Evening journal., 1909-11-20

st. Paurs brief story OF his life noted
In this study was written from Mace
donna, A. d.. 81 before tho occurrences
noted IN our recent studios He gives us
various facts recorded In the Book Of
Acts. An opponent might criticize his re-
citation OF trying experiences and faith
victories and might claim that modosty
on the Apostles part should have hind
cred such an euiogistic account OF his own
exploits. However, the Church at Corinth
and all OF God''s people since nave cause
for thankfulness that the account was
given. 1t was the Apostles defense, moi
merely Of himself. but specially defense
OF the doctrines Of Christ. which he, a.
the Lords mouthpiece. had been used e
declare. In Gods order he was the Leader
in the presentation OF Christian doctrine
then, as no has been since. His expositions
were opposed by false teachers and pseu-
do apostles. as well Rs by ''would-be
teachers"
The Apostle was thus obliged TO con-
tend with foes outside and inside the
Church and only the Divine power SEEM
ingly could have sustained him in so un-
equal a contest. He had spent more than
year at Corlnth. planting tho seeds OF
Truth and establishing believers there,
while encouraging other little groups Of
the Lords people IN various quarters by
messages and epistles. Tho work flourish
ed and tho Adversary was permitted OF
the Lord to stir up opposition both exter-
nal and internal. Internally false brethren
had made various charges against ST.
Paul They opposed some OF his teachings.
They denied that he was an Apostle any
more than themselves. They urged that
he erred In teaching that circumcision
was unnecessary TO the Gentiles; that his
teachings were not fixed and consistent
/ e Cor. l.iO; that he was given 70 self.
commentator e Cor. 3l,5l2; 1873 THAI
he assumed authority to which he wa'
not entitled Cor. io.H
They charged that he was unpatrioti'
and had fallen away from the faith &
Cor. li:22: that he was not Christs ser
want at all C Cor. 1877: n:20; that HI
had falsely assumed to be one OF the am
bassadors OF Christ e Cor. 1i.b: i2:lD
that he could show no proofs Of his claim
ed apostleship; that unlike the twelve h
had never known Christ personally; tha
his witness was secondhand and not a.
rect like that OF the others.
Il does not surprise us TO learn tha
these false teachers confused the Churcl
at Corinth and that splits, factions, sects
parties, resulted-some saying, am o.
Paul; others, 1 am Of Apollos; others,
am for Peter, etc. They reproached st
Paul for having worked at his trade and
received gifts from Macedonia G Cor. II
2-lo). claiming that he should have urged
his needs upon the Corinthians. They In
situated that the collections taken foI
the poor at Jerusalem we're probably II
part. at least, for himself. e Cor. i2;l6.
They even asked II It were certain thai
he was a Hebrew at all--of pure blood
II he were not q Gentle IN whole or ir
part. e Cor. il-22)
These wicked arrows, even bitter words
must have wounded deeply, painfully
one so sensitive as the Apostle, especially
as they came from erstwhile friends, fol
whom he had been willing to suffer th'
J ioss OF all things But this second episu'
To- the Corinthians was not written w
may be sure. in self-defense merely ou
chiefly in the defense OF tho liu'' DC
cause II he were personally discredite'
the truths which he represented and III
Lord himself and his glorious Plan woul'
be proportionately discredited.
81. Paul was not alone IN these peril
from false brethren and the world Il
the psst Socrates. Calvin, Wesley Wash
! inrton, Savonaroia, Lincoln. Grant, al
Of them had their traducers. slanderers
) vfliners. Bishop Phillips Brooks in reeen
years had severe experiences along thi
, line which led him to write these line
respecting himself;
"And this is then the way he looks.
This tiresome creature. Phillips Brooks
No wonder II tits thus he looks.
The Church has doubts Of Phillip
Brooksi
, Well, II he knows himself, he'll try
To give those doubtful looks the lie
! He dares not promise, but viii seek
Even as bishop 70 h- meek.