revelation of his great loving heart. And then what yearning solicitude as he adds this superfluous plea as to how the Philippians should welcome their longed-for messenger-"Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness." Surely Paul never

touched a deeper chord nor sounded a tenderer note than in all he had to say about this friend who hazarded his life in his behalf.

IV

Epaphroditus's Service to the Church Universal

His carrying of the gifts of the Philippian church to Paul was a service to the church universal. His own labors to support Paul was a service to the church universal. But there is still another service of incalculable value that Epaphroditus rendered to Christianity to all time, that is, he was the trusty bearer of that priceless document, that God-inspired message, Paul's epistle to the Philippians. It is quite probable also that he was Paul's amanuensis at the time of its writing, and that his hand first traced those words of flaming love and inspiration. It is also beyond controversy that his mission to Paul, his services, and his illness in Rome, prompted the writing of this letter which Paul gave into his keeping to deliver to their mutual friends at Philippi on his safe arrival home.

Had it not been for thee, O Epaphroditus, the church at Philippi would have been the poorer, Paul's afflictions more intense, and Christianity

deprived of one of its noblest sons, and, probably, of one of the brightest gems of the inspired Word. V

Paul's Tribute to the Heroism of Epaphroditus

But Epaphroditus was not merely a man of lovable nature, not merely a man utterly forgetful of self in his service of others, and not merely a useful link in the chain of events which enriched the world with a choicest letter, but he was also a soldier and a hero.

Of all the brave men who foregathered with Paul in Rome, upon Epaphroditus alone does he confer the distinction of being called a "fellow soldier." "My brother, and companion in labor, and fellow soldier," such is Paul's ringing crescendo of unconscious eulogy.

Whether Epaphroditus could found a church or not, we do not know. Whether he could preach a sermon or not, we do not know. Whether he ever led a man to Christ or not, we do not know. It is not necessary that we should know any of these things. What we do know is sufficient-he was Paul's brother and was sick nigh unto death in his behalf. And so with Paul's his name was linked in Rome and with Paul's is linked in Holy Scripture.

CHAPTER XIII

Onesimus-The Highest Example of the Transforming Power of Friendship With St. Paul

The story of the career of Onesimus is based upon the following passages:-Col. 4:9, and Philemon 1:10-21.

E have already met the pastor of the
Colossian church, Paul's friend

W

Epaphras. In writing his epistle to that church Paul referred to him in these words "who is one of you." In the same letter he spoke of another friend of his at Rome in exactly the same words "Onesimus who is one of you" and called him "a faithful and beloved brother."

Let us assume this is the first time we ever heard of this man and that all we know about him is confined to this single phrase of Paul's "a faithful and beloved brother." Let us see what inferences we might legitimately draw concerning the man and his character.

I

Inferences Which May Be Drawn From Paul's Testimony Concerning Onesimus

No man ever lived whom I had rather have call me a "faithful and beloved brother" than St. Paul. His commendation is a sufficient testimony for any man. Paul was a keen judge of human character. He had probed the depths of his own heart and motives, and had had unlimited opportunities both by observation and experience for testing the characters of other men in every walk and rank in life. Nor was he given to the use of flattering terms concerning any man high or low. So when he speaks of Onesimus as "faithful" he has paid him a splendid tribute. That word means much when used truthfully by any man, then how much richer its content and suggestiveness when used by Paul who so abhored cowardice and so admired bravery, and set such a high standard for himself and his friends. And Onesimus met that standard.

But not only was Onesimus faithful as a Christian, but to Paul he was "beloved" as a friend. He had qualities of heart that called forth the personal affection of the Apostle. Now a man of very lowly walk in life might be faithful, and might also inspire the Apostle's affection. But Onesimus was something more than simply an object of Paul's love. Paul lifted him to the front rank in his friendship and called him "brother." "Faithful, beloved,

brother" character, affection, equality - surely Onesimus was a man whom any one might have been proud to know and call friend.

It will be borne in mind that Paul was in Rome when he wrote these things of Onesimus, and that he did so in a letter to the Christian church at Colossae. Onesimus was an inhabitant of that city, but at the time of the writing of Paul's letter, chanced to be with him in Rome. Now with Paul's praise of him in mind let us go to Colossae ourselves and make inquiries concerning him and see what he is thought of in his home town.

II

Onesimus As Known In Colossae

We are in Colossae and ask the first man we meet about Onesimus the friend and brother of the Apostle Paul; but the stranger we address can give us no information whatever. We continue to pursue our inquiries for some time, but to our amazement no one seems ever to have heard of him. Finally we begin to doubt that the man about whom we are seeking information was ever in Colossae at all; either he has deceived Paul, or else the latter has himself made a mistake about Onesimus's native city. We are on the point of giving up all farther search when some one suggests that possibly Philemon, a rich member of the church and an intimate friend of Paul, might be able to give us the information we desire.