The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-19
THE MISSION. GF Christ
Rev. Frank NJ. Bristol Diseourses
on the Salvation of Man.
The Son of God Came Into the World
Not to Condemn. But TO Sase-Hc
Did Not Whip Men Into Heaven.
But by Gentle Persuasion Worked
Miracles Mr. 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
| might be saved" .fohn xvii:3.
President Mckin ey 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
changes which have occurred in the gov
eminent of the Christian Church in the
past century. He remarked in regard 70
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
mat In 10 fro m yat
.omplished 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 hext cited at considerable
length the customs of former religions.
which, he said. we're 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 very few years
ago On this he said The authority to
dictate what mans religion should or
should not be was assumed by Christian
clergymen within very recent times. and
the right to condemn men and predestine
their descent into hell for not looking at
religious questions through ecclesiastical
spectscles was held by prominent preach
ers everywhere"
/ Mr.. Bristol then spoke Of .ha great toll
erance which Christ had for all men. He
said that Jesus never wrought a miracle
to iniure a man, and that he had peyer
lifted his hand in force against false re-
ljgion.
Christ" said Mr. Bristol. in eoneiu-
sion. taught the people the advisability
of the choice of a better life. He never
dwelt upon the horrors OF he'll. the pangs
of death. or the dark sides Of life. but he
simply taught them the fatherhood OF God.
He SO beautiGed life as 20 make 1t attract
i've for all men by teaching faith, hope.
and charity"