The Washington herald., 1909-01-30
When Religion Goes to Jail

January Sp-Ths Trial Of Peter and John Aets.
iT-l-Sl-
7 wish We might have few Boxer
prosecutions in America said a speaker
from China. The remark was somewhat
startling. but the point was wei taken
He meant thar the fires Of persecution
would both purity and solidify the forces
of Christianity. Because religion IS re-
soectable Il is likely to lose It's edge and
earnestness. The ideal conditions under
which infant church at Jerusalem began
It's life were almost too serene 10 last
Thev. needed 20 be welded together and
made from molten metal into tempered
steel BY the fires OF persecution The
need was met Immediately after the heal
Ing Of the lame man by Peter and John,
for the apostles were arrested and ar
raigned beTore the SanhedriH-
Il IS not altogether a calamity when
man must 60 70 jaA for his religion. N
TIE first place, IL makes him test his own
faith to De sure that he has q religion
worth going 10 iail for. The average per
sons Christianity would be prized more
highly II Il cost more. In the second
place. persecution has always been The
means Of arresting the attention OF the
Indifferent and the hostile and Of leading
men seriously TO think upon beliefs Ior
which others are willing 20 be martyred-
out Of the Imprisonment Of the apostles
flowed many tangible results. Pilgrim s
Progress" born IN a tinker's cell al Bed
ford. is not the only great fruit Of an In
prisOnment for conscience's sake
THE CHALLENGE OF THE HEROIC.
Sealed beneath the comm0nplacenessO Of
the average man is a considerable spark
Of heroism- which responds to the ehal-
lenge Of the heroic. We spend our ener-
eies IN seeking more comfortable cOadl-
ions. but really what We need, and In
our hours Of illumination desire. is not an
easy lot, but harder life II IS the peO-
ule who have had to wrestle with rigorous
climates and difficult territories who have
Eiven % history its greatest figures The
,hUrch's periods Of persecution have pro
C1ced its most shining saints
IN passing Il is well worth noting that
t,anks 70 the fearless labOrs IN the past
o5 men and women who have added al
-1ings FOR the truths sake, there IS to-
cay probably no spot IN the world, except
ibet, where men can be imprisoned be
,luse Of their religious convictions With
IN six months the religious intolerance OF
le Turkish rule has been broken Now.
60. the very centers Of MOhammedanisn,
eligioGs liberty prevails The experience
q Peter and John who were arrested on
theological grounds cannot be duplicated
ne days Of the great reforners. when
ssen went 20 the stake because OF intel
lzctuaI convictions, seem 10 have passed
way. The long line Of imprisoned cham
pions Of truth have been the nberators OF
lie present generation
STANDING WITH THEIR LEADER
This picture Of Peter and John before
lie Sanhedrin as it sat in state recalls
iaevitably that earlier picture Of the same
nan when the SanhedTSn was once before
citing Then he covered and cringed and
s,-uIked on the outskirts Of the scene
r.artled by the mild words Of a servant
maid trying in vain TO drive away the
shiI from his heart by q IRE kindled BY
lis Leaders enemies, and even dying and
Cslrsing IN vain effort 20 separate himself
from relationship with the majestic prs
oaer within. IN sbject, pitisble figure
was that cOwardly Peter. Now, however
re see him standing just where his Mas
ter had stood He is II MS right place.
face to face with the same foes No
more does he need 20 warm himself. for
his heart IS aglOw with Joy and pride
that he has been counted worthy TO stand
heroes and martyrs Of faith. when really
We ought 10 envy them. The most com
Portable men in ali that distinguished
Jerusalem assembly that day were the
two prisoners. Peter and John
There was exsltatiOn in the spirit o;
tais fearless prisoner His arraignment
gave him a chance TO preach TO the very
leaders Of the Jewish nation They would
rot for any consideration come TO hear
him. but 10, they had brought MIN q
them. where they were obliged 10 listen
70 him Over against the trifiing incOn-
venience Of the aTTest and Imprisonment
was this glorious privilege Of preaching a
straight Gospel 10 the men VINO had
crucifed Christ.
KNIGHTS WITHOUT FEAR
4 man Who has the fear OF God in his
heart is never afraid Of men. It was
straight preaching that Peter did before
the Sanhedrin. The sumptuous robes OF
the high prest and the phylacteriss OF
the eminent theologians, together with al
rhe conscious dignity OF the courJ. did
not impress these two humble prisoners
They. preached q direct and definite Cos
Del while confronting these eminent ad-
vsrsaries OF their Lord They. challenged
the Iatter's position. and avOwed them
selves disciples Of the Nazarene. concern
ing whom they sad, Whom ye cruci
fed" Quoting from the Scriptures II
which these men were experts, the pris
oners, with splendid audacitv. declared
"He Is the stone which vas SCI a. nOugb
Of you the builders which was made IN,
head OF the corner.
The picture IS one to ponder. IN contras-
with that Of some modern preachers WIZ
are overwhelmed by the dignity and sOcis
position OF an occasional leading man II
their peUs- I have IN mind AT the NO
naent q preacher whose pulpit ought 10 b,
e fngerbOard for the thinking and livin,
OF his city. q place OF rare opportunity
This man become so impressed with tht
social, political. and financial dignity Of Z
few OF his leading parishioners that he &c
voted al his great talents 20 winning
their approval He succeeded in this. bu
he failed as minister. Never BY Z
hairs breadth, apparently, has he eurnes
those same men from conduct which ha.
since been revealed 10 be infamousll
scandalous Woe unto the preacher q
the teacher who has abdicated his righ
20 rebuke wickedness wherever found oi
who difIeren-iates between the rich ans
the poor IN the pulpit.
TIE BENEFIT OF BoLDNEss.
T-e unabashed fear,essness Of the twS
prisoners upset al the calculations. Of tn,
Sanhedria- Here occurs q famous. phras,