The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-07-09
TRANSPORTATION SUBJECT IF SERMON pr. Culver Breaches at Eleventh Avenue Methodist Church THE SOULS IMMORTALITY Men Do Not Follow the Cross Because it Means self-surrender and
 Cruoifixlon of
 Self.
THE SOULS IMMORTALITY

"ieFeh'h avenue Methodist church yes terday morning on the "Transiguration, taking his text from the ninth chapter of St. Mark. the second verse; And after SIX days Jesus taleth with Him Peter James and John, and leadeth them up Into high mountain apart by them selves and there was transagured be- fore them''
 Dr. Culver spoke in part as follows:
 The transhguration was pivotal point In the life of Christ and His disciples. It marked a transitional epoch of vast im- portance. The ministry in Galilee was closing and Herman's summit was its eulminating point. They were now turn ing To another field of still deeper and wlder interest. But before they go all that was significant in this crisis lover of the masters life and ministry is em- phaslzed in the transfgurative scene
 This incident in our Lords history stands out unique. It was not a miracle wrought by the Father to attest the divin- ity of His Son; but it was the natural continuation of a lfe surrendered to God 1t was the consummation of His natural life' The shining crown not as a glory from without, but was the blossomng of that enfolded in His human nature Tako a flower as an illustration of the process, watching 1t in It's progress from seeding to perfect blossomlng Here ls q seed small and insignificant. with seeming lit- tle promise or potency. The eye sees in it no line of grace or beauty, no flash or geam of future glory But bury it in the ground, the rains moisten 1t, the sun warns it. life strs, the shell Is broken, the tiny plant appears and begins climbing slowly up toward the sun. It stretches out its little hands or waves it's leafy branches in definace of the storm. The tides of life flow up through roots and stalk and branches in it's struggles to give expression to this life. it weaves the bud and at last stands out transfigur- ed In exquisite blossom. And so when all the tides of life which surged in Christ, at last, found expression they transfgur- ed Him, so that He glistened with the glory of the spotless snow and famed with the dazzling beauty of the Tightening when flashed upon a darkened sky. As we look upon this glorious scene several visions pass before us visions of the most sacred and profound significance.
 Vision of christ's Glory.
 First, there is the vision of Chrsts glory This was the first vision of the disciples. A vision of Chrits glory we may also have and ought to have. To see Him in all Ills glory is a mighty inspira- tonal force; it will quicken life and thought and strengthen for the most heroic service Such vision Paul had on his way to Damascus and John on the Isle of Patmos. The master will re- veal Himself to each of us and make His glory a real and abiding faith. A faith born of such a vision is the preparation we need for Jesus we need to go up to wonder mountain top of prayer, above the babble and cares of the world and talk with Him face to face; we need finger till we are hlled with the vision of His glory and thrilled with His power, then can we come down to life's cares and tolls with hearts singing and faces radiant
 Vision of the Cross.
 | Again, we see the vision of the cross. | The theme of conversation on that mem- orable night was the 'decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem" It em- phasized the teaching of Jesus to His aiscinles on this subject He talked to them about His glory and crucifixon, and now both are accomplished by the trans eeuration. The disciples needed to be l nrenared for the ordeal through which they had to pass So amid the spendors of the transhguration mount the cross IS revealed.
 We too. need to see the cross We noed to be taught that it is the sign by which we are to conquer-that It IS the ih- strument of individual and social saliva tion, We need to know that 1t uplifts and disnities character That as the cross was the means by which Christ won' so Is u | ,ha means bv which we are to win our selves and others.
 The reason men do not like the cross Is because if means self-surrender and cruci- axion to self and sin. Men do not like the cross because they want an easy, smooth-gong religion, in which faith has no conflicts and herosm no struggles 1t can never be so with the religion of Christ. it's symbol is the crimson passion sign. and the cross is planted at the very threshold. The need of the church Is not self-indulgence, but revelation ana incarnation of that sublime love born in inc fierce fires of self. sacrifice. There can he no great blessing without great self denial There is a vast army in the church of God looking for easy jobs and soft n,aces but what we need is that devoted service which springs from vision of the cross, that which is inspired by thA turning and consuming passion of a self less love.
 Transfeuratlon Scene.
 Again. we see in the transformation scene a vision of our own transiguration. Looked at as a symbol the transfiguration scene teaches that there is tran 'tlgura- tion for each of us. Not simply in the glory land beyond, but here on earth--here we may attain moral beatty and a spiritual glory Christ is the great archc- 1 tvpal manhood, and 1t is possible to grow into His likeness-to have Him in us, l shining through us. It is possible to have all within us shine with Christ's bright ness and to feel within us the upift and thrill of growth in His image. There is the steady flashing of the splendors of new day in every life in whose heart dwell the light and love of God All 1 this is transhguration-ag gradual climb ing of the mount whose summit is the eli max of glory.