Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-09-03
9}}istellaneuns &eading.
For the Y0rkville Enquirer.
SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE TIMES.


harvest, my attention was drawn to what
seemed to be some very prolific punches.
On examination, found in one bunch, 80
we'll grown stalks, in another 81, and in a
third %, all the product of one grain. Curl
osity led me to count the grains of the bunch
having % stalks and on actual count, 1 found
that one grain had produced nineteen hum
dred grains. This may be regarded as a large
increase for an unfruitful year as to the oat
crop, and shows from little beginnings what
great results are possible.
Near these bunches of oats grew bunch
of cheat, in which were 81 we'll matured
stalks. The average yield of this product is
from $50 to 200 grains or seed to the stalk;
SO in this instance we have an increase OF
five or six thousand grains from one sim
gle grain soWn, and the presumption in this
case is, this vast increase of cheat was pro-
duced from grain of oats-a grain of differ
ent variety. This results owing, in part at
least, to the unfruitfulness of the season.
Here is evolution. Apply this principle to
man, and what would he have become by
this time in his history? Will not the same
rule apply to the animal, which does in the
vegetable kingdom, and if so is it not more
apt to work on the descending than on the
ascending scale?
In the days of the apostles, we read of the
sented as sowing the latter. Both the wheat
and the tares were allowed to grow togeth-
er until the harvest. These facts bring to
the mind another grand fact, namely: for
ages and ages past there has been at work,
within the limit of Gods dominion-two
great principles, the principle of right and
the principle of wrong or the spirit OF
error; each having to do with man in the
way of shaping his character and fixing his
destiny. 1t might be asked just here which
has been the most successful in gaining the
consent of man; or, in other words, which
predominates in Church and State, the oats
or the cheat; or the wheat or tares? This
is grave question, and demands the seri-
Gus thought of the human family.
When we look at facts and figures, we
are forced to the conclusion that wrong has
and still predominates to fearful extent,
both in the Church and State. Iwould give
honor and praise to God to-day, for the ad-
vances piety has made in the world; nor
would touch with my sn-stained finger
one of his children, yet fear that on the
last great day, we will all realize to a fear
full extent the truth of the Scriptures where
it is said: mot every one that sayeth un-
to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the king
dom of heaven; but he that dOeth the will
of my Father which is in heaven" Say
ing and doing are two things. "With the
heart, man believeth unto righteousness !;
and with the mouth confession is made un-
to salvation" BY faith and works we are to
work out our salvation with "fear and trem-
bling"
When we look into the church, we see so
much that seems to be mere form, so far as
obedience to law and gospel is concerned ;
| then again, as to doctrine, SO much that
seems to be erroneous, while only truth
should be taught. May we not fear that
nine out of every ten, at least, will be lost !?
Space will not allow us to note at length,
reasons leading to this conclusion. But we
will mention a thought or two. For in
stance: is there any thing in the word or
nature of God, to justify man for dividing
the church or to show that divisions are to
make and keep the church pure? Nay, are
we not rather taught, that the church is
unit, and that the grace of God is its puri-
fer and that that grace will be given IN
proportion aswe obey the law and gospel OF
God?
am aware, it is claimed, this thing OF
division stirs up to search for truth yet,
while this may appear to be true, does not
SELF Tor denomination hold prominent
place all along the line of our search and
in feeling, at least, it is not the name that
we emphasize? l fear there are but few in
the church who have grace enough to en-.
able them to rise above sect and plead
simply for God and truth.
Among the many things resulting from
this schiSm of the church, which l fear are
so many evils, is what is styled close or re-
stricted communion. / come to this point,
kind reader, with the very tenderest sympa-
thy and love for you and all mankind. l
sit not as Il judge Of doctrine or practice, but
as a Wellwisher both of Church and State.
AS one allowing you to exercise your own
conscience and to entertain your own opin-
ions; yet at the same time, l know con-
science may be biased; and know we have
no right to think, speak and actas we please ;
only so far as we are free agents. IL we
choose to think, speak, or act wrong, we
may, vet God will punish us for that wrong.
Take the practice above referred to. Does
it not strike at the very vitals Of religion,
and is it not contrary to the nature and word
of God? See Luke vi 81. GAS ye would
that men should do to you, do We also to
them likewise" Would not the close COM
munionsts have men to regard them as
members of the church in regular standing,
and as such, entitled to and worthy OF
Through Christi place at the Lords table ?
If so, are they not in duty bound so to regard
others; so thus judging favorably of others,
can they, on Scripture ground, exclude them
from the communion?
| Again; the law of God requires us to
love our neighors as ourselves. Under this
head, to illustrate, if my neighbor hap
pens to be in my house at meal time, the
| law requires me to invite him to eat with
me. AS have a rig int to go to my own ta-
BILE so the law requires me to extend the
same privilege to my neighbor. I have no
option in the case. Only as free agent l
can refuse to invite, yet, by doing so l in.
cur the penalty of the law. This rule will
apply in spiritual sense to the case in
hand; so one part Of the church can have
no right, under the law, to exclude any
other part from Christ's table. And, II
we offend in one point, we are guilty of all,
and sow cheat or tares in the field of God.
In the next place, think this practice is
wrong, for it is pharisaical. Those who op-
pose free or catholic communion, virtually
unchurch all other parts of the church; say
| ing stand back, | am holier than thou.
Isaiah 65: 5.
will confirm from Sculptures, as a fourth
and last point, what I have already said.
"Judge not, that We be not judged. For
with What Judgment ye judge, ye shall be
Judged, and with what measure We mete,
| it shall be measured to you again." Here
we are forbidden to Judge Others our opin-
| ion or word must not be made a law. If
we presume to Judge others, we may ex-
pect to be ourselves judged. five will show
no mercy, we shall be judged without mer-
cy. Inasmuch then as there are those who
have judged their fellow, and in their opinl.,
| ion found him wanting, they in turn will
be judged and found wanting. He, who
exalteth himself shall be humbled. The
righteous God, in his judgemnt, may OBJ
serve the rule of proportion. AS We now
take out of the book of life, the name OF