The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-07-08

(BY WILLIAM T ELGIS.)
r==a SERIES of Chinese pictures
~ Nh of the prodigal son lie before
IA XII me as I write, and they rep
~ Vi resent all the characters
VI with queues, and the scenes
as typical Chinese scenes. !
One Of the great modern paintings OF
Christ portrays him in the home OF
German peasant, and s1 are clad in
peasant garb. In Vienna L bought
picture of Jesus weeping over the cry
hut il was a modern city, with
smoke-stacks, Office buildings and ten
IN ali this there is nothing ineongru-
GUS The unique distinction OF Jesus
amid all Of the personalities of history,
Is that he transcends geography ana
the calendar. He is a citizen OF All
nations, a contemporary of all men,
We cannot conceive OF Buddha OF
Confucius outside of Asia; but Jesus is
the Universal Man. The portrait when
the ancient Hebrew Prophet mas
drawn of him is that of sympatn-
etc Interpreter and Saviour OF all the
world There are no radical lines IN
this fifty-third chapter OF Isalah; u Is
the comfort of peoples of every color
and tongue.
The few immortal pieces of ltera-
ture which have survived the muta-
1ions Of time and the distinctions
Of nationality, all touch a responsive
ftv Their appeal is to the deeps OF
feeling. rather than to the crltlcai
Judgment Of the brain. This majestic
passage which the SIN dav schools
study tomorrow is probably the nigh
water mark of old Hebrew literature
It should be in the storehouse of every
persons memory, even x no lessons
are drawn from it at present the cnap-
ter itself should be committed by al
the members Of the Sunday school "A
major-general was repeating TO SOM
fellow travellers recently fine blts OF
poetry and the lament arose that tne
present generation neglects this means
OF mental enrichment and delight
The song of Sorrow.
NAPOLEON does not grew in the af-
fections Of mankind as the years pass;
Lincoln and Lee do, for both OF these
were great in sympathy and SORROW.
Through their breaking hearts tne
whole world of suffering mankind en-
fers into fellowship with them. II Is
the MAN Of Sorrows" to wnom hu-
manity turns in its need. the deep
1orophetic utterance declared OF the
Redeemer that by his stripes we are
healed" 1t is the broken heart tnat
heals hearts. He who poured out ms nus
soul unto DEATH" thereby purchases
life for the world. There IS a time II
almost every life when it cries Win VII,
the poet, champion of all who 1all'
fly to thee"
This song of sorrow Is more pro-
found1y true to life than any apotne-
osis of strength. During the past ue-
cade or two we have witnessed mucn
of the cult Of the successful triumph
has been put on a pedestal; the men
who have surpassed their fellows have
been hailed as the heroes. Wealth,
power, fame, have been Worshlppeu
as the Baals of our twentieth century
4dolatry The persons who did not
he E0ilO-
uuiaIism has it, we're regarded with
disdain Happily. a reaction seems TO
be in sight The world is learning that
men who miss the wOrl0s laurels may
be yet worthy of honor's golden
crowns. The defeated in life who have
vet kent true faith in heart; the weak
and bruised and cast aside, who in de-
feat and disaster have found them
selves in fellowship with the Man OF
Sorrows, the "despised and rejected
Of men," may be more truly victors
than they, of coarser fibre, who have
beaten down the world t. its knees at
their feet
The Victorious Victim.
The most honored symbol in all the
earth today was once badge or
shame; because the defeated Christ
was crucifed on a cross, that emblem
has come to represent love and hope
and mercy. Many discerning persons
perceive that there is more than q
figure of speech in the idea that the
world may find its common meeting
place at the foot of the cross. For it
IS in the fellowship OF a universal hui
man need. and of a realization of sin,
and of a plea for pardon-a self-con-
seriousness of the necessity for divine
forgiveness and divine vndowm ent--
that mankind is swept into q. sense OF
its oneness and brotherhood. In a
larger sense than the poet meant.
Though sundered far, by faith we
meet,
Around one common mercy seat"
The sagest minds in tn" older ma
tions are today proclaiming that their
national salvation lies in discipleship
to Christ. Their underlying need is for
religion. and for that religion which
emphasizes the Lordship and Redemp-
6ion of Jesus. Otherwise, as certain
pupil nations are now showing, the
peopIe lose that sense CT allegiance
and subordination which are essential
to a states well-being, and become in
diyfdualistic and barren rationalists
holding in contempt ancient laws and
obligations. On the other hand his
tory is full Of proof that the cross both
Bubdues and up1iftS; Il makes man
subject to God and all earthly rulers
and it exa1ts his character and capa-
city Discipleshfp OF the Crucified
does not emasculate meE or nations
Il STRENGTHENS their identity, while Il
humanizes them in one common sense
of sin and need for divine forgiveness
Jesus Is truly the Hope Of the world
and Desire OF nations.
An Idolized American.
The life which in any true sense re
sembles this prophetic portrait Of the
suffering Servant OF Jehovah is always
a powerful life. Paradoxically, it i
the servants who rule. Over in Hani
Chow, China, there was a young WON
an from one Of the Southern states,
missionary, who earned the hickman
Of 1.-THE Goddess of Mercy" This 1
one OF the popular Chinese idols, ant
she was called by the same Chimes
RpDellation. Her life was a minister
ing loving. sacrificing life So witt