Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-02-17

as a seeker and a Christian.
las a model seeker the eunucn
presents four points of excellence:
/. He was an earnest seeker. Know
ing that Jerusalem was a place OF spe'
| cial divine manifestation he made the
long journey from northern Africa,
not by the comfortable method OF mod
ern travel. but by the slow process OF
chariot driving. Neither distance nor
desert sand hindered his journey.
What a contrast here with many IN.
saved men who will not make any ef.
fort to come in contact with truth.
even by as much as walking around a
corner to some place Of worship
where the word of God would be ex-
planned.
2. He was a persistent seeker. Fail.
ing to find the truth for which he
sought, either in the s%plendor of the
temple worship. or by association with
other worshipers, he left Jerusalem for
his home still seeking, and vas giving
himself to a diligent reading Of the
prophecy of Isaiah.
Here again he stands out in marked
contrast with many of the unsaved
who utterly neglect the Word OF God
and who do not open the Bible from
one month to another even though
they admit it is the good news of sal
walton. the time table of Gods road Of
eternal life, and the description of a
hoo .,o,1y p1ortfooNn with fha rnnnt.
tons Of possession.
8. He was a teachable seeker. The
eunuch was puzzled by the writing OF
the prophet. Confronted by one who
seemed to claim knowledge. he at
once invited the stranger to share his
chariot and asked him to explain the
prophets message.
In this regard he is a model for
every inquirer. 1t is no confession of
mental weakness to seek the help OF
another In things spiritual. 1t is simply
the recognition that another has pre-
coded us in the search for truth. Many
people struggle for years with doubts
and fears that might be removed in a
single hour of conference with pastor
or spiritual friend.
4. He was an obedient seeker. Hear.
ing Philips explanation of the gospel
he at once expressed his faith in
Christ and claimed the first oppor.
tunity for confession through baptism.
A readiness to accept Christ on his
W terms is the r u test of a seek.
er's honesty and earnestness. The or.
dinances of the gospel are both simple
and significant. Their observance per.
mits the believer to express his faith
toward God and to take the attitude
of open testimony as a witness for
Christ.
ii.-As a model Christian the eunuch
went on his way rejoicing"
l. He rejoiced over new-found truth.
All truth is interesting. Men with
eager Joy push their Investigations
along lines of natural science, but the
largest truth is God in Christ. He who
knows this may well rejoice.
2. He rejoiced in a new relation to
God. No longer was he an unforgiven
sinner, or an orphan in the world, with
out Joyous relation to its maker. Hav.
ing accepted the gospel he rejoiced at
being a child Of God. a friend Of Christ.
To an humbly dressed worshiper in a
fashionable church the urbane usher
said, II believe | do not know you"
DO you know the Lord Jesus Christi"
said the humble saint. "Oh yes, l know
him" said the usher. WELL" said the
visitor, 81 am his brother" There is
joy in being able to say this.
8. He rejoiced in new opportunity
for service. The eunuch was financial
secretary of his kingdom. Hereafter
he was to have a share in the world
wide and universe.embracing kingdom
of Jesus Christ. He became an evan.
gelist and tradition reports that he
baptized Queen Candace. Association
with Christ's kingdom work enlarges
life and brings Joy. A toiling woman
explained her spiritual gladness by
saying, Il work every day over the
washtub. 1t used to be dreary work
as I saw only the clothes, and the tub.
and my little home comforts. Now
know of woman's work for women in
foreign lands and give each week from
my wages to spread the gospel. and
now while I work my thoughts go out
to the ends Of the world"
4. Lastly the eunuch rejoiced at
thought Of his heavenly Inheritance.
Before this his largest hopes con.
cerned political promotion. increase Of
or frightening of vacation-all
earthly things. Now he thought of
the heavenly. He did not worry be,
cause his hair was growing white, or
because some younger man would soon
get his place. He was slated for pro-
motion to service In the heavenly
&c.
No one who is not a Christian can
be cheerful and happy at thought Of
age. l have never known q
man sixty years Of age and over who
really happy unless being a
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