THE PROBLEM OF THE PERSON OF CHRIST 257 



sitive souls through long-continued sorrow and 

 pain ; who had no teacher but nature, and few if 

 any books but the Old Testament ; who was un- 

 known to the world, and who by experience knew 

 not the world, has been "the Great Teacher" from 

 His day to out own. He reversed the ethical and 

 political standards of the past; He antagonized 

 the ideals of His nation ; He proved Himself a 

 brother in humanity ; He spoke words which the 

 ages have heeded, in language which the ages 

 have loved ; and, when a mere youth having, by 

 devotion to what He held to be true, brought His 

 own fate on Himself, He disappeared from his- 

 tory as a criminal — as do all men who dare to 

 face and antagonize the established order. 



The details as to the change of social customs 

 and ideals through His influence, and as to the 

 debt of civilization to Him, are not within the 

 limits of this discussion. The record is written, 

 and all who will may read. Our one question 

 is. Can this unique Being be accounted for by 

 heredity and environment.? If not, there will 

 remain another question about which we have 

 positive convictions, but to which we shall not at 

 this time attempt an answer. 



One of two forms of heredity must be invoked 

 by those who would explain the person of Jesus 



