The evening times., 1895-10-23
Upon the Life and Teachings Of
Jesus Christ.
BEFORE THE UNITARIANs
He Is Ninety-three Years Old, and the
Oldest Minister of His Chnrch--Re-
markabIe Effort Of the venera BILE
Divine-AdOptiOn of Revised ResO-
IntiOns Concerning Church Unity"

idtkt
This was followed by the introduction
| of Dr. William H. Furnrss by Chairman
Eaton. He made an address upon the life
and teachings OF Christ.
DIR. Furness is 93 years old, but retains
his strength remarkably. He remained
seated, however, while reading his paper.
His text was, The Spirit Quickencth."
He said In part:
IL has come TO bc thought that man de
tecnded from the ape. In the primitive
ages, the reasoning powers being only partly
developed. men became the victims OF
a startled Imagination, " hich saw in death
the cruelty of a higher power. Man created
God in his image The Hebrews believed
prophets caught glmpscs of justice and
truth.
A PEOPLES REFOPMER
1.-TWO tlions and years ago came the man
Of Nazareth, a reformer of his people
1t was then taught that it was more virtu-
Gus tu give money for the temple service
than To support ones old and needy
parents. Christ looked into the heart Of
things. He was endowed with native
and extraordinary religious genius. We
know very little of Jef us before he came
before the people
"One or the clergy OF the da Y "a me 10 Jesus
eternal life. Jesus asked what he thought
he ought to do. The leader repeated the two
great comma ndments. Jesus told him to
go and do them He did not tell the inquirer
that he must believe in himself. This does
not detraet from his greatness; ii rather
adds 70 it,
Dr. Furness then related the story Of
Christ's visit To the temple and His parents
inquiry. Er grew in favor and WA, looked
upon as 10 ordinary child. When He grew
UP He went about as a religious teacher.
We gather from His teachings that He was
III special and constant communion with
nature AMI with huuanlife. This is sho wn
in His parable of the sOwer and OF the
vine. From all that came before Him He
learned.
WHAT JESUS TAUGHT.
He taught men TO vail God "Our Father
in Heaven" He brought men into vital
relations with religion. He recognized the
obIoQuy that must come to 4 man in that
day who spoke the truth. He recognized
that to give himself up to death on the
cross would he the surest means TO carry
the sublime truths taught to all the world
and He voluntarily made the sacrifice.
And since that day the cross has carried
light to all the nations OF the world. 1t
has been the harbinger OF truth and justice.
Science as now widely diffused is athe-
istic, or, at least, 1t sees nothing but
mechanical forces at work. 1t recognizes
at most blind and unintellgent force
that Ii moving the parts OF the universe
Itrecognizes no force like that of man. As
tronomy even brings no thought of adora-
tion OF n Creator and Ruler. Could they
see the love and pity of the Father who is
ruler of all they could look within and
see the image OF this power In human
nature.
ar S.-in Isis m Rs.fs.l ~
1t has taught that the work OF Christ and the
Almighty have been treated as miracu.
lous. The scientist cannot accept any
thing as a miracle. He learns To explain
and understand all. No wise man accepts
anything as miraculous, especially IL 1t
comes as tradition from out of the ages.
Jesus was the first to teach men 10 find
in man the image of the Father, He made
10 claim TO miraculous power. When He
was asked to raise the dead He only said
that all things were possible with God.
ACCOUNTS OF JESUS.
Mr.. FurDess then turned his attention TO
the historic accounts Of Jesus. Nnp. now
in existence were written earlier than 100
after His death. Yet 1t is impossible to be-
lieve that nothing was written cuntem-
porapeuus with His life. His disciples
believed that He would reappcar in power.
and for that reason wrote nothing. But
accounts began to be writ
ten. Luxe says as much. From these the
Gospels were made up. Only one writer
OF the three first-AIatthew-wa one of
the disciples.
They do not attempt ~ give life "f
Jesus. The length of His life and other de-
tails cannot be obtained from them But
from this uDsysteinatIc compilation nf the
incidents of His life is gathered perfect
notion of his character.
1t is learned how He set right the evils |
of the Hebrew religion, reproved the rapac-
ity of the priests, denounced the corrupt |
ways OF the leading classes, and for |
things won the enmity of the ruling !
,lasses and came to His death.
His teachings are not merely utteran noes |
Of great truth, but in many ways He taught !
kindliness in the minor relations of life.
1t is not easy to determine how far Jesus |
with the superstitiOns of |
the times. He may have believed, as did /
most persons then, that all disease was the
result of demoniacal Possession. Whether !
He did is of no consequence.
He drew his Inspiration from the eternal |
cunt of Gods love. He recognized IN the
great forces of sthe universe, which the
cience studies, the hand of the Father.
When science shall have utt9rcd its last
word 1t will find this same truth that there
S one great power that reIgns in and over
III. du dil-WISe .inu Loving uOu- Jesus
said the time is coming when We shall not
worship ON Mount Jerusalem. God is
pirit. and we shall worship him in spirit |
md in truth.
The time is coming when God shall be wor- |
hiped by cease,ess working for God and
nan, without any forms, just as God himself
5 working every moment throughout all
nature for the good OF man. The churches
md cathedrals, the bending knee of ad.
nd nj mil l,ox |
'assed away.
There viii be no longer war TO secure the
riumph OF equal justice. This will have
.iven way tn arbitration; the Love of God.
lie power OF good will have filled the uni.
erse around.
He ioseu with a sentence of solemn bene-
ictiOn upon the assembly.
SUPPORT OF THE CHURCH.
Mr.. Z. B. Haskell, of Boston, introduced
he discussion of support Of the church re-
Jew, "The New World" He urged that.
here was needed subscriptions from five
'ersons of 81 900 each. ten of $500 each |
.iven at once 1t would be the greatest SER
ice. He gives twice who gives promptly.
He was followed by Prof. Everett and
sev. Thomas X. Slicer, presenting the
laims of the review, and showing that it |
of great use not only inside, but without
e denomination. 1t is taken, said Mr..
icer, by very many orthodox ministers.
Mr.. G. W. Stone, of Boston, offered resolu-
ions expressing the allegiance of the con-
erence to the fundamental doctrines of
I'VE to God and love to man, and they were
eferred to the committee on business.
The discussion of "Church Extension,
vas staken up. Rev. @. W. Wendte presented
he situation on the Pacific coast. Cali
ornia and Washington and Oregon, he said. ,
we're eager to hear and ready to adopt lib
raj doctrine. Especially this was true of
alifornia.