LAWS AND ORDINANCES. horologist who constructs a watch so that it points out the hours of the day by the influence of its own mechanism, gives us a much higher notion of his skill and ingenuity than he would if he simply took his finger, and every hour placed the hands upon the dial-plate so as to mark it. We may say in the for THE laws of God are miraculously ordained. They are the channels through which divine power is exerted for the attainment of ends which would otherwise be termed miraculous. To be under the influence and control of these laws, therefore, is, in effect, to be under the influence of superhuman power. For, to all intents and purposes, it is pre-mer case, as in the latter, either that cisely the same for God miraculously to the watch tells us the time of day, or ordain a law for the accomplishment of that the maker of it does it, meaning any object, as for Him to accomplish in either case the same thing in fact. the same immediately. In the latter So if God has put in operation certain case, the power proceeds from Him to laws which accomplish superhuman rethe object directly, and we call it a mi-sults, those results may be spoken of in racle; in the other, the power proceeds from Him into a rule or law for the accomplishment of a series of similar results, and we call it ordinary or natural. The power is as superhuman in the one case as in the other; but, as we are familiar with the operations of God through laws, our astonishment and wonder are not excited thereby, and hence we confine the application of the term miraculous to what we regard the extraordinary workings of divine power. We should never lose sight of the fact, that what is done by God's laws, is, in reality, done by Him through them. Nor should we forget that He will in no case turn aside from his laws, to accomplish in some other way that which is the end of their ordination. common parlance, as being effected by the laws, or by him who instituted them, for they are just as much attributable to him as though he had chosen to accomplish them without laws. Thus, for example, if God has ordained a law of conversion, or of pardon, when a sinner obeys it, it is just the same to him as though God had miraculously converted him individually. He has the force and effect of the original miraculous power by which the law was ordained, transmitted to him through its operation; by coming into the channel of the law he has come to the place in which God's power is in operation, and he is under all the obligations of gratitude and thankfulness, that he would have been under if God had effected the same thing without the intervention of means. The laws of God, therefore, we regard to be but the extension or protraction of the miracle which ordained them. We conform to the law, we receive the blessing suspended upon that conformity, and then we thank not the law, but him who has made it efficacious to produce the result. This seems to us to be the dictate of right reason and revelation. It will be understood then, in the argument before us, that what we attribute to the laws of God, is not to a blind and thoughtless mechanism, but to God himself, working in them and through them. Nor would we presume to fetter him, by saying that there is an absolute necessity for him to confine himself to them, in carrying out the designs of his goodness and love; still we must think, inasmuch as infinite wisdom dictated them, as being the proper way in which he should act in the cases to which they apply, the same wisdom will for ever dictate that the same rule of action will be proper in all similar cases, and, consequently, that he will never depart from them. To make a law, the ordinary operation of which accomplishes superhuman results, is, if possible, more wonderful than the accomplishment of the same would be, if done without such law. -A | in a miracle. To develope and elucidate the subject more at large, let us look at some of the facts in the history of the creation and government of God, which bear upon it. If we take the term miracle in its usual acceptation, as being an exhibition of power which is at once superhuman and extraordinary, we may submit the following propositions : 1. That all things have a beginning 2. That all things continue by the operation of laws. We deem it hardly necessary to enlarge upon the first proposition. All who think at all, have arrived at the conclusion, that the material universe had a beginning, and that this beginning was the result of the miraculous creative energy of God. The creation of the smallest particle of matter, is as much above the power of men or angels as the fabrication of worlds upon worlds. The power that could form an atom could form a million of atoms, or a universe. All things were not only created but were set in motion by this divine and miraculous power. The very nature of the law of centrifugal force, necessarily presupposes an antecedent force. Being a law of motion, it could not exist independent of motion, and cannot be conceived without a pre-conceived motion. That antecedent force which sets things to revolving at first, was a miracle; and that power which stamped upon all things thus set in motion the laws which continued them so, was also