Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 138, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 June 1917 — The Shame of the Gospel [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Shame of the Gospel

By REV. L. W. GOSNELL

"J .. . —— ~ Auutant Dean. Moody Bible Imtitote. Chicago.

TEXT—For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Chriat; for It ia the power of God unto salvation to everyone that beUeveth; to the Jew first, and also to tho Greek.—Rom. 1:14. Why should we be ashamed of the Gospel? Men are not ashamed of per-

versions of IL Our friends who have espoused modern “isms” talk of their beauties in the parlor and on the street, hand us literature about them and invite ns to their meetings. It seems natural for them to do so. But there is something unnatural about our doing likewise in regard to the Gospel. Why?

We can understand why Paul might have been ashamed of the Gospel in Rome. Today the cross has become glorified in men’s eyes, but then it was only the symbol of shame, and Paul preached as Savior one who was crucified between two thieves. Many of the early Christians were of lowly station while Rome was the center of wealth, culture and power. Things have changed somewhat, outwardly, yet we too find abundant temptations to be ashamed of the Gospel. Scientific circles often ridicule its teaching as to man’s origin, condition and destiny. The workingman finds it takes courage to tell his companions of his conversion and school boys will jibe their fellow who dares to kneel at his bedside to pray. Frances* Ridley Havergal tells of attending a» social gathering one evening where she was Invited to sing. She selected a sweet hymn about Jesus and sang It, and as we read of it, we feel it was not easy to do thaL Why We Are Ashamed. And now it is time to try to give the real reason why Paul might have been ashamed of the Gospel at Rome, why we may be ashamed of it now, and, on the contrary, why the followers of new "isms” are not ashamed of them. We believe it is because of the different attitude taken towards man. The Gospel regards him aS lost and undone, needing a Savior who redeems him by the death of tho cross. It tells him he must be born again, becoming a new creation. True, the Gospel holds before man a deotiny such as has not entered his heart to conceive. Paul tells, however, why he was not ashamed. First, the Gospel is a power. Of this there can be no doubL For example, John Lawrence declared that however much the British government has done for India, the missionary has done more; the modern educational system of India sprang from Carey and Duff through Macauley. Dr. Edgerton R. Young tells, In a fascinating way, how this same Gospel wrought changes among the American Indians for the far north, transforming them from improvident savages into owners of harvesting machinery and well-built barns and bounteous crops. The Converted Medicine Man. But, this is not all; it is a power “unto salvation.” Let others do with all their enchantments what the Gospel Is doing every day—bringing peace to bad consciences, contentment to restless hearts, and hope to those whose outlook into the future is gloomy. We recall one story told by Dr. Egerton R. Young about an Indian medicine man. We are persuaded by his accounts and those of David Brainerd that many of these men were possessed by demons, just as spiritualistic mediums have their “controls.” Doctor Young visited the man referred to and consented to eat with him. In»an Instant there was a gleam In the Indian’s eye and he glanced at the medicine bag hanging on his tent pole. Doctor Young knew what the glance meant; the Indian thought he would now be able to kill him by some of the powerful poisons in the medicine bag. Doctor Young boldly charged him with this murderous intent. The Indian cowered under the rebuke, but that was all. Yet. after some weeks, this same poor creature was found clothed, In his right mind and sitting at the feet of Jesus. Surely we are not ashamed of a Gospel of power like this! Third, this power is for everyone who believes, Jew or Gentile. The fact that all races and classes may enter into the blessing suggest that the Gospel originates with him who is Lord of all. The fact that it is by faith makes It available to every son of man. Where is place for shame with such a Gospel as this! What Is It to Bellevef And now, dear reader, what Is that belief, that faith which brings us salvation? It does not mean mere belief in a creed, or anything of that sort. It is rather trust in a person—and surely the Savior of sinners is alto-, getber trustworthy. Venture, then* upon him and salvation is yours, for* “with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the motlite confession is made unto salvation.”