The Washington herald., 1917-08-19
Church Rites.

Today is the eleventh Sunday after
Trinity, and the Gospel lesson for
this day is the matchless parable
from the lips of the Divine Savior
on the Pharisee and the Publican. We
are glad to use this text today not
only because 1t is in itself q most
effective evangelistic appeal to the
unconverted with Its double appli-
cation to the self-righteous and to the
penitent and its revelation of the
mercy of God; but 1t also has telling
lessons for the mature Christian. 1t
gives light on a subject where light
Is needed; that is, church rites, or
the human organization and appoint
ments of the visible church such ais
houses of worship, prayers, festivals,
offerings and ordinances, etc.
We pray for the Divine Spirit to
guide US in this study of church
rites.
The valuation of church rites are
overestimated and understimated.
The Romanists and some in Protes-
tant denominations make church rites
essential to salvation, and teach that
by such ordinances and observances
man may win special favor with God.
Others equally earnestly contend
that church rites are not only value
less, but detrimental to spiritual life
and therefore obnoxious. The Augs-
burg Confession $3.50 declares "Con-
Jcerning church rites they teach, that
those rites ought to be observed
which can be attended to without sin,
and which promote peace and good
order In the church, such as certain
holy days, festivals, etc. Concerning
such things, however. men are eau
toned. lest consciences be burdened.
as though such observances were
necessary to salvation. They are also
admonished that human traditions,
instituted with view to propitiate
God, to merit His favor, and make
satisfaction for sin. are contrary to
the gospel and the doctrine of faith.
Wherefore vows and traditions con-
cerning meats, days, etc, instituted to
merit grace and make satisfaction for
sins, are useless, and contrary to the
gospel.
This gives the true valuation of
church rites, and We find this in
true harmony with the mind of
Jesus He entered the temple in
Jerusalem and cleansed 1t from
gross abuses. but He did not de-
stroy the temple and its appoint
ments, nor the order of worship
therein. So Martin Luther labored
long to effect a reform of the
abuses of the Church from within
with no intention to sever his Off
cial connection with the Church.
And after his accommodation,
he still did not antaysonize the
Church, but only the hierarchy and
the gross abuses sanctioned by it.
Justification by faith was the CEN
trail theme OF his life and teaching,
but that did not prevent him from
proper use of all good church rites.
The Latin mass he made German
as also the lessons from the lives
of the saints. Affairs and pictures
and statues of apostles and saints
he did not disturb, even private
confession he could use as a means
of bringing the sinner to the joyous
acceptance of his personal Savior.
When Carlstadt and other icono-
clasts in mistaken zeal entered the
cathedrals, monasteries and churches
and overthrow and destroyed affairs,
pictures, statues, bsptismal fonts.
organs, bells, etc, Luther, horror
stricken at such supposed result of
his teaching, left the safe seclusion
of the Wartburg and hastened to
wittenberg and for several days
and nights preached and worked
against such desecration. Upon Carl
stadts declaration Its the Spirit
that leads us to this" Luther re-
piled: "I'H slap your Spirits
mouth"
The followers Of Luther In these
four hundred years, have tried with
him to preserve the golden mean be-