Evening star., 1925-08-08

i
ends of the earth.-Psalm 1913.
Missionaries are restless when alb
sent from their fields Of labor. The
spirit of missions fills them with
dissatisfaction when anything inter
feres with their pushing forward the
work OF the kingdom of God among
the people of their field. They feel
the compulsion of Christs command
that has made Christianity a mis-
sionary religion. The apostles and
all the other leaders had recognized
during the council at Jerusalem that
Paul had been given the mission of
evangelizing the gentiles, 50 that the
pull of the missionary work made
him anxious to resume his great
work The great pioneer, whom
Renan recognized as the greatest
missionary of the first century had
caught the Masters vision of world
dominion. His program of winning
the Roman world, province by prov
ince, was based upon the marching
orders that Christ Jesus had issued
TO His church.
During the preceding missionary
tour Paul had come to understand
the principles of missionary work as
a result OF his experience. They had
Roman Empire and it's system OF
highways had opened the door in all
directions for the expansion of
istianity. The wide use OF the
Greek language had facilitated their
work, giving them an almost uni
versal hearing. Wherever they went
they had means OF approach and
were certain OF being able to obtain
a hearing. Although the empire
had removed the nLtional barriers,
they knew that they faced perse-
cutions because they despised the
gods" that the people had been in
the habit of worshiping. Paul un-
derstood that Rome was opposed to
all Eastern faiths and that Judaism
was the only one that could legally
be propagated. 1t is quite probable
that this fact may have entered into
the controversy that caused the
separation between Paul and Bar
nabas, who had shown courage when
he stood sponsor for Saul when he
was trying to join the disciples in
Jerusalem at an hour when they
distrusted him, and confidence in him
when he sought him out to help
build up the work among the gentle
Christians of Antioch.
Controversy with Barnabas.
The dissension which arose between
Paul and Barnabas grew out of Paul's
proposition that they should revisit
the churches that they had estab-
lished on their first missionary jour
ney. The missionary movement was
commenced by the call of the Lord.
God spoke and the work was COM
menced. While that fact marked the
opening of the first tour, here we
note that Paul proposed to Barnabas
the second tour. when he said, Let
US 60" Evidently Barnabas approved
of the plan to visit the brethren"
in the centers where they had
prea ched and established churches.
He shared Paul's love for the breth-
rem and evidently desired to strength
en- them.
One has TO read between the lines
to see the "paroxysm" that marked
the clash between the two jealous
missionaries, who were the outstand-
ing figures in the Christian mission
ary work of the first century. The
differences developed over the pro
posal Of Barnabas that they give John
Mark a second chance and let him
accompany him. He did not believe
that he should be cast aside because
of his slip at Perga. He pied that
he was at least entitled to a chance
to make good. Paul refused to i'm
peril the work by allowing one who
had failed and not yet demonstrated
that he could be depended upon to
join them. Mark appeared at the
time to Paul to be an apostate, who
would not sympathize with him con-
cerning the work among the Cen
tiles.
While differences over John Mark
led to the abrupt breaking up OF the
missionary partnership, that had
made Barnabas and Paul true yoke
fellows in winning the Gentiles for
Christ, the cause of the controversy
was in all probability due to some
social differences. which evidently had
not been settled by the Jerusalem
conference. 1t developed during a
visit of a delegation from Jerusalem
whose arguments caused Peter to
change his attitude and Barnabas had
shared the views of these representa-
tives Of James. who had protested
against the positions taken by Paul.
In all probability, John Mark shared
the view that Paul condemned. The
cause Of the difference is not stated,
but Paul refers to il in his letter to
the Galatians, which indicates that
the differences were based upon vital
settled in Jerusalem by the decision
that gave approval of his plea for
spiritual liberty and freedom from
The bondage of the law.
There was more in the sharp con-
tention" than can be put in words
1t covered more than the conduct and
character Of John Mark. Evidently
Barnabas. who had been given first
place in the Jerusalem DEGREES, had
resented, but he had for the time
smothered his personal feelings
against Pauls leadership out of his
love for the cause, had spoken out
concerning Pauls superceding him.
The "son of consolation" showed the
ordinary temper of other men. Paul
who later wrote the noblest hymn on
love in existence" was not able to
nassionate heat the suggestions of
Barnabas. for he kept on repeating
his position, although Barnabas only
made the suggestion about John Mark
once. 1t is the tragedy Of Chris.
tianity. that two such great souls
should fail to agree. Both suffered
was no way to avoid the rupture
after It had started. They did not
allow it to divide the Antioch Church
or allow it to embitter them.
Discovering Timothy.
The two missionaries separa ted
Our hearts go with Barnabas and we
long to know more of the man, who
befriended not only Paul but John
Mark in his hour Of need. He knew
how to take men that had failed and
help them to make good. He did it