The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-12
: International
SundaySchoolLesson
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS

By WILLIAM T. ELLIS
For Nov. IA is-"The Power and Au-
thority of Jesus's-Matthew and 8.
The Long Shadow of Man.
What a long shadow a, life may
casti Here we gather millions of US
who study the Sunday school lesson,
under the prolonged personality of a
Roman Centurion who lived and died
almost two thousand years ago. The
Immortality of influence is surely a
SOLDERING thought. Once I took a Bel
gian soldier, who had, helped me in an
emergency in Russia, to call upon
John Wanamaker; more than "a year
later learned that this personal con-
tact with the great American mer-
chant had become the glowing, preci-
GUS jewel in the treasure-house of my
friends exp erience. Mr.. Wanamaker
doubtless straightway forgot his
friendly, inspiring greeting, and his
gift of a book; but he had projected
his personality into far-distant Bel
gium and into unmeasured years.
The editor of the most widely read
and influential MAGAZINE in the world
keeps On his cleared, flat-topped desk
sliver-framed photograph of his
father, who was Christian minister.
This editor yields great power, and
the highest among men, even to gov
C1 AAAAASuASy Seen Ills 4dfOl. LII IlOnOT-
able ways, many causes and persons
endeavor u affect his policies; but all
the while the dominant and abiding
influence upon him is the strong-faced
man who daily looks out at his son
from his desk as he tolls. The father
was a great preacher and leader when
alive;-yet who will deny that his great
est work is at present being done thru
his son, UPON whose ideals and serv-
See his shaping, guiding hand is still.
laid? The eloquent clergyman who
spoke to thousands is now casting the
prolonged shadow of his personality
upon the uttermost parts of the earth.
He IS fellow to the Roman Centur
ion of our lesson, who has been a force
for faith for many centuries.
In the Romans Train.
pleted work; or yet is able to measure
the sphere or scope of his service.
There are prosperous business men
working in Sunday school today to
whom this labor of love is but Incl
dental to the activities which engross
their time; and who would freely say
that their success is in making money
or in building up a business. Never
theless, by the test of years, it may
appear that their real service to the
world, all-unguessed of them, is in the
influence they are exerting upon plas-
tic young life. The sheltering shadow
of their characters is lengthening in
ways they know not.
Peculiarly is this true of a parent
and a teacher. They live again in
lives they have affected. Their own
convictions and characters are multi
piled over and over, in generations and
circles far beyond the reach of their
expectations or intention. This name
less Roman centurion of old Caper
naum did not for an instant imagine
that his faith, his friendIness and his
reverence would enrich centuries and
continents far beyond the reach of i'm
perial Rome
OF central interest in the ruins of
Capernaum today, as many of us know
from personal observation, is the an
cient synagogue, presumably the very
one built for the Jews by this. liberal
and reverent Roman. Most of the tri
umphal arches and mausoleums, and
all the palaces. erected by emperors
and senators and other ancient digni-
taries, have been consumed by the
gnawing tooth of time, but the Caper-
naum synagogue, built in abroad spirit
Of good will and service, today sur
wives, along with the deathless story
of our Lesson, as a memorial to a SOL
der who lived at his best.
A Model Master.
"Social service may be new name,
but the thing for which it stands is
as old as the nobility of human ma
ture. This nameless Roman centurion
OF the metropolis of Galilee had a sick
slave. As an alert man, aware of all
the significant news of the day. he
had heard of the ministry of Jesus
So he sought the service of the Good
Physician for the healing of his re-
tainer. He was a genuine philanthro-
pist, was this fine officer and gentle
man. interested in large matters of
public beneficence, but no less inter-
ested in the needs of the lowliest in
dividuals closest to him. There were
no strikes or rebellions among this
mans workers. we may be sure.
With the keen eye of a trained OBJ
server of men, he saw that Jesus was
genuine. He knew he could call upon
Him for service. AS a man of author
ity himself, 7ne had respect for author
ity; and he paid unique tribute to the
greatness of the Master by the form
of his request. and by asking only for
word of healing-he professed him
presence of Jesus. This fine spirit of
reverence and consideration is of the
very fiber of greatness. Its signifi-
canoe needs driving home to a genera
ton which jauntily and blatantly de-
clares itself "as good as anybody else
if not a little better. Respect for
ones superiors is a virtue that is not
fashionable in the twentieth century.
What a thrill this contact with the
thorobred Roman gentleman must
have given to Jesus! Here was an I'M
Outstanding heart. Amid all the in
and selfishness of the
rabble by whom He was surrounded,
there came this rare instance of tact
full appreciation, reverence and over
whelming faith. OF course, the Mas
ter healed the servant; His own sore
heart had been given healing by the
conduct of the centurion.
All four of the Roman centurions
recorded in the New Testament con-
trast favorably with the dignitaries
of the Jewish organization. There was
Cornelius, the praying centurion to
whom Peter was sent with the gospel
for the Gentiles; Julius, the gentle
manly escort OF Paul the prisoner:
this Capernaum centurion and the
one at the cross who testified, Truly,
this was the Son of Godi''
Religion Outside the Church. !
Narrow eectarianism received ire
mendous rebuke when Jesus pedes-