The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1921-07-23
REV. J. J. DICKEY.
9 GOO 100000

Last week we had Sauls conversion,
this week we have a study of his early
ministry.
The promptness with which he en-
tered upon his work Is unusual. His
liberal education and his lifelong
study Of the Scriptures gave him bet
ter preparation than men usually have
for the work Of the ministry when
they are called. He was probably well
advanced in the years Of young man
hood In the kingdom God always
finds work for those who are prepared
to do it. The duty Of young people is
to prepare themselves for life Of
service to God and humanity, and they
are sure of being used. God leaves no
idlers. He has work for all, The great
movement on foot for the promotion
of christian education is fraught with
great possibilities. But Saul's quail
fications were of no value to him I'M
til he was saved from sin and he be-
came follower of Jesus Christ And
so 1t is with the young people who are
preparing for life. All their equip
ment will be practically useless with
out salvation This the most important
part of life's preparation. The I'M
trained man who obtains salvation
through the blood of Christ, may be
handicapped in degree, but he Is
worth infinitely more in the kingdom
of God who lacks this, no matter how
much education and Biblical training
he may have.
We note that Saul's theme was
Christ" 4his is the topic of every
really converted man. When Jesus
comes into the heart he will be also
on the lips. Jesus has shown Saul his
terrible error, and had pardoned his
sins and filled him with the Holy
Ghost, and the most natural thing in
the world was for him ito preach
Christ" When men do not preach
Christ as a savior it is conclusive evil
dence they are not saved. Saul's
knowledge of the Old Testament now
fitted him to prove to the Jews that
Jesus was the Christ for whom the
Jewish nation had long been waiting
In his argument to prove that Jesus
was the Christ "he COMPOUNDED the
Jews" This brought down their OPP
position and to save his life he was
compelled to leave Damascus. He re-
tired into Arabia for three years, re-
turning to Damascus. Thence he sci
out for Jerusalem which he had not
visited since he started for Damascus
to prosecute the Christians. 1t was
here that he had made havoc of the
churches" but now he comes to de-
fend them. But the Jews would not
hear him. To them he was renegade,
a traitor. So was again compelled to
flee, and assisted and guided by the
brethren he was sent to his home in
Tarsus. How long he remained there
We do not know but the probability is
1t was several years.
1t requires time to stabilize young
Christian no matter how many years
have gone over his head. Through
these years of testing God was prepar-
ing Saul for the great work of preach
ing the gospel to the heather Gentiles.
He was training for conflict. He would
meet opposition especially among his
own people-the Jews, but he was to
meet rulers, blinded by prejudice
which would be great test Of his
faith. He must be seasoned to meet
these obstacles Young men who are
called Of God to the ministry will dc
we'll to take time to prepare for this
great work. "a call to preach Is 6
call to prepare" and he is wise who
needs this feature of his call. But the
young clergy need not wait till thu
hands of ordination have been placed
on their heads to preach Christ. Ever!
converter man or woman is authorized
10 tell of His power to save from sir
and thereby make the gretest argu
ment that can be made for His divin
ity, for none can forgive sins bu
God" The humblest disciple by testi
flying to his personal salvation is max
ing an unanswerable argument in ia
vor Of the divinity Of Jesus Christ. lie
this testimony be backed I'D by a con
sistent Christian life and a great i'm
preston is made on the mind of tn,
doubter.
Saul is now approaching to tim
when he is to start on his first mis-
sionary tour. This is another perio
of training and the Holy Ghos
through the church sends him 80
49, L. A.. no-tlfn,8
cIApK,s Eth ORIENT CRIISE