upon ourselves and them as before God, amid the awful scenes of the last day, then we should find no time for any other subject in our pulpits but the way of salvation for sinners through Christ crucified. There is no need for us to leave the Cross to preach on literary, scientific, economical, and political subjects. There are others quite as able, and in all probability much better prepared to take care of these subjects than we are; and, besides, it belongs to them to do so. These are not the elements of our sacred calling. We are sure to soil our robes, and to put ourselves in a wrong position, and to appear to a disadvantage, whenever we leave the duties to which we are consecrated for lower themes. Our business is to show unto raen the way of salvation-to know the Word of God, and cause the people to understand it. Let us take hold of the Cross of Christ, and lift it up as high as we can, and cry, Behold the Lamb of God! Let the world drift as it may in the vast ocean; let speculations and theories run as high as they may, and surge and boil, and roar and whirl around us; we have only one thing to do: to cling to the Cross, and busy ourselves with reading its history, and trying to know its virtues, and make our fellow-men acquainted with them. It is when we are nearest to the Cross of Jesus, and feel His blood to be most precious, and feel ourselves so identified with Him that He seems to be walking with us, as if His heart were throbbing against ours as we are toiling on in the path of duty, that we are the best prepared to represent Him and plead His cause. Let us live in the light of eternity reflected upon us from the Cross. Let us try to get the baptism of the truth and of the blood of expiation warm on our conscience, in view of the account we must give of our stewardship, and then we may hope for power and success. "UNTO HIM THAT LOVED US, AND WASHED US FROM OUR SINS IN HIS OWN BLOOD, AND HATH MADE US KINGS AND PRIESTS UNTO GOD AND HIS FATHER; TO HIM BE GLORY AND DOMINION FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN." THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF THE QUESTION NOW AT ISSUE. Reason for this Appendix-Lord Bacon and Plutarch-Atheism or Supersti- tion-We become like the God we worship sincerely-Religious Belief germinal in the Human Soul-Religious Belief gives distinct Characteris- PAGE II. OPINIONS CONCERNING CHRIST BEFORE THE COUNCIL OF NICEA. Gnostics, Docetæ, Ebionites, Cerinthus, Basilides, Sabellius, Patripassians, Paulianists, Arius.--COUNCIL OF NICEA, its Character and Occasion.- Modern Arianism-Dr. Bellows-"A Coat of many Colors "The Reach of the History of Redemption-The Emperor in the Council-Many of its Members Confessors, who bore Marks on their Persons of their Suffer- ings from Persecution for their Belief in the Christ of the Apostles-- How this Council honored the Word of God--All human Authorities fallible-National Influence of Creeds-Violence of Ecclesiastical Coun- cils-Modern Gnosticism-"Divers and Strange Doctrines "--Moham- III. ASPECT OF MODERN THOUGHT CONCERNING THE CHRIST OF THE EVANGELISTS. The Written and the Incarnate WORD-Every Age has its Great Questions-- PAGE and Misbelief-Ebrard on the Critical Schools-Unbelieving Science--We claim Free Inquiry-Disbelieving Criticism-STRAUSs's Theory analyzed and distinctly stated, and the proper Answer sketched-Renan's Legends quite as unphilosophical and unsatisfactory-The Tübingen School...402-420 FINALLY A FEW EARNEST WORDS TO THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS AND YOUNG MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL. Fuller's Division of a Subject--A World-wide View-Courage to look at the Foe-Not allow our Opponents to fight "Men of Straw "-Insist on the Facts of Christianity-Not underrate the Strength of our Adversaries— Great Learning as well as Devotedness required-Unreserved Consecration to our Work-MUST PREACH CHRIST MORE, AND NOTHING BUT CHRIST. .420-429 |