Continuing, Robert said: "This is made plain by the first few verses of the chapter. Please notice them--"Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?" Then he shows in the verses following that Christians have "become dead to the law" through Christ, and that they are married to Christ, and bring forth fruit unto G.o.d. "But now we are delivered from the law," says Paul.
"His whole argument, down to and including verse 6, is that we have died to the law through crucifixion with Christ, and are therefore free to marry another. We have become dead to the law, and since death dissolves the marriage vow, we are, therefore, free from connection with the law, and are joined unto Christ. Beginning with verse 14 to the end of the chapter, is given an explanation of how Paul"s sinful nature brought him into subjection to its demands. It is a clear testimony of an honest man"s experience under the old law. By that law he became aware of sin and felt its sinfulness, yet that law brought no grace nor power to preserve him from violating its prohibitions. He desired to do good, but could not. Sin came to life and slew him. Paul was condemned by the law, and yet he could not come from under the condemnation. He was, so to speak, tied or married to a dead body, a law or master which brought death, and he wondered where deliverance would come from. "Thank G.o.d," he says, "it will come through Jesus Christ the Lord."
"This cannot be the experience of Christians," said Robert. "If you will just look at the second verse of chapter 8, you will find these words: "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." And verse 3 says, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, G.o.d sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, [or by a sacrifice for sin] condemned sin in the flesh," and verse 4 states: "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us," etc.
"Hence, it is evident that Christians are to live holy lives. G.o.d demands holiness of us. "Be ye holy; for I am holy," says 1 Pet. 1:16.
Yea, we are to repent and turn away from all sin, for Christ "gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (t.i.tus 2:14).
And "the grace of G.o.d that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying unG.o.dliness and worldly l.u.s.ts, we should live soberly, righteously, and G.o.dly, in this present world"
(t.i.tus 2:11, 12)."
The arrow of conviction shot deep down into many hearts as Robert Davis spoke these words. The truth he spoke commended itself to their minds and consciences. Some rebelled, and rejected his sound arguments. Peter Newby especially was agitated. He felt himself sinking into despair, as far as argument was concerned. Old Mr.
Stephenson and Charley Moss trembled from head to foot. The Spirit of G.o.d was working powerfully in their and others" hearts.
"I am not going to accept the interpretations placed upon this seventh chapter of Romans by the speaker," said Peter, as he arose to reply.
"Why? Because I never heard it explained that way. Why? Because I have heard Brother Peters preach from these texts, and he has always declared a man could not keep from sin. Living free from sin! Whoever heard of such a thing? It can"t be done, that is all there is to it.
We cannot keep from sin. Paul said sin was ever present with him, and I know it is with me. I try to do right, but sin gets the better of me. I ask G.o.d to forgive me every time I pray. I tell you, a man simply cannot live without committing sin."
When Peter Newby sat down, Robert Davis arose again, and said:
"There is a text of scripture that says certain persons cannot cease from sin. I do not say that anyone here fulfills the description in that text. Peter says, in his Second Epistle, chapter two, verse 14: "Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin." As I said, I charge no man with this kind of character, and only read it to give you a Scriptural description of one who cannot live without sin."
It was painfully evident that this was an unwise thing to say at that particular time. Robert Davis was young, and full of zeal. Most probably he should not have uttered those words. Peter Newby was powerfully affected. He felt as if his character had been scandalized before the whole crowd. His face waxed red with an inner rage. His body quivered and shook with excitement. No one had ever seen him quite so exercised. He arose slowly, but with extreme determination.
Things had gone as far as they could without a physical clash.
"Hold your place, young man, I will not allow anyone to insult me in this manner. Be careful what you say. There will be another chapter added to this if you are not careful. I will defend my honor, no matter what it costs." And he resumed his seat.
The air was filled with intense excitement. A few words from Robert Davis would have struck fire, and he knew it. So he quietly sat still without saying a word. The tenseness of the situation was painful.
Just then Mary Davis started that old familiar song:
"Jesus, lover of my soul, Let me to thy bosom fly, While the nearer waters roll, While the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, Till the storm of life is past, Safe into the haven guide, Oh, receive my soul at last."
A few joined in toward the last half of the verse, and, as she began on the second verse, the whole congregation sang with vigor:
"Other refuge have I none, Hangs my helpless soul on thee; Leave, oh, leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me.
All my trust on thee is stayed, All my help from thee I bring, Cover my defenseless head With the shadow of thy wing."
Robert and Mary Davis started for home as soon as they could. Peter Newby got into an argument with old Mr. Stephenson, who by this time had become a sort of champion of Robert"s and a crowd encircled them.
Peter Newby found a match in the old man, for Mr. Stephenson, at this time, while mentally convinced, was still unsaved, and could be as personal and ironical as Mr. Newby. They argued the point of a sinless life for an hour, mixed a good deal of personal invective into the argument, which drew from the crowd vociferous "ha! ha"s!" and they parted without feeling one whit better toward one another than they did before.
CHAPTER SIX
WHAT CHURCH SHOULD I JOIN?
The week following the events that took place at the schoolhouse was an important one in the life of Robert and Mary Davis. Having put their hands to the plow, they could not look back. Already, they were aware that the steps they had taken religiously were separating them from the people about them. Robert"s bold stand for a holy Christian life made him the b.u.t.t of many a joke, and a laughing-stock. They began to hunger for companionship and spiritual fellowship with those of like mind and hope. The gradual separation taking place, which was throwing over their neighbors a coldness toward them, accentuated the question of which church they were going to join. Their hearts were hungry for soul-food, for spiritual nurture; there was a longing within which was acutely felt, but which was unsatisfied. The intensity of this desire for the fellowship of saints increased as Robert and Mary studied the Scriptures and beheld glimpses of the path which was being so clearly marked out from therein. They were willing to be martyrs for the truth, but how their souls did long for someone to whom they could unburden their hearts and in whom they could confide!
