The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-07

Q.-was Peter the ruler among the
Answer-To answer this question We
have but to remember the wavering
course, for a time, Of Peter and the
other apostles, except Paul. when the
gospel was beginning to go to the Cen
tiles (Acts 1923; 11:1-3; Galatians 2:11-
14.) Peters uncertainty was IN marked
contrast with Paufs assurance, IN
spired by the words Of the prophets.
Gods past dealings, and the direct
revelations made to himself. There Is
no indication in the Bible that any one
Of the apostles was to be the lord OF
the others. The apostle Paul evidently
had more abundant revelations than
any other apostle. These revelations
he was not allowed to make known to
the church. nor fully and plainly even
to the other apostles e Corinthians
12:4, yet we can see a value to the
entire church in those visions and rev.
Citations given to the apostle. What he
saw gave a force. shading and depth
of meaning to his words which. in the
light Of subsequent facts. prophetic
fulflllments and the Spirits guidance.
we are able to appreciate more fully
than could the early church.
ON the parable Of the sower
(Matthew 13:1S-2D what are the
l11OIuS tudt C1OA6 Jul lAsC 8OO0 oCS0 .
| (M. T.)
| Answer.-Our Lord explains that the
thorns are not wicked practices, as
they are today usually explained to be,
but 'cares Of this life and the deceit
fulness Of riches" The true Christian
whose heart has been renewed by the
gracious promises Of Gods Word and
/ the hope Of a share in the kingdom
with his Lord Is in danger of being
swamped with the ordinary duties of
life-proper enough in themselves to a
limited degree. The Lords Word COM
mands him to be not slothful In busi-
ness and to make provision for those
Of his own household. but he In In con-
slant danger Of allowing these things
to crowd out his spiritual interests.
Instead Of curtailing earthly desires.
ambitions, business and family respon-
sibilities-minimixing these that he
may have the more time or money or
both to expend in the Divine service.
he IL apt to allow tho matter to go the
other way. to give too great heed to
these things and to provide more
than things needful and decent
Pride, ambition for self and family.
love of money and the pursuit Of it.
and the award which this pursuit
4 brings. all hindrances to spiritual
growth and to fruitage in the Lords
| service-these are the thorns. Alas
II lLaHy VI \1OO . LIuG 9d1utS dIC tuUS Ill
| jured! These will not be At for the
kingdom. They will miss the great
prize. though they may. in Gods provi-
| dence, attain great blessings, being
i made fit for His favor by coming ur
through great tribulation.
I Q.-What is the secret Of the ap-
parent Indifference of most Christians
to the impending eternal torment
which they claim is possibility foI
themselves as well as for the rest OF
the world? (sinner.)
Answer-This Indifference is in thu
first place born of doubt that there il
any such place, or that the Almighty
would be such a monster as to trea1
His intelligent creatures as the mos
devilish man we have ever known
!, would not treat a brute beast. Second
|, ly, where there is a measure of fAitl
in eternal torment there Is also a meas
> ure OF hope and expectation that aftel
having "sown their wild oats the!
may settle down to average respecta
, abilities are small that they would di,
so suddenly as not to have the time TO
the brief prayer. God be merciful t,
me a sinner" And somehow the ide.
. prevails that this prayer for a momen
/ preceding the last gasp OF life woul,
Z change the eternal destinies Of tina
person from the road Of ruin to tn
, elysian fields Of Paradise and glory
: honor and immortality with God ant
t the angels and the sanity. A reason
able mind. Of course, cannot accept thi
proposition, but. alas, the majority o
minds lack the balance wheel Of rea
: son or deliberately stifle its voice.
FL Q.-Please explain the following
Q questions: Who were the saints tina
e arose and came out Of the graves an
g appeared to many? Why were tn
!. graves opened on Friday and tn
n bodies not raised to life till the fol
y lowing Sunday (Matthew 27:52, 53)
: 20. A. P.)
d AnswerlThis is a very perplexin
n passage. We do not know of any satia
factory solution for its difficulties. w
may be sure that the holy Jews her
p referred to did not have a full resul
u rection, for Jesus was 'the f1rst thu
, should rise from the dead (Acts 20:23