The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-02-09
CHURCH PROBLEMS {
NEW.
The International Sunday School Les
son for February II is, Tho Apos-
ties ImpriSOned.' Acts 5: 17-f2.
By WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

- l. 1ALlS
Times have changed since the amos
ties went to Jail for naming the Name.
SO nave the problems of Christianity.
ln.tnat earlier day the problems Of
religion were chiefly from ithou7.
Ihey 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 anlmuS of their opposition and
persecution, as in the instance tina is
being studied this week by the Sun
day schools. All his outward opDo.
sltlon but served to solidify the BODY
faith in their Gospel.
Now the Church's problems chiefly
arise from within. They are prob
lens due to her own wealth., and So
claI standing, and widespread power,
and self-indulgence, and worldliness.
ana inert self-cOmplacency. TIE
Christians Of the twentieth century
have to meet subtler and more diff
lit foes thar the raging, jealous
Pharisees who threw the apostles into
jail shortly after P%entecost.
Evidently. problems of some kind
must engage the vigilance and faith
and courage Of the Church to the end
OF the chapter PERHAPS il is =
tribtue to her advanced powers that
these more delicate and difficult foes
should beset her. in the latter days,
rather than the si1noler ana more
primitive ones thai harried the apos-
tolic Church
When Goo1 Men crow Jealous.
Like more than one Of the stories OF
the news columns OF today's paper,
this episode had its spring in some
body's jealousy. The most aristocratic
and powerful and professional relig-
ious men men among the Jews We're
Jealous of the humble Galilean band
Who We're the leaders of the new
Church Of Christ. Does it shock as
to find that good men should be
jealous Of other good men, who dre
engaged in nothing but beneficient
work? Alas. we do not have to so
back to old Jerusalem to find thus
spectacle. The Church. as we'll as the
world, is sTnitten with it In our own
time.
One whose work brings him into
contact with leaders in Christian eff
fort is saddened at heart by the spec
tacle of the jealousy which may be
found in higher ranks of Christian ac-
t;vity. Out of this passion spring ac-
tons which run counter to all the
teachings Of religion. Truly has
jealousy been called a blind passion.
for 1t closes the eyes Of men to all
the obligations Of their higher, finer
nature. \ leader in religion. politics.
society, business, or the stage Will
stoOp to actions. when prompted BY
jealousy, which he could not in Il
VcSito AZ $500
horror. | was very low that these
distinguished doctors Of the law sank
when they allowed their jealousy 60
cause them to violate the law they
taught, and to put in bono the fol-
lowers 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 confine it seems to
strengthen it's %pinions and make It
soar more widely. even as au~tocratic
Russia is finding today. Whoever
goes into bono or endures ~persecution
for the truths sake thereby becomes
q special charge of Jehovah, Who.e
other name is Truth. God will either
take such 2 one out of jail, or SO in
crease his power in jail that the lni-
prisonment viii be an act OF service
to the cause of truth.
In the case of the 1oWly band or
apostles who We're thrust into the
commo prison of the Temple the
doors were opened, II they Were led
out by an agel of the Lord lhey
were. instructed to do an aadaclouS
deed, such, however, as We nave
learned to expect from these fearless
men. 60 said the angel. and take
your stand in the Temple Courts anu
tell the people all you have to say
about the New Life OF course, tlr9
was risking repeated arrest, with
added penalty for having defied tia
authorities. The event proved. hoW-
ever, that the very boIdness OF the step
meant the liberty OF the prisoners
Moreover when men need to hear OF
Tifa and other men have the words OF
Life, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. nothing
NAV be permitted to stand in the way
of the latter's declaring. in season a'1u
ont Of season. their Good News.
..4 Who Was. Scared? |
7 once saw q DoWieite preachlhs
upon a street corner. IN de1iance u
49,. ;nctr,ctions from the police au-
+hor;t;ac and he was constantly IOOE-