The age-herald., 1901-05-13
ABLE SERMON BY REV. FRANK WEAR  At the Cumberland Presbyte- rian Church Yesterday
 -- THE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST Then Simon Peter Answered, Lord, to Whom Shall We Cor Thou Hast the Words of Eter-
 nal Life"


 yesterday the pulpit was occupied by Rev. | Frank Wear of Lebanon, Tenn, who has recently been called to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Ensley. MT. Wears sermon was on the charac ter and teachings of Christ. his text be- ing: 'Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal nfe-John 6:6s. And Simon Peter answered and said. Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God Matt 16:1e."
 ''The character of Christ" said Mfr. Wear. twas so exalted that no flaws have ever been found in his life He combined opposite traits in such proportion as 70 be harmonious in all the attributes of His being. He was tender. and yet he was strong. He was merciful. and at the same time just He was humble and with no appearance of arrogance or pride, made the highest claims ever made by a man that of equality with God.
 This was the deepest yearning of the heart of Jesus. that men should recognize this high claim and give Him the allegl- ance of their lives and hearts When he fed the five thousand the people attempt ed to make him king, but they knew not thO sway lHdl lulS klnB OeSlreQ. They wanted ruler to sit in the place of He rod. He came to rule mems spirits, to dominate their thoughts and inner mo- lives. When Peter said: Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life,' there was a nearer approach to the acknowledgment that Christ de- sired. And yet these words only recog- nized him as great teacher, or prophet; not as master of the heart. When Peter said: Thou art the Christ. the son of the living God the climax was reached, and the Savior declared, in substance, Of such material will I build my church. Those who recognized Him as the Christ, the son of the living God. and submitted themselves to Him unreservedly should become members of His Kingdom.
 During all of His ministry He had been revealing the true kingdom of God, and Himself as its King. But it was a hopeless contest to battle against the conception of the Messiah then held by the Jews His closet disciples had just now discovered the truth. This demand He makes of every disciple; no smaller sacrifice will he take It Is to His right to this domination over our hearts that l wish to direct your thought.
 Christ Great Teacher.
 Tn the first lace, He was the greatest teacher the world has ever known. He
 
 He cares for men, however lowly, or poor. or forsaken they may be. and not only SO but He also showed them the way to come into happy and blessed re- lations with that divine goodness and mercy
 Tn the first part of His sermon on the mount He laid down the characteristics of the citizen of the kingdom of God, the relation of the old law to Himself, and the relation of the supreme law of love to all. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs Is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after right eousness for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure In heart: for they shall see God Blessed are the peace makers: for they shall be called the chill dren of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you. and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward In heaven: for so perse- cuted they, the prophets which were be- fore you
 Such is the spirit that should possess the ulSC1ple Ol SHrlSt, tie cltiZci OI tne kingdom. The laws of Moses He does not abrogate; but enforces with high CT and deeper meaning. 'Ye have heard 1t said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill, and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment" But l say unto you that whosoever Is angry with his brother without cause. shall be in danger of the, judgment And so, throughout many of the commandments.
 "IIe adds to their meaning and shows a wonderful conception of the relation of the law to Israel.
 The Kingdom of God.
 Further. in His parables Christ has set the Kingdom of God before men in it's most inviting aspect. It is likened to great supper, to which, when the first guests refuse. the maimed and the halt and the blind and the outcasts from the lanes and streets of the city are invited. It Is like a pearl of great price. which. when a man finds and rightly values. he goes and sells all that he hath and comes and buys. It Is like treasure field which, when a man discovers. he sells all and obtains. The love of God is like that of a father who runs to meet his returning prodigal boy. The providence of God Is so tender and watchful that not even sparrow can fall without His all-seeing eye beholding it. Thus He moved the hearts of men to love and serve the God of heaven.
 Again. In His answers to His enemies, there Is revealed deeper knowledge of truth than His contemporaries dreamed of To the question of the Sadducees He replied, as only He could reply who had inhabited eternity: He is not the God of the dead. but the God of the living He put to shame the lawyer who asked what is the greatest commandment. and con- founded them all by this question about the Messiah: How say the scribes that Christ is the son of Davidr
 Tn the second place. He Is our great example. and so has the right to com