a miracle. Since that period, the sun, moon, and stars have revolved around each other, and all around some great centre with a ceaseless, complex, but orderly motion, in obedience to these laws, which though themselves but the continuance of the miracle that ordained them, must yet be called natural because ordinary. Does it detract from the power and wisdom of God to say, that these wonderful results are produced by his laws? Who shall affirm it? Does it not rather increase our admiration and wonder to consider that the heavens and the earth are upheld, and all their multiplied motions carried on, not directly by his power, but by the word of his power." It seems, to our mind, to convey the idea, that he is so great and mighty, that these vast results do not require him to put forth his power, or in any way to exert himself. He has but to speak, and the word coming from such a source is so mighty, as to be abundantly sufficient. O, how important and precious is 'every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God." 66 66 verse. As moral beings, dependent for happiness and life upon what he has done for our moral nature, let us now consult that Book which he has addressed to us, in order to make known this very fact, and see if there is any variation in his mode of procedure. Here we find that man was originally created by a miracle, and was immediately subjected to laws, which tested his relationship to God as a moral being. In obedience to these, his moral standing in the sight of God was well-pleasing and acceptable, and his happiness, which was made dependent on his obedience, was complete and unalloyed. But he violated the law, and brought upon himself the consequences attached to its infraction-pain, and sorrow, and death. This superinduced the necessity for him to be re-created, in order to happiness and life. To this end there must be a new beginning of things; and as we have seen that all things begin in miracles, there must be new miracles wrought. We pass over the four thousand years of training which the nature of the case made necessary, in which men were schooled to reverence and fear Godin which they were taught that the only happiness was through Him: a lesson which was impressed on the one hand by abandoning the nations of the earth to themselves, and on the other by elevating a single nation to peculiar honor and happiness through obedience, and subsequently subjecting them to peculiar disgrace and misery for disobedience. And even this propedeutic or preparatory law was not an exception to the general rule. It was introduced by the signs and wonders of Egyptthe miraculous passage of the Red Sea, and the smoke, and thunder, and lightning of God's presence upon Sinai. This law had then all the sanction and support, the force and authority of miracles. Obedience to it just as certainly resulted in prosperity, honor, and happiness just as certainly brought to them all the blessings which were promised through it, as though God had immediately and miraculously bestowed them. Disobedience just as certainly resulted in the opposite. We have thus learned something of In process of time this covenant the wisdom and power of God, and of" waxed old and was ready to vanish the way in which he ordinarily exer- away," and Jesus Christ came as the cises that power, in the material uni- mediator of a new one. This new in - stitution, like the old, must be introduced by miracles. He wrought them. None could gainsay the many "wonders, and signs, and miracles which God did by him." He finished the work He provided salvation He offered himself a sacrifice He rose triumphantly from the dead-He ascended to heaven-He sent down his Spirit-He empowered his ambassadors to perform such wonders in setting up his institution, that his bitterest enemies were constrained to say, " that indeed a notable miracle has been wrought by them we cannot deny." Such was the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ superhuman, supernatural, miraculous. And now with the transcendent splendour and divine authority which these miracles carry with them, a law is ordained for every creature in all the world he that believes and obeys shall be saved. Go into all the world, tell every human creature that this Gospel which I give you is not an empty sound, nor an impotent and lifeless letter, but the outflowing of miraculous energy. the perpetual influence of that Divine Power which gave it birth. Tell them not to look for some one to ascend to heaven to bring me down to save them, but to have confidence that this gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." Tell them that with all power in heaven and on earth given unto me, I have ordained this law of salvation, and that they must conform to it, receive the blessing, and thank, and praise, and honor me for it. Assure them from me, that I will come again with all the angels of heaven, and will take vengeance upon all who know not God, who see him not in his laws, and who consequently "obey not the Gospel of his Son." 66 Sinner, are you waiting for God to work a miracle in your individual behalf to save you? He has miraculously given you a law of pardon and salvation; obey the law, and you will have the effect of