Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-10-12

Lesson Text: Acts %. Memorize
vss. 10, IL.
Golden Text: cit is enough for the
disciple that he be as his teacher, and
the servant as his lord" Matt. 1925.
l. Playing Politics.
Paul was first tried before Felix.
Later he was tried before Festus, a
Roman, the new governor of Palestine
The trial was held in CaeSarca The
Jews claimed they had evidence and
witnesses who could be produced at
Jerusalem. Festus was about to ad-
journ the court to meet again in Joru-
salem when Paul appealed TO Caesar.
The Record says that Festns de-
sired "to gain favor with the jews"
1t was for this reason therefore that
he proposed to Paul to continue the
trial at Jerusalem. Festus tried to
shift The responsibility. When the
'principal men" get after the judge,
or preacher, or mayor, he will have
than Justice. 1t is more popular to
"play to the galleries" than to take
the right course. How far are we
making it easier for our judges, and
preachers, and mayors to do the right
thing and to speak the true word?
III. The Supreme Court.
When Paul was again unjustly ac-
cused by the Jews he avoided all
farther discussion by saying: Il ap-
peal unto Caesar" 1t was the right
OF a Roman citizen. No one could
gainsay it. All the resources of the
Roman Empire guaranteed a man in
exercising that right.
Hvery man has Il supreme court tc
which he brings finally his moral
problems and to which he makes NOR
al appeal. What is your supreme
court? Your neighbor's opinion
Your swn conscience? Your mother
Judgment? The custom of your com
munity? A man makes great rev
elatien Of himself when he makes fina
appeal on moral questions. Luther
made it when he said: Here l stand
caA do 40 other" He had declared
that he would not change his utter
ances ualess they prove to him out OF
Gods wsrd, or by appeal to his rea
son, that he was wrong. Garrison
said It when he fought slavery un
equixssally and everlastingly every
whore. What fight are you making
which is based upon your appeal t.
your supreme court?
iii. Answers to Prayer.
The answers TO prayer do not al
ways come as we anticipate. Pau
had prayed that he might be allowed
to preach the Gospel in Rome. ii
had probably made every possible Ell
deaver to go there. Now he is to G
but as prisoner! 1t seemed "A curl
GUS answer, but after all it gave hin
his opportunity. Splendidly did h
use 1t.
How can we tell when prayer
answered? Think over the answer
which have come in your own life an
think of their meaning. Why shoul
not christian people report answer
to prayer more frequently? 1t woul
help others. Such testimony woul
often be very personal but it is pei
sonal testimony that counts. Th
world is eager to hear it even If
does not always act upon it as
should.
Nv. The Disciple and His Lord.
Jesus suffered!
So did PAUL.
SO do uncounted thousands {
Christians today. The reason is give
in the Golden Text: 1T is enoug
for the disciple to be as his teache
and the servant as his lord" 1t
indeed high honor that we should
permitted to suffer, as did Jesus.
will bring its discipline. We sha
grow under it. We shall thus giN
our testimony for the cause we pr
fess to follow.
Nothing upsets the critic of Chri
tiaHity more than the faithful livil
of Christian people, even in face
sorrow and defeat. He can't expla
1t. He doesn't understand 1t. I
would like to ignore it but it is impo
sible. Suffering for Christ draws
nearer to him. We understand mo
fully his own service for us. The co
of our redemption is immeasurabl
,h L.,