The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-09-18
sx WILLIAM T. ELLIS.


 quaintly declared a Massachusetts minister when the organization Of the American Board was objected to by a man who though that the churches should look out first for the heather at home. That saying was H. frustrated by the history of the Apos-
 e. when we now pass In review, and in a lesser degree, by the situation in this Western world to- day.
 An exported gospel means an eN- panded life. The very act of giving enlarges. The widened horizon and increased power are not the only con comitants of missionary efort The very vitality of Christianity at home being quickened by the new stress that Is being put upon Its broader faster proclamation at the ends or the earth The Laymen's Missionary Movement was quickly followed oy the formation in the United States by the Council of Home Missions; and in both Canada and the States the pat riotism of the men interested in the Laymen's Movement has been mani festly intensified.
 May we not again see something akin to the experience of the first century, when the Church's entire conception of her mission underwent a transformation because of her mis- sion work She entered upon that as a sort of Chritianized Judaism; she speedily found that her true character was to be that of universal body, where Jew and Gentle. Roman and barbarian bond and free, were all one in Christ Jesus. It is incredible that the present day increase or natiVe Christians in mission lands, with such marvellous seals of divine approval upon them as the Korean ana indian a1~ nA growing tendency to organize into self Supporting, self governing and sell ropagating bodies, should not greatly affect the character and thinking or the Church universay.
 > Fighting PioFeers.
 A doughty little Jew trained as scholar, and yet called to ire oi S,ndav school lessons studied for three months past, the main theme oI which has been his second and third missionary journeys. A iascinat,ns figure is Paul, one Of the most ois tinct and potent personalities oL aa history Wrapped up in his shappy cloak was character which meant ,,,ora to Europe than did Alexander ,,r anv of the Caesars. For the great deed God prepares the great man. NO instrument less than Paul could nave served for this tremendous rnurt nursslhs o Jewish bonds by the early Cnurch' anu the accompanying lnVasioh oA Ine si'" del of organism.
 The supremacy of Paul was not re- cognized then as now; 1t takes time 10 | reveal greatness. So his 1mperlai oe- crees did not work out without opposi- ton. He had to do even more nshtihs than falls to the lot of the average nioneer. IT was not as bookish | snonk but as a man in a world Of men that this great apostle did his work, fighting for every step of progress ne made.
 Consider some of the outstanding conflicts which have come up in the studies of recent weeks. There was that dramatic fracas with the evil spir- It's in the fortune telling maid, and with her masters, who represented the inevitable conflict of vested interests with free truth. Then there were the | seven sons of Sceva, soothsayers, who were overcome in way that set the community at gaze. The great pattie | yersmiths, supported by throaty mob, is a classic of literature. The ppiloso- mic struggle with the wise men Of Athens was in contrast with the vic- tory over the Ephesian magicians' and the subsequent bonfire, but 1t was all of a piece with the general war in which Paul was leader. The mad un- | reason of the Jewish-inspired mobs | which were met all along the way might almost be characterized as | constant factor in the apostles work. | The lesson Is that all Christian pio- neering means opposition, and the modern missionary crusade has no more right to expect freedom from danger and difficulties than had the itinerating propaganda of Paul and his friends There will be martyrdoms | and riots and lawsuits and information al Implications before the Church's | mission Work is done
 The Other Cheek.
 An intimate study of public men will | show that most of them have their pet ayersions and enmittes. These con- hicts show up in sharp relief, both in the history that is written in books, and in that which Is being written in the newspapers. Remarkably enough. Paul seemed to have none of this. Not that he was labby or forceless. The manner in which he made the Philip pia officials who had beaten him and Silas without cause come to their knees revealed the spirit of the man. So likewise his refusal to take Mark along on the second missionary jour ney.
 But he cherished no animosities. held no grudes. He was great enough for forgiveness. The jailer who had held him prisoner he could save and serve, and Mark he could later receive as a cherished friend. This buffeted and persecuted apostle grew mellower and more loving to the end of his days, be- cause he would make no room in his heart for hate. Like his Master he turned the other cheek.
 More sublime magnanimity than Paul displayed toward his own coun- trymen cannot be found, except in the example of his Master. The Jews hated and bounded this Christianized disciple of Gamaliel. Again and again they sought his life. They piled up perse- cution, that stripes and stonings and imprisonments were his frequent portion. Withal he loved them. At every new city. he turned first to his own countrymen. To the last his cry was, My hearts desire and my sup pllcation to God is for them, that they may be saved"
 The word That Makes New.
 That person reads the days news paper in vain who does not perceive that these experiences of Paul have a direct bearing upon the present ten dency of thought. which Is toward a vague and nebulous naturalism and liberalism in religions with no need for a divine Redeemer. The one essen tial work that this little band of mis- sionaries were doing was the preach ing of a gospel that changed mems lives. They held the word which made character new. All the tumult that dogged their steps was due to the dis ciple-creating power of their testimony.