Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-04-22
HOPE IN THE LORD.

light hearted. Death and decay rule over
all things The green oak waves over bur-
led heroes; the graceful vine wreaths the
tomb, and the sparkling water ripples over
the spot where a brave ship went down
with all OH board. The beauties of
nature seem like the hectic spot to
betoken decay. No man can say
what shall be tomorrow, or whether there
will be any tomorrow for him. Like the
passing of weaver's shuttle" like tale
that is told, like grass that is green IN the
morning and in the evening is cut down,
such is life with its hopes, its plans and
joys. If this be all what thrice-mocked
fools are men.
The only hope for man comes from di-
vine revelation, which spans this life with
the bow of promise, and bids men lift
their eyes from the gloom and uncertain
ties of this world to the new earth beyond
all sin and sorrow. 1t brings
enfranchisement to those who are in bond
age to the fear of death, and it bids its
believers to be glad, for their light affiic-
tions are but for a moment, and they shall
work out for them an exceeding and
eternal weight of glory. SOY is comely
for the upright" said the Psalmist. Glad
ness is the natural expression of Christ
ianity. There is nothing that can give
such courage, such JOY, such inspiration to
noble, generous deeds as sensible belief
in the love of God, and his promises of
eternal life to his children. A belief,
that is tinged with sentimentality
or melancholy, or fanaticism, may
be better than no faith, but it falls far
short of that sturdy faith, that holds the
"promise of the life that now is, and of
that which is to come"
When the twilight dawn of the reforma-
ton broke upon the dark ages of supersti-
tion and purchased indulgence to sin,
Luther stood forth as the champion of a
purer and better religion. Grand work
he did in giving to the world free Bible,
but the theology he promulgated in con-
nection with John Calvin has proved a
stumbling block to the progress of true
Christianity. These are some of the arti-
cles of faith in Luther's ''Table Talk" and
Calvin's Institutes.
'.All children are depraved from their
birth, their whole nature must be odious
and abominable to God" "The whole world
does not belong to the Creator, grace de-
livers from the curse and wrath of God a
few, whom he elected before they were
born. For I stop not to notice those fanat-
les who pretend that grace is offered free to
all" "To say that faith is nothing unless
charity be Joined with it, is devilish and
bIasphemous doctrine. He that says the
gospel requires works for salvation, 1 say,
fat end plain, is liar" Calvin declared
that ''there never was an action performed
by pious man, which in the eye of God
did not deserve condemnation" And
Luther says that ''man cannot be excited
or biased to anything but what is evil
Believing thus, is it any wonder that
Luther should write, of Erasmus, one of
the msst distinguished scholars of that
day, who differed with him on some minor
doctrine, SUCH words as these, Erasmus
of Rotterdam is the vilest miscreant that
ever disgraced the earth. Whenever pray,
I pray for curse on Erasmus" Or that
Calvin, man of more acute intellect, but
of more intolerant spirit than
the Wittenberger, should calmly re-
gard the sufferings of Servetus, his
opponent in faith? If the orthodoxy of
Calvin be Christianity, nothing can De
conceived more terrible. more hopeless.
Are such doctrines the good tidings of
great joy?" Thank God, no. In the
clearer light of the nineteenth century the
glorious gospel of the Son of God appears
In all its beauty and gladness. Instead
of God who rejoiceth in vengence, it de-
clares that ''God is love-" "He is long suf-
fering and gracious" "He delighteth in
mercy" Instead of the infamous idea that
little children are accursed it says, "of
such is the kingdom of heaven" ''their
angels do always behold the face of my
father" In place of limited atonement of
fers free salvation to all, "whosever will may
come" 1t places eternal life before every
one, and no anathema of church or indi-
vIdual can prevent anyone who
wishes from receiving it. Il
have set before thee an open door,
and no man can shut it.'' It teaches that
every good deed, be it only giving cup
of cold water, shall not lose its reward.
And every kind act to the least of Christ's
disciples, is a kindness rendered to Christ
himself. 1t makes good works the natur-
al and obligatory sign of faith, at the same
time it teaches that good works without
charity or love are nothing. IL throws the
labor of winning a crown of righteousness
upon each individual. "Work out -FOUR
own salvatlon.'
The religion of Christ is religion of a
sound mind and pure heart, showing it
self in daily life at home and abroad. Tt
confers happiness on its possessor and all
who are associated with kim.
There must be some defect in a mans
faith If he be morose, unhappy and selfish.
Accepting God as his father, and the dec
larations of the Bible concerning the great
things the Lord hss done for him, he can
not but be glad. He can enjoy the beau
tlful panorama OF nature, although the
darkness falls,and the leaves wither and die.
because he knows in whom he believes.
and that he will bring him from the dead
to life eternal. He may well be glad