The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-19
LOVE AMONG THE RUINS
TRUTH OF THE BIBLE FOUND AMONG
STONES OF FALLEN CITIES.
Robert BrOwning's Famous Poem an
Inspiration for DIR. Albert HurI-
stone at Roberts Park.

DR.. Albert Hurlstone preached at Rob-
erts Park NJ. f. Church yesterday morn
ing on Love Among the Ruins" the title
of of Robert Brownings most sug-
gestive poems.
''In our text" he said. Jeremiah appears
before as a lover amid the ruins of his
beloved people. This topic is not strange
one to the Bible reader. We are familiar
with such scenes as Elijah, the lover of
righteousness. amid the ruined affairs of
Israel: Nehemiah, the patriot, weeping
over the ruined walls of Jerusalem; Jesus
the Savior of men, weeps as he beholds
with prophetic eye, the ruins of the Holy
City. The true patriot is the man of God.
Consider first, the lover of travel
among the ruins of castles, coliseum, TO-
rum, parthenon, temples and old world
scenes. Browning points out what was
once a great city, some Babylon or Nine
veh. Byron, too. has given us in 'Childe
Harold some beautiful medita tons of the
lover among ruins as he reflects on changes
in the worlds history.
Consider secondly, love among the ruins
of bible lands. Archaeology is unfolding the
evidence of the truth of the word of God.
Do not be uneasy about higher criticism.
We should thank God for every help to a
better understanding of Gods word
We are more concerned with the
fact of inspiration than with any
theory. Take a walk among the ruins
of the theories of higher critics and
you will thank heaven that the inpregnable
rock of Holy Scripture abides. The grass
withers, the flower fades, but the word of
our God stands forever. When fire burns not
and water will not drown, when the laws
of nature break down then you may ques-
ton the word of God. Earth changes, but
thy soul and God and His word endure
attacked again and again, but the lover
of Gods word has gone among the ruins
of ancient cities and verified the state
ments of the Scriptures. Not a single
event recorded in the Pentateuch has been
overthrown.
RECORDS ARE IN RUINS.
Travellers in Bible lands, such as Pales-
tine, Syria, Babylon. Persia and Egypt
now see and acknowledge the marvellous
fulfillment of the prophecies. The lover Of
the Bible has proofs Of it's divine revelation
and inspiration in the fulfillment OF its won
dsrful prophecies. Its records are the ruins
of empires, the mutations of states, oblit-
erations of nations and civilizations; the
present and centuries old condition of
Egypt, Syria, Fhoenicia, Arabia, Idumaea,
Babylon, Ninevah, Judea. The ruins of
these places are witnesses.
Consider thirdly, love among moral
ruins. The ruined character is more pic
turesque than the ruined castle. The
causes Of moral ruin are legion. Lust when
it hath conceived bringeth forth sin and
sin when 1t is finished bringeth forth
avarce. infidelity are sweeping away the
moral foundations of many life and leav-
ing the soul in ruin.
Tine church is organized love among
| ruins. The church is social necessity 1t
| is charitable institution. An army of
conquest 1t is built on Christ's dying love
| for a ruined world. Christ came to seek
and to save that which was lost. And
| now his representatives are found in every
| land. Our missionaries are working in
! love among the ruins of human religion
and old world civilizations. In our own
| land grave problems face US. Sin makes its
own hell and many turn away from Christ,
! the only hope of the worlds redemption.
| The Song of the Shirt, the Cry of the
| Children, the Bridge of Signs, are classics
| in our humanitarian poetry and show how
| the love of Christ is firing the thought and
heart OF men to rescue the perishing
/ In ancient Israel the prophet jeremiah
| stood within the walls of Jerusalem and
| waged one of the noblest and most glor-
single handed for above twenty years he
/ stood gentle and timid. yet strong in a
| higher strength in opposition to the united
| fury OF kings, princes and priests. Suffer
ing much. imprisoned and insulted he yet
| lived the embodiment of love among the
ruins. This is the need of our day. Men
! loyal to God. Men who will work out the
| grand possibilities of society. The devils
! of drink, lust idolatry, pride, coVeteous-
ness and war, that keep the race out of
/ that wider, richer inheritance shall yet be
destroyed The city of our God shall yet
/ DE established on earth. Its ruined affairs
/ quer Gods kingdom shall come. His will
1 be done on earth as Ii is in heaven