The Washington herald., 1909-08-28

been afraid Of the face Of man, nor had
he shrunk from hardship and suffering.
He had been innocent OF self-seeking,
and he had delivered his message without
fear and without favor. What a record
to crown ones work. Every teacher. as
well as every preacher, should be able at
any time Of parting. az on the Judgment
day. 10 say TO those who had been In his
charge: Il shrank not from declaring
unto you anything that was profitable"
HOLDING LIFE cHEAPLY.
AS Paul counseled with these friends
he let fall an expression which revealed
his life platform: Il hold not my life Of
any account as dear unto myself, so that
I may accomplish my course and the min
istry which / received from the Lord
Jesus" That is in contrast with the
banefu spirit of the modern day We
are prone 10 overestimate the value OF
life itself. Our comfort. our prosperity
our safety. are put as first considerations.
For the sake of their business welfare
men do not hesitate to stultify their man
hood. Professor William James, Of Har-
ward. declares that the prevalent dread
Of poverty and hardship among our bet
ter classes. with its accompanying wor-
ship OF wealth and luxury. is "the worst
disease from which our civilization suf-
fers,' We sorely need an infusion OF the
heroic spirit which can say with Paul,
I hold not my life OF any account as
dear unto myself"
The days newspapers tell us how the
Moorish tribes fling themselves in high
disdain OF danger against the solid
phalanxes OF Spanish troops. Deep in
the breast Of the normal man there thrills
response of admiration for this spirit
Of heroism. fatalistic though II be. There
is something in the nature OF man which
tells him that 1t is noble to despise death
and danger. Our comfortable. conven-
tional, coddled life IS likely 10 be coward
ly. We shrink from pain: we hail the
modern health movements with extrava-
CANT acclamations, as n health were the
supreme object of existance. Let US not
fail 10 learn from Paul. and all the other
heroes Of history, that man at hts best
may dare to die; and that often death is
worthier OF man than life. Well for us
IL we can say. Il did my work, even
though I died" For the delivery Of ones
message. and the performance of ones
work. Is the supreme thing. ones own
safety is an incidental consideration. This
noble disdain OF safety and comfort is in
itself an emancipation from petty and
! ignoble subterfuges.
A HIGH CALLING.
When a man looks upon Office in the
church as an hour rather than as an
opportunity, he Is thereby shown 20 be
untitled FOR the post Sometimes the
prominent places in religion are given 10
men because they are wealthy or eminent
in social or political life. This is a grave
error. II would be well II every church
gathering for the election Of officers were
/ 10 open with a careful consideration OF
| Paurs instruction TO the leaders OF the
/ Ephesian church He pointed out the
high calling OF the church officer He is
TO stand as a Spirit-appointed representa-
/ tive of Christ So far from exalting
/ himself. his work is a spending OF himself.
/ Not his is It to have his own way. and 10
exert his own will. but rather. with
! ceaseless watchfulness and service. 10
spend himself In caring for even the
weakest and most foolish Of all the sheer
in the fold.
Paul could point to his own record
He named some characteristics which
should be never-absent marks of all who
/ hold Office in the church. He was not
covetous OF worldly wealth. he gave his
labor 10 the church while supporting him.
self. He helped the weak He held aloft
the standard OF Jesus. TT is more blessed
70 give than 10 receive" Nay Il not be
said that one Of the sources OF strength
and glory OF the churches OF to-day Is IN
the noble host Of men and women who
bear Office and. with unmeasured and
/ gladly-given toll. guard the welfare OF
the cause Of Christ, and serve mankind
with sacrifice and in the spirit OF the
Master? Paul has left IN his train a
splendid company Of men and women
who are the partners OF one another In
the greatest work in the world, and part
ners with Christ himself