Lectures Delivered Before the Young Men's Christian Association, 1845-1846-1864-1865

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1876. Excerpt: ... THE APOSTLE PAUL. In the character of Paul we have every element of a fine example. There have been many men, generally esteemed as good men, and even as great men withal, who could not be placed before this Association as examples. Our information concerning them is not adequately large, nor is our conviction of their full consistency sufficiently strong, to warrant us in saying to this illustrious assembly of young men, Observe, that you may understand them; understand, that you may revere them; revere, that you may imitate them. They have not left you an example either definite enough, or admirable enough, for you to follow in their steps. With the Apostle Paul, however, it is otherwise. Concerning him our information is richly adequate, and our conviction of consistency profoundly, even intensely, strong. Beyond what may generally be imagined are we acquainted with his entire history, with his whole career. I know not, indeed, that a single element is wanting, hardly, perhaps, a solitary circumstance, to render his example, in all respects, complete. It is an intelligible example, a suitable example, an available example, a safe example. As to the entire u ness of his history, we have memorials of his boyhood, we have mention of him as the young man, and we have letters from him as Paul the aged. As to the general nature of his history, we find him associating freely with mankind, doing much and suffering much that is common to our humanity at large. As to the details of his history, we see him under the most diversified aspects--now the plodding student, then the industrious artisan--now the eloquent advocate, then the faithful correspondent--now the solitary traveller, then the honoured guest of the chief man of M elite--now the restorer of hop...