Morning journal and courier., 1882-10-23
"ChriStian PerfectiOn."


Abstract of q Discourse by the Rev. Mr. |
 Bray.
 The recent utterances on this subject 1n this city have attracted attention and caused discussion. Rev. S. H. Bray, of the Humph- rey street church, yesterday gave in ser mon his views on the Bible standard of Christian Perfection
 His text was from Isaiah 62-10 Lift up the standard for the people," After speak ing of the significance and value of standards, established by sovereign powers, public opln- ion and general consent, rules measures, coin- aga, etc, he said there should be well de. fined standard of Christian doctrines, espec- lally that of Christian holiness, and this standard should be for the people. The stand ard is lifted too high when we make no dis count for human imperfection. The purity of intention and affection the very es- sence of holiness exemplied in humanity
 It is lifted too high when we exclude the
 possibility of temptation. Jesus was tempted
 in all points and yet was without sin. The idea that it was not possible for him to sln if correct, made the temptation of no count It is sin to be tempted, but in tn @ falling. Adam and even angels had fallen. Blessed is the man that endureth.'
 We place the standard too low when we de- clare it to be only freedom from shining It is sad fact that some think they can be jus tifed and yet commit sin, and the apology is, 70, 1 don't profess to be perfect"
 The true standard is the dispossession of the soul of what is displeasing to God, either sin tendencies thereto. It is necessary to be pure in thought will and affection. We should bring in what is pleasing to God. A ! church without the fullness of faith is weak church. Love is the crowning grace of this fu1lness. The apostles never boasted of ! these things, and we should away with self adulation and mutual admira- ! ton. We want holiness that will go to the mouth of the pit, invade the en- pire of darkness and seek to convert sinners ! from the error of their ways; one that will l exclude censorious sourness and sensitive l ness that ~ill bear, endure and suffer. The | fuliness of peace is like river starting in 8 solitary little spring on the mountain side and gradually growing and widening until it is ! l, st in the ocean. Our ideas of the fullness ] of power are indefinite when applied to spir-
 itual things. A powerless Christian or l church should be as great nisnomer as a powerless thunderbolt.
 The standard of religion is too low in the l church generally, and it must be lifted up. l Ministers are not the only ones to do this,
 their hands must be stayed up' by Aarons 1 and Hurs, and this by emulating the Berean ! church, by sHpplementing theory with work l As remarked at the outset, the standard of Christians should be theoretical and expert ! mental one, but we lack the latter. Who of ! us all have entered this Beulah land? We ! have theory and theology sermons and ser | vice enough, but little of experience. There 1 is great deal of talk about religion in our 1 meetings. We have the standard and what we l aeed to do is to come up to it and not spend ! our time in pharasaical admiration of our l selves. The standard bearer who got in ad- l vance of his regiment was ordered by the Rnt al fN hyJv,F str or1 0aIv fO Ia
 ranks but he responded, Bring your regi 1 ment up to the standard