Obrazy na stronie
PDF
ePub

creature; regenerated; and a fully developed child of God. Man's Adamic nature undergoes no radical change at conversion; his faculties and propensities are the same. At the coming of Christ there is a fundamental, a radical change; the believer becomes then literally a new creature; and I believe that the words of Christ in the 3rd John refer to this change, equally with the 15th of the 1st Corinthians.

I remain, my dear Mr. Editor, yours truly in Christ,

CHAS. UNDERHill. Woodbridge Lodge, Oxford.

ISRAEL IN BRITAIN.

DEAR SIR,-Will C. M. excuse my pointing out one or two flaws in his excellent lecture in January RAINBOW. I have read it with delight; but these two or three defects act like a broken string in a fine piano-piece. It is in no spirit of opposition to the truth he advocates that I notice these things. I have been a believer in our Israelitish origin for above thirty years, therefore I am jealous of anything tending to mar a good argument in its favour.

The flaws I point out, as well as others of their kind I pass by, arise from inattention to "the Canon of Interpretation" laid down on page 21. The book "means what it says; not what somebody.

fancies it may. mean; not what it may be twisted to mean, to dovetail with preconceptions that are imported into the book."

[ocr errors]

On page 28, C. M. interprets two parables. As Jesus does not say" he referred to Israel as the Prodigal Son and Lazarus, we cannot be sure he "meant this people. Whilst hoping such interpretation might be true, yet till the Christ says so it is unwise to introduce it

into an argument. into an argument. On page 25 we have "1881-2, that memorable date which is written on every numerical prophecy." As the Bible nowhere mentions 1881-2, and everywhere condemns interpretation of "times and seasons," I beg C. M. to abandon his (apparent) idea of " numerical prophecy," as "somebody's " fancy.

But on page 32 occurs the most dissonant note. "The Stone of Destiny, the stone that the Lord has laid before Joshua, (Zech. iii. 9,)" is a daring statement, because there is nothing in the prophecy to identify the one stone with the other. A careful examination of the story about Jeremiah bringing Jacob's pillow and a Jewish princess to Ireland makes it seem to some of our minds anything but credible history. Too many links are wanting, and too much assumed, to make it worthy a place in so momentous an argument as C. M.'s. Therefore I would ask him to leave it, and such like unestablished ideas, to Mr. Hine; and having set out with the lofty standard of "the Book says what it means," carefully to try every statement by this crucial test before he gives utterance to it. Or at least let him oblige his readers in the RAINBOW by letting us plainly see the difference betwixt C. M.'s idea and an absolute "thus saith the Lord." J. WILSON.

101, Northgate, Halifax.

A CRY FROM THE OUTCASTS.

DEAR SIR,-Where are the advocates of Life in Christ only? Why is it I and others are denied Christian fellowship, cast out because we cannot hold our peace, and have to wander here and there, and then to hear constantly the

disgraceful lie of endless sin and
agony? Is there no room for us
in our Father's house, unless we
travel a few miles to worship, with-
out having our hearts pained by
bearing this terrible dogma preached
with more than usual warmth ?
Cannot we as young men find some
place of welcome, or if not, start
some mission, when we can tell
men more of the love of our loving
Father, and warn them of the pun-
ishment of unrepented sin, without
man-made theoriea or dogmas? It
seems to me something might be
done, and especially in this neigh-
bourhood, and then when incorpo-
rated as a body, take in such works
as the RAINBOW, either to sell or
lend, so as to enlighten men's minds,
and bring them to a knowledge of
the truth as it is in Jesus?
it be done, Sir?

Will any one answer?
Yours in truth,

Notting Hill.

HERBERT

"DEPARTED SPIRITS."

Can

DEAR SIR, Mr. Laing's article in this month's RAINBOW, on " What becomes of Departed Spirits," is clear and sharp, and, to minds

more than half made up, decisive as to these points:

1. That the Ghost, Spirit, or Life in man returns at death to God, or, in other words, His energising influence is recalled, and leaves "the man" a mass of festering clay and phosphates.

