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3-1929 Preacher's Magazine Volume 04 Number 03 J. B. Chapman (Editor) Olivet Nazarene University

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This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Church of the Nazarene at Digital Commons @ Olivet. It has been accepted for inclusion in Preacher's Magazine by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Olivet. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Preacher’s Magazine A monthly journal devoted to the interests of those who preach the full gospel J. B. Chapman, Editor

Published monthly by the Nazarene Publishing House, 2923 Troosi Ave., Kansas City, Mo., maintained by and in the interest of the Church of the Nazarene. Subscription price $1.00 per year. Entered as second class matter at the Postoffice at Kansas City, Mo. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized December 30, 1925.

V o l u m e 4 March, 1929 N u m b e r 3

ON PASTORAL VISITING LL EFFORTS to divorce the preacher and the pastor have failed. The man who preaches to the people is the man to visit in their homes, for each phase of the work is the counterpart of the other. If people have heard a man preach, they will appreciate aA visit from him. If he has made a good impression by means of a visit, then the members of that family will want to come and hear the caller preach. Of course, in a large church, it will not be possible for the preacher to do all the visiting. But wherever a family must be called upon a number of times, as in case of continued sickness, the preacher should by all means do part of the calling.

One successful pastors says he is careful not to take a Bible or Testament with him when he goes out calling in the homes of the people. Then when the time comes for worship before leaving the home, he asks for the loan of their Bible. If no Bible is available, he passes the matter and prays without reading. But the next time he calls in that home a Bible is usually offered him. If the Bible is hard to find, even then a good work has been done; for after that the family will see to it that the Bible is in a more convenient place. And in any case, people like to have the preacher read out of their Bible. After the visit the Book seems more sacred to them and they will be inclined to read it more and with better appreciation themselves.

An observer remarks that there are many instances in which the pastor must listen rather than speak. And we ourselves have made appointment with a troubled soul in order that we might supposedly give some helpful advice. But when the time came, we found that our principal duty was to listen sympathetically to the recital of many trials and griefs. At the end, although we said only some commonplace thing like, “Well, we shall pray,” we were rewarded by the grateful thanks of the tested one and the heart-felt expression, “You have helped me so much.” Then there are times when the pastor must not listen. For there are a few people who want the pastor to call in order that they may have opportunity to bite the backs of the other mem­ bers of the church and the citizens of the neighborhood. When a case of this kind is encountered, the pastor must either rebuke the spirit openly or else he must protest against it by the excep­ tional brevity of his stay. There is no more difficult case to deal with than that of the knocker. It is remarkable how so many people who are without church connections appreciate a call from the pastor. Frequently a-family is won to Christ and the church simply because they were touched with the kindly interest shown in them by the pastor. But on the oher hand, if they find that they are left out when the pastor is calling in their neighborhood, they immediately set up a high wall of separation between themselves and the preacher and the church. If a pastor finds calling difficult, that is perhaps the more reason he should do it. For the fact that it is difficult for him indicates that he is in danger of becoming general in his burden and that he is already wanting in sincere sympathy. He must call now for his own sake, as well as for the good he hopes to do. 66 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE

A DISSERTATION ON THE “LIVE WIRE”

B y t h e E d it o r

E HAD observed the term “live wire” wire.” But a dead wire is of small comparative in connection with the description of value. Oh, it may be useful for coarse work like a number of preachers of the semi­ dragging in a stranded automobile or fencing in a spectacular type, and a thoughtful brother said, cow pasture, but it is not on the plane of effi­ “Just what does this term ‘live wire’ mean? ciency on which we find wires which act as con­ How did it originate and what does it imply ductors of electrical energy. when used in describing a man?” These ques­ Or it may be that the opposite of the “live tions put us to thinking and we made the follow­ wire” is found in the “isolated wire.” But this ing discoveries: too carries the question of safety too far. The We found that the term had a physical origin isolated wire does no harm, for it is too far away dating back to the early days of the era of from everybody and everything to do any harm. electricity, but which lacked proper insulation. But neither does it do any good. It cannot do A wire which came loose from a building which good, for it makes no contacts. It is just a was on fire, and which had suffered from the wire—that is all. It has no purpose and pos­ fire itself sufficiently to have its metal parts ex­ sesses no adaptability or adaptation. posed in places and which was now dangling from But between the live wire and the dead or a post, after having been loosed from the burn­ isolated wire is the “insulated wire.” This wire ing building, was called “a live wire,” and people combines the power of the live wire with the were warned not to touch it or to be touched safety and dependence of the dead wire. It is by it. harmless in places where contacts are not wanted Passing from this, we found that the expres­ or needed, but it turns loose power at places sion was used by business men in discussing pro­ where power is desired. It does not strike with moters of “blue sky” schemes and those who lightning along the way, but at the end it turns employ “high pressure salesmen” tactics. The wheels and feeds lights and does worthwhile term did not mean that one was altogether bad service. or that he was altogether good. [Rather it was There are some preachers who are quite gifted used as a caution and not as a prohibition. It and capable. Under favorable circumstances they meant that the person in question was capable of will do good work. But they are quite as likely doing a lot of good, but also that he had better to spoil a horn as they are to make a spoon. be watched. It meant that he had strength and In fact, they are quite certain to either do a ability, but that these were not altogether pro­ considerable amount of good or else to do a tected. A sharp razor in the hand of a small lot of harm. In administration they will eit'her child is still a useful implement, but it is likely “rule or ruin.” In exhortation they will either now to be used carelessly. move or moor. In preaching they will either con­ As so we thought of these matters in relation to vince or disgust. In actions they are either preachers and to the habit of speaking of certain angels or demons. If they ever find the place of them as “live wires,” and we were surprised where they fit, they are capable of doing a good to discover that in every instance where we had work. But in getting fitted they are likely to information, the general idea expressed above held give several churches fits also. They are really with reference to the preachers in question. For “live wires.” They are capable of burning lights in every case they were men of acknowledged and turning wheels, but they lack “insulation.” ability, and in every case they were men of zeal Some time ago an evangelist said, “I have a and industry; but in every case, also, they were call to conduct a meeting at A ...... But they men of more or less erratic temperament. They have had Evan'gelist R .. . . out there a number answered pretty well to the analogy of wire of times. I am not acquainted with this brother, which is charged with electricity, but which has and I am just wondering in what condition I thin or broken insulation. am likely to find the work where he has been.” But as we have observed often, the best is not The answer, by one who knew, was, “Brother with the extremes, but with the golden mean. R .... is sound in doctrine and sane in methods Now the opposite of a “live wire” is a “dead and is a go^d man. Where he does not do a

(2) THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE 67 great deal of good he does no harm and leaves “straight preaching.” Of course what he said in the work so another can follow him and do each case may have been true. But if so, the good. You will do well to go where he has been, change came under this man’s pastorate, and that for you will find a good situation in which to change was a witness to his failure. But the preach the gospel and have a revival.” likelihood is that there was no great change in This man was an “insulated wire.” He had the the people of the church, the change was in the fire all right, but he did not burn and blister in preacher who was showing up under the tests of a destructive way. He turned wheels and burned winning and losing. lights, but he was sane and dependable. He had An evangelist of our acquaintance said he was heart, but he also had a head. He had divine always careful to say nothing unduly offensive electricity, but he had good human insulation. when the people were not receiving him. He He did good, but not harm. Where he could not said he sometimes felt that he would like to say rule, he served. Where he could not lead, he some things which were a little hard, but that followed. Where he could not accomplish the when he considered that the people were not fol­ task himself, he did not scatter weed seed to lowing him and that he would be the more hinder the man who followed him. readily misunderstood on that account, he re­ Perhaps the best compliment that can be passed frained. But he said, “When I find that the upon a preacher is to say, “He is a good loser.” people are receiving me and will not purposely There are few who do not lose now and then, and misunderstand me, then I more readily give them the spirit one shows when he loses is a truer my ‘hard sayings.’ ” Another preacher of our index to his character than the temper he shows acquaintance said, “It is foolish to say ‘skat’ when when he wins. the kitten is running away. That is the time to A preacher was on the way to take charge of say ‘kitty.’ ” a church. In conversation, he extolled the vir­ But the man who lacks insulation will maim tues of that church in such a way that one in­ and burn and blister and drive away when there stinctively felt that the preacher who was called is no chance for him to win and save. He does to serve it was indeed fortunate. Later the not necessarily have any more electricity than preacher left that church because he was not others, but he simply turns it out in places where sufficiently “urged to stay.” And now his story it can do no useful work. He does not need less was that the people of that church were selfish fire, but more insulation—not less religion, but and worldly and that they would not stand, for more sense.

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HISTORICAL STUDIES IN CHRISTIAN failed to conform their postulates to the doc­ DOGMA trinal elements of the oracles of inspiration. Here­

B y B a s i l W. M i l l e r sies owe their existence to the same fact. The Part One, Bibliology great discussions concerning theology proper, or Chapter Two. The Development of Christian the existence and nature of God, Christology, Apologetics anthropology, or soteriology have arisen because HEbLOGY is based upon the Bible, and some theological thinker used human speculation dogmatic or systematic theology must find for the elemental tenets of his positions and not Tits roots in biblical theology. If one’s the Word of God. Through the course of the system of theology be truthful it is because it centuries there has been developed a well-rounded corroborates the doctrines of the Bible. Errors system of Christian dogma which is in strict in theological thinking have arisen in the past agreement with the Bible. history of Christendom because theologians have Since theology is derived from the Scriptures,

(3) 68 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE if the Word of God be proved to be false, un­ through the ages. It may be objected to this inspired, fallacious in its statements, and un- procedure that today it is unnecessary to defend authentic, theology is worthless, as void as its the Bible as the source of theology. But in source. Then the great Christian thinkers of the answer it must be remembered that as there has centuries, from the dawn of Christianity to the never been a century, an epoch in Church his­ present, have given much attention to the sub­ tory, when it was necessary to defend the inspira­ stantiating of the claims of the Bible as being tion of the Word of God, so today there are divinely inspired. For they realized that the those who make it a prime essential that we re­ claims of Christianity would not be given cre­ investigate our belief in the inspiration, authen­ dence unless they proved the Bible inspired as it ticity, as well as historicity of the Bible. Those affirms itself to be. Before they became theolo­ who label themselves as liberalists or modernists gians, they were first apologists. Before they is­ in theology affirm that the Bible is uninspired, sued their doctrinal statements or formulated and hence not the fountain spring of doctrinfe, and their creeds, they defended the supernatural ori­ thus make, human speculations or philosophy the gin of the Bible. For if the Bible be not super­ handmaiden or scourge of dogma, and force upon natural in its origin, an inspiration from God, it us today either one of two alternatives, that of must take its place beside all other human phi­ defending scientifically the inspiration of the losophies and is due no more trust and belief than Bible, or of being laughed off the stage of modern they. The early thinkers of the Church such as thought as traditional, unscientific and unpro­ Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Cyprian, and Origen gressive. skilfully answered the attacks of the opponents Christianity has been found to conform to the of the divine origin of the Bible. principles of truth and reason, and the most Through the centuries he that would dare be a stringent demands made upon it from the stand­ systemist in theological science, first became pro­ point of science, as defined either by deism, ficient in the knowledge of the original languages pantheism, agnosticism or modern evolution, have of the Bible, and devoted much attention to the been met. The Christian religion has its basis exposition of the doctrines of the same. John in the essential nature of God and as such must Calvin is an example of this. At the youthful be in accordance with the ultimate standards of age of twenty-six he published the greatest sys­ pure reason. It is the consummation of truth. tematic theology of the Christian Church up until As the broad outlines of the final reality of life his time. His Institutes of Christian Religion, and. Christianity are revealed they will be seen to though based upon the Augustinian doctrine of be harmonious with truth. Philosophically speak­ predestination, are worthy of the study of any ing, truth has its nature in the World-Ground, or investigator of theology. But Calvin will pos­ in theological phraseology in God. It is not sibly be longer remembered as a commentator on contradictory; and reason only affirms the truth the Bible than as a theologian. The writers on of Christianity; scientific inquiry and experimen­ Systematic Theology have first laid the founda­ tation strengthen its foundations. Reason as an tion for their work by devoting opening chap­ ultimate principle of the soul has its function in ters to Christian apologetics. One can verify this religion; but at the strange limit between finite by turning to such well known works as Watson, reason and ultimate truth faith is necessary. Theological Institutes, Wakefield, Theology, Pope, Such is also the case with science—there is at­ Compendium of Christian Theology, and Miley, tained a position in experimentation or research Systematic Theology (all Arminian writers), or the most strict where faith is necessary. There Shedd, Christian Dogmatics, Hodge, Systematic have been other ages comparable to this one at Theology, and Strong, Systematic Theology, (Cal- this point. For the modern mind would set up vinistic in doctrine). reason as the final arbiter in all matters of reli­ Then in our study of the historical progress of gion, and would cast aside that which reason doctrine, as laying a foundation for a systematic cannot fathom. This has been the classic posi­ statement of theology in the light of present day tion of rationalism through the course of Chris­ knowledge, it is fitting that our research shall tian history. But the defenders of “the faith de­ begin with a study of Christian apologetics or livered unto the saints” have believed that the Christian evidences as furnishing the underlying Bible is capable of standing the tests of research, source of systematic theology in its development reason or scientific inquiry. The author of these

