The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-07-14

and sets aside entirely the Savior and
His important work as Advocate for
the Church in the present, and as Medf-
ator elect for the world in the future.
Wrong Views Respecting Prayer.
Nearly all Christian people, In the
past have discerned the subject OF
prayer very indistinctly. Sinners have
been urged to pray: moralists, who
have never accepted Christ as their
Savior. have been chided for not pray
ing. In a general way the impression
has been given to the world that God
Is very anxious to have some recogni-
ton on the part Of humanity. and will
be glad to he approached by anybody
at any time. How strange a mistakei
Was 1t not God who denounced sin
and placed the penalty. or curse, OF
death upon the sinner, and cut or the
sinner from fellowship with. Himself?
Has He changed? Will He ever
change? Was not the statement that
God heareth not sinners" a correct
One!-JOnn S.5l.
The Church Has an Advocate.
Gods arrangement whereby His con.
secrated people may approach Him ac-
ceptably is clearly stated I'VE 1.-THE
Royal Priesthood have an Advocate
with the Father, Jesus Christ the
Righteous" q John 2:l.) But before
the Redeemer of men will become the
Advocate for any, certain terms and
conditions are laid down. Those ap-
preaching are first Of oil reminded
that mo man cometh unto the Father
but by Me'-the Advocate. And upon
inquirIng respecting the terms upon
which He would be their Advocate. We
are admonished that He serves only
those who become His disciples. In.
qulring the terms Of discipleship, We
receive the answer. "If any man will
come after Me. let him deny himself.
and take up his cross, and follow Me-"
Matthew 16: "a.
Under these conditions the poorest
and the meanest Of humanity have
the privilege OF approaching with cour-
age the Throne of Heavenly Grace to
obtain mercy, and to find grace to
help In every time Of need. Hebrews
4:lG} But equally certain Is 1t that
none others have access to God. Mel
Their Is there any other name given
under Heaven or amongst men where
| IN,,. OF hn .,ounIs falInn
condition. than the name of Jesus.
Perhaps there is something revolu-
tionary In this thought that, while all
may worship In the sense Of bowling
down and showing reverence to the
Almighty, none but the consecrated
followers of Jesus have any assurance
whatever OF the Divine supervision Of
their affairs. And none but these have
any authority for. coming to God In
prayer.
One exception to this rule should be
here stated: namely, that the children
OF consecrated believers, while they
are still immature Of judgment, have n
standing with God through their rela-
tionship TO their parents. st. Paul
makes this very evident In his declnra-
ton: 1.-The unbelieving husband is
saRctifled by the wife, and the unbe-
lierinG wife is sanctified by the hus-
band. else were your children unclenn.
but now are they holy."-1 Cor. ia.
The translation or this text slightly
beclouds the Apostles thought, which
Is that where either Of the parents
has become n disciple Of Jesus. the
child stands related TO God, regardless
of the standing Of the other parent
Such children pay participate in wor
ship and In prayer But this relation.
ship manifesily terminates shortly aft-
er the child shall have come to per-
sonal knowledge Of its responsible
ties. Thereupon 1t must make per-
sonal covenant with the Lord. or have
its standing with the rest of the world.
And that standing, be 1t remember
ed. does not mean liability to eternal
torment. 1t merely means alienation.
separation, from God and from His
special care and providences In the
present time; for the Divine arrange
ment is for the ultimate blessing Of
mankind through the Messianic King
dom-through the Temple Of Glory and
its Royal Priesthood glorified. in Its
Kingdom power for thousand years.
Might the Truth Discouraged
Some might be Inclined to say, There
are millions OF people who, with more
or less formally. approach God In
prayer daily. Should We not fear that
after a truthful presentation Of the
facts these would be discouraged? Our
reply Is that the whole responsibility
for the Divine Plan rests upon It's Di-
vine Author. who says, ""He that hath
My Word. let him speak My Word
faithfully" Indeed. the preaching Of
the Truth on this subject may bring
many Indifferent ones to the point Of
decision. and thus greatly benefit them.
Have We not been telling the world
in general that there Is practically no
difference between Gods people by
conservation and the children of this
world? Have we not been misleading
them in this respect? Is It pot high
time that they were told the truth on
this. rs well rs some other subjects?
A gentleman who attended my
preaching in London met me the fol-