The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-04-25
THE REsuRREcTIoN.
An Historical Fact that is Conclusively
Authenticated.

An Historical Fact that is Conclusively
Authenticated.
Providence JournaLJ
No body of men were ever in greater
despair than were the disciples OF Jesus
Christ when they saw their beloved Master
die upon the cross. They had given up all
their worldly occupations and their social
standing among the Jews in order TO at
tach themselves TO his fortunes. They
had done this because they believed him
to be the Messiah, whose coming had long
been foretold by the prophets, and whose
appointed work was to restore the fallen
fortunes OF Israel. His miraculous power,
his pure character and noble bearing, his
unrivaled ascendency over the minds OF
and hearts of men, all contributed to
hephten their faith in him. Ona
sudden they beheld their dream destroyed,
their Master seized by Roman authority at
the instigation of Jewish elders. and with
out lifting a finger in his own defense, ap-
parently with his own consent, crucifed
and slain. At that moment nothing
could have been more abiect and hope
less than the situation OF the little band
OF His followers, without influence or ed
ucation, numbering al the mostonly few
dozen, and these mainly women and Cal
illean peasants. What was il
that restored the confidence and revived
the courage OF the little band and sent
them out into the world as apostles OF
new faith, destined to subvert Kingdoms,
civilize barbarians, build up an eyer-en-
during empire upon the ruined throne of
the Caesars, and whose dominion was TO
extend with the overwhelming influence
OF civilized mankind? There is only one
possible answer: sit was the belief in
the resurrection OF Jesus Christ" 1t is per-
fectly evident that these men believed
this. Their written story is as simple and
clear as q crystal lake. The sup
position of the invention OF the narrative,
or collision in its preparation, is forbidden
by the adroitness OF the story, and has
long been abandoned by respectable skep-
tics. Its authenticity is youched for by
eyewitness of the repeated reappear-
ance OF the crucifed Master, and no voice
from antiquity has reached us contradict
ing their testimony. The witnesses proved
their belief by giving. up every earthly
consideration for their appointed serv-
ice in behalf of a despised and appar-
entity hopeless cause, and accepted mar
tyrdom without a murmur, hoping that
they might attain unto the resurrection
from the dead" The church, during its
entire history, has accepted this testimony
and staked Its existence upon the doctrine
of the resurrection. The doctrine has
never been questioned by any respectable
sect. and it is easy to see that the church
must stand or fall with this belief
Skepticism has at last been driven into
its last position from which to attack
Christian faith in the resurrection. 1t now
admits the authenticity of the gospels and
the sincerity OF the writers; it is even dis
posed to grant the sufticiency OF the testi-
mony, provided the event could be con-
sidered under any circumstances credita-
BILE; but it asserts the uniform action of
natural law, the utter ifnpcssibility OF
resurrection ever taking place, and that
the witnesses must have been credulous
and self-deceived men. The
world has been quick to adopt the doc
trine OF the immortality of the SOUL as
taught by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
and which no argument of Socrates or
other philosopher has ever proved or can
prove Its faith in this doctrine has
never been shaken, and is one of
the main causes of its supremacy over
other faiths, as it was, according to Glib
bon, one of the principal reasons for the
rapid growth of the early church. Nor is
this belief to be Overthrown. 1t will not
be believed that Christianity rests upon
delusion, that the real has come out of the
false, the beautiful out OF the unworthy,
so much that is inspiring in human life
tracing its origin TO an idle tale. Science
is more likely hereafter to add further
reasons for our belief in immortality than
to deny existing reasons.