336
The Acts of the Apostles
What the church needs in these days of peril is an army of workers
who, like Paul, have educated themselves for usefulness, who have a
deep experience in the things of God, and who are filled with earnest-
ness and zeal. Sanctified, self-sacrificing men are needed; men who
will not shun trial and responsibility; men who are brave and true; men
in whose hearts Christ is formed “the hope of glory,” and who with
lips touched with holy fire will “preach the word.” For want of such
workers the cause of God languishes, and fatal errors, like a deadly
poison, taint the morals and blight the hopes of a large part of the
human race.
As the faithful, toilworn standard-bearers are offering up their lives
for the truth’s sake, who will come forward to take their place? Will
our young men accept the holy trust at the hands of their fathers? Are
they preparing to fill the vacancies made by the death of the faithful?
Will the apostle’s charge be heeded, the call to duty be heard, amidst
[508]
the incitements to selfishness and ambition that allure the youth?
Paul concluded his letter with personal messages to different ones
and again repeated the urgent request that Timothy come to him soon,
if possible before the winter. He spoke of his loneliness, caused by the
desertion of some of his friends and the necessary absence of others;
and lest Timothy should hesitate, fearing that the church at Ephesus
might need his labors, Paul stated that he had already dispatched
Tychicus to fill the vacancy.
After speaking of the scene of his trial before Nero, the desertion
of his brethren, and the sustaining grace of a covenant-keeping God,
Paul closed his letter by commending his beloved Timothy to the
guardianship of the Chief Shepherd, who, though the undershepherds
might be stricken down, would still care for His flock.
[509]