Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-05-19
Gods Help Through Human sympathy,

"Thanked God and took courage" thus
writes the beloved physician concerning the
great apostles qualification when the hreth-
ren of Rome met him on the Appian Way.
Their presence and sympathy soothed his
spirit. He was emboldened by their cour-
age in thus openly identifying themselves
with the cause for which he suffered. Di
vine help came to him through human sym
pathy. 1t is well for us to remember that
this is one Of the laws Of the kingdom of
heaven. Gods richest consultations some
times reach us through human ministration.
And the greater mans spirit is, the more
helpful and welcome is the intercourse Of
sympathy. Paul was capable of acting in
sublime independence Of human opinion
whenever duty required it, but he evidently
relished all the common joys and solaces Of
life. On growing older, he found them
sweeter than ever. As he journeyed toward
Rome his spirit became depressed. Not
that the prospect of death appalled, him.
He had looked death in the face too often
to be frightened now. Nor was he daunted
by the terror of the =" bonds and Affections
which he well knew awaited him. And hero
though he was, the flesh was weak and his
moral superiority only made him the more
sensitive to woe. Think of what had be-
ldlltH ulIus Ilt COulu ut5CIlDc nluubtll dS
Paul the aged" The strain of peril and
, was constrained to endure the fatigues of
the long march from Puteoli TO Rome. For
man whose strength was prematurely
broken by great labors and sufferings, this
journey afoot was exhausting. And the
scenes he witnessed on the road may well
have saddened his spirit. Along that great
highway went much of the pomp and glory
and shame of imperial Rome. Soldiers,
merchants, and official personages of every
rank, going east or south, all travelled this
road. 1t led also to the seaside retreats OF
the wealthy, and promiscuous company,
such as the Horatan satires describe, must
have passed him hour by hour But who OF
all these cared for him or for his work
Who among these statesmen and traders and
! pleasure-seekers thought anything of the
cause to which he had given up all, or knew
him for whose sake he was willing TO lay
down his life 1t may be that Paul looked
into their faces with eyes hungry for some
expression of sympathy. But the sight Of
prisoners in military custody was no novelty
on the Appian Way. The centurion and his
company attracted only passing idle gaze
| How welcome, then, these Christians from
Rome must have been as he found them
awaiting him, first one little band at Appii
Forum, and then another at the Three Tav
erns Their Christian courage and affec
tionate respect stirred his heart. Perhaps
some Of these were old friends and fellow
workers, whom he had met in the East
Others he had probably heard of, and, per
haps, had saluted by name in his epistle
some years before. But whether known OIL
unknown, they were "the brethren ol
Rome" with whom he had SO long desired
to speak face to face, and in whose city he
had so often wished to preach the gospel
Thoughts of past distresses and present per
lis were eclipsed by the joys Of fulfilled hope
and gratified affection. Not only was he
waited for at Rome, but the love of the
brethren had reached forward days jour
ney to welcome himl "He thanked God
and took courage" These Roman Chris
tians probably little knew what high service
they had rendered to Paul by coming to
meet him. The Lord Jesus strengthened
him through their affection and companions
ship. 1t was timely succor which made
his heart leap for joy. So we know not
what grand uses our simplest acts of courtesy
and sympathy may serve. This, however
we do know, that "love is the fulfilling OF
the law" and also the evidence that we are
born of God" And when we love as
brethren, when we are pitiful and courteous
then are we most sensitive ourselves to di
vine aid and with respect TO the needs Of
others. We are vessels Of honor, meet fol
the Masters use."-Richmond Herald.