The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1903-06-04

cause. we cannot doubt, would to-day pro-
duce the same effect.
All This is Of solemn practical moment
to our own times Although the preacher
is not among those who oelieve That the
cause Of religion is waning, ne is Dound
with all thoughtful people to recognize
the peculiar difficulties whien besct me
church of the twentieth century. Our only
hope is to hold fast to the ideas and deals
OF The church of the first century. Inc
weakness of Christendom to-day Is the lie.
tirement from its conspicuous position OF
the all-prevailing truth which was so pow
erful in the beginning. There is entirely
too much uncertainty even amohg Chris
tians concerning the resurrection. OF Jesus
Christ. How many there arc VINO would
rather not be pressed too strongly by lts
discussion. who would prefer to have. IL
eliminated from dfstinctively Christian
teaching, who would award II, no further
dignity than to allow it to be placed among
the matters of secondary importance 10
which little or no reference need pc made.
Just here there has nnGuestiorsbly been
decline of certitude and the hour arrived
long ago when the issue should be strongly
made and honestly met. II 1T is at all I'M
certain that the divine Redeemer came
forth from the grave, it is just as well Tor
us to know it and to fashion our belief and
make our calculations accordingly. II the
old faith is in peril, or even If 1t should
be held in allegiance, as lovers OF the truth
we should be ready and willing to accept
the result with the utmost candor and con-
sistency There has been entirely too much
reticence aid hedging; there has been
disposition to dodge the real question,
though perhaps with charitable purpose
that thereby the conscience and hopes or
others might~not be shocked; there has
been a sentiment that seems to advise that
the less this matter is emphasized the bet
e.. L l. %I1.Arr
down the gauntlet: let it have this matter
out once for all with those who dispute 1T
or who hesitate to ACCEPT IL eX amino. Ii
the case Is not settled let us settle it and
settle it right. Let us insist upon the facts
whatever they are.
Christians may we'll hide their heads in
shame if they feel constrained in behalf of
their religion to ask any quarter, to accept
any tavors or those who do not stand by
the faith once delivered to the saints, or to
take advantage of any technicalities. Bet
ter ten thousand times controversy than
to have this important part of the gospel
continue where it now is in the estimation
of so many good people. We may well af-
ford to seek all the light that is available
and we need not be afraid to accept the
consequences. There are those, thank
God, who feel that the authority of the
church is sufficient warrant for the doc
trines of the church, but that authority is
not universally recognized, and it surely
will be no mortal sin if people amid their
lntrmltles respecting religion demand other
considerations in support of belief in the
risen Christ Are other considerations
forthcoming? Are there reasons which jus.
tlfy tlmldlty on our part? Is there a sus'
picion that somehow if we could fully
know Of this matter our creed would be
worsted? Such questions may seem to be
primary to those whose faith is sure, and
thew ms To no hnr cfi iahl al
this late day, but people will think, even
though they think wrongly, and if they
are the victims of mistake or a misunder.
standing it is a human kindness to lead
them to a knowledge of the truth. What
is the case of the resurrection of Jesus?
OF course the disciples believed that He
surely died, a conviction which is now
shared by everybody, the Hebrew people
themselves not excepted. If one is dis.
posed to bubble over the story of the Saw
tours passion and to suggest that perhaps
the Son of Man did not die, he should be
referred to medical experts, who will tell
him that if Jesus died Of heart fracture il
was only natural that the water and blood
flowed from His side when the soldiers
spear pierced the pericardium. 1t is now
simply preposterous to lmpeach the genu-
ineness of the Lords death. The outcome
of the cross was not trance. The Re-
deemer tasted death for every man"
He rose again? Medical experts can pro-
nounce upon the story of His decease, so
legal experts will pass upon the story OF
His resurrection. The testimony is all in.
Shall it be permitted to stand? Christians
need not hesitate to allow the matter,
which is so supremacy sacred to them. to
be dealt with in this fashion. If they
choose, they can go reverently to the SUI
preme Court that will review the testimony
of the Easter witnesses. All that they
ought to ask is that the tribunal shall be
absolutely fair and honest in the applica.
ton 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
acter they must expect to submit to the
most rigid examination. They will stand
the test. The apostles and their followers
We're people who for integrity and religion
have never been surpassed. Not only were
they the incarnation of honor and piety,
but they are entirely trustworthy on every
account. They investigated the matter
with the utmost care. Although excellent
folk may be deceived by others and even
by themselves, it is impossible to suppose
that these men were the victims of either
form OF deception. II the Master had APP
peared to them all on only single occa-
sion, there might be place for suspicion
of their absolute accuracy, but 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 nails. The list of wit
nesses does not consist of two or three
names, but includes at least 500 persons.
The church is still another witness. Her
organization, her beliefs, her sacraments,
her unfailing testimony from the beginning
and to every generation that the Founder
OF the Christian religion came forth from
the dead is worthy of the utmost consider
alton. The results of this Easter creed
should be reckoned with, for the doctrine
of the Lords resurrection has produced
a race of men, women and children who are
the very flower of the human race. 1t has
brought forth all that is best and worthiest
IN every Christian country.
What is the reasonable response to al,
this testimony? 1t cannot we'll be ruled
out. 1t cannot be discredited 1t deserves
something better than the Scotch verdict
mot proven" Although we do not rely
upon the force of argument for arousing
interest and changing opinions, it is worth
while to show that the church's creed is
supported by ample and adequate reasons,
and that faith in the resurrection of Jesus
is not blind credulity, but the acceptance
of an historical fact which is duly verified
by the canons of historical gertrude.