The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-02-04

| Timothy, but, as prudential preventive
of the Jews taking offence or finding
pretext of objection to the ministry of the
young evangelist.
The Apostles conduct in Jerusalem
little previous to this in the case of Titus
seems to be inconsistent with the sanction
of the principle of expediency given by
the Apostle in circumcising Timothy
Referring to the former, Paul says in his
epistle to the Galatians" But neither
Titus who was with me being a Greek
was compelled to be circumcised: and
that because of false brethren unawares.
brought in, who came in privily to spy
out our liberty which we have in Christ
Jesus, that they might bring us into bond
age: To whom we gave place by subiec-
ton no not for an hour; that the truth
of the gospel might continue with you. ="
A moments thought will show that the
circumstances Of the two cases were es-
sentially different. Timothy was circum
clsed In the exercise Of Christian liberty
when nc one claimed that the observance
was duty. But the circumcision of
Titus was demanded in such a way, that
compliance with the demand would be
the acknowledgment, that the Church
was bound to obey the Mosaic ritual and
that obedience to it was necessary to sal
vatlon Those who insisted on the cere-
mony in the case of Titus were professed-
ly Christians, who were endeavoring to
introduce into the gospel the yoke of the
law, and to make the latter an essential
part of the former: those, for whose sake
Timothy became obedient to the law were
Jews, whom it was desirable not to pro-
woke, that they might more easily be de
llvered from bondage. By conceding in
the present case, prejudice was conciliated
and the gospel furthered the results of
yielding In the former case would have
been disastrous and perhaps ruinious to
the cause of pure Christianity. AS to the
danger of any bad results following even
from this conciliatory measure. let it be
noted that Luke mentions i'm the very
next verse that Paul was at this time car
rylng with him and publishing the de-
cree OF the apostles and elders who had
recently met in Jerusalem, announcing
to all the churches, that the Gentiles
should not be enslaved to Judaism
Having this great charter of Gentle lib
elty to deliver to the churches, he could
we'll afford to circumcise his companion,
whose mother was q Jewess, in consider
alton of Jewish prejudice The example
OF Paul IN the two cases teaches, how far
we should go for the sake of expediency,
and when we should stop. From the
case Of Timothy we learn that in matters
which are in themselves Indifferent. and
when fidelity to principles does not for
bid, we should pursue the course most
E conducive to our own acceptableness, the
, comfort of our brethren, and the peace
, of the Church, even though in doing So
we sacrifice our own pleasure to the weak
ness of others. From the case of Titus.
we learn that even in matters in them
+selves indifferent, we must refuse to con
cede to the demands of others, when bv
yielding we might countenance any false
or seem to deny any true doctrine, or in
any way, damage the glory of God or the
liberty of man. We ought to cherish a
tender consideration Of the weakness OF
our brother, but we ought not to allow
our brother to impose his prejudices as
laws on the Church
5 What Timothy was hencefoth to Paul
the apostle tells in his epistles. in Ian
t guage expressive Of the greatest adrnira-
ton and warmest affection. Again and
i again the reader of Paul's epistles will
come upon the most unstinted testimony
, to Timothy's friendship, faithfulness and
, zeal as the companion and minister of the
apostles Journeys the partner OF his dan
| ger and distress, the executor of his in
spired instructions, and the follower Of
his holy doctrine. Addressing Timothy
f himself he says, Timothy my own son
in the faith, and in another place, Tim
othy my dearly beloved son, I have
, remembrance Of thee in my prayers night
and day, greatly desiring to see thee, be-
ing mindful of thy tears that I may be
filed with JOY" Writing to the Philip
plans he says, 1 have no man like-mind-
ed Cor so dear to me- who will naturally
care for your state But We know the
proof of him, that as a son with the faith
er he hath labored with me in the COS
, pei. He seems never to be absent from
the apostles side, except when left be-
hind to finish the work he had begun. OF
sent before to prepare for his reception
or commissioned as his messenger and
vicar te remove error and promote order
s and health in some church. Thus hay.
ing been left at Philippi he rajoins the
, apostle i'm Berea left there he comes tC