Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-07

| when men felt strongly upon the sub
| ject, when controversy called for in
| tense appeal or vigorous defense. Only
| when men are doubtful Of themselves
uncertain as to what they think and
| feel, and careless of the fate of other
| men, does progress find her chariot to
drag with heavy wheel; her weapons
| dull her vision clouded and her hope
decayed.
The Scripture Of the day gives us an
insight into two great truths that go to
make more clear the secret OF that power
which giant souls possess: the power TO
make men listen and believe. Ohe OF
these texts reveals that old and potent
faith, which men held true In tnat heiolc
age when every man was born KING
an orator a champion OF some cause
It was enthusiasm: they felt that Coo
was in them, and that they wrought IN
God. This only can account 1or nose
fierce psalms, in which the psalmist
seems to feel hot anger at the enemies
of God. and a desire to smite. This only
can account for the great strength, the
vast endurance and heroic zeal with
which the saints and martyrs OF each
ago have carried out program of. en-
deavor.
The other text is the climax of an &C
count Of one Of those controversies SO
often forced upon the Master. He knew
the Scripture. He knew the heart Of
men: He gave His clear unanswerabie
arguments, based on those very Scrip
lures to which they made appeal, and HIS
own unfaltering faith In Coo ana his
word was a convincing example to them
and to US Three thoughts come to US
as we think upon these Scriptures and
this theme.
/. CONTROVERSY THAT COUNTS.
lust to dispute, contend and wrangle.
no matter what the subject OF our con-
l.
wicked thing. We must contend with
purpose and with plan, and feeling In
our hearts that as we are IN line with
Gods purpose and plan. if we persist we
shall not strive in vain. Let us look
at these three points in Christian con-
rroversy.
First, them as to the purpose Of Chris
tan controversy. The only reason for
controversy upon religious or ChIlstlan
topics, is that souls may be saved or the
cause OF Christ advanced. That this may
be. accomplished it is sometimes hetes-
sary to clear away some errors, or prove
some important point OF doctrlhe 10 NC
true. but beyond this we should never go.
To dispute about religion" has never
yet won a soul for Jesus Christ or built
up His cause and kingdom by one single
stone. That is a wonderfully clear IL
Illustration of the true purpose or reason
ing about things religious. given in Acts
"A :25: And as he PauD reasoned OF
Righteousness. temperance ana Juagmen t
to come, Felix trembled.' 1t Is that
guilty souls may fear the consequence
Of sin and turn for mercy to the God OF
Love; that is the sou! purpose or our
contending for what we deem to be the
truth Second. as to the p an of Chris
tan controversy. 1t should be definite
and limited to the need of the hour. Men
seldom have "a thousand doubts = rather
some little thing that Satan has used to
confuse the g eat issue Of eternal life.
Hence, our plan Is to give light only
where darkness exists.
The third point is the prosecution OF
such controversy 1t is not enough to
purpose or to plan. We must hold on
until the fort is taken and the citadel
possessed Heat is not the object Of such
controversy, but light. That given. the
issue rests with God and him who sees
the force of truth.
II. INVINCIBLE TRUTH.
Truth has no need TO fear; if true. some
day it will be indicated. and error put
to rout. How calmly jesus stood and
faced the champions of error with the
truth Of Gods eternal word. and Meth
er burst any man from that day forth
ask Him any more questions. To know
that what we say is true gives us heroic
courage and the martyrs faith.
III. THE CALL OF THE CONQUER
ING CHRIST.
Jesus himself defended many an i'm
portant truth against the foes of right
He calls us to a like contending. We
have the truth, we know His will and
plan; shall we lack faith and zeal and
courage to go forth to contend for the
honor of His cause and the victory of
His convincing truth?
Shall for fear of feeble man.
The Spirits course In me restrain
Or. undismdyPd in deed or word.
Re fPlr vii for m Lori