Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-12-20

today is part OF Isiahs prophesy with
reference to the unholy alliance which
was formed in the days of Uzziah's
grandson between the king of Syria and
the king of Israel. These prophesies
were spoken by Isaiah to comfort Ahaz,
king of Judea, by showing him that
God would not allow this unholy alli-
ance against him to stand. The proph-
esy is in several parts, and the comfort
is brought by showing that God will
prevent the enemies of His people from
gaining victory by His own presence.
1t reaches it's climax in this part which
has been selected where He promised
His presence in the presence of His own
Son, the son Of the virgin who is to be
born, whose name is Immanuel-God
with us.
He promises that the darkness which
is to come as a result of their sin in
forsaking the law and testimony shall
not be such as in their former days,
the people that walked in darkness
have seen a great light, that they
dwell in the shadow of death, upon
them hath the light shined. - For
unto us a child is born, unto us son
is given, and the government shall De
upon his shoulders; and his name snail
be called Wonderful Counsellor, the
mighty God, the everlasting Father, the
Prince of Peace. OF the increase or
his government and peace there shall
be no end, upon the throne OF DAVID,
and upon His kingdom, to order 1T, ana
to establish it with judgment and with
Justice from henceforeh even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will per-
form this" The fullness of the glory
which was to come to Judea would
come only when the King Himself shall
sit on the throne.
At the birth of Jesus at Galilee, the
Gentiles did see great light; but since
He came unto His own and His own
received Him not, the fullness or the
glory of Judea was postponed until
such a time when they should look
upon Him whom they pierced, ana
mourn for Him as an only son. Thls
light. however, which came to hghten
the Gentiles, and which hghteth every
man that cometh into the world, mas
shined unto the hearts Of many ma
ton that sat in darkness. 1t is 1as-
cinating story to read, and is more fas-
cinating now in these latter days, for
II was only a trife over 100 years ago
that His people began to realize His
plan and began to give the gospel 70
the nations in serious way. 1t TOOK
nearly seventy years to convert the
first million people-they are being
saved about 500 day now.
May 1 illustrate this truth with a
few striking instances that people who
sat in darkness have seen a great
light? Take Korea-we always think
of Korea first. because of its remark
able history heather nation until
about twenty-five years ago, but now
noted for the church containing Chris
tians who love the Bible, and who pray
and who are outstanding in their prac-
tice of personal evangelism. out OF
the 10000 church members of Pang-
Yang, over 5000 attend prayer meeting
regularly every Wednesday night. They
have built their own churches, have
increased at the rate of 60 per cent
year (churches in America increase at
the rate of 2 per cent year, and they
have already sent out their own Tor
eign missionaries to the islands beyond
them.
Africa-why there is no more mar
velous story on record than the story
of the church in Africa. In Uganda
and along the Kongo, the success has
been most remarkable; nations have
been brought out of the greatest dark
ness, and are living exemplary hVes.
The story of John G. Patents life in
the new Hebrides is another, thrilling
illustration of this truth. In one mans
| lifetime an island was changed from
the Cannibal island to a state Of high
Christian civilization.
| And what shall we say of that great
country-China?; which contains one
fourth of all the people in the world;
which is making such rapid strides now?
Socially, politically, economically, re-
Irgiously, the old religion Of 1000 years
has crumbled, and these people are adj
vancing with rapid strides. Ten years
ago there were only two modern
schools in China, not conducted by for
eigners; today there are 100000. The
revolution which resulted in the fall OF
Manchu dynasty and the establishing
of the Chinese republic came about as
the direct influence of Christianity in
the schools 1t was the light of the
world which shined on their hearts and
made them dissatisfied with what they
| had.
! 1t is rather significant that every ar
ticle descriptive of. the present war be-
| tween the Balkan states and Turkey
attributes to Robert college, in Con-
stantinople, the credit for this fight
for religious freedom. Robert college
is an institution conducted by the Con-
gregational church, and has taught the