The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-13

ginning. placed it there. and no defender
since has been inclined to change the posi-
ton. IL was the challenge of the church
TO the world OF doubt 1t has not been
been conferred. and here the conflict of the
ages has been raging. If Jesus be not
risen then is your faith vain, we are yet
in your sins. Then they that are fallen
asleep are persisted, and we of all men are
most miserable. This may be startling to
timid faith. 1t is to any faith. Are there
no reserved facts that might be presented
that would save Christianity IL this should
fail? Paul says none whatever. How
much this means. All that is sacred In
this faith of ours, all that is saving, all
that is joyful all that is comforting. and
inspiring and uplifting, is staked on
single fact. 1t is well that we are assured
of this fact, or all is hopeessly gone. NO
wonder that the fathers have defended IL
well.
LOOKING TO ITS STRENGTH.
IF we are to have new form of defense
we must look we'll TO its strength. Yonder
is tower which has been the defense OF all
Who came into IT in the times OF trouble
Within its strong walls / find a comfort
able home we'll arranged for the joy of all
its inhabitants. In the midst of their bless
ed delights am almost cruel to suggest an
inquiry concerning the security of the foun-
dations. 1t might alarm them and bring
unhappiness. Yet IL is as important as the
how are we to know its Foundations
strength? One way is to dig beneath, but
this might endanger all. But there are
records kept of the master who built it.
Ages before he laid the foundations and Ii
is said on single rock. When l read this
l am alarmed. But there follows record
of the event through which 1t has passed
storms have swept IL. Winds have peat
upon it, Armies have besieged Ii. see
some signs of their rage upon its outer face,
but only few marks that rain Will WASH
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find that the present building, its great
walls, its erect towers, its unframed bat
Elements, its homelike retreats, are the best
evidence OF it's foundations. Indeed, so
conclusive are these eloquent arguments
that If the musty records should perish L
must still believe. This is Christianity as
1t is to-day, constructed from the best the
human race can FURNISHED. In literature, in
art, in commerce, in science, in everything,
Christianity is the embodiment of the pre-
cious things we hold and the mighty things
we prize-a real and living joy. A tower
ing. conquering power, subduing and ere
ating nations and bringing peace to mil
lions, this surely has good foundation.
All that is, all that has been, testified to
its secure foundation. The nightiest argu-
ment for the resurrection of Jesus is that
he is the most important parsonage in this
world to-day. He Is the ruling king of
the mightiest and the best; surely an an
cient grave does not contain Him. 1t is His
empire, His army, His victories that attest
Him. This is enough.
His influence and potency are unique.
He is traceable His life has been so sim
gular that it's course may be marked with
out difficulty through all ages and among
all nations. The characteristics are not In
themselves so different the manner in
which his personality presents them.
Shakespeare may be traced in all literature.
There has been but one Jesus-the presd-
ing genius of the ages.
ITO rule the nations through the in
dividual heart. To carry his conquest to
the ends of the earth. This surely no one
has dreamed as possible. Alexander and
Charlemagne and Napoleon were ambi-
tious conquerers and hoped to subdue the
nations and draw tribute from them, but
of ruling them in the peace Of righteous
ness would have been thought preposterous
by them Yet this claim is made by this
Jesus. He said it when yet a poor Gal
lean peasant. He said it when before
Plate and condemned. He said 1t on the
This thought this scheme, this
purpose has seized the followers OF this
Man. 1t has come to predominant our
nations. This age is becoming absorbed by
ii. 1t has seized the church of to-day like
passion. 1t Is creating new songs, form
ing new societies 1t is advocated by COOL
est-headed business men. Nations are
giving IL encouragement There never was
a time since Jesus taught it to his disciples
when His words were affecting so nightly
the very source of society and absorbing
so effectually the resources Of our civilized
nations"