The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-03-15
FOR HIS PERSISTENCE IN UNBE-
LIEF HE WAS DUBBED
1.-THE DOUBTER."
His Mistake Has Been the Mistake Of
MuItitudes Throughout All the
Centuries.

! Sunday evening at the Wilbur Me-
mortal church, Rev. Robert j. Reid,
delivered an able discourse to his con-
gregation. He choose his subject
from the Goth chapter of John, using
the 25th verse, which reads as fol-
| lows: Except l shall see in his hands
finger into the print of the nails, and
thrust my hand into his side, 1 Will
not believe
In part, the reverend gentleman
said
The shock to this disciples faith
when he saw Jesus die as common
malefactor, was so great that not
readily did he accept the report that
this same Jesus was now risen from
the dead, and had been seen of the
other disciples. He was not present
at the first meeting and there Jesus
showed as evidence of his identity, his
hands, his feet, his side. They had
seen. Now, Thomas says, that unless
he has the very same evidence that
was given the other disciples, he
Will not believe.
For this persstency of unbelef the
disciple has been dubbed through the
past as The Doubter,' and yet it is
a case of SANDER upon this disciple to
thus designate him, as though he We're
especially remarkable because he asks
this particular kind of evidence.
Thomas mistake has been the mis-
take of muttudes through all the CEN
turtles. He was going to point out the
way by which Christ could make him
self known to him. and unless he came
this way he would not believe Him.
Except | see, except l feel, except |
thrust my hand into the wound l will
not believer" Unless Thomas could
have his way he would still refuse to
you not see in this attitude of mind the
great error of multitudes processing
to be truth-seekers? OF many who pro-
TESS to be seeking to know Christ?
Unless their particular views are re-
spected they viii remain in their in
fidelity, whereas the prayers of their
hearts should be Make Thyself known
in Thy way" Is he not Lord of every
approach to the human soul? Is it evil
dence of intense desire TO know Christ
for men to do this act? No, truth
seekers in any other fields Of knowl-
search. were he thus to come to his
task. Why then, O why in this most
essential of all knowledge, the knowing
Jesus Christ as the blessed personal
Savior Should we mark out rnis
manner of his coming to us?
But you say, Was not this diciple
justified in asking for just this kind
of evidence? He was asking only for
the same testimony that was given to
to demand evidence. Have not men
the same right today? Yes. and when
the question of evidence is honestly
| asked it is always respected and
answered.
In every city, town, village and
country church in this great land to-
day, many have met to worship. What
does it mean? One name has been held
as holy, Jesus Jesus. Let us ask does
this Jesus do more for men than any
other. If He does not / will not be-
leve. This is a worthy question and
| if it is answered in the affirmative He
is the live of God. Never one instance
where this Christ has not saved the
most subject when permitted
Again, men expect from Christian
ity. that the highest types of charac-
ter will be produced. They have a
right to expect it. Except they see
this accomplished are they not justi-
| fed in withholding their credence?
We will place side by side our own
beloved America and Turkey-and you
have your answer. Yes, Jesus does
| work the transformation and in spite
Of the deficiencies, Christians do ex-
hibit the highest type of character and
| this is their supreme task of represent
| ing Christ to others.
But Thomas showed that as for
him, he could not be satisfied with
out personally touching Jesus. Here
is revealed another and deeper truth.
| that nothing short of contact with
Jesus will satisfy. Report, speculation
and opinion here are worthless. There
must be contact with God Nothing
less will do and nothing less need Dc