The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church | Page 2

this book, which is no small testimony to its worth.
Those who stand up for the truth do not always illustrate its spirit. Not
all who might desire greater unity in the Church are qualified to
promote it. The author of this little treatise has not only manifested the
proper spirit, but he has shown as well the faculty of using it for the
increase of harmony, without the least disloyalty to the Scriptures, or to
the standards of the Church. The appeal throughout is to the Word of
God. The faith of the Church is subjected to this test, and it is
maintained because it endures the test.
These chapters present a continuity of thought which should not be lost
sight of in the reading. In order to a correct verdict, they should not be
read with such discrimination as would accept some and reject others,
but from the first to the last in order. That this little book may be owned
of God to the establishment of the faith of the Lutheran Church, and for
the promotion of a more manifest unity among those who bear her
name, is a prayer in which I am sure many will join the author of this
work, and the writer of this introductory note.
M. RHODES. ST. LOUIS, MO., _March, 1887_.

PREFATORY SCRIPTURE PASSAGES. ____________
_To the Law and to the Testimony; if they speak not according to this
Word, it is because there is no light in them._-- Isa. viii. 20.
_Thus saith the Lord; Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old
paths, where is the good way and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for
your souls._--Jer. vi. 16.
_That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning
craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. But speaking the truth in
love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even
Christ._--Eph. iv. 14.

_Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines; for it is a good
thing that the heart be established with grace._-- Heb. xiii. 9.
_Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in
doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee._--1 Tim.
iv. 16.
_Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in
faith and love which is in Christ Jesus._--2 Tim. i. 13.
_And be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a
reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear._--1 Pet. iii.
15.
_Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common
salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that
ye should earnestly contend for the faith, which was once delivered
unto the saints._--Jude 3.
_For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but
after their own lusts they shall heap to themselves teachers having
itching ears; and they shall turn their ears away from the truth, and shall
be turned unto fables._--2 Tim. iv. 3, 4.
_Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ,
hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the
Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this
doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God-speed.
For he that biddeth him God-speed is partaker of his evil deeds._--2
John 9. 10, 11.
_For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of
this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto
him the plagues that are written in this book; and if any man shall take
away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away
his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the
things which are written in this book._--Rev. xxii. 18, 19.

THE WAY OF SALVATION. ____________
CHAPTER I.
ALL ARE SINNERS.
Some time ago we overheard from a person who should have known
better, remarks something like these: "I wonder how sinners are saved
in the Lutheran Church?" "I do not hear of any being converted in the
Lutheran Church," and such like. These words called to mind similar
sentiments that we heard expressed long ago. More than once was the
remark made in our hearing that in certain churches sinners were saved,
because converted and sanctified, while it was at least doubtful whether
any one could find such blessings in the Lutheran Church. The writer
also freely confesses, that in those days, surrounded