The Apostolic Faith from Topeka, Kansas • 2

2 to the poor, and even went to live among the poor and lowly." "Yes, that was good." "He ministered to the sick." "As Jesus would have done?" Mr. Shel don, "h-m," and he stopped. "Your heroes were pledged to ask under all circumstances, 'What would Jesus They forgot to ask that when they visi ed the sick." Mr. Sheldon was dumbfounded. He made an attempt to speak, but could think of nothing to answer, so he said nothing.

"I am not surprised, Mr. Sheldon." Brother Man went on, "that the characters you created do not live up to their motto, or that they even fail to grasp its imjort. If you had ever carefully studied the life and acts of Jesus" "I have studied them." The guest shrugged his shoulders. "Mr. Sheldon, do you remember why you sent mo to talk with Philip Strong?" "Brother Man, that was in the early part of the story, before Philip really practiced what he preached.

I sent you to show him his inconsistency." "Exactly. Philip was sincere, but he was short He did not measure up to the standard he was attempting to hold up to the people. He did not comprehend how much that standard involved. You sent me to call his attention to a few things in his manner of living which he had neglected to test by the standard. You are like Philip.

You are sincere, Mr. Sheldon, but you do not realize what your motto involves. You do not seem to realize what experiences you would have to give the characters in your books in order to make them consistent, and make them illustrate their motto. And I have come to you as 1 went to Philip Strong, to call your attention to a very important matter which you have overlooked," "What is it?" ''First, let me ask you how we know what Jesus would jlo?" "The Bible tells what Jesus did, and what He told his followers to do," answered the minister. THE APOSTOLIC FAITH.

"Exactly. It is a matter of positive Biblical record and teachings, and not a question as to what may be our opinion or ideal as to what ought to be done; for opinions and personal ideals cut but little figure in deciding what Jesus would do, or what He instructs his followers to do. Am I right?" "Um-m, y-e s. But come to the point and tell me plainly wherein you think I and my heroes fall so far short?" "All right. Where were you this afternoon "Visiting the sick," answered Mr.

Sheldon. Did 1 fall short there? Didn't Jesus have compassion on sufferers? It is a mistake to suppose, as many church people seem to do, that a missionary message on morality is all that is required of a follower of Jesus. He cared for men's physical ns well as their moral needs. He fed the hungry and ministered to the sick, and relieved suffering wherever He went, and those who follow Him must do likewise." "Good, Mr. Slnldon.

Now, who was the first one you went to see yesterday "Sister Simmons. "What is the matter with har?" "Fever." "When you stood by Jier bedside did you ask, 'What would Jesus if He were there don't exactly remember. I aim to keep that in mind all the time, so I suppose I did." "Look here, Mr. Sheldon, what would Jesus have done if He had been there? For answer let us see what He did when He came to the bedside of one sick with fever. I see your Bible on the stand there.

Please read Mark 1:30 and 31." The minister mechanically opened his Bible and read: "But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell Him of her. And He came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them." "Did you attempt to follow Jesus' example, when you visited that fever stricken woman, Mr. Sheldon "Why, er-I took her by the hand, m-m, but she did not follow the example set by Simon's wife's mother. She did not get up." "You took her by the hand "Yes," explained the minister, "I shook hands with her." "Hump I Are you striving for the knowledge and faith which will enable you to live up to your motto under such circumstances?" No answer. "Who was the next one you went to see, Mr.

Sheldon "Brother Jones." "What is the matter with him?" "Partially paralyzed. He has lost the use of his right arm." "Did you search the Scriptures to learn what Jesus did when confronted by one similarly afflicted "N-o-o." "Please read the sixth and tenth verses of the sixth chapter of Luke." Mr. Sheldon read, "And it came to pass on another Sabbath, that He entered into the synagogue and taught; and there was a man whose right hand was withered. And looking round about upon them all, He said unto the man, Stretch forth thy And he did so; and his hand was restored whole as the other." "Did you follow Jesus' example as He recorded, Mr. Sheldon o-o." "Make any attempt to follow it "No." "Did you attempt to find out whether Brother Jones had fatih to be healed "If he had of had faith to be healed, would you have had faith to heal him?" No answer.

"If not, are you longing for and seeking for that faith Again no answer. "Did the heroes of your books have that faith-r-faith to do real faith works Still no answer. "Do you think it possible to do as Jesus would do without the same kind of working faith Jesus had (To be continued.).