The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-11

even ct Ephesus had plotted against him.
One sign OF his true lovlipess OF mind was
that he was willing to hold on in service
when 1t was so painful to do 1t. The proud
are room wearied with work WHICH involves
tears and Affections. The l0wly-minded
will do what others will not, not caring either
for an easy time or for human applause,
out only for the Masters approval.
2. His unselfsh eagerness to do good 200.
AS respected those for whom he labored,
his one purpose was to be profitable to them.
Therefore he Kept back nothing they oug
to hear He did not study to say what would
latter or aDsuse or stsrtle; he did not leave
| out the searching, humbling, alarming
truths: he did not discuss the questions Of
time. he told them the things that would
do them saving good. Then, further, he did
| not conEne himself to routine service, or to
one method. He taught publicly when he
] could, and privately when that was best.
| Seine preachers content themselves with
delivering sermons; some Sunday school
| teachers are satisfied with feithfulness in the
class, and exhorters do all their work in the
prayer-meetiDg. But much of the most
fruitful Christian work is done from house
20 house. Individual preaching, teaching
and exhorting deepens and fastens that
which is public. No doubt it was this desire
to be profitable in the highest degree which
made Paul eager to testify to all classes,
Jews or Greeks; for all have need to be saved,
and we know not with whom our words will
prevail.
3. The substance Of his preaching and
teaching t2l.-"Repen lance toward God and
faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" He
did not ask what men would like, but what
would save them; what message God had
committed to him. And this he found in
the great doctrines and duties of repent
ance for sin and faith in the sinners Saw
ior.
But did not this make his preaching mo.
4 nntcnnn and arrnn p- NJ ,naope Enr
the field of truth thus opened might be broad
enough for a lifetime of study and spplica-
ton. 1t might include all we can know OF
God and Christ and heavenly things; of
mans duty and destiny; Of the requirements
of Gods law and the provisions of His grace;
Of gospel precepts az well as invitations and
promises. Here surely is scope for variety
and freshness.
Paul's example reminds Us of the ~particu-
lar themes which should be 0ftenest on the
Christian teachers lips; and OF the duties
which xre primary with us all. Would the
sinner cems into the heavenly life? He
must do il by repentance and faith. Would
one go on unto perfection in that life? He
must do it by daily new repentance for
remaining SIN, and fresh faith in the Saw
ior.
Many stumble over the meaning OF these
two commonest of gospel words. And yet
there is no need of this. What is repent
snce but q going over from our sins to Gods
side as against themP a going with con-
tession and remuneration, and with the pur-
pose heDceforth to live to please himP And
what is faith but the trustful acceptance of
that mercy which God has pledged to us in
and through Christ? h repentance is ito
ward God" in the sense that we own and
see that our sins is all primarily against him.
The faith is toward our Lord Jesus Christ"
in that we look to hima IS our sole and sui1i-
cient Redeemer and rightful Master. In oil
this there may be much or little emotion.
The trustful going over to God, as be shows
himself in the gospel OF his son, is the essen.
tial thing,
4. His heroic trust % 2~4).-Looking for
ward the Apostle knew not what was before
him las none of us can know save that ne
had every reason to anticipate bonds and
Affections" How the Holy Spirit witnessed
this to him We can rot be sure. Perhaps by
past experiences: perhaps by the warnings
of Christian brethren: perhaps by strong in
ward conviction. nj yet none OF these
things moved him from his purpose to push
on. He had set out on q "course" and would
finish it: he had consented to q ministry"
or service and would not turn aside from 1t.
Christ bad commissioned him to testify the
gospel of the grace of God" and he felt that
to do as his Master had hidden was his sole
concern; the master would take care of the
rest. He was "bound in spirit" irresistibly
constrained to go forward. Here was great
Luot. II hOW ACdSO4dOiC IL L.
Christ is our living Master is it not safest to
commit all consequences TO his order and
press on in duty and service.
3. His freedom from the blood oil souls.
(25-27(. The figure inst here is startling.
Blood on the garments was one OF the proofs
of the crime Of murder. And so the sugges-
ton is that one may be guilty OF u crime
like that. II a soul We might have saved Is
lost We are In some sense responsible. Yet
the Apostle did not charge this crime on
himself. And whyf He tells these elders at
Miletus: "For l have not Stunned to de.
clare unto you all the counsel OF God" The
reference is to that counsel or revealed truth.
which was meant for our salvation. God
commits all this TO us to be used to arouse,
instruct, convince and persuade. II for any
reason We suppress it We are not guiltless
with respect to souls thus left to slumber
and perish. What a word of warning there
is here fer men who for the sake of popular.
ity or worldly favor, or from conceit OF SUI
perior wisdom, would trim, soften or amend
the gospel to suit the fancies or likings Of
men!
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
1. Is religion honored or dishonored by
what others know of our lives?
,. The ideal life is one of service, not OF
ease or self-seeking.
). The best work Of the world is done, not
by the self-satisfed, but by the hamble.
4. None need ever be ashamed of tears,
either OF repentance or oil Christian soNcl-
tude. Paul was often in tears. jesus
wept.
8. IL is one of the Ill signs of our times
that so many seem to prefer eloqUence to
truth, and preaching which entertains and
soothes to that which profits; and for this
We may have q share OF responsibility.
6. House-to-house preaching and praying
mark religious awakeniDgs; and they also
help TO produce them. Here is work in which
all might find some place.
Z. To move men to personal repentance
and faith was the primary aim OF all the
Apostles preaching. This is mans Fl rst and
daily duty. Without it there is no peace
with God or hope OF Heaven. Yet how con.
tent We may be without any good evidence
that we have ever done IL