Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-10
Demoniac Delivered.

The cure of Gadarene presents more
perplexity and problems than any OF
the several specific cures recorded in
the gospel of those whose ailments are
described as demoniac possessions. The
popular idea was. as it is in China to-
day. that evil spirits were accustomed
to take their abode in men. speaking
with their tongues and acting upon
their bodies. affecting them with vari-
Gus physical diseases. When we realize
how germs enter into the body and
turn into a mass of putrid flesh. We
can readily how it is possible for
evil to enter into our brain and de-
range the power of reason. I'm every
two square inches of the brain there
are 100000 fbers, and each fiber can
receive a mental impression. The
similarity of the symptoms of the
demoniacs to recognized mental ana
physical arrangements that the modern
physician would classify forms OF
insanity is quite marked. They would
also assign different causes than those
current in Christ's day. but we must
note Christ did not give his diagnosis
of the cause.
Matthew. who emphasizes Christs
power over evil spirits. mentions two
whom Jesus cured, while Mark and
Luke speak of the one, who was a
danger to the community because OF his
derangeQ m1nQ anu 0clnTonco Icdcoh'
blocking even the roads because Of his
fierceness and power. He straightaway
came to Jesus, crying for mercy. The
foe that had broken the home ties
now faced his Master i'm Jesus. whose
heart was moved by the mans condf-
ton. The Master detected i'm the
fanatical cries the prayer of a soul
for help Modern mental healers, who
use psychological laws. that form the
basis of psychiatry, find the methods
80 I'm the doIiVQrv nf the
demoniac an excellent illustration Of
their practice. No matter how IL is
explained, the fact remains that Christ
controlled and cured the demoniac. He
cure was effected was divine. and he
assigned great Importance to his cures.
for he asked. IF by the finger or God
cast out demons. then the Kingdom OF
God has come upon you.
Just as every agency put forth TO ad-
vance the kingdom Of God today meets
with opposition from selfish interests, so
Christ met opposition. The citizens or
their borders because some swine had
been destroyed have plenty OF modern
followers, whose attitude toward all ques-
lions is determined by their pocketbooks.
The value of a man was considered less
than that Of the swine. So they told the
Master to leave. Many a reformer Of mod
ern times has had to move on because his
efforts interfered with some selfish in
tereSI- ne NeIldi di nee tudt 1fcquciil-
ly exists to day is born of Satan. The
subterranean opposition to efforts to
eradicate intemperance, gambling and all
forms of vice is based upon the same
theory that rates human lives below that
of revenue production. The Lord would
not. OF course, tarry where he was NOT
welcome, SO he left the coast, but not
without leaving behind him messenger
of the gospel.
The restored man desired to follow Jesus
but his field was at home as missionary.
He had been saved, just as We have been
saved. to help save others. The first place
for all to preach the glorious gospel 10
just where the Master sent the new con-
vert when he said: Go to thy house and
to thy friends and tell them how great
things the Lord hath done for thee and
how He had mercy on thee" Jesus left
among those whose material interests
had blinded them to Christ and his power,
one whose life would demonstrate the
helpfulness and healing power Of the
Lord. We. too, are called upon to present
Christ to men SO that they can say with
the Psalmist. God Is our refuge and
strength. very present help in trouble:
therefore will we not fear though the
earth do change and though the noun
tain be moved into the heart OF the ssaeT