nds? What is your verdict?"

"That cannot mean Christians," said a voice from the back of the room.

"Of course, it can not. Paul was describing the wayward sinner. As for
Paul being actually the chief of sinners when he wrote 1 Tim. 1:15, it
is preposterous. He does, indeed, speak in the present tense, 'I
am,' but it is perfectly evident that he makes use of a rhetorical
expression which is permissible, without being called in question as
to his life. If he was, in reality, the chief of sinners at that time,
he could hardly say, as he did, 'Ye are witnesses, and God also, how
holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that
believe' (1 Thess. 2:10). And it is entirely inconsistent to believe
that the Christ would permit a chief-sinner to be an ambassador for
Him. Mr. Newby's text in Romans 7:14 will come up for discussion next
week; so I will not speak of it now.

"You did not find your text, Mr. Newby. The five dollars is ready
whenever you find it," said Robert Davis, as he sat down.

All eyes were now upon Mr. Newby. Here was an opponent that was not to
be stampeded or intimidated, one who knew his ground, and kept close
to his texts. It was easy to see that Peter Newby was nonplused. It
usually had been easy for him to silence an opponent, or to get an
expression of agreement, so that he smarted under the feeling that
he was near to being defeated. His texts were gone. He had no more
to offer, and he hardly dared to expound any of Romans 6, so there he
sat, red in the face, his right hand pulling nervously at his stubby
white mustache. It was either rise or admit defeat. So Peter Newby
rose. His voice was cold and sinister.

"I do not propose, friends, to be browbeaten by an upstart of a
preacher. I tell you I have been a student of the Scriptures, and I
have heard many learned ministers of the gospel preach, and I have
never heard one of them state that they lived free from sin. I try to
do my best every day, but, I tell you, the devil is strong, and the
flesh is weak, so I often fall into grievous sins and errors. But I
feel that I am a Christian, nevertheless. I have been baptized, and
know that I believe." And the old man sat down.

"Well, we have not discussed our chapter very much," said Robert. "Has
any one any explanation to give?"

People glanced at Peter, but it was evident that he was about through
for the evening. Robert then rose, and said:

"Friends, this sixth chapter of