The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1914-11-16

(lkASlOk kUSStllJ The Pastor open
ed his discourse by
saying that only those who have learn
ed rightly to divide the Word Of Truth
who have learned from the Scrip
lures that the Divine Plan is progress
sive, in which successive, ages form
inks-can understand the workings of
Divine providences. If all Christians
could awake to a proper study Of the
Bible, could see the object Of the d.
vine dealings with the Jews during the
Jewish Age, with Christians during
this Gospel Age, and with the world
during the incoming Millennial Age,
they would see that each Age has Its
seed time and harvest, after which
that Age, having served its purpose,
passes away. giving place to another
Age and different work.
For instance, in the end Of the Jew
ish Age peculiar testing came to that
people, while John the Baptist was
preaching-a separating Of the chair
from the wheat, a gathering Of the
wheat into the garner of the next Age,
and the permission Of trouble upon the
chaff class, which utterly destroyed
them as a nation. In Matthew 1924,
81, the Master declares that in the end
of this Age there will be separation
of wheat from tares, the former being
gathered into the Kingdom Of Messiah,
the latter being consumed as tares,
though not as individuals. The de-
struction of a tare, an imitation Chris
tan, signifies that the person posing
as a Christian, drawing nigh to God
with his lips only. will cease to make
such profession.
"ln the Evil Day."
Next was pointed out that according
to Scripture the present is the time
which the Apostle designates "the evil
day." Throughout the Bible this Pc
Rod is set forth as the time when
wheat and tares will be thoroughly
separated 1t seems difficult for most
people to realize that they should be
in the midst Of fulflments Of prophe-
cy. Familiar with present day condi-
lions, many shut their eyes to the
great changes going on around us.
st. Peter, speaking Of our day, says
that they ''are willingly ignorant" In
deed, the majority do not wish to
know. Imbued with the worldly spirit,
many processing Christians are indif-
ferent to what the Lord caused to be
written for their assistance In this evil
day. Such are not OF the very Eieet!
These. st. Paul shows. viii not be In
darkness, that that day should over
take them as thief. They will be
earnest, vigilant, standing fast in the
faith.
Our Lord declared that the trial Of
our time would be SO crucial that, II
possible, it would deceive the very
Elect" But this will not be possible;
for they will seek the assistance which
God has promised. Through the Proph-
ct David Jehovah foretold the special
trials of our day, picturing Satan's va
rious devices-Spiritism, Higher Crit
cism, Christian Science-as pestilences
and arrows. He tells that thousands
shall fall-amongst those whom we
have considered most favored and as
our friends in the Lord.
The Armament of Truth and Grace.
The Pastor explained that his text
was much in harmony with Psalm 81,
and indicates q need for the armor Of
God, a difficulty in withstanding the
assaults of this Day. and the fewness
Of those who will eventually stand.
st. Pauls exhortation is that Chris
tians take the whole armor OF Cod
not merely the shield of faith, not
merely the helmet Of salvation, not
merely the breastplate Of righteous
ness. not merely the Sword of the Spfr-
1t, not merely the sandals Of prepara-
ton, not merely the girdle of Truth,
but all of these. Whoever will stand
will need every piece. I
Many declare that it makes no differ
ence what We believe-Truth or false !.
hood-that the Lord will determine
our standing by our works But the
Bible forbids this thought, and assures
US that none can have works pleasing |
to God because all are imperfect. The |
Divine proposal is that during this |
Gospel Age He will reward faith &C
companied with works to the extent OF
ability, and reckoned perfect through |
the imputed merit of Christ
Each should examine himself and |
discern whether he loves and serves a
creed Of the Dark Ages or whether he
Ii devoted simply TO the Word of God.
Whoever receives Gods Truth in the
love of 1t will to the best of his abilf-
~ and judgment show it to others.
whatever the cost may be- and thus
will demonstrate that he is child Of
God. Whoever fails to do so will sure
b find his course injurious to himself.