Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-04-15
VOW WE STUDY THE BIBLE.

"dOW SfcY oIudy lne oiplc. lie
writer deals some heavy blows at
ths different sects, and one sided
students Of the Bible.
With The greater par. of his arti-
c,e we can agree. lie has struck at
oae Of the great causes of infidelity
and the greatest stunbling block in
the way of the Christian Church :
sectarianism. The writer censures
the "expositors of Gods word" and
their manner Of studying. He tears
down but does not build up; gives
us no new idea of how we shall
study the word, Possibly he might
be accused of studying, to prove
some peculiar doctrine of bis own.
While with him we object to the old
schools of theology, we offer our
ideas of studying the will of our
Divine Master. AS sectarions differ
in their creeds, articles of faith, &c,
We refuse to be bound by them,
since Jesus Christ alone is Lord of
the conscience, and His word alone
can lightfulIy bind us. What He
has revealed and enjoined, either
personally or by His apostles, we
acknowledged as biuding,and where
lie has not bound US we are free, and
Insist on standing fast in that free
dom, in spite OF the DEGREES of coun-
,i,e, conferences or men. What
creed shall govern US! Take the
Bible and the Bible alone as our
rule of faith and practice, "even if
the landmarks that our fathers set"
have been swept away.
Our writer asks, IN how far are
these denominations supported 10y
scripture g. They are not sup
ported by scripture at all, but are
contrary to it. Their teachings are
supported by it in 50 far as they
agree with it and no further.
Our writer sis persuaded that the
Protestant lofty are asleep "They
study not they think not for them
selves" The Bible makes no dis
tinction with regard to caste. "All
Christians are royal priests to God.
Preachers, teachers, and rulers are
not caste in any sense" We do
not find Rev Paul, Bishop Paul or
DR.. Paul, but our "beloved brother
Paul" who called himself "the least
of all saints" The prophet thought
that Gods people were oil gone into
tlolatlv, yet God said that he had
seven thousand that had not bowed
the knee to Baal. So it is now,
there are at least half million in
this country that have confessed
their faith in Jesus as "the Christ,
the son Of the living God" These
are earnestly trying to ascertain and
preach "the truth as it is in Jesus"
But how shall we study the Scrip
turesl Paul says to Timothy,
study to show thyseIf approved
unto God" workman that needeth
not be ashamed, rightly di0iding tie
a13rd Of huth,
Although "all scripture is given
by inspiration Of God, and is profit
able Tor doctrine" still instead Of di-
lecting the sinner to read the Bible,
at random, to find what he must do
90 be saved, he should be pointed dl-
rectIy to the Acts, (the place, and
the only place. where that question
is answered by the Apostles, under
The guidance of the Holy Spirit,
aud the terms plainly laid down. TO
rightly divide the word truth" we
must use little common sense, and
thnk less of the clashing doctrines
of the sects and obey that part which
IS directed to us
The Old Testament is Introductory
to the new. 1t was Of authority to
the Jews, but is not now to US, The
four Gospels are histories or testi-
monies Of the life and works Of
Jesus, and are the evidences on
which we base our faith. Says
John, "thesa are written that We
might believe that Jesus is the
Christ the son Of God and that be-
heving ye might have lie through
lis name After the resurrection
Ae SAID ''ail power is given unto me
IN heaven and Oh earth" and he
save The commission to 400 teach
"na oaI tie But tarry ye in the
Guy OF Jerusalem, until We be en-
aued with power from ON high"
u the Acts Of Apostles, or Book
OF Conversions wa fra .,a+ an Tho