(4) THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE 69 studies has made a serious attempt to state the the beginning of the ministry of Paul until the position of modern apologetics in answering the present day opposing theories and doctrines have erroneous claims of science in a manuscript of arisen which seek to pervert the faith of Chris­ some five hundred pages as yet unpublished, en­ tians. But for every antagonist there has come titled The Evidences of Christianity. forth men mighty with word and pen to enter the arena of polemics and apologetics and to wage II. T h e A p o l o g e t i c E l e m e n t i n t h e B i b l e warfare against false doctrines, and to battle for In the Bible there is a strong apologetic ele­ the inspiration of the Bible and the supernatural ment. The book of Job is a vindication of God’s origin of Christianity. Each age has presented ways with man; in the last chapter the Lord its peculiar heresies and erroneous theories. takes a part in the discourse and closes the de­ 1. Early Apologetic Period. The early apolo­ bate. Num erous Psalms such as the 1, 2, 19, 119, getic period includes the ages from A. D. 70 to give cogent reasons for righteousness. In one 250. (Summaries of the history of apologetics place God comes to reason with man about salva­ are to be found in: Shedd, History of Christian tion, “Come now let us reason together, saith the Doctrine, Book Second; Garvie, A Hand Book Lord.” In another He challenges the people to of Christian Apologetics, pp. 3-8; Keyser, A Sys­ “Produce your cause . . . bring forth your strong tem of Christian Evidences, pp. 47-59; Hurst, reasons” (Isa. 41:21). Christ defended Him­ History of the Christian Church, V. 1, pp. ISO- self and His teachings (Matt. 12:24-37). 206, 410-SS.) From the days of the apostles the Paul was the master apologist of the early days Christians met with opposition from the Jews, of the apostolic Church. He frequently reasoned who had crucified Christ and afterward refused with the Jews and others. His classical defense to admit the fact of His resurrection and adhere of his doctrines is found in his marvelous speech to His claims. It was but natural that the early before king Agrippa. This and his apologetic dis­ Church fathers should try to convince them course on Mars’ Hill in Athens, and Stephen’s through arguments and cogent reasonings that message, which so aroused the Jews to intense Jesus was the Christ. During the same period hatred that they stoned him to death, are the Gnosticism had its rise. Gnostics did not wholly outstanding discourses on apologetics or Christian reject the Christian religion but they tried to evidences which have been delivered. Romans combine it with human knowledge (gnosis), the and Galatians are apologetics in favor of justi­ philosophy and pagan theosophy of that age, thus fication by faith, the crucifixion of “the old degrading Christianity by means of pagan phi­ man,” the sanctification of the soul, salvation by losophy and corrupt mythology. John, as noted grace, and against Jewish legalism and heathenish above, and many others who desired to defend customs. James argues for good works as a the faith wrote against them. The Ebionites, a fruit of faith; while John defends love as the Jewish sect which had become partially Christian, motivating law of a Christian life. The first were encountered. They accepted Jesus as the epistle of this last named author was written Jewish Messiah and as the most wonderful of against heresies raging in his day, especially that their prophets but denied His incarnation as the of Gnosticism, which avowed that primal evil, or human-divine Redeemer. all evil, dwells in the body or in matter, and that The Jews were answered by Justin Martyr in the body could commit the grossest of sins, and his work entitled Dialogues with Trypho the the soul would remain pure. In order to sub­ Jew. This writer is the most eminent among the stantiate the claim of the spotless purity of Jesus Greek apologists of the second century. His full they were forced to deny His essential humanity. name was Justinus Flavius, and he bore the sur­ John strongly contends against them. (See Scott, name of “philosopher and martyr,” from the The Apologetic Element in the New Testament.) latter of which came the common cognomen, III. C h r i s t i a n A p o l o g e t i c s Martyr. He is a typical apologist, as Sheldon There is thus a biblical warrant for the state­ remarks, who devoted his entire life to a defense ments of our reasons for belief in the validity of of Christianity at a time when such a defense the Christian religion. One of the greatest con­ meant death. He is the first philosophic theo­ tentions of the Church through the past twenty logian, as Schaff states. He was born in Samaria centuries has been centered around its defense of of probably Greek parentage, and was a most its dogmas against heretics and infidels. From studious man, who was familiar with both the (S) 70 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE

Greek and the Hebrew methods. After passing be spurious. His style was fluent and lively, but through several schools of Greek philosophy, he often careless. Occasionally in some of his works was converted in his early manhood to Chris­ there is a touch of Plato, or of the other philoso­ tianity, and was instructed in the Christian reli­ phers. gion at Ephesus (c. 135) by men who had been It is wise to note in passing that most of the trained by the apostles. He at once sought the objections made against Christianity which are heralded today as liberal and modern were ad­ society of the Christians and devoted himself to vanced in those early days and ably answered by the vindication and the promulgation of the new the master minds of the Christian scholars and religion. He became a lay-evangelist with no fathers. permanent abode, but traveled afar teaching the Justin derived his religious knowledge from the precepts of the Master. He is the first of the Holy Scriptures and partly from the living Church fathers who may be said to be both a Church tradition. He cites the Old Testament, learned philosopher and a Christian thinker and and refers to the “Memoirs by the Apostles,” theologian. In his teaching Briggs remarks that and says they were read in the churches. He he continued to use his philosopher’s garb, and makes use of Matthew and Luke. His exegesis of in it taught and preached the Christian truths. the Old Testament is apologetic, typological and Of his early instructor he writes, “But straight­ ofttimes allegorical. Everywhere he discovers way a flame was kindled in my soul; and a love references to Christ. He believed in God the of the prophets, and of those men who are called Creator, and in Jesus Christ His Son, and our the friends of Christ, possessed me; and whilst Redeemer, and all the other doctrines of the revolving his words in my mind I found this Bible. He affirms that man has reason and a philosophy alone to be safe and profitable. Thus, free will and is hence responsible for his acts and for this reason, I am a philosopher.” {Apol­ (See Schaff, op. cit. 719-725). ogy, ii, 10). His memory was enormous, and his About the year A. D. 150, Celsus, a pagan of reading extensive. In one of his journeys to great learning, made a direct and systematic as­ Rome he met Marcion, and later wrote his mem­ sault on Christianity. Schaff writes that “he orable work against the Jews (c. 155-160). anticipates most of the arguments and sophisms His chief works are apologetic, the one men­ of the deists and infidels of later times” (op. cit. tioned above and two Apologies against the V. II, p. 86). He opposed Christianity in an ex­ heathen. His Dialogue consists of 142 chapters, tended work entitled, “A True Discourse,” frag­ and is a vindication of Christianity from Moses ments of which Origen, in his refutation has left and the prophets against the objections of the to us. The author is herein represented as an Jews. In his two Apologies against the heathen eclectic philosopher who is well skilled in dialec­ he vindicated Christianity against heathen cal­ tics. Celsus introduces a Jew who accuses the umnies and persecutions, and addressed them to mother of Jesus with adultery with a soldier. the emperor Antoninus Pius, and his adopted Then he begins his attack by denying the entire sons. He demands justice for his brethren who idea of the supernatural. He thus negates the are condemned without trial. He appeals to the thought of a revelation. In his view Christianity highest tribunal of the nation to stop such perse­ has no rational foundation at all. He sneers at cution. “In the Apologies he speaks like a phi­ the uncultured and ignorant Christians. Schaff losopher to philosophers; in the Dialogue as a says that Chrysostom made the truthful remark believer in the Old Testament with a son of that Celsus bears witness to the antiquity of the Abraham. The disputation (with Trypho) lasted apostolic writings by quoting from them. Lard- two days in the gymnasium just before a voyage ner, a writer of a later period in this field, refers of Justin, and turned chiefly on two questions, the riddle of Samson to the works of Celsus, how the Christians profess to serve God, and yet “Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the break his law, and how they could believe in a strong came forth sweetness” (Lardner, W orks, human Saviour who suffered and died,” writes V. VIII, pp. 210-270). Scott (op. cit. p. 7) also Schaff. (Hist. V. II, p. 718). states that “Celsus toward the end of the second He wrote polemic works which are lost, Against century anticipates almost all the objections which All Heresies, and Against Marcion. Other works still reappear in the most modern criticisms of are attributed to him, but many are believed to Christianity.”

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Origen effectively answered him in the re­ the incarnation, the resurrection and the judg­ nowned work, Contra Celsus. Origenes, or Origen ment; the third, of freedom, which is defended as he is known, is one of the most remarkable against the Gnostics; the fourth, of the inspira­ men of history for his learning and genius, as tion and authority as well as the interpretation well as for the tremendous influence he exerted of the Bible, and concluding with a recapitula­ on his age, and for the controversies to which tion of the doctrine of the Trinity. The founda­ his thinking and opinions gave rise. He was born tion for a systematic treatment of dogmatics was in Alexandria in 185. Under the direction of his thus laid bygone of the wisest teachers of the father, a Christian, and the celebrated Clement ancient Church, though some of his doctrines at the catechetical school he received a learned were erroneous. and reverent training. When but eighteen he was In the same period the rhetorician Lucian, who nominated for the position of the president of the was born in Syria about 120, and who has been catechetical school of Alexandria which had been termed the Voltaire of Grecian literature, at­ left vacant by the flight of Clement. To fill this tacked Christianity with the weapons of wit and position acceptably he became acquainted with ridicule. He had likewise ridiculed the pagan the heresies, and with Grecian philosophy, and faiths of his fathers in numerous well and ele­ studied under the founder of Neo-Platonism. He gantly written works. He was an infidel, and an learned the Hebrew language, and traveled ex­ Epicurean, and could see in Christianity only tensively to Rome, Palestine and Greece, as well vagaries and follies; in miracles he saw jugglery; as Arabia. Through his position in the school and immortality he thought to be only a dream. he had the opportunity of extensive research, and He never called Christ an impostor as Celsus had his fame soon spread through Egypt. The mother done before but referred to Him as a crucified of the emperor Alexander Severus, Julia Mam- sophist. He made the serious mistake of placing maea, brought him to Antioch to learn from him the Christian religion alongside and in the same the doctrines of Christianity. Through jealousy category with heathenism and pagan philosophy. his clerical career was a rough one (see Schaff, He had to learn that the faith of the Christians History, pp. 780-790). was of supernatural origin and destined to con­ He was one of the great scholars of the Chris­ quer the empire of which he so proudly boasted. tian centuries, whose knowledge embraced all the Porphyry, a leading Neo-Platonist, made a branches of learning of his age, theology, philol­ direct attack upon Christianity and was consid­ ogy, philosophy, etc. He was the father of a ered by the Church fathers as the bitterest as well critical investigation of the Scriptures, and his as the most dangerous opponent of their faith. commentaries are useful to scholars for their Near the close of the third century he wrote an suggestiveness. He is an outstanding witness to extended work of fifteen books against the Chris­ the Ante-Nicene text of the Greek Testament. tian religion, which was answered by many of the His biblical works are numerous such as the fathers, particularly by Methodius of Tyre, Euse­ Hexapla, and the Tetrapla, the first polyglot bius of Caesarea, and Apollinaris of Laodicea. In Bibles. His commentaries covered all of the 448 all the copies of his writings were burned by books of the Bible with but few exceptions. His Theodosius II and Valentinian III, emperors, and works in apologetics and polemics are quite thus we know of his work only through the frag­ numerous. The refutation of Celsus’ attack upon ments which have come down to us from the Christianity was written in the last years of his writings of the fathers. He attacked the sacred life, near the year 248, and has come down to us books of the Christians, with far greater knowl­ in the original in some eight books. This is one edge than Celsus. He tried to point out criti­ of the most fertile and ripest productions in the cism and contradictions between the two Testa­ realm of ancient apologetics the Church has. ments, and thus to refute the idea of their being He also wrote De Principiis, a study of the fun­ divinely inspired. He made much of the division damental doctrines of Christianity in four books. or collision between Paul and Peter at Antioch. It was the first attempt at a systematic statement He also charged Jesus with indecision, inconsist­ of the doctrines of the Church, and was full of ency and equivocation. errors of Platonic and Gnostic types. The outline The last antagonist to Christianity of this is worthy of notice. The first book treats of God, period is Hierocles, who, while being governor of Christ, the Holy Spirit; the second, of creation, Bithynia, persecuted the Christians under Dio-

