The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-12-11
2 Timothy lV, 1-S. 16- Is.

be moved by any such deplorabe condi-
ton in the church, if it occurs in his time.
He must be faithful to his trust what
ever comes. (Ncrse y. Watch in all
things--be close observer of all that
passes and note the tendencies MARK xiii,
81, prepared to meet every emergency.
Endure atillctions"-thcy are sure TO
come if a man stands for the right in an
evil world, and refuse to be Il party to sin
(Alatt. y, 2j), but 40 one may abandon his
calling though prosecuted. John xvi, 3).
"DO tho work of an eVangelist''-what-
ever other tasks he may assume, he must
never lay down the exalted service by
which souls are to be won to Christ
Make full proof of thy ministry
to all that you are really called to be a
minister and not merely the incumbent
of an office; pC.lOrm your duty so we'll
that everyone will confess that yOu are
indeed an ambassador for Christ. If
these instructions were followed, Timothy
would have a single purpose and become
a man of one work, phil. iii, l3). Such
men always achieve abundant success.
DBPARTU RE.-The apostle after these
advices to his brother minister, next re-
fers to himself. He realizes that death
Is not far distant, and speaks Of it, as il
really was, as am Offering or sacrifice
from which he does not shrink, Phll ii,
10. 1t is rather with the utmost calmncsS
that he declares his readiness Werse % TO
depart as if he were about to enter upon
Il journey. That resignation originated
in part from a review of his caTee",
CVerae y. He aserts that he had fought
a good fight q reference to the nature
of the conflict rather than to his be-
havior q Tim vi, lO. His course was
finished, a figure of speech derived from
the race in the Olympic games-he had
reached the goal q Cor. tx, 26l. In the
midst of all his struggles, in the earnest
pressing forward (Phl. iii, I'D, he had con-
stantly kept the faith CReV. iii, 81. having
been true To the doctrines of Christ ana
the work laid before him. This personal
reference was not in the spirit of boast
ing. Years before, Paul had laid mis-
pride at the feet of the cross. (Gal Vi,
40. But this is the voice Of triumph lifted
up at the end of a long and faithful life,
PROSPECT,-But what lies beyond?
The past, although secure, is Of little
worth, only as il prepares for the future.
Vultaire said toward the close of his ca
reor II take a leap into the dark" Paul
felt that in departing he entered upon an
estate OF blessedness the prospect of
which had long cheerod his heart Phil.
I, 23). In the old Greclan games, the sue
cpssful runner was hOnored with crown
| of laurcls, which was placed upon his
head in the midst cf the assembled multi
tudes. Paul, sezng this figure. declares
that for him there is i'm waiting crown
kof righteousness (verse 81, which Jesus
the lord and Judge, will bestow. Uames /,
10 By this he meant the reward of i'm
mortality and glory, purchased and be-
slowed through Jesus. Rom. ii. n. In
modiatey on making this statement, "a
II he feared some false impression might
l l.Gs V.lH.
view, and sweeps out into the extended
realms os Gods far-reachirE mercy, af-
firming that the same reward awaited all
who love the appearing of Jesus. Titus
H. 49, In this last clause he refers 10
an event yet future, With which the