The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-10-09

sent, lest I should seem to be forcing IL
service which YOU had not freely an
lhorIze." He felt that no Christian gen
tleman must presume OIL the fricnus!i'p
OF another, IN tho disregard Of the sn,ai <
f. est right.
But will Oncslnlus agree with hls teach-
orr In this Interpretation Of Christian
duty?t I Free In Rome. will ne consent 10
return 4 to Colossian slavery? me nero
said ii will go: I will make the sactllice
A glory shines forever on the pathWay
Of tho returning slave. Before piddlns
him farewell 1':.u had sprung great
hope In his heart and hid committed
this sacred letter to his hands 20 20 de-
livered to Philemon. Oncsmus knew its
contents.
Tactful dclicacy In adjusting broken
relations never received finer lllustrn-
ton. paul valves his apostolic author
IT'S. / might command YOU. says he to
Philemon, but do not. I know your
Christian character, so prefcrto boz
sc cch you. In the case which present.
trust to the operation Of your Christian
principle l entreat as favor 70 myselt
that you take back this man who has
Injured and deserted YOU. fIc comes to
YOU in new relation. There IS q provl-
dence In his deserton. In this new rela-
ton he returns to you mn age-abiding.
eternal possession. Roman law gives you
title to him as slave, but the grace OF
God bestows him on you as brother.
I send him back, not to be punished us
a. slave but to be loved as q fellow
disciple Of Jesus Christ. Heretofore he
has Boiled his name, which means pro
5fitable;'' henceforth he will fulfill all Its
meaning.
Hints at Liberation.
s$ ask this as a favor. and believe you
Will even 20 beyond what ! ask. Does
the APOSTLE hint at the liberation of
Onesimus? He does not ask that, and
vet ne dellcatcly and remotely hints 1t.
Let us hope that the generous Philemon
went even so far. There Is pathos IN
the appeal that gives 1t almost ire
sistible force 1t comes from Paul, the.
aced, the prisoner, the old pastor and
friend; is couched In terms so tender
and brenthcs such an air OF trustful
expectancy.
Could there be a more noble and un-
condescendlng isterest In the Iowly? This
slave was white man. Had he been
black, 1t would not have made any diff
ference in the treatment received. The
true gentleman is seen In his dealings
with those not his equal Is rank.
This poor slave was treated with 'dtstin-
guished consideration, with the gentle
courtesy uuc " q ~ A'SS'
ennobled him to Paul. In the gospel he
said, This man Is my child and my broth
or. In the Kingdom OF God he Is the
equal OF Paul or Philemon. In the letter
he says to Philemon, II yield him as my
own heart to thee. Receive him as you
would receive me. your felow-laborer In
the gospel We are now to touch an
other note OF exquisite courtesy. II he
has despoled you Of your goods, says
Paul, T will 90 his security for restitu-
ton. will pay all; I sign my name to
the bond. No effort Is made to excuse
or palllatc the servants misdeeds. but
the most ingenious method Is used to
touch Philemon's heart and to open the
fountains Of his generosity. One other
stroke Of sacred diplomacy closes the
eloquent appeal: Prepare to receive
visit from me-. for I hope In answer to
your prayers shall be released and per-
nitted to visit YOU What Christian
man could withstand tho request OF
letter like this? Who but the lofticst
type of gentleman could lave ndited It?
Can any man conceive OF a more potcn-
tal form Of appeal to the ordinary human
heart?
Paul the aged, was a Christian gen
tleman, rarely approached, never excelled.
and whom all true brethren revercd and
loved He got his ideals and inspirations
from the Man of Nazareth, whence all
may as freely draw If we will.