There is inherent in the human heart a desire for fellowship and companionship. G.o.d has recognized this desire. Jesus Christ soon gathered around him chosen men, who were one with Him in heart and soul, one with Him in His grand purpose to lift a world out of sin. The story of Christ"s and the apostles" lives reveals a most remarkable affinity of spirit between Christ and them. They became so much at one with Him that they gladly forsook every earthly prospect, and became willing to die for Him, even as He died for them. Jesus made a cla.s.s called his "disciples," which was an inevitable result of His salvation work. They were the members of the spiritual kingdom which He founded. They were the members of the church which He built.
With His infinite love He had sought them, and with His atoning blood He had bought them. He found them dying, and He gave them life; He found them sinning and doomed to a devil"s h.e.l.l, and He redeemed them.
Having received so richly of Christ"s blessing, all these saved ones were drawn into a unity of soul and heart unknown in any organization of man.
It was exactly for this that Robert and Mary Davis were longing, at the time of our narrative. They had expected soon after their conversion, to join some denomination. They had purposely set out to see which church was right. They had supposed that it would be a matter of a few weeks only, and then they would be safely housed in their church home. But the more they searched, and the more of the Bible they read, the less inclined they were to join any of the churches about them. G.o.d was leading them, but it was some time before the hand of the Lord was seen.
There was an awakening over all the religious world in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Holiness, the key-note of Holy Scripture, was being taught. Out of that holiness awakening grew a reformation whose standard was "Back to the Bible" in faith and practice. Robert and Mary Davis were strangers as yet to these grand movings of the blessed Holy Spirit, but that Spirit was leading them on unerringly.
G.o.d desired to plant in Bethany His own glorious church, to be a beacon-light, an ark of salvation, to the people of that community.
A series of events accelerated the progress of the Davis" toward the ultimate truth. Their attendance at the various churches, and their spiritual life, caused every pastor to consider them good prospects for membership. It so happened that during the few days that followed the last debate at the schoolhouse, three different ministers visited them with this idea in mind.
On one fine day, Pastor John B. Jones, of the M.E. Church, drove up.
He was invited in, most cordially. After some casual remarks, Pastor Jones introduced the subject of joining church.
"Do you contemplate uniting with any church in the near future?" he asked them.
"Yes, it has been our intention to join soon," said Robert. "May I ask a few questions?"
"Certainly," replied Mr. Jones.
"Does the Methodist Church teach holiness?"
"John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church," said Mr. Jones, "taught holiness, and sanctification subsequent to regeneration. But we do not preach much on that subject now."
"What I am thinking about," said Robert, "is this: I am longing for a real church home, where I can feel at one with, and in fellowship with real Christians. Pastor Jones, there are so many professing Christians who are Christians only in name. I cannot fellowship them. They engage in questionable practices; they are dishonest and tricky; they use bad language; and their bent is more toward pleasure than religion. My soul really craves a church home. Can you offer me such where I shall have the fellowship I crave?"
"We need just such members as you and Mrs. Davis would be, Mr. Davis,"
said Pastor Jones. "Many of our members are not spiritual. I have tried to arouse them, but it seems in vain, but if we had more members like you, we should have a spiritual church. Old Mother Piercy claims sanctification, and there are three or four who are praying members."
"I will pray about it, Mr. Jones," said Robert.
On the next day, Mr. Percy Johnson visited them on the same mission, and on the day following, Mr. Claude Perkins came. To them, Robert replied much as he did to Mr. Jones. All of them deplored the lack of vital G.o.dliness in their churches and bewailed the lack of spirituality among their numbers. It was a fact that on prayer meeting nights very few persons were out to either of their churches. On the outside, Robert could discern little difference between the various denominations. He had learned that they held different doctrines, and had different schemes of government, but as to the real church life, the heart and soul of them, he saw little difference. He was about to decide to join by casting lots, when something providentially started his mind along another line of thinking.
Robert Davis suddenly bethought himself of the new religious paper.
Those words which he read when he first saw a copy stood out before him again:
"A Definite, Heart-Searching, Non-Sectarian Religious Weekly Published in the Interests of THE CHURCH OF G.o.d."
"Mary," Robert suddenly said to his wife, "there is beginning to form in my mind an idea of what a church ought to be. I suppose that text in the Acts that you read this morning for worship, and that religious paper, are responsible for it. These words paint a beautiful picture:
""And the mult.i.tude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of these things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."
"This, it seems to me, is the kind of church there ought to be today.
Where is it? By the way, those words were written of the early church, were they not? Yes, for see here, in Acts 2:47 it says, "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." This description is of the early church then.
"They were united, with one heart and soul; one holy purpose animated them; one powerful motive brought them together. There were no divisions among them, they all believed the same thing, and their holy fellowship was complete. Everyone knew them as the disciples of Jesus, and anyone under conviction of sin knew where to go for salvation. It was a pure church. I suppose that there was not a sinner who dared to profess very long among them. It was not a mixed mult.i.tude, part saved, part unsaved, part trying to do G.o.d"s will, and part with a bent on pleasure and full of worldliness. They were all full of grace.
They were humble, too, and consecrated. They were not cla.s.sified as rich and poor--they were all brethren, and the wealthier members had a care for the poorer members" temporal welfare. What a contrast with the churches as they exist today! My heart longs for a pure, united church which will bear the pure testimony to the world."