The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-29
"The Trinity

I
(Selected for The Times Dlspatch.)
For through Him we both have access
By one spirit unto the Father.'-Epl
ills.
Tho divinity Of Father, Son and Holy
Ghost, this is our Gospel. BY this Gospel
we look for salvation. 1t is Gospel to
be used, to be. belleyed and to be lived
day by day.
But as a valued telescope may be taken
down and Its parts examined, 80 the
truth and doctrine Of the Trinity may be
made the special subject OF a DISCOURSE
Only remember always that this truth ls
given us not to be lcctured upon, but 70
be lived by.
The doctrine OF tho Trinity is the de-
scription OF what We know of God. We
have no right to- say that 1t is an entire
description of God: for there is In the
Deity much Of which we have no knowl-
edge @, f A
The Divine Life Is Infinitely greater
than our humanity can comprehend. But
In the manlfoldness Of Gods Being these
three persons Creator, Rcdeemer. sanctl-
fer-easily make themselves known to the
human mind and in the human life.
In the story Of them lies the doctrine
of the Trinity To other worlds Of other
needs. other sides of tho personal force
of the Divine life may havo been exer-
ciscd, We do not know. 1t Is not for
us to catalogue and inventory the Deity;
but only In humble gratitude and revcr-
| - ,,,it %I,,
taton Of God to 1ls for our salvation.
| Thus our doctrine of the Trinity Is the
account of what we know OF God.
ST. Paul is dwelling on the story OF
mans salvation. In his encouragements.
and his rebules, his consultations and
his arguments, this history Of mans re-
turn to God through Jesus by tho Spirit
is the burden OF the whole. He speaks
of it always. That Is not what he lives
| for. And He Is telling It here again.
| He does not attempt to define God.
Nor with confident holiness does he
| try to sweep around the infinite circle of
Deity and include It all. but only to tell
| of the God OF human salvation, whom
he knows with his whole heart. whom he
| announces with his ardent lips.
This is the first thing we notice. st.
Paul describes only the God whom man
| can know.
|. But SEQ the completeness with which
| this part of God is apprehended and de-
| picted. He Is describing mans saliva
| ton. Here is the sinner in his sinful
ness: there is the saint in his golry. The
simple act Of salvation Is clearly dis
tinguished In all It's parts. Every act is
made UP Of purpose, n method and
power.
What Is that purpose or end7
ITO the Father we all have access"
What is the method7 Through Jesus
Christ" What Is the power7 by tho
Spirit"
Each stands out separate and clear.
And what Is more, each Is distinctly per-
sonal. It Is all the work Of God. first.
last and always. 1t Is salvation to the
Father through the Son and by the Spirit.
1t is truly three In one.
Make either unworthy Of the other and
the salvation Is not complete. II II be
not to the Father, the Sons redemption
Is in vain. If 1t be not through tho Son,
the Father waits and the Spirit moves
for naught. hit be not by the Spirit, the
Fathers heart may stand open, and the
plan of grace perfect, but the unmoved
Soul is inactive and unsaved.
Tho Holy Scriptures reveal to US that
end method and power all arc perfect,
and each must thus be worthy of the |