The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-12-19
SERMON.
BY NJ. d. SHUTTER, D. D.

that the tragedy on Calvary was not
the end; that the last chapter had not
been written on the walls of Joseph's
sepulcher. Those who had walked
and talked with Jesus came to be-
lieve through whatever clrcum-
stances. that he was still living, that
he had never really died, that he had
passed to immortality and glory, and
that from the unseen sphere into
which he had entered, be was still
directing the fortunes of those who
were delivering his message. From
this unseen sphere, from the conceal
ing heavens, he would again emerge,
with hosts of angels, to smite his
foes and set up his kingdom.
This was the faith of the early
church. The sense of security they
felt in the thought of his continued
existence is embodied by Matthew
in the story of the farewell and the
parting. They might not now look
upon him with their natural sight,
but they must not be disheartened.
tt seemed to them as if he were still
speaking to them from behind the
veil. 0Lo I am with you Away, even
unto the end of the world," -even to
the consummation of that age. When
the age in which they we're living had
reached it's elimination, then would
thew all see him again, revealed
from the heavens;" then would they
reign with him upon the earth
In regard to second coming in
their own day with "pomp and cir
cumstance," the early Christians were
disappointed. The years came and
went but he did not return. One by
one, they themselves passed away.
They went to him, but he did
not return to them. Gradually their
notions of an external kingdom van
ished; but the conviction that he
himself, no longer subject to the
power of death, lived and wrought
for them,-that conviction even
gained in power when the material
notions that encountered it went
down to the dust.
Tn one form or another, that belief
has survived, the belief that, in some
sense, Christ is still with men, wher-
ever they are trying to live purely
and uprightly, wherever they are en-
deavoring to do good, wherever they
aim to advance the truth.
|. In what sense may we think OF
him as present with his first disci-
pies? In what sense may we think
of him as present today9
a. We cannot understand the old
promise DIS indicating a personal
presence.
If Christ was finite and not infinite,
he was limited as to space in the
world which he entered at death, as
we'll as in this one. 1t is impossible
that he should have so multiplied
himself as to have been literally
present with all his disciples, scat
tered as they were over the face OF
the earth. This would have necessi-
tated as many Christs as disciples.
CD There is nobler sense in
which Jesus was their ever present
help, in which he is ours as we'll >
a sense that is nobler, because more
natural. 1t fits in with the laws of
our being and the laws of society.
The spirit he had breathed into
those disciples, the precepts he had
taught them, the life he had led be-
fore them, the strength he had given
them, should always abide. Thus
the influence of Jesus upon his dis
ciples becomes one with the influence
of all great souls upon those who
look up to them as leaders. Emerson
saws "Tnis is the cause of the pow
err of the greatest men, their spirit
diffuses itself"
went into the poets corner in
Westminster Abbey. Around me
were the tombs and monuments of
those who had made the world vocal
with their music. Beneath my feet
was marble slab which covered the
form of Charles Dickens; before me
were the tombs of Addison and Ma
caulay; on one side was the statue of
Handel, holding in one hand a scroll
representing his own Messiah, open
at the words, 81 know that my Re-
deemer liveth." | went into the
cemetery at Kensal Green and stood
by the graves of Thackeray, Tom
Hood, Sidney Smith, and of many
another whose name has resounded
throughout the world. | went to
Stratford, and stood by the grave of
Shakespeare in the parish church. /
knew that of each one of these it
Al