Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1900-06-01
MEMORIAL SERMON.

Rev. A. p, johnson delivered an excellent Me
mortal sermon, on Sunday, taking his text from
: 2 Tim 4; 7, in part as follows:
have fought good fight, [ have
finished my course, L have kept the
faith, benceforth there is laid up for
me crown OF Righteousness.
These are the words OF one OF the
noblest and best of the followers OF the
Lord Jesus Christ, written about the
year 81 A. d. st. Paul advocated prin-
ciples which lie at the foundation of all
true life. Principles that are imperish.
able. For these he was willing
to contend, to suffer and to die. Though
often defeated in the fight he was
victorious at last and could say l have
fought good fight.
The difference between the great
leaders Of the world and ST. Paul lay in
the purpose they had in view. Alexan.
der the Great some 300 or 400 years
before st. Paul fought for the conquest
OF the world for selfish purposes. He
succeeded. Although man of many
noble impulses. But his passions we're
stronger than his intellect and he died
at the early age of 30. IA youth who
all things but himself subdued."
Hannibal the great leader of the
Carthagenians was sworn to eternal
hatred OF Rome when a child and for
many years was successful in his war;
fare against that power. But a warfare
Of hatred cannot long be successful and
Rome ultimately triumphed and Scar
thago delen1a est" was written truth
fully of that great world power. Caesar
one OF the most remarkable men who
ever lived rose to power on the ruins of
the Roman Republic lin this he was i'm
itated by Napoleon more than 1900 years
later. But he established the Roman
empire on strong foundations, and at
the time Of st. Paul, Rome ruled the
world.
The Jewish nation had perished by
corruption and from internal dissen-
tions. A few noble souls survived like
Gemaliel the great teacher OF St.
Paul but they were not enough to save
the nation and the Jewish government
was entirely annihilated by Rome and
the remnant OF the people were ruled
by her iron hand.
This was the condition OF the world.
when st. Paul came upon the theater
Of activity. He was Hebrew OF the
Hebrews one Of the most intolerant OF
men. But he was destined to become
one of the most tolerant. Narrow
minded in his views OF God and his
relation to humanity he became one OF
the most liberal broadminded OF men. So
he could say God is not alone the God
of, the Jews but also God of the Gentiles.
All mankind are his children and all are
brethren of one family. Here we find the
difference between st. Paul and all
other great Conquerers OF the world. He
fought for God and humanity. They
fought for conquest and personal
advancement. His work remains and
will remain while the world stands or
immortality 'endures. Theirs has
already perished and they are known
more by their cruelties and expressions
than for love of their fellowmen and
Righteousness. st. Paul's life was one
continual warfare. "A warfare against
principalities; against powers; against
spiritual wickedness in high places;
against the rIlers of darkness OF this
world"
The Romans and the Gre clans made
much OF athletics, boxing, wrestling,
running in races, all these being famil-
lar to the people, ST. Paul used these
contentious for the mastery toillustrate
the true course for the Christian to
take. They must submit to the sever
est discipline. So the soldier must
practice the manuel of arms and sub
NIT to the sever disciplines of the army
before he can become a true soldier.
Hence he says, 81 keep my body under
by a temperate sober life. So must
you and see that you are we'll armed,
for without this you cannot make a
good fight. And be not deceived by
the wiles OF the devil and be clothed
with the whole armor of God that ye
may be able to stand in the evil day,
your IONS girt about with truth and
having on the breastplate Of righteous
ness and your feet shod with the gospel
OF peace, taking the shield of faith,
the helmet OF salvation and the sword
of the spirit, praying always" Here
was st. Paul's equipment Tor the war.
Fighting in this he could say, / have
kept the faith; God has been my
helper, know he will be my helper to
the end. In this faith he gained the
mastery of SELF then the mastery of
others. His faith was founded on
knowledge. His knowledge on expert