Christianity -- its Nature, Diffusion, and Effects
Bishop H. B. Bascom, D. D. Micah 4:1-5 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains… Immortality, guilt, and danger, are intuitions of our common nature always felt to possess arresting attractive power. Unprepared to throw away the hope of immortality, the question arises: how can we forecast its issues, or determine its conditions? Whither shall we turn for light and guidance? The revelations of Christianity are alone able to solve the mystery. The Bible is the book and the gift of God. The Christian revelation was not intended merely or mainly to gratify the intellectual curiosity and enrich the mind of man, but so to change his nature and reverse his moral condition as to establish him in the final virtue and happiness of heaven. The portion of prophecy now claiming attention relates to the entire of the Christian dispensation. 1. Some of the more distinguishing elements and attributes of the Gospel denominated in our subject, with distinctive significance, the law and Word of Jehovah. (1) The source of its origination is Divine. (2) The great object of the bestowment of the Gospel was the happiness of mankind. (3) The excellence of its matter — the subject matter of its revelations — vindicates the conclusion to which we have arrived. (4) Christianity is a system exhibiting in its nature, evidence, and claims, not only an uncompounded oneness, but a most striking distinctive uniqueness of character. The Gospel appeals to the mind and heart with an illumination and efficacy unknown to any other system, or in any other department of inquiry. It exerts a remarkable influence on the character and destiny of man. It is not more Divine in theory than Godlike in issue. 2. The extent of the provisions of the Gospel, and its corresponding publication. Glance at a few of its provisional adaptations. (1) Christianity stands pledged for the destruction of the great primal curse. (2) Of ignorance and error. (3) Of violence and wrong in the structure and relations of government and society. (4) Of national war and bloodshed. (5) The conversion of the Gentiles ranks high among the provisions of the Gospel. (6) Universal and unmolested brotherhood between man and man, nation and nation, is equally a promise of the Gospel. 3. The agency and means by the operation and instrumentality of which the Gospel was to go forth from the place of its first publication, and, disdaining all locality, diffuse itself among the nations. Providence will prepare the way. Divine influence will prepare the heart. Divine truth — the Bible — shall be the grand exclusive instrument. The spread of the Gospel will receive its direction from the purposes, and its impulse from the energy of heaven, while the pulpit, press, social inter. course, and the force of example, shall secure its acceleration. 4. What will be the effect of the whole? An incalculable enlargement of the Church, both in extent and influence — a boundless multiplication of its numbers and blessings. Consider also its more distinctive influence upon — (1) The mind; (2) The morals; (3) The movements, of the world.Christianity is identified with the growth and the glory of the ages. Her work cannot be retarded. The indestructible elements of rejuvenescence and immortality found in the Gospel will secure the triumph and multiply the conquests of Christianity, until the empire of sin is destroyed, and death is swallowed up in victory. It is reserved for Christianity to realise the fable of the bird of Jove; grasping the thunder of heaven in her hand, and spreading her wings from sunrise to the oceans of the West, she throws her shadow over the world; and the laurels of peaceful triumph and imperishable glory shall encircle her brow when the wreath of the Caesars shall only be remembered as the badge of crime. (Bishop H. B. Bascom, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. WEB: But in the latter days, it will happen that the mountain of Yahweh's temple will be established on the top of the mountains, and it will be exalted above the hills; and peoples will stream to it.