The Indianapolis times., 1929-05-11
BY VIM. E. GILROY, D. D.


Editor of The CongregationaIist
NUR study Of fidelity in the face
~ Of difficulties takes uso back to
the early ministry of jeremiah, one
of the greatest prophets of Israel.
whose work was in the middle Of
the sixth century before Christ.
Unlike some Of the other prophets
who we're called to the prophetic Of
flee from secular tasks, jeremiah
was of a priestly family. Like other
prophets, he did not seek the pro-
phetic office. but rather felt his un-
the call only under the impulse of
conscientious urge and the assur-
ance that God had given him a
message.
Here in our lesson he is repre-
sented as in dialogue with God con-
corning the prophetic work. He
feels his weakness and assures the
Lord that he knows not how to
speak, that he is a child. The re-
ligious philosophy that has upheld
men who felt their weakness in
great tasks and crucial RESPONSE
bilities is expressed, as Paul was to
express it later, in the clear re-
sponse that jeremiah represents as
coming from God to his own soul.
Felt God Prompting Him
Say not, I am a child; for to
whosoever I shall send thee thou
shalt 60 and whatsoever l shall
command thee thou shalt speak"
Along with this assurance came a
deep conviction that God had put
words into his mouth, and that he
had, through this spiritual expert
ence, a message for the nations. Il
have this day set thee over the ma
tions and over the kingdoms to
pluck up and to break down and to
destroy and to overthrow, to build
and to plant"
The man who develops such
consciousness as that is as much in
place of danger as in that of
privilege and responsibility. Even
spiritual power has its dangers, and
the very fact that through spiritual
strength men attain to a certain
prestige and authority over their
fellows put upon them new tempta-
tions. Do not such temptations and
the yielding to them explain the de-
gradation Of men and women, who
in the beginning of their career
seemed to have had much sincerity
but who degenerate into mere fana-
tics or faklrs?
The temptations that are re-
corded of Jesus indicate that even
his great mission was not free from
the possibility of using his power
for his own aggrandiZement. But,
as Jesus nobly vanquished all temp
tations, SO jeremiah, with his sense
Of prophetic power. fully subjected
himself to the divine purpose. He
stands as a character of great in
tegrity, profoundly concerned for
the truth Of God and for the well
fare of Israel
AS a prophet of truth, consider.
ing the welfare of the nation, he
could not conscientiouSly speak
words Of ease. The prophet is often
like the wise and intelligent physi-
clan who knows the truth concern
ing his patient and who knows how
tragic may be the result Of telling
that truth. Oftentimes the patient
turns from the competent physi-
clan to the quack who has honeyed
assurances and ready cures.
His Nation Scorned Him
Thus it was with jeremiah. De
spite his fidelity and his devotion to
the welfare of the nation. those who
should have welcomed his message.
and who should have listened to
him. sCorned him and declared him
worthy Of death. The priests and
prophets who were less noble than
he clam0red to the prince and to
the people for his death.
But jeremiah was not dismayed:
he spoke all the more plainly to the
rulers and the people. admonishing
them that though they might do as
they pleased concerning him. the
taking Of his life could only add to
the innocent blood upon them
selves and upon the city. He stands
as noble figure Of the prophet. in
spring for all time, and for those
who though they may not feel
call to any great prophetic work are
called to the task that is before
every man and woman-the task of
faithfulness and courage in every