The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-09

holy. he that IS true, he that hath the key
Of David, he that openeth. and no MAJ
shutteth; and shutteth. and no man open
eth" In part he said:
philadelphia. mentioned by John. the
Divine. is city OF Asia Minor. containing ar
whom are Greeks. the rest Mchammedans-
Its present name. Allah Shehr. means CITY
OF God and stands a. reminder n,,S OF Us
founded by Attulus. Philadelphus. King e
Perganras, about 200 Il. c. Its walls are
st!ll standing. inclosng several hills There
still remain the ruins OF several Christian
churches and a peculiar pillar. which is
thought by many 70 have suggested the
words In the twelfth verse: He that OVER
coueth will make pillar In the temple
OF God The city. whose name meant
srSSslhe1ly love. stands , so-dsy wondsTi'i
the faithful church,
have read, that God takes special recogni-
ton OF the faithful church. He approves OF
her course. The omnipotent one: the ON
church Is doing. God Is not Indifferent To-
her welfare: he marks her course, takes
knowledge Of her acts. The church. like the
moon. shines with borrowed light. As the
moon shines by the reflection of the sun.
so the church shines when she reflects tbs
light OF the Sun of Righteousness God
dividual that honors him: and to be ho2-
ored Of God Is TO receive the highest gilt
Ec can peStO"-
Because OF her faithfulness. God hon
ored the church OF Philadelphia with lorz
life. for when the other churches of Asia
Philadelphia was still fourishing. 1t was
the last Of the Christian churches to 90
down under Mohammedanism- This prom
Use not only applied TO the ancient church
OF Philadelphia, but to this church. and al
churches of the present that are faithful
Aroans us are hudrss ~ yneaveS
men and women These unsaved ones are
our open door.
We must persuade them to- accept chriss:
lead them. IL we can, by Gods help to turn
from folly and sin--turn TO God. turn To
truth and Righteousness Sin Is around US.
and men and women are dying every day
without hope OF heaven. The fn1thfut
church must offer TO these pcrishins souls
stand as a light in the dark place; a hos
pital for the soul sick OF sin: a welcome
home for the wanderer fem Geo But IL
she gather her robes abou: her and hves
within herself she will die: he- light Will
be extinguished; her place will beccma
desoiate. When church leases 70 use her
fallen. strengthen the week, ASS. the
needy and open wide her ,'oor to Gods
istence. and ought TO die-yes, she is dead.
though having name TO live
THE true church IS the Garden of this
Lord. wide enough to receive al mankind.
Allied with flowers which had their origin
In Paradise. There arc I'm -hiS garden herbs
good for medicine. Here IS founj a remedy
Giiea. which heals the SOULS wounds: tts
tree of life. whose leaf withers never and
h Ir, onGs nasdn si Z;c t,e ard t
of the Lord, shall bloom forever IN the
Paradise above Such is the open door OF
Gods church, established on earth by Kim
for the good of man. God o-ens the door:
men are her appointed doorkeepers. They
cannot shut the door, but they may. and do
exclude some from entering by their world
Illness selfshness. But woe 70 those wh1
keep the door of the church. who shall by
their acts. keep any from entering TIE fold.
God gave the church power to Use for
his glory. and mans good. The church oc
icaiIy Of the seven mentioned BY 81. JOIN.
possessed the most vital power. 1t had
strength. What is 1t that gives a church
of the Rothschilds could not Lake :. church.
Is Il learning? The learning ac the ages
has never established a church Is IL social
culture. or refined society? rnese may de-
stroy the church by their cold Journalism
and arrogant laws. but cannot make a
church Of godiy worshipers- These things
church: they possess no life. They may
destroy a church; they have destroyed
good; they may destroy her religious life ard
thus take her strength. Wealth IS power.
education Is power refinement is power.
be consecrated to God. These powers sanc--
titled become mighty engines to propai tho
church. and carry he, forward to CONQUER
church-is composed Of those who are bound
by the common tie of faith In God and
scriptures as the infaliibio rule Of faith and
practice. WI are led by the spirit.
Ten faithful. god-fearing men and women
lied on the basis of society. Look at thoss
1o000 men drawn up In line of battle SEQ
how grandly they are dressed. what perfect
bearing, what a fine spectaclei But look
again: there come 100 men marching to
Their clothes are soiled. their faces bronzed.
They charge, they rout the 10000 See they
fiy before them like chah before the wiuds
unarmed the 100 have the most approved
weapons, hence their charge Is deadly. victo-
without Christ is unarmed, has no wear-
on with which to meet the hosts of Satan.
1t is like painted fre-makes- a beautiful
warm the occupants The social world IL
simply grand dress parade. But the true
aGnaed wsh the Spirit therefore, IN the das
two put 1900 to flight
God has always been honored. and those
true to them blessed. The church, true in
her life to the doctrines of the Bible. viii
prosper, but laxness In doctrine Is soon fol-
lowed by looseness In morals. But dogmas,
speculation. disputings over nonessentials.
Ba IN IN
the atonement. the sinfulness Of mankind.
regeneration, the resurrection, and a real
future life Of redeemed humanity-alI e,-
sential to the souls health. All doubters,
all disputers. VIII one day be compelled 10
acknowledge the true church. and see the
seal Of divine love set upon her.
Churches. like individuals. have their
Temptations. How often il the church
tempted to lock hands with the world:
tempted by the worlds social pastimes. by
its frivolities: tempted to arrogance wherf
she becomes rich; tempted to dependency
when she grows Door. God has only one
remedy for these temptations. II riches In
eously, but do not worship them; IL poverty
comes. and the worlds cold hand presses
hard, get closer to God. Christians he
faithful; keep Gods word inviolate; keen
yourselves unspotted from the world, pay
your vows; make your offerings cheerfully.
served and prospezed.