The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-04-21
ministerial EA.ca.l.. .


Ministerial EAacatisn.
For tile Republican.
lathe wisdom Of the achoolsn es-
eertial to the Christian ministry III SO,
In what direction Is 1t essential AS
this subject has been prominently
brought into tho arena Of discussion
q few thoughts on II may not be out OF
place. The essential necessity for an
educated ministry In the schools
necessarily arises from the fact that
the Christians OF the present age have
such diversity OF views and doctrines
separate schools, In order that their
peculiar tenets may be kept intact. As
they are each and all honest In their
convictions OF what they believe as the
essential, honesty compeis them to
preserve and faithfully to perform
their solemn ordination VOWS, by adj
herring strictly and conscientiously to
the forms OF doctrine delivered unto
them.
They are not at liberty to go beyond,
or outside, OF their standard authors.
without entalling upon themselves
the dreadful charge OF haresy. which
Is now becoming somewhat prevalent,
not only among the unlearned MEM
bers Of the laity, but Professors, high
among the ranks OF those who stand
high in the estimation OF those who
look up to thetn. AZ leaders In plety.
honesty, and scholarly attalnments,
models indeed; but regarded by the
honest faithful, as the teacfleiB aud
leaders in heretical doctrines. Why
this change. tliis departure from tho
faith OF the fathers% Have they be-
come dishonest In disregarding their
ordination vows, or have they discov-
cred truth, which. it may be possible,
that the fathers were not permitted
to see? and consequently, could not
Incorporate into the formulated doc
trines OF the creed9
Had the schools foreseen, and made
further allo wances for the inspiration
OF the Spirit of truth on minds then
unborn. these barriers to the free, full
and PERPETUAL operation OF tho Spirit
OF truth on the generations to follow
them, would never have been raised.
This, OF itself, Is powerful argument
against the wisdom OF the schools.
by SO doing they have circumscribed
the limit OF the Inspiration OF the
Spirit Of truth within their denomina.
| tlonal creed. This Is suggestive oil
another very important question. |. O.,
can we believe that the Holy Spirit
which searcheth all things, yea, the
deep things of God" would submit. or
has submitted its divine mission and
| official operation and work to be thus
| circumscribed within tho limits OF any
| form of doctrine which Is not Of its
own inspiration.
Can this Holy Spirit" employ
agents of diverse, confused and con-
Trajectory sentiments. ideas and doc
trines? There le but ''One Spirit, with
Its diversity of gifts, (Dut not OF con.
fuslon), and this spirit seaIcheth all
things, yea. the deep things Of God"
We may be sure that ths shallow wis.,
dom of the schools has not escaped its
deepest researches, and denounced 1t
as ''foolishness with God" The idea
OF invoking the presence and aid OF
| the "Holy Spirit" In propagating the
wisdom OF the schools" as We have
learned 1t, to rational. thinking, OBJ
servant mind, would really appear
sacrilege, though 1t be done in all
honesty and with apparent reverent
aspect. Still, its absurdity is some
what appalling, especially 30, because
there are no demonstrations OF its In
ward presence In its official work of
leading the suppliant into all truth"
or exposing in the least, any existing
error in which some must he involved.
| II this holy Spirit" should lead an
honest, inquirlng mind to see his
error and lead him out of IL, then he
! Is denounced for his heresy and the
consequence his room is preferable to
his company. Honesty Is not to be
credited to him who doubts or ques-
lions the wisdom of the schools in any
OF their organized forms.
| There being no expansion TO the
creed, the hereto MUS seek for more
congenial company, but the pressure
on the creeds Mt the present time is do
ing its work. II every creed and dogma
I in the christendon were relegated to
the shades of obscurity and oblivion,
Christianity in all Its peerless grandeur
and glory would remain as the pow
er of God ana the wisdom Of God"
1t challenges the skepticism OF the
centuries. and all the dlscordant ele
ments which have been evoked since
the man of sin assumed the authority
to teach Christianity OF which he is
| utterly ignorant, and OF which tho
dark ages have furnished their dia-
bolical sample. The days OF pure
and holy Christianity are about to
dawn u ministry" div,nely ordained
OF God with the proper word of re-
cancellation committed unto them,
will show the world how the divine
annuncintion OF the angelic messen-
ger ut tile birth OF Jesus must be full
filled; "Behold, | bring unto you
good tidings OF great Joy, which shall
be to all people," Then this ''word
shall run and DO glorilied." But like
the iirst, and only day OF salvation
as vet. wac accompanied with its day
OF judgment.
So IL will be again, and only by these
judgments. For when thy Judgments
are abroad in the earth, the inhabitants
of the world will learn righteousness"
Judgments, then, are better educators
than are the ministry, who are without
this knowledge. Gods method of do
ing things is perfect, and righteous
altogether. lie knows, and does just
what is right at all times and In all
seasons.n 1t looks now, very much
as though our God hath put us to 81.
lence,n and said 10 silent, O all flesh,
before the Lord" Or. 1t may DO more
properly stated blinded" what
then? Israel hath not obtained that
which he seeketh for, but the election
hath obtained it. And the rest were
Blinded ''Israel," tho Election and
the rect" who are thesep
Who can tell us? Because The condl-
ton of each Is clearly stated. 1t may
the secret dwelling place of tho cleo
ton NO fowl knoweth nor the
vultnre's eye hath not seen,' but they
are all saved and safe, not visible now.
but awaiting their manifestation rs
the SONS OF God" Then the creation
itself also shall he delivered from the
bondage of corruption into the glort-
Gus liberty of the children OF God"
Wisdom above that which is written"
is OF no avail on this subject.
STEWART CARLISLE.