Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1903-06-04


tify timidity on our part? Is there 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
they may appear to be hardly justi6able at
this late day, but people will think. even
though they think wrongly, and if they
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. conviction which is now
shared by everybody, the Hebrew people
themselves not excepted. If one is dis
posed to quibble ove-: the story of the Saw
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 it
was only natural that the water and blood
flowed from His side when the soldiers
spear pierced the per;cardium. It is now
ineness of the Lords death. The outcome
of the cross was not trance. The Re
deemer "tasted death for every man."
If the Lord really died, is it fact that
lie rose again? Medical experts can pro-
nounce upon the story of His decease: SO 50
His resurrection, The testimony is all in.
Shall it be permitted to stand? Christians
need not hesitate to allow the matter,
which is SO supremey sacred to them, to
be dealt with in this fashion. If they
eRee dnryy hey s. te M
of the Easter witnesses. All that they
ought to ask is that the tribunal shall he
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
fho:r mo ol,o
acter they must expect to submit to the
most rigid examination. They will stand
the test The apostles and their followers
were people who for integrity and religion
have never been surpassed. Not only were
they the incarnation Of honor and pIety.
| 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. If the Master had ap-
| 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, thev 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
shoud 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. It has
brought forth all that is best and worthiest
in every Christian country.
What is the reasonable response to al;
| this testimony? It cannot well be ruled
out. Tt cannot be discredited. It deserves
something better than the Scotch verdict
mot proven" Although we do not rely
upon the force of argument for arou<ine
| interest and changing opinions. 1T 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 certltude.
Human nature does not change essen
TALLY. The needs of to-day are not very
The gospel which st. Paul preached IL
Athens he would preach this day in Great
er New York if he were here. Jesus ane
the resurrection is the blessed and tri
umphant theme. How grievously tha
word Of God is needed not only for the up
holding of faith, but for cherishing AM
strengthening hope for an eterna5y Of fele
ity and bliss. Of arrant inidelity there !;
now comparatively little, but there is mos
unquestionably at least a partial failure t
be quite sure of the souls Immortality. 'C'l
prospect of everlasting life is not denied
it is simply not realized. Many heart
saying, "Would that l might be certain q
it ALL" It is impossible to suppose tina
: i the multitudes who are not actively asse
ciated with the church believe in immorta
| ity. If they look forward to an endless CO
reer beyond the hills of time they woul
speedily change their attitude toward hol
! things. And if the whole company c
Christ's disciples were to lay hold as the
ought of the gospel of Jesus and the re.
urrection," there would be another p.ntt
} cost and the kingdom of Gods dear So
would come indeed in all its power al,
| glory.