The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-10-29
PEOPLES FORUM
Defends Pastor Russell.

Editor Richmond vfrginian,--we as read
efs OF your paper, and as elders OF the Ecclesfa
al Richmond, Va, and gladly acknowledge
Mr. Charles 4. Russell as our regular elected
honorary pastor, kindly ask that you permit us
space In your paper to reply to an article ap,
pearlng in your issue Of October 2Sth, headed
Pastor Russelis Doctrine Scored, and therein
quoting from sermon delivered by the Rev
DR.. B. Lacy Hoge at East End Baptist church
charging the doctrine OF Pastor Russell not
only unscriptural. but dangerous"
Surely this brother must be misinforIned: ne
must be totally ignorant OF Pastor Husseils
doctrine and teachings, or else Dr. Hoxes
charges both unkind and unchristianlike
Permit us to set forth in short, concise eat
comprehensive manner just what Pastor Rus
sell teaches and what We believe. nothing more
nothing less. and II there is anything IN inns
that Is either unscriptural or dangerous We
would be glad to know it, and all the members
of the International Bible Students Assoefa-
ton of Richmond and elsewhere would be giad
the danger of a doctrine which we nereinah.e'
set forth:
To Us the Scriptures Clearly Teach.
That the Church is 'the Temple of the Lily
ing God --peculiariy His workmanship; that
It's construction has been in progress through
OUT the gospel age-ever since Christ became
the world redeemer and the chief corner
stone of His temple, through which, when
finished Gods blessings shall come ito the
people, and they find access to Him. Cor.
s1s. II: Eph 22o-22 Gen. 2s:14 Gal s:2s.
That meantime the chiseling, shaping and
polishing of consecrated believers in Christs
atonement for sin progresses, and when the
last Of these diving stones" elect and precious.
shall have been made ready. the great master
workman will bring all together in the hrst
resurrection and the temple shall be filled with
His glory, and be the meeting place between
God and men throughout the Messtanic reign.
Rev. 1858.
That the basis of hope. for the Christ and
the world lies In the fact that Jesus Christ.
by the grace of God. tasted death for every
man. that He gave himself ransom for all.
and will be the true light which iighteth every
man that. cometh into the world In due tlme'
Heb. 2:s; John 1:s; Tim. 2:e-S.
az tha 81
may be like her Lord. "see Him as He is be
'partaker OF the divine nature and share
His glory as His joint heir John SO: john
1874; Rom Sill; Pet ia
That the present mission OF the Church is
the perfecting of the saints for the future
work Of service to develop in herself every
to prepare to be kings and priests In the next
age-Eph. A;12; Matt. 24:14. Rev. 1:6, 2o:e.
That the hope for the world lies in the bless
ings, OF knowledge and opportunity to be
brought TO all by the Messianic kingdom--the
restitution of all that lost In Adam. to ali
the willing and obedient at the hands of their
redeemer and His glorifed Church-when all
the wilfuiy wicked Will be destroyed-Ac'
3:19-23: lisa. IS.
We meet regularly 70 worship God and His
dear Son with other Bible students for the
study OF Gods word regardless of creedal limi
tations. We Joyfully recognize all who claim
% he members of "the Church OF the living
God, and who profess faith in Christ's
ieeming sacrifice. and fun conservation to
Heath with Uim-wheiher in out OF earthly
sects or parties. for surely We have not sum
cient wisdom to discriminate among the four
hundred and forty religious sects and parties
in the United States to say nothing OF the
world at large.
With Christian love:
E. e. NUNNALLY
NJ l. STAPLES
+ r. G: BRfSTOw
". Il. SUTTON,
ROBT. L. SMITH,
II. G.. DAVIS.
Elders OF the Eeclesa at Richmond. Va.
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