, 1879-02-23

Dresslons rs we heard not long aTo 1Enm PROM
inent Methodist preacher in this city, who said,
tsTlle infinite God was wrapped n swaddling
bands and laid in mangcr IN bethlehem"
Similar expressions are common among ortho-
dox preachers, who involve their teaching in
tangled web Of mysteries, and ~ darkcu counsel
by words without knowledge" !
/ know VIC will be told that, though Hc was
rich, vet 1or our s:kes He becane pHor, that we
through His poverty might be naed rich" But
those ore. existing riches did not exist in pre-
existing distinct personality, nut4as already
stated, in the union of the divine atfrlbutes ex-
isting from all eternity, and protected into hu-
man form in the person Of Jesus Christ. Hence,
the Apostle Paul tells us Heb., T.. o, Where
fore When BE comcth into tile world, He saith,
sacrifices md offerings thou wouldst not, but
body hast thou prepared me-" T.
This body was not only maryelously bnt
miraculously prepared into which the Divine at
tributes entered, and although tree from sin It
was subjected TO many Of the lni'rntt,es OF our
human nature.
It was .iu reference to this indwelling Of the
divine attributes in human form that the Apos-
tic Paul saws: Il Without controversy great is
the mystery Of godlincss; God was manifested
in the flesh"
This diyincly-prepared body, the Bible teaches,
will have an etcrnal existence 10 glorlhcd
eternal God 1t is the medium, as already
stated, through which finite beings can
approach tie Infinite Spirit. God, who in the
bcginiug said, 'tLct there be light, and there
was light" now shines into the nearts OF men,
'tto gre the light Of the knowledge Of the
glory Of God in the face Of Jesus Christ" This
coming to humanity by the incarnation OF the
divine attributes brings the Infinite Spirit into
different relation to all Intelligent beings in
the universe. It is union OF tue material with
the spiritual, and the divine Christ In human
form becomes microcosm Of the .mattrfal uni
verse, and, like central sun, shining out upon
all who are willing to come to the divine light
Finally, this coming to this divine light is
more than mere Intellectual operation or
form course OF obedience TO the precepts OF
Christ. 1t is not mere saying, Let
me see that,' aud then saying ayes, i
believe it." that makes the man Chris
tian, but it is d constant living fa'th IN this
divine manifestation, and an imitation Of Him
who went about doing good. Impressions :p7o-
duced SO suddenly upon the mlnos OF tnose WHO
have been lifelong opposers Of religion, will
not be lasting unless they are produced by the
regenerating influence OF the uoly Spirit, and
this only comes through unfeigned repentance
and living faith in the divine promises and
precepts. :,z.s...~.,..
We would then say to the Rev. Mr.. Pentecost:
II you wish successfully to lcad sinners to the
hight that shines On humanity through the di-
vine Christ, lead them through the garden of
sorrows mud the vale of penitential tears; then
point them to the hill OF Zion. Where love sits
enthroned, and 4 hearty welcome awaits the re-
turning sinner to his Fathers house.
The dcsriuies of an immortal soul are too
momcntous to be triAed With by such super
fcial treatment, and by constructions OF Script
ures to suit pur own peculiar notions,
Scores may arise in your nqurlng-mectings
and say 81 confess Christ as my SAVIOR Who
have never felt one pang OF sorrow for past sins,
nor made confession OF their sins TO God. and
implored pardon iu the name aud for the sake
Of Christ, aud this just because You have not
explained to them the nature OF sorrow for sin,
and the great truth that !" "Whosoever confesseth
and lorsakctt 1lis sins shall tint mercy"
Think Of the fearful responsibility you incur
by grinding scores OF converts through your
tleoIovjca1 mill without teaching them the tirst
principles of true evangelical conversion.
ADAM MILLER