The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-11-24


company of Christians. who lived and
worshipped beneath the shadow CT
| Nero'S throne. The Gospel had tray
/ eled faster than the indefatigable mis-
, sionary apostle. Nobody can catch up
with the fast running truth of God.
was arising a new imperium. which
would give Rome its eternal charac-
ter. Outreaching Paul, eager to have
part in this development, sent let
ter to this Christian company, prom
Using to follow the letter in person as
/ soon as possible. He did not know
that his desire would be fulfilled in
so strange a fashion, and that he
would arrive in chains.
A Letter and an Anniversary.
A few weeks ago began years eel
ebration of the quadri- If
| the Reformation. All Professionalism
is bent upon observing the four hum
dredth anniversary of TIE vast move
ment which meant a new beginning
for history; and which was precipi-
tated by one courageous monk. Mar
tin Luther. Our present interest is in
the fact that the Reformation owes its
impulse to this letter of PauPs to the
Romans. If Martin Luther had not
been gripped by the truth that 'the
just shall live by faith there would
not now be millions of Christians cell
ebrating four centuries of history's
greatest achievements.
Always there is dynamite in clearly
stated truth. No army ever created
can stand against the propa ganda of
principles. We in our own time, have
seen enlightened convictions overturn
old despotisms. Every new cause
comes to power and victory by means
OF the simple statement of its truth
"Ye shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free" There is
power for today in this old letter of
Paufs, because it states eternal truth.
Never was a lesson more timely than
TINS one. Its imperial sweep is needed
py world awakening from provin-
claIlsln. 1t scores heavily upon pres
ent tendencies, and it's horrible MIC
ture- OF neathenism's fruits, is all too
close 10 present conditions If we
want 10 know whittier the present ten
uehcies toward old sophistries and self
NJ ence are leading us, we have
put TO read the first chapter of PauPs
letter to the Romans. Even the Old
law given to Moses was unable to save
society given up to fleshliness. PAM
pronounces the doom ITO be car
hally minded is DEATH That judg-
n ~ should ring itself into the ears
Oh our sensualized day. No better
tonic for the times is conceivable than
careful study, by Christian peopIe
OF the entire letter to the Romans
very close and practical relation
s e@ists between truth and life. We
man believes. if he only does the
pest he knows" All history answers
that error. Deed is born of creed
Actions are the product of meditation.
AS man thinketh in his heart, so
Is me- This letter is a notable sllm-
mary of doctrine, setting forth PauTs
theology in 1Oftiest utterances Yes
SO it is: but it is all headed up in on,
slderations of conduct. PauFs thought
is thru train that makes no stons
n hn a.
transformed character There is no
spiritual truth that does not eventu-
ate into life. Think Ioftily and loft
lily you will live. Think basely, and
paseIy you will live. From this law,
there is no exception.
The Document Itself.
Only Paul of Tarsus could COM
press into such brief space the ire
mendous teachings of this twelfth
chapter of Romans, which is the as
signed Sunday School Lesson for to-
day. Light is shed upon it by the
modern translation, given by Doc
tor Weymouth, which I quote.
Il plead with you therefore,
God, to present all your faculties to
Him as living and holy sacrifice.
acceptable to Him. This with you
will be an act of reasonable worship.
And do not follow the customers of
the present age, but be transform
ed by the entire renewal of your
minds, so that you may learn by ex-
perience what Gods will is-that
will which is good and beautiful and
perfect
For thru the authority gracious
ly given to me 1 warn every indiv-
idual among you not to value him
self unduly, but to cultivate sobriety
of judgment in accordance with the
amount of faith which God has al
lotted to each one. For just as there
are in the one human body many
parts and these parts have not all
the same function; so collectively we
form one body in Christ, while indi-
vidually we are linked to one anoth-
er as its members. But since we
have special gifts which differ in
accordance with the diversified
work graciously entrusted to US, if
it is prophecy, let the prophet speak
in exact proportion to his faith; if it
is the gift of administration, let the
administrator exercise a sound judg-
ment in his duties. The teacher
must do the same in his teachings
and he who exhorts others, in his
exhortation. He who gives should
be liberal; he who is in authority
should be energetic and alert; and
he who succours the afflicted should
do it cheerfully.
Let your love be perfectly sin
cere. Regard with horror what is
evil; cling to what is right. AS for
brotherly love, be affectionate one
to another; in matters of worldly
honor, yield to one another. Do
not be indolent when zeal is re-
quired. Be thoroly warm-hearted.
the Lords own servants. full of
joyful hope, patient under persecu-
ton, earnest and persistent in pray
er. Relieve the necessities of Gods
people; always practice hospitality.
Invoke blASSings
tors-blessings, not curses. Rejoice
with those who rejoice; weep with
those who weep. Have full SYM
pathy with one another. Do not
give your minds to high things. but
let humble ways content you. Do
not be wise in your own conceits.
PAY back to no man evil for
evil Take thought for what is
right and seemly in every ones es-
TEEN. If you can, so far as it de-