The Washington times., 1903-05-02

ten becomes a fanatic and is not suscep-
tible of reasoning. How many crimes
in the history OF the world can be laid
at the door OF blind bigotry and cruel
fanatieism! Religious people as well as
others must be sure they are right be-
fore they 60 ahead Suspicion i. not
certainty. Superstition is not proof.
Conjecture is not fact. Zeal. not &C
ccrding to knowledge. IS not piety. Per-
secution is not righteousness Preju-
dice is not principle
Party spirit often does as much mis-
chief in the moral world as 3 cyclone
does in the physical world Mems repu-
tations and means OF livelihood are ia
ken away from them often on mere in
ference as to their thoughts and deeds.
So gossip and Islander often do much
harm. Society often imputes wrong mo-
tives to- and misiudges, even the best
OF deeds. Men often attempt to defend
the cause OF righteousness in the most
righteous ways, establish religion by
the most irrelisious means, serve
Christ in the most unchristinnly spirit.
Gods work can never be well done by
the DEVILS methods"
THE FAITHFUL CAPTAIN.
The cry of the Asiatic Jewish enemies
of Paul soon brought together a great
concourse OF people. They seized Paul
and dragged him out of the court OF the
temple where it was considered unIaw-
full 10 kill a man. The gate called Beau
tiful," sixty feet high, was shut behind
him. Then the crowd prepared to kill
Paul. The cry OF help" by those who
found Paul in the temple was like a
match brought near a tank of petroleum.
The festivals were always dangerous
49, ~ n
then" They excited the mob, and began
to rain blows upon him. There must
have been great noise and confusion ut
the time. But God has providentially the
means OF rescue for his servants ut hand.
Pauls time to die had no, come.
Hearing of the uproar in the temple
Enclosure, the Roman captain of the
guard, whose duty 1t was to keep order
! In Jerusalem, came rapidly with a de-
tachment OF soldiers from his headouar-
tiers in the tower OF Antonio which over
! looked the temple grounds, and arrested
Paul and Quieted for while the fanat-
! les We pay our tribute of respect to
| this Roman captain. He did his duty
| we'll. We can learn a lesson of faith
| fulness to the responsibilities Of ones
| ONCE and business from him. He stood
for law and Justice These he defended
! He did not exactly understand Paul.
| How could he, being only a heather
| Nor did he understand the Jews. He
was neither Jew nor Christian, but ne
was a man. and We must admire man.
| hood wherever We find it. He saved
Paul's life by his faithfulness to duty.
PAUL'S DESIRE TO SPEAK.
| Paul was bound by Two chains to two
| soldiers and led and even carried UP
toward the tower steps. the bowling
mob following close behind. The scene
around Pilates court was re-enacted.
Paul on the steps before the castle door.
! asks leave OF the captain TO speak to
! his angry fellow countrynlel. What
| composure had this mani Composure
born OF faith in Christ and love of God
and men. He desired TO speak not in
| order to hurl maledictions at the heads
of his pursuers. but to tell them the
story OF mis- conversion that would do
them good. Paul saw so much in Christ
/ that he spoke of him and for him IN
nearly every crisis of his Christian life.