Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 169, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 July 1914 — CHURCH OF CHRIST A SECRET ORDER [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CHURCH OF CHRIST A SECRET ORDER

Mystery Kept Secret From Foundation of World. Free and Accepted In Christ—Candidates For Membership In the Order. Initiatory Degree—Second and Third Degrees H igher Degrees H ighest —Degree Limited In Number—-“ Riding the Goat”—Grips and Pass-Words. Founder of the Order—Master Mason Slain—Waiting For His Return.

Jnly„mr=THJl PHOTO - DRAMA OF CREATION not only opens the ■ Scriptures to those who see It but sheds light upon the esoteric teachings of the ancients. Many who have seen It -declare that it has greatly blessed them by revealing the 1e h gTE's,

breadths, heights and depths of the Love of God for humanity. Pastor Russell’s discourse* today was unique. The text was, “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the Mystery of Christ” —Ephesians 8:4. The Scriptures clearly teach that during this Gospel Age our God is preparing a great Temple class, said the Pastor. After this class shall have been glorified, Divine Power will operate through this Temple, through Which air nationswlll-draw uear to God. The Priests In this Temple will be Jesus, the great High Priest, and the Church, the under priests. This High Priest will also be King—“a Prlftttt: npnn His Throne." after the Order of Melchizedek. The Church of Christ the speaker claimed, is the most wonderful Secret Order ever known. The Mystery of God, kept secret from before the foundation of the world, is not yet finished, he declared, and will not be until the seventh trumpet sounds. Members of Christ’s mystical Body are in the world, but the world knows them not. even as it knew Him not

The Degreee of the Order. It was then shown that membership in this order requires compliance with the .most stringent conditions ever known—the giving up to the Lord all that the candidate possesses, himself included. The first degree is the recognition of Jesus Christ as our Savior and faith in His redeeming blood. Some never progress beyond this initiatory step, and therefore know practically very little about the Order. The second degree is consecration, which is immediately followed by spirit-begetting. Those who have progressed thus fir have become New Creatures in Christ. As these grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus, they are privileged to advance to higher degrees. In due time they may become Knights of the Temple, a very honorable degree—leaders. As members of the Order advance, they learn more about the Mystery of Christ The Apostle urges all Knights of the Temple to grow—in grace, In knowledge, in character-likeness to the Grand Commander of the Order, High Priest of our Profession, who died for us and gave us opportunity to become members of this fraternity. Those who attain the highest degree shall be His Joint-heirs in His Messianic Kingdom. This highest degree, however. Is limited in number to 144,000 members. Free and Accepted In Chriet Jesus.

The Pastor explained that members of this Order are free from the domination of sin, free from fear of death, free from that condition of alienation from God brought upon mankind through Adam’s disobedience. But they are not free to commit sin; their very desire for close relationship with God indicates that they hate sin. Then the speaker showed that in Scripture the human nature of New Creatures in Christ is pictured by a goat. Thus on Israel’s Atonement Day the high priest sacrificed the Lord’s goat—depicting God’s acceptance of the consecration of the class so represented. Other Scriptures intimate that each New Creature daily “rules the goat” In his own flesh. Since the mysteries of this Order are spiritually discerned, only those can understand them who belong to the Order. God alone knows the approved members of His great Secret Order; for He alone knows who are loyal at heart. Others may wear the uniform, learn grips and pass-words; but the Lord knows who are His. The Founder of the Order. The origin of the Order* was next discussed. The Great Master Craftsman laid the foundation and made all arrangements. He is the Grand Master, and no other is recognized by members of the organization. He Himself has said, “One is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.” The Pastor "then set forth the facts relative to our Lord’s life here on earth. Jesus alone bad the secret planß for the Temple which God desired to have constructed. When He was crucified, more or less of the Mystery was lost sight of; and the Scriptures Intimate that certain features of that Mystery were not to be completed until His return. So this Secret Society await the return of the Grand Master, who gatfo His life in relation to the Mystery.

PASTOR RUSSELL