The Newtown bee., 1897-03-19

and depth because they harmonized with the life which he had always lived. And the resemblance to the Great Stone Face was found not in the wealthy man, not in the soldier or the statesman or the poet but in the man of high; noble character.
 That is what the world needs. That is what the Church wants. That is what God approves. o, it is not money, it is not fame, it is not position, it is not power. It is character, character, character. Give us character first and all these things, all these ac tessories will come after. I say the world needs ite l say more. l say that the world &C., knowledges character to be best, that it remembers men. of character longest, that it profits by char icter most. Let us view all this in the light of the life of Jesus Christ. Shall I say that He was the greatest parsonage of all history 1? Undoubtedly He was that, viewed only as man. He is now universally &C., knowledged to be the greatest man that ever lived. And what does the world see in Him that constitutes true great. ness? Not only what He did, His mira cles; not only what He said, His words and teachings;
 BUT JESUS CHRIST WAS GREAT FOR WHAT .r ;.4,s HE WAS.
 It is His holy life, His pure character which guarantees all the rest. If it is conceivable such miracles could be per- formed or such words uttered apart from the life He lived they would be of none or little effect, would be barren and fu- tile. But back of the words which He spoke is the true man who spoke them, back of the wonderful works which He wrought is the moral and spiritual power of Him who wrought them. He was accused of casting out devils through Beelzebdh, the prince of devils, but that would be self contradictory. His work against the powers of evil was from character that had conquered the devil himself. The world may even deny the Divinity of Jesus Christ and reject His teaching or ignore both, but the world cannot impugn Ills character. The world is compelled to honor the spotless character of Him whom we be. Iieve to be also tine Son of God.
 A similar tribute may be paid also, though in far less degree, to any of His faithful followers. . Show me man of. undoubtedly high character, char acter above suspicion, beyond reproach, out of the reach of 8 whisper or even a breath. l tell you the world, suspect ing, even hostile to righteousness, rec ognizes it, honors it, praises it. l have in mind well known clergyman in one of our large cities. He is no man of af fairs, not sought for as an after dinner speaker, not society favorite, not re- garded as brilliant preacher, but he is
 HoNoRED, RESPECTED, LOVED by all classes, by Churchmen, by Ro- man Catholics, by all denominations, by the worldly, the indifferent, the irrelig- ious; and why is it2 It is because of his character, his pure. life, his strong faith, his singleness of purpose. his com munion with God. I recall to memory the late bishop of Massachusetts. Not only all Churchmen but all Christian people, the whole country, the press and readers of the papers honored him ana mourned his untimely death. Why was |it? Not for his theological knowledge, though he had that. Not for his broad learning, though he was learned. Not for his great preaching, though he was great in that way. But Phillips Brooks was most honored for his personal char aeter, his life, his. soul. himself. And now what is the lesson for us in all thisa It is . very important one. it may no