Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-07-02

There are many theories Of the mis-.
sion of Jesus Christ to this world.
They cannot all be correct; and since
we cannot be sanctified by lie, but
must be sanctifed, if at all, by the
truth, and by the truth as it is in Jesus,
we can well afford to study this matter
with great care.
Moreover; since equally able and
worthy men differ widely concerning
this matter, it becomes US 10 be teach
able and modest, as regards our own
opinions, that We may be ready, if
need be, to correct them, whenever a
new thought, which commends itself
to our reason, shall pnt US in the way
of doing so.
Remember too, that as knowledge
advances We get clearer statements and
better expressions of truth in all de-
partments of science Theological sci
ence not excepted, 1t is fair to say,
that, upon the great question of
Christ's mission, the latest expression
and Interpretation of contessedly able
christians thinkers is likely to be an
advance upon former ones. We
should at least listen to such without
pre-judgment
Of course, those who imagine their
creed complete and perfect and that
any deviation from it is heresy, will
not learn from the independent schol-
ars of to-day; they do not allow that
God has any prophets now. Accord
ing to them the men to whom God has
given wisdom and understanding and
largeness Of heart, are not to be found
this side of the generation Of the
Westminster Assembly. There ,cere
giants in the earth in those days and
also before that, in the days of the
German and Swiss reformers, but hey
knew everything and settled every
thing we need no revelations now
Those who thus think will Of course
consider this effort toward a better
statement Of the mission and work Of
Jesus an impertinence. For their
sakeS however who are not so satisfied,
who are grateful for every ray of light
even if it shows them they have been
walking in the wrong path, and for
the sake of those who have settled up
on no opinion at all in the case, | will
ask your attention to this question
What 1oas the end Of Christ ntiS-
siou to this world Z?
The text [ have chosen answers
''Christ Jesus came into the world to
save sinners.
All christians also, agree with the
Scripture in declaring that, ''this is q
faithful saying and worthy of all ac-
ceptation."
Yet this simple and perfect state
ment, which embodies indeed the
whole truth, starts, nevertheless, vari.
Gus questions, which earnest and
thoughtful minds will ever be study
ing; such as-To save them from
rhat? Ho,o to save them? Why to
save them? What things must be done
by Him and why? To these and SIM
liar or equivalent questions, a variety
of answers have been given.
/. According to some He came to
pay our qz,oraI debts. The history of
our sins may be regarded as history
Of failures to pay. Whatever we
ought to have done and did not do, is
set down in the great accounts to our
debt. So, whatever we have done
which we ought not TO, since it is
equally failure to meet obligation, is
set down against US on the debtor side.
Now this is an account which acc can
never settle, since, even if we repent
and henceforth fulfill all our obliga,
tions, we can only do, at any particu-
lar time. what meets our obligations at
that time, we can never do anything
! by which we may gain surplus OF vir'
tue to be set against past sins as pay
ment by which to square accounts.
But say those who talk of Christ
as paying our debts, ''until our bad ac,
count is squared, God as governor and
law-giver can never accept US. So tht
thing, or one of 5ne things which
Jesus did, was to preform grea
work, which he was under no obliga
tion to do, yet as subject to law, ant
so gain a large surplus of righteous
ness which might be used legally t.
apply on our accouRt-that Is reck
oned over to us--set TO our ere lit IL