The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1901-10-12
Rev. ]. u. Lee On Rev. T. 7. Ramsey.
Sermon.

" UGH II WAS tllilbtllNCh liidt ihtN.
T. Y. Ramsey was going to preach on
THE possibility of ApOStasy,' a
strong desire took possession of me to
hear the sermon, for several reasons:
First: | have been so confirmed in the
belief of the absolute security of the
believers in Christ that | wanted to
hear a strong man give the reasons
for not believing as | do. Second:
J Brother Martin shared in my feelings,
and both of us, regarding Brother
Ramsey as a representative man,
wanted his sermon. but as both of us
could not go, and get it, we agreed
that l should go, and, as best | could
take it down. Third: We felt that
if Brother Ramsey could be answered,
then u position was established
from a human standpoint, for We re-
garded him as equal to any in ability
who holds the doctrine he advocates.
Fourth: | believe, and preach the OPP
pOSite of what Brother Ramsey had
announced he was going to preach,
and knowing how hard it is to keep
from disappearing the advocates
of any doctrines. without hearing it
from their own lips, and knowing the
Scripture they use to prove their doc
trinc, | left my own service in the
hands of Brother Martin in order
that | might hear a strong nan give
his reasons for believing one Of the
distinctive doctrines of the denomina-
ton to which he belongs.
am glad | went. really enjoyed
the service. am sorry | had to take
a back seat, but | left our wv service
after it began, and wanted to return
before the door Of my own church
was opened for the reception of men,
hers, and to go down the aisle after
/ service began. and retire before it
closed would be too conspicuous. The
sermon was a masterpiece when
looked at from Brother Ramsey's
standpoint. OF course, | think that
his premise. that the sins of the
Christian, unrepented of. have the
same penalty as the unregenerate
man, is wrong, and l therefore be-
lieye his conclusion is wrong, but my
object in writing this is not to point
out the defects, but to commend the
sermon from the standpoint of him
who preached it. When | went away
from the church, | thanked God that
the time had come when the advO-
Gates of different doctrines could con-
tend for what they really believed, in
a Christian spirit. The spirit in
which Brother Ramsey delivered his
sermon was beautiful. 1t was entire
ly free from bitterness. OF course,
he was earnest and enthusiastic, but
earnestness and enthusiasm must not
be COMPOUNDED with bitterness. | be-
lieye that one of the great needs of
all denominations today is to set forth
their distinctive doctrines in a good
and Christ-like spirit.
We have too many people in all de-
nominations who cannot give a reason
for the faith within them. Brother
Ramsey has done exactly what |
think he should have done. 1t is just
what ! have done during the last ten
years of my ministry, and | cannot
but admire the MAJ who sees his duty
as | see it. Let US have more OF
what the world calls 'doctrinal
preaching" but avoid, of course, all
personality and bitterness, which is
unworthy of a child of God.
Next Sunday night, | expect tC
preach on The absolute security OF
the believers in Christ" and | pray
God to help me preach in as good spir.
it as Brother Ramsey manifested.
j.. W. LEE.