The Washington herald., 1909-04-10
A MAN MADE OVER.


BY WILLIAM 7. ELLIS.
A Few weeks ago I met on west
bound train a young Philadelphia ply
sician of an old family and embodying
IN himself the best traditions OF culture
who was en- route 10 China to serve as a
medical missionary Of the University OF
Pennsylvania. He answered the old
criticism that only second-rate men are
missionaries. The man most suitable for
the service Of the Kingdom OF Heaven Is
the one possessing the most force. brains,
and education.
That is why the present notable lesson
is a familiar bit OF Christian history-it
relates the extraordinary manner in
which the assistant. the scholar. and the
cOsmopolite Saul OF Tarsus, became a
soldier OF Jesus Christ. against whom he
had been fighting. II is great day FOR
two worlds when 4 powerful personality
goes all the way into the service OF God
This event on the high road 10 Damascus
is the most important item OF Christian
history after the resurrection OF Christ.
Next TO Jesus himself. this transformed
prosecutor. Saul. has been the mightiest
figure IN Christian history
All the conditions that contribute 20
the making OF a forceful manhood ere
aids to Christian character and service.
That IS why the gentleman-scholsr-ath
lete. DR.. Grenfell. is so extraordinary
missionary. The peculiar training OF
Saul. designed TO make him singularly
efficient man OF the world. or Jewish
theolOgian. admirably fitted him for the
unique position IN the early church.
No experience is ever wasted. This
brilliant young man had been brought Up
in Tarsus, one Of the three seats OF
learning OF his time, although his scho-
lastc education was acquired IN Jerusa-
lem under the great Gamaliel- He was
a city man, used TO the best society. the
son OF a wealthy father. and an inheritOr
OF the latters Roman citizenship He
had acquired touch OF the Greek cul-
ture. but yet he had not lost his Jewish
adherence Of idolatry, as he had seen Il
at Tarsus, q center OF Baal worship. His
native city was famous Cor lts cloth, and
saul, Ike all well-trained Hebrew boys.
whatever their wealth. learned the trade
OF tent making. which later stood him IN
good stead So notable were the abii-
files OF this jealous young student
whose age was about the same as that
OF the Nazarene with whom his lie was
10 be identlhed-that he was early made
a member Of the Ssnhedrirn. the highest
official body IN Jewry.
LINKED Up TO A MARTYR
Back OF every life and work lie other
lives and works. All talk OF ''self-made
men" is aside from the mark. for no man
makes himself, ne Is the product and ex-
nr
Saul was linked up 20 stephen. the first
martyr. Probably his career as a per
secutor. officially commissioned 10 harry
the Christians wherever he could md
them. dates back 70 that event II was
at this scene that he first appeared 20
the historians's eye: not throwing stones
OF course, for he was a gentleman. and
that was work for the rabble. but stand
ing 70 one side lending countenance 20
the crime. and even guarding the olOaks
of the sweaty mob. His responsibility as
a leader and adviser was greater than
that OF any mere hurler OF deadly mis-
siles. We are still very prone 70 blame
moos for crimes. forgetting the responsi-
biUty OF the men who have created the
conditions and impulses leading 20 the
crimes Nevertheless. the same quail
ties Of initiative and daring and fearless
ness which made Saul chief among the
foes OF Jesus added value 70 his disciple
ship when he later devoted his trained
mind and sensitive spirit 10 the service
Of Christ
As DR.. Martha Tarbeu says. IN her
/ capital summary Of the character OF
Paul: He was a born leader OF men
his originality OF thought made him a
philosopher. his spiritual insight made
him q theologian. New conditions and
/ difficulties presented themselves wher-
/ ever he went. but he was equal 20 any
/ emergency. and whether talking 10 a few
women by the riverside az Philippi. or 20
many philosophers on the Areopa gus at
/ Athens, he could DO all things through
Him who strengthened him. And Yet
/ this intellectual giant-Organizer ana ad-
I mirfstrator, orator and theOlogian. proph-
I et and seer-was intensely human, and
\ IL IS perhaps his humanness that has en-
/ deared him most 10 countless multitudes
OF Christians. He had great visions and
/ inspirations. but be lived on human lev
I els We see him not a saint, but a man.
with human weaknesse.I. inpulsive. un-
/ yielding at times. OF quick and vehement
/ temper, and we see this man IN many or
binary situations pressed on every side,
vet not Strengthened; perflexed, yet not
Z y
/ smitten down, yet no destroyed He
I represents human nature at It's best, the
nature toward which all may strive, for
he could well say 20 the Corinthians. BE
yS Sznitators Of me even as I also am OF
Christ"
A YOUNG NAYS CAREER.
Much Of the evil that troubles the world
Is merely misdirec ected energy. This can
not be altered hy prohibitions. any more
1 than a child can be we'll trained by
! ceaseless "don'ts" The forCe,vl Hf'
must find expression: we create mora
/ vacuums by our negatiOns- Young per
sons Of the Saul type are bound 10 b'
and do something: the only question ::
the character Of their career. Shrewdly
the Jewish leaders took up the promis
/ ing young teacher They gave him ave
nues for the outgo Of his energies.
| These very men. often set adrlft az
| black sheep" are the very ones that th'
| church and the state need most The
new body Of Christian believers especially
needed such. Jesus himself covets thii
strong, brave spirit. Though He haS
passed from earth. Christ still yearneC
for the discipleship Of such a vigorous
character as this veIl-equipped younI
/ persecutor. who fairly breathed fortl
! threatenings and slaughter against thr
new sect. Heaven is more intereste,
IN earth than earth ever suspects
God cares for individuals with a person
al watchful concern that mortals can
not realize. Looking from His throne Fl
heaven. Christ saw Saul Fastening to
/ ward his cruel Damascus goal and. a.
IN the case Of the gOOdly young man o
an earlier day, ''beholding him. love-
him"
The Lord himself thought the conver
sion Of this choice spirit OF importanc
enough 10 warrant another earthly reap
pearanee He could not trust any mes
lsenger with this momentous message, s.