The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-19
THE mission CT Christ
Rev. Frank VI. Bristol DiseoHrSes
on the Salvation of Man.
The Son of God Came Into the World
Not to Condemn, But TO SnVe-He
But by Gentle Persuasion Worked
Miracles - VIZ. Mckinley Attends.

/ The Metropolitan Memorial Methodist
Episcopal Church was crowded to the
/ doors yesterday morning. when the Rev
/ Frank NJ Bristol preached from the text
/ God sent not his Son into the world to
/ condemn the world. but that the world
I might be saved" John Xvii:3.
/ President Mckinley was in his customary
seat and as usual displayed great interest
in the sermon and Joined in the services.
/ He was unaccompanied.
/ Rev. Mr.. Bristol commenced his sermon
I by dwelling at some length upon the great
1 changes which have occurred in the gov
I eminent of the Christian Church in the
past century. He remarked in regard to
this. THE great question which confronts
Christian scholars today is not what would
Jesus do, but what he did Mr.. Bristol
went on to tell Of the conditions existing
at the time when Christ made the text
statement to Nicodemus. which he said.
was the fundamental doctrine of the
Christian religion.
The doctrine of Christ is love" con-
tinued MIR Bristol THE Son of God came
with no terrifying attitude; his whole OBJ
ject was to win men to God. He knew
that there was a noble and good side to
every mans nature That condition ex-
lists today and a character which is sunk
in depravity has some good quality which
can be touched by an appeal for the Mas
ter. Christ used no threats and his brow
was never clOuded by any terrifying scowl
Of anger. He did not drive or whip men
into heaven, but by simple persuasion the
gentle command OF Follow me- he worked
miracles. He came not with blazOned
trumpet nor in The fire Of war, yet ae-
complished more than words can tell by a
gospel of peace and love. With infinite
power Jesus gave proof that he came not
TO condemn the world. The weakness and
frailty Of humanity never angered him, but
they crushed his heart with sorrow"
Mr.. Bristol next cited at considerable
length the customs Of former religions,
which, he said. were forced upon the peO-
pie at the point of the sword. He drew
comparisons between these methods of
teaching religion with those used by
Christ.
The next subject discussed was Of the
methods employed by the teachers Of the
Christian religion but a very few years
ago On this he said The authority to
dictate what mans religion should or
should not be was assumed by Christian
clergymeu within very recent times and
the right to condemn men and predestine
their descent into hell for not looking at
religious questions through ecclesiastical
spectacles was held By prominent preach
ers everywhere"
Mr.. Bristol then spoke Of the great toll
GRANGE which Christ had for all men. He
said that Jesus never wrought d miracle
TO iniure a man, and that he had never
lifted his hand in force against false re-
ligiOn.
Christ" said Mr. Bristol in eonciu-
sion. taught the people the ACCESSIBILITY
Of the choice of a better life. He never
dwelt upon the horrors OF hell. the pangs
Of death. or the dark sides Of life but he
simply taught them the fatherhoOd OF God.
He SO begutided life As 70 make IL attract
i've for all men by teaching faith hope,
and charity"