The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-12-04
CHRISTIAN COMFORT.
Ohrist's Help a Constant Resource-By
His Autho ity Mem Become Ambassa-
doris Of God.
PRESBYTERIAN onuRcn.

the NdZAT0nO Walkeu VOB0buoE tubO the
country on the afternoon OF the first
Christian Sabbath. Truly it was the
Lords Day for the Lord had arisen from
the rock -built sernlchre that very morn
ing. The two friends had heard the
matter discussed but had not yet learned
the evidence sufficiently TO believe it.
They could not understand why the di-
vine Deliverer Of Israel should go
through the humiliation OF the cross
| They had looked to Him for the saliva
ton of their nation. But now He was
shamefully, cruelty cruciied. Therefore
their sadness. But a vision OF angels
had been seen from whom it was learned
that he had arisen. Therefore their per-
plexity. They could not understand it.
2. But Jesus himself drew near.
Gracious friend Of all perplexed, dis
tressed ones, he overlook them, walked
along by their side, entered into sympa-
thetic conversation with them. But
they knew not that it was Jesus. That
scene is repeated to-day. Jesus, our best
friend, is often by our side and we know
it not. He speaks to us and we do not
recognize his loving voice.
3. He explains just what they needed
TO know that sit beloved Christ to suffer.
Their King must reach the throne by
way of the manger and the cross. God
in wisdom and in love had 30 planned it.
For () someone must suffer because
someone had sinned. Too well we know
that SHINING is invariably followed by
suffering. 1t is Gods law. "In the day
that thou eatest thereof thou shalt sure
ly die" said God to adam. "rhe wages
OF sin is death" wrote st. Paul. And o.
mankind deserved to suffer. Conscience
t~estities to that If we let it speak. OBJ
servation confirms it. The scripture
teaches it. But (3) Gods plan was that
mankind should be spared the infiction
of deserved penalty and that he himself
should be judge, priest, sacrifice all in
one. A just Judge he is, q holy priest, a
spotless and all-suficient sacrifice. So
'Christ must needs suffer" Gods love
to a lost world would not allow it to be
otherwise. That was what the unknown
traveller told these perplexed disciples.
"And did not our hearts burn within US"
they said, "while he talked to us by the
way and while he opened to us the
scriptures?"
4. And it was the crucified and risen
Christ who had been talking with them.
He had conquered death. He was victor
over the grave. He lives m
s. And they were to be the bearers
OF this message around the world. Re-
pentance and remission OF sins is to be
preached to all nations.
6. Through the Apostles, their labors,
their writings, their safferings, that mes
sage has come to Us. We hear it. Will
we heed, will we obey, will we accept?
| NJ. E. CHURCH.
Morning theme-subject: "Christ's
Ambassadors. Text II Cor. $40.
The Apostle Paul has certainly
made a "happy hit" in his search for q
strong illustration of the Christian, and
his relation to God and man. 1t was no
doubt appreciated in Corinth, that cos
mopclitan city, where probably resided
ambassadorial representatives from
many countries of the world. Let us
study:
l. The ambassador. The highest
diplomat between nations, or countries.
A christian as we'll as civil ambassador,
is (a) elect. Appointed by sovereign
authority. 1t is true OF us as Christ
said: 'Ye have not chosen me, but | have
chosen you, and ordained you etc." An
ambassador is lb) a representative.
Represents the sovereign's political faith.
We the "faith of our Lord Jesus Christ"
We should represent Christ's character.
Then, too, he is (c) authoritive. Speak
ing not as a man, but In his official ca
pacity, he speaks with a soyerelgn's
authority, and has his country's laws,
army and navy behind him. So we are
TO speak '.as though God did beseech
you by u.s." Paul asked the Ephesians
to pray for him, an AMBASSADOR in bonds
"that | may speak boldly, as | ought to
speak" We are to make clear and plain
the viii of our sovereign, and are answe
able to him who has commissioned us
for unfaithfulness.
2. His duty. To effect reconciliation.
"The bringing back, or restoring TO
agreement, concord or favor" Five
times the apostle uses the word in three
verses. 1t is the business of the ambassa-
dor. Not to reconcile God to us, but to
reconcile the world to God. BE ye
reconciled to God.s Being at variance
with God is mans sin. 1t is treason, re-
bellion, secession, anarchy. Our hope of
success is in tho fact that aGod was in
Christ reconclling the world unto him
SELF" and hence has made reconciliation
legal and possible. He has bridged the