The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-05-09

sss:===ss=ssssss=s.ss==s=5s= THEY HEARD
goAS ToR 3pa6ELi=y OF THE REsUR-
ECTION OF
THE DEAD SOME MOCKED" (Acts
xvii, 32l Pastor Russell made some
predatory remarks, explaining that al
though he had accepted the pastorate
OF the London Tabernacle congregation,
this should not he understood to imply
that be had any thought of leaving
America permanently. lie greatly ap-
preciates the reverentlal spirit of the
British. but this does not signify
greater love for the land of his fathers
than for the land of his birth. He ac-
cepted the London pastorate with the
clear understanding that he must not
be expected to serve there more than
four months In the year. More and
more he feels that his ministry is a
general enc. He specially thanks God
for the privilege of addressing ten mil
lion readers through the press Of
America and Great Britain.
Resurrection Doctrine Unpopular.
Pastor Russell remarked that he was
not preaching for popularity. but to re-
establish "the faith once delivered to
the saints" which, in marked degree,
had been lost during the Dark Ages.
He stood on the broad platform of the
Word Of God unrestricted by any
creed fences made by men. He was
answerable to no sect or party. He
had already discussed the Resurrec-
ton subject for three Sundays and
assumed that his Interested hearers
had kept in touch with him during his
absence, through the press reports.
As some who heard st. Paul preach
the resurrection OF the dead Knocked,
so, quite likely, many have Knocked
as they read Pastor Russell's ser
mons. Nevertheless. the Word OF the
Lord standeth sure: There shall be d
resurrection of the dead, both OF the
just and the unjust" IL was the great
Teacher Himself who said, "Al who
are In their graves shall hear the voice
of the Son of Man and shall come
forth; they that have done good unto
che resurrection of Interpretation
they that have done evil unto the res
direction of Judgment" crisis, tria
(John V. 2S. 20; Acts xiv, 15).
TO those that believe that the dead
are more alive now thanwhen they tDer,
alive. the doctrine of the resurrection
must, OF necessity, be foolishness
And whoever logically believes in tn,
resurrection of the dead must. OF neces
sity, consider the popular views OF
mans condition In death absurd In tn,
extreme. There ls no middle ground
Either man Is dead when he Is dead
as the Bible declares, and can have n,
further knowledge or hope, pleasure o
pain, until awakened from death: o.
else man does not die at all when h,
seems to die--a theory with which tn
Bible Is at war and which we claim hn
no foundation In fact or reason. 1t Is
mythology. The entire heather worl,
believe this theory today, The doc
oiJne came into the Christian Churcl
in opposition TO the resurrection" doc
trine long centuries ngo-ahout tn
Fourth century. when hordes OF hea
then were baptized and called Chris
dams, with but slight appreciation o
''the faith once delivered to tn
saints"
Raising OF the Dead viii Be a Stu
pendous Miracle.
Numerous objections to the resurreC
don are raised II Is claimed that
would be impossible for God to rcsul
rect the dead, II they were really deaC
II is claimed that, II our Lords word
were fulfilled and all that are In theI
graves should come forth, the cart
would be so densely populated that
stood on each others heads severi
rows deep all over the earth ther
would not he room for them. IL
claimed that II would be impossible I
provide food and raimcnt for so man.
The resurrection Is denounced ns col
arary 10 the avs OF nature, nccordin
70 all the history Of the past,
The latter claim we admit The re
direction OF the dead will be som
thing out OF keeping with anything
mans experience. Only those WI
have an implicit faith in the Great,
and In His promise will be able TO r
ceive this doctrine, which credits Il
Almighty with IL Divine power excee
ing anything else that could be ina
Ined.
AS TO tho other points, let us Sc
ssdany wise men In public positions n
tvery unscientifc, even when call'
's'scientists. They sometimes jump
conclusions In an astounding mannC
For instance, we all know how son
OF these scientific gentlemen laugh
the Bibles records and declare tn
{ humanity has been upon the earth m
lions OF years. II we afk for {
proof they are astonished that th'
Q lniscience should be queston'
Ttey ;Lyck chip from BLOCK