The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-08-09

w ord OF q O Il
Years ago It was quite customary
that the Bible should have prom
lnent place in the colleges; for near
ly every college was under the con-
troll of some denomination. This gave
them Sectarian bias, however; and
they We're not entirely free TO study
Truth But now the larger part of
those graduated are total unbeIieverS
in the Bible as the inspired Word
of God Many are ministers, who Sc
lect their texts from it and who retain
a certain respect for it, as for an old
friend Of their parents. But if closely
cross-eNamined. probably ninety-hye
of every hundred would say, 81 do not
believe the Bible TO be Gods Word
The speaker emphasized the point
that the colleges and the ministers have
left the Bible. although the preachers
select their texts from it just as they
might on other occasions quote from
Shakespeare. But as for any belief in
such inspiration as the Bible teaches
that "hOly men of old spake as they
were moved by the Holy Spirit" not
understanding what they said-it Isl
doubtful he said, if even five per cent.
of the ministers believe the Bible tOI
be Gods Word. With teachers and
preachers in this condition of unbelief.
it is no wonder that religion Is at al
discount with the people. Jesus said,
Z % NTn,,
He find faith upon the earth" The
audience were witnesses that our LORD
has not found much faith.-Luke 1S:S;
Peter 1:21; 3:3-5.
"The Wise Shall Understand"
Then the speaker contrastcd the
worlds unbelief and ignorance of God
with the increasing light coming to,
Gods people. From Daniel 12:l4 he
showed that we have before us today
unmistakable evidences that we have
reached the Time of the End Many
are running to and fro in automobiles,
electric trans, steam railroads. etc.
knowledge is increasing everywhere.
But the deep things Of Gods Word are
hidden from the wise and prudent, and
are revealed unto babes--those not too
worldly-wise, who accept the Bible as
Gods Word and are guided by it.
In this connection the Pastor explain
ed the parable of the Ten Virgins. MAT.
thew 25:1-13D This parable pictures
conditions in the Church of Christ at
the end of the Gospel Age. In the
Time of the End the cry went forth,
1.-THE Bridegroom cometh" All Justi'
fed believers made ready to meet Him.
But He tarried; and all the virgins
slumbered and slept. not knowing what
to make of the delay. Again the cry
went forth, Behold the Bridegroom"
He Is here. Again all the virgins
awakened. The wise virgins trimmed
their Lamps, saw the Truth, and were
ready to follow the Bridegroom into
the marriage.-Psalm 119:lO5.
But the foolish virgins had no oil,
no light. The oil represents the Holy
Spirit and the enlightenment coming
therefrom The foolish virgins go to
buy when they give time for investi-
gation-time taken from business,
pleasure and worldly affairs. Those
who do not find time for study do not
wish to have the light Although true
Christians. they will not pay the price.
Whoever is rejoicing in the light OF
Present Truth will testify that it has
cost him something Of worldly intu-
I tbnngrbf
The Church Called, Not Compelled.
God is not seeking to deceive people
nor to force them into the Kingdom.
During this Gospel Age He has merely
sent forth His Message to gather out
| those who wish to responding force,
NJ compulsion, merely His Word.
ACTS 1513-fSD We heard the call; our
hearts responded, and we came back
! into harmony with God. His Word
| Informed us that He had made all ar
/ rau.ements for covering our sins,
! through the death of our Lord Jesus
/ Christ: and that He was willing to re-
cciye us into His family and make US
His heirs. joint-heirs with Jesus.
Gods Word is Truth-not truth on
every subject. but on the most impor-
tan, ones. The most important truth
Is that which God purposes to teach all
/ His intelligent creatures-that obedi-
eucc to Him is the best education. All
other learning will prove valueless, per-
haps injurious. unless associated with
obedience to God. The majority OF
professed Christians are under the de-
lusions of the present evil world. They
are outside. like the remainder of man
kind. But the true Christian has that
which is satisfactory. Therefore he Is
! ..,..o,,o1 o, LOT Cod shane his affairs