The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-11-08
Correspondents Of the netocatc.
LETTERS TO .UEDECUS.
NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER ONE.
NJ Dear Sir Il am much obliged
for your answer to my inquiry: for
though | hardly expected evidence that
would be satisfactory to my own mind,
| like to know what others consider
proof, and to h ear their own statement
of their faith, rather tnan trust to the
representations of opponents. You
think it can be established without
difficulty both from the Bible and from
other sources" that saints who have de-
parted this life " not only hear us, but
grant US their intercession and good Off
ces." TO my mind you have not "es.
tablished either Of these points, but
have rather furnished arguments against
your doctrine of the invocation Of he
saints. As a sincere inquirer after
truth, am as much bound to reject
evidence which is not conclusive as to
admit that which IS. you can show
from the word of God "that the invo.
cation Of saints is not only proper, b.
that we are cveu directed to avail our
selves Of their assistance" then | am in
duty bound to acknowledge your doc
trine and adopt your custom. But any
mercly ly human testimony Of that effect
is Of no account towards establishing
such doctrine as an article of faith.
The opinion and practice Of any unln
spred men, even saints and martyrs, can
st best but furnish degree Of prot0bR-
i.g-greafcr or less according to cir .um-
stauces--that the thing is taught in the
Bible. Yet you seem to think the tes
timony Of such men as Basil, Augustine,
Cyprian, Irenaeus must be admitted on
this point, to be uot only sound but
authoritative. If theg we're inspired,
aud spoke not their own opinion but the
word of God, | grant it; however much
Se may esteem their testimony, it can
never lie conclusive, You advance
scveFa! arguments to show that depart
81 saints knolc all our circumstances
hear our requests, and actually aid US
by their intercess -. | would Ike to
haow aheren these arguments appear
IL me inconclusive, and how some OF
them even make against your position.
bat ia the first place you yield the very
i.oiut expected you would try to prove.
by admitting that they do mot hear US
dircctly-ao not know our affairs by any
direct mode of communication-but be
cc,uc acquainted with our wants aud
~ishos cny through the medium of the
divine omniscience. 1t seems 10 me
that this admission is well nigh fatal tc
your theory. agree that the saints
may know whatever God is pleased ID
communicate to them, but | think you
will lot pretend that they are Omni
xci.nt Doubtless those who have de
parted this lie "to be With Christ en-
joy the presence aud fellowship Of the
infinite spirit They know God
hut it does not By any means follow that
they huow AL that lie knows. THAI
tuppositi0n would be utterly absurd, u,
they are still finite, and il is no less ab
suih to assunt that they know every
ihing ahUu; thsir friends on earth, or al
that 0nyJoiy on earh may think or gay
in reference to themselves. Jus. thius
how many myriads daily offer requests
10 the Blessed Virgin. Does she know
nHthes, people and al thsir circum
stonces, when they say pray for us
We agree then (do we not p that depart
"a saints have only su"h haopie,iyc o
things on earth Us God is pleased tc
communicate to thcm. As you say
" lhey hear our petitions through Al
mighty God, who is cognzant Of al
things" We have diret commnuica
sion with God the Father, Son aud
Holy Ghost, but MAJ with Paul, Peter
aud the rest. lt is therefore a very dit
tercnt thing from asking christians on
earth to "pray for US" to mike the
"ouie request If those with whom We
have no communication who become
hware Of our request or not, according
"a SO is pleased to reveal It to them Oh
retain It in his own counscls. This be.
ing settled, is i, proper and avisabIc tc
nHS departed saints to pray for Us
You answer, yes, but do not convince ,ne.
AS the printer will prefer short letters
! will defer the reasons tor nav dissent
10 another time. Yours truly,
EVANGELIST.