CHRIST FIRST OF ALL

THOMAS STEPHENS

(Galena, Kan.)

In a report of a medical missionary convention held in Chicago, I find these sentences: " Tell the people how they can be saved. Do not spend time in talking doctrine to them. When you have once led them to Christ, he can teach them the rest." 

"We must use wisdom and good sense. The people need Christ and the simple gospel. Let us give it to them, and not spend all our time on doctrine."

Such utterances have a deeper importance than is at first apparent. When one is deeply convicted, and bowed down with a burden of

'guilt for his past sins, all the doctrine necessary for the immediate condition is the forgivness of sins, a reconciliation with God — a being born again. After this the doctrine can be given in proportion, to the ability to receive.

We are told to be temperate in all things, yet we often see overzealous persons crowd around one who has just "stepped into the light," and so cram the poor victim with special doctrines that he becomes surfeited and con- fused. lf, perchance, he survives such intem- perance, it takes considerable time and study to gain spiritual health. Therefore we find many to-day in our church, who, instead of being teachers, and living on the strong food of the Word,, are weaklings, living on milk, simply because of the surfeiting of doctrine in the beginning of their spiritual career.

To illustrate: We held a prayer-meeting at the house of a Baptist, who had gone back to the beggarly elements of the world, but who wished to return to his " first Love." Several of the brethren insisted on  presenting the doctrines. So he was told of the investigative judgment now going on, of the perilous times in which we are living, and of the soon coming of Christ — all at one time. The man was confused, and is still out of Christ — and out of the doctrine, too.

There is a time for all things; a time for every purpose under heaven. We may know the doctrines; these are all good, if the soul first has Christ. But doctrines without Christ lead to destruction. " But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you," are the words of Christ. Let us heed them.

The Review and Herald (Battle Creek, Mich.), November 6, 1900, Pg 3

...