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6 THE PRESBYTERIA
seven churches,-^-of the whole Church of God,?in all
the ages.
In what aspect did Christ reveal himself? "Clothed
with a garment." Garments are the symbol of redemption.
In Isaiah 61: 10 we find the Redeemer saying.
"I clothed me with salvation." "White hair"
points to his eternity, and "eyes as a flame of fire"
suggests his dtnniscience. The position of the sharp
sword in "his mouth" rather than in his hand, points
to the character of his reign, which is not by physical
force, but by the conviction which follows prcachimr.
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Yet the stars in his right hand point to unquestioned
and controlling influence in all the affairs of the world.
In the symbolism of Scripture "star" has always indicated
authority and influence. In the prophecy of
Balaam we read, "There shall come a star out of Jacob,
and a sceptre shall arise out of Israel. . . Out of
Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion." In
his "Spiritual Kingdom" Dr. Ramsey expresses the
thought in these words: "These angel stars most ner
iectly symbolize the spiritual authority constituted by
Christ himself in every one of his churches. Used as
a symbol, stars represent the function of ruling, and
rulers. This rests upon a manifest analogy. The stars
belong to a sphere above us; they give light, and their
light and movement are not controlled by earthly
things, but earthly things have always been regarded
as controlled by them. They thus aptly represent that
lawful authority which is from above."
To John, therefore, in his trouble the Redeemer
represents himself as human, touched with the feeling
of our infirmities; divine, and able to succor; clothed,
with redemption; eternal and unchangeable in his love
for us; omniscient, so that nothing ^r. ---
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without his knowledge;" with all authority as represented
by the stars, and with the convincing efficacy of
the sword of his mouth, the Gospel.
But more than this. To John, the sufferer, Christ
says in this chapter, "I am the first and the last
and the Living One" (R. V.), the Creator of all things,
and the source of spiritual life. There is no power that
can hinder me. And further, "I became dead," on Calvary,
"and lo I am alive forevermore," I have triumphed
over Satan, and have "the keys of death and of hell"
so that no evil can occur without my permission.
If the hook of Revelation had stopped at this point,
it would be a book of precious comfort to the troubled
Christian. Seeing that we have such a Redfemer as
this, sitting at the ritrht hand nf FntiiPr
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well have confidence that all things are working for
good to them that love God. But other words of
precious comfort are to follow.
It is well for us to do all we can to induce men to
devise for themselves their method and work. Origination
is a stimulus with which nothing else can compare.
It gives both inspiration in effort and joy in
execution and results. A recent writer expresses it well
when he speaks of such workers as "discoverers of opportunity,"
and regards the joy of such discovery as one
of God's wisest provisions for keeping us alive to the
constant presence of opportunities.
N OF THE SOUTH. March 31, 1909.
TRACT BY DR. HOWARD KELLY.
Recently the Professor of Chemistry in the Virginia
Medical College at Richmond delivered an address before
the students in which he expressed views so antagonistic
to the Christian faith and indeed to any
reverent theistic beliefs, as to cause widespread comment
and protest. A synopsis of this address was pubdished
in certain secular papers, and as a fitting reply
one of our ruling elders has had published a tract containing
a reprint of an article by Dr. Howard Kelly, of
Baltimore, which was originally published in Appleton's
Magazine.
Our committee of publication is now prepared to
furnish this tract, without charge, to those applying.
It would be appropHate to inclose a two cent stamp in
making written application for this tract. The Presbyterian
Ministers' Association of Richmond has requested,
through Mr. S. H. Hawes, that this tract be
published in the city papers.
As to Dr. Kelly's qualifications for writing the article,
the editor of Appleton's says:
"Entirely aside from its intrinsic merit, the association
of subject and author makes, the article of uncom
mon and noteworthy interest. Dr. Howard Atwood
Kelly, of Baltimore, holds a position almost unique in
his profession. With academic, professional, and honorary
degrees from the Universities of Pennsylvania,
Washington and Lee, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh, his
rank as a scholar is clearly recognized. For some
twenty years professor of obstetrics and gynecology at
Johns Hopkins University, his place as a worker and
teacher in the applied science of his profession has been
beyond question the highest in America and Europe.
At least a dozen learned societies in England, Scotland,
Ireland, Italy, Germany, Austria. France, and the United
States have welcomed him to membership as a master
in his specialty in surgery. Finally, his published
work<4 1mvf? ranspit liim +/-? 4- -*
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ncnt of all authorities in his own field. Equally energetic
and effective in another direction, Dr. Kelly has
been a leader in church and Sunday school work."
A pastor of a great church, a man who is no pessimist
but a hard worker and possessed of all the hopefulness
that .comes from activity and faitfi, uses these
fine words in writing a personal letter to one of the
editors: "I am perhaps one of the now smaller class;
for while men are so largely agitating the question of
reconstruction in theology I am only a simple minister
preaching the revelation of God Almighty, in which I
see no room and need of change. It is the old Book,
and it seems to suit all human needs." Noble words
those, and fitting in right well with what one would
expect of the experience of bringing the word of God
to bear upon souls rather than studying the word for
scholastic purposes and to practice upon it literary,
clinics. 'Hie working pastor is nevef an advanced
critic. He is too much in contact with the conditions
and needs of the human heart and too familiar with the
blessed relation of God's truth to that heart to allow
himself to be.drawn off into pedantic and scientific cutting
out of the heart of the gfospel.