Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-10-22
Calma9e
Sermon
BY Rev.
Frank De Witt Talmaee. d. d.

Los Angeles. Cal, Oct. 16-ln this
sermon the preacher discusses the
tendency of society To unsparingly con-
denim in one sex what is tolerated i'm
the other and the almost universal
habit of dcnouncing In others sins
which we conceal and excuse in our
selves. The better way of the divine
law is illustrated from the text John
wifi. :. What sayest thou?'
Have you studied constitutional law:
Without doubt IL offers one of the most
appetizing feasts ever spread In the
banquet hall of the mental epicurean.
1t follows with unerring eye the rami-
fcations of Il governments internal or
ganisn. even us II medical student
searches out the entangled pathways
of the nerves and muscles and arteries
of the human frame
Constitutional law Is above all other
kinds of law. The national congress
and the legislatures of the states deal
with conditions as they arise. and some
times. in their haste to remedy an evil
or TO provide means for an urgent pur-
pose. they enact statute which proves
TO he unconstitutional What do we
mean by that: We mean that there
are certain fundamental principles of
government embodied In our constitu-
tion which must not be transgressed.
Ii n law is passed which violates one
OF those principles there is no need
To repeal it. because when il is found
to be unconstitutional it ut once be-
comes void and imperative. Thus
back of all legislation stands the con-
stitution as the supreme test by which
the acts of president and lawmakers
are judged. 1t defines the rights of
rulers and legislators and sets limits to
their power and is the safeguard of
national liberty.
In the kingdom of God we have also
a supreme authority. The councils of
the churches may formulate doctrines.
make DEGREES and construct creeds and
catechisms. but high over all there is
Christ is the supreme ruler of his
kingdom. and his word is the test by
which every dogma and practice must
be judged. Let us consider some Of
the characteristics of this government.
An Absolute Monarch.
First, it is an absolute monarchy.
We have governments on earth that
we describe as absolute monarchies,
meaning that they have no constitu-
ton. We speak about the Russian
government as an absolute monarchy,
but it is not. There are thousands of
things which the Russian car would
like TO do which he cannot do. With
his pistol or sword Nicholas might
STAY his own children, as Ivan the
Terrible i'm maniacal rage killed his
firstborn son. and no power on earth
could bring him TO justice. But there
are limits to the present cars power.
His own subjects recognize the fact.
The old Russian proverbs tell us there
are many things the car cannot do.
Among those proverbs are the follow
ing: Even the car gets his shoes
despatched If he puts his foot in a
puddle" 1.-The cars crown cannot
protect him from headache" THE
OK of the ear can have only two
horns" Even the cars vinegar will
not swecten." Put the car in the
desert and he is man and nothing
more" THE cars edicts are good
for nothing unless Gods Amen is
s..k
aphorisms. current in Russia do the
people show that they realize that,
powerful as the Russian autocrat is.
he is subject to human limitations. like
the most obscure peasant i'm his EN-
pire. II is well known. too. by states
men that even as ruler he is not
SO supreme as is thought. The mobiles
who surround him exercise con-
straint upon him. and his agents often
thwart his will.
In an infinitely higher sense is Christ
the absolute ruler in his kingdom. In
his wisdom and power he governs
without check. AMI his word is the law
and life of his people. He is in truth
more than Il president. more than II
doge of Venice. more than king. more
than n ear He is an absolute mon
arch in the Christian world.
significant illustration of Christ's
originality and his freedom from cur
rent principles and prejudices is given
I'm the gospels. and il may help us TO
understand his attitude If we study
the story. One day while Jesus was
teaching i'm the temple surrounded by
the people the scribes and Pharisees
tried 10 entrap him. Right into the
temple where Jesus was they dragged
trembling. frightened. sobbng We NJ
an who had been taken in adultery.
Right through the crowds of listeners
they pushed her. Then they cried out
I'm stentorian tones so that all could
hear: Master. what shall we do with
her? Shall we stone her To death. as
Moses commanded. or shall we let her
go free?" Instead Of Christ condemn
ing or acquitting the poor creature. as
they all supposed he must do. Christ
by his actions rs well as by the word
of lin condemned the men who were