Page:The future of Africa.djvu/186

180 of the field; and then, at times, that which cannot but touch any feeling heart, the convulsive sobs, the bitter moanings, the mournful weepings over the departed—stout men made weak as water over the lifeless remains of children; heart-broken mothers lifting up their voices in despairing tones, reminding one of the words of Scripture: "Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not!"

2. Now, with respect to this universal phenomenon thus presented, the declaration of St. Paul is equivalent to this: that the Gospel is the complement to main's universal needs and miseries. He says, in effect, these words: "I know that men have intense spiritual ailments; I am aware of man's inward needs and miseries; I see clearly the fact of soul-sickness, and God has made me an instrument for man's cure and man's relief. Hence I have announced this sacred medicine among my own kith and kin—the Jews; but do not think for a moment that this medicine is for them only. The day of differences and distinctions has passed away. The blood of Jesus Christ is for all men. It is indeed my duty to preach this to the Jews; but Jesus is your Saviour as much as theirs; and it is as much my duty to preach it to Gentiles as to them. Yea, I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, to the wise and to the unwise!"

And this explanation shows most clearly how the personality and egoism of St. Paul fade and vanish before the glory and the power of the Cross. It does this other service also—it furnishes the great truth,