Gospel Herald, 1861-02-09

              SPELHiRALD.
Devoted to Christianity, Morality, the Interests of Satobath Schools, Social lmiiro-vemeii.ti-Tein.peranoe, Edncafcion, and General Ne-wrs.
"BEHOLD,   I   BRING   TOU   GOOD   TIDINGS   OF   GREAT   JOT  .  .   .   .  ON   EAETHPEAOE,   GOOD   WILL   TO'WARD   MEN."
VOL. 17.
DAYTON, O., SATURDAY, FEB. 9,1861.
NO. 39.
Selected Foetry.
tSolootod by Elton V. Pierce.]
Come this way my Father.
I remember a voice wliioli once guideti my 'Vfay, When toaaed on the sea-fog enshrouded I lay, '9)aws the Toioe ofa child as he stood on the shore, It sounded like muaio o'er the dark billo^ws roar; Come this way my father; steer atraight for me! Here, safe on the shore I'm ¦waiting for thee.
I remember that voioe aa it led onr lone ivay Midst rooks and thro' brakera and high dashing
spray; How s-weet to my heart did it sound from the
shore, Aa it eohoeil so clearly o'er  the  dark hillo-w's
roar; ''Come this tray, my father—steer straight for
mo. Here, safe on the shore, I'm ¦waiting for thee."
I remember my joy, when I hold to my breast The form of that dear one, and  soothed  it to
rest; For tlio tones of my child whispered soft to my
eor; I called you, dear father, and know you would
liear Tlie voice of your darling far o'er the dark aea. While safe on the shore, I waa waiting for thee.
That voioe is now hushed which then guided my
way; The form 1 then pressed is  now mingling with
clay- But the tones of my child still  sounds in my
ear, "I am calling you father; Oh, can you not hear I The voice of your darling as you  toss on life's
sea. For ou a bright shore I am waiting for tliiee."
I remember that voice in many a lone hour— It speaks to  my lioart with  fresh beauty and
power, And still echoes far o'er life's troivbled wave, And sound from the lovod lips that lay in the
grave— "Come this way my father—Oh, atoer straight
for me  ; Here safely in heaven I'm waiting-for thee."¦
ORIGINALITIES.
Written for the Gospel Herald.
Interesting and  Important  Inquiries,
The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.—Acts 11; 26.
1. Why woro those who believed on Christ, called Disciples?
JoBiis commaiidod, "Follow me," "Learn of me." Those who heeded those commands, were called "his dis¬ ciples." The word disciple, from the Latin "liisoipulus," means a "follower," or "learner." Those who became imi¬ tators or followers of the example of Christ, and learners of his teaohingH and precepts, were very properly called "Mathetas," in Greek; in Latin, Eiscipuli, and in English, Eollowors, or Disciples of Christ.
2. How came thoy to be called Christians ?
Their acknowledgment of Christ, as their Teacher, Exempler and Leader, and as the founder of their institutions, procured them the namo "Christian," (perhaps in derision,) just as the fol¬ lowers of Luther and Calvin are call¬ ed, from these Protestant leaders, "Lutherans" and "Calvinists."
3. Is tho namo "Christian" Divinely authorized ?
Some think that the word, chreema- tize, translated "called," implies that they were Divinely called Christians. Now I make no pretensions to Greek scholarship; but I happen to possess a Testament and,Lexicon, from which I learn that the word means, in the pass, voice, "to receive divine admo¬ nition, bo warned of God, be divinely'
instructed." But, used intransitively, "to be called, named, be known by a particular appellation." It appears that the Sacred Historian only design¬ ed to mention the fact, that the disci¬ ples begtm to be "called Christians" at Antioch, whether in derision, or by Divine appointment, or by Greeks or Eomans, he does not say. There is no positive evidence tnat the name Chris¬ tianas, or "Christian," was Divinely communicated. Butthe disciples, hav^ ing r.eceived tho name, gloi'ied in it. I prefer it to any of the party names of the present day.
4. What should we profess to be? To profess to be Disciples of Christ,
is the highest pretension we can make consistently with the principles of Christianity. To be called Christians, is the most honorable appellation we could receive from men. But to style ourselves "Christians," would be arro- gatinga name, of whicli it is our'hum- blo duty to strive to render ourselves worthy, but which we ought not, in my estimation, to assume.
5. How can we become Christians ? Tbe  first stop toward becoming a
Christian, is, to hear, with tho heart open to receive truth, the glad tidings concerning the Anointed Savior. Eom. 10:-M.
Tho second step is., to yield heartily to the conviction, which tho pure tes¬ timony of Prophets, Evangelists, Apostles f^nd M^artyrs, is calculated to produce; and believe with all thy heart, "that .Jesus is the Christ,, tho Son of God." This will lead to a third step, and you will confess your sins, and resolve to forsake them, and re¬ form your life. Your experience will bo sorrow, mingled with a desire to do better, and to obtain the favor of God. Tho effect on the mind will bo, "a change of heart."
You are now ready, penitent and believing, to take the fourth step, which is to be "buried with Ohrist by immersion, that, like as Ohrist was raised from tho dead by the glory of tho Father, oven so you should walk in newness, of lif'o." Eom. fi: 4; Col. 2: 12.
Having now "washed away your sins" in tho "blood of Christ," by faith, repentance, and immersion into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,possessing the "answer of a good conscience," saying to you that, as you have "obeyed from the heart thatlbrm of doctrine which was delivered unto you," you have good reason to believe that you are justified, and that "God, for Christ's sake," has forgiven you all your past sins; and having "entered the sheepfold by the door"—Josus Christ—you inquire:
6. How shall we keep from fiilling again into sin and unbelief, and how shall we obtain pardon, if we aro sometimes led into sin, unguardedly?
