The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-14


Terse Comments on the Uniform
Topic for December IS: Confident
Testimony for Christ Luke 12:11,
H. Acts 4:13-3S.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
Stand up straight, and speak out
loud was the advice we used to get
from our teachers of reading. The
same is good advice for Christians
Bearing witness to the deepest CON
vtctions of ones heart should be a
cardinal principle of an honest per-
sons life- A feeble, faltering, doubt
full testimony Is about the equal of no
testimony at all. Confident, modest,
unfearing witnessto the truth is the
only sort of Christian life that brings
peace to the possessor, or help to the
world. 49,. s. --f So.
The friend that can not be counted
upon at all times, never was friend
at any time.
The mate of a Yanatze river steam
ship once summed up for me this
whole matter. 1t was far UP in the
interior of China and the burly, stern
voiced mate was walking the deck.
keeping an eye on the Chinese sailors.
Now man is not made mate of a
Chinese ship because of his ability to
make pfous remarks. Between stem
torian exhortations to the sailors the
mate and ] talked about the passen-
gers he carries, who may be broadly
classified as missionaries and mission
AIRY critics. well, IL always seemed
to me this way" remarked the mate;
''H q man has the best thing in the
world which the Christian thinks he
has, and is not willing to share it. then
] think he Is not very much of a man."
Therein the wisdom of this sailorman
saw clearly fundamental truth.
Christianity has failed to do it's pri-
mary work with a person II It has not
made him eager to share his Chris
fianity. Whoever will not bear open
witness to his faith has no faith worth
witnessing to.
A lover is forever Dragging about
his beloved. Sometimes he makes
himself a nuisance to his friends. Yet
his enthusiasm is pardonable and I'M
overfiowing. 1t is his consuming pas
sion--his meditation by day. his dream
by night. Therefore he can not resist |
revealing his joy. No more can the |
person whose life is crowded with |
Christ hide the fact from the world |
In every proper way he is bound to |
show that his deepest sentiments, of |
Joy, peace, hope and faith, are COM |
soul.
An interesting study of this book of |
Acts follows through its pages as a
holiness. Some eleven times the very |
word, in its root or derivatives, is en- |
pioyed, and, significantly, always in |
connection with bearing witness. The |
church was a prayer for holiness. The |
first record of the great Apostles |
preaching was a report Of bold testi- |
mony, or, free utterance;" the last |
record of him we have is that he CON
tinued preaching the word with bold |
ness. This great book is a story of |
conQuests because 1t is a story of cour- |
age. The church grew because it was !
- T. H. "a
bears to all time the proof that a COM
pany of Christ's friends, who testify |
fearlessly to the faith that is IN them,
are simply irresistible.
1t is a matter of common observation
that what the church needs Is not more
men, but more man. Numbers count .
for less than character. A handful of /
disciples of Jesus, faithful to the ut
termost, can accomplish more than q |
legion of nominal church members; a |
bit of Notwithstanding here would be
good for all Of US.
"What kind Of church would my church
be,
II all its members were Just like me?"
Trials are not decided by the elo-
quence of counsel, but by the testi-
mony of witnesses. The church will
win her case before the world, not be-
cause of the wisdom of her advocates,
but because of the sincerity of her wit
nesses. /
There is a kind of testimony for
Christ which is mere professionalism
"a form Of cant. Stereotyped phrases
are dead as dead. Mere conventional
ism Is as hfeless in religion as else
where. The wisdom of divine illumi-
nation is needed to make plain how
and when to speak for Christ.
Mere glibness is not the best witness.
significant silence is more
effective than a sermon. A look, an at
titude, a stern word, a gentle word
each In its own place may be the right |
testimony. No one form will serve for
all occasions.
Mr.. Moody used to say that Some
people have just enough religion to
makei them miserable" The cure for /
this 10 in an out and out religious life
Of free, frank testimony. Open avowal
of faith. deciding for Him. is the sure
pathway to peace and power in dis
The joy of the Lord is
known only to those who know the JOY |
of free. frank and fearless Witness
bearing to Him.
SEVEN SENTENCE SERMONS.
The call to religion Is not to be bet
ter than -FOUR fellows, but to be better
than OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.