(T)> 72 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE cletian. He merely repeated the objections of “1. The Defensive apology answered the Celsus and Porphyry. Jewish objections thus: (1) Against the charge Schaff well summarizes the objections to Chris­ that Christianity was an apostasy from the Jew­ tianity during this early age thus: “In general ish religion, it was urged that the Jewish law the leading arguments of Judaism and heathen­ was but a temporary institution and passed away ism of this period against the new religion are the or was fulfilled in the New Testament. (2) following: Against the assertion that the servant-form of Jesus contradicted the Old Testament idea of “1. Against Christ: his illegitimate birth; his association with poor, unlettered fishermen, and the Messiah, that the Messiah was to be re­ garded in a twofold nature, that of a sufferer rude publicans; his form of a servant, and his and that of a lifted up Christ.” ignominious death. But the opposition gradually ceased. While Celsus called him a downright On the positive score the great apologies for impostor, the Syncretists and Neo-PIatonists were the truths of Christianity were the fact that disposed to regard him as at least a distinguished prophecies had been fulfilled; that the types of sage. the Old Testament had realized in the New; that the miracles of Jesus were divine realities, “2. Against Christianity: its novelty; its bar­ which could not be denied; that the moral and barian origin; its want of a national basis; the spiritual effects of Christianity upon the hearts of alleged absurdity of some of its facts and doc­ its professors were such as could not be produced trines, particularly of regeneration and the resur­ by any other change; and that only by being rection; contradictions between the Old and New supernatural in origin could Christianity have Testaments, among the Gospels, and between spread so rapidly until every class of people dur­ Peter and Paul; the demand for a blind, irra­ ing the first few centuries, and every known tional faith. nation, had heard the story of the Redeemer and “3. Against the Christians: atheism, or hatred in all were followers of Him to be found; that of the gods; the worship of a crucified male­ Christianity is a reasonable religion and that its factor; poverty, and want of culture and stand­ truths can be substantiated by human philoso­ ing; desire of innovation; division and sectarian­ phy; and finally that Christianity is adaptable ism ; want of patriotism; gloomy seriousness; to the needs of the human heart. These it will credulity; superstition, and fanaticism. Some be seen are still the classic arguments in the realm they charged even with unnatural crimes ...” of Christian Evidences for the supernatural origin (Op. cit. V. II, 103-104). of Christianity, as one can discover from a study The foundation for modern rationalistic criti­ of either Paley, or Hopkins, Evidences of Chris­ cism was laid during this period, largely by the tianity. As most of the arguments of later infi­ influence of Porphyry. He is the “father of dels, skeptics, agnostics and critics were antici­ modern rationalistic biblical criticism,” as Keyser pated by the early critics of Christianity, so also states (A System of Christian Evidences, p. 48). were most of the common arguments for its de­ The stream of apologetic literature began to fense anticipated by the early apologists. appear in the reign of Hadrian, and continued 2. Polemical Period. The second period may­ steadily to increase until the close of the period. be termed the Polemical age, which extends from The works of Justin have been noted as a repre­ about A. D. 250 to 730. It will be seen that this sentative of the Greek school of apologists. The age somewhat overlaps the last. This is a time most important Latin apologist is Tertullian, (d. of conflicts, not with outright infidels and pagans, about 220). The differences between the two but with heretics within the Church. Herein minds come into view by the study of the writ­ apologetics assumes a more scientific spirit. ings of each. The Greek apologies are more There is a conflict between philosophy and reli­ learned and philosophical; while the Latin are gion, and the distinctions betw-een the natural more practical and given to judicial matters in and the supernatural, faith and science had to both content and literary style. Schaff again be clearly drawn. The dogmatic material is more summarized the apologetic literature of this age abundant and various and the defenses are more thus: systematic and elaborate. (1) The distinction had “In regard to the controversy with Judaism, to be clearly drawn between the natural and the we have . . . supernatural; for heretofore the two had been (1) THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE 73 closely allied in thought, until the argument was between heathenism and Christianity. The Ni- used against Christianity that it was little more cene age reaped the fruits of the earlier apolo­ than natural religion. In the theological dis­ gists, and thus more ably defended the common cussions the distinction between the functionings faith. The literary opposition to Christianity had of the human mind in philosophy and the revela­ been exhausted practically; and as Schaff remarks tions of God in the Bible was forcibly pointed that which once was apologetics now becomes out. (2) A second phase of this age is that the triumphant in the realm of polemics. The last question respecting the possibility of a divine enemy was the school of Neo-Platonism with its revelation was not raised but was left for the speculations and with its elements drawn from modern mind to discuss. Both the pagan and both Christianity and pagan philosophy. New the Christian apologists, as noted by Shedd, as­ arguments were also presented. During the sumed this possibility, and that of the need of a former age there was simplicity of morals among revelation to bring a knowledge of the divine. Christians, but now they became more corrupt, (3) There is also a strict insisting upon the need or took on more of the vices of their age; they of an infallible authority for the human mind. were ridiculed for their vices; once they had been There must be a norm by which man can guide persecuted, martyred, but now they became lead­ his thinking, and the ancient polemic theologian ers, and were then chastised for hypocrisy and as well as the pagan thinker assumed this to be ambition, as well as tolerance. These new argu­ a revelation, but the modern mind views this as ments had to be answered by Christian defend­ the product of human thinking and human phi­ ants. losophy. Augustine urges this necessity of an Julian made a rugged direct and systematic infallible authority in religion, with infallibility attack upon Christianity. In the winter of 363 he also included the idea of authority in dogmas. he wrote a work against all Christians for their (4) Reason and revelation are not arrayed world-wide apostasy. He stood in the realm of against each other in this age as appears at the the natural and seemed to have no sense of sin present time in our discussions concerning science and redemption. He but repeated the arguments and religion. Gregory of Nyssa speaks of truth of the former critics, such as Celsus and Por­ corroborated by the Holy Scriptures and by the phyry in a modified form; and in all the work authority of correct reason. he breathed the breath of the hatred of an apos­ Not to state our conclusions concerning the tate from the faith. He terms the religion of the literature of this age, but note should be made Galilean an impious human invention and a of Augustine’s De Civitate Dei, (The City of gathering together of the worst elements of Juda­ G od). For this work throws great light upon the ism and heathenism without even the good of modus operandi of the apologist. Dr. Shedd either. He speaks of the Christians as leeches writes, “The most powerful and grandest en­ who draw the bad blood and leave the good. deavor of the apologetic mind of this period to He asserted that the later followers perverted his evince the harmony of revelation and reason is doctrine and had Jesus call Himself a God, or the seen in De Civitate Dei of Augustine. This is a equal of God. He tried to expose all the contra­ treatise consisting of twenty-two books; the first dictions and absurdities of the Bible. He prefers ten of which contain a searching and extended the philosophers to Moses or the prophets. On critique of polytheism, in its principles and their through the category of. arguments against influence, and the last twelve treat of Christian­ Christianity he treads his way with true bitter­ ity as supernatural and destined as.the realized ness. But as Dr. Lardner well affirms, rather kingdom or city of God to overthrow ^11 secular than defeat or injure Christianity he became one and earthly kingdoms and powers.. It is a work of the outstanding witnesses to its early existence which merits the study of the modern theologian and truthfulness. He writes: perhaps more than any other single treatise of the “Julian . . . bore a valuable testimony to the ancient Church” (Shedd, History of Christian history and to the books of the New Testament, Doctrine, V. I, p. 154). Milman gives a most as all must acknowledge who have read the ex­ excellent synopsis of the same in his History of tracts just made from his work. He allows that Christianity, III, x.; and Schaff in op. cit. V. I ll, Jesus was born in the reign of Augustus, at the 85-89. time of the taxing made in Judea . . . that the There also went on during this age the conflict Christian religion had its rise and began to be

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propagated in the times of the emperors Tiberius and sayings, He commanded to be written by and Claudius. He bears witness to the genuine­ those disciples, whom He thus used as if they ness and authenticity of the four_ Gospels of were His own hands” (De Consensu Evang., V. I, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and the Acts of p. 35). Gregory the Great in his marvelous pref­ the Apostles: and he so quotes them as to inti­ ace to the Exposition of the book of Job remarks, mate that these were the only historical books “It is superfluous to inquire who wrote these received by Christians as of authority, and the things, since the Holy Spirit may be regarded as only authentic memoirs of Jesus Christ and His the author of the book. He himself, therefore, apostles, and the doctrines preached by them. wrote these things who dictated that which was He allows their early date, and even argues for to be written.” He also affirms that since the it. He also quotes . . . St. Paul’s Epistles to the Holy Spirit filled the writers that it was not un­ Romans, the Corinthians, and the Galatians. He natural for them to write concerning themselves, does not deny the miracles of Jesus Christ, but as though others were doing the dictating. Many allows him to have healed the blind, and the other writers of this age affirm that the Bible lame and the demoniacs. He endeavors indeed to was inspired thus, or literally written by the diminish these works; but in vain. The conse­ Holy Spirit. Cyril speaks of the Holy Spirit as quence is undeniable: such works are good proofs uttering the Scriptures. The human element was of a divine mission. He endeavors to lessen the not forgotten or overlooked in the preparation number of early believers in Jesus, and yet he and composition of the Scriptures.. Jerome in acknowledgeth that there were ‘multitudes of one place avers that there is a possibility that such men in Greece, and Italy,’ before St. John one of the apostles uttered a sentence which was wrote his Gospel. So that upon the whole he the outbreaking of his temper rather than the has undesignedly borne witness to the truth of result of the inspiration of the Spirit. Chrysos­ many things recorded in the books of the New tom took note of the variance of the style of Testament: he aimed to overthrow Christian the different writers, and of their diverse state­ religion, but has confirmed it: his arguments ments of minor details of the same events (Hont. against it are perfectly harmless and insufficient I on Matthew). Augustine allows that there is to unsettle the weakest Christian” {Works, V. a certain scope wherein freedom was permitted V II, pp. 738, 739). for the writer of the books of the Bible. The During this age, as was the case with the pre­ truth remains that this age looked upon the ceding one, the Bible held a very emphatic posi­ writers of the Bible as being the organs of the tion as to its inspiration and authority, as far as inspiration of the Spirit. the early fathers were concerned. Though it was On the score of the authority of the Scriptures ridiculed by such skeptics as Julian, and Chris­ this period as was true of the former one, looked tians were chastised with the most scathing wit, upon tradition as supplementing the statements of and were termed hypocrites, still it remains true the Word of God, and as bearing a direct rela­ that the Church believed in the Bible as its sacred tionship to the same. Sheldon remarks that the Book. The sacred writers were regarded as the decrees of the Nicene fathers were pronounced organs of the Holy Spirit and were so com­ by the council of Chalcedon to be in every re­ pletely under this guidance that their words be­ spect unalterable, “for it was not they who spoke, came altogether infallible and divine. This but the Spirit Himself of God and the Father” theory can be found in the writings of Eusebius, (Sheldon, History of Christian Doctrine, V. I, p. as noted by Sheldon, so much so that for one 185). Gregory the Great wrote, “I confess that during that age to think that there might be a I receive and venerate the four councils (those of mistake or an error due to the transmission of Nicsea, Constantinople, Ephesus, and Chalcedon) the text, was for him to be branded as a heretic. as I do the four books of the Holy Gospel.” Augustine writes, “Such implicit subjection as to Justinian makes a similar remark, “The doctrines follow their teachings, without admitting the of the four councils we receive as we do the slightest suspicion that in them any mistake or Holy Scriptures, and observe their rules as the any statement to mislead could find a place” is laws.” Sheldon states that thus, quoting from due the canonical Scriptures (Epistles, L X X X II). Schaff’s Church History, there was recognized an Again he states, “All that He was minded to give extra-biblical source of religious authority. This for our perusal on the subject of His own doings enlarged the importance of tradition in the sight

(10) THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE 75 of the Church. It accustomed men to look else­ of Christianity, the more common objections of where than to the Bible for the only statement the former age, and those of Julian began to of doctrine. It also increased the bearing and wane and finally became almost extinct. But the importance of the councils and their decrees the emphasis then began to shift from the de­ with reference to the heretics and their dogmas. fense of Christianity against the literary assaults Thus the councils became tributary to the largely of pagans, to a correct formulation of the doc­ increasing stream of tradition and authority with trines of the Church. Thus apologetics took on reference to doctrine, and this afforded a basis the form of polemics, passed from the mere for a standard of decision as to what constituted defense of Christianity as of supernatural origin correct doctrine and theology. Also the councils to the more positive work of refuting the errone­ and their decrees tended to crystallize the tradi­ tion of the early Church and to give a norm as ous teachings of the Christian heretics. to the traditionary teaching of the fathers with In the next section this shall be treated at reference to the tenets of religion. some length, wherein shall be pointed out the This became of vital importance in the future numerous controversies concerning the funda­ history of doctrine, for as the controversies of mental Christian doctrines. This becomes one this polemic period began to flourish, councils of the important divisions of the development of were called and they decided upon the truthful­ Christian apologetics. And when this polemic ness or erroneousness of doctrines which were period closes there is a shifting of the emphasis involved in the contentions. In the transforma­ to the newer arguments against the Bible. tion of the world through the gradual diffusion PITTSBURGH, PA.

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SOME GREAT PREACHERS I HAVE His greatness needed no endorsement and no KNOWN advertising. It told its own story and advertised By A. M. H i l l s itself. In the first place, he had a peculiar and HAVE been asked by our editor to write a most imposing presence. He was seventy-five series of articles on the above subject. I yield years old that month, but his majestic frame Ito his judgment that they may prove useful stood erect and towered high above his fellows. to the present and future ministry. His piercing eyes still blazed with the fire of I was born in a pioneer’s log cabin in western energy, and the conviction of eternal realities. Michigan. The Michigan Central railroad was He prayed the heavens open, and delivered a pushing west toward Chicago, then but a small message from God to men with heavenly unction town. It established a station within a mile of and power, such as might have been expected my birthplace and my father drove through the from the aged Moses, when he spoke with all the first street the day it was opened, with me in his burning intensity of his great heart, “his eye un­ arms, when I was six weeks old. So being reared dimmed and his natural force unabated.” in a frontier village I was out of the range of great preachers. But while yet in my teens I That first impression never waned, but rather entered Oberlin College, where several of my deepened as time went on. We sang in the great father’s family had been educated. choir of seventy-five voices behind him for four Can I ever forget that first Sabbath? I went years. We watched his methods of discourse, up into the gallery of the great First church and studied his oratory, and marked the astonishing looked upon the audience of nearly two thousand. effects of his preaching. Now after studying In the pulpit was that prince of preachers and preachers and orators for more than sixty years, evangelists—Charles G. Finney. we are free to say that as an effective ambassador

