THE Bible is like a sun-dial—it requires light from heaven to make it of any practical use; that is to say, you might as well expect to learn the true time by holding a candle to a sun-dial as to learn the mind of God and the way of salvation by mere human reason, unassisted by God’s Holy Spirit. The most brilliant artificial light that could be thrown upon a sun-dial would be perfectly useless for determining the hour. If the dial were of curious and beautiful workmanship, such a light might be of use to show its beauties, but would be utterly powerless to turn the dial to the purpose for which it was especially constructed; whereas the faintest gleam of light from the sun, though it had to force its way through the clouds or mist, if it were only just bright enough to cast a perceptible shadow, it would indicate accurately the right time, and the purpose for which the dial had been made would be effected. In the same manner the most brilliant human abilities are perfectly useless for determining the spiritual truths of the Bible. They are of use, indeed, to show the beautiful and curious workmanship of the Word of God; and learned, but unenlightened men, have written much and well upon this subject, but have shown themselves utterly powerless to use the Scriptures for the purposes for which they are intended; whereas, if the true light from heaven shine upon them, the wayfaring man, though a fool, shall not err therein. The light may have to force its way through clouds of ignorance, or mists of scepticism, or prejudice; but if the true light shine, though with ever so faint a ray, then the purpose for which the Bible was given is effected—the mind of God is revealed, and the soul is made wise unto salvation. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1st Cor. II., 14.). “For God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2nd Cor. IV., 6)—The Rev. Hely H. A. Smith’s “Foundation Stones,” published by the Sovereign Grace Union.
Disabilities of Roman Catholics.
THE Roman Catholics have not been idle since their procession at Carfin was prohibited. Their latest move is to introduce a bill into Parliament with a view of removing certain disabilities.
There is in existence an Act of 1549, says the “Glasgow Herald” (8th August), which forbids books of Roman Catholic ritual ever to be kept in this realm. Another passed in 1791 excludes from its benefits any priest who officiates in any place of worship with a bell and steeple, or at any funeral, or exercises the rites of the Roman Catholic religion, or wears the habits of his order not within a Roman Catholic Church or private house. The repeal of these and various other disabilities on Roman Catholic citizens is sought by a bill, the Roman Catholic Relief Bill, which has been presented to the House of Commons by Mr Blundell, the Conservative member for the Ormskirk Division. Mr Blundell is a Roman Catholic, but his backers include Church of England members belonging to both the Liberal and Labour Parties. The bill, the text of which was issued on 7th August, leaves undisturbed the provisions of the Bill of Rights and the Act of Settlement, which preserve the succession of the Crown in the Protestant line, and does not entitle a Roman Catholic to present to a benefice of the Church of England. In addition to the disabilities already mentioned, the repeal is proposed of an Act of 1559 which characterises religious orders as superstitious, any disposition or trust for the benefit of such orders being liable to be declared void as a superstitious use; and of one of 1715 which characterises property given to any abbey or convent as given for a Popish or superstitious use, any such gift being liable, therefore, to be declared void. Another section of the Act of 1791 provides that nothing in the Act shall make it lawful to establish a society of persons professing the Roman Catholic religion, and that all uses, trusts, and dispositions which would have been deemed superstitious and unlawful before June 24, 1791, shall continue to be so deemed. The repeal of this provision is suggested.
The Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 provides that Roman Catholics must still make the declaration against transubstantiation before they can exercise certain offices—e.g., that of Lord Chancellor; that if any priest exercises any of the rites of the Roman Catholic religion or wears the habits of his order save within the usual place of worship of the Roman Catholic religion, he shall forfeit £50 for each such offence; that members of religious orders must register with the Clerk of the Peace of the county, and forfeit £50 for every month during which they remain in the United Kingdom without having so registered; that any member of a religious order coming into this realm is to be banished for the term of his natural life; that any such person admitting any other person to become a member of a religious order shall be guilty of a misdemeanour; that any person so admitted shall be sentenced to banishment for life, and that any person sentenced to be banished and found at large after the end of three months shall be deported for life. These obsolete provisions would also be repealed if the bill becomes law.
Our aim is not to preach nicely arranged essays; we have to do with man’s conscience, with heaven and hell, with God and salvation.—J. H. Evans.