Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-07-03
The Evening Exercises.

Thou hast been faithful over II few
things, be ruler over many things"
The Evening Exercises.
In the evening the address before the
college y. NJ G. A, was delivered, in the
College street Congregational church. by
Rev. DR.. j. II. Van Dyke, Jr., of New York
city The church was again crowded to
its utmost capacity. Rev. DR.. Van Dyke
was introduced to the audience by Mr..
J. w. Buckham, president of the college
association Rev Joseph Torrey, ID. d.,
acted as chaplain of the services and nut
sic was furnished by the choir of the
Congregational church, ST. Adams. DR.
Van Dykes subject was "A Personal
Christ the Answer to Human Doubt
and the address was one of the most able
and eloquent ever delivered before the as
sociation. The following is Il brief alb
stract:
Rev. DR.. Van Dykes Address.
The present age has been called an age
of unbelief. But perhaps it might more
justly be called an age of uncertainty
for its temper Is not so much that of de-
NAL as it is that of investigation. 1t is too
much given To intro,pecton and analysis.
Its coat-of-arms is an Interrogation point
rampant ab we three bishops dormant,
and its motto Query" But more than
this, in many quarters there are indica-
tons of widespread unSettlement in re-
gard to fundamental questions of religion.
1t is not merely that certain specific doc
trines, such rs the miraculous, or the in
SEPARATION of Scripture, or future punish
ment, are called in question
but deeper and most vital truths
the Divine existence, the splr-
itual life of man are pronounced uncertain.
and the basis on which they rest is sub
iected to the most searching eXamna-
ton.
And yet at the same time there are I'M
mistakable indications of profound long
ing toward these very truths which are
questioned. The search for divine truth
is not pursued III mockery, nor with the
wish to prove that it does not exist. Men
come not in cold indifference, but rather
seeking light, desiring to behold and be
satisfied. Now it must be acknowledged
that the result of much of this investiga-
ton is only the mOurnful confession of
continuing ignorance and uncertainty
/ Truth is, but we cannot find her. lgHO-
rumus iynornbimus. But am convinced
that Christianity, rightly considered,
has an answer to these doubts.
cure for this uncertainty. 1t
has this power to satisfy the demands
of the age because as religion of fact,
/
sou of Jesus Christian historical reality,
embodyng the highest and most glorious
| ideal. Observe that this is not the same
| argument which has been so profoundly
set forth by DR.. Bushnell and others It's
not the argument from the moral perfec-
| ton of Christ TO his divinity, nor from the
sublimity of his character to the truth of
Christianity. Its simply statement of
the way in which by personal faith in him
and absolute confidence in his teaching,
we may be delivered not only from the
guilt of sin, but from the darkness and
pain of doubt, and made sure of life and
immortality.
Now it may be that at the outset some
will object to this as Il lower form of reli-
gion, arguing that assent to abstract truth
is Il higher spiritual function than conf
dence in person. But it seems to me
that this objection IS together unfounded.
For what fact in all the range OF our eN-
perience is so firm and abiding as this
fact OF personality? As men and women,
our deepest and most vital relations must
be, not abstract or theoretical, but person
al. Therefore religion must meet us in a
personal relation, This is no new view of
| Christianity 1t Is the same that under
lies the whole New Testament. And not
only, it seems to me, is this view of Christ
| ianity presented i'll Il living form in the
New Testament, but it is also capable of a
clear statement and sufficient justification,
Let me attempt 10 give an imperfect out
! line of it.
l. The personality of Jesus Christ as he
lived on earth and is presented TO us in
the gospels, is such rs to win the love and
! confidence of every earnest and right-de-
string heart. In his life and in his words
! shines the clear and convincing light of
| truthfulness. The world sees ii and re
poses an instructive trust in his moral in
tegrity.
Regarding more closely the qualities in
| Christ which command our confidence III
| him rs a divine teacher we shall find that
he possesses III the fullest degree heaven
| ly wisdom, absolute sincerity and uusel-
| fish love. And now mark the instructive
and supreme confidence which has flowed
toward him from the hearts of men.
| When he came forth to teach, the lowly
and repentant turned to him with glad
hope and humble trust. Little children
loved him, thronged to his arms, greeted
him with songs of praise. His disciples
followed him, drank in his words, believed
him utterly. And when he was taken
from the earth, and they went forth to
preach him to the world, hearts every
where were opened to receive him. Let
us also join this throng, and turning away
alike from the doubts and difficulties
which beset u.s. come to him in the spirit
of utter faith.
2. The moment we assume this attitude
Christ gives us instant and clear
assurance of those deepest truths
of religion whose proof transcends oul
reason, while their uncertainty distresses
our heart. Are we mere creatures OF
chance or of necessity ? cunning mechan
isms made to run for seventy years aud
then decay brutes whose brains are
troubled with vain visions of angelic life
Or is there something higher and more
enduring, not only within us, but alsC
above and beyond us Thus man ques-
tons with himself and the burden of hi.
questioning is threefold. Is there God
Have | soul Is there future life
Now come with these questions to Christ
believing in his wisdom, contiding in hi,
truth, sure that he will not deceive us
and how swift and clear are his answers
Is there God Christ does not say, 81
believe so, think 50, ! hope So" ii,
says, 81 have seen him. and the Father
are one" 1t is the testimony of an eye
witness, direct. definite, convincing
Equally clear is Christ's answer as to tn,
spiritual nature of man. He does not in
tempt TO prove that man has soul. H.
speaks TO the soul, He addresses himself
directly to that which in us is high an(