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for Christ, we never saw his equal, either in parents moved into central New York, in Oneida America or Europe. County. There he seldom ever heard a sermon, His style of preaching was peculiarly his own. and when Charles reached the age of sixteen a He would unfold the meaning of his text in calm meeting house was erected in his neighborhood, and clear speech, and with critical and logical but his parents, as if afraid of a sanctuary and exactness, like a judge on the bench. And after Christian civilization, took their family and analyzing the text and explaining it for perhaps made another plunge into the wilderness, going to forty minutes until a child could understand it, the extreme eastern end of Lake Ontario and he would say, “A few remarks and I have done.” far to the north, approaching the border line of Then by way of application of the truth to Canada. Here again he was unblessed by reli­ the living audience before him, he would let loose gious privileges. a fiery eloquence that often reminded one of But the New England emigrants, true to their chain lightning. Every eye would be riveted native instincts, planted their common schools upon him. Strong men would tremble. Often even in the wilderness. One of these the boy at­ whole audiences would be melted by his moving tended until he himself was able to teach a and tender appeals. Thus people would be by country school, which he did in a German settle­ turns appalled, or melted and subdued, and would ment where there was no preaching in English. bow before the Lord. The effects of his preach­ He taught and studied by turns under a private ing were often indescribable. His piercing eyes instructor who had graduated from Yale, until would flash and blaze with the pent-up fire of his he had completed half the Yale College course. soul until people on whom he fixed his searching He then began the study of law in the town of look would tremble. Adams, Jefferson County, New York, at twenty- it There was great freedom in his manner and yet six years of age in 1818. He afterw ard wrote, a" ;dignity and majesty of action and a reverence “Up to this time I had never enjoyed what might for the Lord’s house and the sacred work of the be called religious privileges. I do not think I ministry, which restrained him from overstep­ had heard a half a dozen sermons while I taught ping the bounds of pulpit decorum. and studied in New Jersey, a period of three In his early years, he often preached without a years. Thus when I went to study law, I was written word before him, but it was not memor- almost as ignorant of religion as a heathen. I iter preaching. In his later years he usually had been brought up mostly in the woods. I preached from a written outline which might had little regard for the Sabbath, and no definite cover two or three pages of ordinary letter paper; knowledge of religious truth. At Adams, for the and his sermons were as rigidly homiletical and first time in life, I sat statedly under an educated logical as his astute legal and analytical mind ministry, and never could attend a regular prayer- could make them. A rambling, disconnected meeting. talk from him, in the place of a well-digested “In the law books, I found many references to logical sermon, was a mental impossibility. Scripture, which excited my curiosity. I bought a Finney was an original in theology for many Bible to hunt up the passages referred to—the reasons. He had had no religious training in his first Bible I had ever owned in my life.” This youth. Though one of his ancestors, seven gen­ led to careful reading and meditation upon the erations back, came over in the Mayflower, which Holy W ord. makes illustrious pedigree in Massachusetts, yet his Here follow two facts of profound importance immediate parents, so far from being “righteous” to all churches,, and to all preachers who would and “blameless” and “filled with the Holy Spirit,” be successful soul winners. Rev. Geo. W. Gale were utterly godless. When Finney was twenty- was his pastor in Adams, a graduate of Princeton nine years old he had never heard a word of College and Theological Seminary. His theology prayer in his father’s house. Evidently no Chris­ was hyper-Calvinistic, the kind taught at that tian lullabies ever greeted his childish ears, or time and we may add, so much of the time since soothed to infant slumbers. at Princeton. He believed that man’s nature Nor viewed from a religious standpoint were was so totally sinful that he was utterly incapable his surroundings any more propitious than his of any good; the will was incapable of a right home. When Charles was two years old, his choice; the soul was utterly passive in regenera­ ( 12) THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE 77 tion; “there was no adaptation in the gospel to everlasting death;” that “these angels and men change his nature, and consequently no connec­ thus predestined and fore-ordained are particularly tion in relation between means and ends. This and unchangeably designated, and their number Brother Gale sternly held; and consequently in is so certain and definite, that it cannot be either his preaching he never seemed to expect, nor did increased or diminished;” “that those predesti­ he ever aim at converting anybody by any ser­ nated to life, God, before the foundation of the mon that I ever heard him preach. And yet he world hath chosen, without any foresight of faith was an able preacher, as preaching was then esti­ or perseverance or good works, or any other mated. The fact is these dogmas were a perfect thing in the creature; that they who are elected straightjacket to him. If he preached repentance, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept unto he must be sure, before he sat down, to leave the salvation;” “neither are any other redeemed by impression on his people that they could not Christ, called or saved but the elect only.” “The repent. If he called them to believe he must be rest of mankind God was pleased to create and sure to inform them that, until their nature was pass by and ordain to wrath (eternal), for the changed by the Holy Spirit, faith was impossible glory of his sovereign power;” that those “not to them . And so his orthodoxy was a perfect elected, neither do nor can come to Christ, and snare to himself and his hearers.” therefore cannot be saved;” that “man is alto­ The pastor was in the habit of dropping into gether passive in regeneration,” because “fallen the young law yer’s office to see w hat impression man is afflicted with absolute moral inability” his sermons made on the lawyer’s mind. Finney to do anything toward his own salvation: and was the leader of his choir and of course their “almighty power” by “irresistible efficacious relations were familiar. We may be sure the grace” “must effectually draw them to Christ;” lawyer satisfied the minister’s curiosity completely. that “sanctification is imperfect in this life;’'’ and He questioned him, lawyer fashion, “What do “there is none that doeth good and sinneth not;” you mean by repentance? Is it a mere feeling? “yet there is no sin so great that it shall bring Is it altogether a passive state of mind or does damnation on them who truly repent.” it involve a voluntary element? In what sense Such was Gale’s theology. All were told that is it a change of mind? What do you mean by they were absolutely helpless, and could do regeneration? What do you mean by faith? Is nothing to secure their own repentance or con­ it merely an intellectual state? Is it merely a version ; and they generally believed it. With conviction or persuasion that the things stated one accord they were waiting in imaginary help­ in the gospel are true? Or does it involve a lessness, for a sovereign God to enable them to choice on the part of man? I could not tell what repent and believe; and thus whole generations he meant, neither did the minister seem to know were sweeping into hell. What appalling results himself.” can flow from a false theology! Finney rejected As one reads such words, can one help wonder­ it all. ing how many ministers now are as vague and Infant Methodism was then but little known misty as was Rev. Gale; and how many multi­ in this country and God did not wait for it. A tudes are still sitting in the pews and wondering young woman collected a group of young people, what the preachers are talking about? Neither who began to pray for Finney. On a Sabbath can one help reflecting that with such a theology evening in early October, 1821, he began to feel prevailing it is little wonder that infidelity was concerned for his soul. Monday and Tuesday he widespread at the beginning of the nineteenth spent much of his time in his office, reading his century, and revivals were few, with seldom a Bible and praying, His conviction was very great. conversion and that only one in fourteen of the He thought he should die. Wednesday morning, population of this country was even a professor on the way to his office, a divine voice seemed of religion and multitudes of that small fraction to speak to him, “What are you waiting for? had no intelligent faith and no salvation. What are you trying to do? Are you trying to People in so-called orthodox circles were taught work out a righteousness of your own?” God that “God eternally and unchangeably ordained opened to his mind the whole plan of salvation whatsoever comes to pass;” that “By the decree as clearly as he ever saw it. Gospel salvation of God, some men and angels are predestined seemed to be offered to him as something to be unto everlasting life, and others fore-ordained to accepted, and that all that was necessary was to

( 13) 78 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE get his own consent to give up his sins and got so excited he ran out of the church and went accept Christ. “Will you accept it now” today, home without his hat. today? He replied, “I will accept it today or die I now call attention to the astonishing fact that in the attempt!” and he started for the woods. this cultured pastor, with all his college and He hid in a tree-top and went to prayer. After seminary training, long after this, confessed that some hours, he said, “Lord, I take Thee at Thy he had never knowingly led a soul to Christ; word!” Soon he was “tripping through the while this young lawyer, not college-bred, and bushes on the way to the road,” saying, “If ever never having read a line of theology, within I am converted, I will preach the gospel.” In twenty-four hours after he was baptized with the his ignorance, he did not know that peace had Spirit and thirty-six hours after his conversion, had seen many converts, among them a lawyer come, and he was converted! and a distiller, and had been used by God to “That evening, after supper, I received a launch a full-fledged revival upon a whole town mighty baptism of the Holy Ghost, without any that swept over the county and state. expectation of it, without ever having the thought Verily a poor, false theology is worse than in my mind that there was any such thing for me, none! I am sensitive on this point, and I refuse without any recollection that I had ever heard to be misunderstood. I thoroughly believe in the thing mentioned by any person in the world, college and seminary training. I had the best the Holy Spirit descended upon me in a manner myself and have spent thirty years in giving that seemed to go through me body and soul! them to others. But the devil will prevent these No words can express the wonderful love that things if he can, and make them bonds and was shed abroad in my heart! I wept aloud with shackles. Who shall say that the sixty thousand joy.” barren Protestant preachers of the United States A young man who was fitting for college lis­ in 1927, who preached six million sermons w ith­ tened to a few words of Finney’s conversation out a convert, were not spiritually handcuffed and suddenly fell to the floor and cried out in and shackled and put in mental bonds and re­ agony, “Do pray for me,” and was soon con­ straints by the false philosophies and doctrines of verted. The next morning Squire Wright came the very professors who were supposed to be into the office, when Finney said a few words to educating them for large achievement? Finney him about his soul which pierced him like a providentially escaped it all, by getting a fresh sword, he dropped his head, left the office and view of truth from his new Bible, with his rare was soon converted. He entered a shoeshop and intellect and spiritual perception, illuminated only there was a young man, son of an elder of the by the Holy Spirit. Not everyone under such church, defending Universalism. Finney answered circumstances could have drawn out such a prac­ his arguments. He dropped his head, left the tical body of truth and such an effective working shop in silence, went to the woods to pray and theology as he did. Doubtless God was in it all. was converted. He spoke to several others about He read his Bible with the same fresh vision their souls and each one was converted. In the that he read his law books, and expected to find evening he sat down to the tea-table at which in it the same self-evident truthfulness. So, was an unconverted young woman and a young naturally, he rejected the old Calvinistic dogmas man who was a Universalist and a whiskey-dis- that we have quoted above and the “theological tiller. Being requested to ask the blessing, Finney fiction” as he called it of “imputation,” and of began to pray for them. The distiller rushed “obligation beyond ability.” He had dedicated from the table, locked himself in his room and himself at conversion to the great work of saving was seen no more till he was converted. He men and he rejected these old doctrines because afterward became an able minister of the gospel. they were not a help but a hindrance to his work. The girl also was converted. He needed doctrines, as John Wesley did, that That evening the people, unbidden, packed the he could preach effectively to move the con­ church. The pastor was there; but neither he sciences of men and bring them to repentance nor anyone else ventured to lead the meeting, and faith in Christ as a personal Savior. He conscious of unfitness. Finney went forward and believed he found them on his knees before his spoke and God used his words to put conviction open Bible, illuminated by the Holy Spirit, and upon the whole audience. One prominent citizen thus he wrought out his theological system.

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So he naturally rejected the doctrines that a court of law would have been considered at all were the heart and core of Calvinism—God’s conclusive” (“Autobiography,” p. 60). eternal and unchangeable ordination of whatever Of course the devil detected the coming of this comes to pass, unconditional election, limited spiritual giant, and did everything he could to atonement, moral inability and irresistible, effi­ turn him aside, or oppose him. The presbytery, cacious grace. He once said in a sermon of the perhaps out of policy, ventured to license him doctrine of moral inability. “It is echoed and to preach, and appointed Rev. Gale to re-echoed over every Christian land and handed superintend his studies in Calvinistic theolo­ gies, but his studentship was one continual down age after age, never to be forgotten. With battle between this strange pupil and his teacher unblushing face it is proclaimed that men can­ and text books. Rev. Gale once deigned to per­ not do what God requires of them. It is only mit him to occupy his pulpit. When he had moderate language to call this assertion from the finished his sermon his teacher said to him, “Mr. confession of faith a libel. If there is a lie either Finney, I shall be very much ashamed to have it in hell or out of hell, this is a lie, or God is an known, wherever you go, that you studied theol­ infinite tyrant. If reason be allowed to speak at ogy with me.” Just one more shaft from Satan all, it is impossible for her to say less or other­ to discourage him! To Mr. Gale’s credit be it wise.” said that years afterward he confessed how ut­ At another time he cried out against one of terly mistaken he was, and blessed the Lord that the blasphemous statements of the creed that in all he said to his great pupil, he had not the logically makes God the responsible author of all least influence to change his views. He admitted the wickedness in the universe. “It is as vile a that, if Finney had listened to him, he would slander against God as was ever vomited out of have been ruined as a minister. Oh, what multi­ hell.” So far from being a Calvinist, he was tudes of preachers have no such happy escape such a one as John Calvin himself would have from bad theology and impractical training! burned at the stake with far more relish than he What vast numbers have had the fire of enthusi­ burned Serbetus. asm and oratory extinguished by school criticism, Is it any wonder that the healthy mind of and go into the ministry utterly unfitted for Finney, so rich in common sense and so “filled practical work by theories and notions that will with the Spirit,” and so entirely void of any cramp their energies and hinder their usefulness theological bias or preconceived opinions, should while they live! revolt at this mass of theological rubbish and Probably no minister ever went to his life work inconsistency ? with less expectation of dazzling success than God mercifully and providentially saved him Finney had. Without any special training, he from accepting a theology that would have made never thought of preaching in large towns and his great and unequaled usefulness utterly im­ cities, or of ministering to cultivated congrega­ possible. He was destined to “reason with men," tions. He expected to preach in new settlements lawyers, judges, theologians, master-minds of and in schoolhouses and barns and groves as “sin, righteousness and judgment.” He could not best he could. But God attends to all these have done it without a theology which com­ affairs. John Baptist could not be hid though mended itself to the right reason of men, and he preached from the top of a rock out in the with which he could charge home on the con­ desert. So Finney in spite of the combined oppo­ science. sition of preachers, and infidel clubs and Uni- He paid his respects to the Presbyterian Con­ versalists and Unitarians and the devil and all fession in these words: “When I came to read hell, went on and on like an irresistible conqueror. the confession of faith, and saw the passages that He went from backwoods villages to towns and were quoted to sustain their peculiar positions, cities. Western, Rome, Utica, Auburn, Troy, I was absolutely ashamed of it. I could not feel Wilmington, Philadelphia, Reading, Columbia, any respect for a document that would under­ New York City, twice in Rochester, Buffalo, take to impose on mankind such dogmas as Auburn again, back again to New York, five those sustained, for the most part, by passages of times meetings in Boston, twice meetings in Prov­ Scripture that were totally irrelevant and not in idence, Hartford, two great campaigns in England a single instance sustained by passages which in and Scotland occupying years, and the campaigns

(IS) 80 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE years apart, Syracuse, and a college career in urgent call came from England and he went to Oberlin. the village of Houghton, and soon there were, as Once Calvinistic theologians called a conven­ in this country, multitudes of converts. Then he tion to oppose Finney and keep him out of was called to Birmingham; then to Worcester; New England. One of these preachers “held that then to London and labored in Whitefield’s Tab­ both sin and holiness were produced in the mind ernacle that held three thousand people. Dr. by a direct act of the Almighty Power; that God Campbell said Finney preached to more people made men sinners or holy at His sovereign dis­ during the week-day evenings than all the other cretion but in both cases by a direct act of Al­ preachers in London together. He found that mighty self; that, in fact, God was the only London had been cursed by Calvinistic preaching proper agent in the universe, and that all crea­ just like this country. But Finney knew his tures acted only as they were moved and com­ pelled to act by His irresistible power; that every gospel would win. When he was ready to draw sin in the universe, both of men and of devils the net he asked for an inquiry room. The was the result of a direct irresistible act on the pastor thought a room that held forty would do. part of God.” Such an insane theology is cer­ Finney got him to secure a church near by, that tainly a blasphemous libel on God! Of course held 1,500; A fter a sermon in the Tabernacle, men holding such views and the accompanying he made the call, telling that he did not want philosophy and methods would oppose Finney! Christians to go, nor careless sinners, but only But they might as well have tried to sweep out those who were anxious about their souls, and the ocean tides with a broom! Finney was soon were willing immediately to make their peace in Boston preaching in the pulpit of one of the with God. To the amazement of the pastor, the men who had opposed him. street was crowded with people and the church One man testified that the revival in his com­ was packed. Finney made them understand that munity was so sweeping and universal that it God required them to yield themselves at once was impossible for six years to organize a dance entirely to His will, to make their submission to and it was unprofitable to have a circus. Do not him as their rightful Sovereign, and accept Jesus picture one of these revivals under Finney as a as their only Redeemer, then and there. As he modern two weeks’ meeting and a little spasm of was about to ask them to kneel and commit excitement. He would go into a city and stay themselves forever to Christ a man cried out in six months or a year or more to get a grip on greatest distress. To avoid an uproar, he hushed the whole city and on all the regions around, to it down as best he could, and called them to kneel carry a blessing to all the ministers and churches down, but to keep so quiet that they could hear who were willing to be blessed. The ministers every word of the prayer he was about to offer. would crowd in to hear him and get convicted With great effort amidst sobbing and weeping, and converted, or revived and filled with the they could hear the prayer! Fifteen hundred on Holy Spirit and then go out to spread the fire. their knees seeking God at one time I And this Dr. Beecher reported that growing out of one went on day after day and week after week for revival center where Finney was preaching and nine months! in surrounding sections of country, one hundred The Church of England rectors came and thousand joined the churches, the greatest revival learned of Finney how to win souls. One of them of religion the world had ever seen in so short a had fifteen hundred hopeful converts, and half a time. . This was at Rochester, where nearly all dozen were thus holding daily services for con-* the lawyers, judges, bankers, physicians, mer­ versions, and these efforts had never ceased when chants and leading citizens were swept into the Finney went back to England years later. Henry kingdom. The only theater of the city was con­ Ward Beecher heard him two nights in London, verted into a livery stable! during his second campaign in England, and saw College presidents and cities petitioned him, a thousand seekers each night! It was conserva­ from far and near, to come and preach his mighty tively estimated that in the revivals Finney con­ gospel. In New York city they bought a church ducted for forty years, five hundred thousand for him, where he preached nearly every night were blessedly converted, besides the uncounted for a year. Prominent lawyers, leading business multitudes that were saved indirectly by his men and vast numbers of people were saved. An influence. And this is the man whom Rev. Gale,

