r
The Alliance Herald
IlKAD I1T EVERY MKMnKR NKHHASKA STOCK GROWERS ASSOCIATION. ALL T1IK NKW8 OF ALLIANCE AND WESTERN NEBRASKA
OFFICIAL OHO AN NEBRASKA VOLUNTEER F1REMEN8 ASSOCIATION. IT RKACIIK8 IIEADgt AUTKI13 FOK 15,000 F1HKMKN
volume xxn
ALLIANCE, BOX BUTTE COUNTY, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1915
NO. 49
Go-to-Cfanrcfa Sunday in Alliance
riUWI JYTKRLA N CHURCH
The MnJn Issue
Text: Rt. 6:, "For thou waBt
slain and hast redeemed us to God
T thy blood."
For decades after Luther's reform
ation, in England after the Wesley
mvival, and in this land and Great
Britain Just after the Moody cam
nnlgns, It would not have been dif
inult to answer the question, "What
la it to be saved?" For the answer
would have been uniformly: "To be
redeemed from Bin through the blood
f the Lord Jesus Christ." The goal
f salvation with very many and in
deed, with almost all, is getting to
heaven if a man gets to heaven he
is saved. Presuming the answer is
correct, and barring the advent of
Jesus Christ, which will preclude the
necessity of the Christian dying and
a la bouI going to heaven as they now
o we may endorse that position. Let
a note here some of the conceptions
of salvation that men now hold, and
of Which we hear them speak, but areWander afar from heaven, and heav-
a part of personal conviction, in
some cases, however, nothing more
than feeling. In speaking of this
we would not doubt the sincerity of
tnesc who hold them, but we are
;" .. . : " . f
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I.' V (- "f , K Car. f .,
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First lrvblcriiii (iiurcli
convinced Unit many of them are fa
tally mistaken. We cannot enter in
to all the theory of the atonement.
That would take more time than, is
permitibabie, and would result in con
fusion. Lei us hole three oi Uiese
exceptions: ;
1. One man says: "Man is s;iv.-ij
through the inevitable operation or '
evolution. Man ha been pint-eu up
on the earth for the purpose of u. -velopment,
and if he exists beyond
thie life that development will (.ou
tline until he reaches perfection."
This is a widely received view and
the recent revival of the evolutionary
theory as developed in scientitic in
vestigations has largely strengthened
it. Such writers as Alfred Tenuy-
soi, wno speass oi mat period rar
of, at last, to all," etc., have largely
Btreugttn ned the idea, aud it id
known that evolutionary preachers.
If they do not generally dpy the sol
ution tonight by Paul as some do, so
emphasize evolution in the principle,
and consequently nothing else is
needed.
2. Many indulge the conception
that man is saved by right living, but
just at this point of right living there
is diOereuce of opinion as to wnat we
mean. Many promptly say it means
doing what in right, but do not de
nse the word "right'". We muni
have some criterion oi judgment, unu
we inquire for that. Many, if press
ed, will say it is acting in accordance
with the teachings of the Bible, but
here again there is diliiculty for many
'only consider the teachings of the.
Bible with reference to their reia-'
tionship to their fellowuieu, and tbty
claim that if they act honestly in
their dealings with their fellow men,
or as has betn recently said, give ev
ery man a square deal, they are act
ing in accordance with the teachings
f the Scripture. But if a man is
houest, must he not consider more
than bis fellow men? Does he not
have God, who is the author of the
Blnle, to deal with? Is there noth
ing moving to him, aside from hon
esty in our dealings with our fellow
men? What about high morula that
are really personal, and what about
the demands that are made upon
sen as to the worship of God, the
discrimination of religious truth, the
Individual religious life, involving
the study of God's word, etc.?
