The Culture of Simplicity (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 Excerpt: ...the Word packed full of mysteries as it unquestionably is, and yet how direct and straightforward is its story " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." This is its glad and vital evangel. Simply believe Surely the wayfaring man though fool need not stumble here "Why should we wrestle with fears, And doubts which the Spirit may grieve? And why should we linger in sorrow and tears When there's nothing to do but believe?" We are not saved by learning or scholarship or culture. We are saved by faith, and faith is trust, and the little child knows what trust is. This is the glory of the gospel, its appeal to the child-heart. "Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the Kingdom." It is a rule in mechanics, the fewer wheels and screws and wedges, the better. Machinery that is involved is apt to get out of gear. For just as too much foliage indicates an absence of fruit, and too much ornament an absence of taste, so complexity is weakness. We hear much to-day about the exclusiveness of Calvinism, but the exclusiveness of Calvinism, if such a thing there be, would be a little thing compared with the exclusiveness of culture. Salvation by faith is the only gospel that could have been given to the race even on the ground of social democracy. I think it is Mr. Moody who tells of going to preach to the inmates of a feeble-minded institute. He says, " As I stood and looked into the faces of more than two hundred invalids, I realized as never before that if ever there is a time for a preacher to be simple, now is the time, and after it was over, I felt, 'Thank God for a gospel that is profound enough for a Gladstone and simple enough for an idiot.'" Now Scripture sp...