The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-10-27
BY WILLIAM E. GILROY, d. d,
Editor of The Congregationalist

2S-3S; IL Cor. 11:@S.
BY WILLIAM E. GILROY, d. ID.
Editor of The COngregationalist
. EAREWELLS have a strange and
Il tragic fascination for human in
terest-especially when there is as
5Ociated with them some element OF
danger or some great adventure OF
idealism.
During the Great War I lived in a
city where thousand OF troops were
trained for months, before going
overseas. Some Of these thousands
were still in training when the
thousands who had preceded them
had already been cut to pieces in the
early battles that had shocked the
world with the unimagined horrors
of modern scientific" war.
The men who we're going, and
the friends and relatives who were
saying farewell, had no illusions
about the eventful journey. There
may have been a care-free sem
blance Of unconcern, a hiding of
real emotions, but a keen observer
could penetrate easily beyond the
mask to the strong depths Of an
guish in the hearts Of wives and
mothers, and to the conflict of love
and duty in the hearts Of husband
and sons.
It is necessary that one should
have the background of some such
experience to enter into all the
meaning, and the tragic beauty of
this description Of Paul's farewell
to the elders Of the church at
Ephesus-the church which he had
founded and nurtured-as he left
them to go to Jerusalem.
There was a sense Of destiny in
his going. II was a journey into
the unknown, but some prophetic
sense assured him that it was a
Journey into danger and difficulty
The Holy Ghost Witnesseth in
every city, saying that bonds and
Affections abide me-
It was a journey from the real
Paul lived dangerously and richly
wherever he happened to be, but
he was leaving a scene of triumph
through danger and difficulty for
a course that might mean the end.
For a man like Paul, unknown
dangers had an unusual power to
stir the soul, Immediate perils he
could face without flinching, but one
can sense in his experience as he
faces this journey to Jerusalem
something of that deep agony of
spirit that Jesus had undergone in
Gethsemane. 1t was easier for Paul
because Jesus had gone the way OF
the cross.
1T is the way the Master went;
Should not the servant tread it
still?'
Probably Paul had fought his
Gethsenlane before this farewell. lie
was expressing here the spiritual
confidence and triumph that had
come through much warfare IN his
own spirit
Who knows what temptations he'd
assailed him to avoid jerusalem?
Why did he go anyway? Had he
not at one time fled from Jerusa-
lem to seek safety in Tarsus?
These questionings we can not
answer. There is a voice within that
sometimes reveals with great COM
mand the way of destiny and duty
and Paul knew it here.
How does he meet this crisis?
First of all with a deep sense CT
having done his best. He has lived
dutifully and unselhshly, and now
his last though is of himself or of
his own safety.
In the consciousness of upright
ness Of heart and purity Of motive
he goes forth.
He does not expect to see his
friends again in this world, but he
gives them in his departure a
heritage of example as noble as
in his presence.
His words shine forth with in
spiration for the encouragement of
| lesser men.
But none of these things move
me, neither count I my life dear
unto myself, so that I might finish
my course with joy, and the min
istry which I have received of the
Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of
the grace of God"