3. In these days there is a wide-
spread conception, that a church con- i docttine and religious froetill.
nection, a church life, is the essence Among them all. however, the Luth
of salvation, consequently multitudes ,.-. rh'ir' h is the only true visible
are easily persuaded to connect withChrt.h ot 'bri6t on earth, because
tne church, and adopt a more faith- tn i-ll h'-r "'octn'tien nn-l m m her re
fill church life. We cannot take , ji;iL,us practice she continues in the
tine to call attention to the Master's word of Christ and thus comes up to
well-known denunciations of the jibe standard which Christ himself
churches in his day, of the tithing of j bas Bet up in the text before us This
mint, and announcing Paul's teach-' is what we claim and now let us
tngs touching mere churchism in his prove our claim.
day. The religion of Christ and the, iD the Brst place, the Lutheran
apostles was the religion that must
have not only the shell of profession,
but it must have the kernel of reality
before Ood, life in Jesus, redeemed
by his blood. He is the main issue,
and a recent writer has in truth and
beautiful lines presented the thought
in connection with holy communion:
Savior divine, O evermore abide
In my cold heart! Kedeemer, bless
ed Lord!
By all the powers in heaven and earth
adored;
When Mowed the dear blood from thy
wounded side
By God forsaken and man denied
Why was the crimson stream thus
freely poured.
If man by love was not restored?
O! mighty theme! that doth debase
my pride;
And curt contempt in all the things
of earth;
If angels are not faultless in his sight
Of what account are we, who, from
our birth,
en'B dear light ?
Yet it was not for them, but us He
died,
And with Him all our sins are cruel
tied. ip'"rt":.'n " B
l.l i llKHAN 111 IM II
(..'I Jchii . .ti-.ii, uenver-
ed by Itev. Ttus Lang, pastor of Im- i
manuel's Lu'heran church, Noveiu
1m'. i. Subject: "The Lutheran
Chrh. the True Visible Church of
Christ on Karth."
.-.utiilay, (Jet. 31, we celebrat
ed rL'' :;!Sth anniversary of the re
formation or th" birthday of the
Lutheran church. It was on the 31st
. ! icioher in the e:.r 1 T) 1 7 that Or.
.'(tin Luther nailer' ills ninety-five
thesis or sentences against papal ln
duisencis to the door of the Castle
church at Wittenberg, Germany, and
thereby started a movement by which
the church of Chrisi. the old anos-
tol!cal 'church, was uealn placed on
her original foundation, the word of
th apostles and tiie prophets of
Liitherim Im rcli
which Jesus Chritfl is the corner
it ie, and was built up on the same.
This movement is commonly called
"the reformation". A product of
this movement is the Lutheran
chnrch. the true visible church of
Christ on earth as we shall prove
with the aid of the Holy Spirit to
d:i. All truly believing Christians on
earth form the one Holy Christian
church, the communion of saints, the
true union of nil true believers in
Christ Jesus, the one spiritual body
of Christians, of which Jesus Christ
is the one and only spiritual head.
This body or church Is however In
visible, since only true believers In
Christ belong to the same, and no.
one can look into another's heart and
see if he believes. All visible
churches, congregations, church bod
ies, and denominations are but out
ward organizations of Christians and
these we find differ from each other
7?"-. 'llI 1 ;
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Sunday, November 7th, was known as "(lo to Sunday School and
Stay for Church" Sunday. In order .o let the poojdo of Alliance
know about the different Bcrnions preached and the programs follow
ed at the different churchcN in the city a HynopsiH is Riven of a num
ber of the sermons. The Herald wishes to thank the pastors of dif
ferent churches for their assistance in furnishing these news articles.
Members of The Herald force attended different churches and noted
the interest taken by the people who were in sympathy with the move
ment. On this page will be found cither extracts from the sermons
or an article telling of the sermon.
church continues In the word of
Christ because Bhe adheres strictly to
the Bible, which she accepts as the
truly inspired word of God. and as
the rule and only true council In
matters of faith. Luther led the
way In this. He broke away from
tradition, the church fathers, the
pope, the church councils, from all
doctrines of men and reestablished
the authority of the Hible. Thus in
the diet at Worms in 1521 he declar
ed when ordered to retract his doc
trines: "Unless I am convinced by
authority of the Scriptures or by
clear arguments, I am conquered by
the Scriptures I have quoted and
cannot and will not, retract anything,
for it is unsafe and dangerous to do
anything against conscience. Here I
stand, I cannot do otherwise. So
help me God, Amen." And follow
ing Luther the Lutheran church Is to
this day the chief guardian of the di
vine authority of the Scriptures over
and against human reason and com
mandments of men. . She accepts the
Bible as a book which is verbally in
all its parts given by inspiration of
God free from all error and deception
and she proves ail her doctrines, sus
tains all her practice with the one ar
gument: It ht written.
