THE GOSPEL FOR THE TIME.
By Professor Taylor
I KNOW it is said that the gospel is not adapted to the nineteenth century. Men are different now from what they were. Yes, they may be different externally, but essentially they are the same. What man was, man is. What man needed, he needs still. In problems of the sciences, much is gained by assuming the uniformity of the laws of nature. In problems of the soul, much will be gained by you by assuming the uniformity of the laws of human nature. No, the gospel is not adapted to the nineteenth century. It wasn't adapted to any century. It wasn't intended to be. It was intended that the nineteenth century should be adapted to the gospel. Your work is not to make the truths of the Bible fit into all the crooks and crevices of the lives and beliefs of men. You are to stamp, not overlay; to coin, not gild. You are to apply the teachings of Christ with such force to the hearts and lives of men that their hearts will ever after bear the impress of the image of Jesus Christ, and their lives be conformed to his will. There are peculiarities of the times that will require special methods of delivering the truth, not special truth. You may have to leave the pulpit and stand at the door, or on the street corner, in order to preach to men. But when you preach, preach the truth.—Professor Taylor.