We believe in a living, teaching ministry; and, where heart and life is fully consecrated to God and His cause, all such may feel that they are divinely called and commissioned. We hold that such a ministry should be sustained, and that all should give liberally out of their abundance, to secure them against want or contingencies which might retard or prevent their usefulness. But our appeal is now to you, in regard to your own _individual responsibility_. Each has an immortal soul, which must be saved or lost. No one, save Christ Jesus our Lord, can stand as mediator in behalf of any to insure salvation or heaven. Popes, bishops, ministers, and priests _are but men_, and are mortal like ourselves. They may, by application to study and investigation, gain light and knowledge--nay, should do it, so as to instruct us in the way of life and salvation, but further than this they cannot go. We have no evidence, neither in the Old or New Testament Scriptures, where, by intercession of _man alone_, salvation or heaven was ever obtained by an unbelieving heart. We see that, under the earlier dispensation, Moses was the chosen servant of God, and divinely commissioned as _High-Priest_ to the children of Israel. Yet when they sinned, and Jehovah's wrath was kindled against them, Moses made _direct intercession_ in their behalf, and even plead, saying: "_If thou wilt not forgive them, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written._" Hear the answer of the Lord: "_Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book; * * * * mine angel shall go before thee; nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sins upon them._" Thus, although His judgments were stayed for a season, because of His covenant, yet their final execution was certain. We are assured by the Scriptures that there is "_One God_" and "_One Mediator_," and we may go to God through faith in this _One Mediator_, and that all who go thus shall obtain eternal life. We have record of the efficacy of this faith in the application of the dying thief. When he had signified his belief, hear the answer of the Saviour: "_To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise._" Oh, how plain the plan of salvation! All nature proclaims there is a God. His revelations proclaim an eternal existence of the soul. We all know that we _must die_. However disappointed we may be in our earthly hopes or fears, yet as to the certainty of death none will be disappointed--_it is sure to come_. When the angel of death is commissioned to summon us, soon "_the pale horse and his rider_" will be at the door; then there can be no delay. "_Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return._" "_And the soul shall return to God who gave it._" "_It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment._"