2. That Sheôl, Hades, or the Grave is but a synonym for the regions of nonentity.

He has brought many weighty texts of Scripture in support of these views, and I cannot deny them (nor wish I to do so); but I should like to hear how he will explain St. Peter's assertion, that Christ "being put to death in the flesh, was made alive in the spirit, in which [spirit] also he went and preached to the spirits in ward;" and again, that "even to dead persons was the gospel preached."

To me it seems to show that these ghosts were alive and conscious during our Lord's preaching; whether merely roused into life and consciousness in order to hear His preaching, or otherwise, I am puzzled to know what to think; but hope some one will cast light upon this dark passage of Scripture. Yours very truly,

CYRIL A. GREAVES, D.C.L. Bedford.

NOTICES.

"JAMES Y."-Your remarks suggest the question which Deacon Philip put to Queen Candace's treasurer:-"Understandest thou what thou readest?" The reading of a certain number of chapters as a religious task, is sorry work. To think over what a few divine sentences teach, and to assimilate it with your heart and understanding is the way to grow wise. M. Huc, in his " Chinese Empire," speaking of a library in a certain Buddhist monastery, says, "Some of the books are simple Chinese transcriptions of Indian books, which the Chinese can read fluently, without understanding a word of their contents." No wonder that the traveller hinted to the librarian that such reading could not be "particularly instructive !"

"W. B." (Ontario).-You are quite right. vxn (psyche) should have been uniformly translated "life." It has been so rendered in several instances, and the sense is clear; but when our translators use the word "soul," the meaning is shrouded in mystery to most readers.

"TRUTH SEEKER."-If your friend were better read he would not raise such frivolous objections. See the words Scripture, Bible, Canon, in Smith's or the Imperial-Bible Dictionary.

"J. J."-Indecision even in relation to ordinary matters is bad; but in reference to those of the highest interest it is unspeakably worse. If you trifle you may lose the prize-" a crown of life."

[ocr errors]

"T. T. P."-What do we think of bazaars for religious purposes? That is soon answered. They are a device of the enemy to corrupt the channel through which the Lord's treasury is supplied. If a man cannot help Christ except through the inspiration of Vanity Fair, Christ can do without him. It is the greatest honour to lay gold at the King's feet, but then it must be " pure gold."

"M. Y."-It is "natural," but not Christian, to complain of life's trials. They are necessary for discipline. And it is by no means wise to wish that we could change places with some one else. Alford's reading of Luke xiv. 27 is suggestive: "And whosoever doth not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." Mark the "own!" Every true servant shall also receive his " own "' reward.

MR. GEORGE STORRS, Brooklyn, is thanked for his letter and AngloIsrael paper, and also for the way in which he is pleased to speak of us in his interesting journal, the Bible Examiner. Mr. Storrs is in his eighty-third year, and has to toil still at the most unproductive of all labour-a religious magazine! Silly tales "pay;" Divine truth-well, will some day!

JAMES DOBSON.-Endless and profitless discussion would ensue if your letter were published. Besides, the matter has been settled for us: "The wages of sin is death." You, and others who have written on "the penalty of sin," will kindly interpret our decision to exclude metaphysical subtleties and theological hair-splitting, and to abide by the authority of Scripture. That will best bear the coming inquisition.

JAMES LESLIE, Esq., Toronto, deserves hearty thanks for his zealous co-operation in the cause of truth. He has posted about 3000 copies of the Conference Report to ministers of " every Protestant denomination from the Atlantic to the Pacific." He has, also, frequently reprinted articles from the RAINBOW, and widely circulated them among members of the Dominion Parliament, and other influential persons. May his disinterested labours be productive of much good! Under the blessing

of God a few such men, with open heart and purse, could work wonders. JAMES SCOTT.-Letters received. Thanks.

"F. M." writes: "I am greatly pleased with the RAINBOW. It is refreshing to have the fundamental doctrines of Scripture delivered from the errors of theology and vain philosophy. You have the congratulations and best wishes of friends upon the January issue."

A GENTLEMAN (a J. P.) writes: "I thank you for your admirable periodical, the RAINBOW. I read it with much pleasure. It treats of grand and momentous subjects, and that with a masterly hand. I admire the work."

