The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1897-07-03

oil his eye reveals an interrogation point
A question is his vital breath. Not to ask
it is asphixia death. It's his essence He
enters existence with a question. His ex-
piring gaze is question. He ascends
the eternities with questions at
every stage. The hrsi, last, deepest
ASPIRATION of his being is find an answer to
the questions which his very existence
forces upon him. He must, by stress of
absolute necessity, ask questions. This
desire or attribute is a part Of man. 1t is,
therefore, in perfect harmony with natural
and hence, a laudable ambition. For the
mind inclining insdncdvely, to research
and investigation finds such a disposition
essential to its greatest happiness. Man
ought to understand his environments, and
thus be able to adjust himself to the cir
cumstances under which he lives in this
world, as we'll as in that state Of
exislance that awaits him beyond the grave.
with this truth, he has explored
every field, and sought to investigate every
subject whose treasures could in any way
enrich his store. Aggression and victory
have charac terized his history in the
persuit of knowledge. He has bleome
master in the sciences and arts, an&sis able,
therefore, to put himself in harmony wita
those things in nature over which he has
no power, and bring those which he can
conuole into perfect ac1c5d with MS qSn
will. If this is not.f Ss1ihatsl 8 Mon gay
of his ability to divrS.ss Culture, - ss-Ared
by scientific investiofia. III exPE =,ent'
4 not upon the and', s,s K the ,,' mind,
superiority ha%.ieges ! ay s.'sder' tan,
n, ,f ., po"ef,!9 ihe cairs at ut to ,t NM
He swell a,eafT6n IL bosom of the
high seaS,Aafsl lac sails in comparative
sefcty with the lnmeree of nations and
creates, friendly intercourse between all
nations and kindreds and peoples and
tongues. He passes through the vast eX-
panse of space above us, ascending higher
than the clouds, investigating the ETHEREAL
regions, in his air-ship, the work of his own
hands. BY his use of electricity he bound
the continents together and converted the
word into whispering gallery and by hi,
| " Ion and labor he has made the literal
n + raieice and blossom as the rose
Il D " -
The question confronts us: Is man capa
Bile of such knowledge? Can he attain unto
it2 In answeS, the text-"Let him tina
gloreth glory in this, that he knoweth anC
UNDERSTANDABLE me- Justies us in laying
down this propositions Man has Ghihy 1
inca CAD.
In proof Of this consider, first, the est
mate which God, himself, puts upon man
ability. He has not delt with man, at an,
time, other than in manner calculated t
increase respect for himself He create
him in his own image and likeness. II
recognized his. Is f'F3rful powers in til
beginning of R,TNy9, by giving hin
dominion over esys, tlby making HIM lor
of this lower create Hood exalts and hor
ors him again, whey he invites him to NEE
him face 10 face for the purpose of reason
ing with him upon the great subject c
Salvation from sin. His challenge to ma
is-"Come now and let us reason togethe
and though your sins are red as crimson the
shall be white as snow, though they be q
scarlet, they shall be like wool "God ha
dignied man by always appealing to til
very best there is III him and seeking to de
velope that good into something create
and better.
But the divine idea OF mans ability
more clearly seen in the requirement til;
he comprehend the great plan Of life an
salvation to that extent, at least, that wi
enable MIN 10 aCCcpl IT,
We have no difficulty in accepting til
fact that we have ability to recognize tn
existence of certain substances and law
and conditions; we know that the lilly is
beautiful flower, the sence of sight and on
ideal of beauty teaches us this; we know
men violate the laws of health or life thu
sickness or death will result, experience an
observation teach us this; we know thu
there are a set of influences operating upo
men in this world that degrade and rui
them, and, that, on the other hand, ther
are influences which tend 10 elevate an
save men; we fully appreciate our ability t
receive these truths. But God sees us i
vastly more that this. He sees us capabl
Of far greater things and, in harmony wit
our ability, requires upon condition n
less important and far reaching than tn
salvation of our souls that we receive til
: great truths of His owa existence, the or,
alton of the worlds by his word, the unto
of the Holy Spirit with the Spirit of MAJ
the nature of sin and the glores Of r.
demption, the person of the incarnate an
his atoning work, the process and issues
time and eternity of the Redeeming econ
nv. In word, all things that belong
the supernatural world must be received /
man, in order that they may become Il
heritage of the soul.
Then God addresses himself to man
faith here and, consequently, his estimat
of his ability is that it is great enough f