sure it was taught from the first that the Son was sent to be "the Saviour of the world." But that was an idea too profound for antiquity with its deep-rooted national and social distinctions. Though the phrases of Scripture might be accepted, yet it seemed self-evident to the early church that the Atonement must be limited. Thus the Judaizers thought that salvation was intended especially for the Jews. To become a Christian, if one were not already a son of Abraham, he must submit to the Jewish rites and become incorporated into the Jewish race. Later there grew up in the old Catholic church the notion that though salvation is not simply for the Jew, as there can be neither Jew nor Greek in Christ Jesus, yet the Atonement is limited by the rite of baptism. It is by this means that the saving efficacy of the Atonement is conveyed to the individual. So it was said that there is "Extra ecclesiam nulla salus." This idea of the gospel was better than the earlier one of the Ebionites, for it was broader, but it was not yet broad enough to satisfy the teaching of the New Testament. Still later it was advocated, especially by Calvin, that salvation was for the elect. God in his foreknowledge had predestined certain ones to eternal life. It was for these favored ones that Christ had died. This was a broader conception of the Atonement than that which had preceded it, but it was not yet broad enough. The message of Jesus Christ is that salvation is for all. It is not confined within the limits of any nationality, as that of the Jew, or of any organization, as that of the church, or of any class of men, as the elect. The gospel, which the church has received to give to the world, and which it has taken so many ages to understand, is that Jesus has tasted " death for every man." The Atonement is of universal application. Jesus Christ tasted death for St. Paul, not because he was a Jew; he tasted death for St. Augustine, not because he was a baptized member of the church; he tasted death for Calvin, not because he was among the elect. Jesus Christ died for these because he died for every man. The church to-day better than ever before comprehends the gospel message. Thus to-day more than ever before the Master lays on his church the duty of preaching that Gospel to every creature. Will the church obey its Master? On the answer to that question hinges the future of the church. The world as the field of its activity has become definite and clear; the message of salvation as applicable and necessary to all men is well understood. Add to this the fact that abunddant resources with which to proclaim the gospel in all the earth have been given to the church. The wealth of the world belongs to the Christian nations, and has been placed by God very largely in the hands of the professing Christians themselves. If the church is now faithful to its duty, if it is willing to give of its life, to give of its wealth, to make sacrifices in order to establish the Master's kingdom on earth, then it faces a glorious destiny. The very life of the church is at stake. It can save itself only by giving itself to the work of saving the world for Christ. The church does not exist for itself, but for the kingdom. It is the body of which Christ is the head, and as the body it is to be the instrument for accomplishing the purposes of the head. Christ came not to be ministered unto, but to minister. Thus we are not to make the world serve the church, but make the church serve the world. The church is just beginning to awake to the grand privilege of its world-wide mission. We are beginning to see that there can be no greater honor than to be co-laborers with God in accomplishing his eternal work. He desires to work with us and through us in saving the world. He sends us as his representatives to those who know him not. What are the social distinctions of earth compared with being ambassadors of the King of kings, the Lord of the universe? Riches, learning, earthly fame, are paltry honors compared with the eternal glories which await the missionaries of the cross. In order that we obey this command and enter into this privilege, the one thing necessary is that we be animated by an enthusiasm and love for Christ himself. If we have this enthusiasm and personal attachment for him, then we will be ready to make any sacrifice that we may help him establish his reign. This is the only motive which succeeds: all others sooner or later fail. We are told that the heathen are barbarous, and they ought to be civilized; they are unclean and they ought to be made cleanly; they are ignorant and they ought to be educated; they are lost and they ought to be saved; besides all this, missions are helpful to commerce, and (heaven save the mark) are thus in the end a paying investment. Such talk never yet made one zealous missionary, and never will. These motives quickly wear threadbare. They may be used once to get a collection, but if employed a second time the contribution will be smaller. Love for Christ is the only