The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-10-10

language and everywhere it has touch
J cd the heart
/ But IL were going to present an ar.
gument In favor. OF the divinity OF
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
comlngs, finds Inspiration In one who
was tempted In all points Just as we
are and yet was without sin.
Christ ss 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 II one becomes humble he soon
becomes proud OF his humility. Christ,
however, possessed Of all power, was
the very personlhcation of humility.
The most difficult OF all the virtues
to cultivate Is the forgivlng spirit. Re-
venge seems 10 be natural to the hui
man heart. TO want TO get even with
an enemy Is a common sin. IL has
even been popular 20 boast of vindlc.
| tiveness. 1t was once inscribed on u
monument to hero that lie had re.
paid both friends and enemies more
than he had received. This was not
| the spirit Of Christ, He taught for
I giveness. and in that incompatible
prayer which he left as q 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 exempli6ed
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 20 be drawn from
the life, the teachings and the death
Iof this historic Agure2 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 HIN. promulgated higher code
of morals than the world had ever
known before aud proclaimed himself
the Messiah. He taught and perform
ed miracles for 4 few brief months
and then was cruelded. 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 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 We of Christi"
It is easier to believe him divine than
TO explain Ia any other way what he
said and did aud was.
4 have selected this theme that may
Ipresent some of the reasons which lead
me to believe that Christ has fully
4
and that I'm the years to come It 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 II his creed will bring peace
throughout the earth who will deny
. nj oh tn hn IVf "a
| 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 10 purchase it with rich
es, and they have labored TO secure
wealth. hoping 10 find peace when they
were able TO so where they pleased
and buy what they liked. or those
who have endeayored 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 I'm accumu-
lating money? They all tell the same
| story-vlZ. that they spent the first
ulll VI lutll lives Nlylub W Bcl llOuey
from others and the last half trying
10 keep others from getting their mon
ey and that they found peace In nei.
ther half. Some have even reached
the point where they find difficulty 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.
tlnlZe the methods OF money making
A long step In advance viii have been
taken when religious. educational and
charitable Institutions refuse TO con-
done immoral methods IN business and
leave the possessor of III gotten gains
TO learn the loneliness OF life when
one prefers money TO morals.
Some have sought peace In social dis.
/ tlnction; but, whcther 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--valn thought!-tO
find peace In political prominence but,
whether Office comes by birth as in
monarchlcs, or by election, as In re.
publics, 1t does not bring peace, An
Office is conspicuous only when few can