The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-14
San Explanation Explained.

Editor OF The Times:
sir.-In The Times of March Z, 1897,
there appears an article signed IT. which
criticises recent article by the present
writer. in The Times in explanation OF
the 32d verse Of the 18th chapter of Johns
Gospel C'And il be lifted up will draw
all men unto me'O.
| wish very much that "T' had signed
his proper name to his article. as it is
so much better for one who Is in the
open field himself to have friend or foe
with whom the joust is taken, stand on
the same footing. Waving this, how
ever for the present, / will briefly reply
to IT'S" article. with the editors Of The
Times kind permission.
IL IS very evident that "T' either failed
to read carefully my article or he failed
TO get the meaning l intended 1t should
convey.
In referring 10 the case Of the heather,
my meaning in the quotation given in
IT'S" article is simply that the cross OF
Christ benefits them just as II does In
fants, who are all saved by Christ at
the earliest stage, whether they live up
TO responsibility or die In infancy and
that those heather who live up to the
light Of that law. call It natural" or
what you will. which Paul speaks Of in
have not the law. do by nature the things
contained In the law. these having not
the law. are a law unto themselves,
will be saved II they do by nature the
things contained IN" the law, which was
promulgated on Sinai
The reference to Paul and Nicodemus
and the Scrlbes and Pharisees as persons
living up TO the law and needing CONVEX
sion as the Bible shows, is not to the
point at all. since they were all well
yersed IN the Scriptures ard their condi-
ton was not at all analogous 10 that or
the heather.
II Abraham rejoicod 20 see the day OF
Christ by faith. Of course Jesus expected
these persons so well versed in the old
Bible which was 50 full Of prophecies
concerning His advent upon the earth,
to repent and believe on Him, and such
persons so highly favored everywhere, in
order to be saved, must take the same
steps or perish.
As TO the concluding position Of "T's"
article. / would simply say the millions
Of people who never heard Of Christ can
be attracted 10 His cross 50 as 10 be
benefited just as the thousands Of peo-
pie are benefited by physical laws and
yet numbers OF them don't understand
scarcely anything concerning them.
This view doesn't do away with the
necessity Of sending the Gospel TO the
heather, because the number saved by
preaching Christ's Gospel will be so much
greater than would be the case by those
living up TO the light they would get as
heather. and then it IS made so clearly
the duty Of those who have the light as
Paul and Nicademus. and the people OF
England and America. that i'm order for
such favored ones themselves 10 be
sfyed. they must send the Gospel TO their
heather neghbors.
never meant TO say that the fact that
our chronology Is based on the birth Of
Christ was proof that all nations had
known of Christ. but gave this as fact
TO show how the cross is being interviewer
I'm the history and affairs OF mankind, as
IS illustrated in poetry and literature and
history and legend.
| agree with "T' as TO his definition
Of the drawing power" Of the cross, but
as Jesus said he could draw all men
unto Him by His death. I gave what
conceived to be a full and proper eXpla-
nation. T.. +. PARHAM.
GAINESVILLE. Va. March 10, 1897.