St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-13
THE APOSTLES PLEA.
Its Resultants-"A Warning to the Religious
Indifferent


Dr. Dana spoke on this theme in Plymouth
church last evening, taking for his text the
words in Acts XVI, "a: ''Paul, thou art be-
side myself; much learning doth make the
thee mad" and IS: "Almost thou persuadest
Inc to be a Christian" We all of US have
mn interest in ascertaining the result of any
great effort. either by a single person or
bodies of men. If an army has made au adj
vance, we are eager to learn the issue Of the
battle. If some eloquent advocate has flu
Ished powerful plea before a jury, how i'm
patiently we await the verdict Every days
history Is made up Of the favorable or unfav
orable issue to human undertakings. Let
any man be known to be debating change
in his life, how solicitously we regard him.
If he has been urged to reform or repent and
take his stand MS a Christian, he excites our
Interest Some are eager TO befriend him
Some who may have been his boon compau-
Ions are reluctant to lose him out of their
company, why seek to deter him. SO heaven
becomes interested in the decisions and new
departures which affect human life and des-
tiny.
First. Here we note man calculated to
awaken interest and produce q deep impress
suce has q tracery of the tragic in 1t. He
has had marvellous history, and as he
narrates il he speaks with an eloquence at
pnce commanding. He stands not for him
self alone, but for an iucomparably sacred
cause. His inspiration is the highest which
Fan move a man, for he is eager not alone to
defend himser but to present before Agrippa
Festus the cause OF Christ Moreover
should he persuade his royal auditors, then
his faith would gain the influence of their
support and espousal. This must have lent
nm added stimulus TO the apostle as be made
his plea. Paul occupies position here not
unlike some Of the worlds noted orators. And
ms we need the circumstances 10 be repro
duced TO US, ere we can appreciate
what they said, the feelings which swayed
them and the issues Ringing upon their eff
fort. So here we need to realize the apostles
position, his hopes and fears, and the pur-
pose he had in speaking.
Second-Here, too, we note an audience OF
exceptional interest. King Agrippa, with
his checkered life, his early Jewish training,
his curiosity to sec and listen 10 Paul was one
Of those before whom the latter was sum-
moned. Festus, cold worldly, with little
knoyledgo Of the matters the great Christian
advocate referred 10, devoid Of the earnest
ness which could appreciate the spiritual en-
thusiasm and lofty faith Of the prisoner, was
another Of his auditors. These were repre-
sentative minds, and each because of what
they had been and their present interest in
Paul, iucites him to plain, pungent pre-
sentiment OF the religion he had embraced.
We know little Of the play Of feeling in the
srsosne's heart as he pushed his great argu-
aent. We can only infer how strongly be
Affected his hearers by what they said. Yet
the Inter IS disappointing, even saddeuing,
Tor The outcome was not what might have
bsep an tieipa,ed, and not certainly what
should have followed this moving plea.
one ~ his royal auditors Thought him mad
Tho other srfeeringly suggested "he wasn't
easily 10 be persuaded So the great trial
Of Warren Hastings, with its unprecedented
srrav OF legal talent, the brilliant assemhlsge
FIAT crowded TIE han where the trial was
held. was disappointed. Little came Of this
memorable attempt - punish high official
rhsr-ed With grave crimes and misde mesn-
o-s Luther's great rTply, when arr1isned
hsyorp the council OF Worms, seemed also &c
hsvr effected little, 50 far as its members
,rsre concerned. Aud here dtvinely-in
sr,-sd APOSTLE succeeds IN accomplishing nc
more than in evoking the above replies But