The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26

Tho Dynamite Of Peace.
The International Sunday School Les
son for December 81 is Jesus the
Worlds Saviour and King."-II Cor.
3:14-21.
BY WILLIAM T.. ELLIS.
In these days Of dynamite 1t Is well
(, recall that this word IL straight out
# the Greek of the New Testament
and that 1t means power" The moo.
I'm Limitation of the meaning snouio
lot prevent us facing the apparently
incongruous truth, that the new order
of human life has to come about
through the dynamite of peace. which
f. the power of Christ. Clear to all
seeing eyes IS the work OF this new
force in and through the world in our
own time, and by its tremendous en-
ergy heaving society up to a new and
higher plane. OF greater significance
than any tidings from the battle front
IS the good news. that the program of
Christ, which is a program of peace, is
Fastening on its way.
What else mean all these express
sions of compassion now abroad In the
world? How other can we explain the
visions of the better day and of the
nobler way of living, which are lifting
themselves above the horizon to the
vision of all prophetic spirits? The
crisis of history which we are now wit
Messing consists not SO much in the
fact of tremendous wars and destruc-
ton, but of the emergence of new and
conquering dynamics which make GER
tain a nobler life for mankind. Even
by way of the battlefield the triumphal
chariot of peace is progressing. This
Is the conviction that springs first to
mind when We are called upon. as in
the present lesson. to take a long look
at the life and teachings OF Jesus
which the Sunday schools have been
studying for two years past.
What the Baby Brought.
AS spring rejuvenates the tired old
earth, and as each generation of ba-
bies gives freshness and joy to the old
er lives that tend to jadedness and
safety, so the Christ child brought
to the world a new springtime. His
advent was a fresh beginning for the
race. With the echoes of the Christ
mas bells still in our ears, we cannot
forget the Christ about whom we
have been studying for these many
months. coming to earth as a baby.
He started his mission on the same
level with the rest of us. so eager was
the Heavenly Father to crowd close to
humanity in sympathy and compre-
hension. Baby" Mother" Home
are great words shining with new ra-
dance because Christ is now in them.
First to hear the news straight from
Heaven that Christ had come and that
a new way of life had begun were the
Shepherds the audience of the angel
choir. In the midst of the working
men, in the room set apart for the
horses and donkeysIthe common
mans friends-these shepherds has
tened and found a carpenter and his
wife and the newborn Child. Kings
later came from afar. but to the toll
ers it was first given to acclaim the
Messiah. Fittingly so. for that Baby
has broken the shackles of slavery
and serfdom the world around, and is
still bringing in a new day for all who
toll.
The life Of the comm n Leople was
the life lived by Jesus. He was not
among those who were served by 9TH
ers. but was Himself a servant to the
end. A plain Man to the last, His
friends and followers having all been
common people, He shared a cross
His only earthly throne-with culprits
who had been driven beyond the pale
Of responsibility.
The New Order.
Healer and helper to a host was
the Master. He labored and He
taught, not as the naughty scribes. but
with new words of gentleness and
love. Quick to detect this fresh. vital
note uttered in their own speech. the
common people heard Jesus gladly.
He summoned them to a life of the
spirit. declaring that not things but
thoughts make life. To those whose
hearts were set on pomp and gran
deur and power and earthly state, He
cried, THE Kingdom Is within you"
His program was for a new world
brought in by new men and new wo-
men. He gave His life, His personal
ity. His spirit to help His friends
achieve ills Kingdom. BY these
friends and representatives He would
make the world over.
DO You Know the Facts?
To understand the genius of Jesus
facts of r. life. That is surely a
test of real culture in this Christian
civilization.
Yet how many readers of these lines
can pass even such simple examina.
ton as that suggested by Peloubet's
Notes?
In what town was Jesus born?
What was His mothers name?
How long ago was He born?
To what race did He belong?
What was His native country?
from your home?
OF what empire was it a province'
To what government is it now sub.
5ect?
:. What two remarkable welcomes t.
Where did He spend His childhood
ana youth?
What trade did He learn?
Tell the story OF His first visit e
Jerusalem?
How old was He when He began Il
preach?
Who prepared the way for His work
Why was Jesus baptized?
over what three temptations did HI
gain the victory?
What were the themes Of His preach
ing?
BY what kind Of deeds did He prov,
that His mission was from God?
Name some OF the miracles HI
wrought?