, 1880-09-05


are mixed in the sumo individual, though It
is written that the Word OF God is u sharp dis
cerner, piercing even to the dividing asunder
know, is SO wholly and perfectly good, and so
filled and led of the Spirit us to be called, In his
enrirety, . "saint;" Until the worlds "har-
as familiar parable Of Jesus indicates. We can
make no such division between fields Ut grain as
to say that this field is wheat and the other field
is chaff- We may go still further and call the
unit Of growing wheat the stalk or head. But
can one head or stalk say, II am wheat and you
It IS clear, then, that true line Of division
must run, or cut, through the heart bctwixt the
good and evil elements, the soul and the spirit,
Of each Individual @ man and the re nst DO is
and therefore is capable OF being ''shaken."
i'll any man must be removed, put AWAY,
n God sS with
and cody fear: for our God is y consuming
tire" Doubtless, there are fiery trials Of divers
ifestution Of Gods love appears to bo the most
e1icacious and purifying Of all. Paul connsols
in q certain case to ''deliver such an oneunto
spirit may be saved. Again, he speaks Ut tho
''old num- as perishing while the . new man 3"
is being renewed: and again, Of the wrath of
godliness and unrighteousness of meu,'-f. g.,
against the evil IN men.
:, It would pe difficult TO say how many dticul;
ties would disappear, how many parudoxes and
seeming contradictions OF Scripture would be IL
Illuminated by recognition Of what may be called
the true soul and the untrue soul IN illat1, the
the other. For instance: 1t would make clear
the saying Of Jesus: q He that loscth his soul
fpsuche1 shall find it."
But wish it understood that am now giving
only suggestion and not argument Truth is
something that is seen by man rather than
much yet to be revealed, treasures Of Wisdom
and knowledge opulent beyond the most eI-
travagant conception Of man; nevertheless, no
man nor body OF men can assume to dictate or
prescribe to others. To do that is dogmatism, or
ecclesiastical tyranny This it is that takes
axay from men all liberty Of conscience OF
Scribe and punctilious Pharlsee, over the good
man. 1t held in close fellowship men acknowl-
edging a certain set Of approved doctrines.
spiritually dead; and ostrAcized the man Of q
Divine life. It eliminated in accepting Rarnb-
bas the murderer, and giving over 70 death
It Is Sometimes said, aCorpporahons have no
souls, meaning no feeling and conscience. It
is notorious that the man as an individual will
than as member Of q corporation. Religious
corporations are no exception TO the rule. It
individuai M Conscience and II humanity mani % Belonging @
to the members could become the soul or ami
mating principle of the corporatdon: If the cor
poraIion might learn to do as well as the best
member would do In his own private character
But ecclesiasticlsm gives over the supremacy
in practical matters to tho haser and not to the
creed; while, the nobler lives in love, in.con-
science, in truth. and in the voice OF the living
The Presbyterian Church in her constitution
utters her voice for liberty OF conscience. She
declares our full persuasion and assurance Of
the infalible truth, and Divine authority there
Of, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit
. in our hearts, She does not, constitu-
uonalty, believe In tying men down, and forcing
aione is Lord Of the conscience: and hath left it
free from the doctrines and commandments of
men, which: are in anything contrary to His
ship; and she considers the rights Of private
Judgment in all matters that respect relision, as
universal md inalienable" This ntterance has
heavens own breath of freedom tn It
But it must be confessed with sadness that,
practically, she shows little faith In that Lords
power and slitG:ency or in His :. Inward work II
over mems conscienccs" Notwithstanding, in-
stead of leaving all direction Of them with her
She ge1ope ID Il ne
1A' heid. N'N'' y -: ''' -''S '''N' "''''' '4''
.Tet without doubt the hcalth-yca, even the
in the path Of freedom of coincidence. Had tho
Buffalo PTcsbytery followed this path, would
she. upon mere common fame, her services all
dictated to tho II Dunkirk t brethren ne IN Dow and
pulpit7 Seeing man following, 60 fur as has
been shown, his own conscience in speaking, and
the stop" ot suspension? -
But much is said Of those "soIemu yows"-of
ordination; Yes, but listen to her own utter
conscience. She declares :lQues n3j the fol-
and VOWS if luwful, and fulfilling them Il Of
things unlawful G., according to previous
any doctrines and commandments of
conscicnces OF men, and do not leave them in
all things, perfectly free TO follow the Word Of
GOD; No oath or VOW may lawfully be :. tuE- |
1llod In any such case, even according to Pres:
An additional word seems called for, ii cx-
plauation OF my persistent and. very generally
Of the Presbyterian Church. or to seek other |
ecclesiastical connections. -.
TO there Tegh
the prevalent Judging OF mon by some dead LETT |
ter OF doctrine, instead of by LIE, BY creed: in
md wide spread and growing mischief; tint it |
8 as much for the hurt OF other nen as for my |
hurt; and that 1t should be both challenged and I
it above all merely personal interests. The light |
,vcry corner that is cnrk. suppose 60 outside
!ons Of sip Seyond scafnF ef hs DC pas
;engers, that might be allowed TO suy that |
ave discovered leak, or it would be like kct-
'ut, IN which case it might seem par
ism and splteful, by re ason Of personal
interest & in the one newly adopted; and would I
The chief thing to be considered fs the welfare
II the PASSENGERS: The excited feeling ex- /
PRESSED in, This our craft is in tnnccr.' re- |
listed the truth not alone at Ephesus, bur it has
'een chief opponent OF the truth In its SIM
'iicity ever since am assured 1hat the most |,
.itectiye protest against error is to quietly and
aithfuny =stand for the right Just where you
IRE, and patiently take the Consequences
Thea,, II ecciesiasticsm, which loves forms l.
nd institutions morcTfor their own sake than
ecau5e they are receptaces Ut truth, dominates |.
nd strnngles spiritual life. having it in its heart
o Ioru it over mems conscicnces, the people
ave an actual demonstration OF the fnct, in
opatison n WIZ ID mn n,nint1 eiT reroN statement
hat the manly and honest course after ali is not
} Withdraw, but to speak for truth and then II
ecessary, to uucomptainingly suffer as an evil
Ger in the public estimation.
will close by quoting some suggestive words
rom the Chicago Auf1nce: IT should be borne
i mind thar ministers as?a rnio enter upon their
RECESSION with the slmple desire to do good;
nd that they usually accept the creed that Is
IuRht them without much reflection, supposing |
laf It expresses the truth OF the Bible: This