The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-08-22
Pastor Russell's Sermon

present ut the Council: and that they
could not be coerced into substituting
mystery for the Word of God. until
the Emperor lent his influence. His
decree was that Christian doctrine as
should have the prestige of the sup
port of the Emperor and of all his
subordinate officers throughout the
Itom;ln Empire All believing contrary
10 this creed would be heretics and
be considered III opposition to me EN-
peror, and such had the privilege of
leaving the Empire. Thus was the
mystery of trinity enshrned by Il
heather emperor not baptized not
even sprinkled.
The history of the persecution of all
who would not worship the trinitarian
mystery would fill volumes One sad
Illustration is familiar to all-the burn
Ing OF Servetus, by good Brother Cal
WINS signature to the death warrant
is it any wonder that with such con-
ditlons prevailing for centuries, the
Bible ignored and the creeds Worship
ed. the true teachings of the Bible on
many subjects were completely lost
sight of: Is it any wonder that. when
IN the sixteenth century God began TO
bring the Bible back to the attention
OF the world, it was burned by the
bishops in front of ST. Paul's Cattle
dral in London? Is it any wonder that
the Preshyterians of that time We're
prosecuted for studying it, and could
meet only in secret? s~-
is it any wonder that the men who
began afresh to study the Bible. but
who had their minds tinctured with
the creeds, of centuries. were consider
ably handicapped? Is it any wonder if
some Of their conceptions of correct
Bible Interpretation We're rude and
crude? Have not our various Protes-
tant denominations marked fresh en-
deavors to get nearer to the light?
Now as We are in the dawning of the
New Dtspensation. and God is lifting
the veil Of ignorance in general. is it
any wonder that we can see the true
teachings of the Bible more clearly
than did our forefathers? Surely it is
what we might expect. as well as what
the Bible distinctly declares: 1.-THE
mystery of God shall be finished"
which He has kept secret from the
foundation Of the world ~.
The Difficulty at Present.
1t seems sad indeed that now. in the
dawning of the New Era. and its
clearer light on the Bible as well
as upon all things. so few Chris
tan people should be prepared to
profit by these clearer views Only in
our day is thorough Bible study posi-
BILE for the majority in civilized lands;
for only of late is there sufficiency of
education to admit of intelligent Bible
study What is the explanation of the
failure to make use of all these bless
ings. favors, privileges and opportuni-
ties for Bible Study? 1t is loss of faith:
as Jesus said: 'sWhen the Son of Man
cometh. shall He find the faith on the
earth?' 1t would appear that with
more advantages than any previous
generation, ours has less faith in God
and less trust in the Bible as His Word.
The cause off this L can readily be
traced, and 1t appalls US! Our great
institutions of learning. founded by
our .Bible-loving. God-fearing forefa-
Tiers. have become worldly-wise They
have followed the course of leaning to
human understanding. against which
we were forewarned by God-that the
wisdom of this world is foolishness
with God and will perish.
Following the guidance Of so-called
Higher Critics, the rank and file of
professors of colleges have lost their
faith, and at the present time. all over
Christendom. are engaged in destroy
Ing the faith of the most intelligent
young men and women of the world
Having lost faith In the Bible them
selves, they think they are doing a
real service in destroying the faith of
others. Truly. they know not what
they do; as the Bible declares. the wis
dom of our wise men has persisted:
the understanding of the prudent men.
the wealthy, ETC., who govern these. is
not apparent 29:14
With college graduates sneering at
the Bible, and ignoring Divine wor
ship. except in the sense of drawing
nigh with their lips. is it any wonder
that the spirit of this infidelity is grad
ually extending to the masses-the less
educated? Is 1t any wonder that these
who have nothing In particular to gain
from religion except comfort and hope,
bereft Of these. care nothing for Bible
study or for church attendance. except
to hear the music or a brilliant ad
dress or to renew acquaintanceships?
Balm of Gilead the Remedy.
The only remedy which can hinder
the world from rapidly rushing on to-
ward socialism and anarchy, in inter
disregard of God and His Divine ar
is a return to Bible study
Nor need the people be invited back to
study the Bible along the lines of the
creeds. Indeed. in order to attract at
tention to the Word Of God. it is nee
essary that Christians should unite in
their creeds and in telling
the people plainly that these creeds
thoroughly misrepresent the Divine
Character and the Divine Plan.
With other Bible Students. l make
this my chief business in life. Having
found the true Message of Gods Word
to be beautiful. heart-comforting and
head-sa tisfying. we are prepared to
recommend 1t to others and to offer