The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-06-19


kew and the Orient. The affairs or the
uttermost parts of the earth are CIV
en- with the fullness and tlmeilneSs
of neighborhood news. We even tank
iauntily about establishing commun1-
cation with Mars. as if we had en-
compassed all the problems OF TINS
pIanet. and would exercise our pow
ers by reaching out to our neighoor
across millions of miles of space.
There is no doubt about the TWEEN
tfeth century mans having a wide
horizon. The important CONSIDERATION
for him is that his standpoint pc cor
rect Broad views are helpful IN the
degree that they are from right an
ole This bit of New Testament his
tory which the Sunday schools nave
been studying during recent weeks
suggests the true basis for oosmopon-
3enfsrn. which is a spirit of helpful
ness and brotherhood There IS
kind of neighborly Interest," sort OF
peeking-through-t blinds spirit
which is mere meddlesomeness and
ul-mannered impertinence- This may
not be confused with the real spirit
~ neighborliness. Only the latter
NAV be called cosmopohtanism. me
early Christian church quickly rose
above its Judean confines and became
in the fullest meaning OF the term q
catholic church.
Two Men and Their Visions
Men of whom we never. think as
having ideals above their bank DOCKS
petite, may, all unknown to US, De
first of this quarters lessons there
first of this quarters LESSONS there
appears the figure of a prominent Oh
hcer whose calling was material ana INC,
whose cares were such that probably
his soldiers thought him mere mill
tary machine. Yet Cornelius, ike
some of the great fighting men OF our
own history, lived his real ire WIN
respect to the unseen Worlu' oAo"n
ing we'll says:
%God be thanked, the meanest OF MS
creatures
Has two soul-sides; one to face the
world with,
And the other to show woman WHEN
he loves her.
when Captain Cornelius was pre-
sumably engrossed in affairs or the
barracks he was really seeing Wis
ion an angel of God promising MIN
fuller message concerning spiritual
truth from the Apostle Peter A de-
vout soldier was sent post haste 70
Jappa to bring thither THIS man VI
God. -.- e..4,,
Helpers are helped. The giver gets.
The bestower is blessed. Peter In MS
service was himself shown VISION.
AS part of his equipment to answer
A. ca11 Of Cornelius the great apos-
tie was shown the figure OF the VesSei
full of living creatures, and taught
that naught that God has made is TO
be called unclean. That DIT OF per
nelius broadened his own horizon and
made him sensible of the truth taught
long before by the Good Shepheru'
that Gods sheep are not all IN the
Jewish fold. The visions of the cen
furion and of the apostle practically
svnchronized. Gods clocks always
strike together. He who rules over
ALL prepares the worker and the
work. His spirit IS on the helo as as D Uetl
as in the force. He made ready FeL-
er and he made ready Cornelius, each
unknown to the other; and only this
mysterious spiritual preparation from
above justifies the expectation or sue
cess in religious work.
The Prison and Prayer.
A few weeks ago a woman who had
teen sent to prison for the crime OF
Kidnapping was loudly calling on COO
for assistance Her ideas were OF the
vague and flabby kind wh1cn nave no
respect to God in the day OF action.
and turn to him only in the hour or
need. The offender against Gods law
may not invoke Gods power to prevent
&c to prison for righteousness sake can
take God with them. or find radiant
angel in their prison cells Others, pen1-
tent, it is true, may learn to know
him, even within rrison walls; but 1t IS
to such as Peter, who was sent to prison
by Herod for preaching the Name, that
Gods angels come. Peter In prison
was happier than Herod in his palace.
IhGre
self that can shut disciple off from
the fellowship with his Lord, which Is
lifes richest reward.
Christians should stand together and
behind one another. 1t was rather stir
ring to note, several months ago, when
a member of a Philadelphia church
was arrested on suspicion of crime,
that his fellow church members, instead
of INDUCING in uncharitable suspicion,
got together and sent him letter of
love and encouragement, and stood to-
gether by him until the court had ac-
quilted him OF the charge. That Is the
apostolic way OF doing things. While
Peter was in prison the church united
all its spiritual forces, and continued in
earnest prayer for his relief. That Is
the sort of prayer which God hears
prayer meeting had not broken up be-
fore Peter, released by an angel, stood
knocking without at the door.
The mysterious spiritual forces which
1t seems that the mind of men can af-
feet in this material realm. and the
profound spiritual forces which prayer
unleashes in Gods universe, should
ever be employed in offices of sympa-
thy and service. Wherever Gods peo-
pie are in need because of Gods name,
thither should hasten the prayers and
loving fellowship of all who bear the
Name. The missionaries on trial in
the Congo for bearing witness to the
truth, the disciples in Asia Minor per
secuted for their faith. the native
Christians in many heather lands who
must pay price for their discipleship
ali should be the object of the tender
est solicitude of the entire church of
the world.
A History-Mal1ing Man.
Good times are ushered in by good
men. When God wants 20 do big things
in the world he brings on the scene
of action some great spirited men. Thus
we find the Apostle Paul appearing in
the history of the apostolic church. 1t
has been of tonic effect for the Sunday
schools to- be brought into association
with Paul and with Peter and their
falloR- Workers All of Us are inclined