The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-09-02

pun VI "iiNNhS'
Tender-Hearted Preacher.
Paul declares, and is not ashamed
a. IL either, that he had been tender
hearted pastor, that he had warned
them even with tears" Heroic fear
lossuess and fearful tenderness are
twin attributes In all truly great
souls. This great apostle had gone
forth weeping, bearing precious seed
and thus had often returned rejoicing
bringing his sheaves with him" He
vas not one of your soft" men, dis
gusting with their constant flow OF
lachrymal fluid. One tear on Paurs
cheek meant more than streams from
Csher eyes. He not only had a mas
siye head but great tender heart
and that tenderness gave him
mighty influence among men.
Fearless Preacher.
But Paul was no time-server. HE
kept back nothing that was profta.
bIc." He did not prophecy smooth
tatugs." If he had been a coward, a
WSn.pleaser, time-seryer, if he had
been afraid of provoking men he
would have kept back disagreeabie
truth The test of truth Is not what
is nalatable, popular, pleasing, but
Weat is profitable and permanent 1t
Gs no disparagement to a preacher to
be cordially hated, soundly berated
lg1ted and prosecuted Such treat
meut may be the finest compliment
20 real worth that heaven can bestow.
No man should murmur when that
homes in the way of duty
The reason why some preachers
get along so smoothly is because OF
lhe facility with which they stradde
She fence, appear to take both sides
OF the same subject, blow hot and
tu,d at the same time, and die at last
Tith the questionable epitaph, "le
never had an enemy!" Such a tomb.
Stone could be erected in a field of
cabbage heads, but doesn't look well
over the grave of soldier. That
C9lll never have been said of Paul,
The model preacher, no more than it
eoIld have been said of his Master.
Ar truly great preachers have been
great fighters, and the devil enjoys
nothing more than to get his spear be-
tween the joints of such mans har
Tess.
Heroic Preacher.
Paul said in this farewell sermon.
81 go bound in the spirit to Jerusa-
lcln. not knowing the things that shall
beiall me there" He was not cow
Eg~3ly fleeing from trouble, he was go-
ing heroically, where he was sure he
vGuld get worse. and more of it. He
did not know what form it would take.
hut be felt sure that it was inevitable.
Many man in his circumstances
would either have had CALI in
some other direction, or would have
soae on his miserable way full of la
mentations and groans, but this great
hero was as calm as if he was going
10 his coronation. And he was.
Paul was one of the most abused
men that ever lived, and his troubles
generally came upon him unexpected
iy. like lightning out OF clear sky,
but he was heroic. 1t was well for
hin, as it Is for us, that 1t was SO.
Hsd he known in advance how many
tines he was to be beaten, and stoned
xud shipwrecked and imprisoned, and
LON HluCll Ht W dS " SAIlrI llOLI nun
ger and thirst, and cold and weari-
ness, and painfulness and watchings
il would have added greatly to his
burdens. 1t is hard enough to bear
those things which come as they
come, without anticipating them.
None of us know the reyerses that
shall befall us in this life, the in
Justice, the oppression, the bloody
cross of sacrifice. But the true child
Of God sings, albeit with quivering
lip and streaming eye:
$50 go on not knowing;
would not if might;
T6 rather walk in the dark with God,
Than go alone in the light.
I'd rather walk with Him by faith
Than go alone by sight"
None of these things move me-"
he says. Mark you he does not say
none of these things hurt him. Paul
Css not stole, he was not thick
sklnned and Indifferent AS gentle as
woman, as finely strung as harp,
sights and insults struck the nerve
6i mis- keenest feelings. He felt it to
the very core of his being. But 1t did
nat swerve him from the line of duty.
Iho hero Is not the man who has no
tear. he Is the man who goes on un.
f&statlngly in the path of duty though
facing the batteries of his enemies,
add shot in the back by his supposed
friends With Paul it was duty first,
and life second. That is christian
saroism which counts the cost, and
!et cries out Neither count my life