Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-09-05
Tie Profale Perfor-
marcos of Apostles
Of Naturalisn
Blu Bishop w. 4. Gambler
%HAT is fearfully instructive pas
age in Hebrew history in which
a Is recorded the Judgment which


heaven, but they could not draw down
that sacred flame without both a person
al and priestly conservation of the Sc
verest character. Hence they preferred
the easv way Of naturaIism and used
common fire.
Their case in principle is not different
from that of many persons now. There
is a prevalent disposition among both
preachers and people to take the easy
way of naturalism in doing the work OF
the Church. The requirements of the su-
pernaturaI. by which they are brought
face to face with God, are too exacting,
and, not being willing to surrender ut
terly the semblance of christian living
and endeavor, they adopt naturalistic
methods and aim at naturalistic ends
rather than rely upon spiritual forces
and aim at spiritual ends.
The renovation of personal character is
cmst difficult thing, and cannot be ac-
complished other than by the supernat-
ural forces of the Holy Spirit. The Grad
ication of even one vice, or the propaga-
ton of even one virtue, is not a matter
of easy accomplishment. The regenera-
ton of the entire nature and the produc-
ton and promotion of all christian
graces can not be achieved by any mere
ly human forces. But human conditions
of outward sort may be ameliorated with
comparative ease. Intellectual faculties
may be cultivated, manners may be re-
fined, and habits of social life may be
softened. Hence we find both preach
ers and Churches aiming at many OF
these things of a natural sort, and turn
ing away from the higher things of
spiritual life, which belong to the sphere
Of the supernatural
We hear little preaching concerning
nv a ar no birth.
or the witness of the Spirit; but we
have a vast deal of pulpit talk expended
on reform schemes, social service, and
other like matters. Our relations with
God are thus ignored and earthly rela-
lions and conditions are magnihed out
Of all proportion to their real signih-
canoe and Importance. Throughout the
Scriptures the idea always set forth is
that the thing of supreme Importance is
the right relation of men to God, and
that when this supremely important mat
ter has been rightly determined all other
good things follow. This is the underly-
ing idea in our Lords exhortation, Seek
We first the Kingdom of God and his
righteousness; and all these things shall
be added unto you" The popular pro-
gramme, however, is that if we look aft
er and secure these earthly things, we
shall glide into the Kingdom of God
down an incline plane with all the forces
Of gravitation conspiring to help us, and
nothing opposing us in reaching the
heavenly end. This programme is popu-
lar because it is easy; but in the end 1T
will be disappointing.
Men enter the kingdom of heaven by a
strait gate and reach it by walking in
the narrow way. When we seek some
easier way by which to obtain these
heavenly ends we go astray and land
ourselves in confusion and discourage
ment
The aversion to the supernatural is a
blemiSh upon much of what is called
Christianity in the present time. 1t is
both a symptom and a source of spir-
itual doubt and disorder. Men can not
get away from God without confusing
their thoughts and demoraliZing their
lives. If it were possible to reform the
whole race and leave men without God,
nothing better than a worldwide Phari-
seeism would thereby be accomplished.
The condition thus brought to pass
might be beautiful on the outside, but 1t
would be atheistic at its core, and the
liberation of its heart would eventually
work its way out through purilent sores
on it's outward surface.
Both churches and preachers need to
stop and inquire what they really intend
to achieve by their lives and labors. If
they mean only an amelioration of
earthly conditions, then no supernatural
power is required to accomplish their
object. But if they intend to bring a
lost world back to God and renew the
hearts of men in Righteousness and true
holiness, they should with all haste re-
turn to the faith and methods of the
holy men by whom such heavenly results
have been achieved in former days. No
w anhiRVR6 a
revival of religion among men has ever
aimed at anything short of bringing
men face to face with God.
John the Baptist brought the Israelit-
ish nation to it's knees by preaching that
the kingdom of heaven was at hand. He
brought to bear upon his people the pow
ers of the supernatural world. His was
a baptism of repentance and not any SUI
perficial scheme of moral reform or So
cial service.
In like manner Martin Luther and the
religious leaders of his day called men
to seek justification before God by faith
i'm Jesus Christ. This rugged prophet
of his times gave small attention to any
thing else than the restoration Of man
to the favor and acceptance Of God.
In the same spirit John Knox under
took the reformation of Scotland. His
call was to spiritual things, and he de-
manQeu peasant SAiNS
should bow in penitence at the feet of a
common Savior and Redeemer.
So also wrought Wesley and the men
of his day during the eighteenth century
in England Their sermons and journals
and writings Of every sort, which have
come down to us, show how they were
utterly and entirely absorbed in bring
ing the English-speaking people back
to the personal knowledge of God.
This spiritual way was not the easy
way for these mighty men, but it was
the way of life to them and to the men
of their generation. Such is the case In
our day. The spiritual is not the easy
thing, but 1t is the God-appointed matter
of supreme Importance, and we must
come back to 1t.
We have been burning the strange
fire of naturalism in the churches long
| enough, The process has given GER
| tain measure of credit to the apostles
| of naturalism before people who were
| themselves indisposed to meet God face
to face. But the results have not been
satisfactory to men, to say nothing OF
being pleasing to God.
The world Is turning away from
| churches out of which God has beer
turned. When men do not find God II
His house, but only find various substi
tutes for Him, they go their own way
| They can find naturalistic things more
easily outside of churches than in them
| They can make better amusements anC
| diversions for themselves than thu
| ohnrcb can invent, They can find more