motive which will never wear out. Once get that deep rooted in the hearts of Christians, and then missionary zeal will steadily increase and missionary contributions likewise. Have we had a vision of the Christ? That is the vital question. Is he a living presence for us? Is he for us the one altogether lovely, the chiefest among ten thousand, our Leader, our Saviour, and our Lord? If so then we will obey his farewell message, "Go disciple all nations." But if we have not had such a vision of the risen Christ, if we are not inspired by his living presence, then, of course, we have no particular enthusiasm for his kingdom. That is the gist of the whole matter. . We need enthusiasm for Christ more than anything else. Student Volunteer Movements, New Programs of Missions and the like, are doubtless all of value, but they do not go to the root of the matter. More love and zeal for Christ, that and that alone will solve all difficulties. If we have that, then the treasuries of the missionary boards will overflow with gold, and the everlasting gospel will be proclaimed on every hilltop and in every valley. What enthusiasm we have for our country, its extensive industries, its vast stretches of railroad, its excellent public school system; how we rejoice in its triumphs in its struggle with Spain. Such enthusiasm as that we must have for the kingdom of our Lord, for its welfare and its victory. Then it will hasten on to universal conquest. Finally, brethren, we should recognize the fact that the church is suc ceeding in its world-wide mission. Obeying the Lord's command, rejoicing in the privilege of his service, led on by a love and enthusiasm for him, his followers are gradually building up his kingdom in the world. Its walls and battlements are rising in our midst. The day of its triumph is approaching. Lift up your eyes and behold its coming glory. Who are these, its inhabitants, who walk amid its streets? Who are these who go forth from its gates on errands of mercy? They have come from the isles of the sea; they have come from the coasts of the East; they are the sons of the dusky Hindoo, and the daughters of the pale Caucasian; they are those who in all ages and from all races have accepted Jesus of Nazareth as their King, and have given themselves to the work of building up his eternal kingdom. Rejoice, O Earth; shout, O Heavens; sing, O ye Hosts of Light. "The Lord reigneth and all the nations shali serve him forevermore." MINISTERIAL RECORD. MINISTERS ORDAINED OR INSTALLED: Haig Adadourian, Manomet ch., Plymouth, o., Nov. 3, 1897. Harry C. Adams, Danvers Centre, i., Sept. 22, 1897. Ernest M. Bartlett, Rockdale ch., Northbridge, o. p., Oct. 19, 1897. Charles E. Beals, Stoneham, i., Sept. 16, 1897. Reuben A. Beard, Prospect st. ch., Cambridgeport, i., Nov. 17, 1897. Herbert W. Boyd, Ashby, r., Dec. 1, 1897. Allen A. Bronsdon, Oakham, o. p., Dec. 2, 1897. Raymond F. Calkins, Pilgrim Memorial ch., Pittsfield, i., Jan. 13, 1898. Frank E. Drake, Pigeon Cove, o., Oct. 26, 1897. Almon J. Dyer, Sharon, i., Oct. 5, 1897. Charles O. Eames, North Becket, o. p., Dec. 14, 1897. Percy H. Epler, Phillips ch., South Boston, o., May 26, 1898. Francis A. Fate, Trinitarian ch., Taunton, i., March 23, 1898. Miles B. Fisher, Adams, o., Oct. 4, 1897. William B. Forbush, Winthrop ch., Charlestown, i., April 12, 1898. Willis A. Hadley, Southbridge, i., Sept. 2, 1897. Axel Hedlund, South Framingham, o., Dec. 30, 1897. Henry N. Hoyt, Hyde Park, i., March 9, 1898. Alan B. Hudson, First ch., Brockton, i., Dec. 1, 1897. Robert A. McFadden, Central ch., Chelsea, i., May 25, 1898. Frank N. Merriam, Turner's Falls, i., Dec. 14, 1897. Andrew H. Muluix, Hyannis and West Yarmouth, o. p., Feb. 3, 1898. Albert F. Newton, Union ch., Haverhill, i., April 6, 1898. George I. Newton, Belchertown, o. p., July 22, 1897. William U. Parks, Hubbardston, o., Nov. 30, 1897. Arthur B. Patten, South Hadley, i., Feb. 14, 1898. John H. Quint, First ch., Rochester, o., May 18, 1898. James B. Sargent, Hampden, o. p., Sept. 15, 1897. Frank Snowden, East Charlemont, o., Sept. 22, 1897. Wallace H. Sterns, Granville Centre, o. p., July 14, 1897. Willard E. Streeter, Spencer, o., Oct. 12, 1897. Charles H. Washburn, Berkeley Temple, Boston, r. assoc. p., March 30, 1898. Martin L. Williston, Attleboro Falls, r., June 30, 1897. James C. Young, Baker ch., East Boston, i., Dec. 15, 1897. PASTORS DISMISSED: George Benedict, Union ch., Haverhill, Sept. 29, 1897. Edward A. Robinson, Wollaston, Feb. 23, 1898. 1898. Ernest W. Shurtleff, ch. of the Pilgrimage, Plymouth, May 4, 1898. Avery S. Walker, Needham, June 8, 1898. Albert Watson, Mystic Side ch., Everett, May 28, 1898. MINISTERS DECEASED: Ebenezer Cutler, p. em., Worcester, Jan. 16, 1898. Elijah Cutler, w. c., Dorchester, March 1, 1898. Lewis Goodrich, w. c., Marlboro, Feb. 8, 1898. Jacob Ide, p., Mansfield, March 23, 1898. Amos E. Lawrence, w. c., Newton Centre, Nov. 23, 1897. Ralph Perry, w. c., Agawam, Dec. 12, 1897. John R. Smith, w. c., Chicago, Ill., April 19, 1898. |