The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-24
Mr.. SPOONER SPEAKS
ON THE INCARNATION
Pastor Of Broad-Street Methodist
Church on Divinity of
Christ.

The Rev Geo H. .suoouer. pastor.
preached TO a splendid congregation from
Isaiah's prophecy concerning the birth or
Christ. "A virgin snail conceive and
Dear a son. and shall call Eiis name Inn
manuel" As an introduction 20 tie dis
cussion OF this subject % tae incarnation,
Mr.. spooncr said. I'm "a Few months "a
great exposition viii be opened on the
banks OF Hampton Roads. While other
nations viii De represented. the fact cele-
orated is chiefly matter % pride go the
AnElo-S@xon. and the splendid civillza-
uon that followed the daring venture or
Bartholomew Gosuold and IBIS courageous
little band
"On tho Fourth OF July the wheels 81
government pause. and the rush OF busl-
ness checks and We celebrate the Declare
ton OF Independence. Other nations may
hear Or it. but II is "a matter that chiefly
concerns the American uoople But on
next Tuesday. the -lth. tne anniversary
~ the birth % "a child called Jesus will
be- celebrated and this is a matter o.
Interest. not only 20 England and Amer
ica- but 10 all nations
Seeking an answer 90 the question Why
this event has 50 much of Importance
attached 20 u. we md 10 Ia the personality
az the individual whose birth is thus
honored- Back Of His birth was the dec
larauon OF the angel that God should
bo the Father 81 The child. and here. the
champions OF Unoelief have waged their
nercest battle.
The life OF Jesus could not be de-
nied-thousauds saw Him and knew Him.
The death OF Jesus could not be denied
the governor Of the state signed the death
warrant The resurrection ~ Jesus could
not be denied the tomb was empty. But
the miraculous birth could be questioned.
and here the battle OF words las waged-
In response TO this attack Christianity
has made answer under three heads:
First the promise OF God and prophecy
concerning the time and place and man
ner or His birth Second, the characteris-
tics OF the Man thus born evidence tina
fact that the human and the divine were
strangely blended IN His nature. Certain
~ He was a man. Ills miracles proved
Him a Cod Third. the proof OF His divine
birth is seen in the wonderful triumph
OF His kingdom. With dozen ignorant
fishermen: with no book, OF line that
He had ever written 70 preserve Ills
teachings, His gospel is the dominant
force Of modern civilization. and has been
the salt OF tho earth for twenty centu-
ries. on these three leading arguments
we can join hands across the ages with
the Roman centurion standing in the
shadows OF the cross. and say, Truly this
was the Son OF God
THE ultimate purpose OF the Incarnation
was TO save men. He came TO seek ana
TO save the lost and the fact that He does
save men cOrroborates the claim Of di-
vine birth.
The incarnation is a bedrock principle
in the foundation Of our faith Not a
theory about which we can speculate. not
q fancy. about which we can dream. but
a fact, promised. authenticated. esta blish-
ed. The mystery of the incarnation-hOw
God could dwindle TO swaddlings-we can
not understand Here we must step out
into the realm Of faith. The purpose OF
the incarnation is plainly stated, and the
fact is clearly established
AT the feet Of the Divine Babe We lay
an Offering of praise and "A gift OF love.
lie must have been conceived by the Holy
Ghost"