Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-03-08

of slI scceptation.'' 10 the extent that we
succeed in doing this are bringing PACK
strsying Christiens from the deceptive DOGS o.
evolution and higher criticism to the ilrm o
foundation. the solid rock Of trutl-God's Word
THE WOUNDS OF A FRIEND.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend IS the
Divine insurance We cannot therefore. better
show our friendship and Christian love 10 our
brethren than by pulling down from the sneiI
fall in pieces beyond repair If every churea
could be thus induced to pull down ITS creed
idol the present Lacdicean stage OF the churcn
would speedily come to It's senses, as suggested
by our Lord Then instead Of feeling them
selves rich and increased In goods ana having
need OF nothing, our dear Christian brethren OF
all denominations would realize the meaning
Of our Lords words-thst churchianiy as
whole today is po1r and naked and miserable
end wretched and blind. REV, S:14-22.1 As
Christians Of all denominations we have cause
Of rejoicing that we have outgrown the trundie-
bed creeds of tine pest and that we can no
longer wrap ourselves comfortably In the mar
row bigotry Of error. The Lord caused this TO
be written in Il e long ago through the PROPHETS
saying, For the bed Is shoa te- tnan thhI
man can stretch himself on IL; and the covering
narrower than that lac can wrap pimseif IN II.
lisa. 2S:21.I II in connection with TINS grown
watch has come to us and by wnlcn we nave
nobler conceptions than bad fOrefathers or
the rights OF man under the Golden hule, IL
is a cause for rejoicing. Even though the
transition has been accomplished by great
falling away into higher criticism infidehty
evolution. etc, nevertheless even these errors
are in many respects preferable to the blind
ness ana bSotry Happy are WE, S oGas npened
cur hearts are led to closer walk with Col
a more careful and prayerful study OF HIS
word and to a subsequent growth in grace ana
In the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Do some inquire for clearer specification re-
spectirg the features of the creeds put upon
the shelf which we think should be no longer
cared for. but allowed to fall7 We answer that
Of course there sre good features in all OF our
ere eds-truths which will never fail. But with
these truths are mixed the errors which are as
he
ointment to stink" tEccl., 10:ll There is
plenty more of the ointment in Gods Word
it IS Indeed the balm of Gilead'' and pure,
without the corroding fly Of error. This is what
We all want whatsoever our denominationaI
name. and the sooner we get 1t the better for
u.s. for the cause and for 1.-THE brethren whom
love TO serve.
/ give an Illustration: Those Of us who are
Calvinis.ic may well hold fast to some of the
precious Scripture teachings long reyercd,
but want to cast out quickly and effectively
the gross error which teaches that all the non
elect, instead Of having hope for blessing
through THE elect" ere TO be everlastineiy
tormented. Those OF us who are Armenian
in doctrine have much that is precious, but
need also TO cast away from us the thought
good tntentioned and lacks the power. the
ability to make His benevolent desires errec-
tive toward airy except a snail handful Of nu-
manity. Our disciple friends should cast asIds
the thought contained In their teachings tnat
only the water-immersed experience forgive
ness Of sins and reconciliation to God and sat-
of who Baptists, whde holding TO the
precious truths which long have comforted
and strengthened MS. should insist now on east
ing away unscriptural and Irrational the
thought that has long perplexed us. namely,
that others than the water-immersed could
be members of the church Of Christ heirs OF
glory. and be saved from damnation. Unce
We got these absurdities removed not only from
our heads and hearts. but also from our pro-
SSs is T0cr Ds % cbfs1 ana sss anxious 70
Then We I'll search the Word and have Gods
blessing in finding its harrnonies. Tie tnar
seeketh findeth; and TO him that knockerh II
shall be opened" Matt, 1881 But so long
as we hold to the fallacies how can we seek
or pray for find the TRUTH
However In some respects sectarfan energy
is better than federated death Might we not
even say that IL all the creeds were dashed
10 pieces and each Christian stood forth nm
shackled as respects denominational bonds me
result would be great improvement 50 far
as individual thought. study, and Relationship
TO God would be concerned. IL word, each
vidual faith: and none should do more or less
than TO assist his mind to a fun understanding
Of the Word Of the Lord In RESPECT to every
subject.
DOCTRINES OF MEN.
All doctrines which cannot show a fotlnda-
ton and full authority in the teaching Of Jesrls
81 men. The teachings f rom above come t 70 ~
through heaven-appointed channels The jargon
which prevails in Christendom in respect to
hum origin. The Scriptures alone furnish
to
THE DOCTRINES OF CHRIST.
Briefly stated they declare, ''To there II
one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus
Christ" Il Cor, s:6.) To us there Is one
Holy Spirit; to there is lone church OF the
living God. whose are written in heav-
en-: TO us there is zone Lord and one faith
and one baptism one Lord and Father Of ALL"
(Eph., 4:4-6.) However impossible these state
ments may have appeared during the clark
ages" they are no longer so. The light Of
divine truth is now shining. God has not only
put into our possession wonderful Bibles, His
helps for Bible study, but has also
given us the ability TO read, to study the
Word critically. And He Is pleased now to
assure us through the prophet that we are
living in the time when "the wise shall under
stand" the mystery hidden from past ages and
because not until now due 10
be understood. without working an interfer-
enee with Gods eternal purpose.
What. then. dear friends, shall we do? Shall
we float on ingloriously, daily, hourly coming
closer and closer to the great cataelysm which
Is swallowing up many now in inffdeifty,
called Higher Criticism7 Or shall we accept
Gods helping hand. the doctrines Of Christ. and
know the truth and be made free from the err
ror and be brought into fellowship with our
Redeemer On the highest plane? Let us, as the
''wise virgins OF our Lords parable. wake
from sleep and trim lamps, and. In the
light thereof see Gods wonderful riches OF
glory as they stand revealed on the threshold
Of the new dispensation-the milliennial reign
Of Christ.