The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-18
The True Relation Of Christ
TO Mankind.
Correct Living the Real Test
of DiSclpleShip.
Yesterday Mornings Sermon at the
Westminster Church.

/
on the "Revivsl Of our Faith" His
theme was the Leadership of Jesus" I"
lie said:
The relstion in which Jesus Christ
stands TO liosrsl Christians is not of a
Mediator supernatural di iplomarist who
endeavors to calm the turbulence Of q
sinful world on the one hand while doing
his best to assuage the vengeance of
offended Heaven on the other. 1t is not
that of a substitute upon whom the just
resentment OF the skies pent up through
centuries may at last burst forth and
satisfy itself in retribution too long de-
layed. 1t Is not that of q propitiator seek
ing by its intrinsic value and unique
quality to soothe aud calm and soften an
outraged Deity.
The relation in which Jesus stands to
us is that of leader. lie goes before, He
shows the way, We strive to follow Him.
He is therefore not q saviour in the
ordinary othordox sense OF taking our
sins upon Himself and thus relieving us
of the burden. But in the only sense in
which @ leader can save his followers,
namely by pointing out to them the
direction in which safety lies.
lie does not take away the sins of the
world, but He indicates the process by
which the world may get rid of sin by its
| own efforts and He does more, He furnishes
us with the impetus and incentive OF ex-
amples. he offers us the healing medicine
OF sympathy and the inspiration Of conf
| dent trust and hops.
The symbol which best expresses the
| place He fills in our minds and hearts is
certainly not that OF the sacriticisl lamb
| with its barbaric associations and its sus-
picion of effeminacy, but rather, the radi-
| ant light. He is the "Sun OF my Soul"
He is the lamp before my feet, lie is the
light of the world.
Not only is He to us the source whence
light springs-whence issues q broader,
humauer, more reasonable and intelligent
view of things, He is the active guide who
bears the lamp before Us, the leader who,
marching at our head reveals the faith.
In thus taking Him for our captain to
what do we commit ourselves? We COM
NIT ourselves to one simple but momen-
tous resoi ution, to one inevitable course
OF conduct we must follow Him.
When we call Christ our leader. we de-
clare oui selves to be His followers and
unless we are mere pretenders and hypo-
critics we are bound to make good our
words.
In taking this position the liberal
Christian is laying upon himself an obli-
cation far weightier than that assumed
by his orthodox brother. For, although
the latter will acknowledge with alacrity
the leadership of Jesus and the virtue of
following Him, he retains in the reces ses
Of his mind the conviction that it Is not
the only thing necessary, that to profess
Christ, that is to say, TO subscribe to the
doctrines of the Trinity and atouement:
to be baptized and confirmed snd 30
forth, are, at least equally important.
Now 1t seems to me that there.are cir
cumstances where such habit of mind
such q visw OF the requirements of our
relations to- Christ, may be source of
danger. You lind yourself, let Us say,
compelled to choose between an honest
but unprohtable, and u dishonest but
to.Jesus involves, In your own mind, simply
the duty OF following Him there can be
no question as to what you must do.
But IL the idea is i'm nedded in your mind
that following Him does not cover every
thing that there are other functions
equally portant--are you not q little
more likely to substitute these func-
upon does it not make 10 little easier
TO say: "To follow Christ In this instances
Is too hard, 1 cannot DO it out | will at
lesst be careful To sttend church and re-
peat the creed and receivs commuti n"
You would not in so many words admit
that such forms can rightly take the
place of upright conduct, but still the
habit OF regarding them as all essential
part Of Christ's gospel enables you to use
them as salve for conscience-ss a
loopbole for escape from the pangs OF re.
morse.
But for the literal Christian there is no
such loophoie; for MIN there Is no alter |
native, no way of escape. IL Is a harder |
position, but cannot help thinking Ii a
UlOIS uonoEtDlc anu moro mhuly one.
For us then there is no alternative. In |
taking Christ for our captain we commit |
ourselves TO His course; when we accept |
Him as our guide we must fort h with walk
in Ills footsiers. And how, practically, |
sre we 10 do this? Not by unreasoning |
obedience to every precept lie has uttered,
not by believing ss true everything lie is
reported to have said. not by accepting |
Him as an absolute authority on all quos-
tions. Wo may acknowledge Ills leader
snip fully ara completely. we may become |
His loving aud loyal followers without !
taking up any OF these positions. All that |
Is necessary is that we should make His
principles our principles; that we should
try TO lise as lilo lived; that we should
worship Worship God ana serve our fell
lowuea in Ills spirit.
1kst and r.,hing but tast constitutes
us loyal fcllJwefs % Jesus. Ibat and /