Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-09-06


A ~ hand with spir-
itual power. and
we must face two or three plain ques-
tons as to matters OF fact
Is Christ the same as he was then
Is he able to do now what he did
then? Are We in tho same condition
OF need difficulties, habits. sins? How
far. may expect help from Jesus2
II Gods word shows mo what Jesus Is
able to do will trust him for It. rs
men and women did then? The study
OF the story and OF the entire word
OF God will give me an affirmative
answer to all these questions except
the last one that | must answer for
myself. for II is still true that. al
though Jesus is able 10 save to The
uttermost, he can save only those
vino come 10 God by him and who VIII
accept the healing power of the Great
Physician
The gospels tell us of many varie-
ties OF sickness dealt with by Jesus:
these are all types OF sin and OF
Christ's power to heal. Take four
typical illustrations: Leprosy, or the
guilt and deiilement OF sin; palsy. or
the impotence OF SIM fever. or the
passion OF sin; demoniac possession.
or the slavery Of sin
or. take three typical cases from
the gospel according TO st. Luke
"a 5:l7. palsied limbs; (2) colo.
the withcred hands; go 1908. the
bowed down woman. In all these
cases Jesus not only healed the body
but he stands forth as able TO Neal
the sin OF which the bodily ailmant
Is type No case is too hard Tor
Jesus. His diagnosis is thorough and
correct. his treatment Is appropriate
and adequate. his power is unite the
uttermost." There will be no need
to come again. He cures in different
ways. but always with perfect under
standing and with satisfactory re-
suits.
The man at the Beautiful Gate OF
the temple expected only aims from
Peter and John, but he got what was
OF surprising quality and value--heal-
ing. In the name and through the
power OF Jesus OF Nazareth. And
they were filled with wonder and
Arrangement al that which had hap
pened unto him." That hour OF
prayer became an opportunity for the
manifestation of the power of Jesus
Christ. an unexpected blessing to the
lame man. and the occasion OF a great
sermon by Peter How graciousIy
and generously God deals with us.
Exceedingly abundantly above all
that we ask or think" Not aims. but
healing: not silver. but salvation not
gold. but grace and gladness; not out.
side. begging. but beyond the Beau
tiful Gate. inside the temple, walk
ing and leaping. and praising God. "
Is Christ the same today? Can he
do that work OF forgiveness and sane
tification now? And Is he willing &c
do It? Thousands can testify and say
Yes" on which side of the gate
are YOU? Are you outside. distressed
diseased. despairing, dying? DO you
cry out In vain for help? There Is no
reason why you may not be on the
other side. rejoicing In the sense o.
sins forgiven. righteousness imputed
life impaired. JOY planted. Only one
reason-"Wilt thou be made whole
Perfect soundness." and In a mo
ment And Immediately" lie is the
healer divine. AS such he is able not
only TO make better" but to make
well. MY case is too hard" | do not
know how far your disease has gose
how dark the night may seem. how
deep the sin dwells. but do know the
power of this healer In each and ev
cry case intrusted to mnothing u
too hard for God His ability is ON
nspotent and his love matches his
power He may deal painfully. but II
will also be effectively.
In the days of his flesh he healed
by word. or a touch now by the
Holy Spirit. Still the Great Physician
stands IN the presence OF sin-bur
dened ones saying, Arise" stretch
forth thine hand" thou art loosed
from thine iniirmi;y." 81 will be thou
clean" Put him to the test. and find
Jesus Christ. the same. yesterday
today, yes. and forever" Yea. the
faith which is through him hath given
him this perfect soundness In the
presence of YOU ALL"