Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-11
THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY,
Or the Kingdom Of LoWIiness and
Peace.
Sermon by Rev. Dan. t. Merritt, OF Hun
tersvilie, Methodist Episcopal Church,
Sunday Night. Text, John xii: 1918.

Sunday night from John, xii: 1913 He
said:
The shout of the admiring multitude
described in the text is somewhat SIM
liar to the God Save the Queen of the
English people when Queen Victoria
recently visited Ireland. and was re-
ceived with such great enthusiasm. The
Jewish people had long waited for the
promised King to relieve them from
bondage and were disappointed that
Christ said: My kingdom is not of
this world" Yet popular applause had
risen to such a height on this festal
occasion that the multitude made this
demonstration Of Il "rriumphal Entry
Into Jerusalem possible. Let me re-
peat that 1T was not in the proud tri-
umph OF war conQuests, but in the meek
rule of peace
Il. Who is crowned or in whose honor
Is all this demonstration? This Is the
same question asked by the residents
OF Jerusalem, saying: Who is ths?'
and oil agreed as to the reply and said:
This is the prophet Jesus, from Naza-
reth of Galilee,' who was the son of
peasants. then n carpenter, and after
wards increased in favor and knowl-
edge. But He can trace his pedigree or
u,
makes Him in the royal line as pre-
dicted in the Old Testament. 'Hosanna
to the son of David or Blessed is the
Kingdom that cometh of our father
David His direct and undisputed
kingship with David. This is according
to the flesh.
"2. In addition to His human royal
line the text announces that He is
blessed because He 'cometh in the
name OF the Lord, representative of
Jehovah, and the character OF His
reign is also described with its effect,
Peace in Heaven and glory in the
highest" which the attendants or fol-
lowers must have themselves origi-
mated or commenced to eXclaim Of their
own free Will. which makes the SINH
iarity all the more striking to the an
gelic strain at His advent The uni
lormity OF sentiment expressed in didif-
ierent phraseology by those who were
In front and those in the rear, show the
spontaneity of the crowd.
81: shall we not add that even the
children or babes in Christ as well as
the age join heartily in the 'Hosanna.'
LOT out the mouth of babes and suck
lingS thou has perfected praise-Psalm
viii:2.
"A. Even the stones to-day testify to
the fact, as Jesus said: I tell you that
II these should hold their peace the
they did at His crucifxion.
70. Christ had made. no doubt, ar
engagements with the owners Of the colt
Tor this ride. He preceded the disciples.
made their task easy by this plan. So
Jesus to-day goes before us and pre-
pares the way for our rendering the
hearts or sinners, who will be awakened
by the truth from our lips. He had
planned the time OF enthronement, and
we must not delay that coming in our
own hearts.
&c. Christ the promised Messiah
KING, instead of permitting this demon
stration TO turn His head and forget the
sorrows and difficulties before Him,
wcpt when He drew nigh and saw the
city pageantry and Hosannas do NOT
cause Him to forget the doom coming
too soon to His beloved city. Some
ruler in France, when suddenly exalted
10 the throne at an early age. exclaimed
win tears and trembling her INSULT
cheney as their herald because she had
clency as heralded. because she had
others and the subsequent numbering.
III. Who wish to crown Him or Who
are the participants in this popular an
plause? There were multitudes of peo
pie from many different sections en-
gagged in 1T, from the highest. sincere
motives down to the lowest IT was a
mixed crowd. We shall divide the null
titude into those QsO who would really
and permanently crown Him King in
the spiritual sense, and (2D those who
were vacillating. wavering with the
crowd.
THE first class then represent His
true, devoted followers; those who CON
tributed of their material, such as
beasts. garments. etc. This class there
by aid in the establishment of Christ's
kingdom. There are others who NOT
| only give their means, but also their
labor and time to the advancement of
| His kingdom like the two disciples.
Notwit Outstanding these stable and obedi-
cnt disciples there are those second
who wear the branches and cry: 'Ho-
sanna' as long as the multitude do, but
cease when it ceases, those who think
numbers make right.
III. Who oppose His triumph or who
| are the consprators and dethroners?
| % The Pharasecs. an eccesiastic or
| der. would stop this foolish noise and
| senseless excitement. Any exhibition
| on the part of Christians meets with
the disapproval of Satans subjects,
who term it fanaticism and emotional
ism. and thus cxaggerate the facts rs
in this case: The worlds gone after
Him. But when it comes to the cleo
ton of a "heer king" at an election.
then wild. intoxicated cries are consid-
cred proper and in good taste.
ed. In the disappointment of malice,
men turn in impOtent rage against each
other with taunts and reprOaches. The
Pharisees therefore said: Behold. how
We prevail nothing. xii:19.
Esd. The two above mentioned facts
explain their brazen effrontry when
asking Christ tn rebuke His disciples
after their unsuccessful efforts. Mad
ness and sin will lead to the most I'M
mitigated and impudent requests
Luke XiX:4O
CIV. What is its effect? Q) Such an
exhibition would naturally stir up a
civ and cboul1 Stir nm tho baor+.