The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-06

less. 1t would be a fine service to the
world if this weeks Christian En-
deavor meeting should inspire a host
of young people to undertake the high,
hard task of mastering the Book of
Hebrews, in the New Testament canon
This is not an easy task, but easy
tasks are not what the present genera
ton needs. To master the profundi-
ties of this great bit of writing-to rise
to its Alpine heights of outIook-to
share its daring glimpses into eterni-
ty-is an intellectual and spiritual
feat better worth while than the read
ing of a hundred of the popular
modern books.
Beware of the man of one book"
runs the old adage; especially when
| that book puts a man into relations
with the Eternal
The backward look is a necessary
corrective. Nobody can think sound
ly who does not acquaint himself with
| the times that have been. A recent
magazine article upon the woman
| question has more of wholesomeness
and usefulness than the common hys-
terra upon this subject, because it
| hanks back to the women of Colonial
and Revolutionary days, and portrays
the sort of life they lived. The Book
of Hebrews recalls the Old Testament
| and its teachings. 1t summons the
| patriarchs and prophets to the help
| s
called into action for the support of
All immediate cause.
The Authorized Version. which has
| led many persons to assume that the
| titles of the books of the Bible are as
Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the He
brews.' 1t is quite generally agreed
among students of all centuries that
Paul did not write this letter. 1t is
not in his style, and it utterly ignores
the existence of Gentle Christians,
whereas Paul considered himself 1.-The
Apostle to the Gentiles." The argu-
ments against the Pauline authorship
need not be rehearSed here. The real
identity of the writer is uncertain.
Luther attributed the Epistle to Apol-
los, and many learned scholars since
support this view. Whoever wrote the
Letter, its message is one of life and
power. The work is more than the
worker. 1t is not important that a
man be credited with everything he
writes; it is important that he write
truly and bravely and wisely, SO that
his message may live long after he is
forgotten.
Because God loves the whole world.
he has not therefore ceased to care
for the Chosen People. In the new
dispensation there is a place for the
Jews. Israels salvation must always
De dear TO all VINO own the messiah
who came through David's line. The |
present-day fact that in this new
world multitudes of the younger gem
Grafton of Jews are slipping away |
from the faith of their fathers, with |
out finding any substitute, should give |
the apostle, that Israel may be saved. |
Judaism was largely type; that |
type this Letter to the Hebrews shows |
was fulfilled in Jesus, the Messiah. |
Christianity is the fruit of which /
Judaism is the root.
The widely accepted belief that this
tremendous book, while of the Pauline |
school, was written by Apollos. gives
peculiar point to Pauls declaration, I
planted, Apollos watered, but God |
gave the increase. So then neither
is he that planteth anything. neither
is he that watereth; but God that
giveth the increase
There is a new and living Way"
into that hottest place where the hu-
man meets the Divine, and that High /
Priest, this book teaches, is none other |
than the perfect intercessor, Jesus the |
crucifed.
The sore and aching heart of hui
mainly is drawn to the bruised and |
broken heart of Jesus. OF all the be-
1nSS WnOm men nave WOTSn1ppeO,
Jesus alone satisfied the craving for |
mpathetic comprehension. ''In that
he himself hath suffered, being tempt |
ed, he is ADLER to succor them that are
tempted"
Let US press on unto perfection" is
the high and daring teaching of this
Book. Life on, low levels is not Gods
plan for those who have been accept
ed in the Beloved.
How to get faith is one of the great
est problems that has ever confront
ed Christian. The BOOK of He
brews makes plain that faith comes
through the Word of God. The study
of the eleventh chapter of this Book
will do more to quicken faith than
days of earnest prayer. This cloud of
for faith convinces and in
spires even the feeblest heart. And
out. of it comes the resolution to LAY
aside every weight. and the sin which
doth easily beset us''-the sin of I'M
belief-"and let US run with patience
the race that is set before US, looking
unto Jesus. the author and perfector
of our faith The faith that begins
in Ahra ham Should end in Christ |