The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-02


twenty-seven and thirty
NN three one hundredth sec
onds-the fastest speed ever
made by mortal in self-con-
devout Christian sent his
thought snd personally AN twi aHa
ling of an eye. Which was the great
er work? Recently saw Mr.. Paul
han soar two or three thousand feet
in the air and the crowds huzzaheo
over it. At the same time other men
were sending their spirits alote
to the very throne at the center or
the heaven Of heavens; and the world
took no notice. Which was the exero
Many persons boast because Ameri-
cans shoes are being put on the feet
of Asia; yet those same persons may
miss the significance of the fact that
the American mind is being put into
the hands of Asia.
The most important matters do not
get the biggest headlines In the
newspapers. The supreme con-
sideration concerning any person is
that of his faith. So with nations
The truth transcending all other truths
about a country. as we'll as about an
individual. affects its religious falth-
The belief of the heart is the deter
mining factor in life. What man
believes, and the state of his spiritual
nature while subjects to which the
careless world is indifferent are of
more Importance than the fact that he
has fallen heir to a fortune, or been
run over by an automobile. Such
study of faith as is herewith presented
to the Sunday schools is of incalcui-
able use in helping to determine rel
ative values.
The Mystery.
Four swiftly succeeding incidents in
one of the crowded Capernaum days
of Jesus make up the material for the
weeks study. One is the dead daugh-
tiers of an influential citizen; another a
wistful woman who won blessing
by bravery: The third is the blind peg
CARS who We're believing; and the last
is a dumb and demon driven man to
whom Jesus gave liberty. All are IL
Illustrations of somebody's unusual faith
in Jesus Christ. They show the power
of faith over varied limitations and
losses.
many students of tho familiar Bible
passage. In what manner these mir
acies were wrought we do not know:
we only know the miracle worker.
On life's lower planes we are perfect
" willing to walk unuuestioningly by
lesser faith. If anybody-be he the
wisest savant or the crudest toiler-
undertakes 10 discover the mysteries
involved in enc days existence. he
has a lifelong work laid out for him;
which death vrill find unfinished. Some
one has cast into verse little medita-
ton upon this miracle which faith is
forever working:
L
That day; 1 wondered How
A plowman singing at his work, had
prayed.
Lord, help them now
Away in foreign lands they wondered
how
Their single world had power!
had met,
To pray an hour"
A Public Mans Private Misery.
Tourist tickets are how sold to the |
scene of these Signs or miracles.
Old Caperna dm, a heap of ruins, is I
regularly visited by thousands. because
Jesus once lived and worked there.
What busy days he spent In this me-
tropolis of Galilee! His pathway was
thronged by myriads seeking succor of
some sort. The world is full of needs
and troubles today, so that whosoever
is animated Ivy the spirit of Jesus may |
and his hands full of helpfulness;
but the misery has been nightly amel-
forated since the time of the Master,
thanks largely to his influence.
First to greet him on his return |
to Capernaum, after his experiences
on the other side of the lake, was
prominent citizen. leading official of
the synagogue, named Jalrus. his po-
eition and his grief alike constrained
the people to stand aside and give him
free access 80 the Teacher. His II
year old daughter was dying or dead;
fetal distinctions were forgotten; at
the grave the trappings of state give
no comfort.
This dignified president of the syna-
gogue threw himself at the feet of
Jesus: Just like a common supplicant
with no dignity TO consider. Thus does
grief level all men. And thus, too,
does greatness recognize greater.
The trust was not misplaced. Jesus
could always be commanded by faith
He went forth (stopping by the way
to perform a sign, of which more
later to the house of Jairus, reas-
sured the fathers faith, stilled the
waiiings of the mourners, drove out
all the signs of vulgar ostentation at
which his delicate soul revolted. and
taking the little girl by the hand,
1 say unto thee, Arise!" How Won
drousIy simple! How simply wonder
full It was the Miracle Workers
way.
The Wistful Woman.
If a preacher could read the hearts
of his hearers, and their deep yearn-
ings, how his sermons would be chang
ed. In every company there are pro-
found Iongings unsupported; and needs
and sorrows deeply hidden from the
worlds gaze. Even the physical sur
ferings of the people we daily meet
are unsupported. A man who has been
for quarter of q century a physician
in China told me that. when he first
performed a certain operation by the
use cocaine, his assistant asked permits
sion to be operated upon also for the
same cause. Then the attendant con-
fessed to the same serious ailment:
where one had been intended. The
student Of life makes no mistake to
presume upon many hidden sorrows
on every hand.
the crowd that surrounded
TeeifS until she was within reach of !