The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-03-16

his own country beyond. Az he trav-
eled he real aloud to himself. Let
us notice the character OF literature
he took with him on his journey,
and compare Il with the trash which
now adays seems most popular with
travellers. BY some strange cuirk
in their thinking. people feel hat
travel literature should be the htm-
siest obtainable. This man. who was
perhaps "Proselyte OF the gate"
was reading those moving words
from the fifty-third chapter OF
Isaiah:
HE was led as sheep to the
slaughter:
And as a lamb before his shearer is
dumb.
SO he openeth not his mouth:
In his humiliation his judgment was
taken away:
His generation who shall declare?
For his life is taken from the earth"
Frankly, the man did not under
stand what he was reading. There
are some persons who declare they
would not read what they cannot I'M.
derstand. All the best books, how
ever, are above the level Of the OBJ
vious. The Bible is beyond most OF
us. The church has been for cen.
turtles discovering new treasures OF
truth between these old covers.
When lovers OF the Book study II
together they are likeliest to under
stand II better. Ones experience
adds to the others knowledge. so
the eunuch was led from the better
to the best: from the Old Tesla
ment TO the New; from the suffer
ing Messiah OF the prophecy TO the
Crucified Christ OF history.
Thato was an interesting Bible
class held that day In the wilder
ness: yet no more so than a thou
sanG other mems Bible classes may
be as they consider this very lesson
When sincere men study big prob
lens with open minds. there is hope
for the times. A few days ago. wher
visiting in rural North Carolina, the
farmers son who came into my
room 10 make the fire, greeted me
with a question, not concerning
some trivality of metropolitan life o.
usage. but about the old perplexity
as TO the fate of the heather. He
had been bordering big things in his
quiet life; and ] have more respect
for him than for the cigarette-smok'
ing dude at Forty-second and
broadway. who could retail the lat
est scandal OF New York's social OF
theatrical life.
Conviction and Action
So this layman. who was mis-
sionary to one man, began with thu
passage that the eunuch was read
ing. and explained to him its rela
ton to Jesus. We can start any
where in the Bible and get straight
to Christ. "All roads lead to Rome. :"
II is a poor study Of the book which
does not lead us back to the books
Hero. We may see His image In
every part of the Bible. Becaus
Philip had a personal experience o!
Jesus. he could recognize Him wher
ever he found Him in the old book
Experience Eliminates understand
ing; that Is why the Bible is clear
er TO many an unlettered saint thar
IL Is to the unbelieving man or sci
ence.
The eunuch was the sort of con
vert to rejoice any preachers hear,
No quibbling or procrastination 70
him. He saw the truth. Why no
act upon II at once? He was will
ing to give the outward sign Of hi
inner conviction. He believed ano
confessed and wanted to be baptiz
ed. Right on the spot the sacra
ment of baptism was administered
Nobody is much Of a disciple who Is
not willing to make an open sign o
his confession. This baptized be
lever. with the dusky skin, went on
his way with joyful heart. singing
songs across the desert and bearin
to the court OF Ethiopia richer
treasure than anything that tbs
queens strong boxes held.