The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1907-12-20
The Worlds Nost Heroic
Figure.

- ONE biographies of heroes
q are long, and yet they leave
> the central figure vague
- and shadowy form. The me-
y morabilia of Jesus are short,
y = and yet we know him as we
know a familiar friend of yesterday
From his features not one line Is lack
ing. His flower like childhood, the
purity of his youth the majesty and
beauty of his increasing manhood, the
atmosphere of character that he car
ried-all all are fully known. Stand
ing on the hilltop, we look down upon
a populous valley holding in its lap
shining towns and cities, and from the
mount we look down across the career
of Jesus, bright with parallels, spark
ling with deeds of mercy. glorious with
wonder words and works. Once none
so little but that Jesus was less in
honor; now, none so exalted as singer,
scientist, reformer, artist, poet, but
that he seeks to borrow new fame by
linking his name with one whose star
has climbed zenithward into a solitary
pre-emlnence.
In the republic every citizen is one
eighty -millionth of king. In the civ
ilization of to-day every leader who
has conquered the love of the genera
ton he has served is one fraction of
the Christ life, and has borrowed his
inspiration and ideal from the carpen-
ter's Son. More wonderful than all
else is his unfolding perfection. In
general perfection means the purga-
ton of imperfections. Slowly some
Thorwaldsen rubs off speck of mar
BILE dust here and sandpapers the mi
mute roughness there. Slowly, with
here a stroke and there a stroke, the
artist carries his canvas toward ideal
beauty. With infinite erasures and in.
terlineations the poet polishes his per
feet verse Success is the residuum
left after a thousand artistic failures.
With God it is otherwise. All his
sweetbriar has to do is to unroll. So
1t was with Jesus. He unfolded each
faculty as rose its petals. Lo there
was nothing to be added, and nothing
to be taken away. And yet he grew
IN wisdom. BY experience, by work,
by travel, and conversation he gath
cred knowledge about the fields, the
woods, the sea, the sky, about men.
tools and events. Also, what we never
would have dared to say the word of
God says. His memorabilia declare
he grew in favor with God" Gods
confidence and love were increasing
events. marching steadily toward the
day when the voice was heard whis-
pering, Chou art my Beloved Son, in
whom | am well pleased" And this
message falling on the inner ear was
the bliss of his solitude and the re-
ward of his work.
II we can trust our analysis of the
Magnifcat of Mary, his mother was
the most gifted intellect of her time.
No spring rises higher than its source,
and Mary the singer explains the
sweetness of the song. In that far off
era the Sabbath with its hours whit
ened by prayer and perfumed with
aspiration, lent richness to his mind
and heart.
often it is said that his handicraft
was against Jesus. Not so. His needs
we're few His work was in the open
air. Bending over the pillow, Cincin-
natus meditated his laws. Tending
his nocks, David wrought out his
songs. Moving slowly along the fur
row Burns found his music. In all
ages the crook and the pillow have
united work and health to reflection
and genius.