The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-02-08
o1SUNDAY TH0UGHTSDo
AOII#
MORALS6o MANNERS
~ A CLERGYMAN.

The French Archaeological institute I'M
earthed from amongst the Christian tombs
in upper Egypt, at Akhmin, not long ago,
and has Just published in the ninth vol
ume of its proceedings. a papvrus contain
ing, with other matter, portions OF an al
legged gospel of Peter. Its intrinsic value
is small, vet its discovery means great
deal. Why? How? Because it confirms
In general way the synoptical gospels,
which itself embellished with extravagan-
cies, and testiies to the prior existence OF
the gospel OF John. Because, too, it an
swers affirma tively the question often
asked by critics as to whether any &C
counts OF or reference to Jesus were to be
found outside OF the New Testament.
For these reasons this new find" is of
first rate value. Scholars are substantially
agreed that the date of the apocryphal
gospel of Peter is either the second or
third quarter of the second century. One
eminent textual expert holds that it goes
back to A. ID. l25. If the gospel OF John
anteds.es this we must place Its date not
later than the last quarter OF the frat cen
turv; in which case its true Johannine
authorship would be avouched beyond
peradventure.
IT'S significant that Just as far as these
exhumed records appear and speak, they
always confirm and never impeach the
inerrancv OF the sacred scripture. One
after another up they come from the bur
led past-they take the witness stand
they testify-and ever In one way.
Strange, lie il not, that these resurrected
Witnesses should all be so sound!y ortho-
dox?
writer in the current number of the
HomiLtic Rerieg wisely remarks that every
sermon should be timed, not by the clock
but by the pew. When the preacher has
lost the retention Of the hearers attention
detention is a violation OF the right OF
habeas corpus. Restlessness in the pew
should be construed as a signal Tor rest in
the pulpit. The time TO apply the brakes
is not when the steam is giving out in the
engine, but just before the passengers
have reached the D ace where they want
20 get out of the cars. They are righteous
" indignant II they are carried beyond
their desired station.
We advise the preachers today to let the
Jews alone and hit current sin, and to
strike out from the shoulder. This course
may cause them trouble. but it will keep
the congregation awake.
1t is truly affirmed by a contemporary
that there is n other such power on earth
as the Christian church. There is no
other such force in our civilization as the
banded Christian passionate. Let the min
istry but determine to do their utmost
specifically and directly for the abolition
OF any existing evil and this century would
not close without seeing that work far ad-
vanced The world itself never long
despises what the church devotedly main
tains. III the church. with the splendid
talent. learning and eloquencs of her min
istIy, will set anv righteous cause high
among the objects for which she prays
and battles, she can put that cause as far
above a sheer or patronizing contempt as
che has put the cause of missions since
Carey's time
If power is the measure of obligation
the debt OF the church 20 righteousness
Is great indeed.
man came one day to the late earl of
shaftesbury, philanthrop ist. although a
nobleman, bringing a note from the gov
ernor of Manchester Jail. saying that the
bearer was incorrigib and had spent
twenty years in prison. Shafteebury
talked kindly to the fellow and then said /:
John Spiers. shall | make a man of
Sou?"
yer can try. but yer can't do it." was
the discouraging reply.
Finally he agreed 10 enter a reforma-
tory where the discipline was strict but
kind. After few DAYS the earl called and
Eaid: well. John Spiers. shall we 20
On?'
YES" be replied, but yer've tackled a
tough job"
BY Gods help I'll 20 on, and III sue.
seed, toe" replied the earl.
At the end Of two years the MAJ was
met bv friend of Shaftesbury's. He was
well-c clad, healthy ard held good position
In London. "Ah, said he, lit was the ear 5
kind words did it. That was a new wav.
never bal kind word or a loving look
given me in NV life before, or l might
have acted very differently"
What testimony! What a salvation :
Keep your eyes up. not down. Peter
walked safely on the very waves and
found them like a solid pavement under
his feet until he looked down, then he
went down.
60 rejoiced is the German kaiser over
the advent of his new daughter that he
has ordered that all German female pris-
oners now undergoing punishment Tor q
first crime committed through distress or
In anger shall be pardOned in honor oil
the little princess 'Tis a graceful act,
this connecting of the royal babe with a
decree OF mercy. The petite lady was
baptized IN water brought from the river
Jordan. and named Victoria Louise Ada.
la1de Matilde Charlotte. IL is to be hoped
that 60 many names may not smother the
baby.
y New YORK society belle has jus,
Joined the Salvation army and is a full.
fedged and uniformed soldier. She is a
Miss Emma Van Norden. eldest daugh.
ter of the president of the bank of North
America, Mr.. Warren Van Norden. who
Is also superintendent OF the Madison.
ave. reformed church. She is hand.
come young lAdv and highly accom-.
pllshed. No wonder she tired of the
Rilded toys of fashion and left her deco.
rated world for more earnest life. 'Tis
surprising that the salvs,ionists do moi
win more recruits OF the same sort
The list Of prominent mortaIs who have
recently become imrnortsls whether
prominent or not over the line, who on
earth can tell?) is significantly large. In