The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-02-01
THE BIBLE AND FUTURE
PUNISEAME EMIT.

PUNA SAAM EMF.
The follwing is the first of a series
of sermons upon the above
topic, preached in the Methodist
church and printed by request of
several who heard it.
Mr.. Pye prefaced his sermon
with the remark that he felt, If his
people and congregation wanted
any discussion of the subject, 1t
must be a carefully ana thoroughly
prepared series that would begin at
the foundation. He had drawn
from evey source of information at
his command, aud aimed to con-
dense his r emarks into q half hours
space of time:
ITO the law and to the testimony !"
lisa. 8, 20
The history of the Jewish people
shows how frequently they lapsed
into sdolatry. In every instance
they were warned of the result, but
true to the tendency of depraYed
human nature, they stopped not I'M
til their sins and sufferings COM
PEELED them to cry to God for re-
lief. In their blindness they ever
attributed the cause of their trouble
to others rather than themselves,
and sought a remedy in the sooth-
sayers, magicians, or familiar spir-
its of those ages.
During the seventh and eighth
centuries, B. C., while at the flood
tide of infidelity, God commanded
Isaiah to speak to his people, and
he does so, In words of warning,
command and entreaty. He asks
''should not u people seek unto their
God-to the law and TO the testimony, II
they speak not according to this word IL
Is because there is no light in them"
This willingness to test the word
of God, is in accord with other
scriptures:
aye shall not add unto the word which
l command you, neither shall ye dlmIn-
ish aught from 1t, that ye may keep the
commandments of the Lord yoRr God
which / command YOU" Deut. 4; 2.
"Think not that am come to destroy
the law, or the prophets. i am not come
to destroy, hut to fulfil. For verify say
unto you, till heaven and earth pass,
one jot or one title shall in no wise pass
from the law till all be fulfilled" Matth-
ew 8; IT'S.
"We have also more sure word OF
prophecy; wherein 10 We do we'll that we
take heed, as unto a light that shineth In
a dark place, until the day dawn and the
day star arise In your hearts. Knowing
this first, that no prophecy of the scripture
Is OF any private Interpretation, for
by the will OF man; but the holy men OF
God spake as they were moved by the
Holy Ghost" I'd Peter, l.; 1920.
"All scripture is given by inspiration
OF God, and Is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness. That the man of God
may be perfect thoroughly Furnished un-
To all good works" ID Tim. 8; 1917.
See also Heb. 4; II. James 1; 81.
AS has been the uniform custom
of the Almighty, Isaiah is instruct
ed to assure the people, and the
Word and Ministry of God do the
same to-day, that if they would
turn from the evil of their ways
and "seek unto their God" they
should find peace, but If they re-
NAMED rebellious, peace should be
denied them and trouble follow.
See lisa. 8; 21-22.
It is written, Gall that has
been is now" Ages and p copies
repeat themselves. Human nature
is the same to-day and the proVi=
dances of God change not. Go in
to any of our modern cities and
find it as true as it was of Jeruss-
lem. "Sin abounds." The Proph-
cts ultimatum is ours to-day. The
only appeal is the "WoTd of God,"
and every source of appeal not
agreeing with this word, will but
add to our final uncertainty, dejec-
ton and sorrow.
But If 1t is rejoined, "What if we
do not believe that book2 What II
we look upon it as q thing out
grown-a thing which modern ad-
vancement and the sublime dis
closures of modern scientific inves-
tigation have completely nntiquat-
edy" Now, my friends, If that re-
ally is the case, we are in mid
ocean, without compass, chart or
soundings. There are no stars or
light house to guide us and we are
In q terrible plight. If we cannot
believe these scriptures, eve are of
all men most miserable" and what
is TO become of us, none can tell.
Our consciousness will still tell rs
we exist. We will know something
of right and wrong, but of Heaven,
He'll and Immortality we shall
know nothing.
But II 1t is re-rejoined, Supposing
such is the case and that we still re-
ject the authority of the scriptures
aud refuse to acknowledge them as
the ultimate appeal, what then ?"
Now do not believe that any
who have examined the subject,
have cut themselves clear away
from faith and confidence in the
plain teachings of Bible prophecy
and truth. If the Bible lie not &
common basis there is none, and
all hearing and all preaching are in
vain. If we cannot rely upon This
book, we need not say another
word. We might as well give uE
all our organizations and "eat
drink, and be merry, for tomorrow
we die"
Bot as mere assertions can al
ways be met by assertions, and it is
folly to argue IN that way, we de
duce some definite reasons why we
should make our appeals to the
scriptures, as ultimate authority up
on the subject of eternity. Oui
first reason, then, is that judging