WE showed from the pulpit, fully thirty years ago, that the answer of Peter to the three thousand on Pentecost, was not the same as the answer of Ananias, to Saul, of Tarsus, and the answer to Saul was not the same as the answer of Paul, to the Philippian jailer, and gave the reason for the difference. But that was not a difference between then and now, but difference in view of the difference in the conditions of persons at the same time. The same difference is observed now, by all intelligent preachers, where they find the difference in the conditions of persons. If a man is a believer, they do not command him to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” If he has repented, they do not command him to repent. Or, if he has been immersed, they do not command him to be immersed; but to go on and unite with others who have been immersed into Christ, and observe all things, whatever the Lord has commanded. But attention to this is no difference between then and now, nor did the preacher, thirty years ago, fail to observe this difference, any more than now. On the contrary, the preachers then generally understood this better than the preachers do now.
We noticed the articles in question, carefully, to see the difference in the condition of things now, demanding the different treatment, but in vain; we did not see it. The plain state of the case is, that there is no general difference, and we now need the same gospel, presented in the same manner, as they needed then. Preaching always did take better effect, when presented in a pleasant manner, than when presented in an abrupt and repulsive manner. This we knew thirty years ago, as well as we know it now. All that can be truthfully said about this, opens the way for no change—no new departure. Whatever was then true in this respect, is true now. A good and acceptable manner in presenting the gospel was appreciated then as much as it is now, and was of precisely the same value. It was understood then as well as it is now, that every improvement in manner had its value, and more attention was given to the matter then, than now. There was then more sound preaching and teaching, than there is now, and less that was unsound.
We need solid and sound men now, faithful and true, not to preach something different, but the same, not in a different manner from what we had thirty years ago, but in the same manner; not to undo what has been done by the labors of the holy men of the past fifty years, many of whom have fallen asleep in Jesus, but a few remain to this present; but to maintain, defend, perpetuate, and transmit it down through the ages, to the end of time. We want men that will not demoralize the people, specially our young preachers, by opening the way for something new and different; but maintain the same things, and be of the same mind, and of the same judgment; not preparing the way for something new, but maintaining and defending the old, tried and unquestionable; not getting ready for change—new departure—but “preach the word”—“continue in the things they have learned, and been assured of,” and not demoralize our young preachers with the idea of being on the wing; on a flight from one thing to another, in some wonderful career of progress; but exhorting them to be “rooted and grounded in the truth;” yes, more, in the “love of the truth;” not only to maintain “sound speech that can not be condemned”—“sound words,” but the very “form of sound words.”
[JESUS REVEALED AS
THE SAVIOR.]
WE turn our eyes to the infant in a manger in Bethlehem, and place them upon the child of promise, born according to the divine purpose, to whom God had been pointing from the beginning of time, who is to be the rise and fall of many nations, and the hope of the world, and find that all the divine prophets, and holy Seers of olden times, have been looking to him; that the attention of all heaven is directed to him, and, that the object now is, to engage the attention, enlist the hearts, and center the affections of the whole family of man in him who is called Jesus. Accordingly, wonders surround him of a stupendous character, when he is born. Angels of heaven appear, exclaiming, “We bring you good news of great joy, which shall be to all people. Unto you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior is born, which is Christ the Lord.” After a few incidents connected with his birth, and up till he is two years of age, he passes pretty much without observation, through the period of his minority, and the time comes for the Lord to make him known to Israel. We look and see him approach John the Baptist, demanding baptism at his hands. The good man knew him not as the Messiah, though he knew him as a kinsman, and, in humility says, “I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me.” The Lord replied, “Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness.” With this righteous explanation, the Baptist walked by the side of his Lord, not knowing him to be his Savior, for he says, “I knew him not, but he who sent me to baptize, said, ‘On whomsoever you see the Holy Spirit descending and remaining, that is he.’” Down they enter, hand in hand, into the water. The immerser takes his Redeemer in his hands, and lowers him till his person is buried in the waters of Jordan, and then gently raises him up. As they ascend from the water, they lift their eyes and behold the opening heavens, and the descending Spirit as it forms a visible appearance, and rests upon him whom God would have revealed to Israel. At this moment, the Almighty Father spoke from heaven, in the audience of the people, announcing: “This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I am well pleased.”