The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-01-21

EA> Sf$I forth as model
OF excellence both
as a seeker and "A Christian.
las model seeker the eunuch
presents four points of excellence:
~. He was an earnest seeker. Know
bi1g that Jerusalem was place OF spe-
cial divine manifestation he made the
long journey from northern Africa,
not by the comfortable method OF mod
ern travel, hut by the slow process OF
chariot driving. Neither distance nor
! desert sand hindered his Journey.
What a contrast here with many un.
saved men who will not make any ef-
] fort TO come i'm contact with truth.
even by as much as walking around
| corner 10 some place OF worship
where the word OF God would be ex.
| planned.
| 2 lie was persistent seeker. Fail
! ing to find the truth for which he
! sought. either i'm the splendor of the
| temple worship. or by association with
! 9th er worshipers. he left Jerusalem for
/ his home still seeking. and was giving
~
! 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 II is the good news OF sal
vation, the time table OF Gods road OF
I ..sI EA 1na tastA -
heavenly inheritance with the condi-
! tions OF possession.
g. 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. II is no confession OF
mental weakness TO seek the help OF
another I'm things spiritual II is simply
the recognition that another has pre-.
| ceded us i'm the search for truth. Many
people struggle for. years with doubts
| and fears that might be removed In
single hour of conference with pastor
| or spiritual friend.
4 He was am obedlent seeker. Hear.
| ing Philips explanation OF the gospel
/ he at once expressed his faith I'm
! Christ and claimed the first oppor
| tunity for confession through baptism.
readiness to- accept Christ on bis
own terms is the true 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 reioiced over newfound 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
2 He rejoiced in new relation TO
/ God No longer was he an unforgiyen
sinner. or an orphan i'm the world. With.
| out Joyous relation TO it's maker. Hav-
/ ing accepted the gospel he rejoiced at
| being a child OF God. friend OF Christ.
! 3. He reioiced In new opportunity
! for service The eunucb was financial
secretary OF his kingdom Hereafter
/ he was 10 have a share in the world
wide and uniyerse-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 glsdness by
| saying. Il work every day over the
washtub. II used 20 be dreary work
as ! saw only the clothes. and the tub.
and my little home comforts. Now I
I know OF woman's work for women In
/ foreign lands and give each week from
my wages 10 spread the gospel, spd
now while ! work my thoughts 60 out
10 the ends OF the world"
4 Lastly tho eunuch rejoiced at
| thought OF his heavenly Inheritance.
Before this his largest hopes con-
cerned political promotion. increase OF
salary. or lengthenlng 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 hi place. lie was slated for pro-
motion To service In the heavenly
realm.
No one vho In not a Christian can
be cheerful and happy az thought OF
advancing age. have never known q
man sixty years OF age and over who
seemed really happy unIess being Q
Christian