The Alaska citizen., 1916-01-10
THE GREAT ARBITRATION CASE
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THE GREAT ARBITRATION CASE
 Neither is there any umpire be, tween us. that might lay his hand upon us both" Job 9:33.
 This was the desire of Job and his desire has been fulfilled in the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. We can says that there is an Umpire who will arbitrate our case and give us strict justice be cause He knows all the law in the case. Ever since sin came into the world there has been a quarrel on between the Blessed God and man Long ago God made arrangements to have the differences arbitrated some have accepted the articles of agreement. but there are those who have not. for reasons of their own been persuaded that they want to accept the terms. One day the sinner must be brought before the final Judge, but it is possible to try the matter before an Umpire and save the penalty of the Judge.
 There Is hope for every sinner that he may be at peace with God A way has been provided whereby the sin of the offender may be for given and the guilty party go free, to enjoy the pleasures of freedom
 To get the matter sQuarely be fore us let us ask, What are the essentials of an Umpire? Then we will go into the arbitration court and view the proceedings, and see the offender free, if he so desires.
 l. The first essential of an tm- pire is, that he be accepted by both of the parties. Now God has ap- pointed Jesus Christ to be the Arbl- trator in the case between Him and the sinner He has chosen Him from the foundation of the world and given Him His duties to per fern in order that He might quail fy for service Those conditions have all been finished and He has entered upon His duties, accepted of God. Because He once suffered and hungerad and thirsted and knew the meaning of poverty and pain; yes, in that He was tempted as we are He is accepted for the Umpire in the case between the r}ointitf and defendant in the case.
 2 Both parties must be agreed 10 leave the case in the hands of the Umpire Should the Umpire not possess the power of settling the case 1t would only create a possibility for wrangling, and no chance of coming to a peaceful set clement. God has committed "all power" to His Son, who comes commissioned with plenipotentiary powers to arbitrate the case There fore the Father will be satisfied with the settlement that may be made between God and the offending par ty. Now is the sinner willing to accept the Umpire and abide by His decision in this case that is so important to both parties concerned The Father is not willing that any one should perish, but that all should com" to repentance; now what is the sinner willing to accede to bring about an amicabla condi- tion where separation has existed and union is preferable?
 3. It would be well to note here tat the Umpire is most fit for his arbitration services. His position is sufficiently exalted to permit kings to come before Him with dignity, and sufficiently humble to allow the most lowly to approach Him for justice. The gulf fixeG between plaintiff and defendant is now spanned by the person and work of an Umpire whom God has accepted and man also. He is God dllu Illdll, tHClClOlC ilo uildCi SlthNo the case of each. No mortal could sit as arbitrator for he would fail in absolute wisdom, not knowing the law fully, SO God sent His own Son that man might have a mediat- or between God and man, Days man to try the case with full knowledge of the otfense and the justice to be rendered.
 4 A further essential of an Um- pire is that he should strive to bring the case to a happy settle ment A quarrelsome Umpire would only aggravate the conditions and prolOng the case to no peaceful set clement. The life and work of Je. sus is to bring peace between God and man. He knows no joy greater than receiving sinners back to the loving Father-care. Never have kings had ambition to make war and cause destitution and pain and poverty, as Jesus has to end them all and make the world to shout for joy"
 God then has fulfilled his part in accepting the Umpire. who is most eminently qualified for the high office ot arbitrator Now 1t lies with the sinner to say what he will do in accepting the same person