the miracle. But you will argue that God is everywhere present, and can save you in some other way. True, he is. He is present in all his works. He is present when the law of gravitation brings the apple to the ground-He is present when the laws of centripetal and centrifugal motion keep all worlds in harmonious revolution-He is present when you refuse to obey from the heart the form of doctrine delivered to you, that you might be made free from sin-but He does not violate His own laws---He does not depart from his own rules to accomplish that which is the end of their ordination. Gracious and merciful in giving us a means of escape, he will not permit us to dictate to others, nor will he look with favor upon those who ask him to change his law, and to save them in some other way. The provision of salvation and the giving of the law belong to God; it is for man, reverently, obediently, and thankfully to receive it. We would encourage all confidence and truthfulness in him; we would assure you of his continual presence and his gracious aid, but would warn you most solemnly against presumptuously supposing that He will turn aside from his wise and efficacious means of salvation, to give it to you in some other way. Trust not to the delusion. God has given you laws and ordinances through which he has promised to bless you, in which he exercises his power to save. Come to them, and you come to the power contained in them. We conclude with the solemn injunction of God himself, "Son of man, mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, all that I say unto thee concerning all the ordinances of the house of the Lord, and all the laws thereof." J. S. L. STRIFE.-I will rather suffer a hundred wrongs than inflict one. I will rather suffer many 'ere I complain of one, and endeavor to right it by contending. I have ever found, to strive with my superior is furious; with my equal, doubtful; with my inferior, base; with any, full of unquietness.-Hall. VALUE OF TIME.-The story of Melancthon affords a striking lecture on the value of time, which was, that whenever he made an appointment, he expected not only the hour, but the minute to be fixed, that the day might not be allowed to run out in the idleness of suspense. "THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY" AGAIN! WITH great pleasure I answer the sary addition to this confession, and call of Brother Isaac Errett, to do my-insist upon it to the prevention of additions to the church, would he not be a factionist? But how could we convict of him of being a factionist, if the question as to the confession was not definitely decided among us? The factionist always developes himself to be, a man who makes divisions by his opinions. As in the above case, a man thinks that simply to confess faith in the Lord Jesus is not sufficient, something must be added for his satisfaction, and he opposes the reception of all, however much they may satisfy heaven, until his whim is attended to. self and others justice, where that good man thinks an explanation" is required. My intention is far from doing injustice to any mortal man, and more especially to those whom I call my brethren. I have never been opposed to an investigation of the great themes connected with the church-its organization, ministry, and position in the world. As long as I live among men, I hope to be delighted in the exposition of these matters, both by tongue and pen. What is to be feared is the introduction among us of new and unscriptural organizations. Brother Errett seems rather anxious to make me a transgressor in this thing, and hence he asks me if I included brothers Campbell, Burnet, Milligan, Shepard, and Challen in my denunciations.! No man comes within the range of my disapproval in that article, unless he propose new organizations. If any man's object is to develope the duties and obligations of churches, evangelists, elders, and deacons, and to stir them up to energy in their work, to him I say, Amen-God speed you, my brother. But, if any man supposes that the scriptural organizations are insufficient, inadequate to the great work to be done, and need to be substituted by something better, or that they need something not written in God's word added, to make them complete, from him wholly and heartily do I dissent. If my remarks had any aim, that was their aim. It grieves me to think, that any one should consider me an enemy to free discussion. Does Brother Errett suppose that with us, as a people, the whole subject of religion is still in discussion? Are we really settled upon nothing? 