Again in the second place, the
Lutheran church continues in the
word of Christ because she accepts
and teaches all of the Scripture as
God's word, without detracting from
or adding thereunto. Here Luther
again led the way. When he at
Marburg discussed with Zwinxle, the
great Swiss reformer, the doctrine of
I the Lord's Supper, Zwlngli wanted to
prove by arguments from human rea
son thnt bread and wine in the Lord's
Supper only represents Christ's body
and blood, and that the doctrine of
the real presence of Christ in the
Lord's Supper was incomprehensible
and therefore unreasonable. Theu
Luther took a piece of chalk and
wrote on the table before him the
words of Christ: "This is my body,
this is my blood." And he defended
these words against all reasonings of
his opponent. Zwlngli wanted to nn-
derstand before he could believe
Luther believed the written word ev
en when he did not understand it.
And that has always been the great
dividing point between the Lutheran
church and all other churches. While
other churches try to prove their doc
trines by the argument: "In our opin
ion, this is the teaching of the Bible,"
the Lutheran church simply points
to the word which she accepts with
out reserve and proves all her teach
ings with the one powerful argu
ment: "It is written, that settles it."
And finally the Lutheran church
continues in the word of Christ be
cause she preaches and teaches the
word of God only. Here once more
Luther led the way. At hiB time
preaching of God's word had become
so to say a side issue in a church
service. The main things were the
many ceremonies and the reading of
the mass. And all this was conduct
ed in the Latin language, which but
few people understood. Luther did
away with this. He began to preach.
He made preaching of. God's word,
law and gospel, the main thing in
the church service. He preached in
the language of the people, so that
everyone could understand and,
greatest gift of all, he translated the
Bible into the language of the peo
ple so that everyone could read it for.
himself, and learn the true way to.and that we were requested to show;
salvation. And as it was thus our followinu of the Master, by obey-
brought to light by Luther, the pure
word of God prevails to this day in
the Lutheran church. Here church
services are not a make-up of cere
monies which fail to feed man's soul.
Her houses of worship are not lecture
halls where you :.iay hear ni- tallts
on political or social questions or on
."-::!!
'A
V
St. Matthew 'm
all kinds of sensational topics. No,
from her pulpits resounds the word
of God. She preaches Christ and
him crucified, as the saviour of man
kind, and she requires everyone who
speaks as a minister of the church to
proclaim the oracles of God.
Thus we see that the Lutheran
church continues steadfastly In the
word of Christ and that therefore
she is in fact the true visible church
of Christ on earth.
And continuing In the word of
Christ she knows the truth, for his
word is the truth, even as he 8nyB:
"I am the way, the truth and the life,
no one eoineth to the father but by
me." Thus wo In the Lutheran
church enjoy this great privilege that
we know the truth, the whole truth
in spiritual things, and have the di
vine assurance of our salvation by
God's grace, for Jesus Bake, through
faith, without the deeds of the law,
an assurance which we receive not
from human reason or doctrines of
men, but from the gospel of Christ
and his sacraments.
And the knowledge of this truth
makes us free, free from the bonds
of sin, free from the fear of death
and hell, free from the power and
authority of the pope, the bishop, the
consistory, the Bynod, the presbytery,
the conference or any man or human
Institution. We owe obedience to no
man and no Institution In spiritual
things, for "One is your master,
Christ, and all ye are brethren," says
the Scripture. Oh, behold what
blessings we enjoy. In that we know
the truth and the truth makes us
free. May God by grace always pre
serve us these blessings and keep us
steadfast In true faith to enjoy them.
ST. MATTHKWS 111 IM II
The Sunday school of St. Matthew s
church was well attended byhe j
young folks of the parish last Sunday i
and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone !
at the session. Tho attendance was
about til'ty and the collection $1.21.
