Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1909-12-04

The Bible is singulary free from mon
etary solicitations from first 20 last. The |
prophets we're poor. The Savior himself
had not where TO lay his head and his |
followers were noted as being "of the
common people who heard him gladly
and chiefly the poor OF this world" Aud
yet we know OF no solicitations for money,
either for personal use or for building
churches. The Scripture we consider to-
day may be said TO be the only appeal for
money recorded IN the Bible. and It was
for the poor at Jerusalem. sorely pressed
by tho famine in the time OF the Roman
Emperor Claudlus CActs l120 II the pages
OF the Bible abounded with accounts OF
, our Lords and the Apostles begging and
"sponging.T their lives and their words
would have far less influence with us.
The fact that their faith and their
preaching did not bring them wealth. but
cost them much in self-saorince. is a
convincing proof TO US OF their sincerity
their honesty-that they believed what
they proclaimed. Not to mention the great
Redeemers self-denials, but merely look
Ing at his followers. we perceive that In
espousing an unpopular cause they became
objects OF hatred and derision and we're
boycotted socially and every way. Instead
OF prohting by the Gospel. 1t was Of Di-
vine Providence that the acceptance OF
Il cost them ''the loss Of all things" What
noble characters they were. in that they
needed not to be bought with money but
gladly paid the price OF the Truth. They
esteemed their earthly possessions and
hopes as loss and dross. that they might
share in the sunerings Of Christ and
thereby attain ioint-heirship with him in
his Millennial Kingdom by the First Res
urrection.-Phn. SIS; Rev. 2o4
"More Blessed to Give"
our text furnishes the keynote to this
study. St. Paul had proven the truth of
Jesus words. 1T is more blessed 10 give
! than TO receive" He was happy Joyful
! I'm tribulation." giving constantly for the
good OF others from his store OF grace and
Truth He was more blessed in the giving
% than any OF his hearers IN the receiving
. Of the message In the words OF this
- Study. he sought 20 extend to the Church
AT Corinth the blessing and Joy Of giving
b They already knew Of the necessities OF
r the principal congregation OF Christians
;. Al Jerusalem. They already knew that st
=
2 others OF the Gentiles, purposed sending
: at his hands present-an acknowledg
u ment as It we're. that the spiritual bless
ing OF the Gospel message had come &c
" them through representatives Of the jew
: ish people.
81 Paul knew that giving would cheer
z and warm their hearts and bring them a
}. great blessing-therefore, not selhshly
but as their true friend. he would stir
& them up 20 the exercise Of generosity that
= no might increase their spiritual vitality
y and iov. He asked nothing for himself
however. II was by way of inspiring then
!. IN emulation that he related how the
: churches OF Macedonia had contributed
even while in affiction. The abundance O.
y their 10y led them TO great liberality, not
n outstanding their own deep poverty. Evi
d IDENTIFY there. as elsewhere, mot man.
e rlchr we're among the called To tn
measure Of their power and beyond
IS and without urging they gave Indee
d they had entreated the Apostle to act a
y their representative In this service 10 tn
ie Jerusalem saints Their course in III
" matter was more noble than the Apostl
had dared hope. They had said in effec
1--WE are Christ's in this matter, an
yours after him: for this we realize to h
A. the will of God"
le Present Your Bodies Specifically.
II was this giving from the heart whic
Of the Apostle wished to inculcate. II n
re Corinthians learned the blessedness
re giving a little money 10 help the poor,
lie they found that much blessing resulte
rs therefrom. they. like the Macedonian
IS, would be impelled to give themseiv'
IN more completely than ever to the Lorl
And this latter was the Apostles aim
er respect to all Christians. Il beseech 20
nt therefore. brethren. by the mercies {
'n God. that ye present your bodies Twin
sacrifice. holy. acceptable unto God. whic
~ is your reasonable service. Rom. y:
He complimented them on their faiti
-, utterance. knowledge. earnestness an
~, love, and urged for their own good th'
an they should not neglect the grace OF gi'
ing. II would constitute q proof Of u