Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1922-09-14

leads us to sci
forth what we believe the text incul.
Gates.
First of all, 1t is evident that it is a
matter of false teaching which is here
Involved. 1t is important to note this
in day when it is supposed to make
no difference as to what we believe
For while John is very insistent on
right conduct, he is none the less in
sistent on right belief. He knew, as
all should realize, that errors as to
doctrine" produce errors as to life.
False LiberaiIty.
Again, the expression, bring not
this doctrine" points out the person
as a teacher, not mere traveller
seeking hospitality. DR.. James Cul.
ross, an excellent interpreter Of Johns
writings, we'll says: "The charge
which John gives is an antidote to
that so-called 1iberality' to which
truth and falsehood are alike, which
generally ends in hating truth with q
murderous hatred. Whatever may be
done from Christian compassion or
kindness, let it be done without hesita-
ton OF fear; but let it be done as
compassion or kindness-in the spirit
of the good Samaritan. John finds no
fault with it., and throws no hindrance
In its way. But keep the distinction
clear between doing a deed of Chris
tian beneficence and giving help to
anti Christian error"
The false teacher Is not only to be
refused hospitality, but he is not to be
hidden God speed, or as the Revised
Version puts it, we are to give him no
greeting Johns language would not
necessarily preclude an ordinary greet.
ing Of courtesy, but it involves sym
pathy and approval, SO as to make one
partaker Of the evil deeds Of the
teacher. Such fraternal intercourse is
distinctly prohibited.
We must be careful not to assume
this exclusive attitude towards men
who may differ with us as to some
non-essential point of doctrine, for In
such matters there is room for large
charity in the church. John has in
mind more especially the teachers OF
that day who denied that Jesus
Christ is come in the flesh" AS to
such point, involving the full Deity
and true manhood of our Lord we
must be altogether Incorporating.
The Incarnation the Center.
On this very matter Of the Incarna-
ton, Professor Orr has said: Many
tendencies are at present in operation
to weaken this doctrine speculative
and evolutionary theories, doctrines Of
divine immanence, and pantheistie
identification Of God and man; above
all, the powerful bent of the spirit of
the age towards non-supernatural in
depreciation of the facts and truths of
religion. 1t is necessity Of the life
Of the church to resist these tenden.
cies and to contend for Christ who
is as essentially divine in nature and
personality as He is human in his
form of manifestation-who is the
very Word of God become flesh (John
40"
Johns directions as to our attitude
may well be applied to many Of the
so-called union meetings of these
times, when representatives of other
faiths than the evangelical are given
places on the program, as though such
differences of doctrine were of no mo-
ment. Men speak Of this as charity"
but John would doubtless describe II
otherwise.
The "elect lady," to whom the words
of our text were first addressed, was
a mother, and John shows much In
terest In her children. He. would pro-
tect them, as well as her, from the in
fiuence Of false teachers. What sol.
emn need Is there at this time for
such protection of our children. Not
only do false teachers come In person
in these days, but the world is full OF
books, written in an alluring way, cal
culated to fill the minds of the young
with soul-destroying error. Let us
watch against such encroa elements as
those who would guard their homes
from a deadly pestilence!