Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1908-09-23
power That Is Infinite and Divine.

EVERYTHING that grows tells like
story of infinite power. Why should l
deny that a divine hand fed multi
tude with a few loaves and fishes
when see hundreds Of millions fed
every year by hand which converts
the seeds scattered over the field into
an abundant harvest? We know that
food can be multiplied In few
months time. Shall we deny the pow
er of the Creator to eliminate the ele-
nent Of time when we have gone so
far in eliminating the element or
space?
But there is something even more
wonderful still. the mysterious change
that takes place in the human heart
when the man begins to hate the
things he loved and to love the things
he hated, the marvellous transformation
that takes place in the man who be-
fore the change would have sacrificed
the world for his own advancement,
but who after the change would give
his life for a principle and esteem 1t
privilege to make sacrifice for his con-
yictions. What greater miracle than
this that converts a selfish, self CEN
tered human being into a center from
which good influences flow out In
every direction! And yet this miracle
has been wrought in the heart Of each
one of us, or may be wrought, and we
have seen It wrought in the hearts or
those about us. No; living in the midst
of mystery and miracles, l shall not
allow either to deprive me Of the bene-
fits Of the Christian religion.
Some of those who question the mir
acle also question the theory OF atone
ment. They assert that 1t does not &C.
cord with their idea Of justice for one
10 die for others. Let each one bear
his own sins and the punlshments due
for them, they say. The doctrine OF
vicarious suffering is not a new one.
II is as old as the race. That one
should suffer for others is one OF the
most familiar of principles, and we see
the principle illustrated every day OF
our lives.
I find proof that man was made u
the image Of his Creator in the fact
that throughout the centuries man has
been willing to die that blessings de-
MED TO him might be enjoyed by his
children, his children's children and the
world.
The seeming paradox, HE that saw
eth his life shall lose 1t, and he thai
losetb his life for my sake shall find
t." has an application wider than thai
usually given to it. 1t is an epitome Of
history. Those who live only for them
selves live little lives. but those who
give themselves for the advancement
of things greater than themselves tnc
a larger life than the one surrendered
Instead Of being an unnatural plan
the plan Of salvation is in perfect har
mony with human nature as we under
stand It. Sacrifice is the language o.
love. and Christ in suffering for TIT
world adopted the only means o
reaching the heart, and this can b'
demonstrated not only by theory, bu
by experience, for the story OF his life
his teachings, his sufferings and III
death has been translated into ever!
language, and everywhere 1t has touch
ed the heart.
But If were going to present an al
gument in favor of the divinity 0
Christ would not begin with mira
cles or mystery or theory OF atone
ment. would begin with the rae
that Christ lived. Christ presents a
example Of purity In thought and ut'
and man. conscious Of his own impel
fections and grieved over his shor
comings, finds inspiration In one VII
was tempted In all points just as W
are and yet was without sin.
Christ as an Example Of Humility
Humility is a rare virtue. II one
rich he is apt to be proud OF his rlcne
IL he has distinguished ancestry he
ant TO be proud of his lineage. Ii be
well educated he is apt to be proud
his learning. Some one has suggeste
that If one becomes humble he 500
becomes proud of his humility. Chris
however, possessed of all power, We
the very personihcation of humility
The most difficult of all the virtue
to cultivate is the forgiving spirit. II
venge seems to be natural to the 81
man heart. To want to get even wit
an enemy is a common sin. 1t hs
even been popular to boast OF vindi
tiveness. It was once inscribed on
monument to a hero that he had r
paid both friends and enemies mo-
than he had received. This was N
the spirit Of Christ. He taught 10
Riveness, and in that lncomparaO
prayer which he left as a model II
our petitions he made our willingne
TO forgive the measure by which '
may claim forgiveness. He not on
taught forgiveness, but he exemplif'
his teachings In his life. When tho
who prosecuted him brought him
the most disgraceful Of all deaths b
spirit of forgiveness rose above b
sufferings. and he prayed, "Fath'
forgive them, for they know not VIII
they do"
What conclusion is to be drawn fro
the life, the teachings and the dea
Of this historic figure? Reared In
carpenters shop. with no knowledge
literature save Bible literature, with
acquaintance with philosophers livi
t. or with the writings Of sages des
this young man gathered discip
about him. promulgated higher co
"A ..n.,o1e fhop tho world had eX