The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-04-19
DR. VANCE SPEAKS
ON SKEPT|C|SM IN
THE RESURRECTION
Pastor Declares People Believe
Things that Are Much
More Remarkable.
STRONG SERMON AT THE
NORTH REFORMED CHURCH
Urges Congregation Not to Allow
Easter Enthusiasm
to Lag.

"a Tame Finish to An Apostolic
Race was the topic of a sermon by
the Rev. DR.. James |. Vance al the
North Reformed Church last night. His
text was. 80 they ran both together,
and the other disciple did outrun Peter
and came first to the sepulchre. Then
the disciples wen away again unto
their own homes John Xxx, 4-19. After
drawing a picture of the striking con-
trast between the eagerness and en-
thusiasm shown by Peter and job as
they ran to the Savior's tomb on Eas-
ter morning to see If Christ had really
risen from the dead and the dull n
inglorious return to their homes, DR..
Vance aid
ut was doubt which sent them home
with their heads down I'M their hope
in the dust. Unbelief took the life out
Of them. Skepticism killed their en-
thusiasm.
IF the resurrection is to help us we
must believe it. The thing God asks
of the soul at the door Of hat empty
tomb is not a scientific discussion of
LIE lOIttS VI ndluiCi iiOt ~ PiiIosppiHS
ereatise on psychic phenomena, but
just faith, and yet 1t is before. the
question of a risen Christ that the
ghost of doubt has its favorite stalking
ground,
people who are credulous as to
every curious incident or marvel re-
ported in the newspapers bolt at faith
in the resurrection of Christ. They
allow themselves to be victims of a
superstition. but they are too wise to
be misled by the supernatural. l know
people who are so superstitious that
they will not start on a journey on
Friday, but they do not hesitate to
travel on Sunday. They are more
stirred by the idle talk of some stroll
ing fortune-teller than by the eternal
verities of religion. Let us not be
~cfedulous, but let us have faith. Then
the Easter glory will abide
"How often does it happen that
Christians go away from the raptures
of Easter, ais those disciples went from
the tomb, with a tame finish to a sea-
son of exalted spiritual privilege.
The Easter Fete.
1--WE have kept once more the great
est festival of the Christian year. With
the church banked in flowers, with our
hearts full of holy peace, with sermon
and anthem, we nave celebrated the
Easter victory, and said: 1t is a great
thing to be a Christian, it is a beautiful
hope to have a risen Redeemer. it is a
glorious life to follow a Christian
leader Our enthusiasm has been re-
kindled. our zeal intensified. We have
felt the Easter thrill.
Then What? After Easter nave we
gone tamely and prosaically back to
the old life, to a life of low aims and
common ways, to be as sordid and sell
fish and sensual as if Christ had not
risen? Are we saying religion is well
enor I'll for a dream life. but it will
not buy a breakfast; one must be
practical?' How have you lived since
last Sunday? Have you lived as II
Christ were risen. Is there any sign
of the resurrection in you life, in your
character and conduct. in the way you
trade and work?
Faith In a risen Lord should lead
to a risen life. Jesus would have His
people spread the splendor and beauty
INT glory of the resurrection through
their daily conduct. Let us live he
risen life. not the life shut In a low
vaulted tomb, fettered by death bands,
cold. lustreless. conquered by tempta-
ton, but the risen life, emancipated
and triumphant. If the W which
conquered death dwells in me that
power should conquer the avarice and
lust In me.
Maintain Enthusiasm.
"Let-us maintain the Easter enthusi-
asm. The Christian year is more than
forty days long. 1t Is a whole year
long, m every day is Gods day. He
who tries to pack his religious duties
into forty days of the year makes a
dissipation of his religion. Let us be-
gin well, to be sure, and let us remem-
her the promise which says, BE thou
faithful unto death and l will give thee
a crown of life.'"