Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 April 1914 — Thursday Evening Sermon At Presbyterian Meeting. [ARTICLE]

Thursday Evening Sermon At Presbyterian Meeting.

Rev. A. W. Hoffman, who is holding a series of meetings at the Presbyterian church, used as his theme for the Thursday evening service, ‘The Triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem,” saying in part that this incident in the life of Jesus seemed different in its character from any that had preceded it. This same man who (had heretofore taught humility of spirit and who when he had wrought marvelous cures on those who sought hfis help asked them to “tell no man” who must needs go into the desert to escape the crowds that press his path; now allows himself to toe proclaimed king and to come into Ms own in ■their capital city, Jerusalem, but hie own received Ihdm not os during all the earthly experiences of this Savior of men, he was not wanted At his birth there wOs no room for him and he must needs toe tooxn in a stable with a manger for a bed. Harod did not want him in his do-

main and ait wo® necessary that he should be taken to Egypt until the death of Harod and even in his own country of hiis teachings and wonderful personality were least appreciated and now as soon os he enters the city of Jerusalem his enemies begin plotting to dispose of him. The great trial of Jesus foilloiws and 'remember this is not a trial of the man but a trial of the principle represented by him, A contest between good and evil; between man’s higher and lower nature; between *God and the devil. When Jesus comes into the life there i® always this trial. He comes with an appeal to men’s higher nature and if in the contest the higher prevails all things in ones nature that do not harmonize will disappear from the life. The palms which the people

waved and strewed on the way were symbols of the higher nature, while the plot® that began to thicken about Jesus were evidences of man’s lower nature. If Jesus came into our town 'today would we be the ones to wave the palms and acclaim him King or would we weave the plots (by which he would suffer and die and this purpose seemingly be defeated? Within every Individual the two natures constantly strive for supremacy. We would certainly not nail Jesus to the crosPin this day for we are more refined In our cruelty. Times have greatly changed and we would not now blow up a parliament to obtin political privileges but to buy the legislature® is much more refined; neither would we be pirates as the men of old, but our more modern and refined way is to form great trusts and monopolies that put out competitor out of business quite as effectively. We are not as consistent as were the enemies of Jesus for they were opposed to his (teaching, they put him to death; while we, Who acknowledge the truth and Wisdom of his teach ing, by our cruel indifference defeat the principles for which his life stood and defeat the purpose for which be lived. Behold, he stands at the door and knocks. If he is allowed to enter the heart the

nature will respond to the best. The people of Jerusalem were indifferent to .the words and works of Jesus as long 'a® he was at a distance, but when he came to enter their city and began to cleanse the temple and many practices that were profitable and popular the plotters began to try to find means to dispose of him. Would we be willing to have Jesus with us in our business and pleasure? or are we like the heathen of old who said: “Revere the gods and let them alone.” The Spirit of Jesus would condemn many things that are popular. Because a thing is popular is no reason that it is right. In France, during the Reign of Terror It was the daily custom for large crowds of spectators to go to the public square to see the heads of great numbers of victims severed from the body by the guillotine, but though popular it was not right Dan Crawford, the great missionary to Africa* says: “The soul of all improvement is the improvement of the soul,” When Jesus enters the soul as a triumphal king the Whole life will respond to the highest and best