The Osceola times., 1878-02-09
RELIGIOUS READING.
what Have ] 10 do About ~.

RELIGIOUS READING.
what Have ! 10 do About i-
AN INCIDENT OF THE INQUIRY ROOMS IN
CHICAGO.
The inquiry rooms had been crowded
all the evening. 1t was now about eleven
O'Clock, aud most of the workers" and
inquiren had gone home. A few, how
ever, OF both classes, were lingering still.
l had Just left mana straightforward
German-who had given himself up 10
God through Jesus Christ, and was about
leaving the room, not seeing that there
was any thing more for me to do, when
was approached by young Christian,
who said:
"Mr. Pentecost, before yeu 20 won't
you come and speak to that young man
(pointing to him); ! do not seem to be
able to meet his need"
Certainly" said /, and went over to
where the young man was seated, and,
drawing chair up to him, said:
"Can | be of any help to you, my
brother?"
II don't know, l am sure, but il you
can give me any help, will gratefully
receive it,"
A few questions developed the fact
that he was cultivated young German,
the son of q German rationalistic theo.
logian. He had been but short time in
this country. lie was thoroughly con-
versant with the current continental
skeptical philosophers, told me that he
was fond Of study, and especially. philo.
sophical study, and gave good evidence
Of familiarity with the various schools
of thought, current and past. Said he
had been led to think Of Christianity
rs an ingenious mythology, having a
very slender thread of historical truth
in it, more or less the product of an
early enthusiasm that had exalted Jesus
into Deity. He confessed that he
had never made the New Testament
study, but had imbibed his opinion
mainly from Struss. He went on to say
that he had been attracted by curiosity
into the Tabernacle, and had been
amazed at the vast audiences held to.
gether week after week without excite
ment, simply by the rehearsal of Chris
tian truths and Bible stories. He ad-
mitted that he was impressed with the
matter of Mr.. Moedy's preaching, and
was convinced from his manner that he
was sincere and honest teacher. Finally
he determined to take up the New Tes-
lament and carefully read it. He had
done 40, and this night he had come into
the inquiry room to seek conversation
with some Christian who would explain,
il it were possible, some Of the chief diff.
ficulties that he met with in the New
Testament. lie was altogether frank and
candid, saying that he was free to admit
that careful reading of the New Testa-
ment revealed a purer and altogether
better system of ethics than any of the
PHILOSOPHERS with which he was ac-
quainted, and that the whole book had
the air OF sincerity and truth about it.
But there were several insuperable diff.
culties in the way OF his acceptance of it
as truth.
] asked him 10 state his difficulties,
which he did in about these words:
There are three great claims sci forth
In the New Testament, upon the truth
OF which, 1t seems to me, the whole sys-
TEN must stand or fall"
What are they ?"
"Why, first OF all, it is claimed all
through the New Testament that Jesus
was the Son of God, C., God manifested
in human natures supernatural being.
This he claimed for himself, and even
died in defense of the claim; for, il / am
not mistaken, that was the charge upon
which he was put to death by the Jews,
that in claiming to be the Son OF God;
He made himself to be equal with God,
which was blasphemy. Certainly He
believed Himself to be God; and 30 did
His apostles. especially John and Paul"
"Well, what Is your next difficulty? 2"
"Why, the next difficulty is that our
depends not upon the upright
ness Of our own lives, but apon the fact
Of Christ's death, which is represented as
q sacrificial act-what Mr.. Meody calls
the atonement."
"Well, what is the other difficulty ?''
"Why, the resurrection from the dead.
Everything in Christianity depends upon
that"
"Well," said l, NOW why are these
things difficulties To you2 2"
Why, l cannot possibly lelieve that
Jesus was God; he could not be and it
is not possible for any one who was really
dead to rise again such thing ne .er
was in the world, and it cannot be; and
even If 1t were so, do not see how any
one could be saved on account Of anoth-
er's death, and not on account of his own
uprightness."
] confess that the task before me.
seemed very great indeed. But he seemed
10 be guileless in his desire TO know the
truth, and 20 with prayer in my heart
for help, ! said:
well, now, let US lock at the first
the Incarnation. Az Iunder-
g1a1d you, you are theist; you believe
N - oxiutanno Oi 4 DeYnnnal. atArns1