The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-08-11

Sometimes physicians appoint pow
der to be taken in wine or syrup Yet
it is not the wine or tho syrup that
makes the cure, but the powder, they
being used only to convey it into the
stomach.
And thus it is, my friends, that grace
is handed down TO us by the blessing of
God in the use of means; yet we must
not think that the means do it, but the
blessing of God mingled with it and
infused into it.
But l have often heard it said by
those who deride forms, even those
forms which are so plainly spoken OF
in Scripture
EVERY denomination has its own form for
making members of the Church; and II makes
no difference what the form is, If You only be-
come member"
And yet l think, if when the physi-
clan has appointed wine or syrup, you
use water or oil, the powder might not
have the intended effect.
So if, when the Scripture has appoint
ed special means by which to confer
special grace, we use some other means,
we may not receive the grace intended
TO be conveyed.
Christ says, believe, and be baptized,
Now, if we only believe, and be not
baptized, when baptism is possible, do
you think we shall receive remission Of
our sins?
Or, if we be baptized, yet do not be-
liere, do you think we will then receive
remission?
If obedience to the law of God Is nee.
essary TO salvation, which none of you
doubt, | should certainly say not.
"IIe that believeth and is baptised
shall be saved.n Belief and Baptism
are both required.
We claim the Scriptures-the written
word of Gcd-to be our infallible rule of
faith in doe rine and discipline-don't
we?
No matter who was the instrument
employed in writing them, they were
"given by inspiration of God"
No matter what they teach, God au-
thorizes it. No matter what they com
mand, that we are to do to the best of
our ability.
No matter whether it is Matthew,
Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul, or our
Savior. who gives utterance to the
words there recorded, they are Gods
words.
And therefore, we must entirely lose
sight of the individuals whom God em.
ployed. and think only of Him who
speaks by them.
God tells us by the mouth of the
apostle Paul in the 9th chapter of his
Epistle to the Hebrews, and at the lst
verse, that Repentance and Faith, and
Baptism, and Laying on Of hands, are
the foundation. principles which chris
tians must lay before going on to tha
perfection which they can reach only
by the use of the strong meat provided
in tho Lords Supper.
But in other places God tells us o
Repentance: " Except ye repent ye shat
all perish."
And of Faith: "Belieue on the Lore
Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be sared."
And of Baptism: "He that JelieuetJ
and is BAPTIZED, shat be Sdred."
And of the Lords Supper; "Ercep
I ye eat 0y ,ReSh and drink my blood, q
hare no iife in y0u;" and therefore, thes
are made necessary to salvation.
While of "Laying on of hands" III
tells us 1t Is means by which We ma,
receive the Holy Ghost, and necessar
step to be taken before "going on {
perfection !" and is not therefore mad
necessary to salvation, except In 80 ia
as 1t is Il part, and accompaniment, an
: complement of baptism.
Now the text furnishes proof of III
0 practice OF the apostles with regard I
1t.
Philip the deacon, the lowest order