“The True Church”

"The True Church" By Fred L. W. Bennett

I have just discovered amongst some old newspapers and other things a tiny pamphlet issued by the Westminster Press, of Philadelphia, Pa., which attracted my attention immediately. It is on a subject of perennial interest and the title is "The True Church. The author is the Rev. J. C. Ryle, B. A., Rector of Holmingham, Suffolk. Not having anything urgent on hand at the moment, I ven- ture to give readers of the Era a few extracts from my "find." After a few preliminary remarks our author says, in answer to his own question as to which is the true church:

It is a Church of which all the members have the same marks. They are all born again of the Spirit. They all possess repentance towards God, faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, and holiness of life and conversation. They all hate sin and they all love Christ. They worship differently, and after various fashions. Some worship with a form of prayer, and some with none.

• • • But they all worship with one heart. They are all led by one

  Spirit. They all build upon one foundation. They all draw their religion —

from one single book, that is the Bible. Thev are all joined to one great center, that is Jesus Christ. * * *

The Reverend Gentleman does not stop to explain how these persons can be led by one spirit, build on the same foundation, get religion from one single book, and all be joined to one great centre, and yet worship differently and after various fashions. But I must go on:

It is a Church which is dependent upon no minister upon earth, how- ever much it values those who preach the gospel to its members. The life of its members does not hang upon church-membership, and baptisms and the Lord's Supper, although they highly value these things, when they are to be had. — But it has only one Great Head, one Shepherd, —one chief — Bishop, and that is Jesus Christ. * * * Once let a man repent and believe the gospel, and that moment he becomes a member of this Church.

I cannot think the author has weighed this paragraph, for it is equivalent to saying that an organization for the teaching of — religion is not essential a theory cherished by all the so-called free-thinkers, but diametrially opposed by both the old and — new Testaments. Every creed religious, commercial, or what not, must be backed up by an organization, not only for propa-

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ganda or defensive purposes, but in order that its adherents may be kept in harmony on doctrinal and other matters. Similar remarks apply to Mr. Ryle's statement that immediately a man believes the gospel he becomes, automatically, a member of Christ's Church; whereas he must be formally admitted by one having authority to act in Christ's behalf. Anarchy will destroy anything, and this is as true of religions as countries. After reminding us that "This is the Church which pos- sesses 'true unity,' " our author says

This is the only Church which is truly Apostolic. It is built on the foundation laid by the apostles, and holds the doctrines which they preached. The two grand objects at which its members aim, are apostolic faith and apostolic practice, and they consider the man who talks of following the apostles without possessing these things, to be no better than sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.

This, despite the fact that there had not been an apostolic system in the world for hundreds of years until the advent of — "Mormonism" which our learned author would doubtless be unwilling to regard as a legitimate religion at all Again:

This is the only Church of which no member can perish. Once enrolled in the lists of this Church, sinners are safe for eternity. They are never cast out.

Mr. Ryle seems to have great respect for the Bible when it suits his purpose, at other times he treats it as nought. This Book tells us distinctly that there is no hope for the Sons of Perdition, who are none other than persons "once enrolled in the lists of the Church." Was not Judas a member of Christ's Church and are we to consider him "safe for eternity?" Judas is not the only apostate of early times; there were hundreds of

others of less prominence, but, possibly, of almost equal per- fidy. Others, though not apostates, gave up the struggle, as at the present time, and they, too, cannot be regarded as "safe for eternity" as those "who endure to the end." And again: Not one bone of Christ's mystical body shall ever be broken. Not one lamb of Christ's flock shall ever be plucked out of his hand.

It is such talk as this that drives intelligent men and women from the churches. Why the word "mystical"? and why use sillysentimental figures in the latter sentence? I was reading an address not long since wherein it was stated that business men did not attend church now-a-days in a certain part of the country. Is there any wonder when they are treated to such rubbish as I have quoted?

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The idea of the author under discussion is doubtless that none of the churches of Christendom are perfect (which is true), and therefore the true Church must be an unearthly, ethereal affair. To him Church and Deity are alike, both spiritual. The emphatic utterances of the Savior make no difference, they are spiritualized, too. The pity of it is not so much that people entertain false ideas through such teachings (the truth could correct them), but that they become so disgusted and their in- telligence so outraged that they absolutely refuse to consider religion any more. There has been so much bigotry concerning religion that many persons at the present time seem unwilling to state their views unhesitatingly and with emphasis. They seem to be afraid of being charged with narrowmindedness, and this seems to be one of the things which guided Mr. Ryle in the compilation of his work. Do not be afraid of this, bigotry charge, my brethren and sisters. What some people boast of as their broadmindedness is nothing more than an inability to think for themselves!

r A Man From This House' In many a home, we view his photo with touching admiration, as we read, "A man from this house is now serving at the front for his country."

A man from this house, hale and whole, Most sound of limb and strong of soul, With purpose high and will unswerving, His Nation, at the front, is serving.

A man from this house, kind and true As ever patriot-spirit knew, Is — gone how touching still the story To shield, to guard a Nation's glory!

A man from this house, young and bright As ever smiled 'mid morning light, His presence leal and fair is lending Humanity's great cause defending.

A man from this house, one of the best That ever loved our lovely West, Is there— our flag is waving o'er him May heaven's watchcare shine before him. Minnie Iverson Hodapp. Huntington, Utah