THE KING’S BUSINESS
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a terror. We would do well if we would so preach that we should strike with terror offenders in high places. Terrifying preach ing is greatly needed today. It is needed just as much in our fashionable churches, where there is many a modern Felix, as in mission halls. It is true the terror of Felix did not do him much good, but it came near saving him. There are many rich sinners and many poor sinners today whose only hope is that they be so terrified that they will forsake their sins and accept Christ. Note and ponder the answer of Felix, “Go thy way for this time (or, the present) ; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me.” Oh, what a fool Felix was. He had seen the blackness of his sin; he had seen the awful ness of the judgment to which he was hurrying on; he had been terrified, and there was but one thing to do, to turn from sin and accept Christ then and there. It should have been done at once, but no, “I will wait a convenient season.” The convenient season never came. The con venient season never does come for those who wait for it. The best time is always now. With many it is now or never, it is repent today or be lost eternally. All that Felix was thinking of in a few days was how he could make money out of the man who had opened to him the gate of heaven. Friday, April 27. Acts 24:27-25:3. Paul was to have still further oppor tunity to witness for his Lord before a Roman governor, a king and a queen. The corrupt Roman governor Felix has been succeeded by a more upright man, Festus. Felix 9 n giving up his office to his suc cessor Festus, had left Paul bound, though he knew he ought to be released. But by this iniquitous act he gave Paul another opportunity to witness for Christ in high places. The Jews hated Paul not only with bitter hatred, but' with an undying hatred. Though Paul had lain in prison for two years the Jews had not forgotten him, but were still watching for an oppor tunity to kill him. They left no stone
unturned to accomplish his death. When the new Roman governor reached Jerusa lem they thought of but one thing that they desired of him, viz., his co-operation, designed or undesigned, in killing Paul. Saturday, April 28. Acts 25:4-7. Festus was not only an upright judge, he was shrewd as well as upright, and escaped the snare which the Jews had set for him. But it was not merely the shrewd ness of Festus that led him to this action. God was guarding Paul and to that end was guiding Festus. It is evident that Festus was not very sure that Paul was guilty even though his predecessor had kept Paul in prison two years and left him bound. Festus was prompt as well as' fair. Paul’s enemies stopped at nothing in order to gain their end. They were ready to bring any charge against him, utterly regardless whether it was true or not. Many of Paul’s twentieth century enemies aré equally unscrupulous, they also bring against him “many and grievous charges” which they “cannot prove.” In all ages the enemies of God and of His serv ants and of His Word mistake strong and confident villification for proof. Sunday, April 29. Actsy 25:8-12. Paul’s skirts were absolutely clean, he could say, “I have not sinned at all,” i.e., in any of the directions charged. It is a wonderful thing when a man can say that in regard to all charges brought against him. Festus desired to be just, but at the same time he desired “to gain favor with the Jews,” provided he could gain favor with them without too great a sacri fice of principle. He followed a dangerous course and got himself into trouble. The one who temporizes instead of following the plain, straight path of duty at any cost, always gets into trouble. The abso lutely right course is the only safe course. Festus got a courteous but stinging and well deserved rebuke from the prisoner at the bar. Paul told him frankly that he (Festus) himself very well knew that he
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