This is a good showing when one
realizes that the number In this
school are nearly all the very young
er children of the parish. The teach
ers were present on Sunday and were
well prepared to instruct and inter
est the pupils iu their care. The
school is superintended by the Dean.
Sunday being the twenty-third
Sunday after Trinity, the special
communion service aproprlate to the
day was used. There was a large
attendance present to listen to the
many helpful things which Dean
Shaw had to say and the Scripture
thought for the service was taken
from Phil. 3-17, and St. Matthew 22
15. The Dean gave instruction per
taining to the communion service and
his talk was along the lines of "Why,
and Who Should Partake of the
Bread and Wine". He drew illus
trations from people who gave their
reason for not partaking because they
said they were not "good enough",
going on to say that "we all fall
short and are not goci enough", but
because we are not is every reason
why we should respect and enter In
to this important service of the
church. Dean Shaw pointed out iu
a very impressive manner that all
should have a profound belief in the
taking of the bread and wine, the
blessed symbols of the life and death
of the Saviour, the pervioe being in
stigated by Christ before he left
earth to go to his Heavenly ho: e
ing the Injunction,
'Do this In re -
membrance of M
The pleasliig
manner in which the Dean presented
his helpful talk assuredly was very
beneficial to his listeners.
Miri HODIST III IM II
The special sermon by Rev.
J. B
i. -'..'".! 1
dMopul (liun li
Cams at the Methodist church last
Sunday was given In the evening and
a good attendance was present. Rev.
Cams had for his subject "Railroad
ing", and his Interested listeners ap
preciated the many helpful and
practical 'suggestions along this line,
lie selected his text from Isa. 4 3-19:
"Behold, I will do a new thing I
will even make a way In the wilder
ness." The following is the thought
brought out by Rev. Cams: "The
text has a double meaning. Firstly,
The Lord prepared a way for His
raptlve children from Babylon to Jer
usalem. Secondly. Preparing a way
for all men from the wilderness of
Sin to the city of Salvation. Points
of similarity between earthly and
heavenly railroading are In the first
place both great enterprises, devel
oped from small beginnings. Earthly
railroading begun with the wooden
tramway with a horse for an engine.
Nok one-eighth of our nation's
wealth is Invested In this gigantic
Colossus. The United States has ov
er forty per cent of the world'B rail
way mileage, but only five per cent
of its population and six and one-half
per cent of its area. So the Gospel
system began with the narrow gauge
of Judaism, but now sings Its doxol
ogy In every country. Secondly,
there Is great effort put into the con-
Christian
struct Ion work. The surveying und
route is roiifrdered In buildinK a
railroad, the building expmsc i ulso
a big Item. ften at 1100.000 per
mile. The elevated and under
ground railroads are construct 1 for
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man's conven ence. Christ construct- ,a few of the staunch members who
ed and trestled the great chaai of have given their time and money in
sin at Infinite expense between arth j support of it. The battle we now
and heaven. Many things In ourlhly ; have on is with the picture shows
railroading not understood by t he i that's what the people want. Mov
people Buch as flags and lanterns us- Ing pictures have of late been Intro
ed for signals, the motions and whis- duced Into the city church in an ef
tles, all of these only being known by fort to hold the membership togeth
the railroader. Six to fifty-five rules !er, but this expense is too great for
govern all concerned, and ho God has I the small towns.
given us a "book of rules" the Bl- j -it Beems that If we make the
bio. The Buc-ess of the eompn y de- ,-hurcb attractive, people will come. '
pends upon obedlenceto these rules. "But If the people would derive
and thus In the church, promotion srjirltual benefit from the labor of
comes to the efficient and successful.
In conclusion, the following points of
dissimilarity are important: In Gos-
pel railroading this company never
suspenos operations, train is never
Methodist Church
i late, and the workers receive full re-
j numeration; there nre no strikes.
and no privileged persons. All are
on the same train. 'The rich an I
noor meet toeether, and the Lord Is
i the maker of them all.' "
, The attendance at the Methodist
Sunday school was comparatively
! large, there being 208 present, per
haps not as many as might be expect
ed owing to the Inclement weather.
