The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-07
THE POWER OF GOD
UNTO SALVATION
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possible it has less reason to be ashamed now
than at any other time in the church's history.
We have more evidence of the Gospels power
than was within reach of the apostles and early
Christians. Christianity was quite young when
ST. Paul wrote his famous letter to the RO.
mans 1t is revercablc now, and looking down
upon us from the long past, it tells us of the
battles it has fought and Of the victories it has
won all along the Christian centuries. The cvi.
dences OF Christianity cumulative. They arc
increasing, in respect both of quantity and force,
year by wear A chapter OF evidence, and
famous one, was written during the past two
weeks. The hosts of Christians that gathered N
the city of New York, to hear Chrst's amhdSsd.
dors who came thither from the ends of the
earth, were furnished with ample testimony of
the fact that the Gospel Of Christ is the power
Of God unto salvation to all who believe IT, That
great assembage has passed into history. but 1t
left an impression that will be felt in all lands
throughout the coming years
THE PLEADING WORDS.
Who that heard or read the vivid, pleading,
burning words of Christs' faithful servants IAN
ever doubt that the power OF God is equal TO
the task of winning the world to Christ? And
who that has a mind to think, and an eye TO see,
and heart to feel can refuse to stretch out
helping hand to those who praying and
working for tie enlightenment and the saliva
tion of the pCrishing millions! The gods OF the
heather nations of today are not any stronger
nor any harder to conquer than were the gods
u: Olympus The corrupting and mutitudinous
gods of China, and India. and Africa are no
harder to overthrow than were the gods which
our foreathers worshippcd. The Roman lcgions
laughed at the puny efforts OF a few obscure
Galilcans but they did not know that behind
and above such apparently puny efforts, there
was the power of Almighty God. The lights
,.li oh tbo hpl
i!ckCring, but, by and bye, they broke out into
4 flame and the "Orb of the World was amazed.
And even So the lights that have been planted
in heather lands may seem, to many, to he very
feeble, but they divine lights, they reveal
a Savou's love; the supply OF oil is incNhauSt-
ihlc, for it is furnished by the Spirit Of the
Eternal Cod and just surely as the power
OF Christs Gospel drove every idol from hc
Roman Pantheon, so surely shall Jesus Christ
hy the power of that same Gospel drive eTrry
idol out OF every hoathen temple, and the ma
tions of the earth will yet crown Him Lord Of
all.
Meanwhile. however, l. is too true that some
in Christian lands to be ashamed Of the
Gospel Of Christ. They are familiar with it,
They know its terms They know the story Of
human redemption. and tho longing wish OF
(hrSt's loving heart for their salvation, and yet
up to this good hour they have refused to be en-
rolled among Cmist's disciples. Why is this?
can anyone who has heard the Gospel OF Christ
Justify himself in maintaining this attitude to-
ward the Saviour Of sinners?
In the early days of Christanityn times of
pcrsccution-somc fanoiIul objections might be
urged against 1t. 1t WAS unpopular 70 come
out boldly and profess the Christian faith, eS-
poscl such persons 10 much suffering II in
volcd the loss of everything that the world
deems mcst valuable such riches, honor,
| friends and good name II meant rcproach and