The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-05-11
AT THE CROSSROADS OF TIME.

IerSp (Onll11ulS Apoh liz 49,
Indeavor Topic 0 May 10. Phi
orim's Series Y. At the
Cross" John 19:16-27: Luke
23:39-49.
(Ry William r. Ellis.)
The highways Of the centuries cross
at a small knoll outside OF the walls OF
the capital of a minor Roman pro-
vince. Jerusalem was the sacred city
of a comparatively small nation; but
because it was the scene {. the exc
cution as a criminal Of One whom his
CONTEMPORARIES regarded NariOuSly as
q mad rabbi from the hill ~ountry a
gentle teacher Of a new way OF life
and a healer of mems or
the lOnS-eXpected One Sent From Coo,
Jerusalem is today regarded with pc
culiar reverence by q large portion OF
the earth's inhabitants. 1t is a sort OF
spiritual capital OF the world. And
all because upon its soil was erected
the cross whereOn hung the Man of
Sorrows. the Redeemer OF mankind.
That was the tragedy that changed
all the current Of history. There q
new chronology was created. There a
new faith, destined to onque the
world. had its birth.
The cross, once q symbol OF shame,
even as is the gallows today, has be
come a badge. of beauty. q mark OF
tlolloI, Il ~ 1llboi VI nope. di etdlIS
the Son OF God once hung thereon.
In Bunyan's allegory the Pilgrim
lost the pack from his back. the load
that had burdened and distressed him.
as soon as he came in sight OF the
cross. The dramatic episode especial
ly impresses youthful readers OF the
story. 1t is at the cross that the
weight of sins falls and ceases to
trouble. Freedom from the guilt OF
sin and emancipation from its weight
may be obtained. only at the cross Of
Jesus. Wen does the old Latin motto
abel the cross una spes." the only
hope" Of the world.
ON a hill on the oceanward side OF
SAN Francisco stands q great cross.
visible to sailors at sea for several
miles. 1t is said to he a mark for the
little fishing boats. hi cross crown
ing this sandy hill seems si%neularly
impressive. 1t is q significant land
mark 1t spells safety and home. Its
arms beckon to rest. In it. the spiritu-
aily-mlnded may read the great truths
OF service, sacrifice and salvation.
When Runyan's Pilgrim came to
the cross and felt his wearisome pack
no longer on his shoulders. he was
deeply affected: Then he stood
awhile. to look and wonder for it was
very surprising to him. that the sight
OIL the Cross should thus ease his bur
den. He looked, therefore,. and look
ed aSaln. even till the springs that
we're IN ms mead sent the waters down
ms cheek SO it has ever been. The
cross OF Christ break the hardest
hearts. 1T has been mightier than all
phliosophy to overcome the world.
me cross is full Of meanings. The
Ilrst OF these is atonement, which is
the at-One-mOment Of God and man
There the Father and the children
meet IN reconciliation. They who
We're aforetime alienated come to-
95e'hef. The sin that separated has
neth BORNE away by that Crrcified.
mere IS now a straight path to the
near, or God Tor every wandering
cnaiu "" would come back. The
cioS. Is more thar the meeting place
ol history; 1t is the meeting place Of :.
'o0t JenoNah and & sinful humanity.
l11e's heaviest burdens are not those
Mh1'h are upon us from without hrt
.nose lla are within us. Pilgrims
pack represented the heavy baart i,
$ the Weighted and weary spiri+ 70
"hlch Christ gives liberty. Come ,,ntc
me all We that labor and are baa,r
laden. and I will give You resi-. oriaSS
ne. lhere is peace of heart only at
A new symbolism has hean oi,.,
TO the world by the cruc;fiy;on orrLsnn
cioss IS the emblem Of mercy. borne
ABOVE the fields of battle carnage. r.
IS. the faVorite ornament of rich .na
poor. II crowns the church steenles
% an upli1ted sign Of spiritual suc-
cor ana OF divine forgiveness power
ful fraternal organizations arc u"ei,
70 display it as their banner. lahe,ad
IN noe slgno vinces." Now this vas
not always SO. Paul was using M
easue phrase when he spoke OF the
oIence OF the cross. For in his dav
ST. sI ln SnIlst s, the cross was as often
Tor shame and the most ignonin;oo,s
; oeath. BY express provision of lanr .