Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-04-15

which the eepouSed of the LORD be.
comes affiliated with and joined TO the
world-thus the Church of Rome be-
came affiliated with or united to the
civil government of Rome; and when
the Roman Empire went to pieces the
Papal Church entered into covenant re-
lationship with various divisions OF
the civil government: and some Of
these paramours she still has. while
others have left her. France Is gone,
Portugal also. and Italy. Spain Is
moody: Austro- Hungary Is her chief
reliance at the present time. She Is
well treated in America. but not joined
TO the American Government. She IL
we'll entertained and given every lib
erty in Germany and by many In
Great Britain. but these countries are
not her paramours.
Like Mother. Like Daughters"
The Greek Church Is Joined to the
Russian Government: the Church Of
England to the British Government.
The Lutheran Church Is married to
several European governments. 9th
crs of our Protestant Churches. having
no opportunity for utilization with
earthly governments. have become unit
ed 10 worldly systems. worldly organ
izations of their own. In which, as n
rule. wealth. mammon. sits at the head
Of the table Like mother. like daugh-
tiers" Is an old saying. Instend OF
charging this whole matter upon 9th
ers. let us each recognize and take 10
heart our own share. for which we
are responsible.
AS the doctrinal errors which caused
our divisions gradually developed dur
Ing long period of darkness. so our
DEVELOPMENT along the lines of spirit
ual harlotry were gradual. II Is not
for us to quarrel with the facts. which
are undeniabe. but to sincerely re-
pent of the wrong condition and re-
nounee II. Coming back TO the one
faith. we should come back also to the
one Lord. So doing lie will graciously
receive us and thenceforth His name
alone will be quite sufficient. We will
no longer need to style ourselves Ro-
man Christians. English Christians,
Lutheran Christians. Calvinistic Chris
tians-but all such names will be abb
horrcd MS reminders of the unfaithful-
ness which we now deplore. AS the
name Christian was sufficient for the
early Church II Is sufficient today for
nrstt clad 20, nj a n6An nf
the past and to come together rs the
one Church of the Living God"
As for the one baptism, let us concede
what the Scriptures claim and declare,
namely. that the water immersion Is
merely symbol or picture of the
burial of the mdiriduaFs ,ciH and inter-
ests in death like unto and In fellow
ship with our Lords self-renounce-
ment. even unto death. Thus all of the
consecrated. of whatever denomina-
ton. can be recognized as members Of
the one true Church If they are dead
with Christ 10 the world. its hopes and
aims buried with Him by baptism into
His death. which death TO the flesh (ac'
cepted by the Father constitutes us
members of the one Body of Christ.
the true Church. II thus baptized into
His death, we shall share also in His
resurrection. says the Apostle Qiomans
vi, 4. 81.
The Church In the Wilderness.
Is 1t asked. Where has the true
Church been during all the eighteen
centuries since the Apostles died? We
answer that the Scriptures picture her
ms going into the wilderness condition.
out of public view, for twelve hundred
and sixty years of this time. As pride.
pomp, arrogance and error came into
prominence. meekness, gentleness. love.
simplicity. gradually retired. Through
the long period OF the dark ages" no
history OF the true Church was written.
Just as no such history or record OF her
can be written today.
Since none of the various denomina.
the history Of none Of these gives her
history. As her members are Scrip
turally declared TO contain not many
wise. not many learned. therefore
scattered amongst all the various
creeds and churches. and some outside
of them all. the cspoused. chaste 'vir-
gin" of the Lord Is not prominent
feature in Church affairs and is Who'll
IS unknown TO the world. Indeed,
these. while In the world. are not of
II aud usually are disesteemed. AS the
Master said. Marvel not il the world
hate YOU Ye know that II hated Me
before IL hated you II ye were of the
world. the world would love its own
Il John iii. 80; John Ky. Is. lJ.
II. then. the spirit-begotten ones con
stituting the Lords bctrothed virgin
Church. are few. and II that few be
scattered amongst the -four hundred
millions nominally styled Christendum,
II follows that they are greatly In the
minority and could have comparatively
little influence today even II they were
ever SO determined and energetic The
masses and classes rule. Wealth. learn.
ing. earthly interests and earthly pow
a, no hottnr uIaucad with urpsant ron.