Evening star., 1927-03-19

Death is no reSpecter or persons.
1t challenges all men and compeis
them to consider the future life. HUI
man history tells us that through all
the ages there has existed "the un-
ouenchable hope of human kind for
Immortality, though that hope be
shrouded In mystery and dimmed by
doubt" From the earliest dawn OF
time men have asked the question,
"If a man die, shall he live again?"
This irrepressible problem has been
the theme of many of the greatest
of pagan minds, but it was not an
swered conclusively until Jesus Christ
turned the dim hope of humanity into
the bright and certain hope of real
ity.
Facing the shadow of the cross, the
Master sought to comfort the apos-
ties by His revelations concerning the
future life. He knew that in few
hours they would feel depressed. dis
couraged and disappointed by His
death upon the cross. He sought to
prepare them for the dark trials that
they would face by opening up to
them a message concerning the fu-
ture, that has been source of spirit
ual strength to all who have been
called upon to enter the valley and
shadow of death. He brought life
and immortality to light" when He
referred to the Fathers house with
it's many mansions.
Home for Christians.
The Christians hope differs from
the pagan philosophers conception,
because Jesus gave peace to the trou-
bled heart by revealing the future
life to be home. There Is no more
In hov
"home." Be 1t ever so humble, the
influence of that sacred place has in
spired men to attempt the impossible.
Sometimes, when the battle of life has
appeared to be forcing us to face de-
feat the thought of mother, wife and
children has summoned forth an un-
known reserve force that has changed
an apparent defeat into triumph
Looking ahead to the coming trial,
the Lord sought to fill the apostles
with His poise by giving unto them
the secret of His peace and power
by His revelations of the future life
In the Fathers home.
He impressed upon them the neces.
sity OF exercising three different ele-
ments Of faith--believe In the Father,
Christ and immortality. Men who are
inspired to live for the glory of God
can never be defeated. The Master
had revealed unto them vision of
God as their Father, who in holy love
created, sustained and ordered all,
making ell things to work together
for good to them that loved Him. He
called for them not only to exercise
faith in the Father but also in Him.
There Is no foundation for future
life apart from Him. His interest In
our welfare and salvation prompted
q ~ nd in SYNir
upon the cross. that makes possible
our inheritance and possession Of
eternal life.
Waiting Across the Grave.
Our knowledge of the future is con-
nected not only with the life that
Jesus lived but also with His resur-
rection. He called upon His apostles
to have faith in the place that He
was going to prepared for them in His
Fathers home. He has not given us
a map of it's location, but He has
assured us that we will be with Him,
and that of itself would be heaven for
us. Gods love for us was so great
that our Lord was sent to save us by
His redemption. and called home to
prepare a place for us to be with Him
throughout eternity. Looking forward
to sharing that place which He Is pre-
pairing for us in the Fathers home,
we recognize that the grave is not the
end of human life. The hope Of enjoy
ing His fellowship inspires our life
here. 1t Is a dynamic force that helps
us to live today and move on to see
the Savior face to face when death
gives freedom to our souls.
Pagan faiths have no certain hope
for a future life after the present one
has come to an end. When death com
pels US to take down our tents we will
fold them up, leaving our old taber-
nacles of our feshly bodies behind at
the hour of death. We know that we
who are Christ's will then enter per-
manent home. eternal in the heavens.
No changes in time will mar that
home, which will be dIrs throughout
all eternity. This removes all fear OF
the future and fills us with courage to
endure the Affections Of the present
life.
Every Christian is called upon to