The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-01-14


trial. another judgment, to determine
afresh and individually the worthiness
or unwOrthineSS Of each to have eter-
nal life. But why should this fact
make any difference to the world in
the present life? Why did not God
wait until the Millennial Age and give
them all a surprise? Why did he send
them the message of his love and a
revelation of this knowledge of his
future dealings? Did he not know
what the past eighteen centuries has
proven. namely. that few Of mankind
would have the hearing ear" and
that fewer still. after hearing, would
so love righteousness and so hate in
EQUITY. as to sacrifice the interests Of
the present life by espousing the Cos
pei message. repenting of sin. and
seeking to live a sanity life, in op-
position to all unrghteOusness?
Yes. we answer. it is written,
"Known unto God are all his works
from the beginning Of the world (Acts
XIV, 49,. God surely knew that the
message of his grace would generally
fall upon ears that were dull Of hear
ing. That we might know this he
caused it to be written in the prophe-
cies in advance, that few would have
the hearing ear for his message of love
and mercy. Why. then. did he send
the message? We answer that there
were two reasons for his SO doing.
ID He intended that witness should
be given so that those comprehending
would have an incentive to reforma-
ton of life. He wished all to know
that their responsibility in life would
be proportionate to their knowledge of
this fact of redemption. This princi-
pie is stated in the Scriptures by our
Lord. He declares that he who knew
not and was disobedient would be pun
ished with fewer stripes and lighter
punishment for his transgressions,
while those who knew better and sin
ned with elaboration would be pun
ished with many stripes-in that Mil
lennial day.
(2) Another reason for the promulga-
ton of this good tidings Of the Millen-
NAL Day Of the Lords Judgment is
that God wishes to use this message
as a primary lesson to do primary
work of instruction for a special class
of select" characters, whom he is seek
ing in the present time before the in
auguration Of the Mediatorial King
dom. He calls these his Jewels" the
Bride Of Christ" his members"
This class is specially called out of the
world now. in advance of the Millen-
mum. that they may eventually be
Gods Royal Priesthood. or priestly
kings, in association with their Re-
deemer. These, according to the Scrip
lures. are to be associate judges of the
world with Christ. st. Paul asks,
"Know We not that the saints shall
judge the Vorld?" q Corinthians vi. q,
We do know it, thank God. And we
know that they will be thoroughly
competent for that work. Their eXpe-
riences in the present life. in battling
the devil and coming off conquerors
through the assistance Of the great
High Priest, will make them compe-
tent judges of the world; competent
priests to assist and to bless the world ;
competent under-priests to govern the
world from the Spirit plane.
Building Up Yourselves"
To this special class 1 particularly
address myself. / am glad to warn all
men everywhere to repent, and glad
also to give them the good reason why
they should repent-to tell them of
Gods appointed time, the Millennial
Epoch. in which all shall have a full
opportunity Of gaining eternal life
through Christ. l am glad to assure
them that every endeavor for right
eousness put forth now will bring
large returns Of character development
and better position then. I warn them
that every wilful transgressiOn, all
wilful ignorance, will react upon them
to their disadvantage and make for
shame and lasting contempt on their
part, under the glorious sunlight Of
that Millennial day. 1t will search out
and expose to all humanity their weak
nesses, their sins, to the extent that
these have been accepted or approved
or have not been resisted.
But as l said before. trust that
amongst the ten million readers reached
by my sermons every week there are
some who are of the sanity class.
"called. chosen and faithfuP'-some Of
this jewel class. whose Judgment or
trial is in DrOoreSS now | trust that
these are striving with might and
main to make their calling and cleo
ton sure through faith in the Redeem
ers sacrifice and obedience to his Law
Of the Spirit of life-the Law of Love.
Now is our judgment day, our day of
testing or trial We will not stand or
fall as congregations and denomina
tons or lodges or societies. Our test
ing is an individual one and nothing
short of loyalty of heart to the Lord,
to his Truth and to the brethren. will
make us as the Lords jewels. "heirs
of God. and joint-heirs with Christ
our Lord; if so be that we suffer with
him. that we may be also glorified to-
gether" (Romans viii. 10. Such have
my special sympathy. my special en-
deavors. my special love and my spe-
cial prayers. And the prayers of all
such / solicit on my part that l may
continue faithful to the end of the
iOllrnoy and with Won all hear the