Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1890-10-18
Sunday Reaaias
EDITED BY REV. F. L. LEEPER.
THE CHURCH OF GOD.
The Presbyterian.

under different names; under the old
lispensation, as the Jewish Church,
and under the new as the Christian.
She embraced under the law all who
were the true and faithful seed of
Abraham, or who took hold of Gods
covenant and lived according to his
requirements. Since the introduc>
ton of the gospel she comprises all
who believe in Jesus Christ, trust in
him for salvation, and conform to
his example. Under the special COW
enant of God, she includes all believ-
ing parents and their children. She
subsists under various organizations
and determinations, no one of which
having exclusive right to recognition
as the sole true Church of God. He
permits his people freedom of action
in the matter of church polity and or
der. One body may be purer than
another, or may be nearer the apostol-
ic type, but in each and all, where
there is an honest acceptance of the
Scriptures as the inspired rule of
faith and practice, there are the dis
tinctive doctrine aud life which en-
title all to recognized and honored
constituency in the one great Church
of God.
The Christian Church, as manifest
in the world since the advent of her
Lord and Redeemer, and having for
her special mission the conquest of all
nations, was founded by God. She
owes her origin to His decree. She is
built upon His sovereignty. She is
nothing, if she is not of and from
Him. He sent His Son to our earth
for her redemption. He gave her
his laws for her regulation. He has
in her a proprietary right. He is her
supreme Head and almighty King.
He has established her upon the sure
and abiding Rock of Ages.
Resting upon the foundation of his
changeless purpose and his infinite
resources, she cannot be destroyed.
No weapon formed against her can
prosper. According to our Lords
immutable word, "the gates of hell
cannot prevail against her." For
centuries have her enemies sought
her overthrow. Satan has done his
utmost to Danish her from society,
yet she has continued to advance,
until now she is more aggressive than
ever, and is making converts in
every land. Prosecution has at times
attempted to wipe her out of exist
ence, yet the blood of the martyrs
has been the seed from which has
come a larger and more glorious
manifestation of vitality, and a wider
extension of her principles, and a
grander development of her power
in other regions. Ridicule and scorn,
as well as atheism and fanaticism,
have singly and combinedly sought
to put her to confusion, but in the
end she has shown staying and adj
vancing energy greatly to the dis
comfiture of her adversaries, to the
glory of her Founder, and to the ben.
eft of mankind. Notwithstanding
the obstacles which she has had to
contend with in the way of human
prejudice, carnal opposition, Satanic
malice, worldly antagonism, false
systems of religion, and secular in.
fluences and interests, she has perpet.
uated herself from age to age, and
today she is stronger in numbers and
in power than at any period of hel
history. Her friends have no need
to fear for her final success. She
may encounter vicissitudes, but
greater Is he who is for her than they
are against her. Men fight In vain
against her divine Sovereign. His
ordination cannot be defeated. His
Ornnipotence under the direction o.
his omniscience will confound the
most skilful plans and shrewdes
Vaccinations of man and devil.
Inspiration characterizes this endu
ring and aggressive Church Of God a!
a holy Church. Holiness is he
marked and distinguishing feat
ure. She :grows in proportion
as purity is cultivated and exhibited
In this lies the source of her power a
well as of her glory. She originated
in holy purpose. A holy God es
tablished her in the earth; holy Re
deemer died for her purifcation;a Ho
ly Bible is her guide and chart; Ho
~ Ghost animates and operates her
and holy heaven is to be the fina
sphere of her endless and perfectet