The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-02-27
ECCLESIASTICAL COLUMN.
Rev. S. K. Arbuthnot, pastor st. Paul's NJ. Z.
Church, Editor
Practical Points From Philemon.

found to be among the smaller
books of the Bible. Of all the
books of the Bible but two, the I'd
and Sd Epistles of John, contain
fewer verses, yet IN this brief letter
the great apostle to the Gentiles
introduces politlco-religious ques-
tions which are agitating our mod
ern Christian civilization. Loye as
motive power, slavery, the rela-
ton of rich and poor, of employer
and employee are some of the ques-
tions brought up by Paul in the
twenty-five verses which make up
the Epistle to Philemon.
An examination of the book itself
Ito which the reader is referred)
will show that the following divis-
ions of its contents may be made:
/. Salutation; yss. Is.
II. Thanksgiving; vss. ~.
III. Plea for favorable reception
of Onesimus; vss. 8-21; ~ ground
of plea-love's sake; (2) personal
considerations; (3) Onesimus' evil
over-ruled for good; (4) Onesimus'
obligations assumed by Paul; Phil
emon reminded of his Indebtedness
to the Apostle; (5) Paul's conf
dence that Philemon will do as
requested.
", A promised visit; VS.. %.
V. Closing words and greetings
of Pauls companions; vss. 1924.
VI. The apostolic benediction;
VS.. rs.
The evident aim of this letter is
the "'bespeaking kindly welcome
for runaway slave, VINO has been
induced to perform the unheard-of
act of voluntarily returning to SER
vitude." The book is not doctrlnaI,
yet it contains the basis Of many
doctrines. While this letter had to
do with singularly private matter,
not a single word needs be changed
to make it apply to our return to
God. Luther has truly said, eve
are all Gods Onesimuses and Jesus
Christ acts the part of mediator or
intercessor" to bring us back again
to our rightful master.
The prominent part that Love
plays, as a motive factor, is one of
the remarkable things of this
Epistle. Years ago Paul discovered
and put into practice fact which
has recently been made prominent
by modern professor, viz, Glove
is the greatest thing in the world"
A few quotations from various
sources showing something of the
power of love may here be introdu-
ced: Glove naturally beseeches
and does not order; love tends to
obliterate the hard distinctions of
superior and inferior, which finds
its expression in laconic imperatives
and silent obedience. The lightest
wish breathed by loved lips is
stronger than all stern injunctlons.
often, alas. than all laws of duty"
From Paufs example in winning
Philemon by love there is an object
lesson for all human relationships.
"Fathers and mothers, husbands
and wives, friends and companions,
teachers and guides Of all sorts
should set their conduct by this
pattern, and let the law of love sit
ever upon their lips. There is a
glimpse here into the very heart OF
Christ
1t seems strange irony of fate
that after dwelling for time upon
the power of love we should next
refer briefly to slavery. To be sure
in our country since slavery ha;
become an effete institution, this
book, along with multitudes Of
others, has lost much of its interest
as bearing upon this question
However, when Paul wrote, "Fol
perhaps he therefore departed for ;
season, that thou shouldest receive
him forever; not now as a servant
but above a servant, "a brother be
loved" and "If thou count me-
therefore partner, receive him AZ
myself" he sounded the death
knell of slavery A true deer