Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-04-30

1
and the Bible speak of no such branch.
cs, nor did any Of them originate be.
lore the fifteenth or sixteenth cen-
turtles, except Roman Catholicism,
which was fully organized from SIS to
Io6. The oni;' branches that the Lor;i
Jesus Christ recognized were individ-
nal Christians tIohn Nv. l-5). and no
earnest, consistent Bible student ever
thinks of teaching anything else.
j. The simplicity Of the govern
mcnt of the Church of Christ COM
incnds itself 10 me; no distinction
known as CLERGY and laymen," no &C.
clcsiastical authority. d. DIS. right
reverend. pope. priest or bishop and
presiding elder, ruling over a diocese.
We are all as individuals, branches
of the vino, and all are our own priests
to offer ourselves to Christ. our great
high Drist" q. Pet. il. 30
Many boast Of learned ministry"
wise church polity," prcsbytcrics,
synods. conferences, theological
schools. prayer books. csisc0patcs ANA
confessions, but what says Paul?
Christ must have prc-cmincncc;
glory only in him" Col l. IS; Gal. vi.
ID, and 81 am determined to know
nothing among you save Christ Jesus.
j. IL.
iv. 81
4. The government of Christ's
church is very plain AMI simple (Eph.
iv. ll-lG; Phil. |. -. Every Christian
| may, by virtue of his divine accent
ancc. minister in holy things. AMI do,
in the service of Christ, whatever the
circumstances require To lie done and
he has ability to perform; that is,
preaching. bap,izing and ministcring
at the Lords table; but rs gifts arc
various and all things must he done i'm
"dcccncy and in order" II ncccssitatcs
division of labor. as preaching and
tcaching-cranScliS to convert sin
ncrS tcXamplc, Philip, Barnabas. Tim
0thy ctc). and elders to teach and
rule AMI to care for the spiritual wants
| OF the church Example. Acts NM 17.:i5;
]. Pct. " l-S), and dcacons To oversee
the temporal affairs of the church
Example. the seven nj Jerusalem,
Acts vi. 10. In the New Testament,
bishop, prcsbyter, elder, pastor and
shepherd are synonymous terms and
! mean precisely the same oificcr-an
ovcrsccr-and there is not to he one
bishop, elder or prcsbytcr over many
churches. but plurality OF bishops,
elders or prcsbytcrs over each congrc-
CATION or church. Neither does the
New Testament sanction general CON
fercnccs. general councils, nor the
universal Father, Ills Holiness. the
Pope" making laws or ruling over all,
"cxaltins himself In the place of Cod"
But In all such was the beginning of
all the divisions we now have In the
world, and results from pride, bigotry,
lorlHlip, men seeking for great name,
En M. tt.Nt. Il.
dictate. rule and "lCrd it over Gods
| heritage"
~. because loyalty to tho gospel
Gods ctornal truth-rcquires me to
bic governed alone by the apostolic OK
ample in pointing men TO Christ. bid.
! ding them Cd believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ (Alark xvi l6; Acts xvi.
| I'D; CD repent of their sins (E,ikc
xiii. 8; Acts ii. 3S); CD confess Christ
before men Matt. y. -; Rom. " .,
10Y; CD baptized in The name of
Christ for remission OF sin. Acts Ii. IS:
Acts xii. e; Luke ill., 81; (5) bring
| forth Christian virtues (Gal V. 2O-22;
| II. Pct !. 5-l1)
j. ! can not sanction probation I'M
der any consideration; 1t is contrary To
| Gods revealed will Who darcs as
sumo authority to keep n person wait
ing outside the fold Of Christ when
Jesus himself, says repeatedly in his
| Word. Come unto me" and the inspr-
cd apostle commands, I've that arc
strong enough To bear The intrmitics
of the weak" 1t is our imperative
duty to help the weak and tempt
ed, to bring out within them
selves a Chrisiian-llic spirit instead
OF Keeping them out in cold, frown-
ing world trying 10 bring forth fruit
Of righteousness amid vice (Acts II.
| I'D. The brotherhood of Christ com
prehends closer union and fellow
ship than that (TGph. iv. l1-i5)
2. Neither does Jesus give nc tho
right To judge my brother as to his
worthincss to come into the church
or TO stay out. II is the province of
the church 10 bring in tho tempted
ones anI teach, help and prepare them
to he meet to he partnkers of the in
hcritancc of the saints In light (Rom.
Ky. I'D, instead of voting, upon sup
posed Christian experience which they
have mover had, whether they shall
como In or stay ont Of the church.
8 The Bible doctrine Of conversion
Is an actual turning to the Lord i'm
faith, repentance. confession and bap-
'iHi", ana iol tliiliib tO you III some
surpassed mysterious influence of tho
Holy Spirit TO he prayed for, waited
for and mourncd for. The plan Of
Heaven is an active obedience of faith
and i'll place of bowling down TO an al
tar Of wood-thc mourncrs' bench
and mourning night after night, VIC
are To come To Jesus Christ as our
altar (Acts it, 81, IS; Acts viii. 5000.
4. Again the preaching and prac-
tlce OF the apostles teach sinners that
| the evidence of pardon and accept
ancc with God is not found In feelings,