Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 23, Number 273, Decatur, Adams County, 18 November 1925 — Page 6

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S inday School ’ Lesson r <*r REV. P. U FITZWATXH DP, D«« »t W>« Evtnlnc »<ho«l. Moody Ulblo last oto of Chicago.) J>. !•**. Weiiirn Now»p*s>«r Union.) L ?»»on for November 22 PAUL BEFORE FELIX L 'SSON TEXT—Acta Mil-*?. G 'LDEN TEXT—‘ Herein do I «x*»clx inyeelf. to h»V* alwaye a e«neclt ice void of offeree toward God. and tow rd men."—Acta 24:1*. P UMARY TOPIC—Why Paul Wai Not Afraid J NIOR TOPIC—PauI Before Fella. I TERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC Paul Before Felix: A Contraat. 1 >UNQ PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC- How to Have a Good Conaclenca. I. Paul Accuaad (w. 1-9). Paul was now in the hands of Felix wh<> determined to hear his case after bls iccusers had eome from Jerusalem. An: nlas, the high priest, and elder* canid with Tertullus. perhaps a Roman barrister, who formally made the accusation according to Homan law. He began with flattery. He gave Felix the fullest praise when he and all the people knew that he lied, for Felix was one of the worst goverlnors, destitute of morals and Justice. He brought a four-fold charge against Paul: 1. "A Pestilent Fellow" (v. 5). This would indicate a fellow utterly base and corrupt —a plague. 2 Au Inciter of Rebellion, a Mover of (v. 5). 1 bls they hoped would bring him Into ’onfllet with the Roman power. 5. That He Was the Ringleader of a l set—a Schismatical Party—a Heretl (v. 5). ' his was designed to throw contei pt and suspicion upon the Chri*tla s, by this means to bring Paul Into de ler trouble. < That He Had Profaned the Temple (v. 6). ' i this charge we see the wickedness a; n. they wilfully suppressed facta. . Paul’s Defense (vv. 10-21). his is a splendid example of the s ngth and dignity of a man whose II is controlled by a noble purpose, s who has nothing to conceal, and v not distort or suppress facts. Panl’s Frankness and Courtesy ( 10). lattery Is entirely wanting. He g e recognition of the fact that Felix h been ruler of this people long e igh to be able to Judge Justly, as th habits and ways «f the Jews were f- Illar to him; he then in a dlgnl th manner assumes that Felix will re ler a Just decision based on the f» s of the case. The Charge of Sedition Denied (’ 11-12). e flatly and scornfully denied this c’ rge. showing Its utter falsity since tl time was too short, it being but C Ive days since he went to Jernsi >m. and half of that time had been sj st as a prisoner of the Roman*. The Charge of Heresy (w. 14If . his be met by a concession and a d< !al. He admitted that he was of th "way” which they called heresy, b” denied that Christians were schl*m: ics. He showed clearly that hl* *etl< s were In keeping with the Hebrew re' gion. I) He worshiped the same God (v 14). I) He fully believed In the same S< iptures (v. 14). 1) He had the same hope of a co dng resurrection of the dead (v. 15 . Te declared that he had as the prtnc! e of life a conscience void of effe le before God and man. I) The Charge of Sacrlisga or Profan tlon of the Temple (w. 17-21). ’ hls charge he refuted by showing: '1) That he had come all the way frr n Greece (v. 17), to worship at th< feast. (?) That he did not come up emptyha ded but had brought alm* for hi* na on (v. 17). 1) That there were not competent w' tesses present to testify of hl* behe lor In the temple (▼. 19). I) By challenging hl* enemies to te ify as to hls conduct In the council (v. 20). • 11. Felix Trembles Before Paul (v 22-27). ' his Is a sort of a sequel to tbs tri I. Wicked as Felix was, Paul’s mr >ner somehow won hl* favor, th> igb he did not releaae him. Hls se’ ence wa* indulgent imprisonment, w! ch kept him free from hl* enemies wb e under Roman protection. Felix sc ” for Paul that he might beer of Cl ist from him. Paul behaved himse' aright before these sinners in high iif He reasoned of righteousness se' control and of Judgment to come, bei re Felix and hls sinful wife with su< i power that Felix was terrified, an- declared that he would hear Paul fur her at a convenient time. This we a most flimsy excuse for not cb iglng hls life and granting Justice to ’aul. Increasing Burdens ie man who Increases the burdens ot ils brother will find his own load gi ring heavier. —Western Christian A ocate. Revenge wenge 1* sweet to the taste but pit rin the heart — W—tam Ad XiU ;

