Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-10
REV. ]. E. THACKER
breaches An Instructive Sermon
at Second Pres. Church.
Sunday Morning Text Matthew, xI.-I0:
"The Son OF Man Came Eating and
Drinking" Subject Humanity of
Christ.
Mr.. Thacker said in part:

All. lHuckeT S;llu III part:
Christ is speaking these words. and
comparing John the Baptist and him
self. Taking it for granted that you
are familiar with the connection in
which we find the text, Il would call
your attention to II few simple, but
practical lessons revealed to us in
these few words.
1. We are here taught the doctrine
OF Christs humanity. We are all inn
pressed with the divinity of Christ.
Where is there II person whose SER
mons have been universalized. whose
teachings have even been remembered
10 any great extent over Il space of
l,SuO years and whose influence has
been felt among all people? Such is
the history of Christ. If he had been
simply II reformcr. his influence would
have faded as has the influence OF
other reformers. If he had been Il
place with Isaiah and others, but
in Christ you find an influence
that never Wancs, Il voice that
is never stiled and Il power that
is felt in ali the worlds history, science
and philosophy. Said the great Napo-
leon. Across u chasm of $500 years
Jesus Christ makes Il demand which
Is beyond all others difficult to salts
fly: He asks that for which the philo-
sopher may often seek in vain at the
hands Of his friends. or n father of
his children or man of his brother.
He asks for the human heart. He will
have it entirely To himself; He de-
mands 1t Internationally; and forth
with His demand is granted. Wonder
full. In defiance of time and space.
the soul of man, with all it's powers
and faculties, becomes an annexation
to the empire of Christ. This phe-
nomenon is unaCcountablc: ii is alto
gether beyond the scope of mans crea-
tive power. This ii is that proves to
me quite convincngly the Divinity of
Jesus Christ" Comforting and ncces-
sary rs is the knowledge of His divi-
nifty. to the true believer n knowledge
of His humanity is just as comforting.
If human. If tempted In all points like
as we are yet without sin, If He suf-
tered himself. also being tempted, He
is able to succor them that are tempt
ed to sympathize with us in our trials.
Here is the proof OF his humanity
eighty times He calls himself The
son of Man. the son of humanity.
The representative. not of any spiritual
class, tribe or age, but OF all kinds
and conditions of men. He ate and
drank like we eat and drink. We must
do these things: in no other way can
we preserve physiacal life. He was
not free from the same necessity. He
we are subject. No mamma fell from
heaven for him to eat. lie was weary,
hungry. thirsty. His WEAKNESS by the
well side. His sleeping on storm tossed
Galilce. His need of food and drink.
testify TO His humanity, and bring
Him into union with our race. THE
fact that He ate and drank like men,
is the one touch of nature that makes
us all His kim"
.. call your attention to the fact
that He ate and drank With men.
Christ was no ascctic, no hermit. no
rccluse. lie did not separate himself
from men, even the most sinful ana
degraded. That's poor religion that
cannot stand the strain OF every day
life. Heat with men, RE sat at their
tables. he partook of their feasts to
such an extent that they called Him
"gluttunouS and IL winobibber." In
thus mingling with men He set us an
example. He sought TO elevate them
by His influence, assist them with
His help. comfort them with His sym
pathy and His love. Macaulay says: