The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-14

did and greater works than these should
he do John xiv, l2)
What does II mean? is IL true? We
gladly declare this TO be the best age OF
inventions the world has ever known. We
are full OF wonder at the machinery OF two
hundred years ago. In the field OF lighting
alone the evolution from the oil dip or tai
low candle TO the Roentgen ray Is a great
history Of real life. The first locomotive
is toy compared to the great passenger
train engine OF to-day-trembling and pull
sating-more animal than machine-like
mighty charger anxious for the race, only
waiting for the word go.
In wealth. the rich man OF one hundred
years ago is in moderate circumstances as
compared with the multmillionaires OF this
decade. Lincoln walked miles for books.
while we must almost fight the book agent
and the library solicitor from our doors.
The early church Of America, with its fiat
seats, its board walls. its narrow gallery
reached by ladder, is great curiosity
beside our modern church palace. Then
few read and understood the Bibies now
there are men and women in most congre-
cations who are quite abreast Of the min
lister in thought and research. In all this
great development is IL not pertinent to ask
II our spiritual life has Aept up with the
tide Of progress? We hear much OF people
and societies, now and old, VINO are trying
to get back to the apostles, trying the
Golden Rule, trying TO be pure IN heart,
trying TO give themselves on the cross the
world is setting UP for its saviors. Others
are seeking TO work miracles and bring IN
again an age OF the miraculous. Is that
what Jesus meant2 Many think so, and
set out with this as the chief item OF their
propaganda. Hence we have Christian
Scientists, Dowieites. magnetic healers, etc.
such people would keep the spectacular
as the summum bonum of religion ana life.
If this is what Jesus meant IL detracts
fatally from the superiority OF the Christian
religion. But He did not mean this. and IL
is unfair 10 Jesus to so judge Him. By
common opinion to raise one from the dead
is the greatest of all spectacular miracles.
Jesus did that; who can do more2 Thus
you make Jesus say il Is greater TO heal
palsied arm, TO open blind eye. 10 unstop
a deaf ear than TO illuminate and save
soul. And Jesus testimony Is against II.
1t is in a sorrowful tone that He says. a
wicked and an adulterous generation seek
eth after a sign and Except We see signs
and wonders We will not believe. Thus He
was compelled to work miracles by the
curious and unbelieving crowd In the
great commission there is not word
about miracles. With our hospitals, coll
leges our morals our sanitation and all
things tending TO lift the multitudes OF men
and women higher and give them real and
complete life: by our spirit Of giving our
selves for and teaching others 10 love the
true and the beautiful and the good; by ac-
cepting and using a continually illuminate
ing revelation; by getting heart TO heart
with great sorrow. Strengthening the feeble
knees and lifting the hands that are fallen
down; by establishing love, truth and purity
I'm manhood and womanhood everywhere,
we are doing the greatest work In the
world, and this is what Jesus came to In
augurate.'