Evening journal., 1918-12-27

1t The Increase or the LOruS ; GONcfn'
ment and Peace" was the subject Of the
REV. George Henry Dole's sermon in ths
New Church on Christmas morning His
text was from Isa. lX. Tot the in.
crease of His government and peace
there shall be no end
Following Is an outline Of the sermon
"This is our first Christmas since
'liberty's great victory At this time
when mighty forces. ages pent. threat-
en- to convuise the world with startling
changes: when the omens were never
so auspicious. it VIII be to our supreme
profit Il we can understand the present
in its deeper relation to that past out
-cf which IL unfolds.
AT no time in the worlds history has
1t seemed so imperative 10 consult the
sextant and compass and ascertain our
Bearings as we sail forth on the track
less sea Of life, whose distant shore Is
The eternity Of time. II we can know
fhe present, II we can understand the
Nolcanlc forces rumbling throughout
the earth and threatening vast erup-
tions. we shall not waste our efforts In
lnisdlrected energy, we can preserve our
faith: we can cooperate intelligently
with the descending heavenly powers,
which arc working a worldwide resur-
rcctlon from the long sleep OF spiritual
might and death.
'Let us briefly outline the facts from
(which the inner forces and purposes
That are working the evolution OF man
may be clearly seen.
"Seven centuries before the advent Of
The Lord II was foretold that the
Christ. the Prince Of Peace, would come
and that the increase OF His govern
ment and peace would know no end. But
i Tic was not to c0Tnc then. no. moi until
abe end, 'the last days." not until the
BITTERNESS In the latter end What
does this delay OF His coming mean?
"The spiritual history OF the world Is
repeated in miniature in the life Of
every rcScnerated man. The world was
like a hayward youth, who Will not
leave his evils until he begins to see
their effects and drinks OF their bitter
ness. The evils and falsities That had
come into the world since the creation
-of man had 20 bear their full fruits be-
fore the world would recognize their
mature, or could be led 20 repentance. In
other words. the world had 10 come to
Its worst, touch the very bottom of
9plritual vastation before the Lord
could redeem the world to the utter
most. BY the end and the latter days
is meant the utter destruction OF gem
lime truth and goodness When the
church had lost all knowledge OF spirit
sual things and holy things, had become
utterly corrupted, the Lord could come
and save 10 the uttermost.
seven hundred years after Isaiah
% h.. f4f
the Prince Of Peace, whose government
and peace would never ceaseto increase
The angel proclaimed to the shepherds
the birth OF the promised Christ. And
fhen the multitude Of the heavenly host
announced the very heart OF the Lords
mission, that which lie was 10 inaugur-
.stc: namely. Glory to God in the high
.est, and on earth peace, good viii to-
ward men,
< AT that time peace existed through
but the known world. secured by the
mighty power of Rome. The peace that
fhen reigned triumphant. was the peace
81 conquest and subjugation. IL was
ehe peace Of nations broken, disheart-
e-ned, cnslaNed. 10 was the peace Of au-
Tocracy enforced by sword and fire. We
san understand that peace. We have a
7ecent example. II was the peace Of in
0aded and occupied Belgium. II was the
.3eace that would have been forced upon
The world II Germany had won. 10 was
The peace OF frightfulness. terrorism and
.5espotlsm triumphant. II was the peace
.pf III will. and no glory to God
= "Now witness the message Of peace !
and good will in its setting. The world |
had reached the bottom Of its decline. |
The church was totally degenerate. vas
lated, possessing nothing Of genuine !
struth or good. II had come to the last |
uays;' the bitterness in the latter end |
Babylon had reached its maximum, and |
4ucIfer was exalted above the Most /
High. The peace Of he'll sat triumphant |
On the throne Of the world, in all its |
eplendor Of false glamour.
"in Stygian darkness OF the worlds /
spiritual night, the Savior was born, and |
fhe angels proclaimed the Spirit then 4
Newborn into the world: Glory to God |