Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-19
THE ASSEMBLY MEETS
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PACED

or destructive, but force that is nightly
aggressive. The object of its mission is
10 introduce principles which Will intro
duce strife among men, for there can
be no peace until Righteousness comes.
There can be no compromise i'm this war
fare. since the Gospel is engaged in a
war Of cOnquest-a war against wordli-
ness, sin, error, and religious tyranny
TEXT OF THE DISCOURSE.
Dr. Green preached from Matthew, X.-34:
Think not that am come TO send peace
on earth; / came not TO send peace, but
q sword" He said in part:
Christ's supreme qualification as a
Teacher was that i'm His own person the
Word was made flesh; He was the truth
and the life. both the text and the SER
mon the doctrine and its eXemplihcation.
Himself the "Logos." the expression Of
Gods nature and Will. His words are the
expression Of His own character. As
teacher lie is clear in statement and
strong In posiuveness. always calm and
assured; but He sometimes surprises US
by the use OF startling language.
We love 20 contemplate Him as the en-
bodiment of those milder virtues which
made His person 50 attractive, which
drew 10 Him the sorrowing and the
troubled the weary and hcaVy-laden;
which won the confidence of little chill
dren and made Him the centre always Of
a circle OF devoted friends and adherents.
He was full of human sympathies. Sweet
words fell from His nps-comforting
words helpful words His speech dis
titled as the dew. His manner was gen.
tie and gracious, and by the magnetism
of His own love He drew human hearts
10 Himself.
But If IL be inferred from this that He
was weak or nerveless. His character has
been wholly misconceiVod There was
never a man on earth who possessed such
fortitude and courage. No array OF
power no threat no combination against
Him of earthly might or authority, could
intmidate or for one moment turn him
aside from the straight path which he
pursued. With a fun knowledge of all
that was before Him-the bloody sweat
and the hour Of darkness, Gethsemane
and Calvary. the anguish Of the soul and
the agony of death--He went straight on
and never fiinched; and neither Pharisee
nor Sadducee, nor priest nor scribe, nor
Jewish council nor Roman tribunal, could
.daunt His courage or compel an instants
hes!teuOn.
LOFTY COURAGE AND SELF COM
AIAND.
when He taught His followers to ere
sist not evil, but whOsoever shall smte
thee on the right cheek, turn to him The
Other also He was not enforcing "a pre-
eept OF timiduy or cowardice Obedience
70 such a rule OF life demands the loftiest
courage and self-cOmmand--suc courage
as few men have. When Paul made his
defence before the council. and the high
priest commanded them that stood by to
smite him on the mouth. the blood man
tied 10 his cheeks his eye flashed. and he
flung his indignant defiance into the face
of the mitred miScreant who had so ONT
ragged the law. But when his divine Mas
ter stood before PLATE, Knocked buffeted
and scorned He gave His cheeks TO the
smiters. and stood erect and composed
with sublime courage and perfect self
control.
When the Pharisees though. 10 frighten
and drive. Him from the country BY
threatening Him with the tyrant who
had taken of the Baptist's head. saying.
Get thee out, and depart hence; for
Herod will kill thee" His calm reply
was, go and tell that fox. behold cast
out devils. and | do cures to-day and to-
morrow, and the third day shall be per
fected"-that Is. tell him that when he
wants Me ne knows where 10 find Me
among the sick and suffering; and there
will be to-day and tomorrow, too. and
the day following"
When we think of Him in this asnect
OF His character, It seems as natural to
hear Him say. Think not that I am
come 20 send peace on earth" as IL rs
on other occasions 10 hear Him say Come
unto Me. all We that labor and are heavy
laden"
THE PRINCE OF PEACE.
When our Lord says. 'T CAME not 10
SEND peace, but sword, ills words seem
10 be out of harmony with all our precon-
ceived ideas OF His kingdom and His
Gospel. for His kingdom IS a kingdom of
peace. and His Gospel Is Gospel OF
peace. OF all the glorious names that He
bears there h none that we love more
than 1.-THE Prince Of Peace" The expires
sion exactly represents the purpose of
His advent and OF His>priesthood i'm the'
universe. IL is the name that was given
him in prophecy; and, when the angels
announced His birth. they sang. Peace
on earth. goodwill 10 mon" His mission
was one OF reconciliation and love. He
never employed violence Where He
found human hearts proof against love.
He would not move them by force. Where
lie could not win. He would not make
war. His whole desire vas 10 draw men
closer 10 each other, and closer TO God.
He iet no passion rule Him but love.
The whole purpose of His coming into
this world was benevolent and gracious.
when. therefore. He says. II came not
20 send peace. but sword" we are put
upon inquiry. What does He mean How
can such purpose be harmonized with
abe declared object Of Hts coming? TO
divide families. 10 set people az vari-
ADca with each other: 10 disturb unset