The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-07-04

anu uuIoOluOiO COuulOiOh AiOhl WhiNh
there can never be any relief, it may
be affirmed that he is deeply inter
ested insthe preservation and CONVEX
sion of his own. They we're given to
him for special purpose, and the
accomplishment of that purpose is
intimately connected with his own
honor and dignity. If he does not
feel interested in securing the pur-
poses of his mission, he is not worthy
of the station which he occupies, If,
under our civil government, any per-
son should be appointed to special
position involving important duties,
he would not be considered worthy
of his Office unless he felt strong
interest in the faithful discharge of
| its duties. And in most cases of
civil, and especially of diplomatic ap-
pointment, the person commissioned
feels strong interest not only in the
discharge of his duty, but in sustain
ing the dignity of his country. His
own honor and standing in the work
are involved in the success of his
mission. The same is emphatically
true with reference to the mission of
Jesus Christ. The very fact that he
accepted the Office of Redeemer, and
| gave himself a ransom for all men,
shows how much interest he has felt
in the redemption of the world. And
the interest involves considerations
affecting his own standing and char
acter. If he does not convert the
world, he must suffer some of the in
fanny connected with the failure. If
he should fail, might not his Father
in heaven require at his hands the
lost people committed to him2 And,
as all power was given to him in
heaven and on earth for this purpose,
what reply could be given that would
not implicate his honor and dignity,
and involve him in the disgrace of the
failure? If he was sent for that pur
pose and invested with power suffi-
cient for its execution, he would be
held responsible in case of failure.
Aud all this shows that he is deeply
interested in the execution of the re
quirements of his mission. And this
being the case, who will dare affirm
that he will fail and leave some of his
people or possession finally impeni-
tent" to wall in agonies inexpressible
in the world to come? 1t is his bust
ness to secure to them a character
like his own; and his own glory re-
quires that he should complete the
purpose.
3. But another consideration show
ing that Jesus as Lord of all will
finally subdue all things unto him
self, is this, that no opposing power
can take any of those people who be-
long to him out of his hands. 1t is
an assertion wholly superfuous and
made in derogation Of the char
acter of Christ, that the devil will
lead away innumerable hosts of the
people whom God gave to his Son, to
seek and save. By such an assertion,
it is virtually declared, that there is
an evil spirit more powerful than
Christ the Lord. But no one will
dare make such an assertion in di-
rect terms; if made at all it must be
made by implication in covert man.
ner so as not to be directly perceived.
There is no opposing power that can
compete with the power and the
spirit of Christ. Consequently no
one who belongs to him can ever
be taken out of his hands and con-
signed to another. He cannot thus
be robbed of his glory and his pos
session. 1t follows, then, that as he is
interested and able, he will bring in
all the sinful race committed to his
charge.
4. But this truth is more fully mani
tested in the records of divine truth,
and especially in the words connected
with the text. In the verse preceding
the text, it is declared that "none OF
us liveth to himself and no man dieth
to himself" In the preceding con-
text the apostle had been speaking OF
the observance of certain days and
ceremonies, as n-essential; and he
says he that regardeth the day re-
gardeth it unto the Lord, and he that
eateth, eateth unto the Lord; 4. e., re-
gardeth the day and eateth in honor
of the Lord.
In like maner he said of his Christ
ian brethren, "none of us liveth to
himself" and then to confirm the
reasoning he made the broad asser-
ton that "no man dieth to himself"
in other words, transferring the
universal negation to an affirmative
proposition, every man "dieth to the
Lord" for the apostle adds, whether