WHY GO TO CHURCH? J Rev. F. 11. Meyer, the world-famed and aged minister of London, said recently, "It becomes Increasingly clear to me that nothing can save our Christian civilisation except a widespread religious revival. Our times in many respects resemble those at the close of the eighteenth century, and need a re-accentuation of the great principles of our Saviour's ministry and death, the gifts of the spirit and the ap proach to the masses." •'That the Church is the medium through which His saving grace can co-operate; that she must cease to accentuate her differences, and act under the baptism of one Spirit; that all which hinders hls operation thru her be eliminated, and as the end of the age approaches, we must light our lamps and gird our loins —these seem to be the urgent demands of tinhour. What Dr. Meyer meant in a word is that the world is needing today the positive and sustainlg force of the church of Jesus Christ. Since it take* Individuals to make a church if such a force is to be produced, the need of the world for this force Is sufficient appeal for every one to act. WHI NOT GO TO CHURCH NEXT SUNDAY? ■— o ■ THE QUESTION BOX ♦ ••••••• * * * • * • ••••••• (Send problems In question form to Church Editor; answers will appear in later issue.) 1. Suggest some ways by which the Sunday school may have trained teachers and officers. -The Methodist Church South has been encouraging each pastor to study one of the recognized teacher training text books receiving special ecignltion for the work done in order that he may in turn train his teachers and officers. Arrangements can be made with your denominational Sunday School Board for pursuing one of the cources by means ot correspondence. One of the common methods is to oganizc a young people’s leadership taining class which meets during the Sunday school hour. To make a success of such a class faithful and unlnterupted attendance with at least 45 minutes for the lesson period A week night class may be conducted for teachers now giving service with any others that might enroll. Often such a class is one among other* conducted in the mid-week church night program now quite pepu'ar. 1« rural districts under the direction of the pastor or some other capable leade a plan can be worked out for weekly lessons in the home, meeting once a month for review making much of the fellowship privileges The leader needs to work out some plan of keeping In touch weekly with each member of the class. This can be done by mimeogaphed assignments and reports. In the city It is well to effect a ten week’s interdenominational train Ing school —or a week's Standard Training schooL Leaflets can be secured from dencnsinationa) boards explaining the different plans o — Be thankful tor many things you haven’t got. e • • To be thankful Is to be especially Chrlstlike. —Russell H. Conwell * « • Nothing takes the heart out of a person like ingratitifle. * • • You can only make others grateful by being grateful yourself. • • • Gratitude Is one of the trifles that help to make a little man a big man. —Geroge H. Knox. • • • Gratitude is the echo of the pleasant words we speak to others. • • • A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues. * • • We are blest beyond all other nations of the world, and we should be correspondingly thankful. • • • String the pearls of God’s favor. Hide the dark parts, except so far as they are breaking out in light. Give Thanksgiving Day to thanks, to Joy, to gratitude.—The Methodist Recorder. • ♦ a Henry Ward Beecher expressed him. self as beautifully on Thanksgiving

DF.CATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT. WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 18.1925.

