The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-07-17

let any opportunity slip, that can be
utilized for the conviction and con-
version of men and women, though
many may slur anc contemn us for it.
We need not expect every one to be
pleased or saved, for the Gospel is a
SAVIOR of life unto some and SAVIOR of
death unto others. 1t is salvation to the
obedient believer, but condemnation
to the unbeliever, and from the latter
"Animosities" must. in the nature Of
the case, be expected. We ask no
advantage over those with whom we
desire to contend, only as the word Of
God will give it to us; therefore we
will not be gazed upon as a body Of
reptilan nature, who desire to con-
ceal themselves in their own slime in
the scum of the quagmire of human
theory, and cry out peace, peace,
where there is no peace. We cannot
sing out peace while there is divis-
ion and strife in opposition to Gods
wcrd nor can the power of Gods
gospel be ever felt and realized until
we are all one in Christ, therefore we
labor increasingly for that union
through the means devised for that
purpose by the living God. If this
engenders animosities, let them come,
we will nevertheless contend for the
one Lord, one Faith and one Baptism:
the one Spirit, the one Call, and the
one God, who is the Father of all.
The one body church, one name and
one Gospel. (I Cor. 1 :II-I3; Acts
4:Ia: Gal so; Eph. 4 4.6)
Those who read the passages here
noted together with the command
ments previously quoted will see the
propriety OF the "One church in par
ticuar" (snubbed by Mr.. H.) con-
tending for the pure gospel. Con-
tention has become necessity in or
der to perpetuate the purity of its
constitution, and we desire peace re-
ligiously, rs we'll as socially, but true
religious peace can be found only on
Cody ground; and Jas. says, "The
wisdom that is from above is frst
pure, then peaceably gentle, and easy
to be entreated &c. Gas. S:I7) there
fore, if we are wise, we should look
for purity first, and peace will as in
evitably follow, as it is natural for
water to Run down the hill side
Now if Mr.. Houtz, or any other man
can clearly prove that sprinkling or
pouring water on person is the act
commanded by our Lord and His
Apostles, when they commanded men
and women to be baptised, we hope
that he will come to the front, and we
promise to be easily entreated. Just
produce one passage where men and
women are commanded to be sprinkled
--rantized, in the New Testament,
and the mode of baptism will be sab
solutely settled" with us for ever.
Until this can be done, I trust that
our eagerness to have all know the
Gospel will not be so falsely accused,
for surely there is no virtue more no.
Bile and necessary than courage. The
wise man said, "The wicked flee
when no man pursueth but the right
eous are bold as lion" prov. a8: ~
A man may always be bold if he is
right, but courage is not to be found
with guilt. Truth though clothed
with rags may be more bold than ad-
orned fllsehood in the robes of kings.
We are always ready to meet any
man on earth publicly or privately in
defence of what we teach, and if any
man seeing this, should deem it his
duty to enter the arena to disprove
our claims, let him notify us OF his in.
tention, and name the how, the when
and the where he desires to meet us,
and we will by Gods help, meet him.
And now to all concerned we desire to
say, that this letter is written with
charity toward all, and malice toward
none, but that all may see the neces-
sity of contending for the pure faith,
and of striving to be Of one speech, one
judgment and one mind, as God has
commanded US, Il Cor. 1: 10y for,
All human power no matter how it
pleads
Can ever justify the life of human
creeds.
BLESSED are they who do his CON-
mandments that they may have a
right to the tree of life and may enter
in through the gates into the city"
(Rev. az: I4.)
Respectfully and Fraternally.
J. w. MCNAMARA.