What do we mean when we say āIā? Who, what, is this human creature which utters, so freely, and most of the time so thoughtlessly, this word of a single letter? Next to the thought of Godā¦ these thoughts are most worthy of our serious, prayerful consideration. These are the thoughts which, rightly pursued, bring the largest dividends for the enrichment of the mind, and the strengthening of the spirit.
āWhen a student at College, Charles P. Krauth was known to all to possess brilliant and versatile talents, and high hopes were entertained of the future years of his lifeā¦ When Mr. Krauth left the Seminary and entered the ministry, we have no reason to believe that his theological views were any other than those then entertained by his Professors, and prevalent in the Institutions at Gettysburg [General Synod under Samuel Schmucker]. Of the stricter Lutheran confessional position of later years, we do not know that there was then even a beginning.
The Apostlesā Creed is not merely a childās confession. The child, indeed, at an early age, may learn its words, and a helpful measure of its truth; but no sage has ever exhausted it. It is like the ocean, the child may enjoy the waves as they roll up on the sandy beach, no man can touch its bottom where lie its deepest depths.
āThe scheme for the destruction of the Holy Child seemed shrewdly laid indeed. The wise men would not fail to report to the king that wanted to join in worshiping the Savior; the Savior would not escape when all the children under two years of age in Bethlehem and vicinity were slain. That was the wicked reasoning of the wicked kingā¦
The Apostlesā Creed is one of the confessions of Christendom. It is regarded as the creed of all who call themselves Christians. But it is well known that, especially in recent times, there has been a great outcry against creeds of every kindā¦ The ideas begotten of evolution, of constant progression, have made these people intolerant of anything which bears the marks of age.
āThe world is in the habit of measuring success by health, by wealth, and by fame; but a man may be ever so healthy in this world; he may be ever so wealthy in this world, and he may be ever so famous in this world, if, on the great Judgment Day he is ordered to go down from Godās face where the departed ones are ā the lost ā that man surely has not been successful. It is, after all, the Judgment Day that will decide as to whether one has been successful in this world or notā¦
āThere are a few questions whichā¦ often trouble our people. One is the question which has to do with the number and proper order of the commandments. Our people often, in reading, or discussing the commandments, meet with these difficulties. They find that the order we follow differs from that followed by others. If they read or hear someone speak of the Fifth Commandment, for instance, they find that an entirely different subject is presented from that of which we think when the Fifth Commandment is mentioned. And the same difficulty arises if others hear us or read after us. When we come to understand the facts in the case we find that it is not such a serious matter, but until that time the trouble exists.ā
āBut, secondly, he [John the Baptist] was an example by his honest confession to all the children of God. They too are tempted to exalt themselves and be something in their own eyes, instead of being something to the praise of the Saviorās grace. They are enticed by the pleasures and riches and honors of the world, and are but too prone to grow weary in their Christian pilgrimage when the roads are rough and the storms are fierce. But too many shrink from the confession of Christ when it costs them something. Our poor human nature wants to bear no crosses, but seeks only to wear crowns and live in luxury and affluence. Even the confession, āI am not the Christ,ā we are slow to make in all its depth of import.
" In view of the fact that God deals with men as rational, responsible creatures, whom He is anxious to bless but will not force to accept His blessings, this dealing has always had as a primary object to prove to man that God is a loving God, seeking his good, willing to pardon his faults if he would let Him do so. Throughout the whole history of Godās dealings with man He has been seeking to convince him of His true fatherhood, His willingness to enfold him in His arms of love, to guide him and provide for him as only infinite wisdom, power and love is capable of doing."
āI hear so many people say: If we just live according to conscience, we will be all right. Those poor old mothers of the Moabites, take their dear little children from their own breasts and lay them into the red-hot arms of Moloch to satisfy conscience. Is it right?
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