(16) THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE 81 who had never seen a convert, thought he would Yale, son of Dr. Lyman Beecher, of national be ashamed of! fame and elder brother of Henry' Ward Beecher In my book, “Holiness and Power,” chapter of world-wide fame as one of the noblest preach­ ers of the centuries. He had heard all these three, I point out Finney’s mistake relative to the countless times, and all the greatest preachers of philosophy of sanctification, which caused him to his age, yet he pronounces Finney’s sermons, diverge from Methodist teaching, and unfitted “The most impressive and powerful I ever heard." him for great success in teaching that doctrine; This confirms my judgment that for matchless but in soul-winning he was peerless. power to sway men and bring them to Christ In rny “Life of Charles G. Finney,” I point he was the prince of preachers and the greatest out fully the theological errors he confronted, soul-winner of the ages. the opposition he faced, the victories he won, and Finney to the end of his life gave all the honor his comments on evangelism, which are invaluable to the Holy Spirit for his matchless power and to ministers. Dr. C. J. Fowler said, “The book achievement. He insisted that the Spirit gave drove me to my knees.” him his theology and taught him how to preach When Finney first preached in Boston, Dr. and often gave him his sermons. He always in­ Edward Beecher was pastor of Park Street church sisted on the baptism with the Holy Spirit as the and invited Finney to preach. Fifty-seven years greatest need and most important preparation of afterward he wrote, “He preached the most im­ a preacher for his life work. Whenever his power pressive and powerful sermon I ever heard. It declined he fasted and prayed till the Spirit-power rings in my ears to this day. No one can form returned. He felt that without it the greatest any conception of the power of his appeal!” genius might fail, while with it a less talented man Now this Edward Beecher was valedictorian of could do exploits and move three worlds.

HINTS TO FISHERMEN By C . E. C o r n e l l

WINDOWS FOR SERMONS voiced his unfaltering faith in life after death. In (From The Expositor) the course of an interview with James Martin Something Better Ahead Miller, in November, 1927, Senator Depew said, “Therefore we are always confident” (2 Cor. “The anticipation of a life beyond the grave so 5:6). belongs to our human mastery over the conditions of animal life that it seems to be an integral part A while ago I spent some twenty-four hours of our human endowment. Life comes first, faith floating on the great Atlantic ocean on a small pan afterward. We had the stars of the constellation of ice, onto which I had crawled out of the freez­ before we had astronomy; plants and flowers ing water. No picture was formed on my retina ahead of botany; religion preceded theology,min­ of a single living soul. However, I slept peacefully eral before geology. The mortal life came to me through a large part of the night, in the absolute first, the immortal life will follow it; but we must conviction of an unseen Presence, and of some­ seek it and prepare for it.” thing better before me, even if it should be behind the sun which rose in the morning, gloriously, from No Dark Valley beyond the boundless horizon.—D r . W i l f r e d T.

G r e n f e l l , “On Immortality.” “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art The Immortal Life Will Follow the Mortal with me” (Psa. 23:4). “Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, “How well I remember the last time when I was but that which is natural; and afterward that with the beloved Sankey,” said Dr. F. B. Meyer, which is spiritual” (1 Cor. 15:46). when speaking of his memories of Moody and At the age of ninety-four Chauncey M. Depew Sankey, “It was when he was near the end, very

(17) 82 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE ill and very weak. He had been blind for a num­ raise men out of despondency, desolation and sin. ber of years. There, in his New York home, I It can lift and transfer them and make them sons visited him. His wife was fanning him that hot of God. It can give them a hope which is more summer afternoon. When I was about to go he than a gentle and pleasurable sensation; a hope protested and said, ‘You are not going until I sing that is alive and full of dynamic vigor.—D r . for you, are you?’ I replied that he was too weak W. E. B a r t o n . to sing. But he responded that he must sing for me, and how sweetly he sang, ‘There’ll be no dark The Lawyer's Boy valley when Jesus comes!’ And he sang the en­ “Be not deceived” (1 Cor. 15:33). tire song, the four stanzas.”—W i l l i a m M . R u n ­ y a n in the Sunday School Times. A certain lawyer who had always been a reli­ gious man denied all his early beliefs when his The Life that Is to Be beautiful girl wife, whom he deeply loved, died in giving birth to a son. “What right had God to “O death, where is thy sting?” (1 Cor. 15:55). take her from me?” he cried again and again. The poet laureate, in his Gareth and Lynette, He became an atheist, a cynic who delighted in one of the “Idyls of the King,” draws a wonderful assailing the faith of others. Often in argument picture of the warfare of human life. Gareth is a with guests at his home he would pooh-pooh the king’s son, who in disguise has served as scullion idea of immortality. “When you’re dead,” he in the king’s kitchen until Arthur sends him forth would say, “you’re dead, dead as a doornail.” to do battle for the liberation of an imprisoned lady, typical of the human soul. He encounters Meanwhile his son grew up in the care of the morning, noon, and night, the succession of armed housekeeper. Though the boy saw little of his father, he frequently overheard his conversations warriors who guard the castle. Then at last he faces Death in the form of a dreadful being clad and arguments. One day the housekeeper asked in black armor, with a grinning skull at its crest. to speak to the lawyer. The boy had learned to This foe also he unhorses, and cleaves the black swear. “You must talk to him, sir,” she said. helmet, only to liberate a smiling and beautiful “Send him to me,” replied the lawyer. boy, who pleads that the other champions have A few minutes later father and son looked at persuaded him to don this dreadful disguise of ter­ each other. “How like my dead-and-gone Lucy ror. Death faced, overcome, forced to disclose the boy looks!” thought the father. He spoke himself, proves no dreadful specter, but a form of sternly to the boy of his fault and then sent him blooming youth.— The Epworth Herald. away. But the housekeeper came again and again with The Lifting Power of the Spiritual Life the same complaint. At last, seeking in despera­ “The power of an endless life” (Heb. 7:16). tion for some argument that would appeal to the boy, the lawyer said, “You know, my boy, that if A titled woman, in Germany, having no faith your mother were alive she wouldn't like to hear in immortality, had the courage of her convictions you talk like that.” or lack of them, and caused herself to be buried in a tomb of masonry covered with a heavy stone “But mother isn’t alive,” the boy replied, glibly. slab, on which was inscribed a declaration of her “She’s dead, dead as a doornail.” opinion that was the end for her. She was mis­ The words struck to the heart of the embittered taken. A tiny seed found lodgment in the mortar, man; all his being seemed to surge up in protest took root that fed upon her body and grew to be against such words from the lips of his wife’s son! a tree that burst the slab asunder. I have seen a He leaped to his feet. “She is not dead!” he cried. photograph of the tree growing from this tomb, “Boy, your mother is alive and hears every word proclaiming nature’s own refutation that death is you utter!” He paused and then added, “I have a finality or the tomb impregnable. been a wicked fool and have spoken what is not Just as surely as the tree has inherent in its life true. Come, my boy, we’ll begin again and from the power of lifting water and transforming it into now on see more of each other. Let us live in a sap and wood-fiber and leaf and blossom, so has way th at is w orthy of h e r!”— The Youth’s Com­ the spiritual life its own lifting power. It can panion.

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Our Kinsman says, “Planting flowers in the world?” “Yes.” “We are more than conquerors through him that “Didn’t get away from it?” “No.” “Sowed it to loved us” (Rom. 8:37). beauty ?” “Yes.” Please God, if He will help me, I don’t want to get to heaven a nondescript. I You remember the ancient tale of Theseus, don't want to dodge from the lines, not a bit. I about to enter the black labyrinth, sword in hand, want to walk straight along and say, “I own this to battle with the monster whose lair was in this road. Give me passage. I own this road, give gloomy and bewildering fastness; and how his sis­ me passage.” Some of these days I want to walk ter, Ariadne, tied around his ankle a silken thread, down, and Death will see me and say, “You can’t and told him that whenever he felt a pull on that go this road.” And I will say, “Old man Death, thread he would know that she was thinking of you have terrified many, but my Christ told me him, and was with him in his hazardous search to walk this way, and I am going along this road. and combat, and how thus fortified with her sym­ Give me passage.” And he will.—B i s h o p W. A. pathy, Theseus slew the destroying Minotaur. Q u a y l e . There is a like pull on the heart-strings of men from the cross of Christ, in our conflicts with the An Enormous Sale woes and wrongs and evils of life which makes us “In His Steps,” written by Dr. Charles M. Shel­ aware of His spiritual fellowship, and renders us don, has had the enormous sale up to date of more more than conquerors through this kinsman of than twenty-two million copies, and is second only ours.—P r e s i d e n t H. S. C o f f i n . to the Bible in volume of sales. An error in copy­ righting the original book, however, prevented Dr. Give Me Passage Sheldon from realizing any financial return from “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the vic­ the book’s enormous sales. tory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. Dr. Sheldon is the author of many other read­ 15:57). able books but none so widely read, or nearly so, Did you notice how the flowers grow through as “In His Steps.” Dr. Sheldon celebrated his dirt? Did you ever notice a flower coming up? seventy-first birthday recently. He is now one of Does it come up through the dirt? Does it put the contributing editors of The Christian Herald. on any vestments to keep the dirt from crowding all around it? It does not. The flower comes up Revivals: Suggestive Texts “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and through the dirt, and grows in the dirt, and al­ uphold me with thy free spirit” (Psalm 51:12). ways close to the dirt, and, amongst the dirt, “Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and blooms. Ah me, we are God’s flowers; we are sinners shall be converted unto thee” (Psalm 51: meant to be where the dirt is; but we are meant 13). to convert the dirt into bloom and beauty and “Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy perfume. What are we here for? To dodge the face to shine; and wc shall be saved” (Psalm issue? No. What are we here for? To enjoy the 80:7). issue? Yes. Keep in the world, impinged on by “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy it, raptured with it, rejoicing for it. And when people may, rejoice in thee?” (Psalm 85:6). you come up the long hill they call Zion’s hill, and “Until the Spirit be poured upon us from on will come up with a great armload of immortelles high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and that you grew on the road you traveled—as you the fruitful field be counted for a forest” (Isa. come they ask, “What are you sowing,man?” He 32:15). said, “Flowers.” “What for?” “Oh, for fun.” “0 Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was “Who will pick them?” “I don’t know.” “Will afraid: O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of anybody pick them?” "I wouldn’t wonder.” the years, in the midst of the years make known; “What if nobody does?” “God will,” he says. in wrath remember mercy” (Hab. 3:2). Sowing flowers. Not looking where he sows them, but going down on the roadways and by the hard­ Elisha est highways, along the loneliest places, up along The successor of the prophet Elijah: a model the weary mountain ways, and when the gleaners spiritual leader. of the flowers call to him he looks around and A man of great energy (1 Kings 19:19).

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When called, made a complete surrender (1 She spoke of health and wealth and peace, Kings 19:20, 21). Of pleasure and prosperity, Sought a spiritual equipment (2 Kings 2:9). Of Love Divine th at fills all space, Spoke with authority, as the oracle of God (2 The only great reality. Kings 3:16, 17). Put his entire personality into the work (2 Despite her look, her smile, her speech, Kings 4:34, 35). My spirit shrank, strange to remark, Was of incorruptible integrity (2 Kings 5:16). Like one whose groping fingers reach Some cold, dead thing amid the dark. Lived in the spirit of victory (2 Kings 6:15, 16). A man of spiritual vision (2 Kings 6:17). “Give me,” I cried, “0 stranger-guest, Died a victorious death (2 Kings 13:14-19). Before I entertain thy plea, Had a wonderful posthumous influence (2 An answer to this one request—- Kings 13:20, 21). Dost come by way of Calvary?”

The Test Swift changed her eyes from noon to night, A New Religion came to me Her smile to cold, superior scorn; With buoyant step and radiant smile, She vanished on my wondering sight, And at my door asked joyously But left me neither sad nor lorn. Just to come in and chat awhile. A shining Presence filled my room, Her jeweled hands were fair to see, A voice divine spoke peace to me, Her white robe glistened in the sun, A person full of truth and grace, ’Twas quite agreeable to me Who came by way of Calvary.

To listen to her silver tongue. —E l i z a b e t h C h e n e y .

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ELEMENTS OF TRUE LOVE I will take him away.” Love can melt away all (An Easter Sermon) difficulties. Think of a weak, puny woman car­

By R o y L . H o l l e n b a c k rying a corpse! (John 20:15) But as one has said, “Love feeleth no Practically every element of true love and de­ burden; weigheth no pains; desireth above votion is suggested in the language of this text. its strength; complaineth not at impossi­ Let us notice its teaching: bilities; for it thinketh all things possible.”

I . L o v e I s A l w a y s F i r s t a n d L a s t i n t h e IV. L o v e Is N o t E a s i l y F r i g h t e n e d F i e l d o f S e r v ic e 1. Ordinarily Mary would not have been Mary was the first to arrive at, and the found, at that early hour, out there among last to leave, the sepulcher. the tombs alone. But her love for the Lord

II. L o v e Is N o t E a s i l y D is c o u r a g e d made her forget her surroundings, and any Verse 10 tells us, “Then the disciples dangers that might have been. went away again to their own home, but 2. “Tell me where thou hast laid him,” Mary stood without the sepulcher weeping.” indicates that she accounted no place too And because she did not go away with far, too dangerous, or too solitary to go for them, she saw two angels which the disci­ Him. ples did not see. 3. Love will overcome much of your I I I . L o v e H a s N o L i m i t t o I t s U n d e r t a k i n g native fear of danger, of exposure, and of “Tell me where thou hast laid him, and men.

