The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-03-01

multiplication table, yet breeds it's own
hopeful conviction. You feel that the
influence of Jesus flows from al eternal
fountain. The Congo river. thrusting
its waters unchanged 80 miles into the
Atlantic, tells or living springs deep
land strong. though unseen. SO the life
Jesus nolds is not nodded by history.
| Events throng to his call and emphasize
without oblHeratins his personality. A
/ life that for nineteen centuries has with
| stood the opposition OF foes and sur
viyed the mistakes OF friends may credI-
| bly, be still enshrincd in the living per-
sonality that once embodied 1t. AS Nnpo-
! leon reached faith In his own destiny
through repeated victory. your faith in
a living Jesus grows with the conte.npla-
,on OF his triumph.
Napoleon met his Waterloo and Jesus
Calvary, but while the one Is no longer
q factor In the strife of nations. Jesus
Is more aggressive and dominant to-day
than ever. The contrast convinced Ma
pceon, how much more TO us, that Jesus
was mo mere man"
Thus you may become so confirmed
in hope as to venture the prayer:
20. Jesus, If thou livest, save me-"
This prayer VIII reassure you, because
II reveals the deepest needs of your
heart and It's own fitness to give them
uttefance. Such prayer. uttered In
hcsitancy, but sincerely has before now
lifted the veil Of doubt from the heart.
AS years add experience you become
convinced of truths that 1t cost you
much to learn. But as you read the
gospels 1t dawns on you that Jesus long
anticipated your discovery. He knew
what was in man" you find was no idle
boast.
After years of striving you acquire
certain virtues. Then YOU note that
these were the early possession of Jesus
and fit naturally into his character, with
others beyond yaur attainment.
In your own case unfulnlled aspira-
tons and unrighted wrongs have gone
far to convince you of another life to III
out the measure of the human need
But as you see how completely Jesus
transcribed the possibilities OF this
brief life, you are doubly convinced that
the universe is an infinite lie IL beyond
the grave there Is no fulnllmcnt of his
ideas, no redressing OF his injuries, nc
worthy sphere for his perfected chnrac
ter. Logic cannot weigh the value Of
such an argument. AS well attempt tt
set price upon the glories of the dawn
Words Will never measure the claim o
Jesus to immortality. To realize 1t dim
ly we must know him. f we knew hin
perfectly unquestioningly In his resur
rection.
| With the autumn of life needs and af
flictions multiply. a partner dcceives
IL child dies. health fails. happiness
fadcs-your sun Is setting. but, as tn
world dims, the glores OF Jesus bright
en-. You are less sure of the reality o
flame, pleasure, success. but convince,
that Jesus stands for what endures. !
his character and teachings endure. VIII
mot his person? But the question Ia II
longer in doubt, for with YOU hope In
ripened into knowledge. Not that o
the senses or Of logic. Yet this doe
not trouble you: for YOU have learne
long since not to try to scoop up tn
infinite in forms of logic" You ar
convinced that faith is the unique i'm
perishable treasure of the heart. One
unreal, 1t Is now the substance o
things hoped for
With Jesus insistence on faith wa
. not an appeal to crednlity. but to tn
most enduring reality OF life. He ask
, only that you give It a. fair chance |
your heart "Bclieve on me- does NO
mean that by a single act OF will 20
are to assume that Jesus is divine
IT means that you are to center YOU
thought on his words ana works, o
: him. till. as one OF old put 1t. you hop
perfectly" FOLLOW me" was his onl
condition of tlisc!pleShip. 1t calls ia
adherence to Jesus so far and fast q
you discern anything commentlable /
his character and teaching. Tarry nC
for Il theological conversion" Her
and now cherish and act up to you
hope that Jesus lives. 1t Is the ''sta
I'm the east" that honestly followed wi
/, guide you beyond the manger and tn
, cross to the throne-to him who eva
dead and behold" Is alive forevc,
more"
Copyright, 1896. Newspaper Scrmo
Association Boston. The right of pul
LEGATION granted to all, If credit be give
this paper)