The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1913-05-08

for climacteric re.
suits. We report his discourse from
the text. Come now, let us reason to.
gether. saith the Lord; though your sins
be as scarlet. they shall be as white as
now."-lsaiah 1913
Although thoroughly loyal and very
reverential. the Pastor has evidently
cut loose from the creeds. He admit
ted that all contain kernels of Truth,
but declared that these are buried in
mass Of chaff-hidden in od-dishon-
Oring the0logies so unreasonable that
their best friends prefer never to think
Of them.
The Pastor claimed that the repul-
stveness of the creeds binders people
from looking for the truth which they
contain. This is we'll. he said. Why
should we search for Truth in various
creeds when we have the Bible? He
urged Christians to abandon the creeds
and unite as Bible students. intent on
knowing the testimony Of Gods Word
and Of obtaining the guidance of the
Holy Spirit in the understanding of 1t.
Jesus held up to scorn the inconsist-
encies Of His day. If here today. He
would show US many Inconsistencies
In our estimation Of sin and righteous.
ness. the Pastor believed. Our Lord
declared that while the religious lead
ers of His time were careful to 1.-THE
oil their increase. they outraged the
very spirit of Gods Law of righteous
ness; that in mean ways they took the
bread from the poor. and to divert at
tention from their course they hypo-
critically heightened their prayers.
1t was not that praying was wrong.
or that tithing was Objectionable. but
their recognition of these showed them
all the more responsible in "devouring
widows houses" and other sharp prac-
ttses. whereby they took advantage of
the unfortunate. This principle still
operates. said Pastor Russell.
Today. as in our Masters time. there
Is way of keeping within the law
and out of the penitentiary. Willie at
the same time the spirit of the law IL
outraged and trampled in the dust of
avaricious mOneygetting. Now. as
then. money-lovers pose as philanthro-
piSts. and hold honorable places in
churchianity. The Pastor spared not
this class. He declared that religious
hypocrites are the worst of sinners in
Gods sight. Theirs We're the most
scarlet sins. he believed.
Greater and Lesser Sins.
Wealth covers multitude of sins.
To he financially unsuccessful Is
crime. OH account of which many con-
slider wife justified in seeking d.
vorce. and some churches justified in
dropping the culprit from their men,
bership list. What matters 1t that
Jesus comfOrted the weary. heavy
laden and unsuccessful: What mat
ters it that the Scriptures declare that
not many rich. wise. great or learned
has God called to the Heavenly inner
itance. hut chiefly the poor of this
world. rich in faith?
What matters II that a very rich man
has two concubines. besides a wife?
What matters It that his religious in
structors know Of the fact! He Is
supporter of their church! We're he
poor, this crime against human and
Divine Law would be unforgivable.
He would be assured that he would
suffer torment throughout eternity!
Sins Scarlet and Crimson.
Our text discriminates between scar
let and crimson. as indicating shades
of guilt In the same kind Of Kin. For
instance, murder would be a scarlet sin.
If committed by worldly person: but
hatred would be crimson-a sin Of deep
er dye-if cherished by Christian.
As love IN the fulfilling of the Divine
Law. SO hatred implies its dagrant vio-
lation.
Mankind have inherited sin-tainted
blood from Adam. Selfishness Of vary
ing hues stains every member Of the
race. Many have not the proper focus
upon the Divine Law. Taking the let
ter of that Law. they avoid the cruder
forms Of theft. adultery. murder-mak-
ing the same mistake that Israel made.
According to Jesus Interpretation Of
the Law. theft could be committed IN
the heart by coveting. by stealing the
business or reputation Of another. Sim
ilarly. adultery might he committed
without overt act: and hatred il murder.
Increase Of knowledge has brought
increased responsibility. But human
seltishneas has kept pace. The thiev.
ish spirit abounds. The civilized world
should awaken its conscience to the
Golden Ruie-fhe Law NJ Mess'ah's
r"n''"e Kingdom.