Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-09-17
Jerusalem Church, replies to the query

Jerusalem Church, replies to the query
In this way:
In reply to your question as to the spirit
ual status Of a man who Is a good moral
man and citizen, but who attends church
little, II any,I would say that there Is
civil life, moral life and spiritual life. BY
civil and moral life man is citizen OF the
world, but by spiritual life, at the same
time with a good moral and civil life he is
q citizen Of heaven. Lie according TO tho
laws Of what is Just and honest is civil and
moral life, but life according 10 Divine
laws is spiritual life. In order TO be a
spiritual man one must not only live well
in tho world for the sake of worldly honor
and gain, but he must at the same time
live a good life. because it is in obedience
10 the Divine teachings.
Civil and moral life is receptacle OF
spiritual life. If one obeyS the laws OF
civil and moral life also, because they are
divine laws, he becomes also q spirital man.
10 is not then q question Of attendance at
church, which makes men spiritual, but 1t
is the quality OF his life as formed from the
obedience to divine law. Spiritual good in
some degree is possessed by all who Ueheve
ia God, and live according 10 His laws,
whether they be within or outside of the
church, Christian or gentle; and some
within the church membership may not pos
sess the least spark of sprituallife. Every
man on earth possesses enough knowledge
Of the Divine Being aud His laws to be
saved IL be will obey them, no matter IN
what religion he may be, but the purer the
religion the greater is the degree Of spirit
ual life that can DO implanted by IT, Tnus
10 is not mere external attendance at church
that makes man spiritual, but IL IS a life ac'
cOrding 10 divine law which introduces
him into the heavenly kingdom.
Father MORGAN n. SHEEDY, of the
Roman Catholic Church, speaks at some
length Of the spread Of indiiferentIsm,
which he believes is involved in the
question, ard concludes:
"NIay a person Of this class expect eter-
nal lifeE' The answer IS yes and no. Aud
no, much stronger aud Oftener than yes.
Aud the reason is obvious. There is no
hope OF eternal lie for anyone who know
ing or being able 20 know the ''yi5iolc
church" Of Jesus Christ culpa0ly refuses
70 enter il, for that is what take u you
mean Oy being a member Of the church y
The word OF God saws. THE Lord added
daily 10 their society Ii. e. TO the church)
'sUch as should be saved" acts i:4C)
And. again, laying down the duty OF obey
ing the church, how can one who is not "a
member Of the visible church, who through
indifference, seldom attends church serv-
ices" be said 20 De said to obey the church!
Christ SAYS, If be will not hear the church
let him be 10 Thea as the heather and the
publican" Matt. Nviiil1;) and He that
heareth you. heareth Me; and he that de-
sDiseth you, despiseth Me" luke :l6.)
Under the terrible penalty OF being eter-
nallv cast of we are therefore bound to be
members of the visible kingdom OF God on
earth-the church of Jesus Christ
Rabbi L. MAYER concludes his re-
ply:
Moreover, the religion which teach and
preach does not AZ all admit Of the fearful
notion Of fall from Gods grace either for
such Q trivial reason as nOu-attendapce at
church or even Fighter reasons. Neither
did our religion ever claim the bliss OF the
world 10 come only for It's own followers,
conlemuiug others in spite Of their virtues
to eternal damnation. Gods mercy is
Hkeued unto the sun, and the righteous
ones Of all nations - whether they be
church gOers or nOt-shall share IN the
happiness of the souls future.
This symposium presents q consider
able variety OF opinions to choose from.
When doctors disagree who shall de-
eide?