Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1894-03-31
WnArisA CHRISTIAN!


In hls religious crusade In California
the noted Methodist preacher, DrC. II.
YAtmsn, l. startling some OF the good
people in that locality by Informing
them that they arc not Chrlstlsns in
the true soaso Of the word, whether
they are church msmbefs or not lie
Insists upon this declaration, ami at q
big meeting on Sunday evening OK.
planned that there was not one o. them
who hal the witness u lhu Holy
Spirit. Hu sald going 10 church would
not give 10 to them, for the deyil
attended religious meetings nud found
plenty TO do; nor would giving money
10 the church do 10, Tor Acknowledgment
and gamblers often dld more Ia that
line than the average so.called Chris
iian. Then, 10 clluoh his argument he
declared, "rhero is not Christian 10
this tent tonight, not one; DO mol
except even myself"
Perhaps the reverend gentleman
was right; we know Of no reason fot
doubling bis statement. Certainty he
must know his own position ~ far o.
receiving the witness Of tho Holy
Spirit IL concerned, aud he probably
could fairly describe his audience in
that respect, since none questioned
his affaigumou', aud no was
acquainted with their general stu.
alton Ia religious matters. And
possibly It was hlb knowledge Of hia
own condition which prompted him to
refrain from telling his auditors how to
become true Chrislians; his oxhoria.
ton TO worship the Supreme Being by
good deeds as we'll as worls was, how.
ever, most oommundable.
"what Is a Chrlstlalgp Ia a question
u sufficient Importance 10 those who
look 10 tho good book for guidance to
have II answered correctly aud under
slaudingly. Webster snys that a
Christian IL "ouo whose inward ana
outward lilo IL contormed to the
doctrines OF Chtlst"-a torss and
comprehensive definition. Then to be-
come Christian II il essential,
ilut, TO ascertain the doctrines taught
by the Divine Master; nud second,
to conform, or render Obedience there
to.
To learn Of the doctrines Of the Lord
It Is natural ~ turn to the Now Tesla.
ment-tho record Of His ministry on
earth. Il In there recorded that the
angel who heraldoi the birth OF the
infant jesus announced that He should
lave His people from their sins."
This Is tho burden Of tho promise
throughout tho Scriptures 10 NIL
Chrislians, whether they lived In
the earlier centuries or the later
times u the worlds history.
Through the atouemont all men were
10 be- raised from tho dead; but the
salvation accorded to individuals thus
brought forth was promise 10
Especially them that believe, ITO
those that were numbered as "tho
people" OF tho Lord, tho ttue Chris.
tians. Except men came within this
rule they should "In no wise enter the
kingdom Of heaven"
The New Testament also relates how |
that John the Baptist was "sent from
God" ~ "the messenger before his
face" This forefuuuer Of the Christ |
taught faith Ia the Divine Mas.
ter required the people to re.
peni, anu 10 those who 70.
ceived his message by needing the
same he administered tho ordinances Of
the baptism VI repentance for this 10.
mission Of sins, ami promised that the
greater one who followed should hap.
iizs them with the Holy Ghost, thus
giving them "iho witness Of the Holy
spirit" and confirming them M mem.
bors OF His Church, or "liis people,"
and constituting them true Christiaua.
To those who were faithful Ia main.
taibing the calling thus bestowed, the
promise was available TIA, they should
be saved from their us-hayiug 70.
pointed thereof Rui received the ordi.
nance Tor their remission.
When Chris. came ia Hla ministry
aa the promised greater Our, His
labors anu teachings confirmed all that
jonn the Baptist hnd douo a. His mos.
songer. There wHBuo variance nomsnl
no change OF doctrines or ordinances.
John hnl led belieycra In Chlst
through the door Of baptism to Him t.
receive the witness OF the Spirit; auu
the Lord declared that these VIVA rc-
iec,ui this baptism, aud consequently
those principles which led zap 20 10,
"fjoa,ed tho counsel Of Goa
against hrm-olycs, being no. ban
tzsd Of him" John the Baptist
possessed divine authority TO make h.s
acs cmoacious TO salvation; hs was
"seni from GDl," no. man. Alter lhe
cruciilXion OF tho Lord the Apostle.
followed Ino rule IN which LIS had