The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1915-05-06

fIrA0INInS NONOlLLll -NAS@
The Pastor showed that throughout
the Scriptures a woman IS the symbol
of the Church-a pure woman Of a
pure Church, corrupt woman OF a
false Church. Our Lord compared the
true Church in the end of the Gospel
Age to a company of virgins-sOme
wise and some foolish-and Himself to
the bridegroom. ST. Paul amplifies the
| figure. declaring. Il have espoused you
1.-THE consecrated church, as a chaste
virgin unto one husband, which is
Christ" q Corinthians 1922 Here.
as In our Lords parable Of the Ten Viz
gins. the Jewish marriage is set forth
as typical of the union between Christ
and the Church-a very different fig
ure from our marriage custom.
In olden time, when a betrothal took
place. legal and binding documents
were signed by OF 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
ings with His Church.
No one is espoused to our Lord who
has not entered into definite contract
with Him. The Lords part Of this
contract is the assurance through the
Scriptures that if faithful the Church
shall be His joint-heir in His AIilIen-
NAL Kingdom. The Church's part is
covenant of conservation, loyalty even
unto death. The interim between our
personal acceptance of our Lords gra-
cious promises by full conservation
of our all TO Him and His service until
we actually die corresponds to the be-
trothal period of the Jewish maiden.
But the more exact fulfilment Of the
figure is found in the history of the
Church as a 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
lDQmOrtdllIN-Iue uulOu. Tue uudIEldSe-
"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 NOTWITHSTANDING the
true Church. which is not of this world,
and which does not follow its course.
We have come 10 the time when all
the various sects and denominations
feel the reproach of their situation.
brought about by the confusion of doc
trines amongst the different branches
of Churchianity. The heather are in
quiring how it comes that there are so
many kinds of Christians and that they
all get their various theories out of the
same Book. This is n reprOach that is
keenly felt by the leading minds of all
denominations.
The one Man of the text very prop
erly represents our Lord. the Heaven
" Bridegroom. The text signifies that
all the nominal churches have come 10
the place where they desire TO be call
ed 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 |
the true 0nes Of the Lords people |
amongst them t1n5 that they have nei-
Their lot nor part there. The true
Church does not wish to eat her own
Heaven. She does not prefer her own
theories, her own plans of salvation. |
but that which God has provided I
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 1
her righteousness Is as filthy rags.
More and more is the true Church 4
learning to appreciate the robe given
her by the Heavenly Bridegroom-the
wedding garment More and more does
she trust in the merit Of her Redeem
er. the covering of whose Justification
was symboiZed by the skins OF the sac.
ritice given 70 Adam and Eve as the
covering OF their nake,iness