The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-25

erentiy subjeet to the known mind of Christ
Ing to his mind and will. they will accept II.
promptly and heartily. To superstitious or
what have to say will not count for anything,
put ! humbly hope 1t may be of some service
II the Christian ministers of Richmond re-
gard themselves merely leading men of the
world. 1t is consistent for them to busy them
thoughts. If they actually are just a group
OF teachers and leaders Of the world. it is as
to use mans wisdom.
They do not however, unreservedly accept
Ether ney ne speak asar h has
this office. or they have not. 'Ofiice" is am
biguous 1t may mean authorized rank. or 1t
may mean simply use function. IL the for,
mer of these things is meant the credentials
of each minister are doubt perfect, so far
az his particular religious organization is
this gives him in the whole body OF Christ
and in the sight of God, Is another question
entirely.
As to prophecy. however. that is a gift of
the spirit of God, and one to be earnestly covet-
needing no human credentials. and is no doubt
sometimes possessed along with man-made Of
flee In the old dispensation there
prophets: false prophets. and prophets not
exactly false. yet led away into doing foolish
things. with grievous results. Now. true
prophet of the Lord, in day. must evil
IDENTITY be who knows, and who expresses.
the mind of the Lord. and not the mere deduc-
tons of human wisdom for the fact that Gods
thoughts are not our thoughts. is the very
reason why prophecy is necessary, We are
expressly told however, that the utterances
of prophets are to be judged by the hearers
(I Cor. xiv. 29). In other words. the in
junction. Prove all things; hold fast that which
is good. applies even to what prophets say.
Gods people possess means of testing prophe
swings, and they are responsible to make such
tests
1t is thing to accept statement be-
cause 1t hatters pleases us. and quite another
to feel assured that it Is divinely true. In
case like the present. 1t is we'll not to trfe.
or rely too implicitly upon prevalent opinion.
Tho statement of the ministers is certain to
lie viewed as implying much more than 1t
actually says. for it is cautiously worded Even
1t stands it would scarcely have received the
approval of that great minister who resolved
and him crucihed." Its manifest drift and
practical force are what concern us. however.
which are more or less clearly held by many
perEons. Three Of these assumed but unproven
purpose to expel evil from the world by means
of human agencies now in operation 90 the
| gospel. which is the power of God unto saliva
ton to every one that believeth Is intended TO
be mingled with carnal wisdom and politics.
thus fighting the Prince of this world with his
own weapons t3) This present evil world is
a proper object for the thoughts and affec-
tons of people who have received and VINO
profess the heavenly gospel
These three propositions either true or
false. Which?
There is no use in appealing vaguely to dis
connected passages of Scripture. Indeed. there
are not few people. some OF them IN pull
pits. for whom sort of appeal to scripture
Is of any practical force, Tor tney 90 hot sho"
any intention to be corrected by It or TO sub
nit it. That men Of this sort in the pulpit
are impostors Is reasonably clear. but this
need not be discussed here. To Christians,
however, who feel the Importance of avoiding
error in regard to the questions here raised.
beg to recommend quiet. careful reading OF
the following passages. After this, let each
conscientiousiy draw his her own conelu-
sions -,
% Matthew xxiv.: Luke, Xxi john KY.
especially verse II. !. Thessalonians, y. l-li;
H. Thessalonians. H.. liz; /. Timothy, w., ~.
H. Timothy. ILL.,. 1-14: iv, IA; ii. Peter III;
Jude 1921: Revelation. ill.,. lag; XIII. lo-l1-
as Romans, l., 16: l. Corinthians. l., l7--s;
II. / ,. 1910: H.. 1920; II. Corinthians X
SIS; Galatians. l.. S-12 ILL. Ia; coloss'Ans' i''
is. -, = TT
Cs) John. xv. Is, 49, Romans. Xii' IL; u u.
Corinthians, 14-1s; philippians. M
10; l. John H., 4-H. - ~" ~
March 10. 1912.