Life and Labors of Elder John Kline, the Martyr Missionary: Collated from his Diary by Benjamin FunkKline, John
Religion
Life and Labors of Elder John Kline, the Martyr Missionary: Collated from his Diary by Benjamin Funk
Kline, John
Kline, John, 1797-1864
Whilst I am a stranger to most of you, I nevertheless feel assured by
the signs I witness that I can confidingly and affectionately address
some of you, and I trust a goodly number too, as beloved brethren and
sisters. This is, so far, as it should be. But what would be the joy
of my heart, and what would be the joy of heart with each one of you,
could it be said that this entire congregation is of one mind and all
speak the same thing! But the words of my text, harmonizing with the
closing words of another parable, recorded by Matthew, which declare
that "many are called, but few chosen," may continue to be true, for
a long time yet to come. Whilst the advocates of election and
predestination claim this as one of their proof texts, to my mind it
proves the exact reverse. "Many are called." Here, if I mistake not,
the German has it: "The many are called." I take this to mean that all
are called. Now compare this with what is said here in my text: "Then
the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, Go out
quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither
the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant
said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and
hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." This
surely proves that all are called or invited to the great supper.
First, the Jews were invited. When Jesus sent forth the twelve he
commanded them saying; "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into
any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost
sheep of the house of Israel." Here it is plain that the Jews were
the first to be invited. "But they all with one mind began to make
excuse." Next then the poor of the city were invited. Still there was
room. Next the off-casts and beggars were invited. These included the
very lowest of the Gentile nations, and comprehend all that live,
every creature.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account