The Washington herald., 1909-11-06
An Old Books Present Power.

Tc7se comments upon the Christian Endeavor topic
Tor November Z. Life Lessons for Me from the
Book d Hebrews" Heb. uiI-7.
The aim of the popular modern books
is TO make easy reading" for the multi
tude. The big old books cared only 20.
impart profound truth. Wrestling with
these trained readers 10 think. That way
came tho strong minds and intense views
OF our forefathers. We read more than
they did. but we read easier books and
think less II would be a fine service to
the world Il this weeks Christian En-
deavor meeting should inspire host Of
young people 20 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 generation needs. To master
the profunditles OF this great bit Of writ
ing. to rise to its Alpine heights Of out
look. 20 share its daring glimpses into
eternity Is an intellectual and spiritual
feat better worth while than the reading
Of a hundred OF the popular modern
books.
Beware OF the man OF one book" runs
the old adage, especially when that book
puts man into relations with the Eter-
nal.
The backward look is necessary cor
receive. Nobody can think soundly who
does not acquaint himself with the times
that have been A recent magazine arti-
Gle upon the woman question has moro
Of wholesomeness and usefulness than
the common hysteria upon this subject,
because II harks back 70 the women Of
colonial and Revolutionary days and por-
trays the sort OF life they lived The
Book Of Hebrews recalls the Old Tesla
ment and its teachings. Il summons the
patr!archs and prophets TO the help Of
the present History's reserves are called
into action for the support of an imme-
date cause.
The authorized version. which has led
many persons 20 assume that the titles Of
the books OF the Bible are as inspired as
the text. calls this "the Epistle Of Paul
the Apostle TO the Hebrews" It is quite
generally agreed among students OF all
centuries that Paul did not write this
letter. It is not in his style. and It ut
terly ignores the existence Of Gentle
Christians. whereas Paul considered him
self the apostle TO the Gentiles." The
arguments against Pauline authorship
need not be rehearsed here. The real
identity Of the writer is uncertain. Luther
attributed the epistle 20 ApOIOs, and
many learned scholars since support this
view. Whoever wrote the letter, its mes
sage is one OF life and power. The work
is more than the worker. II is not i'm
portant that a man be credited with
everything he writes; IL Is important that
ne 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 IsraeTs
salvation must always he dear 70 all who
own the Messiah who came through
David's line. The present-day fact that
in this new world multitudes OF the
younger generation OF Jews are slippinl
away from the faith OF their fathers
without finding any substitute, should
give deep concern 10 all who pray, witt
the apostle. that Israel may be saved.
Judaism was largely a type; that typ,
this letter to the Hebrews shows was full
filled in Jesus. the Messiah. Christianity
IS the fruit Of which Judaism is the root
The widely accepted belief that thi!
tremendous book. while OF the PAULINE
school, was written by ApoIlos, give
peculiar point TO Pauls declaration, 90
planted Apollos watered. but God gav'
the increase. So then neither is he tina
planteth anything, neither he that water
eth: but God that giveth the increase"
There IS a new and living way" int
that hOIiest place where human meet
the Divine, and that High Priest, thi
book teaches. is none other than the per
feet intercessor. Jesus. the crucihed.
The sore and aching heart OF humanit,
is drawn TO the bruised and broken hear
Of Jesus. OF all the beings whom mel
have worshiped. Jesus alone satisfied III
craving for sympathetic comprehension
"ln that He himself hath suffered. beini
tempted. He is ADLER 10 succor them tina
are tempted"
Let us press on unto perfection"
the high and daring teaching of thi
Book. Life on low levels Is not God
plan for those who have been accepted ii
the Beloved