The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-02-13
BY WILLIAM t. ELLIS.

BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS
Times have changed since the apos-
ties went to jail for naming the Name
So have the problems of Christianity
In that earlier day the problems OF re-
ugfon were chiefly from without They
arose from the hostility of the big
world Men suspected and feared this
new religion They hated the gentle
Christians. often for their very good
ness Frequently jealousy was the ami
mus OF their opposition and perseeu-
ton, as in the instance that is being
studied this week by the sunday
schools. Al TINS outward oppo es ION
but served to solfdify the body OF be
levers. and to intensity their faith IN
Now the church's problems chiefly
arise from within They are problems
due to her own wealth. and social
standing, and widespread power. ana
self Indulgence, and WOrldIneSS, ana
inert self competency The Christians
of the twentieth century have to meet
subtler and more difficult foes than the
raging. jealous PhariseeS who threw
the apostles into Jail shortly after
Pentecost
Evidently, problems of some kind
must engage the vigilance and faith
and courage of the church to the END
of the chapter Perhaps it IS a trioute
to ner advanced powers tnat IneSS
more delicate and difficult foes should
beset her in the latter days, rather
than the simpler and more primitive
When Good Men Grow Jealous.
Like more than one of the stories OF
the news columns of todays paper
this episode had its springs in some
body's jealousy. The most aristocratlc
and ROwerfu1 and professional reIi-
gieus men among the Jews were Jeal-
Gus of the humbeI Galilean band who
were the leaders of the new Church
that good men should be jealous OF
other good men, who are engaged IN
nothing but beneicent work Alas:
do not have TO go back TO oLd
Jerusalem 10 find this spectacle The
church. as well as the world. is sTnIt-
ten with it in our own time
One whose work brings into contact
with leaders in Christian effort is sad
dened at heart by the spectacle OF the
jealousy which may be round IN
higher ranks of Christian activity out
of this passion spring actions which
run counter to all the teachings OF
religion. Truly has jealousy been
called & blind passion, for II closes the
eyes of men to all the Obligations OF
their higher. finer nature A leader in
religion politics, society business. or
the stage viii stoop to actions, when
prompted by Jealousy, which ne could
not in sane moment cOnIenp late
without horror. It was very low that
these distinguished doctors OF the law
sank when they allowed their Jealousy
to cause them to violate the law tney
taught. and TO put in bond the follow
erS of Jesus.
When Prison Doors Are Vain
No prison can hold a free spirit Time
after time, in historic instances, the
great and the progressive have been
thrust into dungeons; but the truth
which they taught has never been i'm
rrisoued. The very act OF attempting
to coufine it seems to strengthen It's
opinions and make it soar more widely,
even as aJ1tocratic Russia is finding to-
day Whoever goes into bond or en-
dures persecution for the truths sake,
thereby becomes special charge OF
Jehovah whose other name Is Truth
cod will either take such a one out of
iaiI. or so increase his power in jail
that the Imprisonment viii De an act OF
service to the cause of truth.
In the case Of the lowly band or apos-
ties who are thrust into the common
urfsou of the temple. the doors were
opened. and they were led out by an
angel of the Lord They were instruct
ed TO do an audacious deed; such, how
ever as we have learned to expect
from these fearless men Go, SAID
the angel and take your stand IN the
temple courts and tell the people al you
have to say about the New Life" OF
course this was risking repeated ar
rest with added penalty for having de-
fie1l the authorities. The event proved,
however, that the very noldness OF the
stem meant the liberty of the prisoners
Moreover, when men need to hear or
Life and other men have the words OF
Life nothing-absolutely nothtng-may
-
Iatterss declaring, in season and out of
season, their Good News
Who Was Scared?
I once saw a DowIeite preaching upon
a street corner, in defiance of direct
instructions from the police authorities,
ana he was constantly looking over his
shoulder for the expected policeman Do
Won suppose that that is the way the
apostles spoke. furtively glancing around
every moment 10 see If some one was
coming to arres- them2 Were they
scared by their own temerity. as well as
nv the prospect OF added punishment
Ass1redIy not Probably they gave no
further thought to the authorities, SO
engrossed were they in delivering to-
the ever-eager crowds the message of
Life.
oA7cfaIs and administrators OF the law.
They did send to arrest the apostles. but
their specific instructions to the police
were that it was to be done quietly and