Evening star., 1925-11-07


rests with the churches of Christ. 1t
is only through the members of our
churches. recog ntZing their reSponsf-
bility and duty, that requires them TO
support our President in his determi
nation TO substitute for "the old stand
ards of dealing with other countries
by terror and force" new standard
of friendship and understanding"
The hope of perma nent peace rests
upon the acceptance and observance
by all nations of the principles. of
Christianity. If we follow the exam
pie and eXhortation of Paul in todays
lesson we win serve the church and
the world by living a consecrated life
that will reveal and ma gnify Christ
Jesus to all men.
There Ia no better way to destroy
'the war psychology" than TO recog
nize the fundamental place of the
apostles OF peace and progress In
building moi only our national but the
worlds civiiiZa tion. Following the
life of the Lord Jesus. who came not
TO he minist cred unto but to minister
and 10 give His life for the world.
Paul lived q life OF consecrated service.
He found the deepest joys OF his mis-
sionary ministry in his social service
work Of raising funds for the poor in
Jerusalem. as d method that would
help remove the barriers of racial an
taeonism that existed between the
Jewish and Gentle Christians. When
Paul withdrew from Ephesus shortly
after the riot. which we considered in
our lesson two weeks ago. he decided
70 revisit the churches in Greece. Sc
cure gifts for the relief work of the
Jerusalem Church. attend the Pass
over. when he expected 10 turn over
the gifts OF the Gentiles To their Jew.
ish brethren and then visit Rome.
During this farewell tour of the
churches that he had csta biished on
his second missionary journey Paul
visited all the isolated Christian
churches. This gave him an oppor-
tunity 10. confer with the leaders and
correct any mistakes in their work.
He encouraged the struggling bands
to renew their enthusiastic endeavors
by his instruction concerning Christ
and the scriptural teachings. The in
spira ton of personal contact with the
one who exemplified the Master in his
personal religious life proved helpful.
1t was true Of the apostle when he
said concerning his Christian life.
For me 10 live is Christ
Preacher. Prophet, Pastor.
When Paul's shin reached Miletus.
which was about 80 miles away. he
revealed the pastors heart by send
ing for the elders or bishops of the
church to meet him at Niletus. be
cause his plan TO visit EphcSus had
been Cancelled. due TO the changes of
the vessels sailing orders. They re-
vealed their love for the apostle by
responding at once to his request.
Paul knew that Ii was their final fare
we'll. 90 in the only address delivered
by the apostle 10 a body of Christians.
that has been preserved for us by
Luke. he referred to his fidelity as
q preacher. He had preached the
full gospel to them. His MESA ges
had declared the gospel of Gods
grace He had been humble and
sympathetic He had preached ten
DERBY. his heart being moved. and the
Tears hae fallen in his earnest en-
deavor 10 persuade them TO repent
and believe. He claimed absolute
freedom from ever being charged
with their blood" for he had preach
ed to both Jew and Greek. in public
and private. every truth connected
with their salvation and life.
There is pathetic side 10 The close
Of every pastorate. Paul unveiled
the future in his farewell message
which lis perfect in simplicity, pathos
and dignity" Love without weakness
and fcrvent vet restrained self-devo-
ton throb in every line. 1T is personal
without ecotisn. and scars without
effort. All of his references TO the
dangers which he had faced and were
in life's highway ahead of him were
made TO encourage them to meet the
perils of life in self-denying. sacri-
fetal service. The heroic attitude
with which he faced the fiery trials
and possibly martyrdom strengthened
them in the trying hours that he
warned them would come to the Ephe-
sian Church. 1t was the pastors heart
that warned them against the foes
that the church would face from two
quarters for wolves would come from
without and false teachers would
arise within. drawing the disciples
after them and away from the Lord.
A reference TO Revelations. >. proves
that his fears for the church's future
were well founded. The foes within
more dangerous. They are still the
most dangerous ones that we are
called upon to meet and master.
4 Sad Farewell.
Paul's last words recalled the
Lords parting with His disciples on
the night preceding His crucifiXion.
when He commended them to God.
There Is something sacred in the
close embrace and salutation upon
the cheek Of the Oriental. comment
would spoil the pathos and beauty of
the closing scene, when Paul pointed
them to their Lord. whose life proved
the truth of his words. which. are
recorded nowhere else in the Scrip
lures: Remember the words of the
Lord Jesus, how He Himself said. 1T
is more blessed to give than to re-
ceive.'"
No man can be. a, true minister of
Christ Jesus unless he is willing to
give his all to Christ. Paul's hands.
hardened by toiling at his trade to
supply his physical needs, proved
that he had given up all that he
might win the lost for the Lord
Jesus. His whole life after he became
a Christian was spent for others. He
emphasized this TO encourage the
bishops to follow his example He
called upon them to be faithful In
their ministry not only by remember
ing his example. but by recalling the
cost of the blood. bought flock that had
been placed under their watch care.
He pointed out the danger that the
church faced and warned them
against any false motives in their
own life and labor.
Moffat has pointed out that the un-
controllabIe burst of tears that broke
from his friends when he said good
bye to them was an illustration of
Pauts power of drawing out the af-
lection Of love from his loval churches.
If the apostle had secured the hate
OF the Jews, who believed that he had
deserted them and classed him as u
traitor of his race and religion. he
had won the burning love of the disci-
pies of Christ Jesus by his life of
io1 San nrfA