as regards the duration Of the war The De no