The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-11-01

Now Sir Thomas makes way for William,
and this he does under circumstances that
are creditables to both gentlemen Con-
gratulations ali around are in order.
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THE WILLING VICTIM.
(selected for The Times Dispatch.)
For their sakes sanctfy myself
that they also might be sanctitted.' John
1919.
Here are two qualifications spoken of,
very distinguishabe from, yet intimate
ly connected with ench other-the sanctl-
hcation of Christ, and the sanctthcation
of Christians Let this exercise turn on
the sanctiRcation. of, Christ: For their
sakes I sanctify myself.
Here the word to sanctify does not
mean to renovate or purify, but to con-
secrate or devote. He could not be sane
tilted in the former sense, because his
nature was not depraved or detiled by
sin. But, under. the law, when persons or
things were dedicated to God, they We're
considered as hallowed or holy, and to
use them for any common purpose was to
profane them. Thus the Sabbath was
sanctifled, j and tho tabernacle and the
temple. with the vessels thereof Thus
Jesus devoted himself to the service %. OF
God in the salvation Of sinners ea 10,
said he, come to do thy will, Q God. 4
consecrate myself to be an atonement. to
make reconciliation for the sins of the
people. / will suffer. the just for the un-
just and bring them nigh, who We're
once far off. by my blood" Here he
Displays tho excseding riches of his
grace in his kindness towards us.
For, observe tho voluntariness OF the
conservation. He does not say, am sane
titled. but, ~ sanctify myself" He was
not passive in thes business, neither was
he compelled Norman. says he. taketh
my life from me: ] lay it down OF my
,, self. He made himself of no reputation.
It was, therefore, with him a matter OF
the freest choice and the fullest purpose
A. man walking by the side. of river
may see fellow-creature in danger of
drowning, and may plunge in to save
him, and perish himself In the attempt.
He may be- considered as falling sac
rihce to his kindness, but the sacrifice
was only eventual.ln mot designed. Nothing
was accidental in the sufferings of
Christi nothing was unforeseen; he MS
sumed our nature. and entered our world
for this very end. 1.-THE Sonsof man came
not to be minlstered unto, but to minis
ter and to give his life a ransom for
many
| Observe also. the relativeness OF the
CONSIDERATIONS: For, their sakes I sano-
tify myself; not his own. He had no
sin of his own to expiate. He was, there
fore. cut off. but not for himself. He was
stricken, smitten of God. and afflicted;
but he was wounded for our transgres-
sions: he was bruised for our iniquties;
the chastisement Of our peace was upon
him; and by his stripes we are healed.
And he suffered not only for our sakes.
but in our stead. His death was not
only for our good. hut for our redenp-
ton; and we are expressly assured that
lie redeemed us from the curse of the
law, being made n curse for us. He was
therefore a true and proper sacrifice for
sin. AS such he was typifed by the sac
rlnces under the law. Tho people were
guilty. The high priest confessed their
sins. and laid his hands on the head OF
tho victim, and. having thus transferred
their guilt to the substitute, no slew
/. the victim. and, taking the blood In
basin, entered the. hottest Of all. ana
sprinkled the mercy-seat. and burned In
cense, and then came forth and blessed
the absorved congregation. And thus
once In tho end Of the world Christ ap-
pcared to put away sin by tho sacrifice
OF himself, and then entered tho holy
place. there to appear In tho presence of
God for us; and To them that look for
him viii DO come forth and appear
second time without sin unto salvation
Nor must we forget the responsiveness
OF tho dedication. This 1t Is not In our
power to estimate. We must possess
the same feelings, and bear the same
load, heforo language or Imagination.
however lively, can enable us to do any
thing like Justice to tho sufferinsA ne
endured. The history Ia not indeed silent
> 1t tells how he was born In a stable ano
laid In manager; became ~ man OF sor'
rows; had not where TO lay his head'
endured tho contradiction Of sinners
against himself: bore every Kind OF re-
proach, and became ntedlent unto deat y,