as any man ever has: He said, "Thanksgiving Day is the one national festival which turns on home life. It is not a day of ecclesiastical saints; 1 not a national annlversay; not a day ’ celebrating a religious event. It Is j ' a day of tnanksglvtng for the year’s history And It mu*t pivot on the household—the one great festival ot our .American life that does pivot there. • * • Th* unthankful heart, like a finger In the sand, discovers no mercies, but let the thankful heart sweep through the day. and as the magnet finds the Iron, sco It will find in every hour some heavenly blessings It is a pleasant sight to see anybody thanking God, for the air is heavy with the hum of murmuring anil the roads are dusty with complaints and lamentations—C. H Spurgeon. THANKSGIVING • For unkind words repressed. For all intent not done, For evil thoughts suppressed, Unworthy goals unwon. For faults of yesteryear Repaired by aid of thine; For penalties we fear Withheld by love divine. For mercy patient still With us so slow to mend; For heaven’s kindly will That daily good doth send. , For one more day to live And one more chance to love; For will to work and give. And our manhood prove. i ■ -o—- --• RELIGIOUS NEWS GATHERED * • ALL AROUND THE WORLD ♦ ’** * * It is announced that King George of England reads a chapter of the Bible every day. Biblical instruction is given in ■ 250 colleges of the United States with an enrollment of 100,000 students. , The First Congregational church ,of Kalamanod, Michigan, ninety years old this year, has sent four- , teen men into the Christian minis- ■ try. 1 There are over 3,000,000 Jews in New York City alone. More Jews eat dinner there every day than ever ■ attended the Passover Feast In Jeru- : salem. > ■ The average age at which people Join the church has dropped during the past forty years from 16.4 years to 11.9 years, according to Dean Athearn of Boston University School of Religious Education. in spite of the earthquake and Americas immigration legislation, missionary work in Japan has never seemed more worthwhile. All of the burned churches iu Tokyo have been rebuilt and are flourishing as never before. At the National meeting of the l Episcopal church in New Orleans. Rt. Rev. John Gardner Murray of Baltimore, Bishop of Maryland, was elected presiding bishop of the church. This is the highest honor of the church, now made elective for the first time. The International Student Conference will be held in Evanston, 111 , December 29 to January 1, 1926. The central theme for discussion will be, ‘To what extent can the idealism of youth function effectively through the church?" The pastor and people of the First Congregational Church of Washington. D. C., of which the president is a member, are talking of the erection of a national Congregational church, In which the entire Congregational fellowship of the country should be asked to share. At the last International convention of the Gideons held in Columbus, 0., the Gideons of the Dominion of Canada and the United States merged as one association, to be known • as the Gideons of The association has committed itself to the task of a world wide Bible ministry in hotels in every country where opportunity Is presented. It is rumored that Dr. Harris E. Kirk of Baltimore, has made up his mind to accept the call to the pulpit . of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian church, New York City, to succeed Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick who was guest pastor for more than four years. Dr. Kirk ha* been pastor of the Franklin . Street southern Presbyterian church ; ia Baltimore tor 24 years. Even the

newspapers in that city have sought *' to bring pressure to keep him there. . c President Coolidge has used the authority given him by Congress to 1 j remit the unpaid balance on the indemnity that China agreed to pny ns after the Boxer rebellion of 1900 ' This balance amounts to over six ■ million, one hundred thousand dollars e and will be put at the disposal of " the Chinese Foundation for the Promotion of Education and Culture t established last year by the order of > the president of China- This should 1 strengthen the good feeling that has v long existed among intelligent Chin- t eae for the United States. o— 9 • WEEKLY STORY OF EARLY * EDUCATION IN THE HOMES ♦ •••••••• ** * ** * * n "One year from this date, I prom- p ise to give my son one a hour of my time every day, with two j, hours on the Sabbath. And I prom- p ise that this time shall be solely p hls, without interference for business ~ or pleasure of any sort, and that 1 v shall regard It as a prior engagement f each day" is a promissory note of a ( leading business man recently published in the North American. v When asked why he wrote this (] strange note he said. ‘‘Well, the other day a young fellow came to ( me for a Job. I had known his father t years ago. and they Were a fine family, Now this son is down and ( out. When I asked him how he came .o this end with such a father, he ( half broke down. ( "My father must have been a fine man," he said, "but unfortunately , for me, I only knew it through ‘ others. He always was too busy to pa} - any attention to me. As a mat- ’ ter of fact, I never knew him as a companion, a