Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-12-22
The Mystery of Christmas.

we have seen his star In the east, ana are
me TO worship him.-Matthew, H. 2.
A scientific man will listen respectfully
% new theory, because there are many
lnsolved problems in the universe. But
he holds the theory in allegiance until he
sees how il works. If it settles few vex-
I'd questions he will say it is likely to be
true theory; if it settles large proportion
Of these questions he will be inclined to
adopt it; il it satisfactorily disposes OF all
the perplexities which he has heretofore
be will whistle his old theory
down the.wind and accept the new one
without hesitation.
His rule is that what produces the best
results must needs be true, and when a
new theory has been successfully put TO
that practical test be has no prejudice
against an acknowledgment of its claims.
Let us give an illustration which is fur
nished by astronomy. Up to the beginning
of the seventeenth century the planetary
orbits were supposed to be circles-that is
to say, the path around the sun in which
all the members of our solar system moved,
from Mercury to Neptune was thought 10
be circular. There were some difhculues,
however. which the circles failed to solve,
and these increased until astronomers
were in despair.
When Kepler come he declared that the
orbits were not circles, but eclipses. Per
haps no proposition ever created more as
tonishment. 1t was daring to the edge OF
rashness, and for some time was held at
arms length. Later on, though, 1t was
discovered that Kepler's theory disposed
of all the difficulties which had attended
the motion of circular orbits. Experiments
were made with it by the score, but 1t
never failed to vindicate itself. IL worked,
it produced results. and from that hour to
this il has never been blurred by doubt.
The rule is a good one to apply to society,
to civilization and to religion as well as to
astronomy, When We hear of Christianity
as new moral and spiritual theory its
beauty and comeIiness attract the intellect
and move the heart. But we can't fairly
Judge either of its worth or its truth until
we find out what kind of community,
what kind of men and women it can make.
Mere arguments are seldom conclusive,
| for in a debate the brighter or more strate-
gic mind takes the lead; but when instead
of arguments you have facts and can say
TO the world, Christianity has done this
| or that, it has caused the people to create
these or those institutions, political or
| charitable" then you demonstrate It's
| worth or its worthlessness. Ii 1t can do
/ the best work then il proves itself true, but
| If il fails to do this we are like the astron-
omers in the time of Copernicus, who were
not satisfied with the planetary circle and
| waited patiently for some new teacher,
| some Kepler and his ellipse.
/ If we contrast Christianity with Moham-
mechanism or Brahminism, regarding them
| all as theories of life, the weight OF argu-
ment would be in favor of Christianity, for
| taken as q whole Christs teachings are Pc
| cnliary unworldly and uplifting But when
we place modern Europe by the side oil
Arabia or India, regarding them as ele-
ments of human progress, as opponents OF
| the best that can be done by three consplc-
uous forms of religion, argument becomes
dumb aud the matter is decided By re-
suits.
In such a competition Christianity has
nothing to fear. Whether it be considered
as human or divine is just now matter OF
secondary Importance. We look simply al
the prerogatives which men enjoy under 1t,
at the kind of ambition whith spurs men to
action, OF the moral tone Of society al
large. at the institutions which are the
logical consequence of belief in Christ. at
the literature in which the people delight
and at the sympathy for those who are un-
fortunate which prevails.
Brush our theological creeds aside and
look at Christianity rs dynamic force;
measure its influence in the career OF any
one who has been consecrated by its spirit;
note its encouragement Of public and prl-
yate virtue, its instances on high stand
ard of honor, its Injunction 10 provide foI
the helpless and care for the needy, ita
promise or pledge that when We leave the
body we shall take Up our residence IN "a
house not made with hands, Then com
pare these pecularities with the genera
teaching of an other religious system or
tho planet, and you will be compelled tC
admit that in the production of noble
life Christianity leads all the rest.
1t is not strange, therefore, that this
higher thought was ushcred in by an over
ture in which angels predicted peace OF
earth and good will to men. Nor need We
wonder if he who bore the sacred message
from heaven healed the sick or raised thu
dead by a word OF command. The Person
} who could project Himself into the life o
! eighteen centuries and give shape to NOR
than fifty generations would find an easy
task to master the mysteries of disease anC
death.
We do well, therefore. To set apart OBJ
day in the year that we may celebrate witt
songs of praise and family reunions the ed
vent of One who brought such glad tidiHg
of great joy.