Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1916-04-08

Step by step the Gospel can be
traced spreading itself. but begin
ming at Jerusalem Paurs CONVEX
sion is one of the greatest evidences
of Christianity. The two miracles of
today's lesson are additional evidence
that it is of God.
I. At LYDIA Tvs. 32-35). Caligula.
emperor of Rome in A. d. 80, ordered
his statue to be erected in Jerusalem
that he might be worshiped as god
there as elsewhere. The excitement
and conflict which arose in opposition
to this sacrilege lasted for two years,
during which time Christian persecu-
lions ceased. Following Saul's visit
at Jerusalem. and during this time of
quiet, Peter made this tour of vista
ton. LYDIA (modern Ludd) is about
twenty-five miles northwest of Jeru-
salem Here dwelt certain saints (v.
32) literally holy ones" converted
disciples of Christ, not ones of spe-
cial honor, for all who are members
of the body of Christ, are saints
(Phil. I'D. Here also dwelt Aeneas,
a certain man. possibly not believ-
er, but having great need ". 1852;
1911, 1873; 9:10), and of years stand
ing ". $50. Notice Luke, the physi-
clans careful record. Peter must have
seen many such, yet this man is one
Peter found; he was evidently look
ing for him Peters pity was not SEN
timenta1 but practical and his words
powerful, for back of them was the
Living and Powerful Christ. He
knew who could work a cure. The
lone ov-fr, iC 70, I,a a1s Va+
those days of illness gave time for
meditation and probably prepared the
mans heart to respond in faith to
Peters words. Peter does not attract
attention to himself, but rather to
Jesus. His was but to be the instru-
ment OF the cure. The healing was a
means to an end, for when those who
dwelt in LYDIA and Sharon ". $50
| heard of the miracle, or saw this
! healed man, it was to them a demon
| stration of the power of the risen
| Christ, and they turned to the Lord"
| ". $50. There is 10 comparing Peter
with modern "hea1ers." Peters words
and actions were living demonstra-
ton, not for profit, of the power of
Jesus in his life and testimony.
II At Joppa Tvs. Sc: :43). Joppa
was the only seaport the Jews ever
| possessed for themselves 1t was and
| is still a rather insignificant town,
| and now marks the beginning of the
railroad leading to Jerusalem, 35
miles distant. No name is recorded
of any of it's rich or prominent citi-
| zens, only that of an humble woman.
| The record of her life, however, is
inspiring ". 36), and her name is a
common one adopted by organizations
!
| was full OF good deeds; like him
| she was not ministered unto, but
ministered. This is real greatness
| and it is open to all of us. Her name
"Tabitha" (Hebrew). Dorcas Greek,
means gazelle, which in the East is
| favorite type of beauty. This certain
disciple" was beautiful in life as well,
for she was first believer, then a
| doer. We believe in order to do, not
| do in order to believe. This woman
| is an example of the wise and capable
| woman mentioned in Prov. 31:10-31,
| q picture well worth studying in these
| days of the feminist. movement" She
is a good type to be followed by
| church women, and by us all in the
| fact that her reputation rested upon
| deeds which she did" ". 36), not
ones she was about to do, nor did she
wait for some great opportunity of
| service. The life of Dorcas reveals
| one of the causes of the triumph of
| Christianity in the Roman empire. 1t
was a source of wonder that those
early Christians should so love each
| other. The reason why Dorcas was
allowed to die lies in the providence
| of God. He loved his work and this
/ recorded incident has served to raise
up multitudes of other Decreases Her
| death also reveals that being full OF
/ good works and aims deeds" does not
/ exempt his servants from sickness and
| death, and that God evidently has 9TH
| er purposes in sickness than to chas-
| tfse our sin or to humble our pride
| (John e.3, II Kings 1910. The friends
| of Dorcas were folks of faith, for as
i yet there was no case of apostolic
/ power to raise the dead so far as we
know, and it was now about ten years
| after the resurrection OF Christ
Peter followed the example of his
| Lord duke So, sd, dismissed all
/ spectators and prayed" ". 400 The
| way to revive a dead pastor, church,
| school. personal experience, or per-
son dead in trespasses and SINS" is
| by prayer. Peter also did as he had
seen his Master do to his mother-in-
law mark 1:30, 80, and gave Dorcas
his hand to help her arise.
This gave an opportunity for fruit
fuI work among the converts " Al