The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-12-03
OUR SOUTHERN PULPIT

differences of Christianity into places OF
prime importance. we strike down the
cross of Christ as the center of Christian
unity and are slorying in the fiesh. VIC
have no authority TO make any iorni'
however sacr 4 i'm itself. the test of sat
walton, for certainly none can bc NOR
sacred tn the Christian mind than was the
rite of circumcision to the jew. For near
~ twenty centuries. from the time Oh
Abraham itself il had stood as the sig"
cf Gods choice of them for Ills pc uii,'
people. aud of their entrance INTO the hois
covenant Not one of the patriarch
saints and propheis Of the old dispersal
tion bu, had thus entered into the Je"ish
church, and Christ himself haG been sur
mitted To the ordinance when an infant
in his mothers arms. How. they might
lave demanded |. can God ever lay aside IS
,seless that which once lie has iilled win
spiritual meaning? But they and we must
learn that that which has been blessed ny
HIM as a means. ii il ever come 20 lee rc-
rar,led IS sacred in itself. but BE- broken
and .,ast aside: "a II Zekiah broke III
pieccs the brazen serpent which had been
If tinuue.stioned use when the lsraeli'eS
-ycrc bitten in the wilderness, but wnich
when wcrshipcd for itself was oniy
.-N.vehustan-a hit of brass"
Whom Christians make boast o. what
has been aco emphasized in the past; % mum
hrs wealth. intellgence. in the present,
they are guilty OF this false ana siniui
r.rids The spirit of self-congratul alton
wien well developed is the invariable sign
~ decay. That which has the power 81
more aud better life in il. cannot stop %
ur;do itself on past achievements ar pres
.nt glory. IL is concerned with only On"
-, ~ ,i,,a that is the
f,.tl re- The kined1m of God COM
- no. with observation and when
chr efforts seem most successful, let
as take caro- lest il all bo rotten At inc
core. We are. At best, anpr"it'p'e
servants
Thee arc two things ! want us to sc
s, rs text. TIE cross n the ground OF
Christian boasting. and the cross rs the
mower Of the Christian life.
l.
The cross as the ground OF 'nris'i"''
l.oas;ine. Parl means 10y the cross -
Christ. the death of Christ. OF which It
! Is \ symbol: and. rs ne brings II into coh-
,~,st with circumcision regarded as a
means Of salvation. he must refer to the
sacrificiaI death Of Christ for the sins az
;h.. world. That this was the cehira'
thought of Paul's teaching and gospel is
! evident 10 the most casual student "
preach only Christ. and Him cruciiiei--
/ iincing therein the key that unlocked the
| illogical mysteries and gave force 10 pfa'-
| ts-ai ethics Notice how Christian flith
has taken that which Is the symbol at
/ stame-thc cross upon which. hy kom'h
I law. died the iisgraced fcicn. and trans
/ fuimcd il inso the emblem - higAtS'
glory: that which was the caus" OF l"S
uant grief becoming the source Of in'N-
/ y. essiblc JOY Yet il is possible FOR one tn
/ NJ. he boast If tie cross Of Christ amt YET
/ rot understand its spirit
] The sacriicial death OF Christ calls
every Christian to a sacriiicial life. lie
/ Who said that ne came mot To- be min
istered unto. hut TO minister and 10 give
his life ransom FOR many" said also
that IF any man Will come after me- let
him deny himself ana take up has cross
! and follow me" \ golden croSs-thc
, symbol Of our faith-may rest over many
I a heart within which there arc ONLY self
ish and worldly thoughts. Even TO this
day the Master may be betrayed IN tn
house Of his friends Gibbon tells ms