FAITH AND FELICITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11058, 9 May 1899, Page 3

FAITH AND FELICITY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— anonymous contributor to-day of an article with this heading evinces great literary ability and much reading, but he reasons without authoritative data, and so " beats the air," and. is vague and at random in a fog. His superstructure is mostly fine and good,' but his foundation is stubble. Ho discorneth not "tho things of the spirit." Ho does not verbally deny, he ignores tho sacred Scriptures of the Christians. Ho could not oven give us that beautiful expression, so obviously pertinent to his theme, " Peace and joy in believing." Really, thorn is a particular meaning, though figurative, in the words of Jesus, "Ye must be bom again." Life commences with a very small germ. Knowledge of God and of "His Christ" is said to be that very germ in the spiritual realm; the Book gives a very full account of it. Tho Kingdom of God is now coming on it works "like leaven put in meal" by a woman, silently, gradually, imperceptibly, but effectually and completely; a capital illustration. Millenarians, who are always talking about great convulsions, should notice it. Lately a great writer said: " God Almighty is never in a hurry." True; "a thousand years with the Lord are as one day." His purpose shall stand. Many moderns are building splendidly, but with a rotten foundation of straw and " stubble," as Paul says. Six or seven weeks ago a distinguished evangelical divine in London said that the popular new American book, "In His Steps," is dangorously unsound. I had before seen that. About the Atonement he is stupid. And no philosophy needed hero anent; it is plain; "the'propitiation is a grand vindication, for all worlds of the Divine law, which is just and good," and therefore curses the sinner; Christ " made a curse for us," etc. Tet much in that book is very ttood. First, let us have the Scripture words, Jesus suffering and dying the Just One for us unjust ones. "He Himself bore our sins in his own body on tho tree." " Even Jesus, who saveth us from the wrath to come." In short and in fine, blend Leviticus with the Epistle to 'the Hebrews, or else join Jacob Holyoake and have done with it.—l am, etc., William EdHUXD S.VDIER. May 6,1899.