The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-02-12
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN
Benefcence


At length We have distinctly stated the principle
upon which it is claimed that the law Of tithes is
at present obligatory 1t is that the ordinance
regulating the matter neUer repealed By Christ
and therefore is still Of binding force This state
ment will take US beyond the question whether the
law is a moral or a ceremonial one; for if all the
statutes OF the Mosaic code must be repealed by
Christ in order to be rendered imperative then
the unrepeaed statute whatever its character, has
the sanction of Christ for its observance, and is
binding upon ua The mission of Christ, accord
ing to his own declaration was not to repeal the
laws of Moses He came not to destroy the law or
the prophets, but to fulfill. All the attempts Of
his enemies to bring him into antagonism to the
moral code of the nation failed, and in his life and
words he indicated the truth that Christ is the
end of the law Of righteousness to every one that
believeth.
In an important sense he fulfilled the laws, cere-
monial and moral and the exposition which he has
given, showing US the spiritual meaning and intent
Of these laws has created new obligation by
revealing to US clearly what was revealed to Others
dimly and indistinctly.
The law of murder is not repealed by the prOhb
ton of anger, nor the law against adultery abro
gated by forbidding any approaches toward the
commission of this sin. If any of the laws enacted
for the government of the Jewish people ceased tC
be operative by Limitation of statute, either i'm
plicit or explicit, then no repeal was necessary
any laws we're given to them which were alike ap
picable to the race of men, being the expression
Of the will of Cod no repeal was possible, TO
1.-THE word of the Lord endurcth forever"
the laws were ceremonial and typical, Christ worl
must necessarily be to expand and to verify. Ih
law of the Sabbath was greatly misunderstood
bat it was not repealed when the true mode of it
observance was taught by Christ. One can hardl
say with accuracy that law is repealed Whe
another law is enacted which embraces the provis
ions of the first and goes further in the statemen
Of the requirements of duty. Really the law
rendered imperative, because it is superseded b
another which is more comprehensive and NOR
explicit. Or the prescriptions Of the statute ma
be no longer OF force, because the principle whic
underlies the statute being understood and &C
cepted, may render the specification of duty super
fuous. The principle that 1.-The love of Chris
cJnstraineth u" would not have been inteligibl
to the Jews, although they understood the obliga
ton of the 1.-THE The law was our schoomaste
to bring US to Christ. When We have come t
him we are no longer under schoolmaster
Christ shall make you free ye shall be free indeed
The law OF love to Christ embraces the specific.
tons of duty, and he did not repeal the statue
because they are included under the clearer an
more determinate law which he uttered The la
? of tithes is no excep ion to the general rule. TIL
law of spelling is not abrogated after we hav
: learned to read. Yet it would be great hare
ship to make man spell every word before reaC
ing it. One law may include another without ren
-. dering It's abolition necessary. The law of tith,
would be an admirable one if there were none otht
which is fuller expression of Gods will to l
upon the subject 1t would be absurd to confn
8 ourselves to this law where there is one of so muc
wider reach and application. We must leave th
cases cited of infant baptism and incest for consiC
y GRAFTON at another time. j. W. 2. thinks that
any money we're required in connection with inIar
baptism, "one-half the Presbyterian Churc
would join the Baptists." We can only reply tia
let others do as they will, as for u.s. all the memo
rial fund OF the denomination now collecting wOul
not induce us to be submerged during this weathe
:, RICHMOND.