The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-02-14

Sermon by the Rev. Ferdinand
Ana jesus. when I lie came out. saw.
much people. and was moved with com
passion toward thenL"--Mark G:St;
Matt. 1879; Mark e;so-st
It does not detract from tho thought
that . character ~ strong 10 regard II
as kindly and pitiful. The time has
come In the worlds history when We
THE bravsst are the tendercst;
The loving are the daring"
Great men and able increase in re-
spect and In interest by evidence OF
lights TO record OF It's warriors and
statesmen. OF It's kings and presidents.
or its scholars and nnanciers. that they
were considerable Of weakness, Thought
fui OF dependents. merciful 10 the err
ring. Lacking these qualities, strong
men have been forgotten, or remem
Dsred only with detestation, but by
their exercise many have given them
selves mora enduring fame than that
OF the most illustriour deeds. In this
Is explained the eVer-increasnR honor
paid TO the memory OF that eminent
American, whose birthday will be OBJ
served by many generations to come.
abraham Lincoln, hero and martyr or
pity.
IL IL not too much TO say that the
life history OF Jesus would now be no
better than saga, His miracles MT q
mystic marvels, and It's peerless pIopn-
ecies n dreamer's fading tale, had lie
not. I'M all that lie said and did, proven
himself the Incarnation OF .ympathy,
the center TO which timidity might run
and md shelter: the shrine ~ which
weakness might kneel, and md tne
strength OF divine love. IL is the com,
passion OF Jesus which has attracted
the fact that His sympathy knew no
narrow bounds and no exclusive privi-
liges gives His influence power. There
Is and there ever MIL be; Need ,r aaa ,b on
can sympathize with ALL" that TO hu-
nanity everywhere and under ala con-
ditions. some Man shall be as hiding
place from the wind. and covert
from the tempest; AS rivers or water In
= dry place. as the shadow OF a great
rock In . weary land.
The compassion or Jesus was not
mere occasional impulse. resulting in
exceptional expressions redemptive OF
a character which, at times, displayed
the opposite qualities; IL was n uni
form and consistent benevolence. eN--
hibited whenever real need demanded
its exercise. Jesus had always eyes
for the sight OF human misery. He had
always ears for the cry for relief. HIS
hands were always ready for the work
II redemption. His life on earth He
valued but as 1t enabled Him TO be or
The compassion OF Jesus was no cal
,ulating philanthropy. but was the sim
cere and unselfish expression OF warm
Greek philosophers. teach those only
who could pay. but those especially
who could not pay. No act OF tender
ness did He for applause or fame. His
kindness was not for effect, but for
effectiveness. And so, by the law of
indirection. that which He was and
did has produced results far beyond
the accomplishments OF the self-seek-
ing and the pretending.
The compassion of Jesus was not
softness nor indulgence. lie did not
worthy He was firmest when most
tender. In the doctrines which He
taught He was faithful TO the needs
of men, and He plainly revealed their
dangers, even, while by every art OF
unfeigned kindness He was seeking to
prove the genuineness and depth OF
His affection
The compassion of Jesus was not
confined to one need but was enlisted
by every necessity After the murder
Of John the Baptist. He sought re;
the people followed Him. travelling on
foot and around the sea while He
crossed with His disciples in boat.
When He came forth and saw the
three-fold needs. OF mind. OF body and
OF soul, and He responded to all OF
these. And thus He acted during His
Physical evils were not beneath the
notice and attention OF the Son OF
God. He had compassion for tired and
were worn out with labors and ia
tigued by travel Come We yourselves
apart into desert place and rest
while. how thoughtfully He said.
And when He saw the furnishing
throng He once declared. almost as IL
apologizinG for the act which FOLLOW
ID, Il have compassion on the multi
tude because they. have nothing TO
eat" Then He fed them. as He had
before fed an even greater company.
Christ's Ministrations An Example.
Jesus had compassion on the dis
eased and crippled How the instances
l. III n m
with wlthered hand. and it excited
Ills healing pity. One cursed with
palsy was laid at His feet, and His
heart went out TO him with power.
When q ieper came and cast himself in
His way, He placed upon his loath-
some body the hand of divine as well
as OF human sympathy; Two blind men
called out to Him. Have mercy on az.
D Lord. thou son of David" Their af-
aiction and faith were alike apparent,
touched their eyes" The records are
filled with such Incidents, and yet we
have not tithe OF that which might
10 give In detail the entire account Of
His sympathy with human suffering.
those who witness TO US have often
n general sy for sss
OF diseases" and flor as many as had
( IN the sympathy Of Jesus for ia;
pain. He has taught US to be pitiful
and tender, considerate and helpful.
And Christian ministration to the bod
lily needs or men has flowed In increas-
Ing sire ans from His example. The
sick are cared for and they are healed
with generosity and patience never
known until He taught IL, and the cry
of the poor does not fail TO bring
bread, for. since the time OF Jesus men
have been forced to meet this question
and comparison. Whose hath the
worlds goods, and beholdeth his broth
er I'm need. and shutteth up his COM
passion from him. how doth the love
Of God abide In himT'
The ideal and the teaching of Jesus
with reference to the poor and the
sick are as yet but partially fulnlled