We are forgiven, and yet we are to confess our sins. 1 Jno. 1:9. We are clean and yet to cleanse ourselves by the Word. 2 Cor. 7:1.. We are saved by grace, yet to work out our own salvation. Phil 2:12. We are seated in the heavenlies, and to run with patience on earth. Heb. 12:1. We are kept by the power of God, yet to hold fast. Heb. 10: 23. We are to follow peace, yet fight the good fight of faith. 1 Tim. 6 12. All our privileges are through Christ in resurrection. 1 Cor. 3:22. As Sons of God we ought to act like our Father. Eph. 5:1. As one with Christ, we ought to walk with Him. Eph. 5 :8. As accepted ones above, we ought to be separated below. 2 Cor. 6-17. As knowing His mind, responsible for using His word. Jer. 23:28. As united to Him, responsible for fruit bearing. Jno. 15:8. As friends of God, responsible to confess Him. Luke 12:8. As Christians, responsible to maintain His name and character. Rev. 3:6. Notes By the Way. By J. H. Sammis
"The World" in the Word.
Dr. Bates has an article out, now in pamphlet form, in which he pre- sents a study of the
Critical Condition of The editor of Bib- "Higher Criticism"
liotheca Sacra, the- ologian, philosopher, a n d scientist o f
Scripture terms rendered " w o r l d ," and some logical and doctrinal conclusions. He refers to the world as ' ' This present evil wo r l d" (Gal. 1:4);. " t h e course of this world according to the prince of the power of the a i r " (Eph. 2:2); " t h e whole world lying in the evil o n e " (1 John 5: 19); " t h e world which is to be crucified unto the Christian and unto which the Christian is to be crucified" (Gal. 6:14); " t h e world the friend of which is the ene- my of Go d" (Jas. 4:4), " f r om which pure religion is to be kept u n s p o t t e d" (Jas. 1: 27); is it " g r ow i ng b e t t e r ?" Since when, pray tell? Some Worldly Dr. Bates pursues his in- Specifications quiries: " T h e world peo- ple: are they growing bet- ter? They are " b o rn of the flesh," in which "dwells no good t h i n g ," which " c a n not please Go d "; in fact " i s enmity against Him. Is the flesh growing b e t t e r ?" The world system is that growing better? We are pointed to " t h e triumphs of the brain and brawn of men in their grand achievements for hu- man weal in things intellectual, social,
world wide repute, reviewing the late edi- tion of the "Encyclopedia of Eeligious Knowledge,'' says: " Of the Biblical articles we can not speak in unqualified praise, since they are nearly all tinctured with the destructive criticism which is now falling rapidly into disrepute (our black letter). It is a pity to have so much biblical science falsely so-called in a pop- ular encyclopedia as there is in t h i s . '' If Dr. F. G. Wright says so on such a sub- ject you can say so. Song of the " T h e world is growing bet- "Optimist." ter, no matter what they say, The light is shining bright- er in one refulgent ray. And though deceivers murmur and turn the other way, Yet still the world grows better and bet- ter every d a y . " Dr. W. H. Bates says that this chorus was sung with great , enthusiasm by a con- course at a watering place after a char- acteristic discourse by a noted church sec- retary, a bishop " o f some military and musical r e p u t e ."
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