The Penn's Grove record., 1908-09-11
Power That Is Infinite and Divine.

Power That Is Infinite and Divine.
Everything that grows tells a like
story Of infinite power. Why should l
deny that a divine hand fed a multi
tude with a few loaves and fishes
when 1 see hundreds of millions fed
every year tby a hand which converts
the seeds scattered over the field into
an abundant harvest? We know that
food can be multiplied In a few
months time. Shall we deny the pow
err Of the Creator to eliminate the ele-
ment Of time when we have gone so
far in eliminating the element OF
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 a
privilege to make sacrifice for his con-
victions. 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 seer 1t wrought in the hearts OF
those about us. No; living in the midst
of mystery and miracles. I 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 it does not ac-
cord with their idea Of justice for n
to die for others. Let each n bear
his own sins and the punishments due
for them, they say. The doctrine Of
vicarious suffering is not a new nj
1t is as old as the race. That n
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 in
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 av-
eth his life shall lose it, and he that
loseth his life for my sake shall find
it." has an application wider than that
usually given to it. 1t Is an epitome of
history. Those who live only for them
selves live little lives, but those who
Of things greater than themselves find
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 Of
love, and Christ in suffering for the
world adopted the only means. of
reaching the heart, and this al be
demonstrated not onsy by theory, but
by experience, for the story Of his life,
his teachings, his sufferings and his
death has been translated into every
language, and everywhere 1t has touch
ed the heart.
But If 1 were going to present an ar
gument In favor Of the divinity of
Christ I would not begin with mira
cles or mystery or theory Of atone
ment. l 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 a 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 n has suggested
that If one becomes humble he soon
becomes proud of his humility. Christ,
however, possessed of all power, was
tho very personiication of humility.
The most difficult Of all the virtues
to cultivate Is the forgiving spirit. Re-
venge Seems to be natural to the hui
man heart. To want to get even with
an enemy Is a common sin. It has
even been popular to boast of vindic-
tiveness. 1t was once inscribed on q
monument to q 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 exempliied
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"
NoASAuoIOAk 10 " NC WI ITOIu
the life, the teachings and the death
Of this historic figure? Reared in a
carpenters shop, with no knowledge of
literature ave 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
known before and proclaimed himself
the Messiah. He taught and perform
ed miracles for a few brief months
and then was cruci1ed. 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
ropdor tho fofth whfoh ~ 1,% 1o&o