The Portland daily press., 1875-03-08
SUNDAY SERVICES.
FIRST BAPTIST.

The sermon was delivered by the pastor Rev.
Dr. Smaller Text, Rom. x, 4: For Christ is
the end of the law for righteousness to every
one that believeth.
Righteousness by the deeds of the law, and
righteousness by faith in Christ, have for ages,
divided the religious opinions OF men and CIV
en- rise to most animated theological discussion.
The two doctrines, as basis of justification
and salvation, are antagonistic to each other
and have been so regarded by their respective
advocates. Arguments upon either side have
been arranged with much ability and skill, and
some of them are the most mastery and pro-
found which have been framed into words, or
found utterance in human language. The no.
best intellects have been employed in the dis
cussions and by men OF large and earnest
hearts Among all those arguments, there is
none more thorough, more logical, more con-
vincing, OF more just in its conclusions, than
that which is contained in this letter of Paul to
the Romans. 1t is plea for the gospel meth
cd of salvation by faith, and as an argument
is clear, full and exhaustive. For eighteen
centuries, like an impregnable fortress is has
stood before the world in its massive strength
and grandeur And though often assailed, it
has not been Overthrown, or its strength IN any
respect weakened. 1t is in that argument, that
we find the words before US. In the mmedi-
ate connection, Paul was speaking of the jews,
his own nation. He spoke OF them tenderly as
welllas truthfully. He earnestly desired their
salvation aud sought it. He bore witness to
their zeal for God, but says it is not according
to knowledge, which means it was not an intel
ligent zeal, founded upon correct views of God
and religious truth. He then shows why 1t was
not and wherein it was deficient. And in
illustrating this point he uses this language:
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteous
ness to every one that believeth." The propo-
sition is an important one, and around it clus-
ter the sublimest truths of tho gospel and the
dearest hopes of believers. 1t deserves, there
fore, our candid and earnest consideration.
Perhaps there is no better way of arriving at
its true meaning, than to notice separately the
several points which the proposition contains:
/. Christ, the end of the law. How are we
to interpret and understand such language?
For on this evel ytbing in the controversy de-
ponds. By the law it is generally conceded
that Paul referred to the Mosaic law, which
God by Moses gave to the Jewish nation. This
law embraced three divisions. One part OF 1t
was what may be termed civil law, designed to
control the civil affairs of the nation, and was
to be in force so long as they maintained
distinct nationality. Another part was the
ceremonial law, regulating the religious wor'
ship and rites of the nation. This was largely
typical in its character, and to be in force till
the shadow was to give place to the substance.
And another part was what is termed the NOR
al law given to the nation not as jews, but ss
moral beings, designed to be always in force,
and to control the conduct of all mankind OF
the ceremonial law, Christ was obviously the
end, for its sacrifices, and rites all pointed to
him. and were to find their termination in him.
But Paul was discussing, not the ceremonial,
but the moral law. And it was this with its
requirements, its sanctions and its penalties, of
which Christ is here represented as heing the
end. It's demands were met by him., and salts
fed so far as he in his humanity was concerned
and by virtue of his suferings and death he
made provision Cor its end to Others
2. To whom is Christ the end of the law.
To every one that believeth. Paul says: He
made provision ample for all who would, in the
terms proposed avail themselves of it, and &C
cept of pardon. 1t is easy to perceive, howev-
err. that there is wide difference between hav-
ing provision made for us, and the awaiting our
selves of that provision. So in this case. Inc
Droyjsion was to be made available to mankind
bv faith, believing in Him. This was the con-
ditiop. And hence the Limitation in this clause
to every one that believeth. BY believing in
Christ our relation to the law is changed Our
union to Him is SO close, 80 vital, that we are
not under condemnation by the law, as He is
not, etc.
8 For righteousness. These words in this
connection have a significance which must not
be overlooked Nothing in all this is done
with Injustice There is righteous regard for
the law in every respect, and therefore it is
fully honored when Christ is the end of 1t to
the believer Faith is counted to believer
for righteousness, as it was to Abraham, &c.
These several points of the discourse were ar
gued and illustrated quite fully and with much
clearness and precision.