The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-09-04


Sument in favor Of the divinity OF
Christ l would not begin with mira
cles or mystery or theory Of atone
mcnt. | would begin with the fact
that Christ lived. Christ presents an
example of purity in thought and life,
and man, conscious Of his own imper-
fections and grievcd over his short
colningS. finds inspiration in one who
WAS tempted in all points just rs we
are and yet was without sin.
Christ as an Example OF Humility.
Humility is Il rare virtue. II one is
Eich he is apt TO be proud nf his riches.
II lie las distinguished ancestry lie is
apt to he proud of his lineage. II he is
we'll educated he is apt to be proud OF
his learning. Some one has suggested
that il one becomes humble lie soon
becomes proud of his humility. Christ,
however, possessed of all power, WAS
the very pcrsouification of humility.
The most difficult OF all the virtues
to cultivate IS the rorgivinG spirit Re-
venge seems to be natural to the hu-
man heart To want TO get even with
IN enemy iS q common Sill. IL has
even been popular to boast OF vindn-
tivcneSS. 1t WHs once inscribed ON u
monument to. hero that he had re-
paid both friends and enemies more
than he had received. This was not
the spirit OF Christ He tanGht for
givencSs. and In fiat Incompatible
PRAYER which lie left us 4 model for
our petitions lie made our willingness
to forgive the measure by which we
nlay claim forgiveness. He not only
taught forgiveness. but he eXempitied
his teachings in his life. When those
who prosecuted linn brought him to
the most dlsglaccfuli of all deaths his
spirit of forgiveness rose above his
sufferinGs. and lie prayed. Father
forgive them, for they know not what
they do
What conclusion is tr be drawn from
the life, the tcachingsI and the death
OF this historic iigulc& Rclrm in n
carpenters shop. wiEli:ne knowledge Of
literature save Bible'ltcraturr, with no
acuuaintanre with philosophers living
or with the writings OF SngeS dead.
this young man gathered disciples
about him, promulgated higher code
Of morals than the world had ever
known before and proclaimed himself
| the Messiah. He taught and perform
cd miracles for few brief months
and then was crrcit!ed. His disciples
were scattered and many OF them put
to death. His claims were disputed.
his resurrection denied and his follow
ers prosecuted. and yet from this be-
ginning his religion has spread until
millions take his maine with reverence
upon their lips and thousands have
been willing to die rather than sur
render the faith wlii..l he put into
| their hearts. How SHAH we account
for him? What think ye of Christ"
! II is easier to believe him di:ime than
to explain in any other way what he
said and did and WAS.
have selected this theme that may
present some OF the reasons Which lead
me to believe that. GliriSt has fully
earned the title the i'iincc OF Peace
and that hi the years to come il will
be more and more. applied t" him.
| Faith in liMG Brings pt;tcG TO the heart,
and his teachings wlleiI applied will
bring peace between man and man.
And if he cnn bring peace TO each
heart and If his creed sill bring peace
| throughout the eartli who will deny
his right to be called the Prince of
| Peace:
All the world is: in; search Of peace.
| Every heart that ever beat has sought
| for peace, and many have been the
methods employees to secure it. Some
| have thought to purchase it with rich-
cs. and they have Elbolrd To secure
wealth. hoping to find peace when they
were able TO go where they pleased
and buy what they liked. or those
who have cnGC:lvorcd to purchase
peace with money the large majority
have failed to secure the money. But
what has been the experience OF those
who have been successful in Accunll-
lating money? Tlry I'LL tell the same
| story--viz. that they spent the first
half of their lives trying TO get money
from others and the last half trying
! TO keep others from getting their Mon
cy and that they found peace in nei-
| thor half. Some have even reached
/ the point where they find difficulty in
getting people to accept thcir money.
and | know OF no better Indication OF
the ethical awakening In this country
than The increasing tendency 10 scru-
tiniae the methods Of money making.
4 long step In advance Will have been
taken when religious. educational and
! charitable institutions refuse to con-
done Immoral met hcds III business and
leave the p0sseSsor Of ill gotten gains
to fcarn the loneliness OF fifc when
one prefers money to morals.
Some have sought peace. in social dis
tiuctiuu: but. whether they have been
within the charmed circle aud fearful
! lest they might fali out or outside and
hopeful that they might get i'll, they
have not found peace.
Some have thO:Ight-rain thought"
find peace in political prominence: but.
whether Office comes by birth, as in
mUuarches. or by election. as IN re.
publcs. it does not bring peace, An
office is conspicuous only when few cnt'
occupy II. Only wlleu few in Il seucra-
tiun can hope to cuiOr IN honor do WE