Unfortunately, Hollywood almost “demonized” Bryan for being the lawyer who took the creationist position in the famous Scopes Monkey trial. They portrayed him as a crazy, wide-eyed, fundamentalist fanatic. He was far from that. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Nebraska in 1891. He advocated the free coinage of silver. His famous “Cross of Gold” speech led to the democratic presidential nomination in 1896. He was nominated again in 1900 and 1908. He also served as Secretary of State under President Wilson.

What many possibly do not realize was that William Jennings Bryan was known in his day as one of the greatest Christian orators and writers who ever lived. Since Salem in the Bible meant “King” or “Prince of Peace,” I want to share how he explores the humility of Christ.

The Prince of Peace
William Jennings Bryan

Humility is a rare virtue. If one is rich he is apt to be proud of his riches; if he has distinguished ancestry, he is apt to be proud of his lineage; if he is well educated, he is apt to be proud of his learning. Some one has suggested that if one becomes humble he soon becomes proud of his humility. Christ, however, possessed of all power, was the very personification of humility.

The most difficult of all the virtues to cultivate is the forgiving spirit. Revenge seems to be natural to the human heart; to want to get even with an enemy is a common sin. It has even been popular to boast of vindictiveness; it was once inscribed on a monument to a hero that he had repaid both friends and enemies more than he had received. This was not the spirit of Christ. He taught forgiveness; and in that incomparable prayer which He left as a model for our petitions He made our willingness to forgive the measure by which we may claim forgiveness. He not only taught forgiveness, but He exemplified His teachings in His life. When those who persecuted Him brought Him to the most disgraceful of all deaths, His spirit of forgiveness rose above His sufferings and He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!”

But love is the foundation of Christ’s creed. The world had known love before; parents had loved children, and children parents; husband had loved wife, and wife husband; and friend had loved friend; but Jesus gave a new definition of love. His love was as boundless as the sea; its limits were so far-flung that even an enemy could not travel beyond it. Other teachers sought to regulate the lives of their followers by rule and formula, but Christ’s plan was first to purify the heart and then to leave love to direct the footsteps.

What conclusion is to be drawn from the life, the teachings and the depth of this historic figure? Reared in a carpenter shop; with no knowledge of literature, save Bible literature; with no acquaintance with philosophers living or with the writings of sages dead, this young man gathered disciples about him, promulgated a higher code of morals than the world had ever known before, and proclaimed Himself the Messiah. He taught and performed miracles for a few brief months and then was crucified; His disciples were scattered and many of them put to death; His claims were disputed; His resurrection denied and His followers persecuted, and yet from this beginning His religion has spread until millions take His name with reverence upon their lips and thousands have been willing to die rather than surrender the faith which he put into their hearts. How shall we account for Him? “What think ye of Christ?” It is easier to believe Him divine than to explain in any other way what He said and did and was. And I have greater faith even than before since I have visited the Orient and witnessed the successful contest with Christianity is waging against the religions and philosophies of the East.

I was thinking a few years ago of the Christmas which was then approaching and of Him in whose honor the day is celebrated. I recalled the message, Peace on earth, good will to men, and then my thoughts ran back to the prophecy uttered centuries before His birth, in which He was described as the Prince of Peace. To reinforce my memory I reread the prophecy and found immediately following a verse which I had forgotten – a verse which declares that the increase of His peace and government there shall be no end, for, adds Isaiah, “He shall judge His people with justice and with judgement.” Thinking of the prophecy, I have selected this theme that I may present some of the reasons which lead me to believe that Christ has fully earned the title, The Prince of Peace, and that in the years to come it will be more and more applied to Him. Faith in Him brings peace to the heart and His teachings, when applied, will bring peace between man and man. And if He can bring peace to each heart, and if His creed will bring peace throughout the earth, who will deny His right to be called The Prince of Peace?…/pj

William Jennings Bryan had peace because he knew “The Prince of Peace.” Do you have that peace? It starts by making peace with God. He is our peace. (See Ephesians 2:13-18)

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10