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H| 91 1 l.ii ;jfs : :7 ..I ' •* i 1 I md A rai , ■oSi Wi:§mm SS d i -v-a. i -a* ; s ■. ;M mmm i Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA; https://coggc.org/ The Scriptures Opened ■ Ashcroft, Robert Archives 234.3 A823s 1891 c.4 ■ / $ f * P ■ ( a ■ Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA; https://coggc.org/ A FEW TESTIMONIALS FROM PROMINENT BRETHREN CONCERNING THE MERITS OF THE WITHIN WORK, “SCRIPTURES OPENED.” (From an old veteran in the Truth, Benjamin Wilson, Sacramento, Cal.) “The book you sent is at hand; I like it very much. It is written in a kind, attractive, Christian spirit, calculated to win and instruct the reader in the deep things of God as re­ vealed in His Word.” {From H. C. Jacobs, 564.8 Wentworth Avenue, Englewood, III.) “ I have been reading the book ‘ Scriptures Opened,’ and, with very few exceptions, I am very much pleased with what I have read. It is very seldom that we read a book, especially on religious subjects, that reflects all our own ideas. If it were so, we would learn nothing by the reading. His style is elegant, and his testimonies are presented in a manner that must be convincing to every honest inquirer after truth. I think it will prove to be one of the best volumes in our literature, and I sincerely wish it might have a very large circulation. There is, however, very little demand for books that advocate the truth. The masses have no taste for any­ thing so elevating and refining as this book presents.” Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA; https://coggc.org/ (From J. L. Wince, Pierceton, Ind.) “Dear Brother: The book, ‘Scriptures Opened,’ came duly to hand. In the reading of it I am not only well pleased, but delighted, with its style of thought and language. The author’s statements of the truth are clear as sunbeams. His criticisms are just and logical, and though they lay bare popular theories, they do not unnecessarily provoke the bad temper of those of his readers who may differ with him. There is something about his manner of argument easier felt than described, and which is calculated to concil­ iate his antagonist and put him on good terms with the author. His Christian boldness, conjoined with his humility and kindness of heart, wins and holds the admiration of the reader. All these and more are interwoven in the compo­ sition of the book, and for this reason it is certainly a good work to put into the hands of those of our religious friends who have a disposition to give some attention to our side of the important questions of difference between us. It should be read by all who share with us the faith and hope of the apostolic gospel.” (From J. H. Thomas, Rochester, N. Y.) “ I have examined the book, and must say of it that it is well and ably written. Sound in ‘ the faith ’ and beautifully expressed; mild and gentle in spirit, well calculated for the intelligent believers, and the learned among outsiders. Its style also will recommend itself to the ordinary reader.” (From W. H. Wilson, Hammond, la.) “ Dear Brother : Received the book you sent, entitled the * Scriptures Opened,' by R. Ashcroft. I have read the work with a great deal of pleasure and profit. He has sue- Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA; https://coggc.org/ ceeded in opening the Scriptures in a very clear and concise manner. The Scriptures used in support of the themes under consideration are correctly and aptly applied. His arguments drawn from the Sacred Word are to the point and very forcible. “ The general scope of the work shows that the writer is a 'literary man and a scholar, and as a consequence the truth is dressed in a creditable manner. No one need to be ashamed to place the work in the hands of the most educated. “ Doctrinally the work voices my own convictions, and I can honestly recommend it to the brotherhood at large. It ought to be in every home, and I hope the brethren will do all they can to give the work a wide circulation.” (From J. T. Waggoner, Rochester, Ind.) “Dear Brother Woodruff: Your favor and book received. To says that I am well pleased with the work would but faintly express the high esteem in which I hold it. I regard it as the most valuable acquisition that has yet been made to our literature. The work breathes throughout that sweet spirit of our Blessed Master—a spirit that is often lack­ ing in some otherwise able efforts to present the truth. I am irresistibly drawn toward Brother Ashcroft as I read the mas­ terly arguments with which he demolishes the orthodox strong­ holds. There is absolutely nothing left but the scattered and blackened ruins of the tower in which a false religion has sheltered itself through the dense fog of ignorance. That, thank God, has been dissipated by the bright rays of the truth. Many efforts have been made to establish the great cardinal truths ‘ that are most surely believed among us,’ but it has been reserved for Brother Ashcroft to deal the most ponderous sledge-hammer blows that have been dealt against human tradition in this age. Brother Ashcroft possesses Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA; https://coggc.org/ that rare faculty of grasping the strongholds of the enemy and turning their own weapons against themselves. “The mighty problem tha^has vexed the brains of millions, ‘ Does Death End All ? ’ is so thoroughly answered, that no appeal can, or will be made.” (From Jolm Goodliff, Roselle, N. /.). “Dear Brother Woodruff: I am reading the book ‘Scriptures Opened.’ I must write to tell you how much 1 enjoy it. Brother Ashcroft has a manner of expression quite his own, beautiful and convincing, and cannot help but inter­ est and instruct the inquirer after truth. The beauty, har­ mony, and glory that gild the sacred page are brought out in a masterly manner. My heart is stirred while reading. The book is an enjoyable feast all the way through, and ought to do much good.” Brethren A. J. Eychauer, G. W. Myers, George Balmain, all have written of their appreciation of the book, and whose judgment can safely be depended on regarding its merits. Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA; https://coggc.org/ THE SCRIPTURES OPENED THOUGHTS AND THEMES FOR BIBLE STUDENTS Lectures and Miscellaneous Papers Exhibiting the Revealed Purpose of God Concerning the Earth and all its Families. What we are, and what we may become. The Nature, Extent, Epoch, and Method of our Christian Redemption. BY ROBERT ASHCROFT, Formerly Minister of the Congregational Church, Rock Ferry, Liz'erpool, England. “ I have grounded my preaching upon the literal word; he that pleases may follow me, he that will not may stay."—Luther. " To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”—Isaiah. “ Search the scriptures.”—Jesus. “ Saying none other things than those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come.” —Paul. “ If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God.”—Peter. THIRD EDITION PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR AT 135 CLINTON STREET, TORONTO, CANADA 1S91 Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA; https://coggc.org/ ©ebication. TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SPRINKLED WITH THE BLOOD OF JESUS, THROUGH THE CONFESSION OF THE TRUTH CONCERNING HIS KINGDOM AND THE PATIENT WAITING FOR THE GLORY SOON TO BE REVEALED, IS THIS BOOK DEDICATED BY THEIR FRIEND AND COMPANION, IN THE FAITH AND HOPE OF THE GOSPEL, THE AUTHOR. Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA; https://coggc.org/ PREFACE. ERE are some of the author’s public utterances and contributions to various magazines and papers pub­ lished in England during the years 1876-85. He has yielded to the desire of a generous friend for their issue in a more convenient and less ephemeral form. Occasional sameness and repetition of argument and phrase arc due to the fact that the matter here set forth was not originally intended to make a book. The reader who has been perplexed by the startling con­ trast in doctrine and practice between modern and Apostolic Christianity, will find these pages interesting and perhaps profitable in unexpected ways. All who are in search of a reasonable faith, founded exclusively on the Scriptures, are earnestly recommended to compare the following pages with the Inspired Word. The “ Bible Companion,” to be found at the end of the volume, is in daily and very profitable use by many on both sides of the Atlantic. It was drawn up by one of the author’s personal friends. These “Tables” conduct us through the Old Testament once, and through the New * Testament twice a year. If habitually followed, they may prove the most valuable part of the book.