honorary titles, they were a terror to evil-doers wherever their character
and doctrines were known. Therefore they were hated by the wicked, even as
Abel was hated by the ungodly Cain. For the same reason that Cain slew
Abel, did those who sought to throw off the restraint of the Holy Spirit,
put to death God's people. It was for the same reason that the Jews
rejected and crucified the Saviour,--because the purity and holiness of His
character was a constant rebuke to their selfishness and corruption. From
the days of Christ until now, His faithful disciples have excited the
hatred and opposition of those who love and follow the ways of sin.

How, then, can the gospel be called a message of peace? When Isaiah
foretold the birth of the Messiah, he ascribed to Him the title, "Prince
of Peace." When angels announced to the shepherds that Christ was born,
they sung above the plains of Bethlehem, "Glory to God in the highest, and
on earth peace, good will toward men."(64) There is a seeming
contradiction between these prophetic declarations and the words of
Christ, "I came not to send peace, but a sword."(65) But rightly
understood, the two are in perfect harmony. The gospel is a message of
peace. Christianity is a system, which, received and obeyed, would spread
peace, harmony, and happiness throughout the earth. The religion of Christ
will unite in close brotherhood all who accept its teachings. It was the
mission of Jesus to reconcile men to God, and thus to one another. But the
world at large are under the control of Satan, Christ's bitterest foe. The
gospel presents to them principles of life which are wholly at variance
with their habits and desires, and they rise in rebellion against it. They
hate the purity which reveals and condemns their sins, and they persecute
and destroy those who would urge upon them its just and holy claims. It is
in this sense--because the exalted truths it brings, occasion hatred and
strife--that the gospel is called a sword.

The mysterious providence which permits the righteous to suffer
persecution at the hand of the wicked, has been a cause of great
perplexity to many who are weak in faith. Some are even ready to cast away
their confidence in God, because He suffers the basest of men to prosper,
while the best and purest are afflicted and tormented by their cruel
power. How, it is asked, can One who is just and merciful, and who is also
infinite in power, tolerate such injustice and opp