Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1908-09-10

/
But il | We're going to present an ar
gunsent in favor of the divinity of
Christ | would not begin with mira
cles or mystery or theory of atone
/ nlent ! 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 grieyed 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 a rare virtue. If one is
rich he is apt to be proud of his riches.
Ii he has distinguished ancestry he is
/ apt to be proud of his lineage. If he is
we'll 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 personifcation of humility.
The most difficult of all the virtues
/ TO cultivate is the forgiving spirit. Re
yenge seems to be natural to the hui
man heart. To want to get even with
an enemy is common sin. 1t has
even been popular to boast of vindic
/ tiyeness. 1t was once inscribed on
monument to a 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
giyeness, and in that Incompatible
prayer which he left as 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 esss.-s.- <skszss ss~.-
What conclusion ~ 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 a higher code
Of morals than the world had ever
knowii before and proclaimed himself
the Messiah He taught and perform
ed miracles for a few brief months
and then was crucified. His disciples
We're scattered and many of them put
to death His claims were disputed.
his resurrection denied and his follow
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 hes put into
their hearts. How shall we account
for him? What think We of Christi =
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 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 il his creed will bring peace
throughout the earth who will deny
his right to be called the Prince of
Peace2
All the world is III 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 it with rich
es, and they have labored to secure
wealth. hoping TO find peace when they
were 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. But
what has been the experience of those
who have been successful in accunlu-
Eating money? They All tell the same
story-vfz. 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 nef-
Their half Some have even reached
the point where they find dffficllty 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 money 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 i'll gotten 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