The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-11-18
SUNDAY IN THE CHURCHES
Happenings Of Interest to Church
Going and Other People.
FOR WEAK.KXEED CHRISTIANS
Was Directed tho Sermon OF Rev. Z. L.
Miller In Trinity Lutheran Church.
Present Day Calls for tho Cour'
ace of Peter and John.

In Trinity Lutheran church, last
night, the pastor, Rev. Edwin Lunh
Miller, preached a sermon calculated 10
inspire weak -kneed Christians with the
bOldnesS necessary to present trutn' as
duty demands, however distasteful II
may be. The tendency too often mani
fest among processing adherents to the
teachings OF Jesus, to be confOrmed
rather to this world than transformed
by the renewing of the mind was Sc
verely criticized.
Mr.. Miller took for his text Acts,
iv:l3: Nov when they saw the bold
ness of Peter and John, AID perceived
that they were unlearned and ignorant
men, they marvelled; and took knowl-
edge of them that they had been with
Jesus" He said:
Peters preaching, on this occasion, was
suddenly Interrupted by his arrest. The
Levitical temple guard. whose duty II was
to preserve order in the temple courts IN
those troublous times. and the Sadducees,
laid hands on the preacher and his assO-
ciate, John, and cast them into prison.
Sanhedrm and threatened with further
punishment II they persisted in teaching
their obnoxious doctrines. But, in the
very presence of Annas end Caiaphas, who
took part In ChristS mock trial. they pro-
claimed the crucitied Christ, while before
them all was the evidence of His power
in the person Of the healed lame man.
This Is the beginning OF the history OF
persecution for teaching the Christian
faith. The last chapter will not be writ
ten while the world stands. These men,
Peter and John. are shining examples OF
conduct in such trying times. Let US
study their boldness:
First-The nature and manifestation of
their boluness.
Second-The source of their bodness.
Third-The good results of their bold
ness.
The Disciples Characte eristics.
The reference here is primarily to their
boldness of speech, their confidence and
freedom from embarrassmnt. This quail
ity was found here in men who lacked
rabbinical culture and theological train
ing. But boldness OF speech was prompt
ed by boldness of spirit. And yet they
did not lack charity and moderation. They
were not rude and offensive. Though
Peter was interrupted in his sermon he
was not abusive; though he was put into
5000 disciples for protection. And though
commanded not to teach he refuses to
comply in courteous language. The appli-
cations are obvious.
Peters boldness manifested itself by his
preaching the truth publicly, though
knowing such a course would arouse hos
tility; by testifying for Christ before the
Sanhedrim, and by deciding to obey God
rather than man. The Levites and Saddu-
Gees are among us still. Levitism is mani
tested wherever the arrogant claim Is made
to the sole right to teach and to preach.
Levitism Is religious Intolerance wherever
1t is found. 1t declares: 1--WE only are
right all others must give way to u.s.
The Sadducees represent the followers Of
ratonalstic unbelief. They say: There
is no hereafter; what use Is there for the
church, But Peter still preached, and SO
must We May we be as nobly bold!
When the people demand u theologic plat
form whereon the world, the flesh and the
devil can stand. there is need of boldness
to preach repentance unto salvation
Although Peter might have reasoned
that 1t was useless to preach Christ to the
Sanhedrim which crucifed Him, and
might have argued that 1t was folly thus
speak, and leaves the matter of his safety
| in the hands of Him who commissioned
him to proclaim the truth. Does not his
| conduct put to shame the cowardice we
| all know where to find! Peter found pol
| icy and duty on this occasion conflicting
nevertheless he was not silent. as he
might have been. with plausible excuse.
Luthcr's Defence Of the Truth.
There was another, later in the history
| Of the church, from whom a retraettOn OF
offensive doctrine was likewise demanded.
II was Luther when he stood in defense
| Of the truth before the unrelenting repre-
| sentatives of papal power at Worms. In
| reply to the demand for retraction he
| replied in the never to be forgotten words
ii will give an answer that has neither
horns nor teeth; unless he would be re-
futed by evidence Of the Holy Scripture,
or by sound. clear argument. his con.
| science would be bound by the words OF
God. Here l stand, I cannot do other
wise. God help me, amen"
Peter and John, 1t Is said, had been
with jesus" and in the eighth verse we
read that they were filled with the Holy
Ghost. And SO all Christian heroism
comes from communion with God. and Is
| a gift of the holy spirit. BY learning from
! Christ, studying Gods word, communins
with Him in prayer receiving his sacra-
ments, thus do we make channels for the
operations Of the holy spirit He still
| guides us Alright in all straits, and gives
strength in the day of trial.
| In verses four and twenty-one we find
what effect the apostles boldness had on
the general public. It enk!ndled faith and
made 1t impossible for the Sanhedrim to
carry out its wicked designs.
The eye of the world Is still upon every
disciple of Christ. Persecution hardly
endured moves the world to wonder, often
| to believe. 1t Is a means or preaching
| Christ, and that Is esteemed the true
Christians hghestambition.
How 10 Win the Encmv's Respect.
1t Is true that the Sanhedrm were not
converted by the apostles boldness, YET
they could not deny the miracle which oc.
casioned it. They We're SO merciless as to
| be concerned only about means to stop
| the mouths of these preachers; and yet, In
their hearts, they could not help respect,
them. Their motives and aims were to
them a mystery. Neither money, mol
fame, nor pleasure, nor any such thing
| evidently animated them. And so the
courageously active Christian may fire..
uuentiy not convince others, yet ne always
commands respect. He may not be under
stood, and may even be heartily disliked
still he wins even among his enemies Q
certain honor.
The effect of The remarkable courage OF
these men, Peter and John, Is especially
manifest in the church ITSELF The mem.