Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-03-04
AN ouTREAcHlNe RELIGION.
The International Sunday School Les.
son for March z Is, "Phllp and tho
Ethiopiann Acts 8: o6.4n

Ethiopian" Acts 8: 26-4o.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
The reported death of the great
Negus of Abyssinia, King Menelek
links this old Bible story 10 present
day news. The Ethiopia of the New
Testament episode is generally iden-
titled with, Abyssinia, the country
which few years ago startled CIV
ilization by defeating the forces of
Italy. Abyssinia is an old and proud
nation and nominally Christian. It's
ruler claims descent not only from
the Candaee of the present lesson, but
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 common
impression is that eunuchs are mere
mental servants and palace messen-
gers. Quite the contrary is frequent
ly the case, as in this instance. For
fifteen years past one of the most
potent figures in the national affairs
of China has been certain eunuch,
who has been raised to princely rank.
Probably the recent overthrow of
Yuan Shi-Kai was in part due to this
eunuch's reactionary Vaccinations. In
winning Candace's prime minister
Philip achieved a distinct victory for
Christianity.
The Great Procession.
The scene of this dramatic meeting
between Philip and the eunuch was a
desert place on the way between
Jerusalem and GAIA. The spectacle
makes an appeal to the imagination,
for this eunuch was one of the pros
elytes Of the gate, believers in judi
aism, 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 devout Jews and con-
verts made their way to and from the
hill of Zion. They were a multitude
in number and an 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 con
temptation Of the innumerable host of
men, in teeming cities and in desert
highways, who are going to and from
the church Of the Christ whom Philip
expounded to the Ethiopian. The mod.
ern Zion is represented by the stately
cathedrals of Europe, by the New
England meeting houses, by the great
Christian temple in UgaYda, by
churches, in every heather land; and
men of all colors and races and con
ditions are following in the train of
the Ethiopian church. Whose has
open eyes may see, like the servant of
IsraePs ancient prophet, whole host
of the army Of God in procession to
Zion.
What a Person Reads.
One unconsciously puts his fellow.
travellers into certain classifications by
what he sees them reading. The kind
of literature which engrosses one is a
pretty clear index to ones character
culture, and calibre. Even the social
status Of stranger may be reason
ably gagged by the kind of book
which he is reading. It Is interesting
to recall how common book has
brought together many of the best
friends; a linship of taste in literature
is still one of the most delightful ties
that bind friends.
1t was we'll for the eunuch that out
on the desert, where nobody was al
hand to pass Judgment upon him, he
did not indulge in some ,furtive
glimpses into the latest issue Of the
Jerusalem Scandal-M onger." He was
engrossed, rather, in reading scroll
Of Holy, Writ, thus employing his time
to the best advantage. He knew the
art of beguiling journey, and he used
it as an opportunity for the culture OF
his. best self. Many persons who
travel are idle all the while; others
more careful of their time, plan that
even the momentary passage through
tunnel shall minister to theil
spiritual development. One of the
most striking bits of recent magazine
poetry expressed a workers worship
while riding in. the New York subway
Some persons carry pocket volumes Of
good literature-in most cases, Of
course, the Bible itself-that they may
thus minister to their spirits in mo
ments Of enforced leisure.
The Hard Book.
1t may frankly be confessed thai
there is great deal of cant in much
that is said concerning the Bible. Tho
advice is given indiscriminately to al
classes Of people to read the Bible, as
If all parts of the Bible were alike en-
PERTAINING and inspiring, and al
minds were fitted to extract profit
from it. The truth is that the Bible il
most places is a hard book to read
Bible-reading Is an acquired taste
Even those who do faithfully persue
the Scriptures do not always do sc
intelligently The class to which the
eunuch belonged is a large one: read
ers who do not understand what they
read Nor are all so honest as he
Some are content with the mere SOUND
Of the familiar and sacred words. anc
are little troubled that they do MOI
discern the deeper meaning Of the in
spired page.
The Bible needs Interpretation i
should be read in the latest, simplest
and best translation. Scripture should
be compared with Scripture Every
available source of light upon It's page.
should be utilized, for it is unique
tribute to the Bible that it has fol