friend, or anything but .he man who paid the bills.” ‘‘As I sat listening to that poor ' chap, I suddenly realized that he was ’ painting my picture—me a man of business, neglecting my most important business, the proper rear- 1 ing of my son that he may help ' itrengthen humanity and the better :arry on the world’s work. I gave to 1 1 hat lad the Job he wanted, and ha ave to me the job I had neglected- 1 ' 3elng a business man. I wrote the promissory note.” D. Carl Yoder. ! — o I ♦ * COMMENTS ON THE * | * SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON * j * * I »»♦♦•*♦*♦*♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦*♦♦ I My Conscience and I—Paul Before < • Felix—Acts 24:10-16, 22-25. ] In our last lesson we left Paul | ’ standing on the castle stairs, from i which he told the story of his life. ] 1 There is nothing more interesting to ] in audience than autobiography. The j Jewish mob was interested until he i • spoke of his mission to the Gentiles, ] ■ hen they threw dust into the air ] ' They could not abide the thought that ' ! he gospel should be preached to the ( 1 Gentiles. ’’ ! In the confusion the chief captain J was bewildered. He felt the Jews had some terrible charge against Paul as 3 revealed by the readiness to kill him. ind his first move was to order Paul E scourged. This however, failed. Paul 1 allowed the soldiers to proced with the 3 preparations to a certain point. When 1 they had stripped and bound him, and r were ready to scourge him he quietly said, "Is it lawful for you to scourge i man that is a Roman and uncondemned?" Paul shows no bitterness — only asks in a courteous way it it is proper to scourge a Reman. ' We can learn from this lesson somep I thing of respect for law. The Roman law would brook no lawlessness and no disobediences. We have something ' t to learn in America in regard to revsrence for the law of thhe land. As a , s Roman citizen Paul took refuge in the ] security provided for him by theh gov-\' I ernment under which he lived. Law , and order,have come down to us at ( , great cost, and we should value highly ■ the liberty and law that safeguards i t HEAD STUFFED FROM J | CATARRH OR A COLD J ; i X Says Cream Applied in Nostrils ■• i f Opens Air Passages Right Up. T ] , ' Instant relief —no waiting. Your ] clogged nostrils open right up; the ( ' air passages of your head clear and ' you can breathe freelyi No more ; nawking, snuffling, blowing, head- i ache dryness. No struggling for ' ’ breath at night; your cold or catarrh ] 1 disappears. ’ t Get a small bottle of Ely’s Cream | Balm from your druggist now Apply ( ’ a little ot this fragrant, antiseptic, i healing cream in your nostrils. It pen- j - etrates through every air passage of , ■ the head, soothes the inflamed or j l swollen mucous membrane and relief ] comes instantly. i It’s just fine. Don’t stay stuffed-up ] 1 with a cold or nasty catarrh. j

us in our own land The captain is surprised to learn that Paul was a Roman citizen, and was born into his citizenship; aud now be is ready sot his second move—to turn him over to the Jewish Coujn cil. This also failed for the Pharisees and Saduceeti disagreed and catne to no conclusion. This third move is to send Paul to Felix in Daosaroa in the night. Here is a regular organized court trial with Felix, the governor, acting as judge, was instituted Ananias, the high priest, and elders came with Tertulius, who made the | opening speech for the prosecution. I After flattering Felix, when he and all i the people knew that he lied, for Felix was destitute of morals and justice. In abusive language he charges Paul with being an insurrectionist against the Romans, a ringleader of the Zazarites. and a defiler of the templesumming it all up by branding him as "A pestilent fellow." Vs. 10-ll—Paul defends himself in a masterly address —a splendid example ot the strentgh and dignity of u man whose life Is controlled by a noble purpose, who has nothing to conceal, and will not suppress facts. In his introduction he is courteous and complimentary without a single word of flattery. He declares himself glad tnat hls case is being tried before a judge who is familiar with the Jewish affairs, Felix having been governor for five or six years a true gentleman will be polite whether it pays or not. Felix responded by permitting the prisoner's friends to visit him. What we say is after all not so important sometimes as the way we say it. Tertullus had ranted and raved against Paul. Christian'ty makes gentlemen. Vs. 12-13 —Paul squarely denied the charges. (The love of Christ will give courage to speak the truth fearlessly even to the one having the power of life and death.) Faul remarked that it was only twelve days since he had gone up to Jerusalem and it was hard to think that he could have hatched out an insurrection in that short time. An innocent person best defends himself by throwing challenge of proof upon his accusers. Noise is not argument. nor declaration nor proof. Paul went up to worship—and they had not found him stirring up trouble either in th- synagogue or i nthe city; he had come to bring alms to his nation, and he tells them that the real .ns igatc-" f th:-; trouble should have been the ’:ey had aught to say .gainst him.

