149
March 1927
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
read the words: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” “Now,” continued the preacher, “you don’t know it is the will of God to pray, but I do. You don’t know it is the will of God to read the Bible, but I do, and this text says if you do, you shall know. What I want you to do is tp begin reading at the first chapter of John, but before reading, offer this prayer: ‘O God, if there be a God, if these things be true, which I am about to read, reveal them to me,’ and be sure not to read without offer ing the suggested prayer.” Following this plan, the infidel did not get very far in his reading before he came under conviction for sin. He only reached the third chapter of John, when he got down on his knees, accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Sav iour, and in two weeks’ time returned to the church and gave a clear, ringing testimony. LI 1 1 R |H gfe The School of G en tleness B y D r . J. H. J owett "The fruit of the Spirit is . . . gentleness .” — Gal . 5 : 22 . T HEY tell us that when Lord Lister was operating in the hospital wards at Edinburgh the wards became a school of gentleness and human sympathy. One of his assistants mentions how his countenance darkened, with severity when an unthinking student lifted a broken leg somewhat roughly. Everything was done with the ten- derest solicitude. Even his speech was softened with unfailing considerateness. He never referred to some hospital patient as “this case,” but always spoke of “this poor man” or “this poor woman.” Those who labored with the great surgeon are not likely to forget his strength, but they are even less likely to forget the gentleness which was the fruit of his strength. Well, who can read this of Lord Lister without think ing of the Great Physician, and His passage through the hospital wards of the common life of men? .With what infinite gentleness He ministered to bruised réeds and broken hearts! What tender names He gave them! “Son!” “Daughter!” ’ He was never rough, never brusque, never impatient, never in a hu rry ! His tender approach was part of the cure. His very touch had healing power. He handled the burdens of men in such a way as to immediately make them lighter. Many a broken heart was strangely comforted by His Presence even before the life had been made whole. Most surely the hospital work of our Saviour was a-, school-, of gentleness ! Have we quite learned His way? “Teach me Thy way, O Lordl’l l Do we know how to lift broken limbs? Do we know how to handle broken lives? Do we find more delight in denouncing sins than in helping sinners? Are we more expert in abstract analysis than in practical comfort? There is surely an almost crushing need of gentleness in days like these. Let us make no mistake about it, we are not less strong when we become gentle. Real gentleness is not weakened strength; it is strength disciplined, purified, refined. Gentleness is matured strength. It is the full corn in the ear. Roughness has never finished its training. It needs to go to school. And what is the school ? It is the School of the Spirit. We need the fellowship of the Holy Ghost. And in that academy school-time is never over. Every new agrace unveils another yet to be won. “Glories' upon glories hath our God prepared!” One of the treasures of the school is the grace of gentleness. Only we do not so much acquire it, we become it. It is not a work, it is a fruit.
The Defenders’ Column
Notes by
Managing Editor
“Above all, takinA the shield o f faith, wherewith ye shall be able to .quench all the• fiery darts o f the -wicked. And take the helmet o f sal vation, and the sword o f the Spirit, which is the word o f God”
Christian Apologetics I N our January issue, the statement was made that the Bible does not call upon Christians to defend the truth, but rather to contend for or propagate it. There has come to mind Paul’s statement in Phil. 1 :1 7 : “I am set for the defense of the Gospel.” The orig- ignal word here, however, is “apologia” (from which comes “apology” ). Unlike our word “apology.” in its every-day use, it means the statement of a good case, a plea well presented. Acts 28:17-23 shows us Paul apolo gizing in this sense in his Roman prison. The early “apolo gies” for Christianity by Justin and Tertullian are illus trations. Thus we see that the w;ord “defense,” rather than suggesting debate or contentious argumentation, lends itself to the idea of a fair, clear, Christlike presenta tion of the truth. This, as we have shown, is our best artillery in the present conflict. Power of th e Word Edward Armstrong, of Long Beach, Calif., sends us the fol lowing, which suggests an ideal method of dealing with skeptics. We commend the plan to the “Defenders.” We need never fear to lay the challenge of John 7 :17 before men, and it is far better than entering into argument. T HE placing of the Word of God in the hands of sin ners, whether in its entirety or in portions, is of over whelming importance. That nothing can take its place the following illustration serves to prove: Dr. Fred’k E. Taylor, of the First Baptist Church, Indianapolis, at the close of a prayer meeting was shaking hands with the people, when he came up to a stranger. Greeting him, Dr. Taylor said: “Are you a Christian?” “No,” the man replied, “I am an infidel.” “Are you get ting much joy out of your religion?” “No,” the infidel said, “I can’t say that I am.” “Well,” continued the min ister, “I am getting a great deal of joy out of mine. Now, you cannot prove that there is no God.” “No, I cannot prove there is no God, but I do not believe there is one.” “Well, there may be.” “Yes, but I don’t know Him.” Then Dr. Taylor said: “If I should submit a simple plan to you, whereby you can prove to your own satisfaction that there is a God, and a Lord Jesus Christ, would you follow it out?” “Well,” the infidel replied, “that all de pends on what you want me to do. You may ask some thing of me I couldn’t do.” “No,” said the minister, “I wouldn’t be guilty of that.” “Well, all right,” the man said, “What is the plan?” At this point Dr. Taylor slipped a Gospel of John into his hands opened at Jn. 7:17, and
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs