The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-09-05

OF COD, on this earth, when
what is usually regarded as
His Kingdom had within it as much
OF the wisdom and wealth of the
world as it now has. Many of those
who are it's members, own millions
of dollars. Many of them are among
the most thoroughly educated peo-
pie of the age. Wealth and intel
lectual cultivation, with the power
and influence that go with these
things are in the hands of the peo-
do not hesitate to say that at no
pie "of the Kingdom" And, yet
time within the last two centuries
has the cause of God, as represented
by the churches, been as weak as it
is at the present time. 1t is not my
purpose in this communication to
try to belittle the churches or the
work they are doing. Just about all
OF the progress that has ever been
made by mankind has been made in
the light of Gods blessed word,
(and the truth for which it stands,
in the hands of His people Without
it this world would be dark inde,
But while the above is true, and
while admitting all that can be
claimed for it as force for good,
: it is still true that it is not lighting
the world as it ought. 1t is evident
to the Bible read, informed Chris
tian, that it is weakest in that in
which it ought to be strongest.
That is, as spiritual power, vigi-
liant and active in it's mission, and
earnest in it's labors for the disin-
thrallment from sin, and the saliva
ton, Of lost world. It's mission
is spiritual, and in order to the ac-
complishment of it's task, it's power
must be spiritual also That it
reaches farther, and proposes to help
in the alienation of sufferings and
sorrows that are temporal, is adj
mitted, but this is incidental It's
Christ. "Not by might nor by pow
er, but by My Spirit. saith The
Lord From some cause the
churches seem to have gotten the
idea that our work is to reform the
world. This idea is Of the world
and came from the world. Those
who are brought into the churches
with this in view are in deplorable
condition. They are not only de-
ceiving others as to their relation
to God but they are, them
selves, deceived. They are re-
formed. They are in the church
They cannot 'fall from grace"
therefore they are safe. They I'M
derstand Alright the principle Of
eternal truth, that the saved man
cannot fall, put they are blind to
the fact that an unsaved soul may
fall out of the church into hell.
They are begged to come in. In
some instances they are pushed into
the church. Yes, sir. Pushed into
Baptist churches. 1 have seen it,,
myself. l firmly believe that there
are thousands who have been gath
cred into our churches who know
nothing of the saving efficacy of
atoning blood or of the Quickening
power of Gods Spirit. They are of
the world and their lives are on
level with it. Things that are spiri-
tual are unknown to them and have
no meaning or attraction for minds
that are not spiritual, but carnal.
Can we be surprised at tne evident
lack of power on the part of
churches that are burdened with
such a membership? Talk to- such
people about righteousness, joy
and peace in the Holy Spirit" They
know as little of these things as
does the vilest sinner in all the
land.
A church with such membership
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