The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-15
/ zz(a1g ReHEs

| the truth to these idolaterS. First Of
all he subordinated himself and his
companions. He put himself on a di-
rect equality with his hearers: 1--WE
| also are men of like passions witt
you" The only distinction the dis
ciples claimed was as bearers of gooc
tidings. While Paul made no com
promise with idolatry, it is to be re-
membered that he did not antagonize
| needlessly his hearers. He started or
common ground and Travelled as far as
he could with them. Christianity has
some things in common with all relig-
ions. The wise preacher is he who
utilizes the natural religious instincts
to lead men to supernatural relig-
ious revelation.
There are probably some persons to-
day who would declare that PauPs SER
mon was not orthodox. They would be
as keen as the old Jews for running
him to earth for heresy. His liberal
view does not please the multitude
who want a rigid system of theology
articulated in every Christian address.
Wiser far is the preacher who, like
Paul, presents God in many guises. and
who shows him as the Creator of all
men. and the benign Providence from
whom all earth's benefits come. From
this chief of orthodox preachers, let us
learn the lesson of being little more
liberal. and a little more tolerant as
well as tactful.
OChACOs 4AACn 4xAOOOE0
Here comes one of the dark contrasts
of literature. The multitude had tried
to crown these messengers as the per-
sonifieation of their deities,
For, in the similitude of strangers, oft
The gods, who can with ease all shapes
assume,
Repair to populace cities, where they
mark
TIL outrageous. and the righteous
needs of men"
Into the scene of turbulence came the
Jewish ernissaries from Antioch and
Iconium. The shallow and tickle public
opinion was swiftly reversed. These
men who would not have laurels should
have something else. Well for Paul
that he cared not a straw for popular
approval.
The vainest and most unsatisfactory
of all lives is. that which looks to the
applause of men for its reward. Small
wonder that so many members of the
theatrical profession, and so many
public entertainers, are blase and dis
satisfied. They have learned that the
triumphs for which they toll are not
worth while. He is in a sorry case
who has not a better goal than the ap-
plause of men. Paul, the chief speaker,
who first had been hailed by these
same people as Mercury himself was
stoned and dragged out of the city and
left for dead. But as the disciples
gathered to mourn, he recovered, arose,
and with them entered into the city.
Not vestige of terror was in this
mans heart. He cared not what man
might do unto him. AS says Maltbie
D. Babcock, IF thou faint in day of
adversely thy strength is small-too
small to be worth talking about, for
the day of adversely is the first real OPP
portunity' In these genuine tests Paul
demonstrated his inherent strength. On
the very next day after this terrible
mobbing he went forth with Barnabas
to preach further.
Then they continued that missionary
journey until it came time to go back
to Syria and make report to the church
at Antioch of how we'll they had full
filled the mission committed to them.
They went back the hardest way be-
cause it was the best preaching way. A
touch worth noting is the interest of
the Antioch church in the wider world
work; may the Christian world not be
less sympathetic now that the streets
Of that same Antioch are freshly
stained with the blood of Christians.
There was rejoicing in the church
when Paul and Barnabas recited all the
things God had done with them, and
that he had opened a door Of faith unto
the Gentiles. The cosmopolitan spirit
in any church is the strength and the
redemption of the church itself. There
is no room for petty Quarrels and jeal-
ousies in the congregation that is ami
mated by love for the whole world, and
by eagerness to carry the Gospel as far
as their power can be made to reach.