THE RAINBOW:

3 Magazine of Christian Literature, with Special Reference to the Revealed Future of the Church and the World.

MARCH, 1879.

SONS OF LIGHT.

Πάντες ὑμεῖς υἱοὶ φωτός ἐστε καὶ υἱοὶ ἡμέρας· οὐκ ἐσμὲν νυκτὸς
οὐδὲ σκότους.—1 THESS. v. 5.

THIS is a great saying, a splendid eulogy both for knowledge and privilege on the part of the Thessalonian brethren. The statement acquires double strength from its twofold aspect, positive and negative: "Ye are all sons of light and sons of day; we are not of night nor of darkness." There is also a sharp double contrast between light and darkness, day and light, metaphors taken from the natural world with which every one is familiar, and which, therefore, no one can misunderstand. Light, as the symbol of knowledge, and darkness as that of ignorance, are so manifestly appropriate that they commend themselves at once without argument-" Light" as the revealing and "Darkness" as the concealing agent. And when the regularly recurring natural phenomena of day and night are imported as symbols into the mental region, we see how God makes use of His works to enforce the lessons of His word. Creation is His picture book by which He illustrates His "word of salvation;" and the mind of the student is helped to holy thought by the "wonderful works of God."

[ocr errors]

Language is founded upon the visible; you cannot move a step without it. The line just written contains no fewer than four metaphors: "founded," suggesting a building; "visible," that which is seen by the bodily eye; move" and "step," physical acts. And if the phrase is varied to "intellectual progress," nothing is gained in the way of escape from our picture book; for the very idea of progress is founded on literal motion. Even in what is called abstract thought, if there be any such thing,-which is a legitimate question for a debating society, however high you may soar in the intellectual heavens, you are still tied to the earth, like the school boy's kite; for the term "abstract" is undoubtedly borrowed from our excellent and useful fellow citizen, the chemist. Nay, more, as the kite could not float in the air at all without its

guiding string, no more can we gaze on heavenly things without the aid of those that are earthly. Our senses are adapted to the material world, which is full of charming lessons to the sons of light. They wish to have, and they have, rich mental luxury in heaven but the foot of the ladder by which they reach those dainties stands upon the earth. Paul's predicate respecting the Thessalonian believers richly merits, and will surely repay, earnest attention.

1. Those whom the Redeemer is "not ashamed to call brethren," (Heb. ii. 11,) are "sons of light," notwithstanding personal infirmities.

If perfection, in any sense of that term, were essential to Christian fellowship, or a condition of adopting the Christian name, it is obvious that Christ could have neither Church nor individual follower upon earth. Let me crave close attention to this, for though the thing is simply a truism, yet it clears the way for some remarks which are greatly needed. There is a spurious spiritualism, the injurious action of which I have witnessed in hundreds of instances. It sometimes manifests its disagreeable presence by lamentations over head-aches and heart-aches, the troubles of the world, and "this mortal clog " the body, all which things are deliberately set down as direct hindrances to piety, cruel enemies of that hearty consecration to God which is the privilege, and should be the characteristic, of all his children. And then, to show that this is perfectly right, the authority of some verse of pious nonsense is quoted, about liberating the "immortal soul" from its "prison," such as

"Welcome sweet hour of full discharge
That sets our longing souls at large!
Unwinds our chains, breaks up our cell,
And gives us with our God to dwell."

We hope none of our readers require to be told that to find fault with our physical constitution as a hindrance to our spiritual life is to charge God foolishly. We are the work of His hands. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. And the grace He has sent us in the heart, and by the hands of His Son, our glorious Elder Brother, was intended to meet our case, here and now, just as we are was intended for men with head-aches and heart-aches, for men encompassed with infirmity. For perfect beings the gospel of Christ is entirely unsuited. Let us, just because we are earthen vessels, broken pitchers, let the light shine through the cracks, that God may be glorified for kindling the Shekinah in such frail temples!

Frequently, too, this unhealthy spiritualism, this morbid piety, comes out in the prayer meeting. It is really distressing to hear the names by which Christian men call themselves when speaking to God. Miserable offenders, great sinners, utterly worthless,

« PoprzedniaDalej »