The Detroit times., 1915-01-15
In the Religious World
What the Old Man Said To the Young

What the Old Man
Terse Comments on the Uniform Pray
er Meeting Topic Of the Young Peo-
Piles Societies-christian EndeaVor,
etc.-for Jan. 17---"Make Bold Be-
sinninss." I Tim. 1913, 10; 4:12.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
Ripe in years, rich in experience
trained In the best schools. gifted
above all other mortals, the Apostle
i Paul poured out his counsel 10 the
child of his heart, young Timothy.
What the greatest intellect and char-
acter the world has even known
would bequeath TO a young man TOT
whom he coveted the best things Is
srreiy worthy OF closest study. These
messages are found In two or the
4 New Testament books which are pc
culiarly the literature for youth, the
two Epistles TO Timothy. That ar
dent. vibrant, heroic note TO which
youth most naturally responds is
found to an unusual degree In these
letters TO the young minister VINO
was following In the footsteps OF his
/, friend and teacher. This Is the
literature OF fire" or power, az
the schoolbooks classify literature.
This weeks Christian Endeayor topic
will have been abundantly justified
IL II sets young men and women TO
study OF the letters OF Paul to Tim.
othy.
Nobody ever dreamed or drifted into
character; this prize comes only by
aRFn "
or is the secret of all conquests worth
while.
Timothy had met the criticism
which is familiar to most Christian
Endeavorers, that of his youth. The
& older folk had looked rather conde-
seer dinsly upon him because he was
Il so young. Age makes no grayer
blunder than this one of regarding
n with contempt the dreams and en-
de6vors OF youth. Wise, Paul had the
insight TO perceive where his friend
needed heartening. so he cried, Let
no man despise thy youth" Again
and again the apostle returned to
that theme Youth, with its high
dreams and its heroic aspirations. Is
sacred time, as sacred as old age
The flame in the heart OF youth Is
lighted by God; let no man despise
y II. 1t is a grave offense for men and
women, who have Themselves past
the time OF even desire 10 do great
things, TO dampen the ardor OF those
whose day is still at the sunrise Here
are the words of Paul, as translated
4 into modern English: do not let
any one look down on you because
\ you are young, but be an example 10
those who accept the Faith by your
ccrversation, your conduct, your love,
your faith, and your purity"
Five great goals were set for this
high-sou1ed young Timothy by his
noble counsellor, Paul. who even bade
him, despite his years, be an exam
ple to the whole family OF faith. These
five points Of exemplary character
wereA
His walk
His love
Hrs faith
His purity
a When the marks of the Lord Jesus
are on these expressions OF a young
persons life-when words. and con
duct, and disposition, and conviction
and character all are attuned 10 the
Christ standard-then his very exist
ence is a witness of God
Fight the good fight" is the key
note OF this topic. This was the mes
\ sage. the charge. which Paul laid
upon Timothy. The highest field for
the exercise of courage is within the
realm OF character. 'Boldness. ever
holiness" is the warrior word for
the Christian. Paul, that dauntless
fighter, both preached and exempli-
fed II. The keynote OF the Book Of
I the, Acts may be found In the word
"bcldness" Then, and now, when
men "beheld the boldness" OF the dis.
cip1es, "they took knowledge OF them
that had been with Jesus
Jellyfsh goodness is badness.
Spinelessnegs in saint is sin Cour.
age in confession is the heart OF Wit
ness bearing. II religion has not made
III brave, II has not made us truly
religious.
So nigh Is grandeur to our dust,
So near Is God to man,
When Duty whispers low. Thou
must"
The Youth replies Il cam"
I Emerson
AOuIdbt NbhIhfiS hNoINit - NN-
feated.
Greatly begin. though thou have
time
Bu. for line. be that sublime
Not failure, but low aim, Is crime.
Lowell
There is sound practical sense. as
well as noble Christian faith, in the
familiar words OF William Carey
-Attempt great things for God; eX
meet great things from God" Every
mature persons observation has
shown repeated instances OF mer
who have risen TO greatness them
selves BY linking themselves 10 .
great task. They had no more I'm
(. feient ability at the outset than thet
feliows: but they dared essay tbs
. larfer enterprise BY boldly attempt
iar what seemed beyond their powers
F tkes acquired more power; for th'
rfflct upon himself OF what mar
<o.k ts even greater than the efeci
F N bis personality upon his task. Nc