Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-11-25
PULPIT.
WEEPING ALI.
NIGHT
Weeping May Endure For
the Night, but Joy Comerh In
the Morning psalm Xxx, s..

to bring forth millions of his creatures
under these admittedly unfavorable
conditions-beset by weaknesses and
sinwardness from their birth and sur
rounded by others similarly weak, and
beSet by Satan and his minions-Wick-
ed spirits? Is it just that we should
thus be in an unequal fight subjected
to weaknesses and dying and imper-
feet conditions on account Of the sin
of our first parents and then. on the
same account, be in danger of an eter-
nifty of torture with nine hundred and
against us?
No. thank God, that thought of eter-
nal torture which came down to US
from the dark ages, and which we for
a time supposed to be Biblical. we find
now is quite unscriptural, when judg-
ed in the light of the Bibles own tes-
timony. The eternal torment doctrine
assuredly is not of God. not Of the
Bible, but, as st. Paul declares, one
of the doctrines Of devils.
The inheritance of weaknesses,
blemishes, sorrows, pain and trouble,
to which we were born. is quite sutfi-
cient and. according to the Scriptures,
these are all part of death, and all
reach their elimination in death,
which is the real penalty for sin pre-
scribed by our Creator. The fact that
these blemishes still continue with the
race proves that their sins are not
yet blotted out. and to this agree the
Scriptures which point us to the on
coming glorious day of blessing a
thousand years long, the Millennium,
i'll which Divine blessing will be be-
slowed upon every member of Adams
race. The merit Of Christs sacrifice,
the ranSom-price for sinners which he
laid down, will by that time be made
available for the sins Of the whole
world"
The merit of that sacrifice has al
ready been applied to the Church
The household of faith"-since Pen
tecost. 1t has brought to this class
very special privileges, though very
different ones from those it will bring
W Tic VOL III uuIluS Tue
The willing and Obedient of the world
will then get restitution gradually
(Acts iii. 2Ol, back to human perfection
and worldwide Edenic home The
blessing upon the Church is different
The promise now made to those who
can and will walk by faith and not by
sight is heavenly one. They are to
have a heavenly or spiritual reward
and in their resurrection become par
takers Of the divine nature and have
no share thereafter in human nature.
The conditions of the present time are
severe, proportionately to the great
ness and grandeur Of their heavenly
calling The terms of acceptance to
the divine nature include not only
faith and love, but a seIf-sacriticing
will. These sacrifice their earthly res
titution rights and privileges for the
privilege Of suffering with Christ. that
they may also reign with him in his
Millennial Kingdom.
Learning by Suffering.
The same thought is elsewhere ex-
pressed. Only those who hear his voice
and obey him us the Teacher sent of
God will be successful in their en-
deavOr to become members of the
Royal Priesthood" now being select
ed from the world Only those who,
during the Millennial Age, will hear
and obey will there receive this great
blessing Of eternal Northumberland
curse. The reward to the world in the
close of the Millennium and the re-
ward to the Church in the close of this
Gospel Age will each be eternal saliva
ton; but the Church's reward will in
clude eternal glory, heavenly glory and
joint-heirship with the Redeemer him
self in his great work of administer
ing Gods blessings to the world of
mankind, as Mediator of the New
Covenant between God and men-the
world.
1t seemed wise to our Heavenly Fa-
Their that our Lord Jesus should learn
obedience through sufferings and be
tested in respect to his willingness to
endure suffering for righteousness
sake. How appropriate it is that the
same Father should make similar ar
engagements for all of the Church,
whom he will receive from. amongst
the race Of Adam to be members of
the Royal Priesthood under Jesus. the
High Priest of our order We see a
necessity for this. not only as respects
our own testings and a thorough proof
of our own heart-loyalty to the Lord.
but additionally we see a wisdom on
Gods part in thus preparing a priest
hood of the future The term priest
as recognized amongst the Jews was
not merely one who offered sacrifices,
although every priest was of necessity
a sacrifcer. The special mission of
the priestly tribe amongst the other
tribes was that of instructing. helping,
healing, teaching. And so God is pre-
pairing a Royal Priesthood for the Mil
lennial Age to bless, to heal. to teach,
to uplift all the willing and obedient Of
humanity.
The royalty Of the priesthood signi-