The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-08

"
bers of an organization that is a sue
cess, when measured by worldly stan
dards. This lesson is the most dra-
matte of all appeals for solicitude for
the church. Heaven cares for the
church on earth, and holds her ac-
countable for her character and her
work. The church militant is under
the supervision of the church tri-
umphant.
Seven Spots on the Map.
When John. the aged. wrote the
majestic and mysterious passages that
will be studied by millions of
Sunday school members, he had in
mind seven real churches in seven
real cities. They were not in heaven
but on the map. His feet had trod-
den their streets He knew their
Christians by names. Even now, tho
war has closed all of Turkeys gates.
a traveller may look forward to visit
ing the sites of the seven actual cities,
to whose churches the second and
third chapters of the Revelation were
directed.
All of these cities are now in ruins
except Smyrna, which is a great mer-
camille city, largely dominated by the
Christian Greeks, but at present IN
terror of the allied warships which sail
the Mediterranean, outside its guar
dian portals of beautiful islands. Some
of the other six cities have small VII
la eS or towns near their ruins; Dut
the cities themselves. which Wanted
themselves so proudly in the days
when John was an ignored exile on
the rocky island of Patmos, have now
passed away.
What John wrote applied definite
" to each church as he knew it. His
DEMONSTRATIONS were particular. and
their application was meant to fit
definite cases. We know enough his
tory to perceive that the dangers
against which he warned the
ind xyid ToI
and characteristic: they were not
vague moralizings. This is to be kept
clearly in mind. Let us not lose the
historical aspect of our studies The
Bible suffers from over spiritualiZing,
and from making it appear manual
of moralizings.
Bearing that fact in mind, we may
go on to the clear truth that the mes
sage to the seven churches of Asia
is applicable today to the Church of
Christ universally The warnings and
pleadings written down by the inspired
pen of this seer of Patmos, are appl1-
cable and appropriate to present con-
ditions. Any church may find its own
portrait in these passages indited to
the seven churches of Asia. This
study should promote a church sense.
The lesson will miss it's mission with
US, if it does not help to contem-
plate the church in the large; and to
enter into what may be termed, in
noblest significance, the ecclesiastical
mind. He that hath an ear to hear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto
the churches"
As an Oriental Speaks.
John did not write in English for
twentieth century American readers
His speech is that of his time and his
country, fact which would save more
than little bewilderment if borne in
mind. A timely word of this point
has recently been written by Abraham
Nitric Rihbany, the Syrian pastor of
a distinguished Boston church. who
writes in his new book The Syrian
Christ as follows:
"a Syrian's chief purpose in con-
versation is to convey an impression
| by whatever suitable means, and not
to deliver his message in scientifically
accurate terms. He expects to be
, judged not by what he says, but by
what he means. He does not expect
/ quizzical courtesy of a 'cool-headed
| Yankee and to interrupt the flow of
| conversation by saying, with the least
possible show of emotion, DO under
| stand you to say, etc. No: he piles
up ris metaphors and superlatives, re-
| inforced by theatrical display of ges-
| lures and facial expressions, in order
| to make the hearer feel his meaning.
| The OrientaTs speech is always
| illustrated He speaks it were in
pictures. With him the spoken lam
guage goes hand in hand with the
more ancient gesture language. His
profuSe geSticulation is that phase of
his life which first challenges the at
tention of Occidental travellers in the
East. He points to almost everything
he mentions in his speech, and would
portray every feeling and emotion by
means of some bodily movement No
sooner does he mention his eye than
his index finger points to or even
touches that organ. DO you under
stand me?' is said to an auditor with
the speakers finger on his own tenn
pie. In rebuking one who makes I'M
reasonable demands upon him,
| Syrian would be likely to stoop down
and say. Don't you want to ride on
my back? -
That the Bible is bookful of ORR
entail images, and it's figures must al
ways be understood as such, is a eau
ton that can not be repeated too
often.
The Text for the Times.
One word is common to all seven
messages to the churches in this Les
son. Its very iteration gives it power
Each address closes with it. for the
troubled times of that day needed
Christians of one certain quality even
| as in our own day. The word is ito
him that overcometh." Much of the
text of Revelation is difficult: this is
clear. Whoever overcomes reckons
/ with God and is rewarded by God
| Seven different rewards were prom
| 1sed to the churches which should
! overcome. First of all, to the church
! at Ephesus the word was sent ITO
him that overcometh, to him will 1
give to eat of the tree of life which
| is the paradise of God"
To the church at Smyrna the word
was, HE that overcometh shall not be
i hurt of the second death"
| To the church at Pergamos the
longer and more difficult promise ITO
him that overcometh, to him will I
give of the hidden mama, and 1 will
! give him white stone, and upon the
stone a new name which none knoweth
| but he that receiveth it,"
The long promise to the overcom-
l arg u in, =.