In presenting the first Number of the “Christian Witness” to our brethren, we think it right to state the principles on which it is proposed to conduct it, should the Lord see fit to grant it continuance. We seek Christian profit, but would act under Christian responsibility. Responsibility to the Church of God, which is in effect to Christ also, has far too much been lost sight of in the proposing or denying human opinions in the present day. This point, holding it to be a cardinal one, we would anxiously keep in view.
We believe, with sorrow and humiliation, that the Church of God has fallen far short of the glory and joy which belonged to it, as the chaste virgin espoused to Christ. To use the words of Archbishop Leighton on a different subject: “O! quam profunda est et tenebrosa miseriae abyssus in quam plorabili suo lapsu demersa est (Ecclesia Del) cum veri sui boni non solum possessione, sed et cognitione excideret et nec quodnam illud sit, nec quae sit redeundi via, quaque gradum revocetperspectum habeat.” We therefore, desire in all humbleness of mind, to receive every light which the Spirit of God may afford us, whether as to the position we are in, or the means of extrication from it, and to be faithful to that light. The consequence of the long darkness in which the Church has been, is that it has deeply lost The sense of the position it is in, in the mind of God, and the holy character in which it should stand, and the principles on which it is based. How much these are in question is plain at least to every eye. Far from pretending to see all the wisdom of God to the Church, we desire that whatsoever of the principles of God’s truth on this important point are unseen by us at present, may be presented to us by any, however different their views may be from many things which may appear in this publication, provided they bear the stamp of holiness of purpose and subjection to God’s truth.
It is our anxious wish that this publication should not be considered as the depository of particular views, or as representing particular persons. The truth of God and holiness, we trust to be enabled to preserve untainted by that which may appear in it, and these secured, to receive all communications which may administer to the conscience of the Church of God.
Questions on the foundations of truth we do not wish to admit. All that may throw light upon it and build up the believer, or, discover inconsistencies with it, we desire to have fully brought out; trusting the Spirit of God sufficiently, to believe that He will guide us into truth, but valuing Christianity too much for ourselves to call into Question that on which our souls rest. But while this is preserved, for which we do feel responsible to God, the particular light which may be afforded in each paper, and the soundness of the views or judgment contained in it, must rest on the responsibility of the particular writer.
We desire this work to be made, at the same time feeling our unworthiness that it should be so, a witness to the Church of God; and trusting that while we are kept in humility, it will be made such]. But it must not be expected, that we should reject that which may be bold or decided. Where moral truth, where holiness is concerned, papers will not be rejected on account of their decided tone.
Having thus stated the principles, the character of the work must be gathered from its several numbers; and praying that the blessing of God may be upon the testimony of truth which may be in it, we commend it to His care.