Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1920-02-12
The Negative Glass

us pOsitlon.
The Negative Glass
But the negative class has equal
ly as much evidence to support its
position. First, This class calls at.
tention TO the fact that the Penta-
costal demonstration was not re.
peated by the early church; and
that none of the apostles offered
any particular emotional demon.
stration after this event, though in
different manner they did prove
their possession of the power
Even Paul's improvement under
the imposed authority from Anan-
las brought no demonstration
from him. SO far as the record
shows. And in no instance of
Paul's apostolic life did he very
emotionally demonstrate his pow
er, except in the one possible case
quoted.
Then. again, the church in all
its effective periods has been rep
resented by men and women Of
mqueSiioned power but their
power was never associated with
great emotional demonstrations.
Again, if we 90 to the realm of
nature we find much TO support
the negative position. The forces
of nature are generally silent
forces. The seed in the soil is a
powerful principle, yet ii operates
! silently No noise or audible dis
turbance is associated with its de-
velopment. The oaks of the forest
are symbols of power, yet they
never demonstrate their nature in
any audible manner, but for. cen
turtles have stood in defiance of all
the elemental forces that come
against them,
Perhaps the nearest symbol the
natural world offers of spiritual
power is that of the great Niagara.
Yet lis representation of power
doesn't lie in its ever-onrushing
flow, nor in its laundering plunge,
nor in its blood-curdling splash at
tie bottom of its abyss. These may
he taken as representations of
power, but its true representation
of this Holy Ghost principle is off
cred in the electric conversion of
that water into utilities of indus
try, agriculture and commerce.
That conversion is effected with
ont display or commotion, The on
rushing current and its thunder
in cataract may cause excitement
and awe, but they do not fully
represent the power of the mighty
river.
But the chief matter of support
of the negative position is offered
in the life of Christ himself. He
received a visible baptism of the
Holy Spirit, and He declared that
all power was given unto Him.
both in heaven and in earth, vet
He never in one instance emotion
ally demonstrated that power in
any devotional respect. Rather
was his life that of docility. meek
ness and lamb-likeness. In His
leaving this world He promised to
leave His peace behind, but not
any spiritual exuberanee, only as
that Is implied in His peace. So.
these both classes have much in
scripture, in church history. in
observation, in reason, and in ex-
pcrience, to support their respect
i've positions.
The Objective, or Purpose of This
Spiritual Power
Possibly a greater mistake is
made at the point of the purpose
Of this power than at any other
point of The subject. 1t is thought
generally that the power is grant
ed exclusively as converting
medium effectively this is true.
but primarily this is mistake.
The text says the improvement is
effected to actuate witnessing
testimony. While the main objec-
tive of Witnessing for Christ is the
conversion of men. the witnessing
may be done without meeting the
objective. Jesus himself met this
objective in but comparatively
small degree, if actually at all pri-
orto his death. Yet there are many
good meaning people who base
their Judgment of other people 5
relation to the Holy Ghost upon