Smyrna times., 1886-09-15

ference.
We select as the foundation of om
remarks a part of the twenty second
verse, twelfth chapter Of the EpistIe
to the Hebrews =" But ye are come
unto Mount Zion"
Some years ago there was consider
able controversy in theological circles
with regard to the authorship Of this
epistle; some contending that it was
written by ApOllOs some cOntending
that it was written by the Apostle
Paul some contending for one person
and some for another; and yet, with
all the controversy that ragged on the
question, nothing definite seems to
have been settled, and the conclusion
still lays upon the part of the Church
that Paul is the author. If you ex-
anime the epistle carefully you will
find that he who is its author must be
possessed Of three different peculiari-
ties or characteristics; he must have
the beauty of the Greek, the theology
of the Jew and the freedom of the
Roman. All these three ideas are to
be found embodied in this epistle to
the Hebrews. Now, if you take the
| eplstle and examine it carefully you
will find that it is one of the most
unique descriptions of the whole Jewish
economy that is to be found in the sa-
sacred Bible The idea in the mind of
the apostle in writing to his Hebrew
brethren was TO show them the infinite
superiority Of Christianity over Juda-
ism, and hence you will find that all
fhpnnOfh l.,
systems are brought into beautiful con
trast.
Why, the apostle could see Jesus
Christ everywhere. Even in the small
est minutip of the Jewish services he
beheld Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the
world.
1t is said that Sir Isaac Newton,
upon one occasion, ventured to look
upon the sun in its glory. As conse-
quence, for the time being, he was
blind. Put into dark room and the
halo of light could be seen.
When Jesus Christ struck down Saul
OF Tarsus on the way to Damascus he
so deeply photographed his image on
his heart that in everything he beheld
him. And thus you will find that he
preached out Christ everywhere.
Some men cannot see Christ any,
where; Paul could see him everywhere.
lie was not only the brightness Of His
Fathers glory" but he could see Jesus
i'll the Jewish book.
But another idea in connection with
this subject is this,-that Paul not onlv
saw the infinite superiority of Christi
anity over Judaism, but he corrected
the mistaken ideas with regard to the
Kingdom of Christ. The Jews, as Il
nation, were very much mistaken in
regard to the character of Christ's |
kngdom; and | do not wonder, when |.
nearly all the prophecies in this book |
were OF perpleXing character
Unto US a child is born unto us a
son IS given and the government
shall rest upon his shoulders and his
name shall be called Wonderful Coun.
sellOr, The Mighty God, The Ever
lasting Father, The Prince of Peace"
No wonder, say, that these prophe-
cles conveyed to the mind of the jew
a temporal kingdom. | say that one
OF the designs of the apostle in writing
this epistle TO the Hebrews was to cor.
rect the mistaken notions with regard
to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. All
the glowing descriptions of prophecy
combined to foster in their minds their
greatness and universal empire to be
acquired through Jesus Christ, and the
Calling oppression of the Roman woke
only made the vision more splendid.
he advent OF the Messiah alone. was
TO make them the princes and mas
ters OF the world; the nations of the
earth must submit or perish. Leading
lorth an army of cOnquerOrs they were
10 make a circle of the earth. Judea
was to be land of palaces. Examine
-helr writings and you will find that
Lhey lived in the familiar cOntempla-
non OF the vision in which ali the
of the world were prostrate
1t their feet kingdom in which they
Oeheld themselves collected in ecclesi.
istlcal order, a tower, a structure of
political grandeur, upon whose summit
Ioated the ensign OfIsraels s nationality.
Their thoughts and prayers were fixed
upon this vision. Not to prav for it.
was not to pray at all. This kept them
N perpetual fever of excitement But
Jesus said again and again, Nv King
I
ielusiOn took hold of the minds and
hearts of his disciples. You remem-
Der after the cruciixion or lust after
he resurrection, when three of them
we're JOurneying to Emmaus, and n
stranger overlook them, listening to
o the sad utterance, we had trusted
hat this was He that should have re-
leemed Israel" One of the great de-
''gns of this epistle was to correct This
nistak ken notion with regard to the
AlngGom of Jesus Christ. He saws
LOOK diligently lest any man fail of
he grace of God" Who would aoain
'esume the chains of bondage after he
lad obtained a glimpse of liberty?
It's said -" Ye are not come INTO
he mount that might be touched and
hat burned with fire, nor unto blnck-
less and darkness and tempest"
And the sound of trumpet and
he voice of words entreated that the
word should not be spoken to them
my more" :
But, says he, bringing our grand dis
'ensation into contrast :-"Ye are ,
'ome unto Mount Zion and unto the /
''ty of the living God, the heavenly
jerusalem, and to an innumerabie
company of angels; and to Jesus the
: IeGlator OF the new covanant and to |
he blood of sprinkling, that speaketh
'etter things than that of Abel"
1t the apostle Paul could thus urpe {
,pon his Jewish brethren the value of
heir privileges that grow out of the I
dherence to this grand system of |
'hristianity, ought we not to urge the
anne thing upon you tonight? Now. I
had the time would like to give to i
on my definition Of the word CHURCH. /
ut as it might involve too much time i
Will pass over that to notice the 9
rivileges and duties belonging to the {
'hristian Church. Now, the first {
rlVilege that you and enjoy in connec- q
ION with the Church Of Jesus Christ q
untOn iOith Christ himself. By the d
onstitutiOn of the scheme of redemp- I
on, Christ stands in similar reIa- h
on to His people as the head of the y
uman body does to the inferior parts d
the body. Our prospects depend 4
pom Him. Before coming to Christ h
l the language of the apostle, we were !,
children of wrath" But when bv |,
spentance and faith we came to Him. n
hen It is that we departed from /
nc old enemy and were brought into h
with Jesus Christ. Then Il
'om that moment all that Christ did n
nd suffered is DlaCed In our aocou,,t | 81