The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-01-07

then OF any joining IRON improper mo-
tives; for one did it at the risk of losing
reputation, friends, property, of being
cast out of the synagogue, thrown into
prison, scourged stoned to death, or
crucifed. Whereas, now it is the most
popular thing a man can do in most com
munities, often giving him the business
and trade of wealthy Church, admitting
him to the best society, etc.
Those people were religiously educated
members of the Church, and, as the re-
cord says, "devout men (the Greek word
may be rendered, | suppose, religious or
pious) and they had come long way,
many of them, to worship God. They
had sinned in aiding in or consenting to
the crucifxion of the Lord, and needed
repentance, even though they had done
it ignorantly, and thinking they were
doing God service. We do not know
that there was a single drunlzard prosti-
tute, or profane man amongst them, or
even child. Do we know positively
that they were unregenefate?
professors would be exposed in that fear
full storm of persecution-many deprived
of food, shelter, everything-it would
seem most appropriate that they should
be received into the company of the
disciples at once, where they could be
protected and supported; as "distribu-
ton was made unto every man as he
had need and also that the feeble band
might daily counsel together as to meas
ures of safety and religious effort No
time then to separate the bad from the
good. A hurricane was arising, they
must haul in the net and secure the
ship Immediately No need of such haste
with us.
l doubt also if there was much animal
excitement on that occasion. But it
would seem that even then there was
danger of the Churchs ruin and ter
rible judgment of God was necessary to
keep hypocrites out. Ananias and Sap
phira were struck dead and of the rest
burst no man join himself to them" But
we have no such means at our command
to keep unconverted people out of the
Church now.
2. Was the practice of Jesus and The
apostles uniform in this respect? Is there
any proof of this? Would they not adapt
their measures to circumstances in this, as
we know they did in other matters?
Were the terms of discipleship laid
down as sternly now, and insisted on by
the Church as in those days, there would
be less danger. There was pointed preach
ing then. Hear Jesus to the Pharisees:
" Ye hypocrites, fools, blind, whited
sepulchres, full of hypocrisy and iniqui-
ty. " Ye serpents, ye generation of vi
pers, how can we escape the damnation of
hell. Again, to the multitudes: If al
man do not :" deny himself take up the
Cross and forsake all, he cannot be my dis
ciple;" and if thy right eye cause thee to
offend, pluck it out. Ye will be "scourg-
ed and put out Of the synagogue" "Set
at variance against your family, and they
will rise up against you and cause you to
be put to death. You shall be hated
of all men for my name s sake, and whose
ever killeth you will think he doeth God !
service. Do you come seeking comfort |
or riches? 1.-The Son of Man hath not
where to lay his head" Do you look for
honor? "Whosoever will be chiefest
shall be servant of all. Such moral, |
wealthy, and honorable men as the Young
Ruler, that would be so readily received |
in our days, were made to understand |
that they must sell all they had and
give to the poor" or they could not
be received into his Church. Not all
that professed to believe, or, as the record |
says, believed" did he receive John
ii: 24). And were all that believed i'm
mediately baptized? think not. We
read nothing of the Samaritans John ~
and others that were converted, being
baptized at the time; and probably they
were not, till after his ascension. Do we
know that any of the Corinthians, but
Crispus, Gaius and Stephanus house
hold, were baptized during Paul stay of
eighteen months? q Cor /: 14-16). We
do not think the practice of the Apostles
was uniform. We certainly have no proof
of it, and if we had, where is the com
mand to follow it invariably?
Gro BE Continued
Died that He Might Live