This great gathering of people in this city is itself a remarkable phenomenon of our modern church and social life. Of itself it would be worthy investigation as to the causes which lead to it and the things which underlie it. Back of it is the most powerful being who has ever swayed or given direction to mankind. We can scarcely afford to pass by the opportunity to take just a glance at Him as to the sources of his strength and power, and his authority over us.

      He came upon the stage of action, making the most amazing claims. He assumed that all power and authority was granted unto him. He made the claim that he had the right to exercise over the human heart and human soul the largest measure of authority and to exert the utmost measure that could be exerted by one being over another.

      He supports his claims in such a way that we can hardly afford to ignore him. He backed them with a life which challenges the attention of men.

      Then, too, the utmost range of knowledge he claimed for his own; that he understood humanity, and more than that, he came to man claiming that he understood God, and that he was able to reveal the Infinite unto the finite minds of men. He who claimed to have all knowledge, and claimed to have the life to support that knowledge, has a right to our consideration and our attention.

      But beyond that, and I think rather more than anything else claimed for him, was the claim that he was able to meet the utmost needs of humanity.

      Did humanity have need for any such Being as this? After all, the whole question, it seems to me, turns upon whether there was any such need. If there were no eyes here to-night, the light would be utterly useless. If there were no need for a transcendent Saviour of men, for such a person to come upon the stage of action would be a mere waste of time. Did humanity need any such character--any such Being as he is portrayed to us as being?

      Notice, first of all, that it is a principle of humanity, that we learn easier by example than by precept. That is to say, the truth accomplished nothing until it became incarnate in life. Then, too, the utmost need of humanity [478] is some perfect object for a perfect, enduring love. Jesus came to the stage of action to be the enduring object of some such perfect love, and to receive to himself the devotion of mankind.

      And then, he came upon the stage of action with a dream of a universal empire. And he came with that vision that none other has ever had save he, and that was, that he was to establish his empire upon a discipline, not of fear, but a discipline of love.

      If the question were asked, "What is the strongest influence in the world?" some one might answer, "The desire for

O. W. STEWART.

money"--that the desire for wealth is the strongest instinct in the human mind. Far, far from the truth. The fact is, that very few men are really actuated by a mad desire for money, save as it serves the domination and ruling purpose of their lives; but that domination and ruling purpose has not primarily to do with money itself. Nor is the strongest motive power fame--the desire to live out before all humanity in the fierce light of publicity. With the average man there is no such desire. Nor is faith in God the strongest motive power in the world. The strongest thing that sits enthroned in human hearts, the most powerful energy that directs human forces, is love. Love is the most powerful thing in the wide world. I have apostolic authority for that. Love for that great divine Being who loves us; love for one another; love for home; love for those dear to us; love for the babe in the home--these are the most powerful things that sway human hearts and souls. And Jesus had that divine insight that has never been had by any other leader who has aspired to universal rule over men--that he could establish his kingdom upon the discipline of love; and he succeeded where others failed.

      Then he taught us the obedience of love rather than the obedience of duty. And we obey him. We seek to crown him, not so much as a matter of duty, but because it is a matter of love. Love goes far beyond duty. It stops not this side of the grave. It stops not this side of exerting every power in hand for the being or the object to which it directs itself. And Jesus came as no other leader has to assert his lordship over mankind, because he brought him a universal empire of love.

      Then it seems to me that the source of his power and authority over us can be apprehended in this: that the acceptance of him gives the one who so accepts the new vision of life; it brings order out of chaos. What a magnificent change takes place in the man or in the nation as it comes to accept him, as it comes to accord its life to his teaching and bow in allegiance to him and pattern its life after his direction.

      It is no mere accident or trick of fate that one who comes with any good movement for the benefit of humanity, brings it to the door of the church and knocks there and says, "Here is a child of yours." It is the recognition of parentage. It is because there is a divine parentage for every great reform in the teachings of this One who comes to us to-night, claiming his authority and power over human hearts.

      This world is becoming more like Jesus to-day than it was one hundred years ago when this movement started. I know the superficial observer would be disposed to dispute that; but I think it requires no prophetic vision to see that the world is rapidly coming to the point where war among Christian people will come no more. This gentle Nazarene intends some day that we shall love each other without regard to race or condition in this world, and he will bring us to his feet where love will not only be possible, but will be the delightful thing for human hearts.

      Then, too, there is the greed and crushing power of modern industrialism. Men rail out against it. They say it is the sign of the waning power of Christianity. As a matter of fact, in your time and mine the hard grind and grip of modern industrial life, where an employer cares nothing for employee, and the employee is absolutely indifferent to employer, will give way to a sweet industrial brotherhood where each will prefer the other before himself; and this old world in all the time of the years to come would not be able to pay the debt of obligation it owes to Him who exerts his sway over human hearts to-night.

      Now, the last point in this to which I want to direct your attention is: that [479] the acceptance of him--the reception of him by the individual and by the State--the giving him the kingly place in our affairs and in our lives, after all fills out the full round circle of our existence. He comes to us as a Being in whom we can have implicit trust. In all the reach of years no one comes forward to say, "I put my trust in him, and then when I came to examine him more closely, I found he was not the character I supposed him to be." Indeed, the closer inspection always brings the greater certainty that he was all he claimed to be. He was the Being in whom we could place implicit trust.

      And then he is the One to whom we can come in the hour of distress and trial. The trust we find is not misplaced. He brings to us that amazing calm that means so much to troubled hearts and souls. He is the One to whom we can go in supplication, when all else fails, and put the burden at his feet, and feel that he bears it, that he takes it from you and lifts it. You feel that he has gone through all that you have gone through.

      Are you seeking strength? You can find it in him. Remarkable strength! that strength which shows in its calm, high persistence of purpose. I think there is that about him. We find it in a less degree in other men. We do admire that persistence of purpose that at last can overcome all obstacles and ride on to its glorious success.

      Now, in a larger degree, because it had to do with humanity's welfare for all time to come, Jesus set himself to do those certain things; set himself to make possible for humanity that larger, wider life. There was a strength that had with it persistence; and then there was that gentleness that had to do with it as well as strength. In Jesus you have that admirable combination of tremendous intensity, magnificent purpose, kingly strength, coupled with a gentleness and sweetness that could forgive, that could comfort, that could console, that could help the lowly and sick and serve those who needed him most.

      Then he gave us the example that we were to love our neighbors as ourselves. We were to seek the good of others before we sought the good of ourselves; and then, having done all that it was in our power to do, to place our faith and our trust in him.

      I believe there is no other character since time began with reference to whom humanity can have the feeling that it has towards Jesus Christ.

      This Elder Brother becomes the one to whom we can go in trial, pain or grief, in the hour of triumph or victory, and know that we can have a brother that can sympathize or rejoice.

      And so upon that brow, that was pierced by thorns, we place to-night a crown of love; and upon that heart that beat in sympathy with us, we can place our weary heads, and upon our fevered brow receive the kiss and touch of love divine. This Jesus, this Christ, this Saviour of men, this Lover of lovers, this King of kings and Lord of lords, we crown the Ruler of our lives to-night.

[CCR 478-480]