The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1901-03-25

men. In his name we should look
steadily at the heavenly vision, and not
cast side glances all the while at our
earthly prospects Many minds have
recovered from the romanticism of be-
lief about Jesus, which placed him be-
yond the range of human sympathy, so
that they can now believe in Jesus as
their spiritual leader and brother help
err.
There is a growing feeling that Chris
| tendon, so-called, has either miscon-
! ceived the teachings of Jesus or has
proven utterly infdel to them. Jesus
was clear cut, specific type of char
| acter, and his theory of human con-
duct so peculiar that no age or genera
ton since his day, as whole, has dared
to adopt it in actual practice.
To clearly distinguish the quality of
| that character let us bring it into direct
| contrast with another in human histo
ry which is Numerically opposed to it,
as suggested by Rev. Loren B. MacDon-
aid in the Christian Register. For
such contrast we need not take a type
of the depraved or ignoble among hui
man kind, but one which itself has COM
| lleiIiOtu dulIllIatlOH dIlu 0O1ldSe. nc
| character of the late Prince Bismarck
will answer the purpose. In their gem
eral views of life, in the principles
which governed their actions, in their
emphasis Of human ideals and aims
could any two lives be further apart
than those of Jesus and Bismarck?
The great German chancellor did not
formulate any beatitudes; but reading
his lifework and history, can we not
easily supply them? Blessed are the
physically strong, he would say; for
theirs are the kingdoms of the earth.
Blessed are the nations that have SUI
perior army and navy; for they shall
conquer their enemies. Blessed are
they that do not allow any considera-
tons to interfere with commercial or
national advantage; for they shall gain
great possessions. Blessed are they
that carry on successful warfare; for
they shall be called the children Of civ
ilization and progress. Compare now
these beatitudes, legitimately inferred
from the career of this modern states
man, with the beatitudes of the Naza-
rene. Can He who exalts the poor in
spirit, the meek, the merciful, the peace
makers, have anything in common with
him who exalts the qualities that are
the direct opposites of these? If we
take the beatitudes of Jesus as anthem
tic utterances, and as representing His
life and spirit, do they not set his, as a
type of character, as far apart from
Bismarck as the east is from the west?
We simply confuse the plainest fact in
history, and abandon all moral and
spiritual Judgment, when we call this
modern statesman Christian, or imply
that in any way Jesus, being the kind
of man He was, would endorse his prin-
ciples and conduct
In view of this comparison, is it not
evident that Jesus is not the Master of
Christendom? BY the use Of arms in
the extension of spheres Of influence"
for the promotion of commerce and
taking the Philippines for God" as
some preachers said, have we not plant
ed ourselves squarely upon Mohamme-
dan principles? In the interests of
clear thinking, aside from ethical con-
sideratio ought we not to abandon
the Christian pretense, accept the logic |
of our actual procedure, and adopt a |
name BETTING our Bismarckian policy? |
IF the precepts of Jesus are not FEAST |
BILE in modern life; if we have discov- |
cred that the expression "the meek |
shall inherit the EARTH" Is an Oriental |
ism wholly at variance with western |
ideas, let us act with the courage of our |
ideas and frankly repudiate the entire
pacific doctrines of the Nazarene. We
cannot serve two masters, Jesus and |
Bismarck. We must cleave to one or
the other, If we would avoid the present |
confusion in our attempts to compro-
mise Christianity ana paganism.
The sword and the cross are in eter-
nal antagonism. In hoe signo vinces
can never be rightfully inscribed upon a
weapon of war. If Christ be not the
Master of Chrstendom, and we are not
brothers ALL why wear the signs, badges
and symbols of a decadent faith
We believe, even yet, the law of love,
sacrifice and service as exemplified in
that sweet and merciful life of Jesus
Christ will so prevail that peace on
earth and good will to men will cease
to be a barren ideality. That some
souls will dare and eventually all men
will delight TO follow in his steps and
glory in his cross.