Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-11
JfEnh ann Nts TtmrH
The Sermon on the Mount Set Forth
A Simple Charter for His Church

This is the seventh Of Is chapters condensed from the
book, Jesus ond His Times" by Henry 0oneI Reps.
distinguished French outhor ond Bible historian, 1916
winner Of the Grond Prize for Literature Of the Aeod
emie FroMoise Here the story Of Jesus is set forth
eeoinst the background Of life in the Palestine Of
His time.
are We when men shall hate you" and he
goes on to say that the rich are accursed,
because they have their consolation here
on earth, as have the well-fed the happy
and those Of whom the world thinks well.
1t is not here on earth that the faithful
must seek their rewards.
The Kingdom, as was said by a Jewish
sage about this time. is "the world in re-
verse; and the only recompense for the
virtuous here below will be hatred and per-
secution as is always melted out to prophets
Defined His Position
At this point Jesus paused to define His
own position: He who was more than
prophet, with regard to the Law Of Israel.
Think not that I am come to destroy the
Law or the Prophets; I am come not to
destroy but to fulfill" The Law given by
God is immutable, and 1t must be followed
through in the spirit of justice, surprising
the justice of the Scribes and the Pharisees
The Law taught that man might not
kill, but He, Jesus, condemned the anger
in which violence originated. The Law de-
nounced adultery, but Jesus required that
man should be pure In heart. The Law
permitted divorce, but Jesus declared mar
riage indiSsoluble The Law forbade per-
Jury and false witness, but the disciples of
Jesus were to speak the truth at all times
without calling on heaven or earth.
The old Law was severe; in practice II not
actually in principle 1t condoned retalia
ton in kind. But the new dispensation set
up an ideal of moral perfection, and COM
manded men not to resist insult to re-
nounce the right of vengeance, to accept
injustice and to disarm their enemies by
their goodness.
The second part OF the Sermon explains
what is required of the disciples of Jesus.
First, they should strive sincerely and
disintereStedly toward the good; that they
should not parade their good works, their
almsgiving or their HASTINGS.
Seek Wealth of Spirit
Next, that they should seek to amass true
wealth, which resides in virtue rather than
the treasures sought on earth
Thirdly, that the light of the divine
truth should fill their hearts. Trust in
Providence is the first essential of salvation.
Seek We first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness and all the rest shall be add
ed unto you. For the Lord is merciful, He
will respond to those who peseech Him, for
He it Is who gives us, as Father, our daily
bread"
The discourse ends with an urgent call
to action. Everyone that heareth these
sayings of mine and doeth them not shall
be likened unto foolish man that buildeth
his house on sand"
1t is stamped throughout with the char
acter of the circumstances in which it was
uttered
1t was probably given about June of the
year %, at the beginning of Christ's minis
try, and it is Enthusiastically addressed to
those who would follow after Him.
1t is indeed the charter of the future
Church.
Tomorrow: Deoth for John the Boptst Soome osks
Eo, HE hnod ondA Nor k..