The Portland daily press., 1874-01-26

The preacher began BY saying that there was
feeling among many as the cross of Christ
was held mp to them, that it was impossible for
Christ to die upon the cross and yet be just;
but Christ was willing sufferer. He had pow
er to lay down his life, and he had power to
take it again. Justice invades the right of
no one, but there can be no injustice to
Christ if He willingly lays down his own life.
In the Interpretation of the facts of the death
of Christ, it is often claimed that it was an act
of injustice; bnt it is not so. In no particular
can there be claimed an act of in
justice connected with the death of Christ He
submitted to it himself. He did not suffer as
punishment he had nothing to be punished
for, bat he suffered for others No one can ex-
plain how one can be pardoned. The pardon
of transgressor is in direct opposition to JUS
tice.
Sinfulness or righteousness can not be imput-
ed from one to another. The Othodox view of
the cross of Christ, is considered by many to be
directly opposed to the teachings of the bible.
But that is not so, for we read that God SO low
ed the world, that he gave His only begotten
son to die for sinners.
God is not vindictive. If He was, He would
not have provided substitute who was infin-
itely dear to Him. Gods wrath is judicial NOT
personal. If it was malice, there would be no
hope for any. God need not accept the suffer
ing of Christ upon the cross for the sins of the
world; Christ might suffer thousand times
upon the cross, and if God did not see fit to
accept the atonement it would be all in vain.
We are often inclined to array the attributes of
God against each other. but it is useless to at
tempt this for they do not belong to the merits
of the case.
The parts of the divine mind are separate.
and each part works by itself, but when thew
are united, their exclusive beauty is shown to
the best erect There is no jar or discord but
every part unites with the others. When God
and with heart full Of mercy Mercy and
truth are met together; righteousness and neaca
have kissed each other.
If the sinner looks at the cross Alright. he can.
not help seeing. that is for him that Christ
died, and that it is for him that the arms Of
mercy are outstretched. Life and death are
before you; choose which you will have.
ALLEN MISSION CHAPEL
The sermon preached yesterday afternoon nv
N. NJ. Wood from Luke xiii. S.. was full of
deep thought and must bring forth good results
After the sermon the address by Place Jones Or
China, kept the undivided attention of t he con
gregation and will long be remembered. Tho
Chapel was crowded in the evening to listen tn
the pathetic temperance lecture by ex-police-
man Scott, who will also be one of the speakers
at the weekly temperance meeting this evening
TEMPERANCE LECTURE.
Rev. j. w. Johnston, pastor of Pine street
M. E. church, delivered the fifth lecture of the
temperance course in his church Sunday even
ing. The text was LIST Thessalonians, v, %
3Abstain from all appearance of evil" The
preacher had no notes of his discourse prepar.
ed but it was an able and convincing produc.
ton. He insisted upon its being the duty of
the church to abstain from all appearance of
evil by putting stop to the liquor selling and