The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-04-10
nY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

F9
 ft Is passing strange that in this western world, which theoretiealiy cares most for ideals of human liberty. there is so little Interest displayed m the Rusian martyrs to liberty, wno are suffering unspeakable persecuton because of their devotion to the very principles which we now possess with out dispute or question. Russia IS about the only spot on the map nowa- days where men go to prison Tor their intellectual beliefs. The heroisms or history are a precious heritage of the race. Seen through the golden glow of years such conduct as is now being practiced in Russia is the material tor the Inspiration of our own time, IL would not be amiss if this present Sun day School Lesson. upon the imprison- ment of the Apostle Peter. were linked up to the present-day imprisonments Of men and women who. in a so-called civilized land. are In our own day suI- ferinG hecause they are apostles Q, liberty and truth. This lesson VII have achieved it's first purpose 1T II makes vivid the truth that there are rtfll. as there always have been, be- liefs worth suffering for and even dy- fng for.
 The Bible has put that iron into the biood of the twentieth century. It's characters have exhibited the greatness and glory of enduring hardness for the truths sake. Jesus enunciated the dogma that persecution for righteous. ness sake Is blessed, and he iilustrafed His teaching in His life. Ills immedi- ate disciples. and multitudes since. have followed in His train. The marks or the Lord Jesus through all the ages have come to be the marks of suffering ana persecution. Tn the present cpl sode we hnd one of His favorite three friends beheaded. Another. simon Pe- ter. Is ianguishing in jail. chained 70 ling. demagogic politician wanted the Jewish vote.
 soft Tinses ana Their Peril.
 Great and shining as are many of the characteristics of the pressnt-day Chris tian Church, 1t can scarcely be denied that the church was harder in earlier days The soil of the twentieth cen tury has seemed to be too soft and rich for cultivation of the sturdiest of Chris tian virtues Thoughtful observers must have concern for our own time in this particular. Such multiplicity of pleasures and diversions and petty interests environ the average life that there is no time left for a calm con- fempiation of the ancient ideals which have ever made existence most glorious. Men and women are so expressed in
  ciai machinery that they cannot pause to consider the great dreams which have ever uplifted the individual spirit ana the race. The newspaper readers of today--for most of us read news papers instead of the big books-sel- dom sit down to mediate upon the changeIess verities which alone make life worth while. Our times have en- sryated the people.
 All the while 1t abides as truth that the great goaIs stiIl exist in all their brightness and beauty and worth. Love is still love. duty is still duty, honor is still honor, faith is still faith. friendship is still friendship, patriotism is still patriptisu, self-sacriice for hu- man service Is still as noble as ever 1t v.as in the storied days of old. All the magic words of romance retain their power to transform existence. The goals of the Golden Age still shine in front of the present day. There never was a time more favorable for chiv- airous, romantic. and knightly living than this time in which we live. True. we give hero medals nowadays to ev- srybody who may come under the eye