Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-10-08

EullVf u lne sBeSeTtl NtWS Tue Slalt-
ments made by Mr.. Bagby himself, and
then proceeds with an argument
against them. Our remarks, as viii be
seen by reference to the News" ed-
toral Of September S0th, we're based on
this hypothesis; III the position taken
by Mr. Basby is correct" We do not
believe that It Is correct. on the con-
trary, we view il as a very common
but very palpable error. Neither Jesus
Christ 10 His day on earth, nor the
prophets who preceded Him. obtained
power to heal the sick or perform what
are called miracles for the purpose
Of proving or substantiatIng the truth
OF their doctrines or their authority.
Signs were not given to make people
believe But as a result of faith In
God Jesus promised: These signs
shall follow them that believe" When
He vent to preach 10 the people in His
own country "He could there do no
mighty work. save that He laid His
hands upon a few sick folk and healed
them. And He marveled because OF
their unbelief," Mark Vi, SO.
II miracles We're performed for the
purpose assumed by Mr.. Bagby, that
was the place Of all places for the sa-
yior to have performed them. Through
out the Saviors ministry He Invariably
attributed the remarkable manlfesta-
tons Of the healing power to the faith
Of those who received its benefits. His
doctrine on this subject was; "All
things are possible to him that bellev-
eth" If God has not changed, II the
principle OF faith and It's power with
God as taught by Christ and His Apos-
ties Is true, II must have the same viz
tue, force and effect today as Mt any
time in the past, II the doctrine taught
by the Savior in His sermon on the
noun! was true then II Is true now;
that is that our Heavenly Father will
"GlYe good gifts to them that ask
Him" But II is the prayer of faith"
that is heard and answered, and with
out faith our prayers are vain, "Ac-
cording 70 your faith so shall II be done
unto you" is a divine truth which is
not and cannot be changed by the CEN
turtles
Mr. Bagby enters into a dissertation
on the progress OF intellectual and
spiritual thought, and asks a number
OF questions which have no relevancy
TO the subject under consideration, APP
parently with the view OF turning at
tention away from the point In dispute.
To the critical reasoner again his ar
gument is 'self-refuting If the won
derful manifestations recorded in the
Old Testament were 10 be done away
by the progress and development OF
higher religious thought, then there
should have been none OF them In the
ministry Of Jesus Christ on earth,
who, by Mr., Bagby's own admission.
brought In higher and more perfect
system than the world had seen be-
fore. But instead OF telling people
that such blessings were mo longer
needed" he not only encouraged faith
In them personally as part of his doc
trine. but sent His Apostles out to
teach and practice the same things;
and even after His resurrection from
the dead, made 1t part of their COM
mission to promise those heavenly gifts
las a result OF believing His Gospel.
II 'He that belleyeth and Is baptized
shall be saved Is true today, then II
~ equally true now as then that These
signs shall follow them that believe"
Mark xvi, 15-lS- You cannot separ-
ate one from the other without destroy
Ing the force Of the whole commission.
MIR. Bagby has the assurance to call
The mlnistrations of Jesus Christ and
His Apostles Kindergarten methods"
What has he or any other modern min
lister who has arrogated to himself the
functions Of representative OF the
Savior, to offer to the world In any
way superior to the so-called Kinder
garten methods" OF the Great Master?
Does he mean to tell us that he or any
Of the modern jangling sects Of Chris
tendon. to which he and his friends
belong, have something to present to
the world that Is more perfect than
the doctrine and system established
by Christ and His Apostles? II so,
what Is It, where is 1t, and who has
Il?
Taking his Interpretation Of the
words OF the Apostle Paul, when that
which is perfect is come" and read 1t
in his way. when that which is full
grown Is come" how much does that
help the cause which Mr.. Bagby cham
pIons? Is the doctrine Of Christ or the
Church Of Christ, or the light OF
Christ or the power Of Christ any
more grown among the DISPUTE
ing factions now calling themselves by
His holy name. than in the days when
the Savior and His Apostles minister
ed among men? When did the Church
become "full-grown2" Was 1t after
the Apostles fell asleep and darkness
and corruption spread over the earth?
Was It when the church Of Rome as
sumed sway and established Itself as
the church Of Christ, dominating kings
and natlons2 II not. which Of the Pro-
tostant sects is the "full-grown" Church
Of Christi"
Mr.. Dagby's reference 10 the saylor's
manner Of ministry as Kindergarten
Is paralleled by his assertion
that Paul's statement is altogether
rratultous Mr.. Bagby's modesty is
quite as conspicuous as his logic. Paul
spoke Of the gifts and manifestations
which were in the Church as ESSENTIAL
parts Of the body Of Christ, that Is. the
Church. Thcy were TO be done away
when that which is perfect Is come"
The simple and evident deduction from
that is. that they are TO remain in the |
Church until the necessity for prophe-