The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-31
Bed Rock Gospel Preaching.
.ditor of The Times:

To the Editor of The Times:
In referring to a camp meeting no" pc
ing conducted near Toano by the KEY. -.
r. Strause, Lutheran minister, OF sa-
lem, your correspondent makes Tue III
Lowing interesting comment:
"Nr. Strause lays great stress upon the
doctrine of regeneration as an absolute
necessity in the Christian life. Whlle ne
has large crowds to hear him, there are
few that believe regeneration is an abso-
lutte necessity
I have net an acquaintance with TINS
minister, and not having heard MIN preach
I, Of course do not know the character OF
his deliverances on regeneration. but the
correspondent's comment suggests these
general reflections. The Kingdom Oh
Christ on the earth has moved 1orWaIo
ard upward, commensurate with the laili-
full proclama ton and acceptance Oh 'iie
Bible doctrine of regeneration. lnere ai Z
no valid substitutes for the spirltual SOU
care which demands an absolute ana uii-
conditional surrender OF old sei1 ana d
Iowa. and an affectionate embrace OF the
Sayious as ones Lord and Redeemer
Jesus said to the prince In Israel VINO
came to him seeking truth in the quiet
udo Of the night: 'Ye must be born
again" .oThat which Is born Of the flesh
is flesh: that which is born of the spirit
is spirit It is useless to qulbple over
terms If some other name than regen-
GRAFTON is professed by some the doctrine
remains the same 1t ls the Welding OF
ones self to the operation CT Gods spirit.
whereby ones life-his actions, inclina-
lions and deslres-are transformed from
2 downward to an upward plane.
.'If any man be in Christ Jesus he fs
new creature; old things have passed
away; behold all things have become
rev. Some times there are fippant ref
erences to Seeking religion. and yet
seeking religion" is a Bible injunction.
They that seek me early shall find me.
ASK and it shall be given; seek and ye
shall find: knock and it shall be opened
unto you "Seek We the Lord while he
may be found: call We upon him while he
is near" Verify. it is a matter which de-
mands earnest seeking. 1t is not merely
standing up or raising the hand IN re-
spcnse to the invitation for all TO do so
vino desire to be Christians, nor even the
additional act of submitting to some out
ward ordinance although these things,
within proper limitations. are not to be
despised, and may be, indeed. right and
helpful but 1t is in the cutting OF the
cable which binds the soul to old self
under the "power OF the Prince of the
Air. and an implicit yielding to the care
anc direction of loving Heavenly Fa-
Their and a Divine Saviour. under the OPP
Grafton of Gods Holy Spirit.
Aye. the doctrine OF regeneration may
not be popular, but it the doctrine that
the masses need preached to them. And
after all it is the kind Of prea ching that
draws, that attacks and holds the peo
ple. Wherever the pulpit has felt a loss
of its power it can be traced to a neglect
CT earnest proclamation Of spiritual truth
of the bedrock essentials-the funda-
mental Bible doctrines, which. though old.
will be ever fresh and new to minds and
hearts of men. All of us need continuous
reminders Of ..sin. righteousness and
Judgment to come"
w; M. 3,
Richmond Va JULY 30, 1902