66 Once, and for all, with pleasure I release Brother Errett from any portion of the blame of my censorious" remarks. If ever he contended for new organizations unknown to the New Testament, I happened not to see it. I have been much edified and encouraged by his warm and affectionate words, and have felt delighted at his success in the word. May the good Lord grant that the tens of his converts may become hundreds, and his hundreds thousands, and that he may give his life to the building up and feeding of the church of God! I have no arrow in my spent quiver for Isaac Errett! If, after calmly considering the subject, I conclude that a man is engaged in mischief is working evil to the cause of God and truth-I have no fear to speak out in the plainest English my poor vocabulary affords. Sometimes I feel like laying down my pen, when, after aiming to be explicit, good and sensible brethren like Brother Errett complain of my "statements as so indefinite and general in their character," that it is difficult to learn any meaning. To give point, then, to that which may have appeared pointless, and defiAfter full, free, and extensive inves- niteness to what may appear too genetigation, our people have settled down ral in its character, allow me to say, upon the great question of faith, or the that it is a large item in my creed to faith, and upon the necessity of the believe, that whatever the Lord wants confession of the faith to admission into done, he has appointed the means to do the body of Christ. Discussion on this it. He appointed the church, and gave question is, with those without, not to it the means to convert the world. with those within. Should any indi- Some of those means were supernatuvidual arise in any one of our churches, ral, not to be continued some were and contend for experience as a neces-ordinary, to continue to the end of time. Among the supernatural were apostles, prophets, and all divinely-gifted teachers, miracles, wonders, and demonstrations of the Holy Spirit. The ordinary were believers confederated in one place -the church having a spirit or mind, in which were infixed the three great principles of power faith, hope, and love. These were wrought out and established for ever by the supernatural. By these the church has subdued kingdoms, and will finally subdue the world, that the power may be of God, and not of men. But the church has not only a mind or spirit for the comprehension and development of those wonderworking principles, she has also hands and feet; or, in other words, ministers, elders, deacons, and evangelists. As a matter for consideration I would suggest, just here, a thought of some practical importance. The church of Christ is set before us in the New Testament in its particular and in its general character the church of Christ at Corinth, and the church of Christ in all the world. Yea, say some, and the church at Corinth has its officers and organization, whereby it accomplishes its own worship and discipline; therefore, by parity of reasoning, the general church must needs have officers and organization to accomplish its larger and more extensive purposes! Stand true to the argument, then, and if you make it good, I go for a hierarchy! The churches were all established and officered by the Lord. The work of each, and the privilege of each, was pointed out. Because there was a work to be done, therefore the Lord gave the means to do it. To say that the Lord has marked out a definite work for the church catholic to do, and left her without the means to accomplish it, is to find a new thing under the sun! Moreover, it was just here that the Man of Sin was born. In much affection I warn my brethren not to spoil the good work done, by aiming at more than they can find in their commission. On this subject I have some jottings down, and a few crotchets in my Bible. Perhaps, after what Brother Errett says of my forwardness and tyranny, he will hardly think that I have been prevented from obtruding them on the brethren by feelings of modesty? Whenever the general church is spoken of, it is in some relation to its glo rious head-never with reference to any works or mighty operations upon the earth. Listen to a few : -- "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end."-" And he is the head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in all things he might have the pre-eminence." In all active operations the churches are employed-the church catholic is an ideal church, for it never meets but in heaven! It never met on earth, nor ever will. But listen to a few other passages: "And we have sent him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; and not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace.""Whether any do_enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you; or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ." -"Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches." For all purposes of work and power here on earth the churches are established, and by them all that the Lord desires to be done is to be brought about. In this respect all the churches are under law to Christ. If it had been necessary, in the view of the Head of the Church, to have formed an organization among the evangelists, to have had perpetual existence, powers, and a common seal, doubtless he would have established it as a kind of court of appeals" on earth. As it is, when the churches act according to law, the appeal can only be made to the Head. None is admitted here. The Apostles gave the same laws to all the churches. 66 And so ordain I in all the churches." Therefore, Paul having put the Colossians under the special law I shall now adduce, put all the churches under it. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks unto God and the Father by him." Nothing can be done to the glory of the Lord, that is not done in his name or by direction of his written word. |