Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-04-25
CAUSE OF cHRIsTs DEATH.
oocasiOned by Rupture Of the
Heart Cause by Mental Agony.


The most remarkable event in the
history of the world was the death of
Jesus Christ, said Rev. DR.. Thomas
A. lI0yt, pastor the Chambers Pres
byterian Church, yesterday after
noon, in beginning special sermon
to the medical students. Its hidden
meanings, he continucd,arc transccn-
dant, and it was, without parallel,
the most sublime tragedy ever enac-
ted. The speaker had chosen his text
from St. John xxxiv., lG. John, he
said, stood only Il few feet from the
Saviour, and subsequently related
what he saw. The subject discussed
by the speaker was, what was the
physical cause of Christs death?
Several eminent physicians had de-
voted years to the study Of the qucs-
ton, and II book on the subject had
been published by Dr. Stroud, of Ed
inburgh, about thiriy-tivc years ago
in which he ascribcd Christ's death
to rupture Of the heart. During
convention of physicians in Scotland
several years ago the deductions ar
rived at in this book were presented
for their considerations, and they
were confirmed. There are the min
lister said, many cases on record
where death has resulted from viu-
lent passions Of joy or grief. Pliny
tells us Of I.accdamonian who fell
dead from JOY at hearing that his son
had won prize at the Olympian
games. The speaker read several
medical opinions on the subject Of
heart-rupturc, and continued; There
is no pretcnse that the spear trust in-
to the Savior'S side caused death,
In fact he was dead before the wound
was received. Christ was crucilicd
at 9O'clock in the morning, and eX-
pred al ) 3U'cock in the afternoon, or
two hours before the centurion dealt
the blow with his spear. The cruel
fed usually lived from two to three
days, aud sometimes as long as five
days on the cross. There is no cvi-
dencc that disease might have caused
His death. and no reason to believe
that hc. has not Of perfectly sound
health. Some have thought that He
might have died from exhaustion,
but we arr cold that He was mirac-
ulously sustained duFlpg his trials.
1t was not weakness. Some declare
that lie voluntarily gave up life, but
lie did not take lis life; lie simply
submitted to the condition under
viii, Ii he died. The answer to thequcs-
lions, What was the physical cause
of ChriSts death q? is Rupture Of the
heart caused by mental agony. Lit.
orally, lie diG1 of broken heart.
The speaker read extracts from many
letters from eminent physicians Civ
ing their opinions on DR.. Stroud's
book on his deduction as TO the death
of the Savior. They all endorsed his
conclusion that Christ had died Of Il
rupturcd heart.
John says, continued the speaker,
that when the spear was thrust into
the Saviour's side forthwith came
there out blood and water. DR.. llOyt
then proceeded to explain this from
4 medical point Of view. lie said
that when the spcarhead punctured
the pcricardium the blood and Sc
rum from the ruptured heart escaped
lie said that all this was simply a
fultillment of II scriptural prediction,
as was the parting of His raimcnt
and the casting Of lots among the
soldiers for his vcsturc.
Bul what was this mental angu-
ish that broke our Saylour's heart !
asked the speaker. 1t was not fear
of death, for lie looked toward that
with longing. If be lifted up, lie
said, | will draw all men to me. lie
anticipated death as the consumma-
ton of his labors. Reproach hath
broken my heart lie said, AMI then
died. He died for us. The weight
of human guilt broke His heart.