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V. L o v e D is r e g a r d s C r i t i c i s m 2. In fact, after one has been sick, even 1. Mary would certainly have been the beauties of nature, the twitter of the severely criticized for her actions if certain birds, and the glow of the sunlight seem persons of her day had been present. Some greater to us.

would have thought her actions would bring IV. I t R e m i n d s Us o f O u r M o r t a l i t y reproach. But, ah, her clinging heart was 1. It shows us how frail is the fabric out of following love’s impulses! She acted as she which our earthly lives are woven. We see felt, and held on until she found Him. that the most sturdy constitution can soon Even seemingly rash things are sanctified be broken. by the motive that prompts them, if that 2. Being reminded of our frailty has a motive be love for Christ. tendency to untie our hearts from the 2. Do not be ashamed of your tears of things of the world. love, nor to wipe them with the hair of your head if divine love is the motive. There V . A f f l i c t i o n I n c r e a s e s O u r S y m p a t h y is a holy sense in which divine love is blind We are always more tender, sympathetic to criticism. And, yet, let no one find in and able to share others’ afflictions with this any license for rash deeds and words, them. for remember that “love doth not behave V I . W h e n R a is e d u p , W e F i n d T h a t A f f l i c ­ itself unseemly.” t i o n A l w a y s S t r e n g t h e n s O u r F a i t h

C l i m a x : They who seek the Lord with such love 1. There is always greater love for all as hers will surely not find the “gardener,” but divine things. The Bible is more sweet; the Lord of their hearts. He delights to meet the spirit of praise is deeper; pardon seems the seeking soul at the early morning watch. more precious; the blessing of holiness seems more wonderful; heaven increases in THE BLESSINGS OF AFFLICTION value to us. 2. Surveying the experience of others B y R o y L. H o l l e n b a c k ought to effect these things, but it does not. (For use after a scourge of sickness) We must ourselves pass through the scourge T e x t : It is good for me that I have been to receive the greatest benefit. afflicted (Psalm 119:71). V I I . I t P l a c e s t h e T h i n g s o f t h e W o r l d That sickness is not necessarily a sign of God’s B e f o r e U s i n T h e i r T r u e L i g h t disfavor may be seen from the fact that Job, —as transient, worthless and dross. Hezekiah, Epaphroditus, John Fletcher, Fannie 1. We see that earth’s friendships, fash­ Crosby, and others of God’s choice saints, have ions, and wrealth are apt to pass away at been afflicted. On the other hand, a well body any time. does not indicate grace; for some of the meanest 2. Mr. Vanderbilt, though immensely men who live never have a pain in their lives. rich, evidently felt the worthlessness of the It is not profitable for us to judge ourselves or world’s goods, when on his death-bed he others to be less holy because we have had the requested his wife to sing, “Come, ye sin­ scourge laid upon us; but we might well engage ners, poor and needy.” to number the blessings of affliction. C l i m a x : Though the scourge of your affliction I. A f f l i c t i o n A l l o w s Us T i m e f o r R e f l e c ­ is now passed, do not early forget the valuable t i o n lessons that have been taught you thereby; but Often in the midst of health and plenty live ever in “reverence and godly fear.” we become thoughtless; and sometimes God must lay us upon our backs to talk to us. CALEB

II. I t Rem inds Us of O ltr U tter Dependence T e x t : “But my servant Caleb, because he had U p o n G o d another spirit with him, and hath followed me 1. We see how easily He could remove fully” (Num. 14:24).

our pleasures from us; and so we lean I . G o d ’s T e s t i m o n y C o n c e r n i n g C a l e b harder upon Him. He had another spirit with him. The con­ 2. We learn that the resources of our trast is between the spirit which he cher­ joy are in Him. ished and (a) that of the spies who brought III. A f f l i c t i o n M a k e s Us A p p r e c i a t e H e a l t h back a discouraging report; (b) that of the M o r e people who were thereby roused to mur­ 1. We learn how better to use it, and to muring and rebellion. The spirit of Caleb conserve it. was:

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1. A conciliatory spirit. “Blessed are the sage; honors the God of truth and wis­ peace-makers.” dom by seeking light and the vision from 2. A cheerful spirit. “All things work to­ heaven. gether for good,” etc. II. I t Is M a n ’s t o S p e a k t h e W o r d 3. A prompt spirit. “Let us go up at once.” High is the honor, precious the privilege, 4. A courageous spirit. He stood almost the Creator bestows upon human nature in alone. making man the vehicle to convey divine 5. A trustful spirit. “The Lord is with us.” truth to his fellow-man. The prophet, the He followed the Lord fully. One of the teacher sent from God, echoes the voice greatest needs of the present age in the which has reached him from above, reflects church and in the world is thoroughness. the sacred light which has shone upon his 1. Only a thorough Christian is of much soul. This vocation he is bound to fulfill real service in the cause of Christ. with scrupulous care and unremitting dili­ 2. Only a thorough Christian enters fully gence. No consideration of his own selfish into the enjoyment which Christ’s service interests, no regard for the prejudices, no affords. desire for the favor of those who receive 3. Only a thorough Christian will remain his message, should induce him to deviate steadfast in the hour of trial. from his path, to betray his trust. The II. T h e R e w a r d W h i c h G o d P r o m i s e d C a l e b word “put into his mouth” he is bound to “Him will I bring,” etc. utter fearlessly and yet with sympathy and It is useless to pretend to be indifferent to affection, with authority and yet with per­ rewards. suasiveness. The promise was fulfilled at last. III. A p p l i c a t i o n God has promised something better for us. a. The preacher learns from his language Our hopes and expectations rest upon the the dignity and responsibility of his vo­ Word of God. “The Lord hath said.” cation. — F . J. A u s t i n , F u r n i s h e d b y C. E. C. b. The hearer of the divine Word learns that he is not at liberty to neglect or to THE PREACHER AND HIS MESSAGE refuse a message which is not from man, T e x t : “The word that God putteth in my but from God himself. mouth, that shall I speak” (Num. 22:38). —S e l e c t e d b y C. E. C. Whether the extraordinary and scarcely explic­ able character who thus expressed himself used GOD’S PRESENCE AND GOD’S REST this language with intelligence, sincerity, and T e x t : “And he said, My presence shall go resolution, or vaguely and insincerely, may be with thee, and I will give thee rest” (Exod. questioned; but it cannot be questioned that in 33:14). themselves these words utter a high, sacred, and I . G o d ’s P r e s e n c e noble purpose. It was a prophet’s profession, and Notice the promise of the text, “My pres­ the proof of Balaam’s prophetical office is this, ence shall go with thee.” Whatever the that his solemn utterances corresponded with the world may say, however men may scoff, profession he herein made. there is something real in the presence of I . I t I s G o d ’s t o G iv e t h e W o r d -God. a. This is obviously true with reference to a. God’s presence gives us safety. W hat­ inspiration, to the “living oracles” of ever our work may be, in whatever land God. The great lawgiver Moses, the it may lie, however risky it may seem inspired chroniclers, the majestic proph­ to men, if we have God’s presence with ets of the Hebrews—all received the us we are truly safe. word from heaven. Their formula was b. God’s presence gives us also perfect this, “Thus saith the Lord.” strength. It was in the realization of b. It is true of every reverent and faithful that presence that David went forth to teacher of religion. Such a teacher does meet Goliath. If God is with you, you not ask, “Is this doctrine acceptable to will have strength to be holy. human nature?” but, “Is it of the c. God’s presence gives strength to live as Lord?” To put human fancies and spec­ God would have us live. ulations in the place of teaching divinely d. God’s presence gives us the song. You authorized is not the part of the Lord’s remember the psalmist’s words, “In thy servant and prophet. Such a one looks presence is fullness of joy; at thy right up; asks for a communication, a mes­ hand there are pleasures for ever more.”

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When the Lord Jesus Christ had as­ ency by making a mock at the reprovers cended to heaven the disciples “returned of sin. to Jerusalem with great jov.” 3. Take another phase of the self-same tend­

II. G o d ’s R e s t ency. It appears, does it not, in the case The rest God gave to Moses was not a rest of those who mock at the fear of sin? of idleness without service, but a rest in 4. The kind of mocking that associates itself service, and if you have God’s presence with the thought of the powers and the with you, you will find rest even in your agencies of sin. busiest moments. You will find that you II. Note certain obvious reasons why those who must be up and doing, that you cannot, you mock at it are fools. dare not be idle, as, for every hour, you 1. They are fools because blind to their own must give account to God; but in the midst real interests. Safety is at stake. Self- of service, service which is tiring and often­ preservation is at stake. Those who mock times dispiriting, you will find that the at sin are most apt to become the prey presence of God will give you perfect rest. of sin. 2. Because blind to the teaching of all ob­ III. T h e C o n d i t i o n o f G o d ’s P r e s e n c e servation and experience. Consider what God will not come and take possession of sin has wrought, consider what sin is an unholy temple. The heavenly Dove will working still; and apart from the tre­ never dwell in a foul nest. If you want His mendous revelations of Scripture, you presence you must come out from all that may see enough round about to make you is evil and be separate, and then He will be tremble, rather than scoff. a Father to you, and you His son or daugh­ 3. The man who mocks at sin is infatuated, ter. Do you know His presence? If you not only because blind to the interests of want to know it, you will know it. Give self and blind to the teachings of ex­ yourself up to Him, wholly and entirely, perience, but because blind to the lessons for as you give yourself wholly you shall of the cross of Christ.—W. A. Gray in be holy. Holiness lies in being wholly British Weekly Pulpit. Christ’s. —S e l e c t e d b y C. E. C. —S e l e c t e d b y C . E. C. SERMON SEED SIN AND ITS MOCKERS By T . M . A n d e r s o n T e x t : “Fools make a mock at sin: but among Believe also in me (John 14:1). the righteous there is favour” (Prov. 14:9). Two things shall engage our thought in this It is one thing to mock in such a fashion as study. that the sinning person shall say, “This thing I . T h e P l a c e W e M u s t G i v e H i m i n O u r which the mirror holds up to me is base, con­ F a i t h temptible, unprofitable, and I will henceforth ab­ “Ye believe in God, believe also in me.” jure it;” and another thing to laugh in such a fashion as to make him imagine, “This thing is In these words Jesus asks that He be placed trivial, it is of no serious import whatsoever, and equal to God in our faith. No less place I will therefore conduct myself as I like.” The than this becomes Him. He can do nothing first kind of mockery' is the austere, if somewhat for any person who believes Him less than cynical, expression of moral indignation; the God. To question His deity is to deny His second is the light, flippant sneer of moral in­ power to do what He promises to do in this difference. discourse. He can do no mighty works unless I. And this scoffing indifference, this tendency we believe in Him.

to levity in men’s views and speeches and II. W h a t W e A r e t o B e l i e v e i n H i m F o r whole mental attitude to sin, when and how (Read verses 1-6). is it m anifested? 1. That He is the only way to come to the 1. It is manifested in those who make a Father. “No man cometh unto the mock at the facts and realities of sin. This Father, but by me.” This will invoke is the most obvious . and direct shape criticism from the mass of humanity who which the temptation assumes, and it exhibits itself in various directions. Take, try to get to God in other ways. Note for instance, literature. Take conversa­ now how He defines the way to come to tion. God. 2. It is possible to manifest the same tend­ a. “I am the way.” We need only to

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look at His sufferings and death to see to die for us, then love will bring Him the way to God. Why the garden? back again to take us to be with Him Why the cross? Why those bleeding where He is. Beware of the unbelief that wounds? This is the way He made by denies His return. The final coming to which men come to God. He died unto God in glory depends on the return of the sin and for sinners. He paid the debt Lord. There is no resurrection without we owe to justice. The flaming sword it; there is no rapture without it. His which guarded the gate to the tree of coming again has a fixed place in the life has given place to the eternal Son divine plan. It is as necessary that we who has now made a way to God. He believe in this as it is that we believe in is the only way for sin-laden humanity His atonement. Even so, come Lord to come to God. Believe this, and take Jesus; we await Thy coming by faith. the way to God. b. “I am the truth.” What' is truth ? It If any man be in Christ he is a new creature is what Jesus is. How shall we know (2 Cor. 5:17). the truth about our sin? He has prom­ 1. Note the extent of this: “If any man.” That ised that we shall know the truth, and implies that any man, no matter how sinful the truth shall make us free. Hence He and degraded he is, grace can make a new is the truth about sin. He condemns man of him. What hope this holds out to the our sin in the light of what He is. He race of fallen men. is the truth about holiness, hence we 2. It also implies that this is a fixed fact. That see in Him what we are to be. He is is to say, that any man in Christ is a changed the source of truth about all things man. God changes all who come into this that pertain to our coming to God. relationship. It is the proof test of real c. “He is the life. He is the source of Christians. To say we are in Christ, and show eternal life from God. He imparts that no change in life, is to be proved false by this life to the soul in regeneration. He is text. All denominations, creeds and isms the abundant life in sanctification. He must show a change in their members or else is the hope of life in resurrection. He they are false and deceived. is the King who shall crown the re­ 3. The nature of the transformation. It is two­ deemed with life eternal. fold. He is also the pattern of life for a. “Old things are passed away.” This applies saints in this world. His life is the to the old manner of living. It also applies light of men. Live before men as He to the old, sinful nature. It embraces in its lived. This is the way to God. “Be­ scope both regeneration and entire sancti­ lieve also in me.” fication. All that pertains to the old life 2. We are to believe, “I go to prepare a does not pass away, until these two works place for you.” Thus faith believes in of grace are done in the heart. Ponder this Him to prepare a place for the people He well. has prepared. Ponder this phase of b. “All things are become new.” All desires, Christ’s work. Creation had no place for ambitions, pleasures and hopes are new. redeemed souls; such a place had to be Such a one is a new creation. All things are made by the Redeemer. Sin shuts men ■ of God, says the apostle. In this creation (jut of the many mansioned city; but is nothing that is not like God would have Christ has made a place for His people. it. It is entirely free from the discord of They shall have it who believe in Him. sin. Let not your heart be troubled. Thank 4. A new creature is in a new relationship to God for such consolation obtained by God. faith in Jesus. a. They are reconciled to Him (verse 18). 3. We are to believe the words, “I will come This is to mean they are now no longer again.” Faith says, “If He came to re­ children of wrath. The gap of sin has been deem us from sin, He will come to receive closed. God now smiles upon them. He is us unto Himself.” If love brought Him pleased with them.

