Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-09-03
St. Paul at Corinth
Sermon by
REV. FLOYD w. IOMkINS.
Text: Act. XVIII. I-22.

Corinth was one OF the most famous
cities Of Greece. Beautifully situated
| on an isthmus. and ovcrhung. 1t
were. by the rocky mountain Acrocorin-
thus. 1000 feet high. on the summit OF
/ winch was temple Of Venus. and
iHith two important Seaports, the city
. was. and still is. most interesting.
j Corinth was destroyed by the Romans
I 146 B. c., but julius Caesar rebuilt 1t.
and when Paul made his first visit there
he found prosperity. beauty. and. alas.
an abundance of vice. The student of
history loves TO read the story of this
city. Founded in 1850 -. c.. 1t had
share in many conflicts; 1t gained re-
nown alike for bravery. athletics and
art. and It was destined to take an i'm
portant part in the early history OF
: Christianity.
To this interesting place Paul came
after his sad experience at Athens.
and, finding Aquila and Priscilla. cXiles
from Rome. he lived with them and
carried on his work as maker Of
tents; but the Jews refused to accept
his teaching. and so he turned to the
Gentifes. The ruler of the synagogue.
Crispus. however. became Christian,
and so did his successor. Sosthenes, go
the 3postie's teaching was not In vain.
Then he preached in the house Of
Justus. and crowds came To hear him.
For eighteen months Paul lived and
worked In Corinth. and the Cornthian
Church became so dear 10 him that he
wrote two letters to them. letters which
are dear to US to -day as inspired mes
saees from God
PAUL DID NOT WISH TO
BE SUPPORTED ny OTHERS
Our first lesson touches upon St
Paurs independence. lie did not wish
10 be supported by the people. go he
worked as tent maker There has
been much discussion on the matter OF
v,1tn tGto al AZ
not believe in paid ministry" and
they speak Of tho servants OF God as
hired to preach. have heard even
church trustees talk about hiring"
minister! Now. there may have been
times and occasions when II was wise
for ne servant OF Christ 10 support
himself Doubtless. missionaries. even
In modern times, may In some cases
best lead people by working with their
. hands as we'll as preaching. Indeed.
do carpenterinE, can draw men TO him.
and so to Christ whom he breaches. in
a fine way recall a Western mis-
sionary who told me ne won the hearts
OF his people by repairing and paint
ing his own house and by cultivatinE
garden. Our mission board pay the
living expenses OF those who go 10 new
I field In order that the missionaries
may be independent and say with Paul,
,"I seek not yours but YOU
those who minister in holy things. who
cad our worship. baptizc our people.
marry and bury them and teach our
children. should be cared for BY those
I, whom they minister. No large SAL
aries are asked for. nor are they oh
t;ined. Ministers do not grow rich.
But with them. with us all. IL holds
true that the laborer is worthy Of sup
port. Never speak OF your minister as
hired" God sends him, and what YOU
rvtN, fNr ~ ytt...y tsN .11
who has promised 10 care for His am
bassadors.
MESSAGE OF GOD TO
UPHOLD AND ENCOURAGE
Our second lesson concerns the mes
sage OF God to uphold and encourage
His servant. RE not afraid. hut speak.
and hold not thv pcace" II Is the
knowledge that God is with US that
cheers and strengthens workers. II
we were alone in our toll. we might
we'll be cast down at times and lose
heart In the face Of opposition But
we are workers toEethct with God"
and 30 We rely upon His guidance.
Oh. the JOY Of tho quiet hours when tho
minister and the Christian worker can
listen to the Masters voice and hear
Him speak as plainly as Paul heard
HIM Men know little OF these eS-
periences. for we cannot talk of them
they are too sacred But lot Il he
known that all our missionaries and
ministers and sunday school teachers
are remembered hy tho Christ. who
said to His apostles. II am with you
always" and that upon tho assurance
OF His help they go forward without
fear sowing the seed which the Master
In due time Will bring to the harvest.
What can We say about Gallo. the
ruler who cared for none o. these
things: who let the Greeks beat Sos
ihenes. the ruler of the synagogue. and
Who refused to keep order? Gallo was
brother OF Seneca, the philosopher.
and Is said to have been n popular man
With a delightful disposition. lie was
called The Sweet Gallo" and he rep
resented the Romans who advocated
toeranee throughout the empire. He
represents also many modern folk who
are indifferent to the sins and shames
and scrrows OF the world and close
their eyes to the wrongs which tt is
the part OF Christianity to make right.
WORLD NEEDS MEN
WITH COURAGE TO FIGHT
Sweetness" is all very we'll in it's
place. and may add much to human
comfort, but Sweet men" can hardly
be counted as admirable. for we need
men who have courage. men who will
not lie. men who can stand before the
demagogue and down his treacherous
batteries without winking." Indif--
ference TO evil is as bad as participation
with evil. The man who does not care
wrongdoer, even though inactive. Wake
up. men and women, and take stand
On all moral and religious issues. Fight
for purity and goodness and truth BE
interested actively in all that concerns
human welfare. God commanded
Ezekiel to put mark on all those who
cared for the shames Of Jerusalem
Geek. TX. ~. He cursed Meroz be-
cause she would not send her people
to fight the enemy Gudges V. 23). 1t
is better to die for righteousness than
to rust out in n miserable selfishness
which will not fight against evil.
I love the friendships of st. Paul.
We find long list of them in his epis-
ties. and many are spoken Of in this
lesson to-day. Aqula and Priscilla.
Silas and Timothy, Justus and Crispus
and afterward "Sosthenes. our brother"
q Cor: 1. -. What a fine list, He must
nave been a friendly man himself. a
man full OF heart" to have had so
many trusted and trusting friends
What JOY IT will be to meet them ALI
In heaven! Gods workers have Christ
as their BEST Friend" huf thoy alec