Newspaper Page Text
r r
14 THE PRESBYTERIAN
Prayer Meeting
Topic: HEROES OF THE FAITH.
Heb. 11: 32-40. " 1
For Week Beginning May 16.
We are in the midst of the celebration of the four hundredth
anniversary of the birth of one of the mightiest men of valor,
in defense of the faith, that have lived since the days of
the apostles. It may not be too much to say that, as combining
learning, courage, piety, sagacity and industry, with
intellectual and spiritual power, John Calvin has had no equal
since apostolic times.
While men of achievement are numerous in this age,
achievement uirougn seii-saerince ana at me pern ot me
itself is rare. The Biblical conception of heroism is that which
in the exercise of faith, hazards self with all temporal interests
for the sake of a worthy cause.
In this roll-call of nobles found in the eleventh chapter
of Hebrews, the predominant characteristic is that of the
abandonment of personal temporal interests out of allegiance
to the supreme duty of doing God's will.
After having described the distinguishing services of some of
the more eminent of the saints the inspired writer linds the
number of worthies too great for individual description, so
proceeds to group them. These are not even mentioned in
order of time, but as they seemed to pass in rapid review
before the inspired vision. Some of them subdued kingdoms.
ns for example Joshua and David in their conquest of the
Canaanites and neighboring tribes. Men like Barak, Gideon
and Sampson had wrought mighty deliverances for the nation,
in obedience to God's command. Others reformed the
government, executed justice and accomplished signal fulfillments
of divine promises to the people. Some had displayed
extraordinary physical prowess in the exercise of faith
in God. David and Sampson had each slain a lion, and Daniel
had spent a night unharmed in a den of hungry lions. Others
"quenched the violence of fire," an evident allusion to the
f VTnl\ron'c in t ho fnv*vr fnrnono V liiaVi Vliohn and Torn.
miah were among the notable instances of those who, through
faith, had "escaped the edge of the sword." There are numerous
instances of those who "waxed valiant in fight and turned
to flight the armies of the aliens." It is generally supposed
that the allusion here is to a portion of uninspired history in
which Judas Maccabeus is recorded as having vanquished the
forces of Antioclius Epiphanes and secured independence for
himself and his people.
"Women received their dead raised to life again," as in
ice ease in caijari auu me wiuuw s suu. mere were numerous
cases of torture, doubtless many of them known through tradition,
as well as those known through the inspired writings,
in which martyrs refused to accept deliverance from excruciating
suffering, although it was offered on condition of
renouncing the faith. They chose 'death rather than life on
t uoh terms because in the exercise of their faith they expected
* a better resurrection." Here we are plainly taught' that the
faithful of old believed In bodily resurrection, based on inspired
teaching. Others endured many kinds and degrees
of suffering?mockings, scourgings, imprisonments, yet remained
steadfast in faith. There were worse tortures still.
"They were stoned." "sawn asunder." "slain with the sword."
became wanderers living in destitution.
Such a high estimate is placed on the character of these
martyrs to conscience and truth that they constitute a class
"of whom the world was not worthy." "They obtained a
good report through faith" and on some exalted plane as
yet not fully known to us, they ajid we are together to be
made perfect through their fortitude and faith.
The pre-eminent need of the present age, as of all ages, is
OF THE SOUTH. May 12, 1909.
r.ot more learning, nor more wealth, nor more genius, but
stronger character, more inflexible fidelity to truth, a supremer
faith.
Young People's Society
birds' and flowers.
Topic for Sunuay, May 23: Lessons from the birds and flowers.
Luke 12: 24-2S.
DAILY READINGS.
Monday: Doves ana purity. Matthew 3: 16, 17.
Tuesday: Eagles and strength. Exodus 19: 4-6.
Wednesday: Vultures and corruption. Matthew 34: 23-28.
Thursday: The rose and beauty. Song of Solomon 2: 1-7.
Friday. The Uly and purity. Song of Solomon 6: 1-3, 9-11.
Saturday; The thistle, uselessness. Matthew 7: 1619.
The pages of uature Lave been beautifully written and on
them we may read much of the wisdom and goodness of God.
The book lie has given as his direct revelation is far clearer
and surer, but in its way nature tells us much that we may
hollava
Inspiration used nature to illustrate and enforce the lessons
of grace. Jesus himself was a master teacher from what he
saw about him.
James' Epistle is perhaps more packed, in its short compass,
with illustrations drawn from nature than any of the
books of the Bible. Read it and mark its numerous and
striking references.
In liiti ciM'imtn o.w tho wtsxuvki* tff nni*? ' ? ?
? .v.uivu n.c uiuuiii iu*r manes leuing reierence
to the birds and the flowers. It was a great lesson of
trust which they taught for him and to men.
As common and of as little value as were 'the ravens, God
fed them; they had not to sow or reap or gather into barns.
"How much more are ye better than the fowls?" The argument
is from the less to the greater.
The lilies are decked with a beauty which the glory of even
Solomon could not rival. But it was not by their own hand.
Their garb of beauty was not spun or woven by their own
hands. God did it all.
"If, then, God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field,
and tomorrow is ca6t into the oven; how much more?will he
clothe you, O ye of little faith? Seek not what ye shall eat
or what ye shall drink."
"Neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do
the nations of the world seek after; and your Father knoweth
tliat ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the
kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto
you."'
The eagle was the symbol of strength, the dove of purity,
the sparrow of little value, the vulture of corruption. "Ye
shall mount up with wings, as eagles." "I hare you cn eagles'
wings." "One sparrow shall not fall on the ground without
your Father."
The flowers in their fragrance, their beauty, their usefulness,
their purity, told of Christ. He was "the rose of Sharon.'
He was "the lily of the valley." As they adorned the hedges
and fields and plains, so lie adorns every life into which he
comes and makes it fragrant with his love.
The sun paints the flowers and develops their fragrance.
The Sun of Righteousness shines upon the believer's heart
and brings out the color and life which make him like the
Master. Out in the sunlight and not in the shadows is the
place to grow.
The fairest flowers qften grow in the foulest places. They
are not defiled thereby, but live in purity and separateness
all the time. Christ prays not that his people be taken out
of the world, but that they be kept from evil. He would
leave them there to make the world better.