The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-21
above the free course of truth. and the
welfare Of the Kingdom?

welfare of the Kingdom
Demetrius and Some Others.
This whole lesson hinges on the vital
question of special interests cloaked by
religion Let us not rant about Eph-
esus, when in our own day Demetrius
is flouriShing in many quarters. Some
OF our denominations are honeycombed
with ecclesiastical politics, which put
the interests of individuals above the
welfare of the church. Bishop Hanil-
ton told the Philadelphia Methodist
ministers, at the time of their last con-
feernce. that he was shocked by their
Self-Seeking, and he babe them go
home and practice what they preach.
The Northern Presbyterian denomina-
ton lately took action in its highest
court against the use OF tobacco by its
members, but it had not word to say
concerning the Demetrius of ecclesias-
tfcal-politicaI practices that would dis
grace the secular parties. In the name
of the gospel that prevailed at Eph
esus. the church must have new cour-
age to cleanse herself. Christianity
must be pure before it can be power
full Only a clean church can serve or
save the world With the "reminiscences
of Righteousness, the self-seekers and
special interests must be driven from
individual churches and from the de-
nominations.
"Great Is Dianai''
The mob that Demetrius raised at
EpheSus. ostensibly in behalf of the
EOQQ0SS Diana, CTl0Q Tor TWO hours,
Great is Diana of the Ephesians."
Luke has drawn a perfect picture of
mob throaty, headless and subject to
the leadership of any kind of rascals.
The cry in behalf of Diana was false
cry. 1t could be truly interpreted.
Great is our job!'' Abdul Hamid rails
ed the same cry in behalf of ortho-
doxy when he sought to defeat the re-
form party. Every pretender to the I'M
stable Moroccan throne lifts the BAN
n Of Predatory inter-
ests at Washington shout themselves
hoarse over the sacredness of the con-
stitution and the Judiciary. All these
are but new versions of Great is
Diana of the Ephesians."
We see this Ephesian mob Swarming
hither and thither like a hive of bees.
They knew not wherefore they were
come together. They were as clay in
they thought that by much
shouting they could prove their case;
but truth is not established that way.
In popular voting the devil has often
had a majority. Truth is not deter
mined at the ballot box, nor by force
of arms. Truth is truth, though one
must hold it against a multitude; and
soon the noisy tumult of the Ephesians
was forever stilled by the quiet touch
of the truth of Christianity. A few
months ago DR.. F. B. Meyer, of Lon
don. preached the Christian message
in the ruins Of this very theater where
Pau's enemies rioted.
A Man Who WithstoOd a Mob.
Let US call in the town clerk of
Ephesus," quantity remarks a preacher,
when in family or church the discus |
sion threatens to grow warm. For there
are in every situation usually a few
level-headed persons who see beneath |
the pretensions of the demagogues, |
and inquire to the inner certainties of |
the matter. Such was the town clerk |
Of Ephesus, who arose and Stilled the |
tumu1t, giving the sage advice: Eye |
ought to be quiet and to do nothing |
RASH" He got to the core of the mat |
ter by pointing out that DernetriuS and |
the SilversmithS, if they had e valid
case, could take it to the courts. There |
were regular assemblies for the deter-1
mination of all the matters that might
be involved. The appeal was one to the |
majesty of law, and it was pointed by |
4 definite warning that the crowd was
IN danger of being called to account for |
the days uproar.
In the place of that town clerk we |
see standing, in many regions, brave |
of the law, who have not hest
lated to face mobs in their madness, |
and who have offered their lives in de- |
fence of the orderly procedure of jus |
lice. For one grave shortcoming of our |
own times is the need pointed out by |
he town clerk of Ephesus. that all |
things should be done with respect to |
orderly legal procedure. Real religion |
s the servant, of truth first, and then
IF law and order. Mob law is usually |
contrary to Gods law.