The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-03-21

Sunday forenoon, In Grace III. IL.
the leading sermon of the 24th
annual session of the Wilmington M.
E. Conference was preached by Bishop
Andrews on II Cor. III: 6: c. Not OF
the letter, but of the Spirit" st. Paul
contrasted the old dispensation with
the new. The Jewish code was com
preEensive and exact. The Bishop
the scope, characteristics
and spirit OF the Old Testament reli-
gion. Thou shalt love thy neighbor"
and God and II will circumeise thy
heart" were the only three points
where he found spiritual help in that
religion. 1t was code OF the letter
and of precepts, leaving condemnation
and death as possible results.
The Gospel is OF the Spirit ard has
two fundamentals, the Son OF God and
the Holy Ghost. Its result is the re-
construction OF the soul. A man hunt.
ing in the New Testament for spe.
ciul code OF details for all his moral
conduct will lose his way.
Christianity is thing Of the Spirit in
the emphasis 1t places on spiritual
things, blessed are the poor in Spir-
it, 1t is receptive. But the Old Tesla
ment becomes more and mole valued
as the Christian progresses in petty
yet when he seeks to find law, 1t Is
so ceremonial that he is not able to ap-
ply 1t to himself, as lar as Christian,
unless he also finds it in the New
Testament, which comprises a high
moral standard OF truth, justice and
righteousness and a religion Of love,
peace. purity, honesty, faith, hope and
charity, and OF loyalty to God reach
ing to eternity.
Christianity makes application Of
spiritual things. 1t contains discus
siOns OF how spiritual gifts are receiv-
ed and exercised, OF the law of mar
rlage, tho use of money, etc. IL is a
great Injunction OF high, moral and
spiritual qualities and how to apply
the same to individual and social life.
The New Testament is not, howerer.an
admirable directory of the specific
details OF particular life. AS to how
much water shall be used in bsptsm,
when and where and how, as to wheth.
er commitment shall receive the
bread and wine sitting, standing or
kneelng, ETC., it is absolutely silent
Shall | go to tho theatre, opera,
horse race or dancer Shall deal in
margins? Shall buy goods i'll the
lowest market and sell in tie highest?
Shall ] "play cards." The New 1esta-
ment lett thousands of possible CUES
lions unanswered and RELOCATED TO
conscience and judgment Of Chris
tlans through progressive ages. The
old system had written specified priv
ileges in the Jewish law
christians must live in society for
their mutual, spiritual strength, ad.
vuncement and protection against the
temptations of the world and for CO.
operative strength ana resource to
proclaim the gospel to all people on
the.faC of the earth. But what sort
of society and with what particular
privileges?
Tie ministry is set apart to apply
spiritual truth. But where are tho
pal ticulars in the authorizations Where
is the authority for high church or
low church or for a specific number
of orders whether one order like the
CongreRatioHalists or three or ten or
any other number
Our Lord swept away all sacredness
of distinction i'll material things. This
church has grand specimen Of high
and beautiful architectural achieve
ment, but it ID 10 more sacred than
the humble mechanics workshop or
home.
1ithing is not a law OF the gospel
which does not prescribe whether n
man shall give |, SO or 30 per cent. to
the Lord. All that man has and is
no gives TO Christ that he may do good
unto all mankind as he has opportu-
nifty. How much money may | make?
How much retain? How much spend
on my family? How much on myself.
WHY?
These also belong In the multifarious
~ d,,t
why not answered. ] may not lie able
to answer and yet it may be well to
look at the question Tor moment
/. II all possible questions wero ans
wered, the New Testament would not
he Il portable book. The Mohummedan
has 1900 distinct precepts and they are
not sufficient. There are $50, 000 differ
ent orders of nine digits. Ii SO i'm
possible of an individual, how much
more so of allthe Affairs, governments,
laws, etc, of the whole world? God
does not care at all foI our perform
anees except that they represent spir.
itual life. God wants to get character
and manhood DEVELOPED in His men.
1t is Possible for It nun under adverse
surroundings and Influences TO
make many a mistaiea and yet be Il let.
ter man at Heart than one less tempted
VINO appears D0JJct.
because it is by the Spirit and not
the letter Christianity fits all ages of
human history.# 1t is great
Cod II Is one all bEoodlng Spirit OF
love and wtll-doing for humanity.
Its sphere Is To to mitigate any aSperf-
ties between social wealthand poverty.
DO good unto thy neighbur us thou
hast opportunity. II makes a man
want TO give the liGht OF the Gospel to
25O. Zoo, ou0 souls in India and To all the
millions of China and OF Eeathendom.
We are put i'll harmony with Christ,
His purpose and work.
The Bishop, whom we have reported
only in part and purport, nude three
|, Christianity does not propose to
lie particular directory of cur life.
When man is considering a great
duty which he finds neither ordered
nor prescribed in the New Testament
its silence is neither hero nor there
May go TO the theatre" Ianswcr
lont care to solve such questions so
fan as my argun ent is concerned. Il
say you are not to go to the New les
lament for literal answer. Rather
ask5"Is that such use of myself as
will best bless mankind and keep my
soul on its guard against temntutiun2'
] do not answer such questions. But
you all can answer them for YOUR
elves. ] shall not be surprised II
here is some difference in your CON
Illusions.
II. II it lie true that we are to solve
such questions by our spiritual lille
lnd character then the spiritual tone
and power of our life and character
ne Of great importance. If You want
10 lie sue yoa find the right answers