In answer to this doubly important intjuiry, which every converted per¬ son—every one who has "turned to the Lord"—ought to make, I would say, in the first placo, if you want to keep from falling, be humble, for "pride will have a fall." "Humble yourselves, therefore," says an Apostle, "under tho miglxcy hand of God, that he may ex¬ alt you in due time." Pet. 5, 6. And having sufficiently "humbled your¬ selves" in the sight of the Lord," you may pray for Divine aid, and "ask" for
"the renewal ofthe Holy Sinrit." You will then be strengthened with might in the inner man," and bo filled with "love," and the "fullness of God." (See and read Eph. 3 14-21.)
Secondly, If you are sometiines over¬ come, and led to commit errors, and sins, I would exhort you to repent, and remember that, "if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, tho Eighteous." 1 John, II, 1. .Therefore you should "pray without ceasing, and in every thing give thanks." Pray every day, es pocially in secret;—when necessary, in public. "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation."
7. What shall shield us from the darts ofthe enemy, and what weapons must we use in the Christian warfare?
Paul, speaking of tho Christian war¬ fare, says: "For tho weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong-holds, casting down imagina¬ tions, and every higli thing that exaltis itself against the knowledge of God." The same Apostle tells what the "Ar¬ mor of God;" with which you are to engage in this warfare against "the worlif, the flesh and the devil," is. "Stand, therefore," says he, "having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast-plate of righteous¬ ness; and yourfeet shod with the prep¬ aration of the Gospel of Peace: abovo all, taking tho shield of faith, where¬ with you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of tho wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of tho Spirit, which is tho Word of God : praying always with all pray¬ er and supplication in tho Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseve¬ rance and BU])plication for all saints." Eph. VI, 14-18.
Finally, you ask, in tho language of Peter:
8. "Behold, wo have forsaken all, and followed Christ: What shall wo have, therefore?"
In tho words of Jesus I will answer: "Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundred fold, and shall inherit ever¬ lasting lifo." And, in the languageof Paul, I will add, that "godliness is paofltablo unto all things, having the promise of the life thitt now is, and ¦that which is to come."
Wm. Pinkerton, Jr.
Gillespieville, 0., Jan. 12, 1861.
      —   M m II    m	
Written fm the Oospel Herald.
Positive Theology,
BY  H.  SIMON'TON.
In the midst of the great excitement, both in tae North ami South, about se¬ cession, it does not appear to affect the publication of good books in tho land of/ree speech and a freo proas. The investigation and diacuBsion of truth must and will continue. Truth is mighty, and will prevail over every form O'f error, both in Church and State. Men in both departments should study to be calm and self-possessed, re¬ membering that there is a God, who rules among the children of mon; who is long suffering,  and  full of mercy.
should tho nations be dashed into frag¬ ments.
Among the many interesting vol¬ umes published, I have one before me on Positive Theology, or My Reasons for being a Member of the Christian Church; by A. L.'McKinney, of Troy, O. This little book is written in letter form— five in number. I am much pleased with tho appearance of the work, in matter and manner, It comes home to the common-sense understanding and the experience of genuine, devoted lovers of truth. Prom my long con¬ nection and experience in the Christian Church, in this and other States of the Union, I hold it a good and compre- honsive statement, and able defence of,., the sentiments of the Church, on the points named in tho work.
In my humble opinion, it will, if read by our people, fill a place hereto¬ fore unfilled, at least in book form. It is to the point, and well pointed.
I can most willingly commend the work to the special attention of our ministers and people, and ask for it an extensive circulation. In this well-ar¬ ranged little work will bo found a sensible, manly and Christian investiga¬ tion and noble defence of the several points proposed in the work. Our people should bo more devoted in the study of our sentiments, whicli in my ojjinion is the study of revealed truth. This work will aid thom ou tho points named, in it; for it gives a comprehensive statement of the sev¬ eral points named.
His first reason far being a member of tho Christian Church is "That this Church accepts tho Bible— the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments—as i Isonly rule of religious ftxith and practice." Thia is iliv-ded into two heads:—
First, The Bible a sufficient rule of religious faith; and, Second, of religious prtkctice.
His first tirgument on the first heiid, is founded on the positive languago of the words of tbo Holy Spirit.
The second is tho final appeal of all raligiouH denominations to it in mat- tors of religious faith.
Tho third is that a largo portion of the creeds in the world declare the in¬ fallibility oi' the Bilile, as a rule of faith. The argument on this point is well presented and guarded, &.c.
His first argument on the second di¬ vision of tho subject is drawn from the positive claims of the Scriptures— "All Scripture (is) given by inspiration 0 :God, &C."
Tho second argument is, that tho Bible teaches certain leading princi¬ ples, auch as truth, justice, righteous¬ ness, integrity, candor, compassion, philanthropy, &o.
The third argument is drawn from the epeciai direction of tho Scriptures in sundry religious duties, growing out of various relations.
On this division of the subject, he refers,
First, To our duties arising from the relations we sustain tothe broth¬ erhood of man, which he holds to be oloarly set forth in the Divine rule.
Second, Our duties in the social re¬ lations of life, are 2)lairily set forth in the Scriptures.
Third, Over the home—Tbe revered
grace and truth.    But his justice will^
Moiatofl!/s slumber; his trntli must rise'family   circle,  tho   Divine Law gives
and rule over all error and sin—even  directions to huaband and wife, ])arent.s