, 1912-01-11

fnce appeared satisfied that the true
Church had been properly located. The
audience, so far as could be ascertain.
ca was composed of tr%uth-hungry PEG
pie or all denominations. Undoubted-
iy the question discussed has beer a
vital n for centuries. Some claim
that never before had an answer been
given satisfactory to Christians OF all
denominations. His text was, THE
Church of the ~tirst-borns, whose names
are written in heaven."-Heb. xii, %.
Numerous Scriptures were cited in
proof of the speakers contention that
the Lord Jesus and the Apostles never
organized any but the one Church, and
the histories of the various denomina-
tons were referred to as proving that
nearly all ~present-day Christian denom-
nations were ~DOn-eXistent a thousand
years ago and hence none of these de
nominations could have beer the one
referred TO by The Apostle as the
Church of the Living God."--i limo
thy iii. Is.
Fol a time, said b speaker. each Of
the various denominations in turn pro-
tested against other teachings and
claimed to be the one Church OF Chris
which had been for centuries lost sight
of At one time these various denomi.
nations fought each other, prosecuted
each other Eel unto death. each claim.
ing that the other was a false Church
and that itself was the true one. More
recently. however, the Christian mind
has broadened and deepened until now
we clearly see that God has sanity
people in practically all denominations.
The One Catholic Church
Pastor Russell freely admitted that
the Roman Catholic Church could
prove her existence long centuries be-
fore her sister and daughter organiZa-
tons, but he disputed. nevertheless,
that the Church of Rome could prove
her identity with the Apostolic Church
of the first century. On the contrary.
many of the teachings of the Church
of Rome differ radically from those of
the Church of Jerusalem. represented
by the Apostles and their New Tesla
ment writings. And as for the cere-
monials. usages. customs. etc. no n
at all familiar with the two could sup
pose them to have even a close rela-
tionship.
The only conclusion we reach con-
sistent with the above facts is this:
That the original Church which Jesus
and His Apostles founded was a cath
Ollie one-thnt is to say. a general or
universal Church. and not a Church of
Rome. n Church of England. a Church
of Sweden. a Church of. Germany. nor
a Greek Church. but a universal
Church-a catholic or general Church.
Professionals in general recognize this
and hence In their confessions gener-
ally claim to be The Holy Catholic
(universaD Church"
The fact. however, is that none or
these churches (Roman. English, Bap-
list, Presbyterian. etc., Is catholic or
general. because none OF them In
cludes all of Gods people. To admit
that any one of these religious bodies
is the catholic or general Church OF
Christ would be to admit that 1t In
cludes all persons recognized by the
Lord as being members of His Church
We cannot. therefore. admit that the
term catholic belongs to any of these
denominations. not even the Roman
Catholic. The catholic Church OF
Christine II which includes all who
are truly His-is not q human organi-
cation, and Its role or rostra Is not
kept on earth. To 1t alone apply the
Apostles words-"The Church of the
First-borns, whose names are written
I'm heaven
"Household Of Faith"
This family of God. begotten OF the
Holy Spirit, are one with Him In
Spirit, in purpose, in intention. They
have the Faith once delivered unto
the saints'-faith in the Father, faith
i'm the Lord Jesus as His Son, mans
Redeemer: faith in the Holy Spirit OF
begetting, faith in the exceeding great
and precious promises of glorious
things to come. and they have the
one baptism into the Body OF Christ
which is the Church. Some OF them
may have seen and may have obeyed
the proper symbol of this one baptism,
while others may not. But all these
recognize the rue baptism and all par
dcipated therein-baptism into Christs
death-Romans vi, 3;
If we so see, ct us strive to attain
membership in the true Church. The
steps are:
az Faith
(2) Obedience to the invitation to
self-sacrifce.
(3l The carrying out Of that sacri-
fce day by day. faithfully. unto death.
az A share in the resurrection
change to glory, honor. immortality.
Let us. then, lay aside every weight
and every besetting sin and run with
patience this race and secure our full
membership In the Church beyond the