Article April 18, 1925 Issue

"The gate . . . called Beautiful"

ARTHUR TIPTON STEWART

READERS of the book of Acts are familiar with the passage with which its third chapter begins, recounting the meeting of Peter and John with the one who had so long lain in a seemingly helpless condition at the temple gate,—"the gate . . . called Beautiful." It will be recalled that it had been the latter's custom to be carried there daily, to beg alms of those who passed in and out of the temple, until that day when Peter "took him by the right hand, and lifted him up," so that he entered into the temple with Peter and John, "leaping, and praising God."

Daily, for years, this man had lain at the gateway, and probably within actual sight of that which it was fitting and opportune for him to enter, and possess, and enjoy. Some evil sense held him captive just there, where he must needs be content to watch the coming and going of others, whom he would naturally deem more fortunate than himself, and to beg and accept from them some portion of what they had gathered. It must have been a tantalizing situation to him; and we can well believe that, having been confronted with it these long years, he had become persuaded that it was indeed his lot for life, and that he could not look for anything different or beyond it.

But there came the day when all these beliefs were proved to be fraudulent, and were destroyed in a moment; for there rested upon the sufferer the gaze of those who possessed an understanding of the Christ, Truth, sufficient to unmask evil's pretensions and prove their nothingness. The disciples did not satisfy his expectations by dispensing to him the alms for which he begged; but instead, through their knowledge of the truth, he was lifted up and freed from his long bondage, so that he could pass through the gate Beautiful with others, to share in those things which it was fitting and opportune that he should have to use and enjoy! It was a wonderful moment; and we do not fail to observe that, as he took advantage of it, he was found praising God for his deliverance!

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