Evening star., 1925-09-26


Europe. In studying the evolution of
the religious faith from the synagogue
of the Jew to the church Of the Chris
tian we have learned that we are In
debted to Paul for our modern prln-
ciples Of individual freedom and de-
mocracy. The missionary zeal or
Chris ranity's greatest interpreter car
ried yle gospel to the Gentiles from
Antioch to Berea. He planted the
seeds of liberty and civilization In
Europe that found fruit in America s
Declaration of Independence, political
principles and power.
While Paul has been the leading
character that we have sought to visu-
alize as the pioneer foreign mission.
ary. we have considered number or
other associates and converts as we
traced the progress of the apostle s
effort to win the Roman Empire for
Christ and His church. Among the
five missionaries associated with Paul
there was only one who failed, and 1t
was due to the determination Of Bar
nabas to give John Mark another op-
portunity to make good that the two
friends who started the history of
missions separated. On the second
tour we met Silas, his comrade: Tim
othy, his devoted son in the faith and
minister of Christ, and Luke, the be-
loved physician, who shared the hon
ors with Paul of carrying the good
news" into Europe. The last two were
converts won for Christ by Paul. Our
studies have introduced us to a few
other converts whose names are re-
membered because of their association
with Paul. who took the leadership
after his defense of Christianity be-
fore Sergius Paulos in Salamis.
In connection with the first church
established in Europe we met Lydia.
the business woman; the unnamed
slave girl and jailer, as well as Epa-
phroditus. their minister. who risked
all that he might minister to Paul. as
we learned in our study OF the letter
TO the Philippians. Jason. in connec-
ton with the work in Thessalonica,
and Sopater. in Berea- were living
witnesses Of the gospels power to
save men. In connection with Paul's
visit to Jerusalem. where his WORK as
4 missionary to the Gentiles was ap-
proved. we found him associating with
such leaders there as Peter, James
and John. as we'll as James. 1.-The
Lords brother" who. being pastor of
the mother church, exercised a tre-
mendous power. especially among the
Jewish Christians.
Missionary Methods.
The study of the career of Paul and
his associates in their pioneer mis-
sionary work enabled us to see their
Christian character and usefulness
develop as they sought to carry out
the commands of the Lord Jesus.
There was no reference to the march
ing orders given to His disciples by
the risen Christ in connection with
the inauguratio&1 Of the first mis-
Sin Wv he Ice
ship Of the Holy Spirit, Barnabas
and Saul were called and with the ap-
proval of the Antioch Church they
entered upon their missionary
career. Believing that If men did
not hear of the atoning blood of the
Redeemer 1t would be for them as if
he had not died, their sympathy for
humanity and desire to glorify Christ
moved them to enter the missionary
work.
The same spirit moved Eliot and
the Jesuits, who first sought the
salvation of the Indians. 1t inspired
Judson in Burmah, Morrison in
China, Harrington in Africa and
Patton in the South Sea island of
Tanna as they faced perils and
"hazarded their lives for the name of
our Lord Jesus" In our study of
the letter to the Thessalonians we
Of life that gave power to his min
istry. It was then, as today, the man
behind the sermon that gave 1t
power. He found joy in the self
denying service, sacrifice and suffer
ing that he endured for Christ during
his missionary work. 1t required the
courage born of convictions of duty
to enter upon the work Of planting
the cross" upon heather soil. He
Eel Nf tic 90 20
unseen presence, the friendship of his
brethren and the fruits of victory for
him to face, as Paul did. the danger
of bandits and the perils Of murderous
prosecution In his work. No one can
win out as missionary who Is con-
troled by fear. Paurs courage was
born of the convictions of a personal
experience of salvation and thor
ough study Of the Old Testament that
confirmed his faith in Jesus as the
risen Messiah.
Like all missionaries. Paul saw that
the gospel was not limited to any
class, country or cast. 1t had no
limitations as to region, or race, as
God was not q respector of persons" :"
He laid down the evangelical basis
that calls men to enter the missionary
work today TO help save the lost.
Paul's first duty was to win men for
Christ. He never permitted an op-
portunity to pass without speaking a
word for the Lord Jesus. He was