Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-09-18

~ fE-
or with the writings OF sages dead,
this young man gathered disciples
about him, promulgated a higher code
Of morals than the world had ever
known before and proclaimed himself
the Messiah He taught ana perform
ed miracles for a few brief months
and then was cruci6ed. 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 De.
ginning his religion has spread until
millions take his name with reverence
upon their lips and thousands nave
been willing to die rather than sur
render the faith which he put into
their hearts. How shall we account
for him? "What think ye OF ChristY'
1t is easier to believe him divine 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 Christ has fully
earned the title the Prince OF Peace
and that in the years to come 1t Will
be more and more applied to him.
Faith in him brings peace to the heart,
and his teachings when applied VIII
bring peace. between man and man.
And If he can bring peace to eacn
heart and If his creed will bring peace
throughout the earth 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 employed to secure 1t. Some
have thought to purchase 1t with rich
es, and they have labored to secure
wealth. hoping to find peace when they
were able to 60 where they pleased
and buy what they liked. OF those
who have endeavored 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 accumu-
lating money? They all 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
ey and that they found peace In mel
Their half. Some have even reached
the point where they find diff1crlty In
getting people to accept their money.
and know Of no better indication OF
| the ethical awakening in this country
than the increasing tendency to scru.
tinize the methods Of mOnev making
A long step in advance will have been
taken when religious. educational and
charitable institutions refuse to con-
done immoral methods In business and
leave the possessor of III rotten gains
to learn the loneliness of life when
one prefers money to morals.
Some have sought peace in social dis
tinction; but, whether they have been
within the charmed circle and fearful
lest they might fall out or outside and
hopeful that they might get in. they
have not found peace.
Some have thought-vain thoughtful
find peace in political prominence; but.
whether Office comes by birth. as In
monarchies, or by election. as in re-
publics, it does not bring peace. An
office is conspicuous only when few can
occupy it. Only when few in genera
ton can hope to enjoy an honor do we
call it a great honor. | am glad that
our Heavenly Father did not make the
peace of the human heart depend ~,
the accumulation Of wealth Or u ~ .T'
securing of social or political e.. 80
ton, for in either case but few g.
have enjoyed it. but when he m',.2
peace the reward of conscience void
Of offense toward God and man he pu,
1t within the reach Of all. The poor
can secure 1t as easily as the rich. the
social outcast as freely rs the leader of
society and the humblest citizen equal
ly with those who WELD po'.!cll
power.
Christ promoted peace by giving
assurance that line Of commitment
can be established between the Father
above and the child below. And who
will measure the consolation that has
been brought to troubled hearts by the
hour of prayer?
Proof of Immortality.
And Immortality! Who will estimate
the peace which belief In future
life has brought to the sOrrowing? You
may talk to the young about death end
ing all, for life Is full, and hope Is
strong, but preach not this doctrine to
the mother who stands by the death
bed of her babe or to one who is within
the shadow of a great affection.
Christ gave US proof Of Immortality,
and yet it would hardly seem necessary
that one should rise from the dead to
convince US that the grave Is not the
end. To every created thing God has
given a tongue that proclaims a resur-
rection.
If the Father deigns to touch with d.
vine power the cold and pulseless heart
Of the buried acorn and to make 1t
burst forth from its prison walls, will
he leave neglected in the earth the soul
Of man, made In the image Of his Gre
ator? If he stoops to give to the rose
bush whose withered blossoms float
upon the autumn breeze the sweet as
surance of another springtime, will he
refuse the words Of hope to the sons of
men when the frosts Of winter come?
II matter mute and inanimate, though
changed by the forces of nature into a
multitude of forms, can never die, will
the spirit of man suffer humiliation
xaid i,riaf sricif lka q