The Washington herald., 1909-02-27
AN oUTREACHING RELIGION.

ne International srniay-school lesson fo- March
is Philip and the Ethiopian.' Acts. wi 80.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS
The reported death Of the great Negus
Of Abyssinia. King Menelik. links this OLD
Bible story 10 present-day news The
Ethiopia OF the New Testament episode IS
generally Identified with Abyssinia. the
country which a few years ago. startled
civilization by defeating the forces OF
italy. Abyssinia Is an old and proud na-
ton. and nominalIy Christian. It's ruler
claims descent not only from the Can
daee OF the present lesson, but also from
King Solomon
The outstanding character IN the incl
dent which constitutes this Sunday school
lesson Is the prime minister Of the Queen
Of Ethiopia. The common impression Is
that eunuchs are mere menial servants
ard palace messengers Quite the con-
trary IS frequently the case, as IN this
instance. For fifteen years past one OF
the most potent figures in the national
affairs Of China has been a certain
eunuch, who has been raised 70 prinCely
rank. Probably the recent overthrow OF
yuan Shi-Kai was il part due 10 this
winning CandaCe's prime minister, Philip
achieved a distinct victory for Chris
tianity.
The GREAT PROCESSION.
The scene Of this dramatic meeting be
tween Philip and the eunuch was a desert
place on the way between Jerusalem and
Cara The spectacle makes an appeal 70
the imagination, for this eunuch was one
OF the proseIytes OF the gate. believers
in Judaism who was on his way from
the temple at Jerusalem. Alone he was,
except for his retinue. Yet ne was q part
OF the most significant procession Of his
day. From all parts Of the known world
devout Jews and converts made their
way 70 and from the hiu Of Zion They
were q multitude in number aRd an in
huence beyond measure.
Yet vastly greater IS the PROCESSION
which to-day goes Up every Sabbath 20
:ha new Zion, the house Of God. There
s stimulus for ones faith IN a contempia-
ton Of the inuumerable host Of men, in
teeuing cities, and IN desert highways
who are going 10 and from the church Of
the Christ whom Philip expounded 10 the
Ethiopian. The modern Zion IS repre-
sented by the stately cathedrals OF E.U-
rope, by the New England meeting houses.
by the great Christian temple in Uganda.
by churches IN every heather land and
men OF al colors and races and condi-
tons are following in the train Of the
Ethiopian eunuch. Whose has open eyes
may see, ike the servant OF IsraeTs an
cient prophet. q whole host Of the army
Of God IN procession 70 Zion
WHAT A PERSON READS
one UnconscioUsly puts his feHow-trav-
elers into certain classifcations by what
he sees them reading. The kind Of liter
azure which engrosses one is a pretty
clear index 10 ones character. culture.
and caliber- Even the social status q a
stranger may be reasonably gauged by the
kind or book which he Is reading. 1t IS
interesting 10 recall how a common. book
has brought together many Of the best
friends; kinship Of taste IN literature
IS sui one Of the most delightful ties that
bind friends.
It was well for the eunuch that ou1 on
the desert. where nobody was az hand 70
pass judgment upon him. he did not in
dUlge in some fUrtive ghnpses into ne
latest issue OF the Jerusalem Scandal
Monger. He was euErOssed. rather. n
plOying his time 70 the best advantage
He knew the art Of beguiling a Journey.
and he used II as an opportunity Cor the
culture Of his best self. Many persons
who travel are idle all the while, others.
more careful Of their time. plan that even
the mOmentaTy passage through q tunnel
snail ministe- 10 their spiritual develop
ment- One OF the most striking bits OF
recent magazine poetry expressed work
er s worship while riding in the New York
SUBWAY Some persons carry. pocket vol
uineS OF good lterature-in most cases ~
course, the Bible itself-that they nav
thus minister 10 their spirits IN moments
Of enforced leisure
THE HARD BOOK.
Il may frankly be confessed thar tbers
is great deal Of cant In much thar Is
said concerning the Bible. The advice
IS given indiscrimiaaJeIy 10 all classes OF
people 10 read The Bible. as If all parts
Of the Bible were alike entertaining and
inspiring and al minds were fitted 10 ex-
tract profit from # The truth IS that
the Bible IN most places is a hard book
10 read Bible-reading Is an ACQUIRED
taste Even those who DO faithfully pe-
ruse the Scriptures do not always DO so
inteilsently. The class 70 which the
eunuch belonged Is q large one readers
who DO not understand what thev read
Nor are all 50 honest as he. Some are
content with the mere sound Of the "a
miliar and sacred words. and are LITTLE
troubled that they DO not discern the
deeper meaning Of the Inspired page.
The Bible needs Interpretation. II
should be read IN the latest. simplesr- and
best translation. Scripture should be
compared with Scripture. Every avail
able source Of light upon its pages should
oe utilized, for II is a unique tribute 70
TIE Bible that Il has Tor centuries ex-
hausted the fullest resources Of scholar
ship IN its Interpretation. and still To-
day the prOf0undest minds are wrestling
with IL Nevertheless, 50 wonderful IS
this book that L affords palatabIe and
nutritious mental food for the simples,
and most untutored Christian who takes
20 it the same inoulring mind that was
possessed by the Ethiopian eunucn.
A WAYsIDE MEETING.
Whoever is running Gods errands is
sure Of delightful surprises by the way.
Philip was a sent man. = messenger who
employed life n going where the Lord
bade him So. following the strange com
mand 10 leave the thriving new work in
SamaTia, he went south toward Cazs
on what ne. together with the brethren.
might vel have considered a wild goose
, chase. We never can know what glad
surprises await Is around the next cor
ner. The unexpectedness Of life Is one
Of Gods greatest gifts to man. On a
commonplace day we set oct for the mar
ket or for the workshop. and before We
get there meet our destiny. Who can
forget the rare day when. with starting
UEexpectedness. love entered his Iife2 Or
that other day when. as by the rendins
OF a veil. ones whole existence tool. on
q new and larger signifcance2