Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-10-26

Mr.. Moody read a portion of the 22ud
chapter OF Matthew, and took for his text
the All verse, " W hat think We OF Christ ~
j his question was pat by the Saviour to the
Pharlsees who had sought to cntangle Him
with questions; but who were silenceG by
HIS replies and burst ak Him no more quts-
tons from that day forth. 1t is question
Tor each to take home to himself What
think We OF Him, ana has lie no claims on
You? What do you think OF Him As teach
er? What as preacher? Think of His
sermon on the Mount lie began it with
his heart full OF blessings. and he uttered
nine OF them. so to speak, before he entered
ON the body OF Ills sermon and what a ser
mon! There are volumes in every sentences
OF 1t, so strong and yet 50 simple. The child
can understand it, and the theolOgian can
not tathom Its depths. What do You think
OF Him as Physician. a. Comforter Some
men dare to say lie was not divine. Some
even that he was not purer than other men.
Now. when We do not know about mans
character. We call on those who do ; and if
We want the whole truth. We shall ask
both his friends and enemies. Let Us do
50. tC-nigf+, about this Goldman Let this
aud fence be as it were the jury. We will
call in first, some of His enemies. Here is
CaIaphaS, the high priest. who presided
over the tribunal which condemned Christ
to death. lie comes in his flowing robes,
highest and haug of Jewish prelates.
" hat, We ask him. did you think OF Christ
when sou asked. Tell Us il Thou be the
Son OF God ? and lie replied: Thou has
said, and hereafter thou shalt see the Son
OF Nan coming in the clouds Of Heaven"
Call Pllate-the Roman governor. He heard
both sides on the trial. and his testl-
mOny must be what it was then when he
SAID: 81 find no iaIlt in Him " There are
men here IN Burlington, who are worse
than PIlate--they lind good deal Of fault
with Christ, Call next Mrs Pilate-her
testimony was: "Ilaye thou nothing to do
with (that Is in judgment upln) that lust
man." Call in Judas. lie came with H
countenanee marked by remorse and de-
spaIr. What, Judas. do you think of
Jesus? You were with Him three gears.
You saw Him heal the sick and raise the
dead. What say you? And Judas must say |
As when he cast down the silver, Il have |
betrayed innocent blood That was the |
testimony of Judas, before he went and |
hanged himself. meeting his fate before |
Christ did. Call any OF Chrst's enemies |
here on earth. The worst charge they ever
had against Him was that lie "receiyeth |
sinners and eateth with them The devil |
himself could bring nothing against Him.
but would have to bear witness as evil
spirits did when lie was ON earth, that lie
was the son of the Most High God.
The thiet on the cross testified This
man hath done nothing amiSs" But
But let Us bring in some OF His friends.
Here is John the Baptist clad in coat
OF camel's hair and l,athern girdle, his keen
eye beamlng with the Spirit OF the Lord with
III him. 81 bear record" said John that
this is the son of GOd-behold the Lamb of
God that taketh away the sin OF the
world" Sinner. can you not think of
Him as John did? But bring in Peter, who
once deaied Him, "Ah yes he says. Il
declared knew Him not but DID know
Him. know that lie is he Son OF God"
1t was Peter who declared in the day of
Pentecost that God hath made Him bots
Lord and Christ. But here is the doubling
ThOmas-One OF those who are hard to be
convinced. keen and obstinate guestiOner
II Christ had been an lmpOSter, would not
Thomas have fund 1t out? We see him re-
iuslng while all the rest were spreading the
glad ;ldngs that the Lord had risen, refusing
to belleve-till an hour came when .Jesu.
appeared to him and he cried. "My Lord
and my God Ills unbelIei was gone We
might call otherS--tha. dearest friend,
who leaned on .IeSus's bosom but 10 get
MS testimony IN It's iullness we should
have to read the whole OF Johns gospel.
some may want the evidence of Paul, the
intelligent and learned Pharisee, who would
lot 20 to hear Jesus Not he lie belonged
10 the established church, and would not
'un alter any new lights. But the light p
md the Lord cane to him. and II We were
% take his testimony 1t would take all .
night. W hat wonderful witness he bore to
-hrlst Us divinity and power to save. in many .
andS We have the testimony of angelS- ,
he blessed spirits who saw Him when lie lett -,
lis Throne OF Glory to come down to earth
to lie in Il Inanger. and Il borrowed one at i
hat. The shepherds on the plains heard /,
he angels sing, Unto you Is born this
lay Saviour" and heavenly chorus sing ,
ny, Peace on earth, GOOD will to men,"
Ohm tells Us he heard the voice of many
ngelS, crying Worthy is the Lamb that
vas slain 10 receive honor and ma jesty and d
blessing" b
Such Is the testimony of earth and lleay v
n to ChrlSt's character. Yet. | heard :
Dung lady say in the chapel below, :
hat she did not think enough Of Christ to IL
i've up dancing The business man says, i.
Il cant let my business suffer to attend IL
MEETINGS TO hear about the Redeemer." o
he drunkard thinks more of his rum bot r
e. and the libertine more of his sensual +
lcasures. than OF divine Saviour I
There is one more witness. Even God the b
father bore witness to Ills Son, when Jesus ii
anne out Jordan. and when voice came b
.om Heaven, This is my beloved son." II
nd again on the Mount OF Transit uration. :,
This - my beloved son. hear ye lin" N
Christ says "Comc unto me all We that Il
re heavy laden. Won't you coIIe to him I
lis night. ~
With many more words of touching and :,
,nder oxhOrtitIOn Mr.. Moody besOught the oI
nrepcntant ones before him not to make u
sht OF Gods mercy in Christ but to re II
ly His love with love and service in re Il
i'm. The chapel below. in which the in Is
liry meeting was held. was filled with h,
quircrs. and deep feeling was manifest in ii
any.