The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-05-29

lust here there has unaues.ionably been a
decline OF eertitude, and the hour arrived
long ago when the issue should be strongly
made ana honestly met. IL II Is at all un.
certain that the divine Redeemer came
forth from the grave. II Is Just as well for
us 20 know il and 10 fashion our belief arr
make our calculations accordingly. III the
old faith is IN peril. or even II II should
he held in abeyance. as lovers OF the truth
we should he ready and willing 10 accept
the result with the utmost candor and con-
sistency. There has been entirely too much
reticenee aid hedging; there has been
disposition 20 dodge the real question,
though perhaps with a charitable purpose
that thereby the conscience and hopes ct
others might not he shocked; there has
beer a sentiment that seems 20 advise that
the less tins matter Is emphasized the bet.
ter Tor the church Let the church throw
down the gauntlet: let II have this matter
out once for all with those who dispute u
or who hesitate 70 accept /. eN amino. III
the case is not settled let us settle II and
settle II right. Let US insist upon the facts
whatever they are.
Christians may we'll hide their heads in
shame i they feel constrained in behalf of
their religion 10 ask any quarter. to accept
any favors OF those who do not stand by
the faith once delivered 10 the saints, or 10
take advantage OF any teohncalities. Bet.
ter ten thousand times a controversy than
10 have this important part OF the gospel
continue where u now is IN the estimation
OF so many good peonle. We may well af
ford 20 seek all the light that is available,
and we need not be afraid to accept the
consequences. There are those. thank
God, who fcel that the authority of the
church is sufficient warrant for the doc
trines OF the church, but that authority IL
not universally recognized, and il surely
will he no mortal sin If people amid their
lnhrmltles respecting religion demand other
considerations in support OF belief IN the
risen Christ. Are other considerations
forthcomlngy Are there reasons which JUS
tity tlmidity on cur party is there a sus-
picion that somehow II we could fully
know OF this matter our creed would be
worsted? Such questions may seem TO be
primary 10 those whose faith is sure. and
they may appear 20 be hara" jJstifable at
this late day, but people will think. even
though they think wrongly, and If they
are the victims OF n mistake or misundcr-
standing IL is a human kindness 10 lead
them TO n knowledge Of the truth. What
is the case Of the resurrection Of Jesus
OF course the disciples believed that lie
surely died, a convection which is now
shared by everybody, the Hebrew people
themselves not excepted. III one is dis.
posed 10 quibblc over the story of the Saw.
iour's 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 u
was only natural that the water and blood
flowed from His side when the soldiers
spear pierced the pericardum. IL is now
simply preposterous TO impeach the genu-
ineness of the Lords death. The outcome
of the cross was not a trance. The Re
deemer tasted death for every man
II the Lord really died. is il a fact that
he rose again? Medical eXperts can pro.
nounce upon the story of His decease. 50
legal experts will pass upon the story Of
His resurrection The testimony is all in.
Shall IL be permitted TO stand? Christians
need not hesitate 10 allow the matter,
which is so supremely sacred to them. to
be dealt with in this fashion. II 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 toe
absolutely fair and honest in The applica-
tion OF the laws of evidence. Who are the
witnesses and what is their reputation
for truth and veracty| Inasmuch as
their narrative is extraordinary in its char
acter they must expect to submit 10 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 pety.
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
bv themselves, II is impossible TO suppose
that these men were the victims Of either
form OF deception. IL the Master had ap.
peared To them all on only a single occn.
sion. there might be place for n 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 pat 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 - 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
n race Of men, women and children who are
the very flower OF the human race. II has
brought forth all that IL best and worthiest
in every Christian country.
What ~ the reasonable response 10 nj,
this testimony II cannot well be ruled
out. II cannot be discredtcd. IL deserves
mot proven" Although we do not rely
upon the force OF argument for arousing
interest and changing opinions. IL is worth
while TO show that the church's creed ~
supported by ample and adequate reasons.
and thar faith in the resurrection of Jesus
is not blind creduity, but the acceptance
of an historical fact which is duly verified
by the caHons of historical certitude.
This whole case OF the Lords resurrec-
tion merits far greater prominence than u
commonly receives, and IL should be al.
lowed 20 resume the pogtion which II hcld
in apostolic times. In this way the mod
ern church would have In larger measure
the confidence whicl marked those holy
people who were instrumental in carrying
the gospel throughout the then known
world. With what courage and power
Christians would deal with the religious
skeptlcism and misapprehenslons OF the
age. IL Jesus Christ has rseD from the
dead, the gospel has the most infallible
proof of its absolute truthfulness. When
one comes back from the light OF the next
world and realiirms every Iot and little Of
His teachings, there ~ scarcely place for
the shadow Of a doubt Our religion has
this high credential Christianity is sane.
toned, and sealed by a voice from heaven.
Misgivings should cease and confidence
should return, aud the SaviOur's disciples
should rally as never before 20 the support
Of His cause and kingdom. Their creed
should be accepted a. iniallibly true be.
cause IL has been brought 30 evidently
from the skies
Human nature does not cnange essen.
tally. The needs Of to-day are not very
different from those Of 2yJ years ago.
The gospel which 81. Paul preached IN
Athens be would preach this day in Great.
or New York If he were here Jesus and
the resurrection" il the blessed and tri.
umphant theme. How grIevously that
word OF God n needed not only for the M.