The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-05
rationale OF tho apparent inconstst
ency of the powers
COME AND SEE.


Him, askod: rabbi. where dwellest
Thou?" Then thcy are Philips words
to Nathaniel. after he became Christ's
disciple: I'VE have found Him Of whom
Moses in the law and the prophsts did
write. Jesus OF Nazareth. tho son Of
Joseph" Nathanaers reply came; "Can
there any rood thing come out of Nag
arcth?" and Philip said: Come and
sec"
These wo.ds are characteristic If
Christianity and they invite Inquiry.
They proclaim religion an open faith.
doing nothing in secret and rscogniz-
able In fits workings by mems ordinary
perceptions. Throughout the Bible the
appeal Is found everywhere: TRY the
spirits whether they be OF Cod" Prove
all things" Go ana tell what things
yc SEE and hear"
FheTe are institutions established by
men into which we are allowed to en-
ter. but We must remain bllndtolded
and bs led. We must ask no questions,
examine nothing, but obey all. Chris
tianlty, however IL may have been mis-
represented. has no such tone. Every
where this doors of the most sacred
doctrine are thrown open. ana the cry
comes 20 all men: Come and see" In
that call is the keynote of intelltgenc,
struck II is the necessity of Chris
tienity thus to appeal to tho observa-
ton OF men. 1t openly declares that
certain moral results are sought. OF
which men are able to Judge Think
how Christ came into the world. bring
ing the mysterious life OF higher
world with Hin! He told plainly
what He camo For. It was to renew
mons spiritual life, TO make men bet
ter, to save people from thor Gins
lie also taught profounder and moro
mystic aspects OF salvation. but first
and foremost that His disciples should
become different mon in thore things
which other mon could see and under
stand; that they should be drawer,
truer. humber. purer.
\ pure philosophy or pure mysti-
eism. dealing only IN abstract thought
men. But n religion which must make
mems lives different. must change char.
acters or be q failure, has 20 b. always
open to mems judgment 1t must
work It's miracles IN the light. 1t
must take It's followers and let them
be seen without conc.alment by all.
and be able to say: See, 1 will MAX.
this man Into different man: our of
the bad man will make a good man"
and then all the world can observ, II
the experiment fails or succeeds
Lot us see what the invitation IS that
Cnristis nifty gives to eurnes, men.
really looking for the truth. Firs, I,
Is the Bible it holds out 10 us with
these words. Come and see" Tho
Bible as the word or God. az tn. tru.
story OF His dealings with men. as a
book oil history and teaching. to be ex-
amined like other books In tn. four
gospels We have tha story told by
Christs contemporaries and Disciples
or how the Saviour lived and taught
and died: that is the truth which Chris
tianity lays FIRST before men Secondly.
Christianity offers the historic Christ.
Back IN the centuries, yet set so clearly
in tho light OF authentic history that
all attempts 10 melt His life into a
cloudy myth have always failed. thcr,
stands this figure. Thirdly, Christian
lily calls us to see Christian history.
1t proclaims Christ forever present in
human life, a renewing. comforting
ana strengthening powsr. The great
hooks are opened. the birth and Growth
OF modern history are shown; the larger
reign OF conscience, the advance Of
freedom, tho ever-mov!ng spir,tual
clement in lie. The record of the
saints is shown--men and women borne
up over their sorrows. made giants I'm
their waakness. to dc the work OF God.
70 that the hard world. still bears the
marks OF whore their feeble efforts laid
hold Of IL and became. through Christ,
like a Grasp OF iron. Even 70 can va
In our dag take up the duties confront
Ing us FIR to-day and tomorrow and
through chr.st Come and Sec" We
cannot see the Highest without Him.
Let MS search our carts and lie; them
speak TO us plainly. Be brave, be
honest. Take up our wronged duties
ana do them. Take our wronged
truths and really believe them. Entor
Into that region er faith where Christ
abides and surely we Will find Him
there, Having suttt-b, and found IIi,,
iheh not merely the lowest, but tn,
highest. evidences OF faith shall be-
como clear even that highest of all
!'s evidences, tho Spirit itself, bearing
with our spirit that we are the chill
dren Of God and Joint heirs with Christ.
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In the lis1 Of festivities to welcome
INC visiting German heet in June
ther" is no mention Of anybody sing