The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-02-03

kSS-S211S IHel ny revealing
the lengths,
breadths, heights and depths of the
Love of God for humanity.
Pastor Russelrs discourse today was
unique. The text was, Whereby.
when ye read. We may understand my
knowledge in the Mystery of Christ"
-EpheSianS 3:4.
The Scriptures clearly teach that
during this Gospel Age our God is
preparing a great Temple class, said
the Pastor. After this class shall have
been glorified, Divine Power will op-
crate through this Temple. through
which all nations will draw near to
God. The Priests in this Temple will
be Jesus, the great High Priest, and
the Church, the under priests. This
High Priest will also be King-'a
Priest upon His Throne after the
Order of Melchizedek.
The Church of Christ. the speaker
claimed, is the most wonderful Secret
Order ever known. The Mystery of
God, kept secret from before the foun-
datiOn of the world, is not yet finished,
he declared, and will not be until the
seventh trumpet sounds. Members of
Christ's mystical Body are in the
world, but the world knows them not
even as it knew Him not
The Degrees of the Order.
1t was then shown that membership
in this order requires compliance with
the most stringent conditions ever
known-the giving up to the Lord all
that the candidate possesses, himself
included. The first degree is the rec
ignition of Jesus Christ as our Savior
and faith in His redeeming blood.
Some never progress beyond this mi
tiatory step, and therefore know prac-
tically very little about the Order
The second degree is conservation.
which is Immediately followed by
spirit begetting. Those who have pro
crossed thus far have become New
Creatures in Christ. AS these grow in
grace and the knowledge of our Lord
Jesus, they are privileged to advance
to higher degrees. In due time they
may become Knights Of the Temple,
very honorable degree-leaders.
AS members of the Order advance,
they learn more about the Mystery of
Christ. The Apostle urges all knights
of the Temple to grown grace, in
knowledge, in character-ikenesS to the
Grand Commander of the Order, High
Drio of IbrOfnGsipn who linl for
us and gave us opportunity to become
members of this fraternity. Those who
attain the highest degree shall be His
ioint-heirs in His MeSsianic Kingdom.
This highest degree, however, is lin
tied in number to 144,000 members.
Free and Accepted In Christ Jesus.
The Pastor explained that members
of this Order are free from the dom
nation of sin, free from fear Of DEATH
free from that condition of alienation
from God brought upon mankind
through Adams disobedience. But
they are not free to commit sin; their
very desire for close relationship with
God indicates that they hate sin.
Then the speaker showed that in
Scripture the human nature of New
Creatures in Christ is pictured by a
goat Thus on Israels Atonement Day
the high priest sacrificed the Lords
goat-depicting Gods acceptance Of
the conservation of the class so repre-
scented. Other Scriptures intimate that
each New Creature daily rules the
goat" in his own flesh.
Since the mysteries of this Order are
spiritually discerned, only those can
understand them who belong to the Or
der God alone knows the approved
members of His great Secret Order;
for He alone knows who are loyal at
heart. Others may wear re UNIFORM
learn grips and passiS U.s. 0ul the
Lord knows who
4er of the Order.
The r"of the Order was nax+
Inc y! The Great Master Crafts
ulscFald the foundation and made all
engagements. He is the Grand Moo
er' ana no other is recognized Inv NOM
'ers OF the organization. He EimsaIe
as salu' One is your Master. evop
mist; and all We are brethren"
me fastor then set forth the facts
'iatlVe to our Lords life here on earth
esuS alone had the secret plans for
le Iempie which God desired 70 have
When He was cruoieos
ore OF less Of the Mystery was lost
gut or and the Scriptures intimate
az certain features of that Mystery
ere not to be completed until Els ~
rn. 80 this Secret Society await Tho
urn pa, or the Grand Master, who Savs
ilre IN relation to the Mysterv