Evening journal., 1916-02-04


world to die. Not only is the cross Of
Christ the central event Of human
history. but also around that cross
gathered every type and condition Of
human character, all Of whom which
have their counterparts in our own
day. Every human soul belongs to
one or another of these classes. Let
US this evening describe these differ
ent types and conditions. and as
they are presented. may each Of you
ask yourself 10 which class do you
individually belong.
There was first the Roman guards,
the four soldiers who we're detailed by
the governor to put Jesus to death
This was no unusual task. Many
time they had led a criminal out upon
the hillside and hanged him upon
cross They were absolutely stolid
and indifferent to this greatest trag-
edy OF the ages It meant nothing to
them that Jesus was dying to bear
away the sins of a lost world. Christ
is being cruciied afresh today by the
hoartless Indifference Of multitudes,
who arc absorbed in the worthless
desires Of the world.
On a trip to the Grand Canyon. sew
eral years ago, met a husband and
wife who were evidently people of
wealth and some degree Of intelli-
gence. They told me they lived in a
certain city in the East, and hap
pened TO remember that in that city
there had been a great evangelistic
campaign only a few months before.
SAID. Were you in that city last
November ami December Yes, we
were there both months" said.
"Then you had the privilege of at
tending those great meetings conduct
ed by ono of tho best evangelsts OF
our day" 81 do not remember about
any meetings" replied the man.
"Why" said ]. you were in that city
you say. during those mouths" Yes
"rho papers sad that movement stir
red that city from center to circumfer-
cnce and many thousands were con-
ver,e1" That great religious awak-
ening which had hrougfl blessing
and salvation TO multitudes Of their
felow-citizens. had made absolutely
no impression upon the minds Of
those frivolous society people. They
could probably have told you the
name OF every actor and actress who
had been i'm the theatres Of that city
for wears They could tell you who
had Won the biggest prizes at bridge,
and who were tho most graceful dam
ccrs. But regarding the affairs Of the
spiritual life. they we're absolutely
unConccrned
All about us there are multitUdes OF
souls just as sluggist. phlegmatic,
sensual and indifferent TO spiritual
affairs. as these Roman soldiers that
in a hcartless cold-bloo1ed way nail
cd Jesus Christ to tho cross. They
are not antagonistic TO a great move
mont such as is going on in this cts
at this time They are merely apa'
thetic and Indifferent They have nc
more interest in this great tabelnaclt
campaign for the saving of lost souls
and the uplifting Of the city. thar
havc the cattle in the fields.
The soldiers represented another
class. as they sat at the foot OF th'
crcss. They had probably taken th'
helmet Of ono soldier as q dice-boN
and they were gambling to sec who
would got that seamless robe OF
Jesus' Thcy had no thought or I'M
tores, ir tic Christ within the robe
They we're concerned only in the OBJ
tanning Of material things. II il were
publically announced that in this
building tomorrow evening there
would be a great banquet for every
one where the choicest of foods
woul1 be gervedrgree of charge.
host of people who have not stepped
inside this building as yet would Dc
among The first to come. Especlail!
\ would this be true in this city, II d
were announced that free beer an'
froo whisky we're to be dispensed. Tit
vast majority Of mankind are livinl
upon the lower plane. They are at
tracied not by the things spiritually
but the things physical. Many arr
unon a grade very little above the an
mal creation. II you announce SOM
nlan or proposition, by which ther
is hope for the accumulation OF prop
ertv and the increase OF man
wealth. it will Immediately attract
the attention OF q great thrcng o
pcople. But when you come to iher
with the message that VIII enrlci
their spiritual lives. develop char
acter and produce eternal salvation
it awakens no interest or response
Brutal materalistic. they are liyin
merely for the passing moment wit
no thought for eternity.
Still another class is represented b
these Roman soldiers. saw on bu
letin OF a so-called liberal religion
society. 1--WE believe in the words
Jesus" There are many who admin
tho teachings of Jesus, His beautifl
thoughts. ethical ideas and unselhs
service, but they reject the Chris
Himself. Like these Roman soldier
who were desirous OF securing tn
garments Of Jesus. but had no loN
for the Saviour Himself within II
garments, there are many that are a
tracted merely by the eXternals
Christianity They want TO live in
Christian community. They want
enjoy the fruits that grow upon IL
fruit trees OF the Christian reiigio
They wish to share in the safety an
protection to life and property th'
the gospel OF Christ brings to con
munity. Yet they stolidly refuse
receive the source of those blessing
Jesus Christ Himself, as the Lor
and Leader OF their lives.
Let US now consider another clas
the Scribes and Pharisees. No tyl
Of people has been more misunde