The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-03-11
EPwoRTFI LEAGUE.
March 20. Little Things Mad
Great"--I Cor. 1, $500.

March 2Os Little Tn1mRB NA00G
Great."--I Cor. i, $500.
"God chose the weak things of the
worid that He might put to shame
the things that are strong"
Paul had heard that there were
cliques forming in the church at Cor
NTH. This church was made up of
most diverse elements. 1t was situated
in a commercial metropolis and nat
urally attracted people from all parts
of the world and of most varied occu-
pations, traits of character and habits.
Greeks in large numbers were there
resident and, being SO near Athens,
would be Influenced by the views and
practices of that most cultured OF
Greek cities The temples of Corinth
were noted throughout the east for
their wealth, luxury and RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Jews and gentiles Mingled OH the
streets almost as promiscuously as in
Rome itself, and all the social prob
lens which could arise in such COM
pick condition of society seem to have
come to the surface in the life Of the
early Christian community. Some of
these appear to have been referred to
the Judgment of Paul, the founder OF
the church, for his advice. His an
swers are in the two letters which form
the Epistles to the Corinthians in the
New Testament.
The origin Of the little circles or
groups into which the church was fast
dividing seems to have been in the diff
ferent views held by the leading Chris
tan teachers on some points of belief
and practice. Some claimed to be
Paulists. others Apollusites, Peterites
or Christites.
Paul corrects this tendency to schism
by declaring Jesus to be the only Saw
Jour and all others are co-workers to
establish His kingdom. He reveals the
double tendency Of human nature as
displayed in Jewish and Greek national
traits Of mind and shows how God has
in the gospel Of Jesus Christ met and
answered the questions and needs of
universal human nature and provided
world Redeemer; all of this in far
simpler manner than any one could
have imagined possible and by this
simplicity forever reaching all human
need. The Jews and orientals in gen
eral, particularly those of Semitic race,
are attracted by the wonderful in reli-
gion. Signs, prodigies and frances are
valued as sure evidences of divine rev.
citation. They looked for a Messiah
who should be world conquering hero
and by miraculous powers overcome all
enemies. The supernatural ever ap-
pealed to them. All nature was man
Hesitation Of Jehovah's power, but the
unusual displayed it most convincingly.
The Greeks were religious In diff
ferent way. The reason was most en-
phasized with them. They had far less
Of the mystical and more of intellectual
habits of mind.
Jesus performed prodigies, and yet 30
differently from what the Jews expect
ed that crucifixion resulted. Then came
resurrection, the most wonderful sign
that all the ages have seen. But Mes
siah crucified was and is to the Jews
a stumbling block and rock of offense.
To the Greeks this same story of 'the
cross" is the height of unwisdom, and
its proclamation is folly. So it remains
to the present time to two great classes
of people.
But to those who accept the Crucifed
One and are transformed in soul pur-
poses and feel the impulse of new life
He becomes power Of God and wisdom
of God. The truth is simplicity itself, but
reveals depths Of divine grace and glory
beyond all imagination.