The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-12-26

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M aS 1t pleased God by
85s sssgg S the foolishness of
4 ~ preaching to save
as ~ them that believe
i Corinthians i.
81. Pastor Russell
said that there is a
}@&&4&8l8S@8s4 &&S wide difference be
RASl0& RUSStLLJl tween FOOLS h
preaching and the
fOOishneSs OF preaching" In the
Church. the Gospel has the right of
way. If some claim that people no
longer attend Divine service, there are
three reasons why they will not
a. During the Dark Ages the Church
lost the Gospel. and few Christians
have recovered it, Gospel signifies
g1od tidings. q message ~ joy; but the
message handed down from the Dark
Ages has been bad tidinGs Of great
misery for nearly all mankind No
wonder the majority reject this hOrri
bic presentation of the creeds. Man
kind have trials enough in the present
life, and need encouragement to hope
for better things hereafter.
co. Responding to the growth of in
telhgence. ministers have ceased to
preach eternal misery for all but the
very elect" Nearly all ministers lost
in the theological Semna"ies their
faith in the Bible as the inspired Word
of God. and accepted the findings of
unbelef-IIigher Criticism. SO they
preach those things which they ought
not to preach. ana leave unpreachcd
those things which they ought to
preach How can such ministers avoid
foolish preaching"
CD Having undermined faith in the
Bible. these ministers mix their higher
critical, evolutionary views with di-
lutcd morality, and serve this instead
Of the Gospel Whoever thinks such
preaching will convert from sin and
unbelief to faith in God is deceived
The Gospel Of Christ is glad tidings.
Jesus died to bring mankind into har
muny with God. Nothing is said about
I an eternity Of torture at the hands of
frc-proot demonstrating to discredit
the Wisdom, Justice. Love and Power
Of God. Ii acknowledges that man
kind are under q just penalty-death,
but sets before them n glorious hope
of Il coming time when the curse Of
! doath will I've removed According 20
the Scriptures Il New Day is dawn
ing d glorious prospect for all desiring
to come into harmony with God, but
! stripes upon wilful sinrers.
The True Gospel includes the Mes
sage that during this Age God is Sc
lecting a Church. to be joint-heirs with
our Lord III the honorable work Of
blessing ali the families Of the earth.
The number who attain this position is
a Little Flock. TO whom it is the
Fathers good pleasure to give the King
| dom
Is Gospel Preaching Logical?
Pastor Russell said that st. Pau! re
fers to preaching the Gospol IS foot
ishness," not in his own estimation
but in that of the worldty-wise. Thai
a man of Jesus ability should o
about With a few disciples, performing
some miracles 3nd inviting chiefly tn
poor to follow Him, seems foolish t
the world. They ask, Why did He no
make friends with Scribes, Pharisce
ana Doctors Of the Jaw, whose infuenc
Win the people w mld have counted?
III reply he as ed. If 0ur Lord ha
zone thus who would have crdcifie
linn: How V aald Gods Plan hay
been carried t3t? II Is we'll for IL
MorIu that Jesus did not follow II
suSTqS'iohS OF worldly wisdom. TruI
t the w isu' IN Of Cod is tooHshness Wi
foo,inh ID, even as worldly wisdom
fass win God.
foa,. Dlthe worlds standpoint, it seer
I'll Ish for God to invite any to ser
.eo -fdr an an-powerful God to
rs4t where He could compel obe'
eYse. Earthly kings enforce tn
i1ommands; in fact, every one eAecu'
his own will The Bible explains no
4 ever, that God seeks those to WORST
] Him who do so in spirit and ID tru
q Therefore these must be given OPP
p mnitv TO disobey, if they choose 10
4 so; and prosecutions. trihulauohs
u attacks from the world, the neSh Z
81 the Devil are permitted to test theh
y All of Gods people are ordained
4 preach. The besettinG influence OF
u Holy Spirit is the only ordination l
R essary. and without it no one mas
" vine authority TO preach. Gods Is
e makes no division OF His people
= clergy and laity. Let us declare H'
R message in its purity and slmphc
" Let US not be disappointed that
e worldly.wise consider it fooIlshn
~ and that it brings odium, as 1t dld Il
q the Lord and His Apostles.
~ God will find the 'pecdllar PEG
n whom he seeks As Messiah's ass
~ ates they will declare the decree
e mankind shall be brought to a KIN
AZ 4dge of the Truth. the incorrieloie
81 atroved. and every knee bow ana e
a In