St. Paul daily globe., 1893-03-13
How Beautiful Is the Relation
Between Christ and the
Church.
The Winning Figure Of Speech
Used to Express the
Unity.

feSseS TO love Christ, is guilty OF nothing
less than hypocrisy. That room exists
for cavil and criticism cannot be denied.
That the church has in many instances
failed to impress the world with her
purity, consistency and power for right
eousness is another fact, sad as it may
seem, which we must admit. 1t is
to be hoped that we shall not stop with
that admission. Truth cOmpeiS us TO
blame, not the church, but its adherents.
Let us still follow this train of thought
to farther conclusions. He is a poor
logician who argues universal cOnclu-
sion from particular premise. Do you
believe thai because one tig tree bears
no fruit all trees of that species are
worthless? Does it follow that because
a trusted friend proved false you should
regard with suspicion all who claim
your friendship? Does it follow that
because a weak brother has erred your
confidence must be forfeited in those
who were associated with him? Can it
be that rational being will thus apply
a most absurd fallacy to the church?
What shall such reasoning be called?
1t Is but the vapOr from diSOrdeTed in
tellect. Would you find a perfect
church? Then you must leave this earth
and ascend to God. Because the light
Of the benefcent institution of religion
Is Sometimes DImmed
by Obscuring circumstances is no reason
for believing 1t has ceased to shine.
Does the sun cease its shining when on
a cloudy day the battalious of the firma-
ment roll and roar between it and the
earth? Part those swift-rOlling masses
or blackneSS, wait until the calm sue
ceeds the storm, and 10! purer. brighter,
stronger than ever is the radiance that
was mOmentarily hidden, but not de-
strOyed.
Thus it is with the church. Her light
has never ceased to shine on the be-
nighted souls that brooded in shadow
and darkness. Occasions have arisen
when her radiance was somewhat OBJ
scured. That is the fault of man, not
God; the weakness OF humanity, rot
diminutiOn of Gods power. What close
Saviour! How beautifully is that rela-
ton set forth in the figure of the
bride and bridegroom The closest
ana strongest tie that is known
10 mankind is symbOlical OF the
union that cements Christ and his
loyal followers. That bride is as pure
today as the fairest virgin of earth. The
features you condemn belong not to
the true church. The clothes are not
the man, neither are the unSightly
habiliments adornlng the bride of the
Lamb to be criterion of her dignity
and worth. AS John saw her in that
state which is known to us as the
triumphant one, she is decked in linen
pure white, typical OF righteousness. in
perfection. She is today a queen,
though uncrowned. Not yet has she
succeeded in welding her Scepter over
earth aud with diddem of sovereignty
calling upon nations to worship at her
throne. That shall be realized in
'TIae Glorious Contamination
prefigure in the words of my text. Her
brow is ready for the crown Jewels she
then shall wear. The angel then called
upon John to view the bride and not
her adornments. We regard too often
the trouSseau and not the wearer. The
outward and external claim our atten-
ton when we should rather delight to
view the countenance, radiant with
supernal glory and joy. How long un-
til humanity shall learn to view, not the
star, but the one 10 whom it leads them.
Must we forever stand in the valley
of dry bones, the place where is to be
seen only the skeletons of a cold ritual
ism. Shall we not rather mount with
wings as eagles, and on pinionS of faith
fly into the rays of light that beSpeak
the dawn of the millennium? To sue
cessfullv make that flight we must first
understand whence comes the power
that shall enable us TO unfalteringly
make the journey, and what it is as
SureS us we shall see the fulfillment of
this wonderful vision OF John. Why do
we believe in the power of church to
one day rule the earth III righteousness
and peace? We are not slow to affirm
that the words OF John express not the
imagined, but the real; not the SEN
tenceS of mind in an abnormal state,
but of sOberneSS and wisdom: not a
dream, but a reality; not fiction, but
truth. Our convictions are strength
ened in this for many reasons. Among
them | mention first the supernatural
manifestations attending the establish
ment of the church. When you have
read of PentacoSt and its marvellous hap
penlngS, when you have read that those
present were amazed, and wondered
and maryeled and stood aghaSt at the
Stupend0uS ratification of the apostles
mission, you will have reason to admit
that an Institution thus indOrsed must
occupy a pre-eminent position in the
universe of God. Tongues of lambent
flame set their seal upon the great su-
perstructure then being erected, and lit
with eternal glow the lamps upon its
altarS. Nor did the miraculous there
rest. In all their pigaimageS the apOs-
ties manifested the divinity of their
mission, God working with them in
divers wonders and signs. What a
blaze of power and glory follows i'm their
wake. Then was it published with un-
questioned verify that the church was
eSpOused of Christ and betrothed to the
Son OF God. In her development and
growth and spread, she shattered the
philosophy Of the wisest, destroyed the
idols of a corrupt and superstitious wor-
ship, and called men back to the
fountain of eternal life.
Another Reason
why We regard the position of the
church as one of closest intimacy with
Christ is found when we consider the
principles that should mould her
destiny. Congenjality of mind Is in
diSpenSable to those who would Guilt
vate lasting and affectionate fellow
ship. All that was and is admirable in
the Christ should characterize His
church. The elements of true great
ness emphasized I'D the lite of Jesus
must penetrate the Institution bearing
His name. The church comes TO the
world not with frOwn. scOwl. not with
bitter words of condemnation, not with
a message of woe Such was not the
mission for which it was organized. On
the contrary. her advent is that of an
angel OF mercy. With smile of welcome
she comes to mankind and stretches
forth her hands, in which is held eternal
life. With stately tread and kindly
mien she moves down the centuries,
graciOusly extending an invitation to
all, that they may be present at the
marriage supper OF the LamD. Ia her
journey she has lavishly blessed