The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1908-10-22

Christ would not begin with mira
cles or mystery or theory of atone
ment. 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 grieved over his short
comings, finds inspiration in one who
was tempted in all points just as we
are and yet was without sin.
Christ as an Example of Humility.
Humility Is q rare virtue. If one Is
rich he Is apt to be proud of his riches.
If he has distinguished ancestry he Is
apt to be proud of his lineage. If he Is
well educated he is apt to be proud of
his learning. Some one has suggested
that If one becomes humble he soon
becomes proud of his humility. Christ
however, possessed of all power, was
the very personification Of humility.
The most difficult of all the virtues
to cultivate is the forgiving spirit. Re-
venge seems to be natural to the hu-
man heart. To want to get even with
an enemy Is q common sin. 1t has
even been popular to boast of vindic-
tiveness. 1t was once inscribed on Il
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 taught for
giveness, and in that incompatible
prayer which he left as a model for
our petitions he made our willingness
to forgive the measure by which we
may claim forgiveness. He not only
taught forgiveness but he exemplified
his teachings in his life. When those
who prosecuted him brought him to
the most disgraceful Of all deaths his
spirit of forgiveness rose above his
sufferings, and he prayed, "Father,
forgive them, for they know not what
they do"
| What conclusion Is to be drawn from
the life, the teachings and the death
of this historic figure? Reared in a
carpenters shop, with no knowledge of
literature save Bible literature, with no
acquaintance with philosophers living
or with the writings of sages 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
ed miracles for few brief months
and then was crucified. 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 bis name with reverence
upon their lips and thousands have
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 Christi
1t is easier to believe him divine than
to explain in any other way what he
said and did and was.
L have selected this theme that l 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 will
bring peace between man and man
And if he can bring peace to each
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 it. Some
have thought to purchase 1t with rich
es, and they have labored to secure
wealth, hoping to find peace when the!
We're able to go 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. Blu
what has been the experience of thos'
who have been successful in accumu
lating money? They all tell the sam
, story-viz, that they spent the frs
, half of their lives trying to get none.
, from others and the last half trying
, to keep others from getting their mon
? ey and that they found peace In mel
: ther half. Some have even reached
= the point where they find difficulty il
getting people to accept their money
and | know of no better indication o
the ethical awakening In this countr,
than the increasing tendency to scru
tlnize the methods of money making
= A long step In advance will have bee
;, taken when religious. educational an,
q charitable institutions refuse to con
a done immoral methods In business AM
leave the possessor of Ill gotten gain
: to learn the loneliness of life whe
= one prefers money to morals.
= Some have sought peace in social dis
. tinctlon; but, whether they have bee
within the charmed circle and fearfu
lest they might fall out or outside AM
= hopeful that they might get in, the
=, have not found peace.
Some have thought-vain thought!-t
q find peace in political prominence; bu
q whether office comes by birth, as /
monarchles, or by election, as In IT
,. publcs, it does not bring peace. A
. office is conspicuous only when few ca
:, occupy it. Only when few in genera
> ton can hope to enjoy an honor do W
q call it great honor. | am glad tha
= our Heavenly Father did not make I'll
q peace of the human heart depend upo
n the accumulation of wealth or upon I'll
a securing of social or political distin'
, ton, for in either case but few coul
, have enjoyed it. but when he mad
:, peace the reward of conscience vol
p of offense toward God and man lie pl