Evening journal., 1899-12-26
Rev. F. B. Short Delivers an
Interesting Sermon at Ep-
worth NJ. E. Church.
BIG CONGREGATION PRESENT
THE JOURNEY OF CHRIST To-
WARD BETHANY AND THE CON-
VERSION OF ZACHEUS-BIBLE
PICTURES DRAWN FROM THE
POPULAR PASTORS WORDS.


POPULAR PASTORS WORDS.
Rev. F. Burgette Short preached an
interesting sermon in Epworth NJ. E.
Church on Sunday morning. His sub
ject was "The Mission of Christ to
Earth, and took his text from st. Luke,
xix, 10: For the son of man is come
to seek and to save that which was
lost" Mr.. Short then went on to say:
These were spoken by Jesus himself
on that ever memorable occasion-the
day of Zacheus' conversion. The
Master was journeying from the other
side Of Jordan toward Bethany, (al
small town near Jerusalem) for the
purpose of raising Lazarus from the
dead. It was necessary for him to pass
through Jericho in which city the
great transaction, leading up to the
text, took place.
AS Christ drew nigh unto the city, |
the multitude crowded about him to
hear any word he might utter, OF to
receive any beneficence that he might |
bestow. Mid the throng was one
named Zacheus who, because he was
little of stature, climbed up into a syc-
amore tree to see Christ as he passed
by. Perhaps It was curiosity that
caused him to climb into the tree, but
when Jesus saw him, he perceived that
Zacheus had a heart ready to re-
ceive the word of truth and life. Hence
he spoke to him saying "Zacheus,
make haste and come down; for to-
day I must abide at thy house" The
Divine summons was quickly and joy
fully obeyed; and, when the followers
saw it, they murmured and said, that
ne was gone to be guest with a man
that was a sinner" Their complaint
was doubtless a true one, and was
made because of their ignorance of
Christ's mission on the earth. But
Jesus did not allow them to continue
ignorant; hence he declared to the
sons OF men in Jericho his earthly
mission saying, For the Son Of Man
is come. to seek and to save that which
was lost"
In the first place / learn from the
text that "the Son of Man is come"
Tho spirit of true meekness is surely
herein manifest, in that Christ calls
himself the Son Of Man. He thus
acknowledges himself to be the fulfill
ment Of that prophecy which our Lord
spake in the Garden Of Eden concern
ing the seed of the woman. He makes
no boast of his heavenly kinship, but
rather appears as the man that com
eth from Edom, with dyed garments
from BOzrah." Indeed his birth and
life perfectly conform to the prophecy
as spoken by Isaiah: "A virgin shall
conceive and bring forth a child whose
name is Christ the Lord" He was
''despised and rejected OF men," He
was poor and homeless" and num-
bered with the transgressors." His
body required rest and nourishment
as do all human bodies. His heart was
tender toward humanity and his love
therefore caused him to weep with
those who wept-as at the grave Of
Lazarus
Though he calls himself the Son Of
Man, he was and is more than this,
for he was also the Son Of God. He
spake as never man spake; lived as
none other ever lived; died and arose
as only the Son of God could; thus
revealing, this two-fold nature-human
and divine; and yet he humbly an
nOunces, that "The Son OF Man is
come" There have been and still are
those who tell us that such a being
as this Christ claims to be, never has
been on the earth; but while some
ridicule such a parsonage, there are
thousands who rejoice in the name
"high over all, )" while a fewmay throw
their anathemas and stones Of perse-
cution against his righteousness, there
are multitudes who pour their devo-
ticn into the great lap of his love, ant
are willing TO do and die for him whC
calleth himself the Son OF Man.
Nrr .fr J.,
doubt the fact that Jesus, the Son o
Man is Gomez" Then consult the pro
fame and sacred writing OF the world
Imbibe freely Of that spirit that ha
characterized the greatest aim Of pur
pose Of mankind to elevate humanit.
toward righteousness and to God
What was it that inspired Milton 70
his time enduring verse? What mus
sang for Wesley. Bonar, Watts, Whit
tier and Cowper? Why did the angel
sing to the Judean shepherds tina
song triumphant, Fear not; for, be
hold, bring you good tidings Of grea
joy which shall be to all people, Fo
unto you is born this day in the Cit
of David a saviour, which is Chri:
the Lord" Why such angelic music
To make known the fact that the So
of Man is comel Why is it, that frol
the ceiling Of heaven there hangs sue
luminous star over Bethlehem
manger? It is to tell the wise men ,
the East that the Son of Man
come" Why is il that the world ;
large today is so full OF benevolen,
and charity? Why such fraternity? Al
all because the Son of Man is com
Yes, blessed be God, the Son of ma
is come to seek and to save that whiC
was lost"
Secondly, / learn from the text Il
mission OF this visit made by heaven
Pnnce-"to seek and to save tn
which was lost"
The Christ himself says, 'I came n
to call the righteous, but sinners
repentance" When John and lam