Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-05-30

dignity than 10 allow it to be y acci among
the matters oi secondary Importance to
which lttlc or M reference need ne made.
last here there has .lau;;eS.ioran.v heen a
decline al gertrude and the hour arrived
long ago when the issue should he strongly
made and honesty met. If it il at al I'M.
certain that the divine Eedeemer came
forth from tho grave. it is Just a. well for
us to know i. and 10 fashion our belief and
Nuke our ca citations accordingly. II the
cd faith is in peyil. or even II Is should
be he'd in allegiance. as lovers OF the truth
we should hc ready and willing to accept
TIE result with the utmost caador aud con-
sisteEcy. There has been cntire'v too much
rrticer"+ aid hedging; there has been q
disposition 10 DODGE tire real question.
though perhaps with = charitable purpose
that thereby the conscience and homes ct
sthers might no. be shocked: there has
been q sentiment that seems IN advise that
The 'ess this matter IS emrhRs'Zed the bet
Ter for the church. Let the church throw
down the gauntlet: let it have this matter
mt once for all with those who di-prte il
or who hesitate to -crent i cX anir,o. il
the case is not settled .ct ne settle it and
settle it ri-ht. Let us insist upon the facts
whatever they arc.
Christians may well HIDE ,l,cir heads IL
shame ( they feel constrained in behalf of
their religion Ia ask any quarter. to accept
the faith once delivered 10 the s,i,ts. or to
take advantage o. any technicalities. let
lC- zen tf-..s"o1 :i"'cs 7 controversy thar
to have this imnortant part ri the gcSncl
continue where 4 now is IN the estimation
ii 50 many good nco,'e We may we'll az
lord TO seek n. hr light tha: is available.
and we need no. he afraid - accept tie
Sol. who feel that the authority OF the
>hnrch is sufficient warrant for the doc
.rincs of the church. li that authori:: Is
rot universally Recognized. ard ii surely
will be no mortal sin If rco7'e amid their
nfrmities respecting re .icioa demand other
considerations in surport of te,ief in tie
risen Christ. Are ether considerations
forthcoming? Are there reasons which iu;-
.ify tim'city an our part: Is there sus-
p.cInn that S.,:nc'irW il We cou,d fully
know Of this matter our creed would he
Wors;ei? Such questions may seem to be
primary 10 those whose faith is snrr. and
they may appcar 10 lie hard jnst;iiablc at
this late day. bat people will think. even
though they think wro",y. and If they
are the victims OF = mistake or a nisualcr-
standing it is a human kindress 10 lead
them to knowledge Of the truth What
IS the case of the resurrection of Jesus?
OF course the disciu'cs believed that lie
sure,y died. conviction which is nov
shared by everybody. the Hebrew peon.c
Themselves No: excepted. Ii ore is dis.
posed 10 rnihb'e over tho story o; he Saw
inur's passion and - suggest shat perhaps
the Son Of Man did no. die, he should be
referred u medical experts. who will tel
lin that II .!csuS died nj heart fracture it
vas o;;.y natural that the water and blood
lowed from His side wh"a the soldier
:nCar pierced the ncricartliun. It is now
simD'y pIerosterous To ir,pcach the senu-
i~c"css of the Lords death. The cnttomc
he ~ 20
dcrmer tasted death fnr ever nan
II tho Lord reai'v died. j. it fact that
lie rosc again: Medical evncrts can pro-
rounce upon the story oi His deceasc. 50
eral experts Will rass upon the story oi
His resurrection. The TESTIMONY j. all in.
Snail il he permitted To stand? Christians
need not hesitate to allow ttc matter.
winch is so snprcra"'v sacred to them. to
I've dealt with in this fashion. J; they
choose. they can 20 revcrent,y 10 tie So
l'rewe Court that VIII review the testimony
OF the Easter witnesses. All .:nat they
ought to ask is that the tribunal hall he
absolutely fair and honest in The arplica-
tioa OF the laws Of evidence Who are the
witnesses and what is their reputation
for truth and veracity:" Inasmuch as
their narrative is extraordinary in its char
ac;er they must cxnect to submit to the
mos: rigid examination. They will stand
the test. The apostles and their followers
were people who for integrity md ie,igicr
have never been surpassed. not only were
they the incarnation OF honor and piety.
but they are entirely Trustworthy OF every
account. They investigated the matter
with the utri3st care. Although excellent
folk may ne deceived ny others and even
by themselves, IL is impossible to suppose
that these men were the victims OF eithei
form OF deception. II the Master had ap.
reared TO them all on only a single occa.
sion, there m. ut be place for a suspicion
OF their absolute accuracy. bu; they saw
Jesus many times after the resurrection.
they talked with Him. they ate and drank
with Him. they even put their fingers into
the print OF the nais. The list OF wit
nesses does not consist OF two or three
names. bat includes TT least 200 persons.
The church is still another witness. Her
organization. her beliefs. her sacrauents,
he. uaiaiiing testimony from the beginning
and TO every generation that the Founder
OF the Christian re.ie ion came forth from
the dead is worthy OF the utnos. consider
atio.I. The results OF this Easter creed
should be reckoled with, for tine doctrine
OF the Lords resurrection has produced
race OF Inen, womtn and children who are
the very flower OF the human race. II has
brought forth all that is best and worthesi
in every Christian country.
What il the reasonable response TO al
this testimony. j. canno: well be ruled
out 1t cannot be discred:ted it deserves
something better than the Scotch verdict
mot proven Although We 90 not rely
upon thc force OF argument for aron<inG
interest and changing opinions. II Is worth
while to show that the church's creed is
supported by ample and adequate reasons.
ard thar faith III the resurrection of Jesus
is not bind creduli;y. but the acceptance
OF IN historical fact which is duly verified
by the carons OF historical gertrude.
Human nature docs not cnansc essen.
italy. The needs OF to-day are rot very
different from those OF 200 years ago
The gospel which 81. Paul preached in
Athens he would preach this day in Great
er New York if he were here. Jesus and
the resurrection" is the blessed and tr.
umphant theme. How grievous,y tina:
word OF God is needed not only for the up
holding of faith. but for cherishing and
Strengthening hone for IN eternity OF feic.
ity and bliss. OF arrant iniidcliiy there Is
now comparatively iitt.c. but there il most
nnqresiIcnahly at east partial failure to
be quite sure OF the sous immortality. The
prospect oil everlasting life is rot denied.
It is Simply not realized. Many neat. is
saying. 'Won.d that ! might be certain OF
1t ALL" 1t is impossible to suppose that
the multitudcs who are no. actively ssso
ciated with the chrrch believe in immortal.
isy. II they Jock forward to an end,n.s ca
recr beyond the hills OF time they would
speedily charge their attitude toward hcs;
thing. And ii the who.e company OF
Chr,s;s disciples were TO lay hold as they
ought of the gospe. of Jesus and the res
direction" there won.d be another . ate
cost AMI the kingdom OF Gods dear Son
would come indeed in al its power and
glory.