The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-05-11
TN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD
Folk Are Thinking About and
Religious News From
Elsewhere

Paul at this proceeding is an unmlS-
taxable tribute to their greatness OF
character. They did not want honors
for themselves. They would not ac-
cept any false rating. They were not
ambassadors of a religion which, like
Buddhism, is keen to consolidate with
all the other faiths that men hold
The preached What they believed &c
be the one Gospel for all men, and il
vas in direct opposition to all sucn
idolatrous practices as the worship OIL
Jupiter and Mercury
Their ruling purpose strong IN al
conditions, Paul and Barnabas We're
quick to seize even this opportunity &c
preach their Gospel They had a great
passion. Their intense convictions SC
absorbed them. that they did not hesl-
tate to fly counter to popular TIDES
they were. not afraid of thWaftlne
public opinion. They had no desire
to be popular preachers. They
seemed more distressed when they
were acclaimed as gods than wher
stoned as criminals
Some 'Liberal' Preaching
Taking the immediate occasion ron
his text-Paul knew how to use the
highest matter Of public interest
what he would have preach
ed upon our complex and meanfu
modern civilization.-the apostle be
gan to present the truth to these idol
ators. First of all, he subordinatec
himself and his companions. He put
himself on a direct equality with his
hearers: we also are men Of like
passions with you The only distinc-
ton the disciples claimed was as
bearers of good tidings. While Pau
made no compromise with idolatry. i
is to be remembered hat he did no.
antagOniZe needleSSiy his hearers. he
started on common ground and traN-
eled as far as he could. with them
Christianity has some things in com
mon with all religions. The wise
preacher is he who utilizes the natur
al rel giOuS instincts to q men TO {
supernatural religious revelation.
There are probably some persons to
day who would declare that Paul;
! sermon was not orthodox. They WOult
be as keen as the Old Jews for run
ning him to earth for heresy. His lib
! eral view does not please the multi
tuGe who want q rigid system O
theology articulated in every Chris
tan address. Wiser far is the preach
er who, like Paul, presents God il
many guises, and who shows him a
the Creator Of all men, and the be
niSn Providence from whom al
earth's benefits come. From thi
chief Of orthodox preachers. let us al
learn the lesson of being a little NOR
liDtIdl, ana al llttle more Tolerant 1t
Well as tactful.
Deified, Then Nobbed.
Here comes one OF the dark O
traStS of literature. The multitud,
had tried to crown these messenger
as the persOnitication OF their deities
For. in the similitude of strangers, Of
The gods, who car with ease al
shapes assume,
Repair to populace cities. where the,
mark
I'll outrageous. and the righteOu
needs OF men
into the scene OF turbulence came tn,
Jewish emissarieS from Antioch an,
IcOnium. The shallow and tickle publ.
opinion was swiftly reversed. Thes
men who would not have laurel
should have something else. Well 70
Paul that he cared not q straw 70
popular approval.
The ValneSt and most unsatiSfactOr
Of all lives is that which looks to tn
applause OF men for its reward. Small
wonder that so many members of tn
theatrical profession, and so man
public entertainers. are blase and dis
satisfied. They have learned that tn
%triunphs for which they toll are no
worth while. He is in q sorry cas-
VINO mas not q better goal than tn
applause of men. Paul, the HE
speaker, who first had been hailed b
these same people as Mercury himself
was stoned and dragged out OF tn
city and LETT for dead. But as tn
disciples gathered to mourn he recov
cred, arose, and, with them entere,
into the city.
Not a Vestige of terror was in thi
mans heart. He cared not What ma
might do unto him. AS says Maltbi
u. Babcock: 'If thou faint in a da
OF adversely thy strength is small-to
small to be worth talking about. 70
the day of adversely is the first rea
opportunity. In these genuine test
Paul demonstrated his inheren
~trength On the very next day afte
this terrible mobbing he went fort
with Barnabas to preach further.
Then they continued that mission
arX Journey until il cama ti~o -