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b. They are made the righteousness of God in of persecution may not stand the pinch of pov­ Christ (verse 21). He is their holiness. erty. When necessity stares us in the face, relief They have believed on Him for it. They may be sought at any sacrifice, if we are not are in Christ and Christ is in them. careful. The quest of money may call louder 5. New creatures in Christ devote their lives to than the quest of souls. Paul’s necessities were live for Him. (Read carefully verses 14-16). for the bare necessities of life. Having food and Here is a life constrained by love. “There­ raiment, he was content. Wonder if God could fore,” says Paul, “if any man be in "Christ, he not use more men of the John Baptist type who is a new creature.” Such a man lives only for could live cheaply and preach plainly and fear­ God. lessly? Brethren, are not many of our necessities 6. A new creature is not afraid of death. (Note due to a desire to possess too much in the pres­ verses 1-8). The whole attitude toward death ent? I put myself into this list. The car we has been changed by Christ. It is now only a drive, the table we spread, the house we have change of house, from the earthly to the furnished, even the ease we try to give our heavenly. family, all may combine to impose a necessity on 7. A new creature is not troubled about the us that is unwarranted. Such may deny our min­ judgment (See verses 9-11). We must all ap­ istry to some who greatly need it, but cannot pay pear there, but if we do good we need have for it. I wonder what we can answer God in the no fear. Praise God for the truth of the judgment if we must put so much on ourselves text. while the heathen go to hell for want of the gospel? Thank God, there are some who, despite their necessities, labor day and night for the In all things approving ourselves the ministers saints. I believe if it came to the test there are oj God, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses many more who would gladly suffer want rather (2 Cor. 6:4). than neglect the cause of holiness. May it ever Here are three ways in which the apostles ap­ be so. God grant that as ministers we may ap­ prove their ministry, we can ponder them and prove ourselves in necessity. apply them with profit. III. The third thing mentioned is distress; I. Afflictions. It is evident that the apostle distress of mind and body; perplexing situations referred to the many and varied persecutions to manage; delicate tasks to perform; persons to which he had suffered. Yet none of these things deal with who are touchy and carnal and weak. which he suffered from both men and devils These things combine to distress the man of God. caused him to falter in the high calling of God. Perils of various kinds distressed Paul. His life His chief purpose was to present every man was often in jeopardy, until he said, “I die daily.” perfect in Christ. He was set to the task of We may have sleepless nights over a mental bringing the grace of God to them. If they problem that presses painfully; a church debt to failed to receive it, he should not be blamed be­ lift; a church to build when no money is in cause he let his enemies master him. It is of sight; perhaps a crisis in the church to be met, little use to speak of persecutions or afflictions and a firm hand to be employed; perhaps it is to us. We know little of them as compared to the burden of a revival so much desired to turn the apostles. Yet with the lighter form we suffer, the tide of life to God. How the heart of the it would be a dire calamity to our souls to allow true minister pants after God, and what distress them to hinder us in the preaching of the gospel is felt in the dark hour which precedes the dawn. of a full salvation. The devil will call off his Distress cannot be escaped in this line of work. dogs if we will let up on the radical preaching No man can throw off his responsibility to God of truth. Evil persons will withhold their criti­ and souls and live a care-free life, and be a soul cisms and offer us praise if we will ease up on winner. Yet distress that is not lifted sometimes the sin question. Dare we meet God in such a by the mercy of God will surely wreck the nerves state of compromise? Shall we flatter men to and mind. There is no escape from distress to their destruction in order to escape their persecu­ the minister of God. But let us prove ourselves tions? God forbid. In afflictions let us approve as ministers of God in distresses. The harvest ourselves as ministers of God. we gather will compensate for the tears shed in II. Necessities. Some that can brave the storm the sowing of the seed.

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SOME PREACHED SERMON OUTLINES shine on forever, Star of Hope, as the bright and By B a s i l W. M i l l e r morning star of the world’s new day of redemp­ The Star of Hope tion. T e x t : We have seen his star (Matt. 2:2). The Glory of an Undimmed Vision Introduction: The star shining alone, so as to T e x t : “Lord, open his eyes that he may see” be noticed by wise men traveling from afar—its (2 Kings 6 :19). grandeur far surpassed that of any other star of Introduction: Contrast a dimmed and an un­ antiquity—its halo must have been luminous with dimmed vision. Some men can see only time and divine glory—it led to a new dawn. It heralded not eternity; some can see only the fleeting and the birth of the Redeemer of mankind. It was a not the abiding; some can see only the human flaming beacon declaring for the ransoming of and not the divine; see the earth while others man from the bondage of sin. It was a new star behold heaven; some glimpse only man; while of hope and blessing. It was a harbinger of good others can see God. Daniel saw God—Luther news. saw the power of truth—Wesley saw a rising

I . T h a t S t a r B r id g e d t h e G a p B e t w e e n G o d generation of God-fearing men. There are a n d M a n . Man and God were separated by an mighty possibilities when one can see spiritual impassable gulf, but when that star heralded the facts and can realize thus spiritual powers. Then coming of the Master, the bridge was thrown let us pray that God will open our eyes that we across the chasm, and now man and God have may see: access one to the other. We were in the wilder­ I. G o d . Could men see God, then all else ness of sin, lost irretrievably, but that star made would lose its attraction for the soul. Isaiah saw it possible for us to come back to God, to life and God—and became the eloquent prophet; Living­ to safety. stone saw God—and opened the dark heart of II. I t W a s a S t a r o f R e d e m p t i o n . No star Africa; Paul saw God—and told the story of the shining, heralding His coming, then we would Lord to the Gentiles. When our eyes can behold not be redeemed. Redemption—a sweet and God in His beauty and majesty we become con­ glorious word—it is release from sin, freedom quering hosts for Him. None can fight a good from bondage. Ransomed—a price is to be paid, fight of faith without beholding Him. Lord, too great for man to offer—Christ paid it, and open our eyes that we may behold Thee. released us from the obligation to sin and to II. T h e N e a r n e s s o f S p i r i t u a l F o r c e s . When carnality. Sing, O ye people, as David says, for the lad’s eyes were undimmed the first thing he we can be ransomed from sin. That radiant star saw were the forces of God encamped around beamed with unusual glory on a dark night, for about in the form of spiritual warriors. When the Redeemer, the long sought for One, was born. our eyes are opened by divine power, spiritual

III. It Is a S t a r o f E t e r n a l H o p e . W ithout forces are seen near at hand. What the world that star and its glowing rays telling the story of needs are men who can behold spiritual forces, His advent, the grave is a dark cavern, a dismal live for the dynamite of God released upon the abyss, a void of doom. But since that star burst souls of the unsaved. May we search the heavens with its beauty on the night air of Palestine, the with an undimmed vision and behold the near­ grave is the gate to heaven, the open door or ness of the power of God, and fight for the right. entrance into eternal bliss. Beyond the grave III. T h a t O n e M a n a n d G o d A r e a C o n ­ before its shining all hope was dead, not a voice q u e r i n g A r m y . If God can find one man, He is came from over the hilltops of eternity; but after certain of victory. He found one man, a Wesley its bursting aurora heralded peace and good will, and turned the world upside down. He dis­ the message of the grave, and from beyond the covered one man, a John Knox and shook Scot­ River Death, is one of hope and gladsome praise. land. He located one man, a Moody, and swept Now across those once silent hills which divide thousands into the kingdom. Thus it always is: time from the immeasurable expanse of the if God can find one man upon whom He can eternal there come echoes telling of the heavenly depend, the victory is His. Then may we behold city and the home of the soul. the fact that God needs but one, and may we Conclusion: Glorious star—had it not shone furnish that one. all the wealth and wonder which result from the IV. T h e T r e m e n d o u s P o w e r o f F a i t h . Faith life of Jesus would not be ours. Shine, O is the miracle worker—faith stopped the sun in

(26) THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE 91 its wild course, piled high the waters of the sea, do you wear the crape?” “Oh,” she said, “I am wrought a mighty Pentecost, scattered the story in mourning for God; you seemed so discouraged of salvation through the world in one century this week I thought that surely God must be after the death of the Lord. Faith is the dead.” And Luther said, “0 God, forgive me,” achiever of that which man terms impossible. ar,d he sat down long enough to pen that wonder­ Faith with our works will achieve a victory for ful hymn, “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott.” M any the Lord which will astound the ages. Lord, of the bravest souls of earth have been tempted open our eyes that we may see what faith has because the hour was midnight. God is not dead, accomplished and will achieve in our own lives neither has He forgotten the world. When the and through our own efforts. frightened soldiers of Caesar awoke him from his Conclusion: It has been the man with the slumber in the fury of the storm, the ruler cried. undimmed vision who has moved the world for “Quid times1 Cwsaren vehis!” “What do you righteousness. Every prophet saw clearly; every fear? Caesar is in the ship!” Then why should leader in the sweeping revivals of the ages has I be discouraged, for God is in His world. He had the power of seeing as God would have him lives and rules today. The victory is not always see. Then may the scales fall from our eyes. on the side of the strongest battalions. God and myself make a majority.— D r . W. E. B i e d e r w o l f , ILLUSTRATIVE MATERIAL in The Expositor. Compiled by J . G l e n n G o u l d God’s Forgiveness The Sufficiency of Christ There is a story of John Callahan, once a “When the railroad was being planned from noted criminal. He was convicted in prison, and Petrograd to Moscow, some of the engineers who his conversion was so remarkable and manifest were consulted told the tsar that it was impos­ that he was paroled. He immediately launched sible. There were too many obstacles. Others his life upon a career of Christian service and proposed various loops and detours around testimony that more than matched his previous swamps and lakes, or to avoid the impassable life of sin. Six years after his conversion he places. The tsar quietly took a map of the wrote the Governor of Illinois, asking the Gov­ region, laid down a ruler from one of the cities ernor to send him all records of his crime and to the other, and with his pencil drew a perfectly commitment to the Joliet state prison. The Gov­ straight line, saying, ‘The road is going there; ernor replied that it was an altogether unusual now go and build it along that straight-edge request, that it had never been done before, but line.’ And there is where it was built. It is in view of the conspicuous change that had come always thrilling when someone meets the doubts into the life of John Callahan the request was and questions and negations of men with an being complied with. Callahan sent similar re­ everlasting yea, when one comes who breaks a quests to the mayors of the various cities in positive path for the race. This is one of the which he had been convicted of crime. They all most striking things about Christ. He is the followed the Governor’s example, with the result W ay. He is the Door. He is the Life. St. Paul that there came a day when John Callahan held was impressed by this as much as St. John was. in his hand the record of every crime and com­ ‘In Jesus Christ,’ he says in Second Corinthians, mittal to prison which had been written against ‘at last the divine yes has sounded.’ The char­ him. He laid them all in the fire, and when they acter of God is revealed in concrete life. We had burned to ashes, stood up and cried out: have seen ‘the glory of God in the face of Jesus “Thank God there is nothing against me -on the Christ.’ ”— R u f u s M. J o n e s . records of heaven, there is nothing against me on God Slumbers Not the records of earth! I am now free from the Martin Luther was discouraged. The eccle­ condemnation of sin and the curse of a broken siastical Philistines were pressing hard upon him, law.”— D r . J. C. M a s s e e . and the hero of the Reformation was down­ Jesus Christ the Same hearted and he seemed to have lost his conscious­ There are a few things which we must have if ness that God was living. In the morning his we are to go on at all. They are those spiritual wife came before him dressed in heavy mourning, realities by which we live, the eternal stars by and he said in surprise, “My wife, why this which we steer, those indispensables which are mourning? I have not heard of any death; why absolutely necessary to life. There was, sixty

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years ago, a well-known room in Florence, clut­ of a consecrated and self-sacrificing Christianity tered everywhere with rubbish and old, broken was needed, that time is now. We used to be furniture. The spiders spun their webs in its known as a nation of idealists, but we are fast corners. The walls once white with whitewash becoming a people without real morality and were dingy and filthy with the accumulation of religion. Our patron saint seems to be the prodi­ many years. Someone came who suspected that gal, who wasted his substance with riotous liv­ a precious work of art was hidden away under ing. We are not only spendthrifts in money mat­ the outside covering of the walls. He cleared ters, but we are wasting the fine substance of away the rubbish, washed off the grime, peeled our moral and spiritual being. It is amazing how off the layer of whitewash and there he found near to the level of crass materialism and epi­ Giotto’s priceless painting of Dante. Now all cureanism our people have descended. Even the tem porary material that filled the room is among Christians and church members there gone and only the immortal face is left, and seems to be little concern to keep their pursuits everyone who visits Florence stands in awe before and ideals above the level of those who are with­ that single solitary treasure. So we, too, grad­ out God in the world. That means paganism. ually work our way back to what eternally mat­ Money-getting, no matter how, extravagant ex­ ters and we can see the surface things vanish penditure, no matter for what—seem to be our without being in the least disturbed.— R u f u s M. chief concerns in life. The root of our evil tree J o n e s . is irreligion. We are rearing a generation of The Decay Eating out the Heart atheists and pleasure worshipers. Our great edu­ I saw a great oak tree fall flat to the ground cational institutions, endowed with millions, ig­ one day in the midst of a thunderstorm. To the nore the Bible and all that it stands for. Our untrained eye it had appeared sound and strong. theaters are pandering to the lowest cravings of But it was merely a standing shell. Its heart had human nature. They seem to delight in outrag­ been eaten out by worms, and it could not stand ing modesty and decency, and make sport of all the strain of sudden storm. The virulent germs the sanctities of life—while Christians look on that are multiplied in the mind by every evil unperturbed. Even our little children are allowed thought eat out the heart of a man in much the full freedom in attending picture shows made up same way. The man is struck by a sudden gust of vulgarities and falsehoods about life and love. of temptation, and the wreckage reveals the rot­ Our literature is paganized. Only those books tenness. A man must think morally and not and magazines that fairly reek with ethical and immorally if he would make his record true—“for spiritual debauchery seem to have a wide sale. to be carnally minded is death.” T hat is a real Study the crowds on the great thoroughfares of fundamental.— D r . H. H. C r a n e . our cities, especially in the districts where the Mock Humility places of amusement are found, look into the “There is,” said Phillips Brooks in his famous faces of all the people you find jostling each sermon on “The Curse of Meroz,” “there is such other in their mad scramble for amusement. You a thing as a ‘false humility’ which accounts for will see all the types that were found in Ephesus the uselessness of people who might be useful. in her wickedest days. There are the peacocks Humility,” he added, “is good when it stimulates, that strut, the wolves and hyenas that prowl, the it is bad when it paralyzes the active powers of a apes that mimic, the serpents that crawl—a whole man! It may do either! We have noble exam­ menagerie of beastly things in human form. It ples of humility as a stimulus—the sense of weak­ is a well-known fact among doctors that millions ness making a man all the more ardent to use all of our young men and women are utterly unfit to the strength he has! But if conscious weakness enter the marriage state and rear children, while causes a man to believe that it makes no differ­ the number of the married who are becoming ence whether he works or not, then his humility divorced is ever on the increase. How can any­ is his curse.” Quoted by D r . P. R. F r o t h i n g - one face these ominous facts without serious mis­ h a m . givings as to the future of American civilization? Are We Becoming Pagans? It is high time for the Church to awake from her Under the above title Dr. P. W. Roth writes as sleep, to put on her whole armor instead of a follows in the current number of the Expositor: third of it, and wage warfare against the world, “If ever in the history of our country the salt the flesh and the devil. Our riotous living must

