The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-11-23
SAINT LUKE

Luke is referred to by St. Mark, in
his Epistle to the Colossians, as the
beloved physician. He appears to be
the author of the Acts of the Apostles
as we'll as the Gospel which bears his
name, both of these works being adj
dressed to Theophilus, a disciple who
had been instructed in Christian doe
trine, and was thus further indoctrin-
ated by the truths set forth in Luke's
writing. All we know of Theophilus
is his name; but he must have been a
close friend of Luke, and a person of
considerable prominence to be thus
singled out by Luke as the original re-
cipient of these precious documents.
This book, like Marks Gospel, was
written especially for Gentiles, as in
Dictated by internal evidence. Pains
are taken, as in the case of Mark, to
explain Jewish customs, and some
times Greek names are substituted for
Hebrew. Its purpose, as stated by
the author, is to give a connected and
orderly narrative of the life of Christ
as seen by eye-witnesses. The key
verse of the book is in Chapter ID:
"That thou highest know the GER
tainty of those things, wherein thou
hast been instructed"
1t is no easy task to set forth the
distinctive features of books which
deal in every line with matters of
such profound significance as do the
books of the New Testament. Yet
we are able to find in each Of them
certain mountain peaks from which a
vision of the whole may be had. Ger
tainly these features of the Gospel of
Luke must be evident to all thoughtful
readers. 1t is a Gospel Of the univer-
sale grace of God. 1t is Gospel Of
"The Son of Man" 1t emphasizes
Christ's sympathetic. attitude toward
the poor, the lowly, and the outcasts.
1t reveals His compassion upon the
poor disciples; the sinful woman;
Mary Magdalene; the Samaritans;
the deserted beggar, Lazarus; publ
cans and sinners; the dying thief. 1t
is a devotional Gospel, especially en-
phasizing prayer.
This Gospel strikes a note of joy
and praise. Some Of the great Chris
tan hymns have their inspiration in
this Gospel, such as "The Ave Maria"
the words of the Angel Of Annuncia-
ton, Chapter 1883. "The Magnifi-
cat" Mary's song, Chapter 1:46-55.
"The Benedictus" of Zacharias, Chap
ter 1:6S-79. "The Gloria in Excel
sis" of the heavenly angels. Chapter
2:13-14. "The Nunc Dimittis," Sim
cons rejoicing over the Savior's
birth, Chapter 2:29-32.
Luke greatly honors womanhood in
his narratives; Mary, the wife of JOS
eph; Elizabeth, her cousin; Mary and
Martha, the sisters of Lazarus of
Bethany, where Jesus loved to visit,
live before us as we read. The daugh
tiers of Jerusalem are compassionated
because of the woes which must fall
heavily upon TIM. The aged widow
Anna, who, though unable to leave
the temple, where she served God with
Hastings and prayer day and night,
spoke of Jesus the Redeemer to all
them that looked for redemption in
Jerusalem.
The narrative closes with a series
of events concerning the Resurrection
and the Ascension, chapter Of fifty
one verses. One of the most beauti-
full of the incidents recorded in the
last chapter of Luke is the story of
the Easter Sunday afternoon journey
of Luke and Cleopas to the little town
of Emmaius. The risen Lord Joined
the disciples with the question, "What
manner of communications are these
that We have one to another, as We
walk and are sad?" They told Him
of their sorrow for their Lord, of
whose resurrection they were still ig
norant. Then He opened unto them
the scriptures, and showed why the
things that caused their sadness were
inevitable. Coming to Emmais, they
invited Him, still ignorant Of His iden-
tity, to share their frugal meal. "And
as He gave thanks for bread, their
eyer were opened, and they knew Him;
and He vanished out of their sight"
SAINT JOHN
Of all the Gospels John is the best
beloved. 1t was probably written late
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