Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-13
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON AND
YOUNG PEOPLES MEETINGS
News of Interest to Church Goers By a
Writer Who is An Authority on Rligiouse
Subjects The International Lesson for
Next Sunday.

idolatrous practices as the worship of
Jupiter and Mercury.
Their ruling. purpose strong in all
conditions, Paul and Barnabas were
quick to seize even this opportunity to
preach their Gospel. They had a great
passion. Their intense convictions so
absorbed them that they did not hest
tate to fly counter to popular tides.
They were not afraid of thwarting
public opinion. They had no desire to
be popular" preachers. They seemed
more distressed when they were &C
claimed as gods than when they were
stoned as criminals.
Some Liberal" Preaching.
Taking the immediate occasion for
his text-Paul knew how to use the
highest matter of public interest;
what sermons he would have preached
upon our complex and meanful mod
ern 'civilization!-th apostle began to
present the truth to these idolaters.
First of all he subordinated himself
and his companions. He put himself
on direct equality with his hearers;
We are also men of like passions with
YOU The only distinction the dis
|
| tidings. While Paul made no compro-
mise with idolatry 1t is to be remem-
bered that he did not antagonize his
hearers. He started on common
ground and Travelled as far as he could
with them. Christianity has some
things in common with all religions.
The wise preacher is he who utilities
the natural religious instincts to lead
men to supernatural religious reve-
lation
There are probably some persons to-
day who would declare Paul's sermon
was not orthodox. They would be as
keen as the old Jews for running him
to earth for heresy. His liberal view
does not please the multitude who
want rigid system of theology articu-
lated in every Christian address.
Wiser far is the preacher who, like
Paul, presents God in many guises,
and who shows him as the creator of
all men, and the benign Providence
from whom all earth's benefits come.
From this chief of orthodox preach
ers, let rs all learn the lesson of be-
ing little more liberal, and a little
more tolerant as well as tactful.
Deified, Then Mobbed.
Here comes one of the dark con-
trasts of literature. The multitude had
tried to crown these messengers as
the personification of their deities.
Into the scene of turbulence came
the Jewish emissaries from Antioch
, and Iconium The shallow and tickle
public opinion was swiftly reversed
These men who would not have laur.
els, should have something else. Well
for Paul that he cared not a straw for
popular approval.
The vainest and most unsatisfactory
of all lives is that which looks to the
applause of men for it's reward. Small
wonder that so many members Of the
theatrical profession and so many
public entertainers, are blase and
dissatisfied. They have learned that
the triumphs for which they toll are
not worth while. He is in sorry case
who has not better goal than the
applause of men. Paul, the chief speak
er, who first had been hailed by these
same people as Mercury himself, was
stoned and dragged out of the city
and left for dead. But as the disciples
gathered to mourn, he recovered
arose, and with them entered into the
city.
Not a vestige of terror was in this
mans heart. He cared not what mar
might do unto him. AS says Maltbie
d. Babcock, eff thou faint in day o.
adversely thy strength Is small too
small to be worth talking about, fol
the day of adversely is the first rea
opportunity" In these genuine tests
Paul demonstrated his inheren
strength. On the very next day aftel
this terrible mobbing he went fortf
: with Barnabas to preach further.
Then they continued that mission
3 airy journey until it came time to q
: back to Syria and make report to thu
3 church at Antioch of how well the,
} had fulfilled the mission committed tt
5 them. They went back the hardes
: way because 1t was the best preaching
way. A. touch worth noting is the in
S terest of the Antioch church in tn,
r wider world work; may the Christian
l world not be less sympathetic nov
3 that the streets of that same Antioch
t are freshly stained with the blood 0
S Christians. There was rejoicing in tn,
r church when Paul and Barnabas re
n cited all the things God had done will
/ them and that he had opened a doc
of faith unto the Gentiles. The cosmo
. politan spirit in any church is tn
/ strength and the redemption of tn
q church itself. There is no room 70
. petty quarrels and jealousies in tn
2 congregation that is animated by low
:. for the whole world and by eagernes
4 to carry the Gospel as far as thei
4 power can be made to reach.