The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-19
2OO3 FIRST AVENUE.

lstered without charge to the sick and
suffering. lie wrough miracles to feed
the hungry multitudes that sought Him
in the desert places. Was there ever
more rational saying than this: I'VE
love Him because He first loved u.s."
Jesus As a Teacher.
But Jesus had been more than sym
pathetic friend He had laugh the peo-
pie Peasants and doctors of the law
were alike astonished at the wisdom
with which he spoke. His word was
with authority and power. 1t called sin
ners back to the paths of righteousness,
and disarmed the officers Of the law
who came to affect his arrest. Nicodemus
was speaking the sentiment of all Jeru-
salem and Judea when he said: I'VE
know that thou art a teacher come from
God. for no man can do the miracles
that thou doest except God be with
him." There was nothing that reasn-
anles man could do but give heed to the
teachings of one whom all men recog-
nized as a messenger sent from God.
When He had finished his teachings lie
announced to the disciples that He was
going away to prepare place for them,
and that He would come again and re-
ceive them to Himself in the Fathers
house of many mansions.
When the mob came out to disturb him
at prayer he said: II can pray to my
Father and He will presently send more
than twelve legions of angels. No man
taketh my life from me. l have power
to lay 1t down and | have power to take
1t up again. BY an unparalleled act OF
self-surrender lie yielded Himself a will
ing victim to His prosecutors who cruel
fed Him, and friends laid His body to
rest in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.
on the morning of the third day after
the crucifixion the soldier guard left the
sepulchre and fed into the city saying
that Jesus had risen from the dead. BY
night ten of the eleven disciples and some
women of their company had seen Him
and heard Him speak. He repeatedly man
Tested Himself to His disciples, and fina-
ally In the presence of more than five
hundred witnesses assembled into heaven.
Not Unreasonable to Believe.
surely lie who took up His life again
never to die is able to make good every
promise nldue his uINOlcd lOAiONSAS" 80
the face of these historic facts there
seemed to be nothing for reasonable
man to do but to believe and hope.
Considering the life that Jesus lived.
the promises that lie made, and His mar
velous resurrection from the dead, who
will say that the hopes of the early Chris
tans were extravagant.
Let us thank God that we have outlved
the day when men are summoned before
earthly tribunals to give an answer for
the hope that is in them.
But let us not make the mistake OF
supposing that we have outlived the me-
cessity for a reason for the hope Of the
Christian religion.
Nineteen centuries of Christian history
have been made but ours Is still a re-
ligion of hope. The historic Christ is the
foundation upon which all Christian hope
must rest.
He who looks to philosophy for basis
for optimism cannot more than "faintly
trust the larger hope" But he who ac-
cepts unhestatingly the Christ of the
New Testament has an ample basis for
the most joyous optimism. Cheered and
inspired by this hope he treads down OPP
posing obstacles until he awakes in the
likeness of his Lord.