Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-07-23
ITS PERENNIAL POWER.
Christianity a Constant and Varied
Factor in Human Life-oId,
Yet Ever New.

Spring is natures revelation of
Vitality There has been the hiding
OF power during the winter, now there
IS the exhibition of latent strength.
The trees seem to say: Eve will
show you that we are alive" the
fields exult in their ver6ure, the little
flowers compel attention by their
fragrance and beauty.
The perennial power of nature az
seen in the springtide expression Is
help to remind us of the same char
aotertstic resident in Christianity.
The crisis makes it manifest.
This perennial power is seen in the
ability of Christianity to show I'D
sin till we are Disguised with IL.
With a microscope the water from
q pond appears disgusting. Chris
uanitv acts as a lens to give moral
sight -znG sin shocks as it did the
dying thief by its contrasts.
The sainted Mrs. Ballington Booths
presence in a prison made men feel
longing 20 be SCULPTURE The Bible
is not found IN the saloon. etc, be-
cause Of its power TO convince of sin.
This perennial power is seen in
that Christianity does not only dis
gust with sin. il redeems from sin
says Rev. John H. Davis, A. NJ. in
Christian Work. The microscope re-
veals truth and sends us awav dis
gusted, the scientist comes and saws:
Boil the water and destroy its in
curious properties. Christianity to
the sin-sicl1 soul says you can be made
perfectly whole. because it's mission
is TO save the lost
Paul said: And you hath He made
alive who were dead in trespasses
and sins" To-day the same power
persists in Christianity.
Darwin, great IN his own realm
and who had been dwelling on the age
working processes of evolution. was
amazed at the wonder working power
or missionary effort. A barbaric self
eating people We're transformed into a
selt-respecting, peace-loving people in
about decade. He at once sent $40
(S10o) to the missionary society and
continued TO do so annually. That
was tribute to grace and not to evo-
luton. Christianity comes in be-
tween cause and effect in such a mar
velous manner that what would be-
cannot come. Love overleaps law in
Its eagerness to redeem. To save the
lost is the great reason Christ gave
for His coming The substitution of
evolution for redemption is a danger
Gus procedure; the teachings of Oar
win do not include the sin problem
Social progress is determined by its
morality and morality is the result of
Christianity.
Then again, the perennial power of
Christianity is seen in its influence
In creating IDEALS.
The protests against slavery were
effective. Those against the importa.
lions of Chinese as slaves into Africa
recently are sure to compel England
TO remedy this evil
The personal life is elevated because
the Christian is never satisfied. Paul
wanted the prize of perfection in
Christ Jesus. The Christian. like the
nautilus, must shed his shell and
build more stately temples" as Dr.
Holmes puts it.
Then again there is the perennial
power Of the eternal hope Without
the bright visions OF better life this
world would be dungeon to many.
The poor widow gives the last bread
to her children, and thinks of the
home where they hunger no more.
The hero and home builder struggles
ON, hoping to hear the "Well done"
He endures his daily battle "as seeing
him who is invisible" and che has
respect unto the recompense of the
reward" The darling child has gone
on hsao tod
agony till they hear the Scripture.
there shall be no more death, neither
sorrow nor crying" etc, then they
take heart and sunshine comes into
their lives.
Ever fresh is the power of Chris
! tianity to heal sin and bless man.
kind. Never will it be inadequate to
effect all the moral changes necessary
for the worlds transformation and