The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-04-20
INTERNATIONAL S. S IESS0N
The centuTiOn's Servant Healed.
April e, 60. Luke yL. DO.

4Ao SsuIu1lou's servant Healed.
There lay Capernaum. projecting Into
the blue depths OF Tiberias. It's 6asalt-
built houses standing in relief against a
deeD-green background. It's quays firing
ed with shipping. What a hum OF art
and tranc! What greed OF power. gain.
and pleasure! Religion? There is none
save that Of phlacteries and fringes-sa
eccaesiasticism fast losing grip upon Its
own, and failing in any considerable
extent TO command respect Of foreign-
ers. 4. But in this night Of lrrelig-
ion. tn this most unexpected place, a ce-
reus OF faith outbursts in radiant bloom.
IN the garrison, a prOYerb OF dlsalpa-
ton! In the commandments quarters.
characterized by imperial hauteur, il
found humane, humble, benevolent
believing soul, the moral beauty Of
which causes an ejaculation OF sur
prise and admiration from Jesus lips.
The pleus spirit OF the centurf-
on Is feeling after God IL haply he may
lind Him. He Is ready to discard his
own wornout religion for better faith.
He overcomes that strongest OF pas
sions, the racial prejudice. He is ready
to sit down with these hook-nosed. div
skinned Jews, and scan their musty
rolls, II only there he may find the way
OF lie, increasing wealth has not made
n nlggard OF him. He builds these serfs
OF his emperor q synagogue, the chlsel-
ed marbles of which, lately uncovered.
prove 1t one of the most beautiful and
costly ever erected. Trained In the
cruel art Of war. yet he can not see his
slave suffer without compunction. So
far is he above the Roman spirit which
esteems a slave thing rather than a
man. He displays remarka-
Die appreciation Of the character OF
Jesus. Heis not offended at his humble
origin. He makes no dlsparagInr olIu-
sion TO Nazareth. He believes the Mas
ter's power may have an extra-Israellt-
'ish display; can be exercised even upon
n heathen's drudge. Overwhelmed with
n consciousness of unworthlness. he
prefers his request by proxy, not in
person Seeing the Master approach.
he sends another deputatlon TO Him In
haste. Aware Of the Hebrew idens OF
ceremonial pollution, he will not suffer
the rabbi to such danger by asking Him
to enter a Gentle home, especially as
there Is no need. Jesus, too, is an lmpe-
rial commander. At his order disease
will depart and health will come. No
wonder Jesus pRnegyriZes such faith,
He hastens to embalm 1t in his praise.
He eulogizes 1t. Considering Its source,
Its degree. its environment. II Is un-
matched by any descendant OF him who
bore the name Of "Father Of the Faith
full"
The Teachers Lantern.
The centurion's heart was good
ground. He was above prejudice. Open
to conviction, evidence had full weight
with him. So far as he knew. Jesus had
never declined an application. This
encouraged him, though not of the ia
vored race, to make his appeal. Would
that the same Ingenious mind were In
adj! There is no reservoir OF
healing and cleansing power some
where In the universe. vaguely connect
ed with the viii of God. on which one
may draw without personal action on
Gods part in response. The power to
help us is a power held In the heart Of
God. and sent forth to us alone as II
there were none other I'm the universe at
that instant needing help.-Packard.
In the instance Of the centurion
the word faith" is used for the first
time in the New Testament. He is the
FIRST heather admitted to the kingdom.
Jesus avails himself Of the opportunity
to enunciate fundamental principle.
In the kingdom contaminated, In Its tri-
umphaRt state, Il Is not sacred lineage
or ceremonial righteousness which will
give admission. but Faith. BY this door
many from far east and far west shall
enter and sit down with the WORTHLESS Of
oIden time at the banquet of redemption
"a prophecy marvelously fulfilling in
our very day