The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-03-10
March Ia. Eneas and Dorcas. Ac

March ID. Eneas and Dorcas. Acts
9:31-43.
The beginning verses of this chap
ter tell of the wonderful conversion
of Saul from violent prosecutor of
the Christians, and hater of Jesus,
to being the greatest preacher of Jesus
after the Master Himself. This inn
portant matter is passed over at this
time. and our lesson takes up more Of
the history of Peter. The account
takes US to two cities of Palestine at
that time, LYDIA and Joppa. Joppa
is yet an important seaport town.
1t is the first station on a railroad
connecting it with Jerusalem and thus
much visited by tourists.
The lesson verses relate of the
healing at LYDIA of a man named
Eneas who had been bedfast for eight
years. Peter said to him. "Jesus
Christ maketh thee whole. arise, and
make they bed" The man arose
and as result Of the miracle nany
turned to be Christians in that locsli-
ty. Peter was next called to Joppa
by the death of q goodly woman
named Dorcas. 1t is said of her that
she "was full of good works and
almsdeeds which she did, When
Peter came to her home he was
shown the coats and garments she
had made, and found much real grief
over her death. PETERS heart was
stirred and he decided to bring her
to lite again. He prayed and then
called on her to arise. She opened
her eyes. sat up. and lived again. On
this miracle being known many be-
lieved on the new religion.
We would make practical thought
from this lesson of two things: first,
the blessing which christianity has
been in alleviating human suffering,
and the successes it has had thereby.
and second, the beautiful character of
Dorcas. The blessed Jesus with truth
said, "By their fruits We shall know
them.'' and by this standard the re-
ligion of the bible asks to ne judged.
A look into the condition of the sick
and unfortunate in lands where the
religion of Christ is not known shows
q most revolving sight. Those who
are not we'll and strong are neglected
and left to waste away with little OF
no care. The sick receive practically
no nursing. the treatment from the
supposed doctors is barbarous. The
child widows of India. the killing Of
girl babies in China, the terrible
fueds between tribes and families and
little value to life where the follow
ers of Mohamet hold sway, condemn
with great force the religions which
permit these things. The coming of
the religion of Jesus has everywhere
tended to uplift the girls and women.
bring comfort and nursing to the sick,
humane treatment for the unfortunate.
high ideals for the present living.
The most successful missionaries fol
esus now, are those who have knuwl.
edge of medicine and can help to cure
the bodily ailments of the people
about them. Thus both in the times
of the Apostles Peter and Paul, anc
now,' the teachers and preachers Of
the gospel for Jesus the Christ. ar.
able to bring relief from much bodily
distress and to teach those thing:
which make men and women better il
every way. Therefore judged by its
fruits. Christianity is real and shows
every evidence of having supernatural
or Divine power behind, and in it.
The beautiful christian character
of Dorcas has made her name stant
the world about for ideal womanhood
She was full of good works. char
liable to the poor and unfortunate
made garments for them. was indus
trious, and so impressed the peopl
about her of her righteousness, tina
they hurried to beseech Peter to re
store her to life, mourned over he
death. recounting her good deeds. St
Paul says in Col. 10 that christian
should walk worthy of the Lord. an
be fruitful in good works; in l Thes
Ash he says they should work wit
their own hands: in Tim. $40, tina
a true woman should be reported fc
her good works, have brought up he
children, lodged strangers, relieve
the afflicted, been dlligent in ever
good work. James l ~ says tina
pure religion means that one visit tn
fatherless and widows in their afflit
tions and be unspotted from tt
world. James further says that fait
without works is dead. Thereto,
may the lesson teach all to patte1
after Dorcas, in good works and
remember that he who seeth h
brother have need and shutteth up h
compassion from him. does not ha'
the true spirit of Christ.