South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-06-21
REV. J. N GREENE
GIVES SCHOLARLY
LECTURE SUNDAY
Brings Home Point That Life
Has Other Qualities
Than Physical.

At the First Methodist church
yesterday morning the Rev. J. y.
Greene addressed a large congrega-
ton on -he subject. Spiritual Su-
sceptibility," using the text, THE
people that stood by said that it
thundered: others said an angel
spake to him"
The speaker gave a scholarly ser
mon. He said In part: 1T is a
strange paradox OF human nature
that men believe tremendously IN
the existence OF supernatural
realm, and yet persist in rejecting
the evidences Of that realm. The
normal man needs no argument to
convince him that he is more than
a physical creature placed in ply
steal world. The feeling is innate
within him that he IS more than
physical and is environed by a
realm more than physical
Yet firm as his belief IS IN the
supernatural realm, man is often
unwilling TO accept evidences Of its
existence. Instinctively believing in
the supernatural. man often seeks TO
deny its existence. An instance of
paradox OF faith is found in the case
Of those who heard the voice Of God
speaking TO Jesus. and yet said, 1t
Numbered But their denial OF the
supernatural did not destroy its ev-
idence They were mistaken. It
had not thundered. God had spOk-
en-.
Experience Is Old.
1T is impossible TO cultivate spir-
itual susceptibnities until spiritual
realities and impressions become
neither alarming nor unnatural
Every period in Bible history has
instances illustrating the truth OF
this statement Men then, and in
more recent history have In their
experiences abundantly proven the
possibility Of the spiritual world
making its impact on the material
world Man being essentially a spir-
itual being II is reasonable that ne
should be susceptible 10 the touch
OF spiritual influences
1T is likewise possible for suscep-
tibilities 10 be neglected or abused
till they are practically lost. II men
insist in living altogether on the
carnal or temporal plane until there
is no room in the life for the spiri-
tual. then the spiritual will become
TO them as though IL did not exist
Practical Effects.
There are some practical effects
which grow out Of the coming Of
spiritual forces into the life OF the
material world. II reveals the sac
redness Of human life The fact that
God breaks through the boundaries
Of the spiritual and plays upon the
life Of man with spiritual forces.
suggests that mans life must be sac
red and important The one who
lives in closest touch with the spir-
itual will have the highest regard
for the saCredness Of human life.
Those who despise il and stand rea-
dy 20 destroy II, are farthest re-
moved from spiritual Influences.
Again. the coming af the spiri-
tual into the materia suggests the
sacredness OF human relationships
God employs spiritual forces. not
merely 10 make men right in their
relations 10 him, but also iu their
relations TO each other Acquaint-
ance with spiritual forces will give
one a clearer conception OF the
rights OF others There is an essen
tial relation between ones respect
for God and his respect for his
neighbOr's rights.
Add To JOYS.
Close relationship 10 the spirit
ual Will also enable one 90 add ma
terialiy TO the JOY OF life The one