The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-06-17

ten son, that whosoever beleveth in
Him might not perish but have ever
lasting life" During the course of his
discourse DIR. Hughes said:
Some say that Christianity is still on
trial 1t would be a wonder If 1t were not
so. for this Is an age in which nothing is
considered settled. The evolutonist. arch
eclogist astronomer. chemist literary
critic, historian. theolog.an, and many oth-
ers, in their respective fields, are forever
testing the principles and deductions of the
past, and are seeking TO reconstruct every
thing that comes under their ken. Nothing
has been more thoroughly tested than
Christianity. 1t shinks not from the test.
believe me-" says its illustrious author,
that l am in the Father; or else, believe
me for the very works sake. 'tJohn
xiv, H.
prove all things" says the champion of
Christianity, hold fast that which is
good Thes. V. y.
In the words of my texewc have our di
vine Lords argument In behalf OF the
reasonableness of Christianity. rms argu-
ment may be regarded as ivc-fold: l. In
the impulse that gave 1t birth. >. In its
representative agent. 3. In the method
chosen L. In the condition of It's practical
efficacy. ). In the gift 1t has to bestow.
Your attention is invited to these points
in the order Just named.
|. The impulse tnat gave NHrIStidHitg its
birth is an irresistible argument in its
favor. This impulse was love-"For God
so loved the world, etc"
No Principle Superior to Love.
First-In human affairs there is no prin-
ciple superior to love. 1t IS the golden
bond that unites husband and WIFE parents
and children. True patriotism is love OF
country. whose inspiration has led to the
sublimest achievements for home and ma
III. 1. sV.NF-
as the word itself implies, have their origin
in the principle of love. Nothing noble in
manhood or womanhood. in motherhood,
fatherhood or tilial devotedness; nothing
has distinguished man in his relation to
his brotherman or to his God that has not
Sprang from this purest OF al! motives
love.
Second-This dlvinest of all principles,
Jesus says is the impulse that gave Chris
tianity its b!rth-"For God so loved, etc
and in the exercise of this principle on the
part of our heavenly Father we find its
purest and brightest rays shine forth. For
what form of love could be more disinter-
ested than Gods love to sinners? What
more genuine and self-sacriiicing than its
expression in the person of His only besot-
ten Son? What more impartial?-"For
God so loved the world, etc" Such an ar
gument for Christianity is surely unan-
swerable. And, surely, all the character
istcs of Christianity corroborate this
view.
II. Christs second part of the argu-
ment in behalf of Christianity Is Himself
as Gods gift to this world-"For God so
loved the world that He gave His only be-
gotten Son"
First-Jesus Christ has been pro-
nounced by all as the flower of mankind.
Ernest Renan, Theodore Parker. DR.. Chan
ming, Horace Bushnell, and Others differ
ing worldwide on all questions of religion,
a
perfect character of Jesus Christ. His
character was the purest, His sentiments
the wisest His influence has been the
most ennobling and the touch Of His pure
spirit has been the most powerful tonic for
purity and moral strength the world has
ever known. Jesus Christ. as He has been
made known to men, is Himself the most
irresistible argument that Christianity is
from God, and the adoption of its princi-
pies and faith in its author would be the
worlds salvation.
An Irresistible Argument.
III. The method chosen by God through
His Son Jesus Christ, is an irresistible
argument in behalf of Christianity. Jesus
says: 81 give my life as q ransom for
many" 81 am the good shepherd. The
good shepherd giveth his life for the
sheep"
First-Here we have the noblest trait of
life-altruism, i.e.: living for others. This
word, altruism, has only been recently in
troduced into our literature; Its profound
Significance was long ago set forth in the
personal sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the
behalf of sinful and selfish humanity.
Second-To this principle in everyday
life all pay homage. In hSuse-life, the
personal sacrifices Of father and mother
for their children are pointed to as typical
of that which Is divine and heavenly. Do
we not raise monuments In honor of those
who lay down their lives on their coun-
trN,' tlngn wln ghnyy
love for their fellowman by deeds of phil
anthropyY DO we not honor with tokens
of gratitude brave flremen who risk their
lives to save others, and those who plunge
/ into rivers and oceans to rescue the drown
ing? Those who engage in missionary
work at home and abroad we instincts
lively honor. Why? Because to live for
others Is the highest and noblest of all
forms of life. This Is altrulsm. The prln-
ciple Is recognized among all the peoples
of Christendom. Who has given US the
most ilustrious example of this principle? :?
He who was in the form of God, and
thought 1t not robbery to be equal with
God, but made himself of no reputation
and took upon him the form of a servant.
and was made IN the likeness of men, and.
being formed in fashion as a man. He hum
bled Himself and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross. Phil.
| II, G-8.
| All, here Is n vicarious form of sacrifice
against which there can be nothing but
| the profoundest gratitude in the heart of
every true man and woman. This was
| the method Of Gods love for the salvation
of the world of sinners whom He could
save! Who can object to It? Jesus prof.
fers this as one of His unanswerable ar
guments in behalf of the divine origin of
| Christianity. His life for ours.
| ". The condition of It's practical eff
cacy Is another point In Chrlst's argument
for Christlanity-"rhat whosoever be-
Eeveth in Him should not perish"
Gods Gift for Our salvation,
| Frst-This is philocophically correct in
principle. To believe In Jesus Christ is to
accept Him as Gods gift for our salvation: /:
| 1t is to rely for pardon and peace and life
from God through His merits; 1t Is to rev
! erence His name, obey His word adopt
His precepts cultivate His spirit, In a
| word, to become in every true sense His
| follower. In no other way can anyone be
benefited by Jesus Christ or by anyone
else. No person can do us good In whom
we do not believe. No truth can be a truth
to anyone which he will not believe. Ev-
efy fact of history, of SCIENCE of every
| day life will be thrown away on him who
rejects 1t. So also In regard to Jesus
Christ. The principle of faith holds good
in regard to Him. However. perfect His
character, pure His method, gentle and