The Washington times., 1902-02-10
TEACHINGS And LIFE
EXAMPLE OF JAMES
Rev. Dr.. Luccock Likens
Them to Those of Jesus.
Holds Thai APOSTLE Wrote to Fortify
the Expanding Church with the
Spirit of Our Saviour

Gems from James was the subject OF
an interesting and instructive discourse
delivered last evening by the Rev. George
y. Luccock. pastor, at the Metropolitan
Presbyterian Church. The likeness of the
teachings and life example of James 10
Jesus Christ, whose younger brother he
is believed 10 have been, was pointed out
and contrasted by the speaker. Dr..
Luccock said in part:
The epistle of James mas many marks
of the first Christianity. Its form is like
the Hebrew models, especially the. So
called wisdom literature. The work is not
logically developed. but rather a group
ing of gems, briilants in short para
graphs, as in the Book Of Proverbs The
purose of the epistle, however is single
and steadfast. And about that, these
scintillating utterances flash as harmoni-
ously as separate diamonds CLEAN from a
necklace.
Younger Brother of Jesus.
The author is believed to have been
the younger brother of Jesus, reared in
the same home. and instructed in the
little direct quotation from any source,
the daily life ideals of this epistle are
notably like those in the teachings of
Jesus, the resemblance to the Sermon on
the Mount being striking. Like Jesus,
James is very fond OF illustrations from
nature and the occupations of men, there
being more such in this brief book than
in all Of paul'g writinps Tho ,locapacc
OF James to Jesus in the fellowship OF
spiritual training in youth fitted this
younger brother of the Master for his
high mission, which was the making
smooth the transition from Judaism to
Christianity. When he writes, the
church is yet young, still composed main
ly OF converted Jews.
Youthful Christianity is but starting
forth from the humble home in Judea,
hardly aware of the great world beyond,
not fully conscious OF the destiny await
ing; and to this young Christianity,
knowing little beyond the ideals of its
childhood cottage. James gives counsel as
q parent would naturally speak to his
forth -venturing son from the point of
view OF the lie conceptions of the coun-
trY home, not thinking OF the coming
greatness and its problems, thinking
mainly of the character OF the lad, adyis-
ing, most Of all touching the life he ought
TO live. Even so did James, brother OF
our Lord and first Christian author set
for h the wisdom of life.
wrote to Fortify Expanding Church.
James wrote to fortify the expanding
church with the spirit of Christ against
the spirit of the times. There was then
a mighty spirit of worldliness, of love, OF
riches, to the point OF hedging in ones
religion for gain. A spirit OF Journalism
in religion, of casuistry, of orthodoxy, of
the head and heresy Of the feet, straight
in creed and crooked in walk. \ spirit
Of proselytism, of scctarian bitterness
and bigotry. An age of hair-splitting and
hair pulling in theology. When argu-
ment failed, persecution was handy. In
The fervor Of an Amos, James declares all
this is not the wisdom from above, but is
sensual, devilish. Intellectual consent is
not enough. one must be a Goer of the
law
True, carrying ideals into daily life
may lead to loss But what are riches
without Christ? With him they are min
stries TO the life OF communion with
God. religion pure and undefled. With
out him they are better lost. Such riches