The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-24
ITGUI AND TKTTU.

The world is Of the opinion that Pontius
Plate was not much. According to his
tory, he was utterly unequal to a great
occasion, and, in poor ana cOwardly
effort to dodge a responsibility. commit
ted the greatest crime on record. He
idly asked great question: What is
Truth? He propounded It In the face OF
Truth: he addressed-it to Him who was
the very embodiment Of Truth: to
the Word Of God" incarnate: the
very manifestation and expression
Of the Divine Mind, in form
and shape TO strike every sense
every power and faculty and part Of
mans being: this his hands might feel,
his eyes might see. his ears might hear
and his awakened soul might admire At
another time, to His unambitous and
devoted friends, He had announced Him.
self as the Light Of the world, the Way,
the Truth and the Life. TO this idler,
this half-bred philosopher. this may be.
literary man or scientist, concerned only
to keep his place and not offend great
Caesar: this seeker Of the popular IA
your, this political hypocrite, no response
was vouchsafed 1t would have been IN
equal keeping with his character and
more sensible TO have asked What is
honesty? The earnest seeker after truth
has begun its attainment when he knows
in his own heart what II is to be honest
Truth was never earnestly and unself-
ishly sought IN vain. Men are very apt,
in this world. to get just what. they 30
after 1t Is almost enough for the ave-
rage man. in answer 10 the gredr ques-
ton TO say: Truth IS what us So" and
falsehood is what '1s not So" Incuba-
ton on those simple eggs will hatch and
cherish a full nedged answer
To Pilates question a great French
pulpit orator has given a grand reply.
Masslllon opens an epiphany sermon
as follows:
Truth, that Light Of Heaven, figured
by the star. which. on this day. appears
to the Magi, is the only thing here be-
low worthy of the cares and the re-
searches Of man. 1t alone Is the light
Of our mind. the rule of our heart, the
source of solid joys, the foundation Of
our hopes, the consolation Of our fears,
the alienation Of our evils. the cure for
all our Affections: 10 alone Is the refuge
Of the bad: the inward punishment OF
vice, the internal recompense Of virtue:
it alone immortalizes those who have
loved it. and renders illustrious the
chains OF those who suffer for It.. at
tracts public hOnOrs to the ashes OF its |
martyrs and defenders, and bestOWs re-
spectability on the AFFECTION and the |
poverty OF those who have quilted all to
follow It: lastly. it alone inspires mag
unanimous thoughts forms heroical men,
souls OF whom the world is unworthy,
sages alone worthy of that name All
our attention ought, therefore, 10 be
confined to know It; all our talents to
manifest IT.; all our zeal 10 defend It;
IN men we ought then to look only for
ruth. to have no wish of pleasing them
but by truth, TO esteem in them only
ruth, and to be resolved that they shall
never please us but by It; in word
t would appear that 1t should have
,nly to show itself to be loved; and that
I shows us to ourselves in order 10
each us to know ourselves.
4et us render glory to the truth, and in
rider that il may deliver us, let US re-
igiously receive it."
The first act Of creation was the sub
ime order: Let there be light and there
vas light. The last and highest gift 10
nan was the gift Of God; the Divine
Nature manifest in the flesh; the capstone
4 creation; the bringing in of Ever
asting righteousness; the amounting of
he Most Holy,-full Of light and truth
n the person of the Saviour-of mankind;
4 whom are hid the treasures Of all
nowledge To whom every knee shall
ow, every tongue shall swear.