The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-22

- ~ keUfuofy S-Lkut DeIofS the
Council-Acts 2s:l-1I
GOLDEN FINLAND the night following the
LORD stood BY bin, aud said, Be OF good cheer,
fauL--Ac;s 25:l1
!. The blessing OF good conscience Cd -
Paul could say this had always been his
And part OF the blessing appears in the
calm self mastery with which he Is now able
TO address this assembly full of prejudice and
hostility to him. In nothing could they
Justly accuse him. So far es they had any
right to inquire he felt himself TO be without
blame. He could look them in the eye
without faltering. Such conscience makes
one fearless; IL enables him to stand erect, il
is q wonderful help to selfmastery. and to
mastery over others.
But plainly Paul did not mean that he had
been . tsansgrsssor of the laws of God. He
knew himself o chief sinner. What he
meant was that in respect to the chief
things Of which they would accuse him he
had no sense OF blame. he had been consci-
entious IN bis loyalty to the Jewish nation
and laws. "Lived" comes from q word mean
ing city; and 80 the sentence is equiva.
lent to, have ever been q Conversations cit
izen.
Here, however, it should be observed that
Paul never affrme that it ia enough to obey
conscience. even were the obedience to be
perfect. Besides obedience there mus. be
quest for light. conscience is not an uuer-
ring guide. 1t n eds instruction. 1t is never
right to dsobey il; but We must be earnest
In the use OF all means for its enlighten-
ment.
The rghtfulness OF indignant rebuke
f2-5>-The Apostle had hardly finished his
first sentence when Ananias commanded the
servants In attendance to ''smite him on the
mouth" Jesus was once so smitten John
1927. 1t is still an Eastern way of express.
ing strong dislike OF ones words. But it
was an unlawful act lnasmuch as the No
sale precepts gave the accused q right to be
heard. and Paul responded with an indignant
rsbuke. But did he do right? Some say he
did not, and contrast his reply with that of
The Savior under similar circumstances.
But even Jesus knew how to be sternly Sc
we're: and when occasion required denounced
the Pharisees 40 ''serpents," generation
of vipers," "hypocrites'' and 'whited sepuI.
chers." To say that the Apostle, who could
be calm under the cries and insults of
mob, now famed into a sudden angry pas
sion 10 to assume what the record does
not imply. Bold. plain. indignant rebuke
10 sometimes . duty.
And yet Ii Is easy to confound personal
resentment with righteous indignant an;
srd always 1t is safe to be generous and
foxbsarAnt when the wrong is zone to our
Selves
Then, Paul himself indicates di tinction
not to be forgotten. 81 visit not, brethren,
that &c was high priest" By this he may
have meant that he did Lot at the moment
recollect or consider that 1t was the high
priest whom he was addressing; or he may
have meant that he mad not noticed which
one of the crowded assembly the speaker
was But we notice that he does not recall
bis words. as untrue or undeserved. WHAT
he does is to confess that it was not fitting
fAxx h-~- -
such an Office. He distinguishes between
the Office and the person holding it. The
former ne would respect. So he teaches US
the great lesson of respect for dignity and
authority. 1t is better to withhold rebuke
and to be silent when mer;ted denunciation
would bring rule and government into con-
tempt.
3.The value of sagacitv and tact (6 10y -
Orr savior babe His disciples be wise as SER
penis. This wisdom the Apostle display ed
IN the face Of this council. He saw that bis
judges were In no mood to give him fair or
patient hearing. He also saw that they were
composed OF two parties. The one part were
Pharisees, who believed In the future state.
apd the resurrection OF the dead. The
other part we're Sadducees, who had no hope
IN hereafter and no faith in resurrection.
Paul ~ oncs proclaimed himself Fharisee.
The eject was instantly TO divide them. and
to enlist one part on his side.
4. The Christians support in WEAKNESS
and trouble (lll-Paul found this, that
night, in the Castle. None other than Jesus
himself appeared at his bedside, perhaps of
straw, and babe him BE of good cheer So
he had fresh proof that ne was never alone;
that IN the midst Of all his trials and per.
plexities and perils his Masters eye was
upon him, his Masters hand was restraining
here and guiding there to the wisest issue.
But two things are 10 be noticed in the
cheer spokea by the Lord. LAS thou hast
testified eli me IN Jerusalem" Here is com.
mendatlon: what he had done was observed
and approved by the Master. How comfort
ing that recognition of faifhfulnessl Then,
$50 must thou bear witness also at Rome"
Are we to infer that after all. Pauls chief
trouble was his fear that this purpose to tell
the gospel ttory at Rome might be disap-
pointed? What love for Christ and for souls
COMES out herel Was there ever such forget
fulness OF self. such outgrowing love? Yes
He bad only caught somewhat of his Mas
tey's spirit.
]. Not every protesting Christian seems to
be careful 10 keep good conscience. How
is it with rs?
2 One purpose of the Bible is to instrust
and quicken conscience; he Who does not
Use IL to these ends willingly abides in error
and sin.
8. There is q peril in sharp rebukes. He
who would use IL needs a double portion of
the Spirit. The meekness of Christ is safe
always
4. It 10 noble to confess q fault. Nothing
more surely c0nciliates an enemy or binds
friend, or disarms the pre- udice of those we
would convince or persuade.
5. Diuespect to officials, whether in act or
speech. greatly lures the GAUGE they rep
resent; by 1t the influence and usefulness Of
ministers Is often seriously lessoned.
q. Note how Paul addressed his Judges
''Brethrenl" On the one hand he did not
crirge; on the other he was not naughty
He Was manly and friendly. This Is one way
to win both respect and confidence.
Z. The servant of Christ need never be
without cheer. Always he will have good
work to do: quite enough to satisfy his
moet ardent love. Always he may be sure
Of the presence I'D Ruidence aud smile and
keeping OF bis gracious Master in heaven.