Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-10-06
Dorca. Rai.ed 20 Llfs.

ife.t. - 4NIAODttLOAA. Ia
Peter Is The type OF the Christian
evangelist, and we have here good
object lesson as to what apostolic
evangelization was, what, indeed,
evangellzation ought to be to-day. The
State and district missionary come near
to realizing 1t among us, and the res
ports OF missionary tours ought to prove
the most stirring evangelistic records
OF the times. 1t was a veritable itin-
eracy and In the circuit OF stations Wis
listed the weaker fields were especially
considered. State evangelists Is the
proper name for those who go about
among the churches. y
~ WHAT THE LESSON SAYS.
Tt came to pass. 1t is time of COM
parative tranquility among the early
Christians. See v. 81. As Peter
passed or visited. The reference lie TO a
leisurely and more or less thorough
canvass of the field.--Salnts, literally,
the holy. Called to be holy; 1. e., set
apart. consccrated to God.-Which
dwelt at LYDIA. Or, had. house at
LYDIA. They did not belong there;
heaven was their home. The root Is
habitatiop, Of temporary shelter.
He found. Peter probably found
what he was looking for. ! Others would
kept his bed. or, gs we say, been
confined to his bed. an enforced retire.
ment. One Of the shut in.'-Palsy.
The word paralytic Is from the Greek
here. ~
Eneas. Doubtless one OF the Chris
tians OF the place. $500 aketh thee
whole. More Accurately, healeth thee.
Mako thy bed. From the verb to
spread or strew, in token OF recovery.
All saw him. 1t was a comparatively
small place. where all knew each other.
Turned. The word is rendered
converted at Acts 2s: 81.
At Joppa. Near by, v. 3S.-Dis-
ciple. The feminine form is used. A
sister, we would say. --7-Dorcas. Dor
cas- and Tabitha, the one Greek, the
other Hebrew; both mean Gazelle. A
pretty name. -A--Almsdeeds. One word
in the Greek, the plural of the word
signlfying compassion, hence acts OF
mercy. Eleemosynary is from this
| Greek. trf s4x
In those days. During Peters timer
| acy.-She was sick and died. Liter
ally, having fallen sick she died.
Having washed. Performing the usual
offices for the dead.-Laid her. Her
! work supposedly done.
miles southeast. 1t still fourshes, and
is on the road to Jerusalem. -Desir-
ing. Rather, urging, exhorting. Rem
dered exhort at Acts 2: 40; IL: 20, etc.
THAT he would not delay. 1t is
direct discourse in the original: Do not
delay to como to US.
Then Peter arose. Responding in
stantly to the call.-Widows. With
whom she was probably associated in
good works. the coats and
garments. A realistic touch.
Put them all forth. He cast out the
attendants OF death, and then death it
self.-Kneeled down and prayed. In
stead OF treating her as dead. he prayed
for her. That meant she was to live.
The disciples nowhere pray for the
dead. -Turning Same word as in
v. 35.-Said, Tabltha. He turned to
the body, but spoke to the spirit
Opened her eyes. The account is re-
arkahly terse @nd BrgPnic.
When he had called. The word
means TO cry aloud. Imagine the glad
accents OF the summons. - Alive.
Greek living.
All Joppa. No inconsiderable place,
the port OF Jerusalem. Many be-
lieved. AS at LYDIA v. 35.-In the
Lord. Not on Peter.
And It came to pass. This might bet
ter begin the succeeding chapter. open
ing as it does new narrative. Simon
a tanner. despised calling among the
Jews. 1t Is in anticipation Of the en-
larging Christian mindedness brought
out in the next few verses, regarding
Cornelius and the Gentiles.
And all that dwelt at LYDIA and
Joppa saw him and turned to the Lord.
And now do not say that the days OF
miracles are past. We never get be-
yond tho testimony OF the miracle;
mean, the physical miracle. Not some
new marvel, so-called, to-day, but the
old, ll-authenticated miracle OF apos-
tolic days, with its lasting vindication
of the divine origin OF Christianity. 1
do not see 1t to-day, but they that
dwelt at Joppa saw it and turned to the
Lord. That Is enough for me. The
miracle satisfied them as to its ac-
crediting power. They were abe to
test 1t and they were convinced. They
had nothing more to say. Nor have I.
That miracle in Joppa has potency to-
day. i always conceive OF it In this
way. Here is a bridge. The timbers
and platform are visible and are used
daily. But are not the foundations and
abutments far beneath and partly out
of sight also in daily user We test and
try them every time we cross. We walk
over by means of the substructure as
well as of the superstructure. And SO
we never get beyond the virtue Of the
miracle. It did it's work far down to-
ward the basal stones; but those stones
lift as powerfully to-day as ever.
Aims deeds which she did. How many
of us are, so to speak, full of aims
which are not doneP' The word means
compassion, bowels OF mercy. What a
great number OF sweet, charita BILE
thoughts cross our minds, how many
good deeds OF kindness we have shut
up In our heartsi o, how blessed to do
this! What happiness can bring by
doing that Why mott do 1t, then?
Aims deeds which she;dldlrs belisve
William Ross, sof Glasgow. Is right
when he tells me that the greatest
bane of churchianity to-day. Is knowing
how to do SO much, and yet doing so
little; stirred to feeling, but not to
action.
WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES
The saints which dwelt at LYDIA.
They were the salt of that portion Of the
earth, distinct and clearly perceptible
element in the lump of. woridliness.
What should we think to be designated
as the saints dwelling at Roberts cor
ners, the saints on High street in the
city of Richfieldp The name is fair
one, and il ought to give us pause with
the sense of responsibility that is laid
upon us as the called OF the Lord. A
holy. separate and peculiar people are
we, tarrying here for n season, Do we
live as saints2 Some one said OF Fene-
Il -.