The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-12
(BY WILLIAM T. ELLIs.)

(BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.)
A penetrating phrase from letter
by st. Peter speaks of persons who are
"biind, seeing only that which is near.
That describes the mass of US who can
not discern things in their reiatlon.
ships. Every great event has great
consequences, and the shrewd person
perceives its implications as well as us
immediate reality. When the newspa-
pers announced that a new Bapyionlan
story of the Fall and Deluge, anteoat-
ing Abraham, had been discovereu'
many persons merely thought 1t a Gu
rious hit of news OF its vast conse-
uuences, in the realm of religion ana
history, they had no suspicion. Tnus II
is that the fact of the resurrection OF
Jesus cannot be understood at all until
its consequences also are realized.
We knew from last weeks lesson
study that the resurrection OF Jesus
had been historically established by HIS
six appearances in or about Jerusalem,
and by His three appearances in Gar
ilee If the resurrection of Jesus De
a reality, then it is fraught with sucn
tremendous consequences to mankind
that words fail us to describe it ade-
Quately.
Clearly, if Jesus could rise from the
dead. then it is possible also for us 10
u.
and philosophical in making his teach
ing of a personal immortality contln-
gent upon the resurrection OF Jesus.
If all the worlds bonds that have peen
bound humanity have been broken ana
If death, the last great conqueror OF
the race has been mastered by Christ,
then a new order of affa1rs entlreiy
has entered into human life.
The New Kings Imperialism.
The resurrection fact is inadequate
without the Resurrection programme.
Jesus proved His authority by His as
tendency over death. He had demon
strated the possibility of new ana
risen life. Now we find Him. in the
present lesson, issuing directions to His
followers as to the manner in which the
new life is to be lived. The former
teachings of Christ were all touched
with a new luminosity by this new truth
of the Resurrection. 1t also made nee
essary certain special instructions 10
the men who were to carry on the
work of Jesus. The Master was mount
ing His throne: what was to be His
policy for His kingdom?
The flaming conquests of Mohammed
and his immediate successors are one
of the wonders of history. Yet they
are easily understood. Since his fol-
lowers believed him to be Gods latest
and fullest Prophet, then it was in
cumbent upon them to carry his revela-
ton to the uttermOst man they cOulo
reach. In a far greater sense if Jesus
Christ be the Son of God. and man.
kinds only Redeemer, then all the
world must be told the good news; and
no other concern in life becomes so i'm
portant as the bearing of this message.
The Imperialism of Christianity
dates from the Resurrection. The
world program of Christ was laid
down after He had broken the bonds
of death. His fullest and final in
structions to His disciples were i'm
parted from this side of the tomb.
The work Of winning all men to Him
is bound up with the kingship of
Christ. AS runs the old saying, Christ
will not be Lord at all, unless He can
be Lord in ALL
World War Under a Peace Prince.
Doubtless, the most disturbin
that Is being discussed in khanS and
tea houses and at caravan camp1res,
and in Oriental palaces and schoo- .
and pagan temples and Christian
churches-is the thought that Chris
tian civilization has apparently broken
down in the present world war; anc
humanity has resolved itself into it,;
original barbarism.
The christian nations are heart
deep in the bloodiest war of all tn
ages. Before this overwhelming pas
sion of war lust the obligations of
brotherhood, charity and peace seem
to have vanished. Christ's clear com
mands are ignored, and His Lordship
is nullified. All the while His name
is being invoked, as if He were a man.
made. national idol, to be carried
forth to battle along with the stan
dards Of the armies.
Squarely facing all the myriads OF
alert minds which will study this pres
ent lesson. are the words of the text
All authority is given unto Me in
heaven and earth" Confronting this
truth is the admitted fact of the APP
parent reputation of Christianity by
the older Christian nations. What shall
We say? Has Christianity failed? Is
CHRIST or Satan ruling this earth?
into the scales as we weigh this
question, must be thrown the two thou
sand years of Christian history. and the
patience of God which they reveal. We
recall His word. that with Him thou
sand years are as a day and MY
thoughts are not your thoughts, neither
are your ways My ways" The convic-
ton OF many CT the most thoughtful
persons Is that this is the last war
The present crisis is climateric.
Crowding into this holocaust of blood
and horror are all the lessons of the
futility and hurt of war which the
world and laborious centuries have
failed to teach. In this stern school OF
war, humanity is being taught the
peace lesson. Our small and insulal
and distorted ideas are being repudi.
ated; and over all the battlefield mer
are dimly discerning the mysteriou.
providence of the Lord God of Hosts
BY strange violence he is shaking VI
this old world to realize its solidarity
its interdependence, and its need for g
mind Of brotherhood. Our awed spirit.
cry,
His Day is marching on
the gigantic task of all time is beini
wrought before our eyes by gigantic
means.
New Power and Program.
Clearly, Enthusiastically, Jesus laid tn,
lsk Of winning the world for Hi
idGa1 lS he 4, III