National Republican., 1880-12-27
The ImperialIspu Of IesuH.

AtSt. Pauls English Lutheran Church, notwth-
standing the snow storm, very fair audience at
tended the morning service. The pastor, Rev. Dr.
Doncr. took as his text Matthew H.: g." When
Hcrod the king had hoard these things he was
troubled and all Jerusalem with him" His gen.
eral course of romark was as follows
"Strange record this: Herod troubled Jerusalem
troubled; why? The announcement that Christ
was born ut Bethlehem! Why troubled at this =?
The story OF this wondrous birth; what was it (?
The angels song, prophecy and type and cere.
mony fulfilled; Israels consolation; the Joy of
the Magians, and the hope of the world Why,
then, does this royal birth become Hcrods fear
and Jerusaloms terror? Is 1t because Il Is regal
birth? Was ever king so lowly born? Does Herod
SEQ a rival to his throne In this humble birth
easiness, his bitter unrest. But If king Is horn
in Bethlehem his kingdom Is not of this world"
and no earthly throne is menaced by his advent
Herod needs to fear no rival In him.
"The great truth in oil this Herod's false appre
tensions concerning Christ, caused all his fear nnd
les. These explain some of tho bittercst anlmosi
ties and most cruel hatrcds among men. But
Herods fears and jealouses false and baseless In
the Herodinn sense, are not without true basis In
n far higher and noblcr sense; and SO Herod be-
comes representative character, and lives on in
the men of all times to whom the Christ, in His ad.
vent and mission in His nature and teachings in
His economy of life and mercy--bccomcs the occa.
sion &c m9fantagonsm, hatred, and opposition.
The lIcrods are not Hll dead; sympathizers
are still found In all Jerusalems There Is another
king, one Jesus He is misapprchendrd, misun.
derstood, misnterpreted, and so his advance into
the sOvereignties Of oarth his ascent into ultimate
supremacy, his kingly claims, have all been called
into question, and opposed by a multitude of He.
rodians who have heard of the shining star and
the song OF the angels With the lapse of the ages
of Christianity, they reappenr from time to time
and lead in the the tigh! against Christianity and
the Bethlehem wonder! No peril to souls, to com.
munites to families. to Kingdoms. The imperial
ism of Jesus means the elevation of the Kingdoms,
kings and peoples, II means freedom by truth,
power by Righteousness, supremacy thhroug holi-
ness, and eternities Of peace and Joy through the
processes of redemption which lie along the path
way Of the Christly Epiphanies.
what OF these Christmas scenes and anniver
saries? What Is the spirit they, breathe, the
explanation and keynote on the hills of Judea,
Glory TO God In the highest, and on earth peace,
good will toward men,. Tho Christmas fnct how
mysterious, and just as glorious as II Is mysterious
No matter when nor where this church festival
nal things, Just as the birth of Jesus Is the new
descent Of God into humanity and the conditions
of time and space on earth. The unconscious rs
well as intentional testimonies to these theophnnies
Christianity. The Christmas festival Is the worlds
great holiday. The church hOnOrs IL throughout
Rll her denominations, and beyond her boundaries
thousands upon thousands are glad to fall In with
the ever.incrcasing JOY and worship.
"Chrstmas rcjoicingS are well nigh universal;
however a company Of iIcrodians here and there
may still be found misnpprehcnding the great
world.Mct-and disturbed by their fancics concern.
ing this child, who Is called the Wonderful Coun-
scllor tho Mighty God, the Prince of Peace,
"The wise men offering gifts ofgold, frankincensc,
and myrrh" The lecture was illustrated by large
Scripture painting. and was In continuance of the
Christmas line ofthought presented in the passage.