The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-09-14


we do not: They did succeed; we fail:
Thew ought to succeed; and we ought to
be defeated.
For what purpose do we want to see
Christ? Everything will depend upon our
reply. Is it upon our real need? He will
not answer idle curiosity; but He will
stay up all night with an earnest Nico-
demus: He will stop by the roadside at
cry of the blind beggar; He will meet the
unspoken desire of acoheus.
Are we prepared to take away the
roof rather than not see Jesus? II these
men had taken off the roof without first
trying the door, Jesus Christ would have
rebuked them. But they tried the regu-
lar way. and when they could not en-
ter by the door. they must make
door
Try to get at Christ, but try first to
get in by the door. There are several
doors; let US try the first. How crowd
ed it is! Filled with men who have sat
up many a night over knotty problems;
men Of culture. reading thought, and
study. We have not even learned their
letters. These are the Rabbits Of the
Church; we cannot pass that way.
Let us try another door. Here are men
full of study, full of words, long, hard
words, far beyond un. Who are they?
They are philosophers. We cannot get
in there; let us try another door. Here
are men looking at each other. reasoning
in high argument searching conclusions,
only to shatter them. Who are these?
They are the logicians. the men of open
throat and stony tongue.
What does it all come to? To blocking
the way, to shutting up the door. You
and I. with broken hearts, cannot find
access there. Shall we go home? Wait.
Do you really want to see Christ? That
ton.
There Is permissive violence "They
uncovered the roof. : = and when they
had broken it up Were they going to
let fifteen feet Of canvess stand between
them and the loving Healer of the uni
verse? Were they going to balance a
dying man against a roof that could be
torn off? They must see Christ.
There is an acceptable violence. When
Jesus saw their faith. He cried Low thy
sins be forgiven thee That is his con-
slant reply to earnestncss.
It is not stated that He had had any
previous conversation with this man. But
He knew the true, longing desire that
lay in that heart. and He met 1t with
words of comfort and hope.
Jesus knows what it costs to get to Him.
H. knows that with some it means they
haze to give up old acquairtances; with
others, bad ways of business or habits
that have laid themselves with with iron
grips on their hearts; but before they
have time to speak, He says, 81 know it
all. Thy sins have cast into the sea-
Som etines battle and victory join in one
supreme act. Everything goes down I'M
der the agony of human need. If we do
not find Christ, blame ourselves, never
Him!
Consider we'll; never does Christ say.
These people might have been saved if
I had shown them my@elf." He declares
quite the contrary to be the part. He
saws, "All day long have I stretched out
my hands unto a disobedient and gain
saying people, And again He laments,
have life
1t is never easy to set to Christ. 1t
means battle, pressure. determination.
The road is over place called Calvary,
and warning voice says to those who
attempt it, Except a man deny himself
and take up his cross and follow Me he
cannot be My disciple
A great battle that-but it has a great
victory. Again. therefore, the question
recurs. Do you want to see Christ? Is it
our Heart that wants Him, or is it selfish
curiosity? Is it the enquiry of soul ago
ny?
To-day is let open the door of the king
dom Of heaven in the training of Jesus.
Hear His voice. Come with Me, all ye
that Labor and are heavy laden and I
will give you rest
Blessed be God, for this world, if any
man really desires to see the Son of
Gcd. Him. the Son of God VIII see.
The Secretary OF the Treasury will de-
post money in the banks and anticipate
interest in order IN meat tho 5,r,,nI for
money. The country is so prosperous that
there is a demand for every cent of
money that can be raked and scraped to
carry on its affairs. But we cannot bank
on our wealth and issue currency against
our assets, and so there is a currency
famine. How long will this ridiculous
system be tolerated.?
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1t is rumored that the Governor of