The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-26

became Tn a large sense religion or Authority. Under this oppressive yoke the spirit of conquest was crushed and for centuries Christianity was in large measure the bond-servant of such masters as chose to rule over her. But the days of this bondage have passed. We are hearing for ourselves again this mes sage: "An authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore and disciple the natlons.' To the remotest habitations our people are going and saying in the language of Ananias at Damascus, Brother, the Lord, even Jesus, hath sent me to thee that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost"
 Christ Is Authority.
 It cannot be said with too much empha- sis that the ultimate authority of Christi ianity is Christ "Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which Is Jesus Christ" @It Is a real objective foundation, unchangeable with the un- changeableness of God, beyond the reach of churches, councils, and theologians' Ours is the religion of an infallible Per son.
 No phase of human history is so pitiful as its gropings in the dark, searching for some satisfactory authority. Some reai or supposed authority Is absolutely essen tial to men in every relationship of life What endless turmoil and strife issue Tn the useless conflict between authorities that cannot live. What things do we suffer through adherence to authorities falsely so-called.
 In a certain case at law which was appealed the judge said Justice and equity demand a reversal of the decision But to reverse the decision would pre- cipitate so many law suits l deem 1t best that it stands as decided" In another case a lady was sueing for money which she had loaned without legal security. The judge ruled that whatever the defect of the law it was just that the money be refunded. When he was summoned to the august tribunal of another world, one of the floral offerings bore these words 'He magnihed the law and made it hon orable."
 Imperfect, earthly standards of author ity are indispensable to the activities of this present life, but He who is our Savior, Is near enough to hear every case appealed and He will guide us into all truth.
 When Jesus said, q came not to send peace but a sword" He announced the inevitable conflict which must ensue be- fore the earth recognizes and yields to His authority. Never before in the history | of Christianity has the conflict been WaBeu more vigorously than Ut lnlS pres ent time.
 The artificial distinction between the secular and the sacred Is being brushed aside. Our city halls, court houses and legislative chambers have come to be rec ognized as the temples of the Most High. When they become infested with thieves and robbers who pervert justice and turn aside the cause of the just In righteous indignation they are driven from their places.
 Never before in the worlds history has there been such universal disquet. In
 China, in Japan in Russia, fin England and in our own county, financial methods and industrial systems are undergoing
 scrutinizing investigation, and there is little room to doubt that there will be in many instances radical revisions in favor | Of justice and right. He who seeks for an explanation of this so-called ethical 1 revival in England and America will find | 1t in this fact that the Lord Jesus Christ, l who has.all authority in earth, Is coming | more and more into the thought, affec- 1 tons, and conscience of men. The leaven | is at work, and will work till all Is leav- ened.
 1 We are waking from our slumbers, and | the hallucInations of lower authorities i are being banished. We see advancing | light like rising sea sweeping to de- l struction our houses of authority that we
 have built upon the sand. We are weary | from leaning on a broken staff. Are we not ready to say with Thomas "Thou
 art my Lord and God.' Shall not we whose souls are lighted raise the hymn and pitch the strain for all men to "Bring forth the royal dadem, And crown Him Lord of all"