Zion's Advocate--November 1869

"Like Priests, like people" is an old adage, and is often demonstrated in ecclesiastical history. Doctrinal and improprieties in conduct that have been manifested in the churches originated with the ministry. "The leaders of my people cause them to err" said God, concerning his ancient Israel and it is true, lamentably true, to this day. But still the churches of the saints, and the people of God, generally, are not thereby justified. It is no excuse for them that are led astray by those who lie in wait to deceive. It is no excuse for them that they follow cunningly devised fables; and permit themselves to be placed in a false position in regard to the doctrine and order of the Kingdom of Christ by their preachers. While God announced the fact that false teachers would arise, and draw many disciples after them, and should deceive many, yet he clearly and distinctly pointed out their true characters, and warned his people against them, so that all the saints who become entangled in the yoke of bondage by them, are held account­able, and are justly responsible. Hence, God has assured them that he "will visit their transgressions with a rod, and their iniquities with stripes;" and this is not without a just cause, for the Judge of all the earth must do right.

One great error of the churches, or a point where they have omitted to perform a sacred duty, is in not meeting the first deviation from the gospel track in their pulpits with a candid and firm protest. They should not leave the house without informing the preacher in the spirit of the gospel faithfulness that his doctrine is not received. But instead of that, though they manifested some disapprobation at first, and expressed it among themselves and perhaps, also to the minister yet by his glosses and their excuses and apologies for him, it is allowed to pass, by which he becomes emboldened to show more of his new theory, until finally, either whole body is corrupted, or a majority is found to support the heresies introduced, to which the minority, which is generally of the living members, have either to succumb, or leave the establishment. It in this way that innovations in practice have also obtained a foothold in the churches. And, whilst even the advocates of new measures have often admitted, that their institutions are not scriptural, according to the strict rule of interpretation, yet "they do a great deal of good," say they, "and no especially a Christian, ought to interpose any objection to doing good."

The churches of Christ, in all past ages, have been known, and are now identified, by their strict adherence to THE RULE, that the Scriptures is the Word of God, and is the infallible rule to the saints for faith and practice; that they contain all things necessary for them to know, to believe and practice; and that whatsoever is not commanded therein is forbidden. In defending the positive institutions of Christ, and the fundamental laws of his kingdom, his ministers and churches have not stopped to consider whether such and such rites and institutions, which have been introduced by men, do good or not. Some of them may have been overruled of God for good, as he often overrules manifest wickedness for good, but that does not furnish us with authority to maintain those innovations; but their only lawful inquiry is: Has God commanded it? Is there a "thus saith the Lord" for this? The searching inquiry of God, in reference to this question, is: "When ye come in to tread my courts, who hath required this at your hands?" If the doctrine and the practice is without this warrant it is condemned, no matter as to the good appearance of "doing good." When many of our people ran wild, a few years ago, in support of a great many institutions, which we considered as innovations in the house of God, our churches and ministers that remained seemed to have pressed very far to the other extreme, and so many have settled down upon the plan of not doing anything whatever to promote the cause of Christ and display the glory of God. Hence, when a minister exhorts to the performance of works of faith and labors of love, and is himself diligent in business, fervent in spirit serving the Lord, and insists upon the prompt compliance with all that Christ has commanded by those that love him, those hyper straight-laced brethren become alarmed, lest he should run into Arminianism.

It is time dear brethren, that we awake out of sleep, for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed. While we have the day, let us work; for the night cometh in which none can work. Let us seek for the old paths and walk therein. Our work consists nit in saving ourselves or others, but in obeying Christ because we are saved. It is to work from life given, and not to obtain life; and a good work, and what is acceptable to God is, what he has commanded, and which is performed in faith and for the glory of his name.