The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-03-02
AN OUTREACHING RELIGION.
The International Sunday-school Les
son for March Z is, .Phiiip and the
Ethiopian Acts S:36-4O.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

bS LILLIAN l.. ElIIS.
The reported death of the great
Negus of Abyssinia, King Menelek,
links this old Bible story to present
day news. The Ethiopia of the New
Testament episode is generally identi-
tied with Abyss;nia, the country which
q few years ago startled c~4NtiIza "a
by defeating the forces of Italy. Abys-
sinia is an old and proud nation, and
nO1nlnally Christian. Its ruler claims
descent not only from the Candace OF
the present lesson, but also from King
solomon.
The outstanding character in the
incident which constitutes this Sunday
school Lesson is the prime minister Of
the queen of Ethiopia. The commo
impression is that eunuchS are mere
nenlaT servants and palace mesSen-
gers. Quite the contrary is frequently
the case, as in this instance. For
fifteen years past one of the most po-
tent figures in the national affairs Of
emma has been 2 certain eunuch, Who
has been raised to p%rfncely rank. Prob
ably the recent overthrow of Yuan
Shi-Kai vas in part due to this
winning Candace's prime minister
Philip achieved a distinct victory for
Christianity.
The Great Procession.
The scene of his dramatic meeting
between Philip and the eunuch was 2
desert place on the way between Jeru-
salem and GAIA. The spectacle makes
an appeal to the imagination, for this
eunuch was one OF the p~rOselyteS OF
the gate, believers in Judaism, who
was on his way from the temple at
Jerusalem. Alone he was, except for
his retinue, yet he was a part of the
most significant procession Of his day.
From all parts of the known world
devou Jews and made their
way to and from the hill of Zion. They
~ q pol,tfit11n in rIIr1hnr and N
Influence beyond measure.
Yet vastly greater is the procession
which today goeS up every Sabbath
TO the new Zion, the house OF God.
There is stimulus for ones faith in
a contemplation of the nnumerable
host of men, in teeming cities and in
desert highways, who are going 20
and from the church of the Christ
whom Philip expounded to the Ethlo-
plan. The modern Zion is represented
by the stately cathedrals Of Europe,
by the New England meeting houses,
by the great Christian temple in Ugan-
da. by churches in every heather land;
and men Of all colors and races and
conditions are following in the tram
of the Ethiopian eunuch Whose has
of Israeps ancient prophet. q whole
most of the army of God in process
sion to Zion.
What q Person Reads.
One unconSciOuSIy puts his fellow
travellers into certain clasSi1catiOnS by
what he sees them leading me k1nd
Of literature which e~ngrOSseS one Is a
pretty clear index to ones
culture, and calibre. Even the social
status of a stranger may be reasonably
gauged by the kind of book which he
is reading. It is interesting to recaii
how a common book has brouSht TO-
gether many of the best friends; a
f {ax%@ ta LII 70 ~ l - 4
one Of the most delightful ties h a
bind friends. .
1t was well for the eunuch that out
on the desert, where NOBODY was az
hand to pass Judgment upon nm. ne
did not indulge in some furtiVe
glimDses into the latest issue OF the
Jerusalem Scandal-Monger.' He was
e~ngrossed. rather, in reading q Scroli
of Holy Writ, thus employing his time
to the best advantage. he knew the
art of beguildins a urne ana ne
used it as an opportunity for the
culture of his best self. Many per-
sons who travel are idle all the Whlie,
others, more careful OF. Their uile.
plan that even the momentary pass
age through q tunnel shail miiliStFl
to their spiritual development. OHe
of the most striking bits. OF recent
magazine poetry expressed a WORK
er's worship While riding III the New
Work Subway. Some persons carry
pocket volumes Of good literature
in most cases, of course the B1ble Il
self-that they may tfus lniilis.el ~
their spirits in moments OF enforced
leisure.
The Hard Book.
It NAV frankly be confessed that
tbere Is q great deal of cant in much
that is said concerning the Bible. me
advice is given indiscriminately to al
classes of people to read the Bible. as
if all parts of the Bible We're ahhs|
entertaining and inspiring ana al
minds We're fitted to extract prom IFoll
il The truth is that the Bible in most
places is a hard book TO read. Blpie-
reading is an acquired taste. Even