Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-04


and covered It's dominion with military
roads. This cessation from war He grasps
as an opportunity to reach the ears of men.
Those military roads are turned into ave-
nues of light. In every city, even in dis
tant lands, He finds the Hebrews heart
prepared by long education to receive His
message and to become lighthouses shin
ing IN heather darkness. Christ began His
operations in the very heart of the world:
That country from which had gone the cir
cles of religious truth, from a land whose
only history is religious history. We must
give to Jesus place as the greatest lead
er. not only because He came at an oppor-
tune tlme, but because He laid everything
in the universe under tribute to carry out
His mission.
The glory of Christ as conqueror may be
clearly seen when we compare Him with
other great conquerors. So far above the
common herd of men is He that it seems
almost sacrilege to make such a compari-
son. How utterly unlike an Alexander,
&erxes or a Napoleon is this Incompatible
hero? His only army was band of I'M
trained fishermen from the lake shores Of
Galilee. His armor consisted not in the
Roman shield or broadsword, or any of the
engines of warfare known In ancient con-
ficts. His only shield was righteousness.
His sword was simple truth, and His
strength was the power of God. He knew
nc armored fort but human hearts filled
with righteousness. The earth is stained
by no blood which He drew, nor is His rec
ord su:lIed by the story of single heart
less siege. The dying words of Julian. the
apostate, Is the verdict of the world-"Thou,
oh, Nazarene. hast at last conquered
The study of this unique character would
not be complete without at least a BRIEF
mention of some of His wonderful victories
The test of genius is it's work. This Master
of human destiny won victories before He
was born. OF none other can this be said.
character made great by service, every suf-
fering endured every great national move
ment that lifted men up toward the light
was inspired by the promised Messiah
to His tragic cross was a series of unpar-
alle,ed achievements. His escape into
Egypt, His youthful appearance In the tenn
pie, His first and mighty struggle with the
prince of darkness in the wilderness, where,
single-handed and alone, with all odds
against Him, He met and defeated the
greatest enemy. He was master Of the
material world-even the raging sea waves
were subject to Him. When He went to
the cross His enemies said: I'VE have
won't When PLATE put his seal on the
tomb the imps of darkness cried: I'VE have
conquered But when the moment
rived God touched the seal. and it was
broken: God laid His hand upon the sleep
ing body and Christ came forth conquering
and to conquer.
In the text of this morning we sit beside
a lonely exile on the Island of Patmos
John. the aged He buries his feet in the
sands on its lonely shore. Back of him are
the barren rocks of his cherries abode
Around him signs the wind, and at his feet
the sea-surf is beating its ceaseless wall.
1t is the Lords day. His mind fits across
the expanse of waters, and he sees his
children in the gospel in Asia. He shares
their burdens and bears their sorrows He
sees the dark clouds of persecution hover
ing thickly around them, but out of the
shadow arises the form of the beloved
Christ He is seated on white horse and
q bow is in His hand. The King calls, and
the hosts of right begin to gather-the
struggle is on. John hears the din of bat
tie and by and by the hosts of evil break
and clear and loud he hears the very arches
of heaven ring shouts of victory. From
this seer on Patmos we catch the vision
and hope of that final victory of Christ
over sin. The hearts of saints are reas-
sured that we can do all things through
the power of the Son of God.
Conquering now and still TO conquer,
Who is this wonderful King7
Whence are they which He leadeth
While His glory they sngi
lie is our Lord and Redeemer, Savior and Monarch
divine:
They are the stars that forever bright In His
kingdom Will shine.