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V. 13—Paul called for proof. Unjust accusers are never more confounded i than when they are asked for evidence of their charges. Vs. 14-15—Paul had one thing to con-; fes«; he was a Christian "When the so-called ‘heresy’ gives one higher,' more worshipful thoughts of God and i Christ, makes Bible teaching clearer, j and Its more vital and energizing, and renders life hereafter more sure, let us all be 'heretics' with Paul " Paul avoided controversy, finding coin-, mon ground. Should we be? I V 16—“ And herein do I exercise ' myself to have always a conscience I void of offense toward God and towa>d men " Best cure in the world for the i blues. How many of us "exerciso" ourselves to have a good conscience. A good conscience is not gained by chance, but by the steady determined exercise of right thinking and light doing. Paul does not affirm perfect attainment, but perfect aim. "Not failure, but low alm, is crime." Paul’s (onscience was no different from ours when regulated by the spirit of God. Our Father would have us ‘‘exerciae, illuinino, use conscience until it is an unerring guide—until it revolt.- against even the shadow of evil in our lives, until our lives reflect the life and our consciences the conscience of the lx>rd Jesus Christ." V. 22 —Conscience and diplomacy are not always on speaking terms. It is not enough to think and speak well of Christianity, and admire its adherents and its works; nothing short of personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as Saviour will satisfy. V. 23 —Felix grants Paul the liberty of his friends ministering unto him. A pagan may possess a sense of justice and kindness cf heart. . » 0 • * QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION * f *••••«***«***•******• 1. What was the difference in the ’ ways in which Tertullus and Paul 1 addressed Felix? 1 2. Before what Judges arc we put • on trial for our Christian faith? Are there people and causes that you are f fighting without proof? 3. What are the most telling arguments in favor of Christianity? 4. What means is a Christian ? justif ed in using when defending himself against unprincipled ene- • | mies. 1 j 5. What do you understand by ? Paul’s statement “a conscience void ' lof offence?” 6. How would you characteriz<

, Paul'n preaching? 7- How flo Pau i ftn trate the different* i and bad conscience? “ 1 8. What is th e V Ri Ue Q . ’ , uess in little things? ‘“'W : —o- . BOOK REVIEW , 'Ol CAN LEARN TO Tp Ar „ Margaret Slattery, Th „ h Frew, ?4 Beacon st n,,., is an unfailing source ot guidance to the k art( -r s I i-eople and young people Slattery is famom fur h „ r k tional writings for y O un f Js* teen age. t HYMN STORIES, bv £ . Colson, The pn, lim r St.. Boston. 51.25 1. \ , Wc) ’ icelection of hymn' stO r le , l!^: which are built wor.ldp Mt the junior department of the school. As the book 1, there is material for u J of hvmn study eath week ot tht, and on special days. programj p anned for the school as a whole LESSON PRAYER Father, forbid that any one today may wait tor a more conreZ season, but may we at all times under all circumstances gi Ve c _ lives unto thy keeping. y ake u strong and courageous, and may» like Paul, use every circumstance a life as a means to glorify thee. _ A m?n. J •ifremwi (1 IH| your furn.ture, floors, doors I ,|B and woodwork, li’s fascina- H i£■ Ungtoeeethe‘’Lkcn.’w’’£r.ish ■ 1 1 coma back as you up; iy mag- B e | kal C-Ced.u Pol;sh, tho safe, E certain beautiber. No hard B gB rubbing with (J Cedar Polish B ■■ and a little goes a long way. ul It HB Try one bottle. It seed m'ery- B 7 where in various Sizes iren I 30c to $3. J ty || I "Cleans as it Polishes” 2