The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-14


Gospel travels only on human feet and
by human lips. The world will never
be saved by angels. That highest OF
all honors is reserved in tribute to hui
man personality.
I Peter could do more for Cornelius
than the angel could. AS the late DR..
Arthur t. Pierson once said, How
ever poor a preacher, can preach the
cause Gabriel cannot say what 1 can
say, I am a sinner saved by grace -
In the Roman Soldiers House.
After little more than a days our
ney Peter reached Caesarea. A long
journey YOU say? No. At this very
fellow mans spiritual needs, or to seek
an answer to their perplexities. - "
will cross continents to hear certain
preachers and teachers in hope Of
spiritual rest. There is no considera-
ton impelling to travel like that OF
spiritual unrest. Suppose We give
right of way to spiritual concerns. re-
Numbering the tragedy of the men
own souls; too busy to fellowship
with their families; too busy to
serve the kingdom of God. Peter was
| busy but he had time to make this
long journey for the sake of an in
lquiring Roman.
What barriers religion levels! Proud.
Cornelius threw himself. at Peters
feet. He was quickly raised again,
n,
iGod has taught me to call no one IN
holy or unelean." Gone was the an
Client Jewish sense of superiority.
Within the house of the soldier
Peter found a large company, COM
Uprising the relatives and friends of the
host. So to them he preached the old,
old story-and 10, the Holy Spirit Cell
on all who were listening to the Mes
sage, to the amazement of Peter
once more the great Apostle
showed his greatness ana his grace;
for he did not balk at the final step
of baptism No "proselyte Of the
Gate" or outer-court converts for the
new Church. Those upon whom the
Spirit had come were baptized and
made members of the Christian com
munity. Criticism followed ;~st put put
Spirit had borne witness and there
was no gainsaying that testimony. 50
was passed a crisis in Christian his,
tory, and the Church learned for all
time that in Christ Jesus there Is
neither Jew nor Gentle, bond or free.
Piety, Plus Plans.
Terse Comments on the Uniform
Prayer Meeting Topic of the Young
Peoples Societies-Christian En-
deavor. etc.-for April 16: Good
Prayer Meetings, and How to Have
Them Always" Acts, 12:1-17.
Tens of thousands of prayer meet
ings are held every week by young
peoples societies in all parts of the
land These are a tremendous educa-
ltional and inspirational force. Poll
ticians and pubIicists know little about
them. They shape ideals and charac-
| ters They promote social and Chris
tan solidarity. In them young people
| learn how to work and to speak and
to pray These weekly meetings of
the young peoples societies are real
force in the nations life.
Now, good meetings do not hap
pen" They are the effect of causes.
! And these causes are not mysterious
and undiscoverable. The laws of
good prayer meeting are simple and
easily ascertainable. Find out what
makes meetings successful, and then
comply with the conditions.
1t takes interested people to make
an interesting meeting.
Often people pray and speak at
prayer meeting as if there were merit
| in having only two or three" pres
| ent. The New Testament prayer
meeting that brought down the fire
was a gathering of the whole church.
That meeting on which the present
topic is based was with large COM
pany of people assembled. A proper
step toward better meetings. is to make
them larger. The greater the number
of sticks. the brighter the fire.
Prayer meetings, like some pumps,
need to be started by pouring in wa
ter. Put ideas into a meeting and
| power may be taken.
A good prayer meeting is one that
! does good. 1t makes people better.
/ I To -,ke- Ill
sympathies are stirred and new as
pirations after righteousness are
quickened. LIES real values are seen
more clearly in the light of a devo-
tional service. Eternal goals are &C
cepted the only worthy ones. Love
and truth and duty shine supreme in
| a gathering about the altar of prayer
Faith is fortified, piety is purified and
| hope is glorified by the fellowship of
Christians in service of worship and
| communion.
| 1t is passing strange that so few
prayer meetings are seriously planned.
| AS a rule, the leaders preparation is
confined to his own remarks, instead
| of to the conduct of the meeting.
| Methods for maintaining meetings,
| with diversity and interest, are really
| common. Inexpensive books upon the
subject may be obtained from denomi-
national book stores, and from the
| United Society of Christian Edeavor-
ers, Boston. A world of experience
has been crowded between covers
| Why not utilize it
| Whatever Is worth doing is worth
| planning to do well.
Above all other requisites for good
| prayer meeting is prayer. Clever
| speeches cannot make a good meet
| ing. Nor fine music. Nor vet va
riety of forms of participation. Before
| all and under all and above all there
! must be prayer-sincere, continued,
| repeated prayer. 1t is possible to have
great prayer meetings without fine
| speeches or music, long as there
| is the earnest prayer of devoted
| hea f-fs Every nerindical r1ravar m aet