The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-03-01


Acts 23' ie.2i
GoInES TENT.-u any man suffer a. q Chris
tan, let him not be ashamed \ Peter ale.
!. How intensely earnest men may be In
q wicked undertaking l2l5l-There isa
striking illustration OF this In the way these
men went TO work 10 compass the death OF
the Apostle They hated him because they
thought him an enemy Of Judaism. And
this hatred had grown 50 deep that they did
not hesitate to plot for his murder. Perhaps
they were not wo.ss than many I'm their
times; certainly they we're not without the
support OF seemingly better men. "Phiio,
one of the purest religious teachers outside
the New Testament, justiaes the assasina.
too OF Apostaies from Judaism The
tendency OF fanatisism IS always to harden
the heart.
But see, now, how earnest these men were
IN their undertaking. II the plan started
with a few, they go themselves 70 make
sure Of success by ca. 9 In others; they
were more than forty TO iortify their res.
olution they invoked curse on themselves
II they should fail OF peeping their mutual
pledge, Then they would suffer no
time 20 be lost or incentive 20 be
wanting. and so would allow themselves
neither food or drink until the work was
done. Again tey called in the aid OF the
chief priests and elders. that portion OF the
Sanhedrim which was known 10 be bitter
against tie Apostle Here was union, mu.
tual and solemn pledge, self imposed, inosu-
tive 10 e ed and success at all ha cards, and
the use an helps within reach.
ChriN lns IRE not always as earnest IN
good ar triaklnes. Nor are they always a
ST. zee Of means 10 success. II they were,
hOs many good enterprises which now Ian.
guish al fail would be speedily accom-
plished. should not love be as resolute
and boid and iorgetiul OF comfort and
esger to enlist the cooperation Of Others rs
hate2
.. The reality and methods OF Gods rroy.
idential care OF hie servants &c 2ll.--lG wac
only The last night that the Lord Jesus 81 bod
bS Paul. bade him be Of good cheer, aud
prom iced that he should yet bear witness OF
him TIA Rome ". ID. And now, only q few
hours later, n band Of wicked men, fred
with faraiiclsm and utterly INSCRIPTIONS es
10 the means 10 oe used, have conspirec with
members OF the great Council 10 take bis
life. The plot IS sagacious and we'll ma
cred evidently the chief priests and elders
re ready 20 do their part IL looks as II the
p'an could not fail.
~ a yet God will not suffer His promise
to be broken. He knows all that is going
en-. His eye Is on II servant; Il is also on
those who would pu him ~ d ath. Not a
sparrow falls 20 the s'ound without his no.
/ tice.
Observe some thirgs IN the method by
which his protecting care IL exercised. He
used Parls enemies against themselves. The
nun Der WAS too large for easy secrecy ;
some OF themselves must have been careless
about the secret; they themselves let IL out.
| II pa lfa tia Ia D Ia kal, al A
We know about bis sisters ion is told Us here.
Whether be lived In jerusalem, whether he
was a Christian disciple, whether he was
grown TO manhood or was yet boy. or moi,
is not told Us. Ner do we NOV how be
came by the secret OF the plot. Bat God
used him ror It's discovery. ard gave him
courage 10 carry the intelligenc 10 his uncle.
God used Paul himself for his own protection.
Paal had The divine promise that he eh Oh q
certainly live 10 preach in Rome. But THIS
did not make him careless or presumptious.
He acteo as II all depended on himself Not
one Of Goes promises, however specific, is
intended 10 release rs from obligation, and
effort to secure the promised good Then Ged
used the Roman centurions TO complets his
gracious purpose. These men had no knowl-
edge of any divine hand In what thoy did
Indeed, not one Of those who helped TO de-
feat the purpose of the woud-be assassins
knew that they " ere being used OF God in
aught which they did.
So We gee something OF the methods Of
Gods care OF his Servants. That care is con-
slant and sure; never does he forget one OF
his promises; here he permits, there he re.
strains, In everything he overrules. Bat
never does he resort 20 needless miracle
Extraordinary results are accomplished by
ordinary means. He puts forth supernatural
power IL that is needful but never other
wise. But power Of some sort ard In some
way he IL always putting forth in his chill
dren's behalf.
3. The service a good cause may receive
from those who have real interest IN IL
(22' 24). IL was here as IL was with the wo.
man representing tho church) prosecuted
by that old serpent called the devil a1d Sc
tan: And the earth Helped the woman. =
The chief captain was pagan. But pagan
n ~ have a sense of justice and right. II
: certainly belonged 20 Roman commander
to defend Paul, since Paul was by birth q
Roman citizen. And 30 the Apostle's deliv-
apce was completed by one who neither
cared, nor, go far "a we are aware, k ew
about his Christian faith. And the mar Ter
OF IL made il a sort OF triumph. To make ne
! escape sure, avoiding all hazard of an ass lit
! from those who bad agreed 70 lie Ia " Il
Paul wes at once, ss soon ee IL was ufsrk
: enough TO conceal their movements. sta TED
| OIL under escort for Caessra- And bee Ise
aesassins aboundtd, and the chief cap ,n
would provide against any possible atteuief
at q re cue, military guard OF nearly ve
r hundred mounted men was sent with him.
! Bow shall we explain this? The earth i
| the Lords and the fitness thereof. and He
} knows how 10 make all serve His own pleas.
| ure. So He is able TO nfuence the thoughts
AID Ways OF men. IL was He who put 1t into
the hearts OF these pagsns to belriend His
servant. and send him off in 60 grand a way.
But here again We sbould note what are
some OF His ways Of 10 fiuenclng worldly
mems hearts. Often He does IL through the
wisdom and feithfulnsss OF His people.
Paul, we may be cure, demeaned hmself in
a manner altogether worthy; In way to IN
spire conh1' nee and respect. We have be-
fore noticed how often The Roman officials
befrier ded him. Paul was bold in the de.
fence of his Master aud ia the utterance OF
humbling truths. But he was courteous
also His character VA manifestiy open.
unselfsh, and manly. So men fo,n found
he could trusted. He wen respect. Men
were drawn 70 him. Thus IL was that
men, who knew little and cared little
about the Gospel. defended and helped
HIM. Here is q good lesson for u.s. We pray
that God will dispose worldly men - favor
. his cause, and help ne in our Christian en-
terprise. But let us not hinder our own
prayers He often answers rs through our
own, wise. sincere, earnest unselEsn action.