The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-16


God with great 5oldness. Acts. iy.:3l-
Here is a story of the apostles faith and
what followed IL is one of the most re-
msrkable events in all church history. the
history of the early Christian church.
Peter preached a powerful sermon. Five
thousand were converted. The effect was
tremendous Yet those IN civil authority
did not like H. They sought to put stop
to this religious revolution. II was TOO
radical Something must be done TO defeat
the Gospel. Hence the captain of the tenn
ple-not n military man. but the one in
charge OF the guard of the temple. the
priests and Levites-and the Sadducees lay
hands on Peter and John and put them in
prison. What made the Sadducees so
strenuous in their opposition Before the
crucifixion the Pharisees figured promi-
nently in the persecution. Now the Sad
ducees took the lead Why the change?
Because the apostles preached the resur-
rection from the dead and 1t was this that
the Sadducees specially denied II irri-
tated them TO hear of a resurrection Peo-
pie speak of the intolerance of religion.
II is far more frequently the intolerance
of unbeIief What strong evidence this is.
ell the stronger because indirect. of the
apostles belief in the risen Christ, The
displacement of the Pharfsees by the Sad
ducees as leaders of the opposition shows
how early and how tenaciously the apos-
ties held to the doctrine of the resurrec-
ton.
II was on Peter and John that they
laid hands the very two men who had
stopped TO heal and bless the poor cripple
at the beautiful gate of the temple.
strange thing TO punish men for helping
the weak to walk. When IL came that the
prisoners should stand before Annas. the
high priest. and his kindred, Peter made
an eloquent and logical statement of the
disciples position: much so that the
priests marveIed. There was no evidence
to convict, and so. after threatening. they
let them go. The persecution was not
over however. IL was only lui in the
storm. for soon after the Sadducees were
filled with indignation and thrust them
all into Jail. The apostles knew what
they had to face. and SO they began TO
prepare themselves. What was their re-
source in these trials? Prayer. "rney
lifted up their voices to God with one ac-
cord" This is the souls sure refuge in
trouble. the turning TO God in prayer.
Prayer is the soul moving in the presence
of God, dwelling serenely and happily in
the atmosphere of the divine. When per-
secutions arise, the soul of the Christian
mounts Heavenward. as the songbird
wings its flight into the still air above
when the storm beats fierce and low
along the earth. The Christian of today
must stand persecution To suffer for
Christ's sake, for the sublime principles
of Jesus, for His kingdom. is an ever
present necessity. Yea. and all who will
live Cody in Christ Jesus must suffer
persecution" II is often petty persecu-
tton. but none the less keen and biting.
1t takes strong character, real fortitude
for a man or a woman to live up to the
high things and noble ideals and not to
be leveled to the low standards that so
often prevail in community. II one is
called upon to suffer for conscience sake.
for determination TO do ones duty, the
source Of strength for the battle. the sup
ply of grace for the conflict is to be found
in prayer. There can be no real conquest
for the spiritual life without communion
first. Prayer Is power. He who under
stands the secret may draw on the spir-
itual sterehouse of the universe for all he
needs. See the results of the prayer of
faith. In the story of the apostles faith
one of the immediate results was that the
place where they were assembled was
shaken. Some may doubt that, but who
ever stops to consider the reality of the
spiritual world with spiritual forces. and
the connection that may be made between
the material and the spiritual. will not
limit possibilities. II is said that by the
prolongation of one note a response may
be awakened that will set great build
ing In vibration. Who knows but that
spiritual chords may be struck by united
prayer which will resound In physical re-
suits. II we knew all tho laws of both
worlds. natural and spiritual. we should
probably find that certain conditions pos
tulate certain results. Thus we are told
that rs another immediate consequence
of the apostles prayer. they were all
filled with the Holy Ghost" They conn
| piled with certain laws and the gift fol-
| lowed To be filled with the Holy Ghost
means 10 have the divine breath refresh
| ing and inspiring one. In every life or
| prayer there are moments of real inspira-
| tion when one feels power not of him
| self. and yet permeating, changing self.
! Matthew Arnold speaks OF the Spirit that
inaketh for righteousness" Even mater
| sslssts confess, as did Prof. Tyndall as ne
| stood on the crumbling summit Of the
Maiterhorn. to moments of weakness that
como not through the CONGRATULATIONS Of
science. bat from the great human heart
that contains thoughts that ofttimes lie
too deep for tears.
This gift OF tho Spirit implies a condition
Of receptlvity. Man must do his part in
the way Of preparation. God bestows tho
gift most freely. but & depends upon free
win man 20 take the gift and appreciate
IL The lntersphcring of the soiIl-afe 81
man with soul-lise OF God requires OF man
something in the way of preparation.
After they had prayed as a consequence
OF this faith. the apostles were filed with
the Spirit. II We would have spiritual
gifts we must desire them, and this de-
sire must go forth tn aspiration. The re-
suit Is conditioned by the attitude towards
the unseen. We wonder sometimes why
we haven't more religious feeling or moro
faith or why We do not get more real conn
fort out of our religion. How much heart
have we put into II? Have we even begun
TO pray as these first apostles prayede
The truth Is that very many religious peO-
pie even do not know how 10 pray. The
possibilities OF prayer are infinite. IL We
want the gift we must get into condition
to receive it, Tho blessing will come in
proportion TO the faith IN asking. AS Jesus
said 10 the Syro-Phnnecian woman. BE
IL unto thee even as thou wilt" The mes
sage OF the gift is the measure OF tho
faith. One comes 20 confirmation and he
IS told that In the laying on Of hands there
Is a gift Of the Holy Spirit Now the re-
ceqtion of that gtft will depend entirely
upon the soul condition of the recipient.
/ II he sees in that service only pleasant
form. the respectable thing TO do. he viii
get cut OF that service lust that much.
nothing moro. II. however. he has truly
prepared and comes truly seeking he viii
have all that he expects. even the iapour-
/ Ing az the Divine Spirit. II Is the same
with the Holy Communion Tire extent
I Of The blessing Is measured by the faith
or the recipient. He is the materiaiist-
the idolater who sees snly the bread and
the wine. not the one who sees a spirit
! behind the form. Every religious act
means nothing or everything. as one iS-
noreS or appreciates the rite.
The same principle may he illustrated in
ana ouc who IS Of a musical nature goes
isrsk Icy = ss@h