Fort Wayne Bible College - Vine / Light Tower Yearbook (Fort Wayne, IN)

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Paul, the Master Preacher llaeizalaureate address by the Rev. Byron ll. Smith delivered only six days before he left us. This subject is built upon three phrases in II Timothy 427.2 1 have ftught a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. These phrases are the epitome of a life, not an cpitaph for a tombstone. They vibrate with activity, thrill with tragedy, throb with pathos, and resound with victory. fhese phrases present to us at once a backward and a forward look. As spoken by the apostle they were a backward look, but to those who follow him. they should become a forward look. They give the life stature of a master preacher. Paul was a master preacher in every sense of the word: by his early scholastic training which gave him expert knowledge of Jewish law and theology: by his great capitulation on the Damascus road to the Christ whom he had persecuted: hy virtue of his apostleship which made his teachings of Christianity authoritative: but mOst of all by the fact expressed in Phil. 3:13, 14, in which he sets before himself one and only one life objective. We gaze upon the work of the master painters and thrill with emotion. Wie listen to the rapturous symphonies of the masters of music and our spirits are subdued. Let us now stand in the presence of this great master preacher as he is portrayed to us in these three phrases until our spirits are fired with his courage and his missionary zeal. VVe cannot become great artists, musicians, or preachers by imitating those who have gone down in history as great: we must have the elements which made them great fused into our own spirit and character. Three of these elements of greatness appear in this picture of Paul's life. First, he had the spirit of a soldier, a soldier who refused to recognize sacrifice or defeat. His courage was equaleql only by his humility. He knew neither fright or flight. Second, he followed a definite course from which he re- fused to swerve. His career could be put in three words-concentration, consecration. and conquest. Concentration, a single life objective. Consecration, bringing every faculty and facility to contribute to this single life objective. Conquest, an intensive. aggressive, and relentless conflict with wrong and wrongdoers. As an example of avowed allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ, Patil is unsurpassed. This allegiance made him an enemy of all that was enmity to Christ. In the third place, Paul refused to depart from the faith. As used here, the word faith seems to encompass the sum total of Christian doctrine. Paul's expressions indicate that he ccnsidered himself as a steward, a custodian of the truths and teachings of Christ. To him this was a most sacred trust, the violation of which would bring upon him eternal woes. This conviction dominated his life. He kept the faith. This is a day when all who engage against the forces of evil need special courage and encouragement. VVith all of ns there are times when it is either fight or flight. At such times a contemplation of this portrait of the master preacher, Paul, the hero of the cross, will help us to marshal our flagging spirits and energies, and will enable ns to so engage ourselves in this warfare against the enemies of right and righteousness that we too may be able some day to say, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course. I have lqept the faith.

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- l Ari, -1' BETHANY HALL Caboveb ADMINISTRATION BUILDING Cleftj