The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-04-21

l world the most beautiful graces of i character and has shown us the real perfection of humanity so that all l ideals of character are now measured
 by the standard of His life. Have the | principles of the new kingdom been i found unworthy to rule in the relations of man with man and nation with na- 1 tion? Though the world has generally been slow in accepting Christ's teach 1 ings the kingdom of love has been ex- erting it's dominion over the entire globe and it's present conquests presage ulti- mate victory. Has the influence of | those who are the ministers of the New l Testament been so false as to destroy the confidence of men in the faith that is preached? Has the clashing of re- ligious opinions, have the jealousies of rivals in office have the dogmatism and intolerance of those of opposing creeds, have the murder, envy and strife of ec- clesiastics stayed the truth and the power of the gospel that the humble Nazarene taught men to proclaim? While men have sometimes betrayed the confidence placed in them and error, selfshness and bigotry have en- gendered fierce s.rifes so as to impair
 
 yet the highest eulogy that can be pro- nounced upon our gospel and that which proclaims it as the gift of God, is that it has enough power within it. self to outIive the calumny of its ene- mics and the betrayal of it's friends. History shows that although the Chris tian church has not been without many grevious errors. nevertheless the truth of Christ has gone forth 'canquering and to conquer
 Why then does St. Paul speak of the foolshness of preaching Read the eighteenth verse of this same chapter: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness.' Why? Because the Christ of the gospel is un- able to save? Not so! for He is able to save unto the uttermost. Why then? Because those who perish had never heard the gospel? St. Paul is not here writing to such and there is no reason to suppose he had such especially in mind. Wherein then lies the foolishness? These Corinthians, like the Greeks in general, had been trusting entirely to their wisdom for salvation. They were philosophy; Paul was preach | ing Christ. Human wisdom and the | cross of Christ in contrast. The one | teaches salvation by discipline; the | other salvation through sacrifice! The | one offers crown: the other cross. | The one seeks to find the origin of evil, | the other provides purification from sin! Measured by the standards of hu- man wisdom that man had been attain ing through the ages. the gospel is a failure; measured by the standard of divine wisdom and its abil- ty to save men, the gospel is the power of God
 According to which standard are we the preaching of the gospel? Have we more pleasure in exhibiting md teaching wisdom than in the preaching of Christ? Hungry hearts Ire crying for the gospel; will we feed hem wisdom instead? Christ's disci- ,les everywhere are being asked to present. Gods Holy Word unto the souls if men. How shall they do it? Read looks. study men, ascertain principles, accumulate facts, discipline mind, but judy and teach the gospel of Christ to he end that all men may be saved.
 Doubtless you have read that small cries of Scotch stories written under |
 | he name Beside the Bonnie Brier 'ush.' One chapter especially made eep impression upon my mind. It is he one entitled His Mothers Sermon.' young preacher steps from the theo- )gical seminary into his field of labor. Ie is preparing his sermon for the first abbath of his ministry. He feels that | l.
 is incumbent upon him to state the resent position of theological thought nd therefore he prepares his sermon ', 'ith great research and faithful study. riday night comes and his sermon is repared and he is awaiting the occa- on that calls it forth. A loving aunt, moving the situation of affairs, ap- T, reaches him and calls him in memory ack to the death bed of his mother orrow fills his heart. She reminds him |
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