The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-18

literature its history ana
* poetry and philosophy We're
handed down. by word OF
mouth, in story form. Sun
the story survives as the most
effective method of instruction The
peerless Teacher. OF whom it was said
''Never man sDake like this man.
made constant use Of stories as vehicles
Of Great truths
Two of these stories, or parallels, are
the present Sunday school lesson. one
tells of the unjust judge, who would
not adjudicate poor widows case
fairly, until by her continual coming
she wearied him into granting her
rights. The other is the familiar story
OF the proud Pharisee who made
public prayer that only cloaked his
own boastfulness, and Of the humble
publican who. abashed. could only cry
"God be merciful to me a sinner"
Both stories teach fundamental prin-
ciples of prevailing prayer.
ssSticking Everlastingly at It."
Press any figure of speech too far
and it becomes useless. This parable
of the Judge and the widow does not
amply in all particulars: for God is not
an unjust judge. Jesus did not mean
to compare his Father with the judge
I'm the story. but to contrast him. The
parable has one point, and one only;
the need Of importantly in prayer. This
was the lesson of the incident of the
Syro-PhOenician woman It was the
teaching to the disciples that followed
INN ediately after the giving of the
Model Prayer. as illustrated by the
story of the man in need of bread who
came to his friend at midnight.
Perseverance prevails in prayer. as
in everything else. The man who seeks
the hand of a woman in marriage gen
orally wins her eventually. If he wants
her eagerly enough to keep on with
his suit, despite all refusals and OBJ
stacles. All barriers a last fail before
the resolute soul. Even God will not
withhold desirable gifts from the heart
that viii not let 60 until it secures its
boon. This does not mean that the
Father in heaven is grudging Giver;
far from it.
AS Phillips Brooks said. PRAYER is
not the conquering of Gods reluctance.
but the taking hold of his willingness -
He wants to bestow his bounty: but he
loves the recipient so greatly that he de-
sires for him the spirit that is better
than any material gift. The asking at
tltude on the part of the Christian Is
more to be coveted than the particular
boon desired Therefore they have not
learned to pray aright who have no
learned to pray without ceaSirg." Nc
prayer is unanswered so long as one
keeps on praying. Some times, like the
prosecuted Jews in Russia men cry
How long. o Lordi How longl~ until
their spirits stagger from fai0tness.
which cry to him day and night?" His
ways are not mans ways and his
thoughts not mans thoughts. In his
own time he will fulfill his word, as he
always has in the past
A Deep Question.
San Francisco is rising from it's ruins
not because the continent has rushed
relief trains by the hundreds. but be-
cause in the hearts of the people of the
city dwells a dauntless faith. The swift
work of rehabilitation that is now un-
der way is a monument to faith. The
almost delphic question with which
Jesus concluded his para BILE of the un-
just judge is, 'Howbeit, when the Sor
of Man cometh, shall he find faith or
the earth?"
That is what God is ever looking for
faith; faith that holds out and holds on
faith that lives. despite falling walls ant
crashing disaster and impenetrab BILE mid
night. One cannot read the New Tesla
ment without being struck by the con
slant recurrence of the doctrine of tn
supremacy Of faith THE just shal
live By faith whatsoever beheveth o.
Him has eternal life" It is not wealth
or position, or brilliance, or knowledge
or ingenuity. or power that wins tn
favor Of heaven. but faith, which is a
possible to the poor man in his povert
as to the wise man in his study. Lik
the Mammoth Cave Of Kentucky tn
subject is one that expands and ramif1e
as one goes into it: little thought wi
show that it is faith in man, faith /
truth. faith in laws, that makes tn
world a livable place.
The Man Who Brags of His Religion
The blunt man in the White Hous
is not so plain Of speech as was tn
rabbi from GaIiIee. unprotected by an
place of power, who confronted tn
vested interests of his time, and tn
most powerful classes, with stingin
words of SCoTr and rpnrpbaffo7
dominant men in Jewry were tn
Pharisees, yet they We're the peopl
upon whom Jesus oftenest poured GU
the walls of his condemnat ton. Til
parable Of the Pharisee and the Publ