The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-21

not as a Savior Hence Calvary, the cross and
the Christ. Here the whole Deity is known.
"Ihs soul that sinneth shall die" is the voice
from Sinai. "lf We confess our sins He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
Cleanse US from all unrighteousness," is the
voice from Calvary.
z The gift of Christ and His sacrifcial death
Anord the clearest and most satisfactory view
OF the character of God
we LOOK up to Heaven and abroad over the
earth, and everywhere we see evidences of the
existence of God, but an impenetrable veil
nioes Him from US. We cannot know what He
Is 70 US II we would know Him in His high
est moral Character we must study Him in the
Light OF His greatest gift to man.
Listen TO the song of the ancient prophet:
Unto 10 US child is born, son il given"
10 10 Bethlehem and see the child king.
Turn toward Calvary. inger amid its lights and
hnaoows until its brow becomes radiant, and
you see, spanning the world. the bow of prom
lse-God IN Christ Jesus reconcling the world
! unto Himself.
3. The adoption of this doctrine to the wants
OF the world
We are burdened with innumerable wants
we are guilty aud need pardon, sinful and need
renewal, poor and need to be made rich, weak
ano need TO be made strong, on our way to the
grave, and need security against its power and
terror.
These wants are common. They fill the world
Win sig hs and groans. They burden alike the
man OF renown ana the man of obscurity, the
man OF wealth ana the man of poverty the man
OF learning and the man of flliteracy; they be-
long to the mansion and to the hovel, to the
throne and to the dungeon.
There are many things in history, commerce
literature, philosophy and science should like
TO know, but the question that concerns me
most is, How can these wants be met? Who
can tell me how my sins may be forgiven? How
my SOU may be renewed? How l may have
peace with God? How my path through life
may be made bright? How may have victory
over death, pass through the valley and sweep
tnrough the gates into that unchangeable home?
The world shrinks from answering If philos.
opay speaks 1t is but to tantalizs; science ia
oumo and opens not her mouth. KNOCK on a
thousand doors in all the vast realm and no
answer comes and my soul is in despair; the
future is dark; who can resolve the doubt? l
turn to the hoary-headed systems and implore
their gods, but they hear not, neither DO they
SPEAK. l enter the domain of nature and cry
aloud, and hear but the echo of my cry 1 turn
toward sinai, but can not approach. give up
In despair. drop down in helplessness. so,
Wretehed man that l am! Who shall deliver
me from the body of this death?'
hear song 1t is music to my soul. / see
the giory-beaming star. follow it to Bethle-
hem, thence go to the cross, and hear Jesus
saying, Come unto me all We that are heavy
laden and will give you restl" The problem
is solved.
4. The tendency and power of this doctrine
Account for 1t as you may, the fact is, a mighty
energy has always attended the preaching OF tho
cross. The apostles were clothed with power.
They preached Jesus. Wherever the gospel is
preached in word. in doctrine, in much as
surancc, and the cross OF Christ is held ND be-
Of God
walton.
Paul had felt its power. He knew that when
preached in its simplicity-unmixed with meta
physics, unencumbered by science, it. would
quicken the conscience, fire the heart, stir the
intellect, purify and ennoble the life. No other
truth comes to US with such power. All history,
observation and experience show the powerful
tendency of the doctrine OF "Christ Cruciied."
Paul could have expounded the law, and
pleased the Jews. He could have discoursed
eloquently upon philosophy, and pleased the
Greeks; but he obeyed his conscience and the
behest OF His King, and preached the gospel, the
power OF God unto salvation.
Ill This declaration furnishes US the meas
urs of ministerial power ana of church pros
perity.
l. By this is determined the standard OF true,
evangelical preaching. Jesus Christ made no
mistake when He ordained the gospel the
means of saving men. Paul was right when he
and Him crucifed. Our preaching is evangel-
ical and approved Of God in proportion ii il
in harmony with PauPs example. Preaching
may be learned, logical and eloquent, entertain
ing and strong as an exhibition OF talent and
genius. and yet be without claim, without
power and without fruit
2 By this is the measure Of ministerial eff
cheney determined. A minister may give him
self to science and philosophy, to research and
speculation. He may discourse Interestingly
and forcibly upon the problems of nature; dis
cuss the nature and destiny OF man q rational,
immortal being; invent arguments upon law,
government and morals; talk OF fatherhood,
brotherhood and reform; of charity. mercy, Gull
ture and eternal hope, but in all this theme
may be SO little OF the real gospel that his words
will be sounding brass, without spirit and
power. Nobody will be convinced OF sin;
body will be converted; the spirituality OF the
church will wane, and the preacher, without
fruit and without sheaves, must answer to God.
3. by this is determined also the measure OF
church power and prosperity. The church, in
all ages and clmes, has grown in numbers, in
huence and power i'll proportion as she has been
loyal to the doctrines OF Christ and the teach
ings of the apostles The churches that stand
out as beacon lights in the great centers of Eu-
rope and America today are those from whose
platforms goes forth uncertain sound on the
fundamental questions of inspiration. divinity
atonement, experimental and practical godli-
ness, with the doctrine OF the propitiatory sscri-
flee OF Jesus Christ the chief cornerstone.
From the days of Paul until now those who
have turned many to righteousness aud shine
as stars are men who have sung, like Isaac
Watts:
When / survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince OF glory died,
Ny richest gain count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my PRIDE
Forbid il, Lord. that l should boast
Save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most,
Isacrihce them to his blood.
The great religious movements which have
given birth TO new epochs in history were born
in a revival of evangelical preaching The
churches that go forward in our day with the
tread of empire. causing thrones to tremble.
dynasties to quake, Kingdoms TO dissolve amid
the fires of revolution, those that hold forth
the cross OF Christ in unclouded luster, with its
constellation OF Moses and the prophets, the
evangelists and apostles. The preaching OF
Christ and Him crucifed Is the secret OF our
power and the measure of our prosperity.
CHURCH NEWS NOTES.
The Grip Keeping Rev. w. p. George
in the East.
The Ministerial Association meets this morn
ing at the Chamber of Commerce