American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-12-27
sunoap Reaoins.
THE MORE NOBLE.

An honorable record is made of the
Bcrean Jews. Paul was on a mission
Of love and salvation to men. lie made
his own countrymen and kinsmcn the
first objects of his benevolent efforts.
On this mission he came to the city of
Thessa!onica, where was a synagogue
Of the Jews, and he went among them,
and proved, from their own Scriptures,
that Jesus was the Christ. Some be-
lievcd, but others, moved by envy, APP
peaied to the baser passions of the ig-
norant, made false charges against him,
and made it dangerous for him to stay
in the city.
Accordingly, Paul and his compan-
ion went by night to the neighboring
city Of Berea, and commenced The same
course there, which had been so vio-
lcntly broken of ut Thessalonica. The
treatment which hc received was very
different. It is recorded, "thcse were
more noble than those in Thessalonica,
in that they received the word with all
readiness Of mind, and searched the
Scriptures daily, whether these things
were So" A very honorable course.
Let us look at it. Aud
1st. The nobility of tho Bercans.-
They were noble stock. They we're
above the envy, jealousy and violence
If their kinsmen in Thessalonica. A
Jealous man is never noble. The Be-
rSans would not repeat, nor believe,
the false stories of envious PERSONS
They had no ear for the stories Of tat
tlers and tale bearers.
%. The candor Of these Dereans
unaffected tEeir noblcness. They gave
serious attention to what was said
They were willing to accord to the doc
time Of the Apostle fair, impartial
hearing. If true, it was of the utmost
Importance if not true, it could be re-
futed and disprovcd. They listened,
therefore, with all readiness Of mind.
This was noble.
Sd. The test, or standard Of truth
which they adopted, is worthy of note.
They appealed directly to the Scrip
lures, not to passion, not to prejudice,
not to old ideas or habits, or the opin-
ions Of men. The Scriptures were their
ultimate authority.
4th. They searched the Scriptures
to know what the truth was. They did
not take other peoples opinions Of what
they teach. They read for themselves :;
and they searched to find the truths
which they had before overlooked
They were willing to suppose chat there
were some things in the Scriptures
which they had not yet learned.
9Th. They did this daily. They re-
pcatcd their searches for the truth
il was not u mere Sabbath-day work.
The doctrines of Paul were too wcighty
in import to be passed over lightly.
9th. The result was, that many of
them became believers. Happy result!
They found the Saviour. New light
was opened to their minds, a new foun-
tain Of joy sprung up in their SOULS
jesus became to them the chief among
ten thousand, the one altogether love
ly They had no cause to regret their
noble conduct, in hearing Paul with
candor and patience.
9TH. Their noble conduct is worthy
of imitation. Prejudice never accom-
r|ishcd any good. A Christian should
beware of prejudice. 1t is not noble.
Party spirit and scctarian jealousy are
ignoblc, always, and every where
Truth is truth, let it come from what
quarter it may. Prcjudiccs, arising
from birthplace, as northern, or south
ern, eastern or western, bcspcak a lit
tlencss Of soul. BE noble. Search for
the truth. Walk in the light. Have no
car nor heart for prejudice.
Western IVutchman.