Evening star., 1925-05-30

Memorial day recalls our indebted
ness to the Nations heroes. 1t helps
us realize that under God we owe our
position, peace, power and prosperity
to their self-denial, sacrifice and serV-
ice. The development of our country
in commerce and culture is greatest In
periods of peace. History proves that
expansion in trade and education are
greatest when people are free from
the disturbances of war. 1t was so
| in the apostolic age. Luke's descrip-
ton of the Palestine Church following
the end Of persecution tells of singu-
lar spiritual prosperity. The church
had rest from war. Thanks to the
work of the prosecutors, Christian con-
gregations were found in every prov
ince; in Galilee and in Samaria, as
we'll as in Judea. The resumption of
the frequent assemblies of the dis
ciples for prayer and worship, which
the persecution had made for time
perilous, resulted in their spiritual
development. Their daily life re-
vealed a consistent character. They
walked in the fear of the Lord" and
grew.
Peace permitted the development of
the church. The constancy of the
Christians under persecution, together
with their reverent and righteous
lives In the days of quietness. attract
| ed the attention of their neighbors to
the new faith. The great enlargement
was due then, as now, to the work
of" the Holy Spirit, who encouraged
them to preach Christ. The Paraclete
did His predicted work of convicting
the world Of sin and regenerating the
souls OF men through the preaching
| OF the gospel. The aggressive, con-
Verting and conquering power of the
Word enabled the church through the
presence and power of the Holy Spirit
to grow during the period Of peace.
During the period of danger the
Apostles remained in the very center
| of the persecution. With the coming
OF peace and freedom from the pres
sure of the persecution, they visited
the newly established interests. This
gave them an opportunity to become
personally acquainted with the condi-
tions and needs Of the various congre-
cations. 1t enabled them to advise, en-.
| courage and inspire the brethren. The
enlarged ministry was marked by
greater work. tha the Apostles
had not been given this power earlier
because they had not commenced
earlier to carry out Christ's command
to preach everywhere. Our lesson
records two stupendous miracles which
| prove that the gospel did not forfeit
any OF its power in going abroad.
Miracles of Comfort.
Luke, the physician, introduces
these two miracles of comfort TO show
how Peter came to have a broader
View Of Christianity. The great simi-
larity between these miracles and
those Of Christ indicates that He was
continuing to do the greater works"
after His resurrection just as He did
during the days of His public minis
try. Our Lord was moved with COM
passion" as He mingled with men be-
cause He loved us So" When Peter,
who had occupied the leading place in
Jerusalem, turned to visit the disciples
scattered throughout Palestine in all
probability he visited the central high
lands, or even Samaria and Galilee.
before he reached the two places men
toned in todays study. Although
LYDIA Is only IS miles from the capi-
tai on the direct road to Cassarea, 1t
was not the first place the apostle
visited in his tour Of inspection and
supervision, for We are told that he
arrived there while he was passing
through among all the saints.
Peter was attracted by the condi-
tion Of a confirmed paralytic, who had
been confined to his bed for eight
y
hopeless man, Peter tried to arouse a
spirit Of trust In Aeneas, that the
Lord Jesus could heal him. The COM
mand that he rise and make his bed"
was based upon the method of the
Master and contained the evidence Of
expectancy Of a cure. Christian love
saw an opportunity Of aiding the poor
sufferer, so that he could help advance
the kingdom of God. 1t was not Peter
but the Christ who healed Aeneas.
He is still healing many today through
the skill of the physicians and sur
geons, as well as in answer to the
prayers Of faithful men and women.
He uses the triumphs of modern sur
gerry sand medicine to restore people
| who have fallen under the influence
of Satan, the prince Of the power of
! the air.
A great revival swept over the
Sharon plain so that all turned to the
Lord. The news spread to the near
by seaport of Joppa, with the result
| that Peter was summoned thither to
meet the emergency caused by the
death Of Dorcas. The fact that this