The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-07-29

| . - sit upon twelv,
RASlOR RQSStlll thrones" - Mat
The speakers opening sentence
doubtless sent a shock to many of his
hearers. He declared that none art
members of the Church of Christ eX
cept the regenerate; and that this fact
was emphasized by our Lord Jesus
saying, "Ye must be born again" If ye
would be My disciples. This teaching
has practically disappeared from the
pulpit, for the reason that the hearts OF
Christian people seem to be more ten
der than were those of their fathers;
they cannot bear to think Of the great
mass OF their relatives, friends and
neighbors and of the heather unregen-
crate as subjects for eternal torment
at the hands of the Devil. Hence they
ignore the Scrlptural doctrine Of regen-
GRAFTON, and endeavor to convince
themselves that 1t cannot be necessary;
for they know many not regenerated,
who are deserving Of better fate.
The difficulty met with In consider.
ing this question is the same which
we so often meet with on other ques
tons; namely, an error firmly held SO
bases the mind as to make Bible
truths seem impossible. Now, how.
ever, Bible students begin to see that
there is regeneration promised In the
Bible for the world In the Millennium.
quite separate and distinct from the
regeneration now possible to the saint.
ly Church. When we get the Bible
focus upon the condition of the dead
and see that they are unconscious, or,
as the Bible says. sleeping, waiting
for the Resurrection Morn. when the
world in general will be granted OPP
portunities Of regeneration. we see that
the regeneration of the present time,
that Of the Little Flock, will not hin.
der the masses from regeneration by
and by. On the contrary, the regen.
Grated Church of the present time will
be associated with Messiah In the re.
othNi VI thC NOiih
This puts new aspect upon the
whole matter. Those now being regen.
Grated are an elect, or select, class
Not only have they a special love for
Righteousness and special hatred for
iniquity but additionally, they exer
else a special faith in God and His |
promises. By means of these prom
ises and the trials and discipines Of
life, these elect regenerates become
especially qualified for Gods service
now and hereafter
Regenerated to Different Natures.
Another item to be noticed Is that
the regenerating processes of the pres
ent time are with a view to bringing
the Church class, the Elect Of God. to
a new nature. Their regeneration be-
gan when God impaired to them the
Holy Spirit, following their full conse-
Grafton to His service in the name and
merit Of the Redeemer The regenera-
tive process continues during their life
time. as they grow In grace, in knowl-
edge and In love--in the character-ike-
ness of Gods dear Son. This means
Transforming and renewing work, re-
erred to by St Paul. saying, Not by
works of righteousness which we have
lone. but according to His mercy He
saved us, by the purifying Of regenera.
ion. and renewing of the Holy Spirit"
No well informed person will dis
,ute the fact that the regenerated con.
'titute very small proportion Of man.
that they constitute q very
small proportion OF the Christian ma.
ions; yea, that the regenerated consti- ,
ute but very small proportion of
he religious church membership. The
apostle refers to the regenerate, styling I
hem New Creatures In Christ. and de. ,
lares that to these "old things have 8
'assed away, and all things have be-
ONE new"-new hopes, new aims. new /
mbtions. new desires, new affections. I
UGH have been transformed by the re- /
ewing Of their minds."--2 Corinthians i
III; Romans 1872. a
New Creatures In Christ Jesus. Il
Surely 1t is not an empty statement {
n the Apostles part that all these re- e
enerate ones are New Creatures in Z
hrist Jesus. The Apostle, referring
, this class. tells us that they have v
cen begotten by the Holy Spirit
trough the Message Of Truth Again. c
t Peter says. God hath given unto 3
5 lregeneratesl exceeding great and ]
recious promises: that by these we q
light become partakers Of the Divine b
AZURE" e Peter Ia There 1t Is! z
hid the Pastor; these by nature were Il
lmans but by Gods grace IN Christ. 81
trough this begetting. they become Of Ii
different nature-'partakers OF the II
ivine nature" Ia comparison with N