The Washington herald., 1909-02-13
Church Problems. Old and New.

Church Problems, Otd ana new.
February D-~The Apostles Imprisnsd." Acts.
VIE
Times have changed since the apostles
went 10 jail for naming the Name So
have the problems Of Christianity. In
that earlier day the problems Of religion
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 goodness. Frequently
Jealousy was the animus Of their opposi-
ton and persecution. as in the instance
that is being studied this week by the
Sunday schools All this outward oppO-
sition but served 10 solidify the body OF
believers and 10 intensity their faith IN
their Gospel.
Vow the chuTch's problems chiefly arise
from within. They are problems due 10
her own wealth and social standing and
widespread power and seIf-indulgence
and worldliness and inert self-compla-
cency. The Christians Of the twentieth
century have 10 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 cour-
age Of the church 10 the end Of the chap
ter. Perhaps IL Is a tribute 10 her ad-
vanced powers that these more delicate
and difficult foes should beset her in the
latter DAYS. rather than the simpler and
more primitive ones that harTied the
apostolic church.
WIEN GOOD MEN GROW JEALOUS.
Like more than one Of the stories OF
the news columns Of to-day's paper. this
episode had its springs in somebody's
jealousy. The most aristocratic and pow
erful and professional religious men
among she Jews were jealous Of the num-
bic GaIilesn band who were the leaders
OF the new church, OF Christ Does it
shock US 70 find tat good men should be
jealous Of other good nan who are en-
gagged in nothing but benefcent work?
Alas. we do not have 20 go back 10 old
Jerusalem 10 find this spectacle. The
church. as well as the world. is smitten
with ii in our own time.
One whose work brings him into con-
tact with leaders in Christian effort is
jealousy which may be found in higher
ranks Of Christian activity. Out OF this
passion spring actions which run counter
10 all the teachings Of religion Truly
has Jealousy. been called q blind passion,
for il closes the eyes Of men TO all the OBJ
legations OF their higher. finer nature.
leader in religion, politics society. bust
ness. or the stage viii stOOp 10 actions,
when prompted by jealousy, which he
could not in a sane moment contemplate
without horror. II was very low that
these distinguished doctors Of the Law
sank when they allowed their Jealousy
10 cause them to violate the law 6hey
taught and 70 put in bond the followers
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 imprisoned. The
very act OF attempting to eonine Il
seems to strengthen its pinions and make
il soar more widely. even as autocrstic
Russia is finding to-day. Whoever goes
into bond or endures persecution for the
truths sake thereby becomes a special
charge Of Jehovah. whose other name IS
Truth. God will either take such one
out Of jail or so increase his power in
jail that the Imprisonment will be an act
Of service To the cause Of-truth
In the case OF the lOwly band Of apos-
ties who were thrust into the common
prison Of the temple, the doors we're
opened and they were led out by an an
gel Of the Lord. They were instructed to
as We have learned TO expect from these
fearless men. Co" said the angel. and
take your stand IN the temple courts and
tell the people all YOU have to say about
the new life" OF course. this was risk
ing repeated arrest. with added penalty
for having dehed the authorities. The
event proved. however that the very
boldness Of the step meant the liberty Of
the prisoners. Moreover, when men need
10 hear Of life. and other men have the
words OF life, nothing. absolutely moth
Ing. may be permitted TO stand in the
way OF the latter's 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 In
structions from the police authorities.
and he was constantly looking over his
shoulder for the expected policeman. Do
you suppose that tlat is the way the
apostles spoke, furtirely glancing around
every moment 10 see II some one was
coming to arrest them2 Were they scared
By their own temerity as we'll as by the
prospect OF added punishment Assur-
edly not. Probably they gave no further
thought 10 the authorities. so engrossed
were they in delivering TO the ever-eager
crowds the message Of life.
The frightened ones we're those high
officials and administrators Of the Law
They did send 70 arrest the apostles, but
their specific instructions to the police
we're that il was 10 be done quietly and
without any violence, for the authorities
themselves were afraid OF the free peo-
pie Populaces have way occasionally
or rising Up IN vigorous Championship
Of truth and free speech. Subsequent 70
the interview with the arrested men
there is tentativeness and fesrfulness
discernible in the attitude Of the suthori-
ties Does this not sound ike a Whim-
per; You have actually flooded Jerusa-
lem with your teaching and are wishing
10 make Us responsible for the death Of
this Man,
IN contrast. note the almost beiIicose /
attitude Of the apostles as they hurled
back the Unequivocal reply, With its at