Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-11-30

T.me.-A d. Co. during Pauls imprison-
ment.
Place.--This epistle was written from
Rome to the church at Philippi, in Ma
cedoliia.
The City Of Philippi-"Philippi. the
chief city of the eastern division OF Mace
donia. was situated near the border OF
Thrace, and eight miles northwest of
Neapolis. which was it's seaport. 1t lay
between two mountain ranges, and
paved Roman road led over the steep
range Symbolum from Neapolis to Philip
pi. over which Paul went."-Schaff.
The Church of Phiippi.-'The history
Of the founding of the church in the city
of Philippi the BIRTHPLACE of European
Christianity, is very fully narrated in the
Acts Chapter l6). Eleven years had now
passed; years of growth in the midst of
severe persecution. Twice had Paul visit
ed his Philippian brethren, and thrice had
they seEt supplies to their suffering apos-
tie, and now again a fourth time to him
in prison at Rome. The present epistle is
his response TO their loving gift, with the
simple purpose of expressing his thanks
and showing his deep interest in them
selves. None of his epistles more abounds
with language Of true, heartfelt affec-
n."-Whedon
Analysis of the Epistle.-'1. Address ana
saiutation. l. |. 2. 2. Situation and labors
OF the apostle at Rome. l. 3-26. B. The
Lords example and pattern for the OBJ
servance of the church, /. N-2. Is. 4.
PauPs assistant and colaborers, 1880. 5.
Warn ny against Judaistic false teachers
and wicked deceivers, in contrast with
the apostles, g. IA. l. &. Final exhortation
10 cooperation between himself and the
Philippian Church. T. 2-20. I. Salutation
and bened 'ction, 4. 21-23. '-Braune.
Characteristics of the Epistle.-"It is the
warm spontaneous outpourng of loving
heart expressing itself with unreserved
gratitude and tenderness toward the ia
vorite children of his ministry. III 1t ex-
hibtts to US somewhat less than other
epistles of Pauls peculiar teachings 1t has
this nigh source of interest--that it shows
to US more of his character and feelings.
In this respect Ii somewhat re-
sembles the Second Epistle to the Corin-
thians, except that in it Paul is writing
TO those who were kindest and most faith
full to him. whereas toward the Corin-
thians he had little cause for gratitude,
and much need of forbearance. Amid the
trials and suspense of a CALLING imprison-
ment II reveals to us, not directly, but as
1t were unconsciously the existence of an
unquenchable happ ness-a peace as of
the Utmost heart Of the ocean under the
agitation of its surface storms. 1t was
dictated by worn and fettered Jew. the
victim or gross perjury and the prey of
contending enmities, dictated at a time
when he was vexed by hundreds of OPP
ponents. and consoled but by a few who
cared for him, and yet the substance of it
all may be summed up in two sentences
i rejoice; rejoice ye.' "-Farrar.
Approach to the Lesson.-''When the
apostle Paul would enjoin the Philippians
10 look every man on the things of 9TH
ers, he points them to the mind which
was also in Christ Jesus He does not
content himself with merely stating the
fact of our Lords condescenson and
death; but, If the immensely of the
stoop which Christ made were too great
TO be comprehendef at once, he follows
him downward from point to point till he
has reached the lowest depth of his humil-
iation. AS If he felt convinced that the
amazing spectacle could not fail to ami
hilate seliishnesS in every other heart las il
had in his own. his only anxiety is that il
should be WILDLY presented before the eye
of the mind. Having carried our thoughts
up TO that infinite height where Christ had
been from eternity in the bosom of the
Father. he shows us the Son of God d-
vesting himself of MS glory and then he
detains our eye In prolonged gaze on
his descending course; condescending TO
be born; voluntarily subjecting himself to
all the humbling conditions of our nature;
taking on himself the responsibilities of a
servant, still humbi!ng himself, still pass
ing from one depth of ignominy to a low
still: becoming obedient unto death
and that death the most humbling. the
most replete with agony and shame-the
death of the cross. Harris
Lesson Hymn
Come, q Thou greater than our heart
And make thy faithful mercies
known
The mind which was in thee impart; Thy
cons tant mind in us be shown.
o let US by thy cross abide, Thee, only
thee, resolved TO know,
The Lamb for sinners crucifed, A world
TO save from endless woe
Take us into thy peoples rest. And we
our own works shall cease;
With thy meek Spirit arm our breast. And
keep our minds in perfect peace