Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1922-07-20


traces the world. This very demand
,rings Christianity abreast of the
lines; indeed. it reveals the fact that,
Is always, it is ahead of the times,
md In this particular instance, not
less than 1900 years. For In the d.
ninutive land of Palestine just out
hide of the city of Jerusalem, Jesus
Christ, the Son of God, died on hill
Vailed Calvary, as the Savior of all
The world. After His resurrection, He
commissioned His disciples beginning
1t Jerusalem and reaching out in
avery direction to the uttermost parts
If the world to preach the Gospel to
avery creature. Surely If bigness is
demanded, Christianity has first claim
Tor attention. To what corner of this
Earth has it not extended? What
STAND of the sea has it not touched?
TO what people of the earth has it not
.ome with its sweet message of peace
md hope, its witness of power in
transformed lives, civilizing nations,
Ihattering systems of superstitions
md emancipating souls?
OF its many marks Of greatness, a
lew only can be selected.
1t Is great in respect to its person
sel. We are in the habit of judging
The value and Importance Of an enter
prise by the character and reputation
If those who indorse it. Usually when
movement is launched, it gains ac-
eeptance and favor in just the pro-
portion that the personnel back of 1t
inspires confidence and respect. The
Gospel has back of it a personnel be-
side which all others sink into insig-
aificance For God the Father planned
1t; God the Son executed the plan;
and God the Holy Spirit applies it to
the hearts of men
1t Is great in respect to its plan.
Here neither time nor extent Is fig
nred in. Jesus Is the Lamb slain be-
fore the foundation of the world. This
takes us beyond the beginning of time.
In the ages to come. God is to show
unto us the exceeding riches of His
grace in His kindness toward us
through Jesus Christ. This leaps the
boundary of time again and extends
beyond the end. The plan, therefore,
takes hold of the eternity past and
the eternity future, and spanning the
whole reach of time, binds them to-
gether in one grand purpose of grace.
Every other project has a beginning
and end in time, but not SO the Cos
pei Of the grace of God--it vaults
both.
1t is great in respect to it's provi-
sions. Again all boundaries vanish, no
limitations can be described. God is
able to make all grace abound, supply
all needs, bless with all spiritual
blessings, do exceeding abundantly
above all we can ask or think.
1t is great in respect to it's purpose
The greatest piece of property in the
world is the human soul. This great
salvation proposes to save that soul
from the penalty of sin, the power Of
sin forever. 1t embraces perfect
plan Of reconciliation to, and full re-
lnstatement in the favor and family of
God.
1t is great in respect to its program
This embraces all nations. 1t takes in
every cline and country, all condi-
lions and classes. Other religions are
rooted to the soil where they had
their beginning. To transplant them
is to destroy them. Not SO Chris
tianity. 1t is no exotic plant. 1t has
the elements of universally; it thrives
wherever planted.
1t is great in respect ITO its price
The late war cost the entente nations
$219, 900, 100000. 1t is hard for the
mind to grasp the immensely of these
figures. Yet, they are understandable
We can add to them, subtract from
them, multiply and divide them, and
get an ineligible answer. But the
price of redemption is infinite. "The
blood is the life," and the blood OF
Gods Son, the sinless One, purchased
mans redemption, one drop of which
is of more value than all the blood OF
bulls and goats since the beginning OF
time until now.
1t is great in respect to the plain
ness Of its terms. The simplicity OF
Gospel terms is stumbling block to
many. 1t seems unbelievable that sc
much can be obtained for so little. II
looks cheap. Can't something be done
to earn it or given in return for it.
No, it is free, absolutely free-a free
gift,
believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
and thou shalt be saved. and thy
house."