Graham guardian., 1915-04-23

>-----------=- Isaiah Al.
The Pastor showed that throughout
the Scriptures Il woman is the symbol
Of the Church-a pure woman Of q
pure Church. corrupt woman of a
false Church. Our Lord compared the
;rue Church ia the end of the Gospel
Age to company Of virgins-some
wise and some foolish-and Himself to
the bridegroom st. Paul amplifies the
figure. declaring. II have espoused you
the consecrated church, as a chaste
virgin unto one husband, which Is
Christ" e Corinthians 11:2J Here,
as in our Lords parable Of the Ten vir.
gins, the Jewish marriage is set forth
as typical Of the union between Christ
and the Church-a very different fg-
ure from our marriage custom.
In olden time. when a betrothal took
place. legal and binding documents
were signed by or for the contracting
parties; but no actual marriage oc.
CURED for about a year. While wait
ing for the bridegroom to take her to
his own house. the espoused virgin
was expected to be as faithful to her
eSpouSal as Is now expected Of any
true wife. We see the harmony be-
tween this custom and our Lords deal
tngs with His Church.
No one is espoused to our Lord who
has not entered into a definite contract
with Him. The Lords part Of this
contract is the assurance through the
shall br His jolnt-heir in His Millen-
nial Kingdom. The Church's part Is a
covenant OF conservation, loyalty even
unto death. The interim between our
personal acceptance of our Lords gra-
riOus promises by a full conservation
Of our all to Him and His service until
We actually die corresponds to the be-
trOthul period of the Jewish maiden.
But the more exact fulflment Of the
figure Is found in the history Of the
Church as whole. Our Lords virgin
Church was espoused to Him at Pente-
cost. and has since been waiting for
the Bridegroom's coming and her res
direction change to glory, honor and
immortaity-the union, the marriage.
"seven Women In That Day."
Then the Pastor proceeded to explain
the meaning Of his text The number
seven Is well recognized throughout the
Scriptures as a symbol Of complete
ness; and so it may here signify all the
churches OF this world-excluding the
true Church. which is not Of this world,
and which does not follow its course.
Ne have come to the time when all
the various sects and denominations
feel the reproach Of their situation,
brought about by the confusion OF doc
trimeS amongst the different branches
of ChurhIanity. The heather are in
quiring how it comes that there are so
mHny kinds Of Christians and that they
al get their various theories out Of the
Samr Book. This is a reproach that Is
kpcnIy felt by the leading minds Of all
denominations.
The one Man OF the text very prop
ly bridegroom The text signifies that
all the nominal churches have come to
the place where they desire to be cali
I'd merely the churches Of Christ, but
wish nothing more to do with Him.
They desire to hold their sectarian
names. but they wish also to be called
ChriStianS-their chief asset. For the
doctrines Of Christ they care nothing:
and for any thought Of redemption and
covering OF sins through the merit Of
His blood they care nothing. They de-
sire merely His name.
Not So With the True Church.
The more these women desire to eat
their own bread and to wear apparel OF
their own Punishment. the more will
;hr true ones OF the Lords people
amongst them find that they have nei-
tI."r lot nor part there. The true
Church does not wish to eat her own
bread. she desires the Bread from
Hcnvrn She does not prefer her own
theories. her own plans Of salvation,
but that which God has provided
things new and old from the Store
house Of Divine Truth. Neither does
she desire to wear her own apparel; for
she has come to understand that all
her righteousness Is NJ filthy rags.
More and more Is the true Church
earning to appreciate the robe given
ncr by the Heavenly Bridegroom-the
wedding garment. More and more does
she trust in the merit Of her Redeem
or. the covering Of whose justification
was Svmh0iZcd by the skins OF the sac.
rificc given TO Adam and Eve as the
rovarin0 ,f thnIr nokplDpsS