Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-10
prayfalness dispeis care

seipfnaness is Christlike.
?rasfalness dispels care
Rlght thinking should mad TO right
dong
historical Background Time. A. p.
z-8 The epistie to the Philippian
-snrch was written by Paul IN the Greek
language while he was prisoner In
Rome in his own hired house, manacled
60 Roman soldier.
rbe oeeasion- The church at Philippi
II Macedonia, which was the first Chris
t.sn church to spring w "a. D. 1t} on The
ssII Of Europe, and which occurred at
Inc time of Raul's' missionary visit, was
al1Elrch especially dear to Paul, and TO
yhom Paul was especially dear. It was
almost purely Gentle church. While
l2eul was g prisoner in Rome it made
70 2 gift for him and sent il to him By
ne hand OF Epaphroditus, who in re-
f,-1 10 express his gratitude to his bene-
actors and 10 give them some instruc-
don and comfort in the Christian life.
zr6te them this letter which is q kind
Of transcript Of his soul and faith. II is
almost an autobiography. full Of PauTs
hest self THE great apostle, ever
;e.f-suf8cient, vas nevertheless one Of
lie most tender and affectionate of men.
we are not surprised then, at finding the
spostle's letter to the Philippians
sDcunds with personal messages. shows
loving solicitude Cor individuals and re-
reals more than his writings ordinarily
40, the circumstances and conditions Of
The writer
The Philippian church seems to have
understood the heart and purpose of
Pau! in q peculiar way.
FACTS OF THE LESSON.
Central Theme: Ideals Of the Chris
ian Life.
Golden Text: Rejoice N the Lord al
way
Ny brethren, beloved and Ionsed for,
ny jog and crown. SO stand fast in the
Lord. exhoTt Euodia and exhort
synteche, to be Of the same mind in the
Lord Help these women, for they
iabored with me in the. Gospel and
he rest Of my fellow-wovkers. whose
names are IN the book Of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Let
Jour forbear rance be known. unto ell men
IN nothing be anxious; but in
everything by prayer and. supplication
rith thanksgiving let your requests be
made known unto God. And the peace OF
shall guard your hearts and your
thoughts in Christ Jesus. Finally. bretf-
tea whatsoever things are true. whatso-
sver things are Just whatsoever things
.re pure; whatsoever things are lovely:
whatsoever things are OF good report,
if there be any virtue, II there be any
praise think on these things. The things
which We bott. learned and received and
heard and saw in me, these things do;
and the God of peace shall be with you.
l have learned in whatever state 4
Z an, therein, to be content@ l can
do ali things IN Hin, that straightforward
ne.
A PASTORS CROWN OF JOY.
The shepherd Of souls JOY and reward
comes from the knowledge of the fidelity
and advancement of those he ministers
10. Paul was well pleased witt. the
church al Pbiiippi- He seems to have
delighted 10 lavish the wealth OF his
great heart upon It. He seems to have
considered the. condition OF the church at
Philippi SIS worthy OF all the pain and
toil that II had cost him under the bless
Ing of God to establish 1t. This church
teens 10 have been one OF the purest.
he most orthodox, the most faultless,
sHd the most enterprising Of the early
churches. II, TOO. was devoted to Paul,
Il reciprocatsd his affection. It felt for
him in his trials. privations. dangers,
and tolls. It understood him. which is
icve's greatest source OF joy To be
lifted up by love. to become JOY and
crown 10 another-thai is exaltaiicn, and
eZultation indeed.
PAUL,S OPTIMISM.
No man was ever more practical. yet
more optimistic than Paul. His optimism
was the crest OF the wave OF his mighty
faith in Jesus Christ and his Gospel. 1t
vas Panlts love for Christ that made
hin SO hopeful, SO cheerful, so well poised
IN the midst of every disaster. His soul
continually sung a jubilate to God. There
were no dark sides to the providences or
Coo in Paui's conception of things. His
faith was embodied in this sentence:
AN things work together for good to I
chose that love Cod
PAUL'S IDEALS OF LIFE.
First there Is steadfastness. There can |
30 no great character where there is
no steadfastness in purpose disposition.
and undertaking.. LET him that hattrf
PUT his hand to the pillow not look back,
IS the essence OF the spirit Of steadfast-
ness III Is a far-off echo Of the great |
Christian appeal. ..If We. love Me keep |
My commandments" Give Ne stead
iaSt man. He is not driven about by
every wind 4of doctrine. like leaf In a |
storm. Get q footnold on some single !
one of the great truths of life and stand |
there. inamoyab!e. invincibie."
Then there Is the great duty or keep
trg the peace in right things with our /
sellow-r1en. BE of the same mind In the I
Lord" gays Paul TO two ,quarreling wo-
men In the church al Philippi. They (
%ere good women. but they were not /
GOOD 10 each other. 5ust at this time. t
For the Masters sake Christfs servants
should not fall out with one another
unless they are conscious that the Mas. /
Ter approves. Nothing paralyzes Chris /
IAN work more surely than chickering's /
among the workers.
Paul left tito the consciences OF Euodia !
and Syntyche TO promote harmony in the |
Lord in the Philippiani church. He calls /
on ali the other members to endeavor I