The National tribune., 1897-04-08

| One Cnlng IS certain, tue yOutH VI Vut wv.
| try should be thoroughly trained in the holy
Bible It means loyalty, truth knowledge.
The RESURRECTION OF CHRIST.
Data.
Cor, Is: 26.
We date A. d. Sc.
Places.
ST. Paul wrote to Corinth from Philippi. We
notice the following facts as to Phiiippi:
| l. A city of Macedonia.
| g. Founded by Philip.
3. Founded on old town OF Datus.
| a. SITS. Paul aud Silas went there.
| S. Originated by reason of gold mines.
| 6. On road from Rome to Asia.
2. Extensive ruins there.
| 8. No inhabitants now.
8. Distances:
To Neapols. miles.
To Rome. $50 miles.
| TO Corinth, $50 miles.
To Troy, 125 miles.
Jerusalem, s75 miles.
| The distances given are in direct lines.
Corintk
That city has a remarkable geographical
| position. It played great part in the histories
of Greece and Rome. 1t gave name to the
| Isthmus of Corinth The traveller is interested
in the Acrocorinthns rising 1000 feet above the
sea and forming citadel out of the rock. The
Corinth of which We read, in connection with
st. Paul. is not the ancient city, but one rebuilt
| by Roman colony. It constituted the me.
tropolis of Achaa- Tho city was noted, not
| only for its commercial energy, but for its
mental activity. 1t was shamefully licentious.
as may be known BY the fact it's great object of
| worship was Venus. These circumstances must
| be kept in mind if one would fully understand
many of the expressions of St. Paul suggested
| by them. The old site is known. but is very
| Insignificant. The miserable village there is
| known as Gortho. Remains are found Of Ha-
| drans baths, . vast amphitheater, and the
ruins of Greek temple. There was sanctu-
ary to Neptune, known as the Posidonium. 1t
witnessed the 1sthmian games, to which St.
Paul often alludes. The remains OF the foot
race courses are shown. The pugilistic con.
tests were held in the theater. On the shores
are pine trees, from the leaves of which the
crown was made given to each victor. See l
Cor, g.: 24-27.
Importance Of the Doctrine of Chrisfs Resurrec-
ton.
The hinRing doctrine of the Christian relig-
ion is the resurrection of Jesus. If it be true,
he came to life again-that his soul re-entered
bis body, terminated it; that he issued from
the sepulcher and met again his old associates;
ii he came to life and mingled again in human
affairs-thcn Christianity is a fact. All it i'm
plies follows; all its doctrines are true.
We see from this the full significance of
Easter. 1t means that Christ is our Savior,
and that we, too, shall rise from our graves.
The Apostles made the resurrection of Christ
. main topic of their preaching. They met
opposition from some quarters. Mon rose up
and declared that there is no resurrection. w.
H.
Let us notice some Of the consequences, if the
Apostles erred in declaring that the resurrec-
s,z =, II c~.As r
Christianity:
a. II the resurrection be not reality, then
Christ did not leave the sepulcher alive and
clothed in his former body. Vs. I3 49,
b. If Chr!st's death was final, then the Chris.
tian preaching was completely erroneous for
all the speakers based their arguments and
persuasions on the truth Of Christs resurrec-
tion. VIA.
c. Many believed what the Apostles preached,
but it was useless to put faith in error. VS.. IA,
IL.
d. The honor of the Apostles was at stake
They claimed to have positive evidence of
Christ's resurrection aud went forth to be wit.
nesses in proof OF the fact Christ so rose from
the dead. Their testimony was false if they
declared for a fact what had not occurred. v.
15.
e. The people had been tanght to expect sal.
vation through the risen Savior but il the state
ment that the resurrection took place were
falsebood, then the hope" of salvation by
Jesus AS a Conqueror Of death and evil was
without foundation. There was no rescue from
sin. V. II.
!. Another consequence of the resurrection
OF Christ proving to he an error is that we are
then forced to give up our faith as to the res
direction of those who are iE graves. " 19.
q. The resurrection OF Christ is the ground of
our hope rs to our own release from graves. If
he did not rise again we cannot hope for a resur-
recton as to our own bodies. VIZ.
Il. Christians are very happy in their pros.
poets beyond death. If the resurrection be an
error. then we are cast down in fearful disap-
pointmen;. rendered utterly. unspeakabiy
miserable Y. IS. They, who have never en-.
iertained the delightful hope of the resurrec.
ton, cannot be affected by the truth or other.
wise of the doctrine, but to believe in it. and
then to lose our faith in il, is q disastrous
wreckage, and leaves us distressed beyond de.
scription.
l. If the resurrection be not fact, then
death regns but not SO. for "in Christ shall all
be made alive" V. %
j. Show the resurrection is not fact. and
then we feel we have q terrible enemy-dcath
is not vanquished. v. 26.
The Facts
a. But Christ is risen from the dead. The
Apostles insisted on this doctrine. They knew
Christ before his death and were certain they
saw him in his body often after his death,
Therefore the resurrection is fact. 90
b. Christ was the first fruit 60 Enoch and
Elias did not die, and hence there was no call
for resurrection in their cases. ST. John says,
Christ "the first begotten of the dead"
Rev.. 5. But the first fruits imply the IN
coming. oncomng, of the harvest. vs. 20, 90
c. Christ, the second Adam, brought life aud
SO undid the work of death introduced by the
first Adam.
d. The work Of Christ shall not end till he
has destroyed every enemy TO humanity and
brought Us safely into our eternal rest. 90 &c.
Suggestions.
1. Let rs triumph with Christ. We see him,
Easter, as Victor. We were interested in
His conquest When we say Christ is risen,
we mean. death is dcfeated--the grave is
emptied-shrouds and napkins are wrapped
up and laid aside. Jesus Christ is
No dead fact. stranded on the shore
OF the obvous years.
But warm. sweet. tender, even yet
A present help Is He.
And faith has still its Oiivet,
Aud love Its Gatilee;
The healing of Ills seamless dress
i by our beds OF pain;
We touch Him IN iifc's ..irnny aud press
a u hole ainn