News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1917-07-11

| WnyI
We can understand why Paul might
nave been ashamed of the Gospel in
Rome. Today the cross has become
| glorified in mems eyes, but then it
was only the symbol of shame, and
Paul preached as Savior one who
was crucified between two thieves.
Many of the early Christians were of
lowly station while Rome was the CEN
ter of wealth, culture and power.
Things have changed somewhat,
outwardly, yet we too find abundant
temptations to be ashamed of the
Gospel. Scientific circles often ridi-
Guile its teaching as to mans origin,
condition and destiny. The working
man finds it takes courage to tell his
companions of his conversion and
school boys will jibe their fellow who
dares to kneel at his bedside to pray.
Frances Ridley Havergal tells of at
tending a social gathering one eve
ming where she was invited to sing.
She selected a sweet hymn about
Jesus and sang it, and as we read of
it, we feel it was not easy to do that.
Why We Are Ashamed.
And now it is time to try to give
the real reason why Paul might have
been ashamed of the Gospel at Rome,
why we may be ashamed of it now,
and, on the contrary, why the follow
ers of new "isms" are not ashamed
of them. We believe it is because of
the different attitude taken towards
man. The Gospel regards him as lost
and undone, needing a Savior who
redeems him by the death of the
cross. 1t tells him he must be born
aeatn, becoming q new creation. True,
the Gospel holds before man a des-
tiny such as has not entered his heart
to conceive.
Paul tells, however, why he was not
ashamed. First, the Gospel is q pow.
er. OF this there can be no doubt.
For example, John Lawrence declared
that however much the British gov.
eminent has done for India, the mis-.
sionary has done more; the modern
educational system of India sprang
from Carey and Duff through Macau'
ley. DR.. Edgerton r. Young tells, in
fascinating way, how this same Cos.
pei wrought changes among the Amer.
lean Indians for the far north, trans.
forming them from improvident say.
ages into owners of harvesting ma
chinery and well-built barns and boun'
teous crops.
The Converted Medicine Man.
But, this is not all; it is a power
unto salvation" Let others do with
all their entertainments what the Cos
pei is doing every day-bringing |
peace to bad consciences, contentment
to restless hearts, and hope to those |
whose outlook into the future is
gloomy. We recall one story told by |
DR.. Egerton r. Young about an In
dian medicine man. We are per-
suaded by his accounts and those OF
David Brainerd that many of these
men were possessed by demons, just
rs spiritualistic mediums have theiI
controls" Doctor Young visited the
man referred to and consented to eat
with him. In an instant there was o
CLEAN in the Indians eye and he
glanced at the medicine bag hanging
IN his tent pole. Doctor Young knew
what the glance meant; the Indian
thought he would now be able to Kill
him by some of the powerful poisons
n the medicine bag. Doctor Young
,oldly charged him with this murder
JUS intent. The Indian covered I'M
Ter the rebuke, but that was all. Yet,
Ifter some weeks, this same poor
reature was found clothed, in his
light mind and sitting at the feet of
-esus. Surely we are not ashamed :
f a Gospel of power like thisl
Third. this power is for everyone
Who believes, Jew or Gentle. The
act that all races and classes may
inter- into the blessing suggest that 7
he Gospel originates with him who {
5 Lord of all. The fact that 1t rs
v faith makes it available to every
on of man. Where is place for shame {
18th such a Gospel as this s
What Is II to Believer a
And now, dear reader, what is that
elief, that faith which brings us sal
ation7 1t does not mean mere belief
/ a creed, or anything Of that sort.
h rather trust in a person-and r
lrely the Savior of sinners is alto q
ether Trustworthy. Venture, then, Y
pom him and salvation is yours, for \
with the heart man believeth unto y
and with the mouth
..l.-.A a..., y