Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-21

they must have been those few ex.
priests that renounced the Roman
faith, and if they were inspired their
followers should not have branched
off and fixed up different ordinances
to suit their notion. They should
have stayed with Martin Luther and
others of the ex-priests.
Where 10 Authority
These priests renounced the Ro-
man ordinances, so how could these
men have the authority to perform
Gods ordinances any more than any
good man who hasn't had the hands
of any of today's preachers laid on
them for ordination? Trace it back
Where do these preachers have any
more authority to administer bap-
tism, the Lords Supper, or any
other form than an other man,
young or old?
They will say theN Lord com.
mands it. Yes. He did command
certain forms, but no one but the
ones He authorizes to do these
things can. do one bit of good by
administering them. The church is
not a sort of lodge that people can
get into by certain form of riding
the goat neither is it an assemblage,
building or minister.
"But it is composed of individuals.
Jesus said, who have overcome the
world. He'says. 'Ye are the body OF
Christ without spot or wrinkle or
any such thing. If we count on
these different organizations and
people in general, oh, how many
spots and wrinkles there would be!
Thank God for way to be saved
without these different plans mapped
out by different Christians.
Set Aside These Forms.
"He is not going to punish any
body for what they can't help, and
if time came that these church
forms did more harm than good.
God is able to take care of the sit
uation, and it remains for the church
leaders to set aside these forms that
they think was done by the early
church which differ and keep
churches from consolidating and
Christianize the world by preaching
the Christ life, repentance and re-
mission of sins.
1T is the different forms and cere-
monies which keep out Christian
unity. We can have Christianity and
be just as righteous without belong
ing to one of the churches in name
as any one who goes through such
forms.
"This notion about the modern
preacher being called of God ought
in some way be proven. They just
conclude Of themselves that they
want to preach and educate for that
profession and they go wherever
they get the best financial offer.
Their sermons sound nothing like
anything had been revealed to them
Al il was to the old Apostle Paul.
Need the Holy Spirit.
"He said what he knew Of God.
He hadn'. learned from books, neith-
er was it taught to him by men, but
by the revelation of God. Alex
Campbell somewhere said: We
haven't got the Holy Spirit with US
at this day, neither do we need it,
ut is true we haven't got it with
us now, but never was it needed
more to help men straighten out this
sectarian trouble.
Il used to give freely to my
church when I was a believer in the
doctrine of my parents. but since my
eyes are open I feel that what little
l have to give will be given largely
to a better charitable work than
paying a lot of preachers to keep up
these Christian divisions.
"The Salvation Army is doing a
good work and they don't pretend to
Be- the church of Christ. | am not one
of them, but I long for the time
when form will be swallowed up in
love, and righteousness will be
preached as the door to life eternal,
and only plan of salvation.
MRS. c. B. WHEELER, .
"2627 Olive, Street, St. Joseph, Mo-"