The Republican., 1925-11-19

AclS Z0.1-Z4.Zt.
And herein do | exercise myself. to
have always good conscience void
of Offense toward God, and toward
men.-Acts 24:16.
THE TRIAL OF A CHRISTIAN
The trial of Paul involved many
tribunals. That day in Jerusalem it
was tried before the court of the peo-
rie, but it was race court pro-
ceeding passing upon the rights of
another race and crying away with
him" 1t is just the situation that
has brought so much friction in China
where each race claims it can not
get justice in the court of another
The case was appealed to a church
court. Paul had been a member of
the body, so he addressed them as
"brethren." Here was heresy case
and justice rarely comes out of such
trial, and its verdict is too often
set aside by history to give much
weight to its decision. He near lost
his life in the court and would have
lost it through the connivance of the
body with lawlessness, but for the in
tervention of the police. The case
was transferred to Caesarea where it
was appealed to the state in the per-
son of Felix. He was a bad repre-
sentative, but he occupied the office
and had small interest in the justice
of it so long as he might be served
by the position he held. Government
was for the interests of the govern
ors, and when that is true, whether
in industry, education or politics, JUS
tice is never the chief consideration
King and emperor were involved and
aristocratic dynasties had to pass up
on the issues raised by the lone cit
izen. No Christian leaves untouched
any agency in all the relationships of
the world. They are all involved by
his presence and civilization stands
or falls; church, state and nation pass
or stay, according to the verdict rem
dered upon the least child of the
Heavenly Father.
/ And heavens high court gets into
| it before the end is reached. That
| night in Jerusalem, after his bitter
| beating, when nerves were shaken and
| muscles sore, Paul was utterly dis
couraged. He had muddled things. He
| had wished so much to serve both
Lord and people that he was quite in
| despair and the future looked so un-
certain that hope was crushed. Then
Il his Lord came: "Be of good cheer
He said. "You have testified Of Me
II here, you shall in Rome" Cheer in
II his discouragement, cOmmedation in
his despair and promise for the fu-
ture-isn't that always the way God
does with His children? And it indi-
Gates that no matter what earth court
may pass on ones case the final word
is said by Him unseen but loved and
desired to be served.
THE TRIAL OF A POLITICIAN
Lysias was typical administrator
His decisions were immediate and his
actions swift and concluive. Was
Paul Roman? Then off with his
bonds. Was his case a church mat
ter? Then call the Sanhedrin. Was
his life threatened? Make ready the
soldiers and take him to safety to-
night. Was his trial to be in Caes-
area? Il have charged his accusers
to appear there" There is a quick
decisiveness that commends him
greatly. Felix was the governor who
for six years had directed the affairs
of turbulent Judea. Better men
would have failed but in it all this one
appears as typical politician. He
called the case and found Ananias ;
old, stopped, veritable Shylock with
out his virile strength, whetting his
knife of hatred against the prisoner.
1t must have been a desperate ride,
for the decrepid priest but he took it
pity church with such head! A
Roman shyster for Jewish money
makes plea against fellow Roman
tion of one of the most hated rulers
ton fone of the most hated rulrs
| JeGuSdlen ever knew. he sought 10
prejudice the Judge by calling names
this was a plague breeder, pest.
The charges were three: insurrection,
an offense against Roman law; a
Christian, an Otfense against the Jew
ish church law; temple proclamation,
an offense against universal law. 1t
must have sounded quite convincing
all made fine showing on paper and
as it was poured forth with the fervid
oratory of an advocate not of justice
but of his own fee. Paul must have
smiled to himself as he listened and
| then made his defense in courteous
and dignified way 81 am follower
Of The Way" was his boast, but both
Gallo in Corinth and the town clerk
of Ephesus had given the approval of
Rome to his position. And that "Way"