March 1930
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of future punishment,” which he has the hardihood to question—nay, flatly to deny and repudiate, and in sub stantially the same language. Second—But it is objected that none of these alleged, “ authorities” (manuscripts) are originals; and that none of them date farther back than the third century, giving ample time for the play of irresponsible tradition and the interpolation of sayings which He never uttered. True. And this would have weight were it not for two things: ( A )—The uniformity of these alleged interpolations in ALL the manuscripts, wherever found,-^-whether in Europe, Asia, or Africa. And ( B )—In all the great libraries of the world are other writings dating back far beyond these manuscripts, even to the days of the imme diate successors o f . the Apostles themselves, such as Papias; Clement of Rome (91-101) ; Justin Martyr (140- 164) ; Ignatius, who died in 107; Polycarp, the disciple of St. John, in 169; Irenaeus, in 178; Clement of Alexan dria, in 194; Tertullian, in 200; and many others. In all of these are innumerable references to, and quo tations and citations from, older manuscripts which were either in the possession of the writers, or to which they had access. And, again, these ALL, whatever their loca tion, local coloring, environment, or other diversity, whether it be Ephesus or Antioch or Rome or Alexandria, agree with substantial accuracy, even to the very language employed in these “ statements attributed to our Lord.” Merely on the ground of purely literary criticism, it is impossible to question the authenticity of these “ sayings attributed to our Lord” as does; the learned Bishop of London, without becoming—ridiculous. Then, again,—where do we find these statements which he so summarily, and with such ex-cathedra final ity dismisses? Will Bishop Ingram decline to use “ The Lord’s Prayer” in his services; to recite with unction “ The Beatitudes” ; to inculcate “ The Golden Rule” ; to emphasize the comforting assurances o f the Father’s care as so beautifully expressed in the familiar “ Consider* the - lilies, how they grow” ; or “ Behold the fowls o f the air . . . . he feedeth them” ; “ Your Father knoweth what ye have need o>f. H e knoweth that ye have need' o f all these things” — justifying himself for so doing by saying that “ it seems certain that passages in the Gospel o f Mat thew attributed to our Lord, were not said by our Lord at all” ? ALL these are inseparably interlaced with these “ statements on the subject of future punishment” in the same portion of the Gospel of St. Matthew—“ The Ser-1 mon on the Mount” (Matt. 5:22, 29, 30)—a portion highly extolled as expressing the very “mind of Christ” for our guidance, and the “ religion of Jesus” for our faith. On what principle which intelligent men will recog nize as sufficient, will he accept, approve, commend the one, and disapprove, condemn, and reject the other? An answer would be interesting. The motive—albeit we are willing to concede that, upon his part, it may be wholly unconscious— for such discrimination, is not far to seek. It is only another exhibi tion of the tendency of “ modern thought” to eliminate anything not endorsed by the individual reason, not con genial to the natural heart, inconsistent with the individual “ religious consciousness,” or conflicting with the indi vidual tastes, notions, or desires. What he says regarding future punishment has been as flatly said by others re garding other great moral questions. In short, instead of THE BOOK judging the man, man assumes to judge THE BOOK ; to “ pick and choose” ; to accept or discard, at his own whim, any “ statement attributed to our Lord”
As Thou Wilt B y J ames E. J ackson
My life was spared that it might be Fully surrendered, Lord, to Thee; So then, dear Lord, do as Thou wilt, For ’ twas for me Thy blood was spilt. My body, soul, and spirit take, And o f my heart Thy temple make, '• That all thé world around may see That God in Christ now lives in me. And when God’s call for me shall come To go to my eternal Home, No doubt or fear shall trouble, me, For with my Lord I’ll ever be. This was written by one of our readers who met with a very serious accident and recovered.
according as it may (or may not) coincide with his own individual preconceptions preferences, or prejudices. “Beware o f the leaven o f the Saducees!” The real, the ultimate, source, however, of which Bishop Ingram is neither conscious nor suspicious, is the unceasing, unrelenting malignity of the great Enemy of souls, and his determination upon their ruin. All through the ages he has sneered ■— “ YEA ? Hath God said?” “ Ye shall NOT surely die” ; and has left unturned no stone to induce men to believe him and make God a liar; to have them believe and say, “ Oh, there is no danger! There are no such things as thou sayest. There is no such hell as that which is represented.” “ Fear not! Take your ease. All is well,” etc. YET JESUS, out of a LOVE which passeth all understanding, was at great pains to state it in language unmistakable in its plainness, purposely designed to lead men to recoil therefrom with horror, and to “ flee from the wrath to come” to “ the hope set before them m the gospel.” As for Bishop Ingram—Father, forgive him! For, surely, he knows not what he doeth. Turn the wisdom of even a bishop into foolishness for the sav ing of-those sure to be misled thereby. We commend unto hirn the careful serious reading -of Luke 17:1, 2 and 2 Tim. 2 :7 : “ Then said he unto the disciples, It is impos sible but that offences come: but woe unto him through whom they come! It. were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one o f these little ones.” “ Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.” AMEN.
Go—-spread abroad the glad salvation, The wonders of God’s grace rehearse; Help send the news to distant nation, By earnest prajler and open purse. When love the story sweet is telling, The heart of God the Father yearns; With joy angelic notes are swelling Whene’er a soul repentant turns.
—Nellie Sumner Brooks.
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