The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1918-06-13

forts mistakes and attachments are recorded in this history
and folly afford each indvidu. Of Us the and
pcabe example, counsel aid that continually need
actual living personalities they surely wereand Just NOR
tails In their humanness the lessons living the
Bible holds for u.s.
Two thousand and odd years ago there end
ed drama that had taken over thousands of years
to play and that will hold first place in human lives
and affairs until time is more
Christ had been rejected. condemned and cruel
fed by his own people. He had been buried and
had returned from among the dead. He had showed
himself to his disciples and others final convinc-
ing proof of the Immortality he had preached He
talked with them that they might have his last bless
ing and instructions. And He assembled to Heaven,
ending the Divine Ministry in human form by which
God had sought to bring to mankind understanding
of the place and rewards He had. in the beginning
planned for them
The scene changes to Jerusalem. Gathered to-
gether there were the disciples and followers of
Christ, waiting-they knew not exactly what Some
Divine manifestation expected fullfllment
of His promises but how it would come, what it
would be what form it would take they did not
know. But their faith and patience were rewarded
AS faith and patience ever will be-and they went
out into the world carry the work left in their
care-bringing to people the understanding of
Christianity that would lead to it's acceptance and
practice in their lives.
Again the scene changes and We are in Damas.
GUS Here the climax in this drama was to be reach
ed and acted. Here was to fall the final curtain on
this play of plays that had had for it's stage all the
world. Its properties and scenic effects con-
trbuted by the centuries and it's characters the
people of mighty nations. The curtain was raised
when God talked with Abraham and planned with
him the disposal and Divine use of his children and
their descendants; it to fall when His plans had
been perfected-and this time now at hand
This drama progressed through the centuries
until the birth of Christ set the stage for the final
scene. He appeared. played His part, suffered the
tortures of ignoble death and passed through the
shadow of the grave that there might be left with
men a full understanding of their relationship,
through Him. with God in Heaven, and the rights
and privileges this relationship would confer when
they accepted the laws of living His life had exemp-
lifted. 1t might be thought that His ascent to Heav-
would end the drama-or the scene on the day
of Pentecost. Not so. Christ had to appear once
more the stage and set in motion some human
agency to reach and influence the hearts of and
to establish there the purpose and desire of God.
Coincident with the birth of Christ. or during
his infancy, another babe was born to another Jew
sh mother. But the setting and circumstances were
very different from those in which the infant form of
the Savior had rested. This other birth occurred In
Tarsus, city of Cilica. There, in cultured we'll
TODD Jewish home, Saul was born. Amid the phar-
sacal srictness and influence of the times he passed
the days of his youth His time was spent in study
A..
position and religious customs. Instructed by
Gamalie and other Pharisees he became Pharisee
as was his father before him. Coming to manhood
he assumed the duties and responsibilities of his
ton and fanciei superiority in Jewish life. He was
Jealous toward God" and we find him prosecuting
and imprisoning men and women who followed and
believed in Christ.
He is sent to Damascus to bring the Christian
prisoners from there to Jerusalem for punishment
It is forbidding picture that of Saul, accoutred
and guarded, on his futile but persistent errand OF
hate and cruelty. Quite different from the scenes
in which he is to be the principal figure. I'm
knowingly, unprepared he rides into that truly
derful scene the road to Damascus. There Christ
appeared in person for the last time and finished his
part in that immortal drama. different Saul left
that to continue the journey began with such
austerity and Importance. Blinded and bewildered
he was, undoubtedly. troubled man.
Now we at the closing scene in Damascus.
Saul has been led into the city to tarry there until
the things that had been appointed for him to do
were made known to him. These days of fasting
prayer and self-communon were but preparation for
the revelation that was to come. There came to him
by Divine direction, man of God and disciple OF
Christ who restored Sauls sight and instructed him
in the purpose and meaning of Chrsts teachings and
his (Saurs) future Identification with them. So was