Evening journal., 1916-02-15

nave brought blessings and inspira-
lions Tor twenty centuries. And what
is more, he had that opportunity of
intimate fellowship with the apostle:
to imbibe both. the wisdom and spirit
or his life; to have kindled on the
altar OF his own heart the flame from
the fire of Paul's enthusiacn: to un-
derstand the depths of his consecra-
ton; to know something of his sacri-
tice and his complete devotion to his
Lord and Master. Jesus Christ.
What. would many today not give
TO have this opportunity that Demas
had? There we're many instances in
the life OF Paul about which Demas
knew. and in which he shared. but
which the world knows nothing.
There were doubtless great messages
that fell from the lips of this apostle
that Demas heard. which in after
years he might have recorded and
handed down 10 future generations, to
give spiritual strength and blessings
TO countless thousands. Moveover
Demas had the chance. if he had re-
mained true. to have continued the
great work which Paul begun. He
might have taken the apostles place
and multiplied the results of what
had already been accomplished.
He also had the opportunity to COM
fort Paul in his last days, when he
was prisoner. when all about him
were multitudes who were Indifferent
and bitterly hostile How much he
might have done to have lightened his
burdens. relieved his loneliness and
shared his sorrows.
Also Demas had great oppor-
tunity to mold the character of the
early church. It was in the plastic,
formative period 1t concluded. both
Jewish and Gentle converts. people
with all sorts of training and GUS
toms and inclinatiOns and opinions
Having known so thoroughly the mind
Of Paul, Demas might have done a
most valuable service in guarding the
early churches against errors, pre-
conceived ideas. and the influence OF
the heather surroundings. Such a
leader to have continued the ministry
and method of Paul, after the apos-
ties death, would have given to early
christianity q mighty impetus and
moved forward, 10 degree, the hands
on the dial of religious progress.
In some ways Demas had a chance
even greater than that Of Paul him
self, to have changed and nodded
Roman thought. Demas was a Greek,
and the entire Roman world had pro-
found respect for Greek thought and
civilization and character. The Rom
ans veneroted the Greeks but despis-
ed the Jews. Paul was a Jew. and he
was handicapped on that account.
Such were the positions and privi-
Ieges that confronted Demas. an op-
portunity that has come to few men
in all history.
But now at the very outset OF great
er usefulness OF Demas. the opening
Of what might have been a most bril-
liant and valuable career in the SER
vice Of Christ. in the last epistle
which II is recorded that the Apostle
Paul ever wrote. he pens these tragic
words: "Demas hath forsaken me-
We are led to seek the causes OF the
desertion OF this disciple. Perhaps
4 il VIC can find them. we can under
stand why there are many today who
like Demas have deserted their Lord
/ Backsliding is always evident first ol
all in the heart before IL is manifested
in the act. Every sonl that has wan
dered away from God has previously
, wandered in his purposes and desires
before the actual desertion took place
There is one phrase that reveals the