Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-04-04
ssPaul.'' %


was read before the Christian En-
deavor Society. It's author is Miss
Ora Sheffield, and the paper is pub
lished at the request of the Endeav-
orers:
Paul, ''the Apostle Of Jesus Christ
to the Gentiles, y is one of the grand
est characters of the New Testament.
While he, perhaps, lacked some of the
loving tenderness of the ''beloyed
disciple some of the bold impetuos-
ity Of the impulsive Peter; in him we
find combination of these qualities,
together with an energy and aggress-
iveness that made him eminently fit
ted to carry forward the gospel of
Christ. That he was a man of educa-
ton and ability, no one can doubt
who gives his writings careful pc
rusal, for they show a depth and or
iginality truly wonderful. Part of
this might be attributed to divine in
spiration, but even then these epis-
ties reflect the mind through which
they came, as the color of a LIQUID is
largely determined by the tint of the
glass which holds it. He had for his
teacher, Gamalial, one of the most
learned doctors of the law, which
would indicate that he had attained
to a high degree of learning. That
he was a man of strong convictions
and great energy in carrying out
those convictions, is attested by the
ferocity with which he prosecuted
the Christians before his conversion,
and afterward, the utiring zeal with
which he carried forward the new
gospel. No labor, no privation, no
discouragement, could dannt this
man; no imprisonment could queneh
his spirit. His whole life, henceforth.
was given fully and freely to one pur-
pose. and that purpose was to spread
the knowledge of the gospel of Christ.
There was no lukewarlnness about
Paul.
But, again, might be urged, he was
filled with tharspirit of God. True
again, but do we anywhere in the BIZ
BILE read that the spirit shall be given
to one disciple but not to another?
Will it not be given now in the same
measure it was then--to the disciples
of the nineteenth century as we'll as
to those of the first? Let us turn our
thoughts for moment back to the
time of Paal's conversion and try to
realize the power of God over the hu-
man heart. Let us fancy him as he
journeys along toward Damascus,
breathing out threatenings and
slaughter against the disciples of the
Lord Filled with sense of his own
Importance and doubtless a mistaken
zeal in bringing back captive these
servants of Jesus. ''And as he came
near Damascus there Skinned round
about him light from Heaven, and
he heard voice saying, Saul, Saul,
why persecutist thou meTn A voice
sweet, tender, and unutterably low
ing, but it comes to the soul of this
man with mighty power, stilling the
tempest of his passions as it had once
stilled the waves of the sea. The
same voice that comes to us when in
our Indifference we heed not the
claims of our Creator, when the cares
and pleasures of this short life out
weigh, with us, the joys of eternity.
When we fall under temptation,
when we neglect to help the weak er
brother by our side; when we seek
our own pleasure, our own will, be-
fore that of our Master, this voice
speaks to us in the silent watches OF
the night, in the innocent smile of a
child, in the reproachful glance of a
| friend.
Fellow Endeavors, we may feel
that there is little we can do, but
"Fields are white and harvest waiting,
Who will bear the shsaves away?
| Loud and strong the Master caleth,
Rich reward He offers thee.
Who will answer. gladly saying
s'Here am I, send me. send mel"
| you cannot speak like angels
If you cannot preach like Paul,
You can tell the Love of Jesus,
You can say He died for all.
If you cannot rouse the wicked,
With the Judgements dread alarms,
You can lead he little children
To the Saviouris waiting arms.
Let none hear you idly saying,
"There is nothing 1 can do"
While the souls of men are dying,
And the Master calls for you
Take the task He gives you gladly,
Let Bis work your pleasure be,
Answer quickly When he calleth,
"Here am 1, send me- send mel"
|