The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-12
DOCTRINES OF CHRIST DOCTRINES OF MEN

" --' - NA1l n viz Los ret. i, Is.
DOCTRINES OF MEN.
Ing apparatus. The leaders in the va
flous churches discovered this in ad-
vance of their f1ocks. They promntIv
ana reverently set their creeds an q
nigh shelf where the people might not
SO partlcularlY notice their flaws, but
Hllgnl continue their reverence for
tnem. until gradually their attention
would be drawn aside and their hone
and Ialth transplanted to Evolutionary
s1i1 or Theosophistic and Spiritualistic
child,s play. - -
WITH the decline of Christian doctrines.
i ,nd heart union with Christ and Ar,
tions Sbi,.aI5S; a. uI ITS terms and condi-
grace or Christianity. Today the pTlile Of
doctrines, but in their institntions Tha
R to fhe are no longer exhorted to hold fast
e f enS 4ocLrines of Methodisn, CaIYlnisis1
st re- Dut 70 hold fast to the system. They
are no longer encouraged to think Of fbaic
system as being the only one outside NJ
they are encouraged to cultivate q M nq ~
g e.san spirit. Which takes pride in their Or
church property, the iargeness Ct its ,o c5s
wisdom , me ae grandeur Of its music. the
ers, and the fashion and wealth nf Il 6
constituency "e4-'h u us
1t; it Is not our wish to offer a single I'M
DUTY and privilege, however. to point ont
LA. .nat the creed doctrines of the various de-
fran and imperfect to stand handIing and ND
dalapessiigatlon, are not and never, were the
IS our duty and pleasure to show forth
20 20 tX;Inflstan people to the extent of our
doctr}Ene enaL " re teachings of the Bible the
o oSeiiiIeS Oh christ, are grand, noble. rea-
sonaDle, worthy of all aeceptation-' To
In. Inc extent . that we succeed in doing this
from the deceptive boys of Evolution and
tha seI;S I;l to the firm foundation,
lile SUM rock OF Truth-God's Word.
THE Wounds of Friend"
is t tbd hil,, are the wounds of a friend"
fEhher,effore. better show our friendship and
nnirIiiSslah love to our brethren than by
erenced creeds and allowing them to fan
IN pieces beyond repair, If every church
creed-idol, the present Laodfcean STAGE of
me church would speedily come 70 its
senses senses as suggested by our Lord. Then.
creased IN goods and having need of moth
ING. our dear Christian brethren of ali de
our Lords ,words-that Churchianity as
a whole today is poor and naked and
miserable and wretched and blind (Reve-
lation i'll, 14-22). AS Christians of ali de-
nominations we have cause of rejoicing
Of the past and tb fhf
longer wrap ourselves comfortably in the
this to be written in the long-ago t6 9uSeb
the prophets, saying, For the bed is
seq tel = than that man can stretch him
that he can wrap himself in it, CIsaiah
xviii; 20), II in connection with this
which we have nobler Conceptions than
i mag our RI forsfathers Of the rights of man
rejoicing. Even though the transition has
peen accompanied by a great falling away
INTO INTO HlgheroC Criticism, Infidelity, Evolu-
are IN many respects preferable to the
blindness and bigotry. Happy are we, |
standing being opened, our hearts are led
to a closer walk with God. a more care |
ful and prayerful study of his Word, and
to subsequent growth in grace and in
the fruits OF the holy Spirit.
Do some inquire for clearer specifica-
ton respecting the features of the creeds |
put upon the shelf, which we think should |
E pc no longer cared for but allowed to
good features in all Of our creeds-truths |
which will never fail. But with these
as the F, Proyerb says, Dead Dead, flies THAT
cause the T 9lntn ss to stink eEeclesias-
ment in Gods Word. 1t is indeed the /
balm of Gilead'' and pure-without the
all want, whatsoever our UNCONVENTIONAL |
name, and the. sooner we get it the better
brethren whom we love to serve
give an illustration: Those of us who
some Of the precious Scripture teachings
SO long revered, but we want to cast out
which teaches an6 t6a1 ali t 5e poSs
through the elect are to be everlasting
ly tormented. Those of who are Ar
Ininian in doctrine have much that is
precious. but need also to east away from
US the thought that our loving Heavenly
Father is merely good-intentioned and
lacks the power, the ability. to make his
benevolent desires effective towards any
except a small handful of humanity. Our
Disciple friends should cast aside the
thought contained in their teachings that
only the water-imznersed experience for
giveness of sins and reconciliation to God
and salvation from eternal torment.
Similarly those of us who are Baptists,
while holding to the precious truths which
so long have comforted and strengthened
us, should insist now on casting away as |
unscriptural and irrational the thought
that has long perplexed us. namely, thati
no others than the water-immersed could
be members of the Church of Christ,
heirs of glory, and be saved from dam
nation. Once we get these absurdities re,
moved, not only from our heads and
hearts but also from our professions, we
shall be ready and anxious to have the
doctrines of Christ on these subjects.
Then we viii search the Word and have
Gods blessing in finding its harmonies-
He that seeketh findeth; and to him that
knocketh it shall be opened (MattheW
vii. 81. But so long we hold to the
faIlacies how can we seek or pray for or