The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-08
WELCOMED THEIR
FORMER PASTOR
concluded from Page 81

It's founder that VIC become Cnannels 10
convey this Divine energy to others.
Christianity Is powerless only as 1t acts
upon and through life.
Second-Chrlstianity as 1t influences
life may become Irresistible. Jesus
know and Paul 7 know" was the re-
sponse of this evil spirit to these ex-
orcists. What a history of Divine tri-
umph and demoriacal defeat these words
contains! In all probability the reference
includes the mighty ministries of Galilee
ana Judea when Jesus had carried on his
work of benefcencs. Again and again
during His ministry had the demons de-
clared that Jesus was the Christ of God.
Not only had they invariably succumbei
to His authority and obeyed His behest,
but His life was invulnerable to evil.
The result of the temptation in the wild
erness, when three inducements to wrong
were offered Him, was decisive and fin
al. "Then the devil leaveth Him; and be-
hold angels came and ministered unto
Him.
FRIEND OF SINNERS.
In all history His life stands forth,
majestic and solitary as the grand tri-
umph of holiness over sin. for "He was
tempted in all points, like as we are, yet
without sim" In Pilates court lie turned
upon His accusers, and asked thcm
(which of you convinceth Me of sin?"
city notorious fer its wickeJness and sin.
and in manhood had been in contact ann
intercourse with people of the lowest
social order, and was known as the
"Frend of publicans and sinners" who
received the hatred and obloquy of the
religious authorities of the land, and had
for followers a few illiterate men from
Galilee. giving the world life utterly
untainted with sin. Then what wonder
that this evil spirit at Ephesus should
say "Jesus l know" Was there in this
vast universe any with an evil genius
who did not know Him?
This life which was Christianity in
carnate, was the power of God. Chris
tianity has reached its highest possibli-
ties in the life of Christ. The life of
Christ, which is Christianity, was ire
sistible. His utterances went forth with
irresistible authority. and His deeds were
wrought with irresistible power This
life was the Gospel which the apostles
offered men. I'VE preach Christ" In
proportion as His followers approach Him
in spirit and character they become pow
erful. Here in Ephesus an important CEN
ter of idol worship under the very
shadow of GODDESS Diana, was one very
much like the Christ, who had struck
terror into the kingdom of darkness, and
who was well known to the evil spirits
Paul | know" This demon was afraid
of Paul What wonder, When we consid-
er the conseCrated and holy life he gave
to God and to men! He was SO coura ge-
Gus and heroic that He feared nothing
but sin.
MUST FOLLOW CHRIST.
Brother man, in what measure Goes
Christianity influence your life? In pro-
portion to that you are a Christian pow
or in the world. You may use all the in
o. OtatiCn of SnCrpd love and ipyolS. n
your aid all the powers of the heavens
but if your life is not permeated with
Christian influence, and your character
fashioned after that of Christ, II Is all
in vain. To live Christ that devils NAV
have reason to know you" Paul |
know"
Third-Chris tianity as represented by
unregenerate life is a failure. but who
are ye?" These sons of Sceva came from
a religious stock; their father held one
of the highest positions in the national
church. He was a chief priest but : is
children had no higher estimate of re-
ligion than something to live by, and
that in a very unquestionable way. These
seven brothers had joined the strolling
Jews, who went from place to place pro-
Tossing to heal diseases by conjuring.
They lived by imposing upon the credul-
itY of the ignorant and superstitiCus.
These men, seeing Paul's success, used
the name they saw him employ with so
great effect. They were not interested in
the Gospel which Paul preached; nor had
they sympathy with the rev religious
movement; they saw in it a new power,
which, if they could Use it. might be
means of immense gain to them. So thcy
said: 1--WE adiure you by Jesus, whom
Paul preacheth." "Ani the evil spirit
answered ard said Jesus know and Paul
| know, but who are ye? And the man
in whom the evil spirit was leaped on
them. and oVercame them, and prevailed
against them, so that they fed out of
that house rake0 and wounded" The
attempt was disastrous failure.
DECLINE OF RELIGION.
Christianity is a dead letter and miser-
able failure in the hands of unregenerato
| men. 1t was so in that age: 1t is so in
this. Much is said these days about the
decline of religion in this land. | fear
there is some truth in the charge; there
is, at least, less religious fervor and en-
| thusiasm in church life than was mani
| lest in it twenty-five years ago. Since
| those days religion may have grown more
! superficial. The rapid growth of sacer-
dolatism in the land within the last qla--
ter of a century may have affected the
| robust life of the free churches AMI
| weakened its convictions and energies
y
has not changed There may be less OF
| it in the life of men; it may he less dem.
! onstrative in religious character, but as
Divine evangel given for the regenera.
| ton of men, and the salvation Of the
world, 1t was never mighter, never rich.
| or. Though 1t was an ignominious failure
| in the hands of these itinerant Jews; !r
| the life and ministry of the apostle Paul
| 1t was a grand success.
| This is true in regard 10 the church n
| day. In our churches I fear there are
| many nominal Christians, i'm whose life
! Christianity is a dead letter A saved
/ life should he sanctilled medium
through which the Divine influence NIGH
pass to others. ILGifferences, half-heart
| odness and insincerity in relation to re
| ligious antics and service utterly uni
us for this. Life must be charged to tht
full with the love of God before 1t car
| convey the Divine influence to Others |
is men like the Apostle Paul, who give
UP everything for Christ, and are pr,
pared to sacrifice life itself. II need he
in His interest, who count all things bu
dross in comparison with him. these are
the men to put sin to shame and makt
demons tremble.
| PAUL THE GREATEST MAN.
Paul was the greatest man Ephesus hat
| ever seen. The work which he com
| menced IN that city went on and on, unit
| Diana and all the pagan gods disap
peared from the land, and the face o
| Europe was completely changed. We arr
| indebted to the Apostle Paul for ou
Christianity; and when it is given men o
lis character TO represent Its principles
and enfotce its truths, it Is the miGhties
| power in the world. But the carcatur
OF it as given by these strolllng Jew
only brings 1t into contempt before men
and makes demons laugh, "Jesus knCv
ahd Paul ! know, but who are ye?"
SABBATH NEWS NOTES.