1885 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

R745 : page 7CONSECRATION.Submission is a strong word, consecration still stronger. Surrenderis cessation of resistance, consecration a transfer of all we are andhave to Christ for active service. It covers person and property,talents and opportunities, and accepts of Christ as leader, manager,friend, and Saviour; present, active, and efficient in all the minutiaeof life. There are degrees of consecration, and even entireconsecration is progressive, for new interests, cares, burdens,capacities and opportunities arise and await disposal, and Christ isrevealed in new relations, making new demands, offering newprivileges; and these await trustful acceptance, so that ever andanon the proposition to devote all to Christ and receive all of Christ,claims fresh attention. Many commit spiritual interests to his careand worry on alone with temporal concerns; they trust him to savetheir souls, but hesitate to ask his aid in business; accept dailygrace, but doubt respecting daily bread; rejoice in Christ as aSaviour, but fail to apprehend him as a brother, a companion, apresent, constant friend. Consecration is not absolutely perfect untilthe fulness of our Lord is perceived and received, and the fulness oflife is devoted to him, for every revelation of Christ calls for newdevotion from us. The consecration must be as broad as theapprehension, covering the fulness of Christ and the fulness ofman.--Sel.====================R746 : page 7"CHRISTIAN CONSCIOUSNESS" VS. THE BIBLE.In the Independent, Prof. Francis L. Patton sharply criticizes thestatement by Dr. Harris, in the Andover Review, that "Christianconsciousness" must be recognized as the final authority in mattersof faith and practice. In the course of his article he says:--"Common consciousness cannot be appealed to as the criterion ofreligious progress without danger of jeopardizing the Protestantprinciple that the Bible is the rule of faith. Dr. Harris admits thatwhat he calls the "obsolescent theology" agrees as well with theword of God as it ever did, but affirms that it does not agree withChristian consciousness. Suppose, however, that the Bible shouldsay one thing, and Christian consciousness should say somethingelse; or suppose that Christian consciousness should undertake tosupplement the Bible. What then? It is an old charge against thosewho have had an objective rule of faith, that they made the word ofGod of none effect through their traditions, and that they taught fordoctrines the commandments of men. We know how the RomanCatholic Church followed the example of the scribes and Phariseesin this respect.