The Topeka state journal., 1906-05-12
BY WILLIAM 7. ELLIS.

y W Lillian L. --A--@-A--
zgHIs IS a graphic story Of su-
pernatural conflict which
the Sunday schools study to-
day. Jesus matched MS pow
er against that of the under
world in a dramatic struggle
between the heavenly and the demon
facal realms This familiar miracle Of
the healing of the Gadarene madman
is one of three, closely related which
show forth superiaively the power OF
the Son OF God The narrative Is a
vivid piece of literature. from Which
are taken several familiar figures of
speech, and phrases still in everyday
use
The old story bears directly on the
state of society today, and upon the
vital question ssIs good stronger than
evil p A fanciful imagination is not
required to perceive that even now,
with rendings and tumults of protest
and opposition. the Spirit of Jesus Is
casting out of society the demons Of
greed and dishonor and selfshness.
Certainly the tremendous struggle e
which was typi1ed that evening on
the eastern shore of Galilee's sea still
continues in spectacular intensity
a Man In Extremity.
From the dives of a great city's de-
pravity from the insane asylums,
and from hospitals one carries certain
memories Of sin and sOdden creatures
who suggest this poor man possessed
by legion of demons Stark naked,
weird in his leapings and yellings and
cavortings and fits of fury, wherein
he cut and bruised himself with stones
from the wilderness Of tombs, where
he made his home, the maniac stands
out in the gospel story as one of the
most clearly articulated portraits. His
uncanny strength. which made it i'm
possible to bind him even by chains,
caused him to be feared by the whole
countryside. He was a terror to hii
fellows as well as a torment to him
self.
Demoniacal possession IS generally
agreed to have been usually associated
with sin The children OF the evil one
do not make their home in holy hearts.
This man is q type of the human be-
lnEs over whom the devil has full
sway. Anybody who wants to get an
adequate idea Of sin should not study
st merely in its alluring beginnings,
but also in its lOathsOme endings. The
temperance question is not to be con-
sidered alone from the vantage ground
of the dining room of wealth; nor the
gambling evil from the standpoint Of
the fashionable bridge party: a, fair
study calls for a square look at the
worst as we'll as the best aspects of
the question. So it is to be rem en- ber-
ed that "Sin, when it is finished, bring
eth forth death.
Help Comes Over the Waves.
Out of the sea of Galilee. now
bLrdnSely Stlils tnOugn lately whipped
into fury by a severe storm, could be
espied a boat bearing a company of
men. The demOniac's eye was fixed
upon the central Figure, toward whom
the others preserved an attitude of
awe; for had he not by his mere fiat.
Peace, be still!n brought an instant
calm upon the raging waters, to the
speechless astonishment of the behold
ers, who found that they had not vet
sounded the depths of this versati e
Leader and Teacher For that mat
ter, the limits of Christ have not yet
been reached by twenty centuries of
devout study.
The strange creature on the shore
ran expectantly toward the boat as it
drew near; but his words were strange
ly at variance with his acts. In his
case we see illustrated the two per
sonalities which are forever at war in
all Of us: and how Jesus saves the
higher self from the grip of the lower
The madman sought help; the evil
spirit in him dreaded it. While the
afflicted one was in the very act OF
worship, the demon was crying out,
What have I to do with thee Jesus,
thou Son of the Most High Cod? ]
adjure thee by God, torment me not
It is of more than passing note that
the spirits recognized Jesus as the Son
of God. In the wilderness Satan had
besought Jesus to show himself 1.-The
Son Of God" and he had proved that