Arches church of Christ

(From the Introduction)

I believe it will be conceded by all that we, as responsible, normal, rational human beings--even from our earliest time of life--make "CHOICES." I believe as well that these choices affect our lives either in a positive sense or a negative sense.

No matter when, where, why, or what the situation, we make choices. This takes in practically every moment of our waking day. Many examples could be cited, but really, if we just stop and think about it, we quickly recognize the truth of the statement. I dare say that indeed anything we do throughout any given day involves choice.

For instance, when you awoke this morning, you had the choice of getting up or laying there in bed. You had to make the choice whether to get up and go to work or whatever else you may have wanted or needed to do. You say, "I had no choice in the matter; it was get up or get fired." No, that would be a consequence of your "choice" as to whether you get up and go to work or not.

THE following is an extract from a work of modern date, I which, though it may in some respects be exceptionable, is nevertheless deserving of the candid investigation of every advocate of primitive Christianity. - A.C.

It will be allowed that the best human institutions, through the lapse of time and the gradual encroachments of corrupt society, become changed in their nature and tendency, though they may retain their original names and pretensions. The art of building is architecture still; but from the difference in materials, plan, and construction, very different fabrics result. An African's hut is not a Solomon's temple. If, then, it fares thus with the institutions of men, was it to be expected that Christianity, the supreme excellency of which no man can know only by the special teaching of heaven, should share a better fate, and be mocked with no spurious imitations? Surely no. Let it not here be understood that man is void of sufficient intellectual faculties; were it so, he would be excusable in rejecting the oracles of God, and blameless in making him a liar. From man's perverseness and depravity alone, his religious errors spring; it is hence that his views are perverted and corrupt, and he is said to be spiritually dead in trespasses and sins, alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in him.

IN March 1835, a monthly periodical entitled "The Millennial Harbinger and Voluntary Church Advocate," was issued from the press, by Mr. W. Jones of London. We were informed in the first number, that the leading object of that work would be to furnish the British public with authentic information respecting the state and progress of the gospel in America - that Mr. Campbell, who may be justly esteemed the ablest writer of the day, had transmitted to the Editor a copy of all his printed works, amounting to nearly twenty volumes, comprising a great variety of the choicest, most elaborate, and elegant essays on theological and other subjects that are to be found in the English language; and that these essays would be communicated through the pages of the "Millennial Harbinger." For sixteen months this promise was fulfilled by the Editor, with great discrimination and credit to himself, and much edification to his readers. In the month of June, 1836, the public were informed that in consequence of a long and severe affliction, the infirmities attendant upon old age, and the Editor's great desire to accomplish other objects which, in his estimation, were of paramount importance, the "Harbinger" must from that month be discontinued. This announcement was received by many of his readers with mingled feelings of disappointment and grief, yet, at the same time, with resignation to the will of their heavenly Father, who doeth all things well.