Christian Nation Vol. 18 1893 - Rparchives.org

4. CHEISTIAN NATION.THE SMITH HERESY TRIAL.Concluded from page 2.God to the Israelites through Moses as to cleanand unclean animals. He held that scienceknows no such animal as the " coney " in Levit.eleventh chapter. That there is only one speciesof the " hare." I believe a Kanses farmermight have helped him a little on this point.Prof. Smith hurt his cause by raising too manytechnical points. About two weeks of previoustime were consumed in this way.The prosecution was ably conducted by Drs.McKibbon of Walnut Hdls and Lowe of Avondale.It was a gratification to Psalm singersto note the specification as to the Psalms. Itis no surprise to learn that the Presbytery didnot sustain that specification. The argumentsof Drs. McKibbon and Lowe on this pointwere strong.The spirit of the prosecution and defensetoward each other was praiseworthy. Somebitterness appeared on the part of a few membdrsot the court especially friendly to Smith.The ou side world and the daily press wereoutspoken in favor of the accused and againstthe prosecution and the Presbytery. Tneprosecuting committee was called the " persecutingcommitlee." Malice and selfish motiveswere charged. The defendant was thegreat scholar and progressive thittker, battlingagainst the dead superstitions of the past.Whenever a point was made against the prosecutionor the Bible, applause was ever readyand had to ba suppressed occasionally. A finebasket of flowerswas presented to the professorwhile the prosecution was speaking. Themoderator. Dr. Scott, although allowing muehdisorderly speaking on the part of the membersfavoring the defense, was openly chargedwith partiality and incompetency.Objection was made against members sittingin the case who had expresssed themselvesagainst " Higher Criticism" or against thewritings of the accused : while it was taken forgranted that expressions on the other sidewere no bar to such sitting.Prof. Smith argued that his views were inaccord with the Confession properly interpreted.He admitted his own change of viewsince his ordination, but claimed that the Confessionhad been heretofore misunderstood.The Presbyterian church has before it a long,painful struggle that may result in a heavy lossof ministers and members. It would be nogreat surprise if the two great heresy trialsshould prove the death blow to " revision " ofthe Confession of Faith. The matter of creedsand confessions, and divisions in the church,are up for finalsettlement. Let us hope andpray the final issue will be the triumph oftruth and union. Onr own church is not alone6 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre npon his head. So hand to be his adversary."they aet a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him withgarments. And tne angel of the Lord stood by.6 And the angel of the Lord protested unto Joshua, say-7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in myVolume 18.The Hebrew wordfor Satan, means "adversary " in a law court; asDevil is the Greek term which signifies Accuser.Satan prefers his charge against Jertsalem,but he is rebuked, and the rebuke is reiterated.The expression, "The Lord rebukeways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, thon thon shalt alsojudge my house, and shalt alao keep my courts, and 1 will thee," shows that Jehovah is here identifiidgive thee places to walk among these that stand by. with "The angel of the Lord," in the first8 Hear nuw, O Joshua tne high priest, ihon, and thy fellowsth t sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: showing how completely the Accuser is foiled.verse. The rebuke is repeated, the repetitionIor behold I wlllbrlng tortlimyservanithe BRANCH. Jehovah rebukes him twice, throws him ont of9 For bell Id the s oue hat I have lai I bef' re Joshua; ujion court—non-su'.ts him. And here it is worthybuilding the temple. The several visions ofthis prophecy are distinctly marked. It isworthy of note that the exact date is kept. Inthings that are useful to the church afterward,the Holy Spirit has carefully kept the dates.Where dates are not preserved, it is not bestfor the church to attempt to supply them.Z::chariah was boDh prophet and priest. Hewas probably born in Babylon, and came toJerusalem along with Zerubbabel, when quiteyoung. His prophecy is like the sounding ofthe call to duty. There is much in it that suggestsa person iike John the Baptist. He wasthe kind of man that his people needed. Hedeals with meu as he finds them. The lessonis a graphic scene: "Joshua Accused, and Justified."The ECdne is in the court of j udgment.We have in it:I. The Court.II. The Accused.III. Ihe Accuser.IV. The Advocate.V. The Acquittal.I. The Coubt. It is represented here underthe name, the angel ofthe Lord. It is probublethat the scene ia laid at the altar, aud thetime is the offariug of some of the sacrifices,some service which reminds the worshipper ofsin. We ought to remember that every divineservice upon which we enter is oue of trial. Itis also probable that at every service, where weoffer before God, Satan, in eome way enters hischarges against us. So that every effort at servicebecomes in fact a trial.II. The Accused. Joshua, the high priestHe came before the altar to minister. Beingthe high priest, he did not stand for himselfalone. He was the representative of all thepeople of Israel, specially those who wereabout Jdrasalem, and engaged in the work ofrebuilding the temple. In the 3d verse we seein her trials.J.C.Smith the charge, "Jushua wae clothed with filthySabbath School Lesson. garments, and stood before the angel." Thefilthy garments denoted the sins of the high"LESSON^rSABBATH. JANUARY 22, 1893. priest and those he represented. Advantagewas taken of this fact to accuse the high priest,Title, "Joshua the High Priest." Zech. 3: and 1-10. to accuse the people. The fact of in isau awful fact when urtied before the place ofGOLDEN TEXT :judgment. Ic is told of Luiher, that onoe when'• We have a great high pi-iest, that is passed intoue was sick, he thought he saw Satan comethe heavens, Jesus the 6on of God." Heb. 4:14.before him, and open a roll, on which had been1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing beforethe angel of the Lord, and Satan standmg at his rightwritten all the sins of the reformer. Satansaid, "Eead that." When Luther had read''Tind the Lorcfsaid nnto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, 0the roll, the Accuser said, "You need notSatan: evei the Lord that hath ohosBn Jerusalem rebukethink that you will be saved, with all thesethee: IS not this a brand pluokfd out of the fire Jagainst you." But Luther said, "You have3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthygarments, and stoodforgotten one thing." "What is that?" He replied,"The blood of Jesus Christ." Then the''lTnd''he"a°nswered and s-ake nnto those that stood beforehim Baying, Take away thetUthy garments from him. AndAccuser aud the roll disappearedSnT..' Hm h4 said Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to111. The Accuser. 1. "Satan standing at hispassfrom ther^dl will'clothe thee with change ot raiment.rigid hand to resist him." V 1. The revisedversion renders this, 'Standing at his rightODestouesAdi' be seven eves: behold. I «iil engrave th-gravii>g of special note, on what ground he does this.therei.f, s fullnessof grace atd of the gifts ot the Spirit, and hiswatchful providence now for the Jews in buildingthe teniple, anl always for his church,his spiritual temple," Calvin. This was nof