The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-15

which We can. in the midst or things
that are passing away. with = feeling
of security cling. and upon which We
may with the proper confidence rest.
II Is in response to this thought OF
uncertainty that the text from Hebrews
addresses itself. in the assurance that
Jesus Christ has been. is and will be
always. yesterday. to-day and forever.
the one abiding and changeless truth
in the shifting scenes of our mortal
lives
Opinions about our Lord have
changed: theologies have risen and
fallen. but His personal dominion over
the hearts and consciences and lives
of men has not been in the slightest
measure disturbed. Rather II has
strengthened and increased with the
process Of the suns"-and this is a his
torical fact.
His first disciples had 10 walk by
faith and take His claim OF perpetual
dominion on trust. All around us to-
day lies the proof of that dominion
our art. our literature. our life. our
charity. our sorrows ana our joys, all
bear testimony alike 10 the unimpeach-
able fact of the dominion OF Jesus
Christ in the world to-day.
And this has been noted not only BY
the earnest and faithful followers OF
the Son of God but Mr.. Lecky. the
illustrious historian. remarks:
1t was reserved for the Christian
religion to present to the world an
ideal character. which through all the
changes OF 1.S00 years has filled the
hearts of men with an impassioned
love. which has shown itself to BE-
capable of acting on all ages. nations.
Compartments and conditions. and
" hich has eXerted so deep an influence
that il may be truly said THAI the sim
pie record Of three short years Of active
Ike has done more 10 regenerate and
soften mankind than all the disqulsi-
tons Of philosophers and than all the
eXhortations OF moralists"
If time. the great destroyer. that
weakens the influence of every one
else. has not in the least impaired the
pow.r that Jesus Christ holds over the
hearts II men. that power must pro-
coed from an eternal source Without
any finite limitation TO IT, II must have
proc eeded from an infinite source;
all obstacles. even those
which others found insurmOuntable. il
must have proceeded from an omnipo-
tent source. free from every evil faint
and making only for righteousness; II
must have proceeded from a perfect
source
Now these terms perfect. absolute.
infinite. philosophers tell
US are unthinkable. But for ourselves.
as far as we are concerned. we under
stand and comprehend these terms. for
the Absolute was born at Betnle-
hem. the Perfect died on Calvary. the
Onnipotent rose at Easter. the Iniin-
Eternal came down at Pentecost-
Thus do we reach the conviction. not
by philosophy, but by life. not oy logic.
bu; by observation. that Jesus Christ
< hinS OF hiuSS anu A-O'" u
Lords" and God manifest in the flesh.
And His kingdom is a perpetual king
dom. it does not pass away. for the
kingdom Of Jesus Christ is the king
dom of God.
In the perpetuity OF the kingdom
Of Jesus Christ We find the eNplsna-
ton OF the past and the true hope OF
the future. The world will become.
not worse than it is. but better; all
forms Of human pursuit will acknowl-
edge Him. all departments Of human
knowledge will pay their tribute 20
Him. all the aspirations of human
hearts will reach tneir consu,n'nstion
in Him. and At last redeem ID and
glor.fied humanity will eXcla.m with
peace and joy. Ben I'D the Lamb Of
cod, crown Him Lord OF all
With this inspiration We can 90 for
ward in the consciousness that We are
roworkcrs with God in the fuIfilment
of that purpose which runs through ali
human history. and at the end the sio-
rious unfolding Of His purpose will
t,c seen. when all nations and kindred
and tribes and tongues shall be gath
cred together around tAc throne OF
christ. crying. Blessing and glory
ard wisd nm and Thanksgiving and
honor and power and might be unto
our God forever and ever. Amen
We a-c not hard hearted. and We
s, npatnizc with ambassador to Great
.. . -. -s..-...- iii 49,. II i~ .cr-