Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-10-05

Ephesians. Philippians and Colossians.
and possibly Hebrews. with their great
doctrinal discussions on the person
and work OF the Redeemer: the Epis-
ties to the Corinthians. together with
the pastoral Epistles TO Timothy and
Titus pregnant with their teaching re-
garding the church: the Thessalonians
with their comforting doctrine OF the
future life OF blessedness for the saints
ALI these books which have been the
cause. inspiration and power OF the
finest moral achievements OF the ages;
the truths revealed In these books
which have been courage 10 the living
and strength TO the dying. these writ.
ings are not 10 be depended upon. they
are not what they profess TO BET they
are vain. empty. delusive. IL this cred
lble? But this Is the result OF deny
ing the resurrection OF Jesus Christ
II God. who supposedly spoke through
the writer's OF both the Old and New
Testaments Ia party TO false wit.
ness; II the apostles themselves have
been party TO this false witness
then, also. We have no Bible at all;
We have no revelation Of the mind and
will OF God
2. Christianity Is Barren In its Re.
suits.
(a) "Ye are yet In your sins"
II is here acknowledged that Christ
alone can save from sins. but II he
could not save himself from SINS pow
err. how con he save the sons OF men
from its guilt and dominion? Christ
himself distinctly taught that his death
had redemptive value. and that his res
direction from the dead would be proof
positive OF this fact. The apostle Paul,
also. says that Christ died for ouI
sins, and was raised again for our JUS.
LITIGATION" from. 4:25). But II Christ
himself is still under the power OF
death. which IL the wages Of sin. how
then can he release others from the
payment OF that debt? Then his death
had no redemptive value. II Christ re-
manned In the grave. then humanity
has no redcemer. man has no Saviour;
the guilt and power OF sin has not been
ncrs are not justified. the SHINING and
sinful race is still under the guilt and
condemnation OF sin and exposed 70
the just wrath OF a righteous God
against sin and sinners. Then free
dom from condemnation Is unreal. the
sense OF forgiveness is sham. and the
consciousness OF pardon for sin Is the
greatest delusion. Then Christ's death
has wrought only imaginary changes
and deluded It's most faithful adher
ents.
OBJ Then Christianity has no incen
tive power TO life Of self-dcnial and
godliness. II has no power for immor
ality
And II Christ hath not been raised
then they also that are falieE
asleep in Christ have persisted" This
is not an appeal TO mere sentiment
but statement with regard to a mosi
narrowing fact. The care OF the Cor
inthians for their dead was character
ized by the greatest tenderness. The,
had laid their loved ones. small ant
great, big and little. beneath th'
ground with the hope of meeting then
again In the world beyond. Indeed
those who had fallen asleep In Chris
had themselves cherished this hope o.
glorious Immortality. They had sur
rendered all 10 Christ In this life thai
they might have communion with hin
here. and fellowship with him In thu
life TO come They had lived as Pill
grims and strangers: they had denied
themselves to feshly lusts and world
ly pleasures: they had not resigned
themselves 10 the dreams of earthl,
Joys as others. nor had they giveI
themselves over TO the enjoyment o.
sinful pleasures: they had not bowel
the knee 20 the god OF this world FOL
riches or earthly emolument; they had
borne life's load uncomplainingly. and
had endured all manner OF suffering
for righteousness sake; they had lives
sacrincial lives-nnd all this In happ!
expectation Of glorious awakening II
. future life OF bliss. But. ah. wha
fools they had been: for II Christ b,
not risen. they persisted nj the mo
ment they died: when the spirit lef
the body they ceased 10 be. they sui
fered dead loss"