(28) THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE 93 give place to something entirely different unless evil-minded men and women are accustomed to we are to repeat the history of the pagan nations gather, to see w hat he can see and hear what he of antiquity and go down in a welter of moral can hear, and where the very atmosphere is laden with the stench of vice. and spiritual ruin. Christ showed His power to conquer paganism in the apostolic age. He did 3. He does not sit in the seat of scoffers and it, again in the time of St. Francis of Assisi. He the scornful. This is the third degree of sinfulness, where men, who have walked and stood j.mong has never failed to do so when men have ear­ the wicked and wanton and leprous sinners, until nestly turned to Him for guidance and deliver­ they have acquired a relish for their words and ance. He is our only hope for America today.” ways, and say to themselves, this is the crowd I A Revival of Wonder like, and this is the kind of life I desire to live. There is a saying, attributed to Christ, which Here I decide to pitch my tent and spend my days beautifully says, “Let not him who seeks cease with those who mock at virtue and piety, and until he find, and when he finds he will wonder scoff at religion and God! Is it an awful picture! and wondering he will have rest.” Everyone No man ever found blessedness in such a career. must have noticed how often the New Testament II. Tins Is t h e P o s i t i v e S i d e or t h i s B l e s s e d uses the word, “Behold!” It is a word of M a n wonder. Something like it is th£ “Selah” of the 1. “He delights in the law of the Lord.” And Psalms. We might almost translate it, “Think why not ? “The law of the Lord is perfect, con­ of that!” It is a throb of wonder, a sense of verting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the joy. It takes the soul away from the everlasting Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the command­ interrogation point and lets, it feel surprise, ad­ ment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. miration, joy and wonder. If our meetings and The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever,” our services could bring us into moods and ex­ etc. “In keeping them there is great reward” (Psa. periences like that, we should throng to them and 19:7-11). This law is his meditation day and come away refreshed. If we could get in them night. His supreme choice is to live in the center “that sense sublime of something far more deeply of God’s sweet will. interfused,” we should give up our superficial 2. Like a tree, he is planted and stays put. He pleasures and our overtime devotion to business is not running after every new fad of doctrine, and flock with our neighbors to what then might higher criticism, evolution, new theology, Chris­ properly be called “the house of God.”— R u f u s tian science, theosophy, spiritualism, Russelism, modernism. He is rooted and grounded in the in­ M . J o n e s . fallible Word of God. The psalmist said, “My heart is fixed.” THE BLESSED MAN 3. He brings forth much fruit—is a winner of B y A. M . H i l l s souls, blesses others, and gets blessed himself in T e x t : T h e First Psalm, “Blessed is the man," doing it. He is an evergreen Christian planted by e tc . the rivers of water, the living fountains of grace People vainly imagine they must live in sin to in Christ. He docs not dry up and blow away six have a good time. It is a delusion of the devil, weeks after every revival, but is always bearing one of his impudent falsehoods. “Godliness is fruit. His leaf also does not wither. He looks profitable unto all things, having the promise of beautiful the year around. He is always prosper­ the life that now is, and of that which is to come” ing and growing and ripening for heaven. Sanc­ (1 Tim 4:8). Our text gives the experience of a tified, Spirit-filled, and blessed! man who is living a truly blessed life, having lost III. “T h e U n g o d l y A r e n o t So!” all appetite for sin. He is described both neg­ How could they be? Their primary choice is atively and positively. wrong. They have chosen sin and self-gratifica­

I . N e g a t i v e l y tion of their sensibilities as the end of their being, 1. He does not ivalk in the counsel of the and the employment of their life. And therefore wicked, nor of Satan himself. He does not go in they have spurned God and holiness, and separ­ that direction for advice or instruction. He does ated themselves from the saints, and all who live not read the devil’s books, nor look at his pictures, and walk with God. nor listen to his voice, nor delight in his vices. At last they are withered and blasted and worth­ 2. He does not stand in the way of sinners. He less. “Like the chaff which the wind driveth does not go loitering around the vile districts away.” “Whose end is destruction” (Phil. 3:18- where the wicked are likely to be found and where 19).

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We are all sweeping on to judgment, as fast as I drops what I have on hand and does the time can carry us, to give account for the deeds good L ord’s w ork; done in the body, good or bad. “The wicked And iny affairs can run along, or wait till shall not stand in the judgment nor sinners in the I get through, congregation of the righteous.” “The wages of sin Nobody else can do the job that God’s [depravity] is death” (Rom. 6:23). Oh,howfool- marked out for you. ish is the man who seeks either present or final III. G o d d o e s h i s g r e a t e s t w o r k b y t h e h u m ­ blessedness by turning away from God! b l e s t M EA N S Be wise! O be wise! and seek God now while Note: Moses enters upon his great mission it is the accepted time and the day of salvation! of leadership. Armed with a slight rod, or stick, he is more than a match for all the USING OUR TALENTS FOR GOD magicians of Egypt. Who can estimate the marvelous power of that rod with God B y C . E. C o r n e l l in it ? T e x t : Exod. 4:2. Let it be emphasized further: God often does I . U s e w h a t w e h a v e His greatest work by the humblest means. 1. All have something to use. The great forces of nature are not in the 2. Doing the little things well. earthquake which tumbles cities into ruins. 3. Multiplying our ability by faithfulness. This power passes in a moment; the soft, Illustration: What is that in thine hand? silent light, the warm summer rain, the A significant question for each to consider. stars whose voice is not heard—these are What has God given you to use? Is it the the majestic forces which fill the earth tool of an ordinary task? then use it to with riches, and control the worlds which glorify God. The artisan in the humble constitute the wide universe of God.

workshop, the housewife in the kitchen, JV —P r a c t ic a l — o u r responsibility the clerk behind the counter, let all of 1. To do our best. these and others, use their ten talents— 2. To do every task well. the rod that is in their hands—not to do 3. To triumph over every obstacle. extraordinary things, but the ordinary work, well done. WEIGHED IN GOD’S SCALES II. O u r w o r k c a n n o t b e d o n e b y o t h e r s 1. The Lord will not help those who do not By J. B. G allow ay help themselves. T e x t : Daniel 5:27 2. Unless we help the Lord, He will not help I, The scales. God has a standard us. 1. His scales are just. Illustration: Choice poem by Paul Lawrence 2. His scales are accurate. Dunbar, the negro poet. Title, “Get Some­ 3. His scales are final. body Else.” II. T h e w e i g h i n g . G o d ’s w e i g h i n g p r o c e s s e s The Lord had a job for me, but I had so 1. Life’s emergencies. much to do, 2. M an’s conscience. I said: “You get somebody else—or, wait 3. God’s law, the Bible. till I get through.” a. The Ten Commandments. I don’t know how the Lord came out, but b. The New Commandment. He seemed to get along— But I felt kind o’ sneaking like—knowed III. T h e r e s u l t s o f t h e w e i g h i n g I’d done God wrong. 1. Condemned. For not meeting the stand­ ard. One day I needed the Lord, needed Him 2. Rewarded. How to meet the standard. myself—needed Him right away— And He never answered me at all, but I “BE OF GOOD CHEER” could hear Him say— John 16:33. Down in my accusin' heart—“Nigger, Ise Acts 23:11. got too much to do; Acts 27:25. You get somebody else, or wait until I get through.” Acts 27:36. M att. 9:2. Now, when the Lord he hab a job for me, Matt. 14:27. I never tries to shirk, M ark 6 :50. (30) THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE 95

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DANGER POINTS IN CHURCH LIFE in church life which we consider among the

B y R o y L. H o l l e n b a c k greatest. These present a real problem to the pastor. T NO time in the life of a church is it free from danger of disruptions and divi­ I. One of the great danger points in a church A sions among its constituents. We are not is when it constructs a new building. That this sure that this is less true of spiritual churches is true may be seen from the fact that only a than those which are commonly classed as formal few preachers succeed in remaining with a church and unspiritual; for Satan majors his attacks longer than the next District Assembly after the upon the centers of opposition to his kingdom. church has been constructed. To erect a build­ It may be that holiness churches are even more ing, it seems usually necessary for the pastor to susceptible to jolts and disruptions than others; cross so many people’s opinions, and offend so which, if true, does not argue the incorrectness of many’s tastes that when the time arrives for the the doctrine of holiness, nor yet does it prove recall he has invited for himself a few negative that a major portion of those who profess to be votes. Occasionally a pastor erects a building and sanctified are not in the experience. It has been remains for a long pastorate afterward, but the our misfortune to look in upon a few of these greater majority find it expedient to “move on.” unpleasant (to say the least) affairs; and we are Perhaps another factor enters into this besides convinced that most of them do not arise out of the giving of offense, and that is the heavy finan­ a carnal condition, but out of true sincerity and cial pressure which a building program brings. zeal for righteousness wrongly applied. Holiness It is hard to launch a building program, and carry people have stronger convictions of right and it through, without some of the leading members wrong than any other people upon the earth, and of the church becoming weary of the heavy draw harder lines of discrimination between sin burden, and all but wishing it had never been and righteousness. This, I think, is one of our undertaken. Those who are directly responsible greatest assets, if kept in the bond of love; but for the building will be criticized for the way it otherwise it may become one of our most danger­ is constructed, for the unnecessary expenditures, ous liabilities. The danger is that these con­ for the person to whom they let the contract, etc. victions will be transferred from things which And the poor pastor, who has toiled day and are positively sinful to things which are only night, worried over the details, solicited funds, trifling matters of individual conscience. And signed notes to meet the emergencies, and over­ when an effort is made to apply strong convic­ seen the job will likely be paid for his service by tions to matters of personal conscience there will the church with a heavy plurality of negative always trouble ensue. We think our legislative votes; and will pass on, leaving to his successor body has done very wisely in basing the mem­ the “feathered nest.” But such is church life, it bership rules of our church upon those things seems! which are essentially right and wrong, according II. A time that is scarcely less dangerous in to the Bible and the general conscience of our the life of the church is the Christmas season. If people, and refusing to inject into them matters a pastor passes safely through the holiday season, upon which the conscience of our people is so and his church has no scars to show for it, he widely varied. may count himself fortunate. But it is not our purpose to account for all It sounds quite inconsistent, but three or four the numerous church troubles, for each of them of the worst breaches this writer has ever seen stands upon its own merits, with the devil and in churches were attributable to the Christmas carnality doubtless sponsoring not a few of them. season. While under our own ministry we have But we wish to designate three dangerous periods never had anything more than a tight tension,

(31) 96 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE we have seen some churches which had actual dis­ body of Christ will impel him to go. without ruptions and splits over the matter of Christmas creating any friction, if he can avoid it. We programs. have known some to discredit the voice of the Almost any church has a great variety of no­ majority, and try to stay against strong opposi­ tion; but they seldom succeed, and usually injure tions as to how Christmas should be celebrated. the church before the next year is out. There are usually some who do not think there should be any sort of program in the church at When the time comes to vote, all members have a right to register their convictions; and the all. Then there are others who think a simple magnanimous pastor will not discredit the spirit­ program of recitations is acceptable, providing uality of those who vote against him, and will there is no Christmas tree. And yet still others feel like at least commending their intelligence for believe that there is nothing wrong with a doing so. He will also seek in every way to Christmas tree, a few decorations, or a beautiful preserve the unity of the church, leave the church pageant. And so it goes. How is a pastor to gracefully, and turn it over to his successor in adjust the program to fit all of these opinions? as unified and happy condition as possible. He, If he caters to the more liberal element, and has more than any layman in the church, can pave a pageant or a tree, some of the elderly mem­ the way for the success of the one who follows bers of the church will be greatly hurt; and if him. he does not, some of the younger folks, who have In closing, permit me to say that most crises given in to the elder from year to year, will balk in the church can be avoided by a strong program on doing so this year. Now what is the pastor of prayer. When things seems to be coming to a to do? This often becomes one of his most head, and the tension becomes tight at any point, difficult problems in the church. However, if try to enlist the entire church in fasting and he can succeed in doing one thing he will come prayer for a revival, or something worthy, and through all right. He must avoid a crisis. To usually the atmosphere will clear, and the cloud do this he would better be neutral himself, put which threatened will pass without incident. the responsibility upon the church for decision, be loyal to that decision, and yet carefully exer­ cise the utmost charity tow ard both the pros and SIX DEADLY SINS the cons. It is always safe for the preacher to We hesitate to mention them because some are urge that such programs, of whatever sort they so commonplace we would not recognize them, are, be kept strictly spiritual; and his zeal and neither would we classify them as deadly. Never­ active determination to keep them spiritual will theless. let us mention six deadly sins that par­ go far toward counteracting any prejudice that ticularly make their habitat in the vicinity of the may exist against the form of the programs. neighborhood where the minister lives: They are III. Another important crisis in the life of a fiddling, dabbling, fidgeting, intriguing, procras­ church is the time of changing pastors. Not a tinating and loafing. We discover these playing few churches have gone to pieces upon this rock, like young lion cubs in the life of the young and we think most unnecessarily. Sometimes preacher. the churches have been at fault, and sometimes There is another group of six also that lies the blame belongs to the preacher. But no mat­ at the other extreme that must be guarded against ter who is most at fault, the rift could no doubt just as much as these passive negative sins. The have been avoided if all concerned had possessed other set of six deadly sins against which the that perfect love which “seeketh not her own.” minister should be warned are: bustle, fussle, If the pastor who was the bone of contention had rustle, drivel, ramble, rattle. These are the sins this love he would be willing to “endure all that linger around the minister's life in middle age things for the elect’s sake”; and if the church —in the fussy period when he is doing big things, possessed it, there would be a ready surrender and is on the go all the time, administering his of the minority to the voice of the majority. parish with perspiration on his brow. This is a As a rule, the voice of the majority, in a holi­ brood we all have to watch. They come under ness church, is right; and it is wise to let this the cover of a busy life and eat into the soul, control our decisions. If the pastor finds that the leaving it empty and worthless.— Western Chris­ opposition is strong to his remaining, love for the tian Advocate.

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