Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-12-17
GOSPEL LESSONS.

Under the Christian dispensation
is there a law of pardon, legally en-
acted for sinners? Is that law now
in force? What is that law? Was
there necessity for that law? To
each and all of the foregoing ques-
tons we answer in the loudest and
most emphatic yes. But like all
questions of the kind they must
stand or fall by the inspired record
contained i'll the New Testament.
In order to an orderly examination
of the points raised we invite atten-
ton to the questions in reverse
order. The occasion for such a law
was the SINS of men-for death had
passed upon all men because all had
sinned. Jesus said Il came not to
call the righteous but sinners to re-
pentance. His mission was to save
the people from their sins. This
must suffice as proof of the necessity
of law of pardon. What is that
law? In the commission that Jesus
gave his followers when he stood up
on the mountain of ascent, while an
gelic hosts brought his chariot from
the palace royal of the universe to
bear him to that throne the omnipo-
tent God had prepared for him he
said to them: go We into all the
world-not part, but all-and
preach the gospel to every creature,
He that helieveth and is baptized
shall be saved and he that belteveth
not shall be damned
In this there are four things the
Apostles had to dc. 1st, to go; End,
into all the world; 3rd, preach the
gospel; 4th. to every creature.
Those to whom they preached had
certain things to do. 1st, to hear
2nd, to believe; 3rd, to be baptized
upon the doing of which they in the
4th place received salvation or the
pardon of all past sins. On Pente
cost, Acts. End, chapter, Peter, having
the keys of the Kingdom with powe,
to open the doors, preached to the
multitude assembled at Jerusalem
AS a result of that sermon, that vas
cencourse, as with the voice of one
man, cried out, saying, what mus
! we do to be saved?" Peter replied
"Repent and be baptized, every on.
of you, in the name of Jesus Chris
for the remission of sins and yot
shall receive the gift of the Hol,
Spirit On that day three Thousand
souls were added to their number
having received the remission of thei
, sins. This must answer forproof of
at least, the outline of that law. Ii
this we also prove the legal and di
, vine enactment of the law becaus,
it came from the lips of Jesus tn
annointed one, the King of Kings ant
the Lord of Lords. Is that law still
in force? which is our last question
e If it has ever been repealed it mus
p have been done by the same or a
equal authority as that which enacte,
: it. But no one will be so rash as t
affirm that it is not now in full force
, But all authority declares that
must stand co-extensive with til
reign of Jesus and until the Angt
shall stand with one foot on the Ian
and the other upon the sea and dt
clare the close of the dramas of hr
=, man existence ON this earth an
demands of earth and sea the dea
that sleep in their depths.
= The reign of Jesus is the last an
u. the noblest of time When th,
shall end eternity with all its solem
realities shall open upon our enrap
ured vision. Life's tempestuous vo
age calmed by the sweet notes of
Savior's love shall end as our frs
~ bark glides into the haven of etern
= joy, rest and peace.
. From the foregoing it is clear
~ shown that three things, or ralh
" steps, have to be taken IN order
% comply with the Divine law of pa
- don. 1st. There must be faith. 2u
'e Repentance. 3rd. Baptism. VIII,
these steps are taken by an hone
man, whatever may be said by me
NJ he has the Divine assurance Of pier
ID ~ pardon and the full fruition
~ sins forgiven. If the law of pard
L. has any valid and binding force c
II" it be truthfully said that any III
Gu has received pardon who has L
sc complied with the law: If any G
" has received full pardon without CO
plying with the law, it must be
ny account of a suspension of the Ia
ice But since the law came in all
B. power ON Pentecost there has !
by been a case of this kind. Nor Y
Ir. there ever case except the tt
ms on the cross. and in that case, at t
len time the Kingdom with all its OIL
nances had not been set up and