South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-09-25
SAYS JESUS IDEAL
TYPE OF MANHOOD
Rev. 6. w. Allison Points Out
Christ Possessed Every
Characteristic.

The Manliness Of Iesus'. formed
the theme OF the sermon yesterday
morning by George William Allison
at Hope Presbyterian chapel. It was
an attempt TO estimate the attrac-
tive masculinity OF Jesus in terms
OF common life. He said:
80 Behold the man.'-When PLATE
uttered words he spoke more per-
haps than he knew There is a man
illness about Jesus which has made
His character attractive through the
years. For TO the Christian. Jesus
is the perfect mar, the ideal ex-
preston OF manhood.
But when ! say this, / am lay
ing myself open to criticism from
two widely different angles. The
ultra-pious Will say, that manhood
in the popular conception is too
low a conception TO describe adequ-
ately the divine Christ. And the un-
believing will say because of their
lack Of acquaintance with the char
acter Of Christ that on account of
His we'll known qualities OF meek
ness. gentleness, and forgiveness He
cannot be in possession of the nee
essary quality of courage to per-
nit as describing Him as manly. We
propose TO allow the statment of the
case TO disarm these criticisms.
Jesus is the ideal type of manli-
ness.
Qualities of ManIincsS.
But what do we mean by man.
illness? a man may be said TO be
manly when he is in possession of
such qualities of character as com
mand our respectful admiration.
while there are several such
qualities, the first and fundamental
is the possession Of adequate physi-
cal strength. Seldom do we see a
leader in war, politics. or religion
who is not a health animal We must
learn TO associate piety and manli-
ness with the athletic, sturdy-bod-
led qualities; and not alone with
AAAt NEdhf DuAANF AAcAA " ~ -AlAt0AC0 d.
celtic We must associate the high
est type OF faith with the vigor and
energy OF a healthy body well dis
ciplined. The long fasting of the
early Christian centuries has given
place 10 the Y. NJ G. a. and church
and college gymnasium as we APP
preciate with more proportion the
functions Of man. The fasting cell
has given place to the training-ta-
BILE; a pale cOnsumptive piety TO
robust athletic faith. And l am con-
WINGED that a careful study of the
physical situations which Jesus had
10 face will assure us that he was
possessed of physical qualities which
commanded respect.
Intelligence Needed.
Intelligence is a further quality
which we require of the candidate
for manliness. In order 10 be man
ly il is not necessary to he "A grad.
uate Of a university; but il is nee
essary to have an alert, eager. ac-
tive mind. The repartee Of Jesus
in the company of the Pharisses
comes 20 mind without effort as an
evidence of this quality How with
ering was his alert comprehension
OF the motives which actuated his
antagOnistsi
But more necessary than either
OF the above are the moral quail
ties of perseverance love of person
al honor courage and self-cOntrOl.
The quality Of perseverance, is
marked in Jesus;-how He
chose the high end Of life
and Persisted in rs calling
in spite Of obstacles ard discourage
ments! The love of personal honor
how unsullied did He keep body.
mind, and soul There was never a
blot on his escutcheon. As for cOur-
age-tho fearlessness with which
Jesus entered upon situation of per-
sonal danger attests his physical
courage. But there is also a cour-
age of the mind which dares to fol-
low truth; and a courage Of the
heart which detes the venture OF
moral achievement, This courage,
this fearlessness is a quality which
We have failed 10 properly appre-
Ciate in Jesus.
Defines Courage.
we easily credit him with self
control, and even push il 20 the ex-
treme of denying Him the exercise
of daring bravery. To be courageous
and unafraid in any kind OF danger.
to exercise ones courage tempered
with self control and yet be free
from self assertiveness. TO avoid in
considerateness.- this is the su-
preme test of manlinesS. Courage
without consideration produces the
bully. the rude. Let courage be
marked by courtesy and we have
manliness. And another proof OF
manliness is the virtue OF useful
self-sacrifce for others. These among
others. hut these chiefly. are the
qualities OF manhood. And / am
persuaded that a CAREFUL. fair. and
sane study OF the char acter and con-
duct OF Jesus will affirm what ] have
said. That lie is the supreme ex-
ample of manliness; and the unpar-
allelled ideal for every Christian. In
the moment of temptation 10 release
your grasp OF these virtues, may the