The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-28

- &N = W - AVA &14S \ "A ~ V A Stier describe it as @the most sublime and simple expression of the eternal mystery of redemption which the Scrip lures contain"
 Mosiae from Commentaries.
 A man: From the people collective ly, to whom Jesus had addressed Him self. transition Is now made to His dealing with an individual.--Luthardt Pharisee. ruler; Circumstances ac- count for prominence given incident--- New Century. Came to Jesus by night: In secret. so as not to be observed. This he could easily do. because the steps to the guest-chamber, the upper room were on the outside of the house as to- day in Palestine and often In Italy. He went by night CD because common pru- dence would lead him so to do. It was not wise to commit himself till he knew more about the new Teacher. He would not launch out on an unknown voyage over an unknown sea- (2) The quiet evening hour, after the public work and teaching of Jesus were over, and the crowds had retired to their homes. was by far the best time for this purpose. (s) He would wish not to be interfered with by curious ob- servers, but would have heart-to- heart talk with Jesus.--Peioubet Rab- bi: Accords the dignity denied by many Lange Verify, verify, I say; One of the great cardinal truths of the kingdom of heaven soiemnly intro- duced.--Lange. Except: An answer to what was In Nicodemuss mind rath- CT than what he actually said.---New Century. A man be born: Jesus gave Nicodemus to understand that he had not yet reached the forecourt of true knowledge. When he requires the new birth from above as the condition of seeing the kingdom, He means &C., cording to the analogy of the Jewish designation of proselytes or born again, primarily: Except a man come out from the old system, become a proselyte publicly commit himself to a new position. Birth from above de- mands a great transition. Nicodemus would privately assure Him of the ad- hesion of party of the Pharisees, ini- plying the presumption that he would attach himself to the old order Of things. Jesus demands of him prose- lytism wrought by God, coming forth from the darkness of night and of the old party, if he would have any under standing at all of the Kingdom which he Himself announces.--Lange. How can man be born again? Either Nic- odemus purposely nisunderstands in order to reduce Christ's words to an absurdity, or more probably not know ing what to say, he asks what he knew to he a foolish question.--Camb. Bib.
 The Teachers Lantern.
 Nicodemuses abound today. They are deferential and even Complimen- tary to Jesus. But they find in Him only a teaching Messiah. His Word and example are the ladder to heaven. not His cross. They understand not the imperative necessity, the incalcu- lable advantage of His lifting up," nor its similitude to the lifting up of the serpent by Moses, They stop snort of the atonement In Christ They lose all. They are like that Saxon peasant boy Teller tells of, who. on being asked if he learned anything of Jesus at school, replied, "Oh, syesi" What then? That He was a good teacher of the people" Bless me! This world has had teachers enough. What 1t wanted was Savior!
 Be born again: That is the first sentence of the Divine catechism (Stier) The very term Is, in itself, enough to inspire hope. It is an effect which, by the utmost striving we can not produce upon ourselves. It is gift It is from above.
 Sum and substance of the Christian religion is a principle of life in the human soul. It is not doctrine. but life. As Luther paraphrases 1t; My doctrine is not of doing or leaving un- dene, but of being and becoming; so 1 that 1t is not new work to be done, but just the being new-created. Or. I. xxrft nra aalrns The NfnprdOnn 0f 1 God Is nothing into which a man can think or study. or read. or hear, or | talk, or discuss himself: @ man can only experience his way into the king | dom of God. Or with Stier; Thou wouldst begin at the Omega I will begin at the Alpha, and thus teach thee the whole alphabet of My doctrine In that one word. "hbrp again!"
 If we only availed ourselves of what we understood, we could not live a day longer in this world. A college professor at an amateur. club expound- ed the principles of the application of electricity to locomotion. He was technical, and used algebraic equa- tions on the blackboard. At the close he politely invised questions. The very first one was: Well. but pro- lessor, what does make the car go?' l The scientist turned to put the equa- ton on the board again. while his el- derly interlocutor sank back in her chair disconsolately. She may never know what makes the car go, but she will never decline to ride upon 1t on that account Shall we show less com mon sense concerning the car of sal- | vation?
 The effects of the new birth are ap- parent, incOntes.able, glorious, eternal. This tree is known by it's fruits. Ii commends itself. Though we may never know just how the tree grows. may its fruits be in us and abound They will. If We stop to decipher 1t all out Faith Is the only means of demonstration.
 BIJOU FAMILY THEATRE.
 MOn.. Tues, Weds., Mat. and Night,
 Jan. 30, 31st,, Feb. Ist.
 IA