The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-08-22
Written for tho Elk Advocate.
CATHOLIC CHRIsTIANITY---No. IL.

by some modern scctaries, as it was by
some hcretics in ancient times. The
doctrine of election strikes at the very
root of human pride, and hence those
who arc willing to submit to God make
a great ado against it. But those who
are willing to learn what God has taught
in the Bible, and to obey what He has
commanded, will find 10 difficulty with
this doctrine but will say with the sa.
viour himself " | confess to thee, 0
Father, Lord of heaven and earth, be.
cause thou hast hid these things from
the wise and prudent, and hast revealed
them to little ones. Yea, Father; for
so hath 1t seemed good IN thy sight,"
Matt II, 25, 26). To such persons
these words give sufficient answer to
the question which I proposed to ans.
wer in this number; and this is the only
answer which can be given in our pre-
sent state. IF any are not satisfied with
it, but say cit is not right for God to
save some men and leave others who are
no worse to perish" we might ask is it
right forGod to give more Of this worlds S
goods to some than TO others (which
he evidently does.
But every honest mind, even without
much learning, may understand the dec
trine, and derive practical benefit from
it, by simply following the word of God.
There it is plainly taught that all men
are sinners, even L" dead" in their sins,
and that they need to be born again"
created anew" before they can enter
into the kingdom Of heaven. Although
the blood which cleanseth from all sin
has been shed, and its saving benefits
offered freoley to all men, yet men are
so unwilling to be saved, they so much
prefer to follow their owu inclination and
leave all thoughts of God and heaven to
some other times, that no one would
ever come to Christ and be saved if God
did not interpose and draw them one by
one. "No man can come to me, ex.
cept the Father, who hath sent me, draw
him, and I will raise him up at the last
day." [Johu 6, 44]. But why does
not the Almighty Father draw all men,
and not allow the gospel to be "hid "
e Cor. 4, 81 to any? The answer
given Matt. IL, 26 is the only one that
is revealed to us: " Yea, Father; for so
hath it seemed good in thy sight" 1t
seemed good to the Father, who so loved
the world as to give his son for its saliva
ton, and who invites all men, yea, com.
noondS them, to come to Christ and be
saved 1T seemed good to Him to draw
only part of the unwilling multitude
and leave part to their own chosen
ways, that these may be monuments oI
| justice, as the others are monuments Of
mercy. And in selecting the individu.
ais who are to be "vessels of mercy,''
We are informed that God does not
choose many mighty and noble, accor,
ding to the distinctions of this world
but more Of the poor and despisod and
this is to the end that no flesh should
glory in his sight" q Cor. l, 29)
Only those are saved whom God choos
es, of his own sovereign pleasure, tc
draw to christ and the rest canno
complain of injustice, Gas some are ready
to do), for all are invited to come, ant
there is nothing to hinder any one from
coming but his own unwillingness' Il
men will choose to die when life is free
ly offered, surely it is nobody's fault bu
their own.
But those who are saved cannot con
gratulate themselves on their superior
prudence or virtue, as causing the diff
ference in their prospect for eternity
for it is only Gods distinguishing mer
cy (Rom. 9, l5) that makes them t.
differ from others. So the church, anc
every member of it, must forever thanl
God not only the gift of a savior to tn
world, but for the g'ft of salvation t.
them in particular; as Paul to tn
Ephesians q, 3 blesses God for spiritu
al blessings bestowed in accordance witt
his eternal election "unto the praise o.
the glory of his grace" &C.
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