, 1877-01-14

Is that OF shepherd 6eaICHME 4ot A14o oaeSp'
Another, that OF shepherd returning with the
lost sheep found-bearing 1t upon his shoulder.
lust rs the now famous hymn sung BY Mr.
Sankcy expresses the thought
:..Rciocc! have found my sheer:
And the Angels echoed around the II Ihfone: one,
Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own
Yes; lost, but found; astras, but coming Dack'
That is the theology Of tue New Testament,
and that, too, the illustration OF It By the hands
OF those who come the nearest to the compan-
ions Of Christ Himself.
Any teaching which makes the love of God
little more than pleasant theory, and His anger
the one awful fact which humanity has every
where to confront; which shuts cut from the
heavenly home notwithstanding OF
all the human race living or who have ever
ticc that no sane person can pray
that it NAV be true; any such
theory urged as you have urged 1t, while 1t
does good to some, You may be certain WORKS
serious harm to others, causing not a few to say,
s.H that is the Gospel Of Christ, l wish nothing
to do with 1t, for it Is not true"
OF that kind Of theology many already nave
more than they can bear. In themselves, ana
through others, they have felt the evil Influence
OF it. God to them Is now no longer tyrant,
no longer an incxorablc judge; but loving,
tender, tympathizing Father. Religion Is to
them as daily food; medicine no more. They
love it as they lore the light OF the sun; anu
they rejoice in it as the greatest human good.
In alt this aln not unnlndtul Of the justice
Of God Sin is the one awful fact in our human
life. It is not easy to undervalue the danger Of
it, and no conception Of tho Fatherly care must
be permitted to shut from our view the certain
ty Of punishment. God is no respecter OF pcr-
sous. For every sin We commit we must be
punished, either in this world or the next, and
neither wealth nor poverty can shield US from
the Just consequences OF our deeds. Though
the wicked join hand In hand, they shall
not go unpunished." Be not deceived: God IS
not mocked, for whatsoever man soWeth tnat
shall he also reap" Every step away from Gou
is so far away from our best good, which sooner
OF later we must rctraee. The consequences OF
our conduct go with us into the future life. For
every sin committed the punishment Is certain.
Future punishment, as have already salu, IS .
not plead for the lfttal salvation Of all human
souls, upon the assurance that at some time, IN
the ages to come, the lost wanderer sia!! nave
repcnted OF his wrung; the "lost sheep " shall
have been found; the justice OF God IN the pun
/ isllmcnt of sin vndicated; and all souls become
obedicnt to the Lord who shed His blood Tor US
Nv brother, the world is wide. God works
| by many methods. You are useful in His hands
| pray that you may continue to be SO. Cons1u-
| CT what is here written. Love for the truth,
| and for the best good Of all, dictates It. You
seek to revive theology that Is practically out
| grown, aud you wish to put the thought Of the
Churcl, back fifty years that it may accept 1t.
say, let us 90 forward. There Is better wav.
| than Andoyer. But while We differ, let us dil-
fer in love. The cross OF Christ is as dear to me
as it list you. lhemusic OF ourlamented brother
| in Christi moves my feelings as deeply as it
! does yours. For religious indifference, nave
/ no sympathy. The fable Of the dog in the
| manger is cxcmpliticd By too many nominal
| Christians; hope am not disposed to repeat
| that folly. l pray for Christian union in the
| trucst sense of the term-for the union OF all
who accept Christ as their sufficient Savior, aud
froe