The National tribune., 1891-07-16
5. The Facts.


Tho method is Socratic Christ went right
TO the point e must be born again " :; ye"
every one Of the human race-" must be -
not ought TO be may be- but " must be
born again" 10 was tri1ing for Nicodemus to
intimate the impOssibilty Of a repeated physi-
cal birth. Jesus explains how to DO born again.
IL consists OF baptism and its accompanying
spiritual renovation. Baptism is IAN outward
and visible sign Of an inward and spiritual
grace. The spiritual grace IS q death unto
sin, and new birth unto righteousness"
The worldly side OF the Kingdom Of God is
the visible, militant Church. One cannot enter
this save by water baptism. The Heavenly
side Of Gods Kingdom IS the Saints Home
after death. One 10 gain access there must
have the spiritual grace Of which the font is
the sign. The Holy Spirit must operate on
cur hearts or religious functions and clear
them OF sin, making US so unlike the evil that
We shall indeed DO new creatures. Human
birth cannot impart spiritual regeneration.
lt would seem all this would be quite clear to
q professional religious teacher, as was NicO-
demus. 10 appears, however, he was so mys-
tilted that Christ babe him Marvel not" and
proceeded to illustrate the work of grace by
a very simple, natural fact in the material
world. Perhaps the wind was blowing at the
time. Then, the wind IS a smile for the breath
of man, and often for the Spirit of God A
person cOnversant with Ps. 81; Ezo., IL 10, 90
and So %, ought not to be so wanting in COM
pretending Chrisrs meaning. We are more
interested in having the wind than in under
standing il. Never mind whence it comes nor
whittier it goes, if we but have il. So Of sal
walton. Many Of the greatest forces in nature,
in society, IN the Nation aud the Church are
invisible. Influences, inexplicablC as to origin
aud direction, are operating everywhere. We
only see results, and from them are forced 10
allow the precedence of some powers at work
unknown o. to source or drift. Even science
acts on faith. Mystery is the secret Of study.
Effort to understand - the basis of every edu-
catiOual institution. Not only are holy iuhu-
ences in their operation on the mind often
beyond the range of exploitation, but evil pow
/ ers also work by laws not fully comprehended.
A mans life not only shows the wind is in mo-
ton, but in which way 10 blows, whether from
the direction Of purity or from quarter OF
iniquity.
The teachings Of Christ relate also to super
| natural things-to affairs of another life and
world. He feels the embarrassment of con-
| yeTsing with NicOdemu5 about such higher
/ things. The ruler Of Israel WAS SO dull in ap-
| pretending matters of earth that Christ saw
difficulty in causing him 10 understand
heavenly concerns. If Nicodemus could not
see the philosophy Of the new birth, which
takes place on earth, which could be effected in
his own heart, which could be seen exempliied
/ IN the IVes OF the usVOut, now eOulu ne see
into the mysteries OF Christ's eternal f1re-ex-
istence, his miraculous birth. his supernatural
| power the effectiveness Of the crueiGxion the
| love Of God. as displayed in sacrificing his own
| Son by his being lifted on the cross? God is
| puTe-man is sinful. Heaven is holy Saints
in Paradise are righteous. Ii we reach Heaven,
a great religious work must be effected in us.
We cannot carry sin with Us. Ie must be born
again.
NicOdemus asks. "How can these things
boz" Was he in doubt as to their truth, or