The previous Sunday the attendance
was 210. This Sunday school among
the other active ones of the town Is
prospering, and the number of class
es enrolled Is sixteen, four of them
being the smaller grades, who me t
in the ba.-rement of the church. There
lis great ir'erest being shown in the
j whole round of work and especially
j so in the young people's classes,
j which include a class of young iuen
I w ho have for their teacher Mr. Arch
lie Gregory, and the young ladies'
class, whose efforts and endeavors
i are directed by their esteemed teach-
er, Mrs. W. S. Acheson. The nun -'
ber present in the former class Sun
' day was twenty-one, this class wir.
1 nlng over the ladies In attendance by
'only one person. All the classes cf
j this school have the' graded work,
and great enthusiasm is being rnan;
. rested in all the various activities,
i The total collection for Sunday was
about 18.50, and interest is growing.
i,..liw;..,7-iJ!'?'try
CIIKISTIAN ( HUM II
The attendance at Sunday school
was 102, compared with 103 a year
ago Sunday. The offering amounted
lo $7.05. The folder weather In th.
morning retarded the attendance
somewhat, bnt everyone was Interest
ed In the lesson and some good marks
were recorded.
For the subject of his mornlntc
sermon Rct. Young took the story of
the young Jap who sat before a mir
ror making grlmances and contorting;
his body into Inhuman shapes, to
Imitate, and as he thought, fo please,
the bronxe Image of his god whlcb
squatted near him.
Previous to the announcement of
his subject, Rev. Young offered up a
strong prayer in which he pleaded
with God to cause people to be more
liberal with the milk of human kind
ness to be more compassionate on
unfortunates and to assist the poor
and destitute people whenever possi
ble. The scripture lesson was taken
from 2d Peter.
Before ho proceeded with his ser
mon, the pastor asked for some def
inite expression from the congrega
tion as to whether or not the revival
meetings should be continued over
this week. The vote In favor wan
unanimous.
"The church," said Rev. Youn.
i,V
(luircli
"is only as strong as the faithful few
of its members. The picture show
and other popular amusements .have
made such an Inroad into the church
lately that the keeping up of houses
I of worship has literally devolved .on
tj,e churches, they must have a desire
to attend in their own hearts, else
'they wil dlerive no lasting benefit
jfroir, lhat which ia good and upllft-
ing.
"Like the Jap Worshiper,' they
should gct4efor a mirror and take
a true inventory of themselves not
that they should follow bis plan lit
erally, but they should try to see
themselves in the true light. And
they should use a Bible for the mir
ror, and use it for their image to pat
tern after follow its teachings and
make themselves as near like their
Macter as possible."
Rev. Young spoke of the appalling
ignorance, both in and out Of the
churches, regarding the Bible.' "Why,
some people don't know where the
new testament begins and the old
testament ends."
He said that people should not on
ly be religious morally, but physical
ly as well. Men should pray for
strength to do their dally labors and
to be ambitious. Tlie man that per
forms his labor diligently and who
gives bis best services to his employ
er Is in a way religious. The same.
Is true of the woman with her house
work if she takes an interest In her
home and works all that is necessary
to keep it tidy, she has a good start
toward reul religion. If she per
forms her da ties in a slovenly man
ner, the opoeite is the case."
"You will find." said Rev. Youur,
"that the church has been behind
every movement for ' good In this
world. And this Is the case all
through history. The church has
helped solve every difficult problem
that bad for Its aim the betterment
of mankind. But the great trouble
with the churches nowadays is that
there is not enough unity there is
not enough loyal spirit among the
men and women. The men make no
apparent effort to stick together, and
some of tbe women spend most of
their lime gossiping about their
neighbors. This brand of co-operation
and spirit is not what builds
communities on a solid rock. We
should reach out the glad hand to
the Blrangers when they come to
town, and we should folow the same
procedure when tbey leave town
let tbem know we regard them as
friends and that we wish them well.
These are common chores that roust
be worked out before tbe church aud
