The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-11-24
INTERNATIONAL S. S. LESSON


awe WI ASSSs s.Asoo . - ASs
Sober Living.
The circumstances under which the
Pastoral Eplutles were written inaure
for them a practical character. They
were prompted by the undying affec-
ton Of the apostle for his sons In The
gospel and his passion to secure the
perpetuity Of tho church after his de-
parture. They were written. not 10 In
cumbents Of easy-goins benences. but
to pastors In great populous centers.
envlroned BY dangerous elements, per-
picked by all but insolvablo problems.
They are the fruit OF splendid natural
genius and wide, long, varied expert
ence. There Is about them no dryness
Of formal treatise. It 10 rather the over
flow of the full heart One thing sug-
gests another. Yet the apparent lack Of
order IL In appearance only. They form
perfect institute Of practical theol-
ogy. The principles irradiated arc 80
fundamental 90 to be applicable to
each succeeding age. Compressed into
the fewest possible paragraphs are
summaries Of Christian doctrine:
Church order. life. and ritual. minister
lal traits, habits, pastoral bearing to-
ward various classes in society In gen.
eral, and In the church In particular.
=. -. The Epistle to Titus Is an
epitome Of the First Epistle to Timothy.
just as Titus himself seems 10 be n
smaller edition Of Timothy. In saying
this. there Is no disposition to minify
Titus. Indeed. It would be difficult to
do so In the case Of one whom st. Paul
calls mine own son after the common
faith. my partner and fellow-helper."
and who held efficiently for years the
vicar-apostolnte Of the Island Crete.
one OF the most strategic points II the
advance OF Christianity against heath
tinguIshed honor: he was pre-eminently
the representative OF Gentle Christian
ity. He was dlstinctively trophy from
heathenism. As such, St. Paul refused
The demand Of Jewish Christians, still
| fa;tcrcd by Hebrew ritualsm, that he
| should be circumcisr1. He thus be-
GANG typical uacircumc!sed Chris
tIan Gentle" and decisive victory
of emancipation from Jewish ritualism
WAS won in his case" St. Paul seems
| also 10 have commissioned Titus with n
most difficult and delicate affair. strik-
ing evidence In Itself of Pauls high es-
| innate Of Titus's judclousncss-a quail
| lty unusual In n young man. Part Of
| his commission was 10 investigate tho
lmmoralitlGs alleged TO be practlced
among the Corinthian Christians and
the effect produced by st. Paul's cor
rcctivc letter. The other part was to
make the collections for the poor Chris
t.ans Of Judca. In both these Import
! an; Offices. TITUS was 50 wise. Jealous,
and successful MS to receive the warm
con,nenlation Of the apostle and be
cent second time upon similar mis-
sion. and be commenced by him as
my partner and feilow-heiper." Titus
| Is believed 10 have bat.l "hrmer and
more energetic" than Timothy. and for
this reason TO have been prepared for
this important matter. The
responsibility o: his sub-apostolic Office
In the Island OF Crete mny easily be In
fcrrrd by the terms OF his commission
ns given 10 him In the Epistle which
bears hla name: l. He Is to complete
the unfinished work of the apostle. ..
] Organize the churches and appoin,
prcsbyteries. ,. He is TO checkmnte the
Judnizcrs. 4. Have the duties Of
"decBrons and Christian life upon the
women" &. Have care to his own
manner OF life. G. Teach slaves TO be
dutlful. 7. Ctirb the lnsurrect!onary
spirit. S. Discourage useless theoiog-
icai controversy. Stirring hcretics to
the buok.'.,.'. II Ia supposed that the
Island Of Crete is honored with The
dust Of its first bishop. Gambia being
| claimed as his burial place. His name
was the battlc-cry OF the Cretnns In
| their heroic but unsuccessful resistance
| to Venetian invasion. The
picture which ST. Paul gives OF Crctan
society is'revoltlng. but he sustnins II
By quoting one of their, own authorities.
who does not hesitate to declare his fell
low ountrymrn ms invetrratc liars.
evil beasts. and slow bellies" Such
folks are not TO be reformed by insanc
platltudcs. and Sweetness and light"
The very eplstlc to their first bishop Is
tlngcd with the severity with which
they are to be dealt With. Among the
CROOKED and pcrvcrsc generation" the
apostle and his converts nre 20 "ahirc
as light" and hold forth tho Word or
Life" They nrc to give heed to the
duties OF practical, useful picty." Tho
New Testament does not contain II
moro striking portraI,are OF the idea!