The Portland daily press., 1895-03-25
DR.. BLANCHARD's SERMON.
The Twenti eth Century's Definition of a
Christian.

Rev. Dr.. Blanchard delivered sermon
at Congress Square church yesterday
morning ON The Twentieth Century's
Definition of a Christian" A large con-
gregation was present.
The texts were taken from Matthew
XII, and Romans XIV. "For whose
ever shall do the will of my Father
which is in heaven, the same is my
brother and sister and mother. For the
Kingdom of God is not meat and drink,
but righteousness and peace and joy in
the Holy Ghost"
DR.. Blanchard began by saying that it
is not diff cult task to foretell the fu-
ture, if one will wisely observe the signs
of the present. He therefore, is not a
prophet overbold who shall venture to
predict what will be the twentieth CEN
tury's definition of Christian.
1t was the delightful task which be
should attempt to discharge. He would
speak of the definition-of the signs of
the times which all eould9studyf-o the
duty of helping the definition to advanc-
ing power. The twentieth, century will
define Christian as one w6o, under the
inspiration of the life and teachings of
Jesus Christ, sco-works with God to es-
tablish His kingdom of righteousness
and love on earth.
But it may bs saidsshat this definition
is ever made. Yes-by some-bu1 it is
not the dominant detiiition yet. If you
do not believe the Pope is sovereign over
all rulers: if you do not believe in apos-
tolic succession; if you do not believe in
immersion; if you do not believe the
scriptures are inspired; it you do not be-
lieve in endless punishment, one and an
other says, then you are not Christian.
The twentieth century will not so de-
clare.
The signs are abundant of the coming
change. The old doctrines have
new meanings. Incarnation now
means with many, God in all
men, not only in Jesus. Notably
DR.. Lyman Abbott says this atone
ment, regeneration, endless punishment.
inspiration have changed and are chang
ing. Prof. Woodworth of the University
of California, was expelled from the
Berkley Baptist church because he does
not believe in the miraculous birth of
Jesus nor in the plenary inspiration of
the scriptures. asN
The bishops of the Protestant Episco-
pal church issued letter to warn their
|'1ocks not to disbelieve in the virgin
birth and the bodily resurrection Jesus.
But Episcopalian clergymen protest.
Books are appearing which show how
scholars are giving up old opinions. DR..
MacKintosh's "The Natural History OF
the Christian Religion" is radical, can
did, cogent, convincing. 1t will make a
great stir in the theological world.
What then is the duty of those who
have already accepted the definition
VIII Iii prevail in the twentieth GEN.
tu'a y ! they can to help it to ad-s
;tx;s@s ever. They must turn away,
in rait. rem Paul. They must stand
close TO Jesus. Even in 1928 Burtham
said mot Paul, but Jesus.n Renan SAYS,
Not Paul, but Jesus." Great. glorious
as was Paul. he observed the simplicity
of Christ. Theology has taken paups
words as foundation of doctrines too
much. We must 60 back to Jesus. He
said "Whosoeyer shall do theswill ofsmy
Father which is in heaven, the same is
my brother and sister and mother.n "By
this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples. if ye have love, one for anoth-
err
Do you wake sometimes in the night
and wonder at the mystery of darkness
or space, see the faces of the departed,
feel anxious forIthe living, long for the
day to come, dwell on the certainty of
death, woEder where any other life shall
be lived? And then believe that all is
well-that God rules over all for good?
Then you are Christian, Do you long
to stern the evil of the world? Then you
are Christian. Do you passionately de-
sire to see and b elp the truth? Then you
are a Christian. Obi that men might
see how glorious is the Christianity of
Christ. Not trinity, not endless punish
ment, not atonement are parts of his
religion. He calls man to himself. He
asks them to co-work with God. He
who has the spirit of Christ is a Christ
ian. Let us help on the great definition
-he is Christian who. under the in
spiration of the life and teachings of
Jesus Christ, co-works with God to es-
tablish His kindgom of righteousness
and love on earth.
~ r,,, NJ 1,., ;. ~