The National tribune., 1892-12-01

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| cordingly sent from Antioch. We know three
| by name, Sts. Paul. Barpsbas, and Titus.
| GAL 2:1) We do not have a statement OF the
number sent. Reaching jerusalem they were
cordially received. council assembled aud
! the matter was put before the members. IL IS
quite plain Sis. Paul and Barnabas favored
liberal Interpretation in interest OF the Gen
tiles. But the Pharisees were sticklers. and
| they opposed letting down any bars. Some
thing must be done. st. Peter, having IN
mind his experience in the case of Cornelius.
and further convinced by the statements of
the delegation Us: Al, made defense ID behalf
of such treatment OF the Gentiles as would not
unnecessarily prejudice them against Chris
tianity. (Ys. GILL;
s. Hearers.
The plea in behalf of Gentiles seems to have
been made in the miscellaneous audience. So
also we may suppose the decision reached Was
publicly declared. It is very likely. however,
that in the interval meeting was held ex-
clusively of Apostles and elders, and a concln-
sion reached in the important matter. We
read in V. Of the Church, and in V. II of
all the multitude"
6. Argument.
n. Gentiles had been converted. (V.3)
b. Their conversion was matter of great joy
to all the brethren. ". 81
C. The cases of Cornelius and others were
mentioned by st. Peter. W.
d. God had evidently chosen Gentiles. wa
e. At different times the Holy Spirit had de-
| scended on converted, but uncircumcised, Gen
tiles. ". 81
favor of Jews when both Jews and Gentile5
| were in consideration, or when religious adj
| vantages were offered. tV.9)
g. No unnecessary yoke should be put on
| persons ". 1O.)
h. Gentiles had shared in miracles and won
| ders. ". 12)
| !. 1t had been prophecied Gentiles should be
| included in the provisions for salvation. US.
| 15-18)
j. Gentiles should be excused from mere
! forms, but no Iaxity should be allowed as to
| them with reference TO any compromise with
sin |; no margin of liberty granted as to idol
airy. They must separate fully and forever
| from any possible alliance with heather cBs-
| toms, doctrines. etc. (Vs 20 29) There could
Flaw" (V.24), but no compromise of the moral
statutes. As to necessary things" there must
be positive, unfinching stringency.
Z. Sentence.
Read VS.. 10, 20, 81. The sentence was pro-
nounced by st. James. He was probably the
| presiding officer and spok of its official
| proceedings. 1t is most fair in spirit. 1t was
| a turning point in the history of the Christian
| Church. When we remember the entire court
consisted of Jews we appreciate their wise de-
| cision. 1t was the product of genuine Chris
| tian spirit. 1t was very brave sentence, is
| sued, as it was, at the Capital of the Jewish
Nation, in the presence of people most pro-
nounced in their preiudices, most bitter against
| GentileS. Liberal as to ritual, it had a severe
| ring as to moral obedience. The separation of
Gentiles from all heather practices was to be
entire, immediate. public and emphatic. Ma
| tiOnal lines were to be forgotten. All,were to
d.,
| barian.
8. Sentence Promulgated.
| The matter had been referred to the Council
| at Jerusalem by representatives from Antioch
| decision reached. it was fitting it be formally
| announced at the latter place. The company
which had gone to Jerusalem went back. With
| them, by appointment of the Council, went
| Judas (Barsabas) and Sias (Slvanus) to repre-
| sent at Antioch the Council at Jerusalem. We
have the wording of the document recorded in
VS.. 90 80 inclusive. 1t is clear, dignifed, au-
| thoritative.
We notice one expression: I" 1t seemed good
| to the Holy Ghost, and to u.s." {V. 2S.) AL
ford notes thus: Not to the Holy Ghost IN
as; but as in chapter V, verse 80, the Holy
| Spirit given to the Apostles. and testifying by
his divine power, is coupled with their own hu-
man testimony, so here the decision Of the Holy
Spirit, given them as leaders of the Church, is
laid down as the primary and decisive deter
mination of the matter, and their own formal
ecclesiastical decision follows as giving utter
ance and scope to his will and command"
9. Suggestion.
This lesson is full of very practical hints.
We can point to only one now. 1t is suggested
by the words necessary things" in verse %.
Great efforts are being made to unite the Chris
tian Church into some more solid front. We
favor this, and see no way to effect it save by
emitting in all proposed bases of union any
thing not clearly necessary to salvation.
May we not be helped by hints from a recent
delivery of the Hon. Z. P. Porter Superintend-
ent Of the Eleventh Census? He said, refer
ring to reflections stirred up in his mind by the
statistics relating to religious matters furnished
for the last 40 years. Not only have the Stats
tics of the great denominations been gathered
and analysed, but the numerous branches and
otf.shoots of these religious associations have
been picked ont and presented, with the
shades of difference carefully noted. close
study of the doctrines and tenets of these
numerous associations diseloses the fact that
but shade of difference exists between many
of them. A superficial glance at the relations
of these religious associations by layman like
myself suggests the thought that consolida-
ton ard capitalization of some of these shades
of religious belief would not be violent shock
to the consciences, and would strengthen the
great armies of Christians.
after the seven great denominations. Con-
gregational, Lutheran, Methodist. Presbyte-
rian, Roman Catholic, Baptist and Episcopal,
have been accounted for the other 134 religious
associations represent less than Is per cent. of
the church edifces and less than IL per cent. of
the aggregate value of church property. The
tendency to multiply sects or associations rep
resenting shades of religious beliefs often re-
suits in eight or 10 half sustained religious
organizations in small cities or towns when
the concentration of forces would give US four
or five strong churches, with power to attract
non communicates into the fold. The census
returns point out the necessity of concentrat-
ing the religious forces of the country. They
show the need of fewer branch associations and
greater unity. These differences, slight as
they may seem to some, are often important
enough in small places to prevent the establish
ment on a strong financial basis of prosperous
house of God with strong and able preacher
of the gospel"
E OUR CORRESPOND
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