The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-09

been man OF unbridled passions, and
cruel and crafty disposition. He was
Roman administrator, severe and re-
lentless in dealing with civil disturb
ances. To keep the peace was an in
stinct with Roman governors. He had
also the cupidity that characterized the
age; and which had grown into almost
universal custom in the administration
of provincial fairs. He was also de.
sirous of maintaining his hold on his
office and enjoying its emoluments.
But he had incurred the hatred of the
Jews by his seventies and injustice;
they were on the point of seeking to
secure his recall; and he was aware Of
their design: and SO was naturally de-
sirous of turning them from it alto
gether. or Of weakening the force of
their attempt. Yet under all these
traits of his character and circum-
stances. was what always existed in
Roman governor. no matter how cor.
rupt, respect for Roman law and it's es-
tablished procedure.
The appeal of the Christian Apostle
must be made to this man. 1t was an
appeal which righteous life has to
make in many forms, under many cir
cumstances, and in many events and de-
partments of life to the judgment of
wicked age and people. The humblest
life stands before the world for it's judy
ment and award. All the relations of
life are under trial before men: in the
home, in business, in social life, and in
private walks. And good and evil are
mingled in the ones who render judg
ment. The attitude of Paul shall tell
us what our appeal should be.
Paul's users and their
charges. There was singular power
OF influence brought to bear upon Felix.
The high priest was an appointee of
Herod Agrippa. who stood high in favor
with the Roman emperor Claudius; and
Paul's foes had been able to secure his
aid. They represented the popular
party among the Jews, and so might be
said to speak with authority for the men
whom Felix had to fear. And they ap.
peared before him speaking friendly
words. and by their attitude offering
him chance to make peace with them.
But they were assembling their
hatred of him.
And their charges against Paul were
equally insincere. They hated him for
i his leadership of a party opposed to
their own; but they accused him of
sedition. They pretended to be friends
of civil order but they were all the time
stirring up the minds of the people
against the influence of the Roman
power. They had aroused tumult
within the temple precincts; yet they
accused Paul of seeking to profane the
temple. They went about to kill him;
but they charged that he was violator
of the law of Moses. Such was the at
tack of his foes upon Paul. And to just
such attacks the upright human soul
is subject. Wickedness combines with
craft and falsehood to effect the over
throw of righteousness.
PauPS defence. In his attitude
toward the Roman governor, he is con-
sistent With himself: he respects the
Office and recognizes his subordination
| to it. He must have known the char
acter of the man; but he recognizes
only the sacred functions of the judge
of the law. 1t was an appeal to the
| just element in the mind of the govern
or that must have been felt.
Paul used no dattery; he spoke the
simple truth in reference TO the tenure
of the governors office. And from it he
selected the facts which justice must
rest upon his knowledge of the situa-
ton, his obligation to make just investi-
cation. and to demand full proof of the
charges made. In this representation
Paul is not urgent or unduly emphatic;
his tone is simple as if the spirit of JUS
tice were native and half unconscious
in his mind. permeating it as its inherent
temple. In sense this prisoner of the
Roman court was the judge of the gov
ernor. Before these words of Paul,
Felix was under judgment
His denial of the charges is simple
and brief, but specific. He covered
every charge made against him by de-
nial, implying that his accusers had
been the guilty party, yet making no
charges against them. Only he recog-
nized the need which law declares of
witnesses and proof in case like this.
He did not shrink from but rather
courted full investigation.
He then passed to the positive side of
his defence. declaring his faith and wor
ship. At this point his defence might
we'll be treated as il it had ended, and
his declaration of his great mission had
been begun.