The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-03
Topics in the Churches. 5
s sUNDAY-scHooL CHRISTIAN =. 3
81 ENDEAvOR WORK. -


teous reward i'm the writing OF this EpistIe
Epaphroditus sent TO Rome bearing the
greetings and gifts OF the Phfippian Church
He returned. carrying with him one of the most
precious pieces OF literature the world has ever
seen-one destined to be read in Christian con-
gresations throughout the world and for ages
The Epstle is in itself a portraiture OF the
Apostolic Church at Phippi. Letters TO other
churches contain reproof. There is not sugges-
ton or criticism. The high character and COM
parative faultlessness of the Philippian Church
may be inferred. The prominence OF women in
the church at that early date is also appsrent
While the gospel net gathered in men OF all
sorts IL seemed TO take women almost exclu-
sively of the best classes. being more accessible
In that they were STEPPED in superstition. Again.
the church at Phlirpi practically a gentle
church. Jews were decidedly in the minority
So the church was little troubled by Judaizcrs.
They were not the elements to work upon.
Steadfastness is a trait that wins in religion.
as in every other calling. Paul often exhorts to
il. But Philippians may almost be called the
Epistle Of Steadfastness. Six times in the short
letter the injunction. Stand fastl' rings like
a trumpet call. Paurs injunctions however
were not in word only but I'm deed He was as
fine an example of this sterling quality as his
tory affords.
The injunction, HELP those women is often
used in connection with the church and beneyo-
lent enterprises in which women are engaged
In the original instance however. the injunction
was more specific. 1t is, Help those women to
agree" Two OF the most prominent women OF
the Philippian Church were evidently at the
OUTS" Paul wants every means used for their
reconciliation. The conservers and restorers Of
J Christian unity have a special beatitude passed
upon them.
There are some profitable studies in words in
this paragraph. For example yoke fellow is
proper name. In this Instance there was much
in name 1t was significant of the real help
fulness OF the felow-laborer who is thought by
some to be the bishop OF PhiIippi Again in the
expression. BE careful for nothing" the word
careful has suffered a change of meaning
since the authorized version was made. Then 1t
meant anxious. prudent" The injunc-
ton with the modern sense attached to the ~ord
seems 10 counter TO practical SENSE The
true meaning can be made eviderh to the eye
by the art OF Typography; viz. care-fsll.
The first word of the paragraph illustrates the
artificial way in which the text was cut izto
| chapters. Therefore" indicates a conclusion
| from a process of reasoning. For the argument
| one must needs the chasm between the
| chapters.
This personal. familiar and arectionate letter
] Informal IL evidently is intended 10 be YET
admirably outlines the characteristics of citi-
zen OF the kingdom OF heaven. The ideal OF the
Christian is here irradiated; his traits charac-
| teristics. privilege. duty and destiny; 30 that
| Philippians makes an admirable handbook for
| the professor. Testing himself by II. he can
| find what he is. Turning IL again, he finds the
| possibilities OF attainment.