Evening star., 1923-09-22
Sunday School Lesson

was we'll known before he entered
upon his life work and the apostle, who
had discovered his fitness for the min
istry and undertook to train him
through a ministerial apprenticeship.
The friendship between these two
men resulted in great advantages TO
them both. 1t would be difficult to
estimate what both gaiaed from the
affection and devotion OF the other.
Timothy became, the beloved son" of
the aged apostle. He enjoyed more
than any other member of the quartet
who carried the gospel and civiliza-
tion into Europe the confidence of
Paul The influence of the friend
ship and companionship upon the
, young man Timothy resulted In
drawing out his latent powers. His
mind was disciplined by contact with
the brilliant and learned Paul. His
natural powers were set on fire for
Christ as a result of his studies and
service under Paul during their cam
paigns for the Lord Jesus.
Timothy supplied Paurs craving for
sympathy. Whenever he was absent
from the apostle the young minister
was followed by prayer and the de-
sire for his return. He helped Luke
with the church work in Phillip.
Timothy carried the first aid from the
Phillippi brethren to Paul in Thes-
salonica- Probably he may have sug-
gested the gifts. as they were the
first ever received by the apostle from
any of his disciples. He remained at
Berea with Silas until Paul sent for
him to come to Athens. His tact and
ability resulted in his being sent on
special missions for Paul to the
churches in Thessalonica Phillip, Mac
edonia, Berea and In other places. He
was successful in correcting the er-
rors of the Thessalonians concerning
PauPs teaching In reference to the
| second coming. He appears to have
n h 10
he tried to iron out the difficulties ex-
listing in the Corinthian church. He
was always loyal to Paul He stood
by the apostle and probably was i'm
prisoned with him at the time OF the
first imprisonment
Paul left him in charge Of the work
In Ephesus, while he pressed on to
Macedonia. From there the aged apos-
tie revealed his love and anxiety for
Timothy's success in the epistle that
he sent him that has been the "classica |
basis of all pastoral Charges from then
until now" Paul knew him as a
true shepherd OF souls. He knew the
passion for souls that Timothy kept
stirring up by using his God-gfven
| powers as an evangelist in his enthu-
siastic enorts to win men. He was a
man or faith and heart power, sympa-
thizing with those in trial and rejoic-
Ing in the victories that came TO the
| servants OF Christ. In the first letter
Paul showed that he feared that Tim
| othy might fall in his steadfastness be-
| cause OF the environment and its an
peal to the Greclan strain in his blood
Paul's last epistle shows that Tim
| othy had made good. The quiet and
timid soul remainedAtn Ephesus for at
least eleven years, when Paul appealed
Tor his presence, cloke, manuscripts and
books when he was in the Mamertfne
prison facing death. Timothy did not
ninch. He responded to the call Of
Paui, whose teachings had nodded his
character, enlarged his faith, enriched
his culture and filled him with love for
the Scriptures and a desire to rightly
oivlde the word OF truth to all classes
In his congregation. He tried to i'm
| part light TO the philosopher who
! studied the mysteries OF life. He point
ed out the way of salvation to the sin
ner VINO sought the way of life. He
tried to guide the moralist into the
path OF duty. He brought comfort TO
| those In trial, tribulation and tempta-
ton. He revealed the power of the
gospel by his daily life OF consecrated
and courageous effort, which proved that
ne mad been with Jesus and learned OF
Him. Ills ministry is a guide to all
who would follow him as a good min
lister of Jesus Christ. God stin needs
men who will love Him and proclaim
the word of truth by their purity of
speech and life. There never was a
greater privilege Of service opened TO
| any man than the one the Lord opens
when He calls men into His ministry
NO man, VINO Is Christian, should en-
| ter upon his life work until he has
faced the question of Lord, what wilt
| thou have me to do?'' There can he nc
| failures when we are carrying out His
| VIII and by doing His work in His way
! Copyright 1923l