The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-09-30
CHRISTIAN ENOEAvoR
Prayer Meeting Topic For tho Week
Beginning Oct. I, 1911.

Beginning Oct. I. 1911.
Topic. - Lessons from great lives.-N.
Peter.-John xxi. lie, tConsecra,ion meet
inE) Edited by Rev Sherman IL Doyle.
d. d.
Simon Peter. one OF the leading
apostles OF our Lord Jesus Christ. was
the son Of a man named Jonas. a fish,
erman by occupation. and the son was
brought up in the same business His
partners in the fishing trade were his
brother Andrew and James and John.
All four seem 10 have been men OF
means and standing. and their asso-
citation was not limited to their bust
ness partnership, They were partners
also In the search for truth, and later
on in their devoted service Of Christ
and as fishers Of men. Andrew led his
brother Simon to Christ. and the world
has seldom seen a better illustration
may follow the bringing Of single
soul to Christ
Called to lie an apostle when he was
proba bly, between thirty and forty
years of age. he served his Master
with manifestations OF alternating
strength and weakness until Pente-
cost, after which his zeal was unend-
Ing and his courage unassailable. Pc
ter died as n martyr to his faith. The
circumstances surrounding his mar
tyrdom are unknown. Tradition tells
us that he died about n. d. G7 or IS.
at the time IF The prosecutions Of Nero.
He was crucihed. aud. Origcn says.
with his head downward at his own
request. because he felt himself un-
worthy to lie pu: to death in the same
manner as his Master. What devotion
and love and yet how characteristic
Of the great apostle. whose life should
be both Il warning and an inspiration
to all disciples of Christ.
The incident selected for our spe-
cial study gives us threefold view
of the apostle. which may direct us in
our review Of his life and character.
I. The leading characteristics Of the
apostle himself are set forth. l. Peter.
as no other apostle was the representa-
tive of them all. His name comes
first in the list of the apostles here
given and undoubtedly Christ gave to
him first place as related to the others.
He was their spokesman and Christ
accepted him rs such. 2. Peter was
the natural leader among the twelve.
Peter decided. Peter led the way and
the others followed. and throughout
the early history OF the church he was
it's greatest leader. 3. Peter repre-
sents Christian activity. When Jesus
appeared John recognized him first
but it was Peter who first cast him
self into the sea to go to Christ. In
the race between Peter and John to
the tomb OF Christ. John outran his
older compa Mon. but he stood without.
and it was Peter who first entered
the tomb. Peter was always jealous
! and aggressive. and his example should
stir Us to Christian zeal.
IL. Peter and John. In this incident
we have a most complete picture OF
the companionship that existed be
tween Peter and John. How each sup
plemented the character OF the Other
Is seen at the appearance OF Christ
and Peters anxious inquiry. Lord
what shnll this man dog shows his
and work OF John TIE friendship be.
gun in early life continued, and the
history of the church contains no more
beautiful illustration Of companionship
and cooperation in the service OF
| Christ than is 10 be seen in the re.
| lationsEip that existed between Peter
| and John.
III. Peter and Christ. The devoted
love OF Simon Peter for his blessed
| Lord and Master IL nowhere more
| abun6an:ly manifested than in this
| post resurrection scene. His thrice
| repeated avowas of love. and the
| last with that characteristic abandon
ment to impulSivcness when be said
| Lord. thou knowest all things: thou
| knowest that I love Thee" will ever
| stand as testimony OF the attitude OF
! his heart and mind toward Christ. On
| the other hand. Christ's forgiveness
| Of Peter and the recommission OF him
| as an apostle prove the stability OF
| His love for His hayward yet repent
| ant disciple and His appreciation OF
! his true character and worth. More
over, in this attitude of Christ toward