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

Mr.. Houtz's remark and lnsnua.
ton in regard to the "One church in
particular" is rather indicative OF
malevolence and we regret, very
much, to see such rancorous misrepre.
sentation on the part of one apparently
so kind and candid. But our desire
for contention is not "morbid" nor
abnormal, though it seems to be our
friend Houtz's intention to make it APP
pear so, neither is it the production of
human dogmas or selfshness but it is
demonstrably the fruit of a spiritual
life, if obedience to Gods command
ments is the unfailing proof of a re-
ward, or spiritual life. Will any man
deny that obedience is the divine
criterion of spiritual life? Jesus
says, "Ye are my friends if ye do
whatsoever I command YOU" "If ye
keep my commandments, We shall
abide in my love ; even as | have kept
my Fathers commandments and abide
in his love- Paul says, Flight the
good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal
life, whereunto thou art also called"
Jude says, Beloved, when | gave all
diligence to write unto you of the
common salvation it was needful for
me to write unto you, and exhort you
that We should earnestly contend for
the faith which was once delivered
unto the saints" Shall we contend
for this faith or shall we admit ii un-
necessary and superfuous (o Mr..
Houtz, and every man, who will not
allow himself to be found fighting
against God, must confess, that if ever
earnest agonizing contention for "thc
Faith" against erroneous teachers,
was necessary, that that necessity is in
this age of inventive and innovative
craving greatly augmented. Our de,
sire is not to offend but to win. We
fight the good fight, as we are com
manded, for Gods glory and mans
safety. A contention for "the Faith
can never injure those who desire
peace on peaceful and holy ground,
but it is lacerating to those who will
have peace at the cost or sacrifice
of truth aud the author of it. Shall
we contend for a number of Faiths,
Lords and baptisms while inspiration
says there is but one Lord, one faith
and one baptism, and that these can
not be substituted by human heads,
creeds or affusions? Can we con-
tend and aid division while inspiration
calls upon US to be onel Is It
wrong to be anxious for the return of
all believers to zone faith? Certain
ly not 1t is not then 4 morbid de-
sire, as our esteemed friend Mr.. H.
represents it, nay, but it is a desire
produced by pure, peaceful and
salubrious faith in, and love for, God
and his commandments. But Mr.. II.
objects to public discussions because
the disputed questions are not alb
solutely settled J" because cutting
things are said, animosities are en-
gendered, and the cause of Christ dis
honored. Let lis look at the pro-
priety and weight of this objection.
Were the questions discussed by our
Lord and Master, in and around Je-
rusalem, with the many false teachers
of his day, who were teaching for doc
trine the commandments and super
stitious traditions of men, ever abso-
lutely settled? My friend Mr.. H.
will answer negatively, for he knows
we'll that multitudes hold tenaciously
to the traditions of elders yet, and to
many other traditions distinctly de-
nounced and cond.mned by Gods
word. Gods word should absolutely
settle" all our difficulties; and it would
were it not for the stronger affections
which men entertain for the traditions
of their fathers. But Gods word
stands immutably the Judge, and it
shall stand without loss of jot or title,
as the only and absolute ("settler'')
authority by which we all must stand
or fall, when all flesh and the glory Of
man, and his impotent and obnoxious
traditions shall have faded and passed
away as the flower Of the grass. None
but those who could and who can,
give up all their erroneous preconcep-
tons for Christ, ever allowed, or ever
can allow, his word to rule their lives !;
therefore, it is absolutely certain, that
some questions under discussion shall
never be absolutely settled" for some
people, till they stand before the judg-
ment seat of God. This we see forci-
bly, demonstrated in the life of our
blessed Lord Notwithstanding his
goodness and mercy, his love of conde-
scenson, his holiness and power, and
his truth and justice. he could not
bring all to an absolute settlement
on his word. "He came to his own,
and his own received him not" though
he clearly proved his claims from the
scriptures, by which they professedly
claimed to be governed, Qike many in
this age) but Notwithstanding his res
toration of the dead to life, his giving
I