The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-08

Age. Consequently none should mis-
understand the visit to heather lands
to imply any expectation on his part
that the heathens must be converted
before this Age will end. That such
would be an impossibility is shown by
the government statistics to the effect
that the numbers of heathen have dou.
bled during the past century.
What he does expect is. that as there
are a few of Gods very elect" in all
denominations of Christendom. now to
be garnered. so also there are a few
sanity ones amongst the heather who
have accepted Christ-including some
of the missionaries The harvest
must cover as wide an area as did the
sowing of the Gospel seed. To some
extent the message Of the Kingdom
has been preached amongst all ma
tons. The Bible is the special procla-
nation of Messiah's Kingdom as the
hope of the world. and contains the
''calI'' of the Church to ioint-heirship
with her Lord in that Kingdom. which
will bless the world.
The essence Of this Kingdom mes
sage. however. has been somewhat
confused by reason Of the many false
notions set forth in our numerous false
rreeds Of the past In his discourses
IN heather lands the Pastor intends to
lay stress upon the Kingdom feature
of the Gospel message. While it will
We his privilege to proclaim the King
dom message. he recognizes that only
those who have the ''ear to hear" will
be able to appreciate and receive 1t.
His message is one Of the Bible. to
which all Christians may rally. if they
are rid of UNCONVENTIONAL ties: THE
Church of the First-born. whose names
are written in heaven" and whose
Harvest time has come. are the Lords
wholly irrespective Of the denomina-
lions with which they are affiliated.
"Harvest Past, Summer Ended"
The text points out lesson. Not
all who have professed to be followers
of Christ will be amongst the blessed
transported by the First Resurrection
to glory. honor and immortality as their
reward The words of Jesus here cited
in corroboration of this are: Many
shall say unto Me in that day. Lord.
Lord. have we not taught many, and
in Thy name cast out devils. and done
many wonderful works. Many who
thus hope will be disappointed-will be
shut out of the Kingdom class.
Another Of the Redeemer's parallels.
the Pastor said. pictures the conse-
Grated saints of God in this harvest
time as virgins" But some were wise
and some foolish. The masses of man
kind. yea. the masses Of Christendom,
are omitted from this parabolic picture.
Only the virgin class is dealt with
at all, and it is divided into two parts.
and only the wise. the faithful. more
than conQuerors." will have the honor
of entering into the wedding with the
Bridegroom and becoming the Bride
the Lambs Wife," Then the door will
be shut. No more will ever enter that
door. No more will ever be added to
the Bride company-the number OF the
ELECT" will have been completed.
The parable shows that. later on.
the foolish virgins pass through
great tribulation and obtain the oil
and the light which they should have
had before. But it will then be too
late to become of the Bride. They will
knock, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto
usv' but the Bridegroom will declare.
Il do not recognize YOU" as members
of My Bride. However. the Scriptures
show us that these foolish virgins"
passing through great time Of tribu-
lation. will be called to 1.-The marriage
supper of the Lamb" and be present
before the great King as the virgins.
the Brides companions. and subordi-
nate hefpers.-Psalm vi, 1916.
One lesson, said the Pastor. is that it
is not sufficient that we say, Lord.
we publicly proclaim our
selves Christians-nor is it sufficient
that we be engaged in good works.
casting out demons and healing the
sick and teaching the people. These
things in their way are good, but God
has His own test as respects those
who shall be accepted as members OF
the Bride. the Lambs Wife" ODE
dience to the Word and Spirit of the
Lord. loyalty to the Master and to all
His followers. faithfnlness to His lead
ings, through evil report and through
good report, will be required.
The greatest work Of which any of
Christ's followers are capable is the
of self-the development
Of the fruits and graces of the holy
Spirit. Our privilege of being cola
borers with the Master in the procla-
nation of His Message is not granted
because He needs us. but because we
need the opportunities thus afforded
for the development of His character.
likeness in our hearts.
81 Never Knew You."
Our Lord implies great number of
followers devoid Of His Spirit,
who in the end of this Age would not
be bringing forth the fruitage that He
desires. who would not be members Of
His called and chosen and faithful
class. though outwardly. nominally. all
Of these. He points down to our day.
saying. lin that day"-in the closing
Of this Age. in the testing time. in the
time when He shall come TO make nm