Paul's campaigns

iiiiiii

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1923 *)

BS 2505 .B872 1918
Burrell, David James, 1844-

1926.
Paul's campaigns

Paul's Campaigns

-y

By

NOV 7 192

David James Burrell, D.D., LL.D!

Author of *The Apostles' Creed," "We Would See

Jesus," "The Old-Time Religion," "At the

Gate Beautiful," "The CloisteF

Book," etc., etc.

American Tract Society

Park Avenue and 40 th Street
New York

Copyright, 1918,
By American Tract Society

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

Introduction v

Foreword vii

I. Saul of Tarsus 1

11. The Summons .3

III. The Rendezvous 5

IV. The First Journey. Chart ... 10
V. At Antioch in Pisidia .... 14

VI. In the Mountains of Lycaonia . 18

VII. The Return 24

A Parenthesis 28

VIII. The Second Journey. Chart ... 35

IX. On to Europe 39

X. At Thessalonica 44

XI. At Beroea 48

XII. At Athens 53

XIII. At Corinth 59

XIV. The Third Journey. Chart ... 65
XV. A Busy Year 71

XVI. At Miletus 77

XVII. Bound for Jerusalem .... 83

XVIII. At C^sarea 92

XIX. Paul's Last Voyage. Chart ... 101

XX. At Rome 107

INTRODUCTION

This little book is written in the hope of
bringing order out of the confusion which
prevails in the minds of many Bible students
as to the Journeys of Paul.

In a frontier to\vn in the West, sixty odd
years ago, a Sunday School class of boys was
required to commit to memory the ^^Acts of
the Apostles." Their teacher was John
Bally, a carpenter by trade, who found it
easy enough to interest his pupils until they
reached the Journeys of Paul, where, in the
labyrinth of crossings by land and tackings
by sea, they were, like Milton's fallen angels,
^'in wandering mazes lost."

There is something to be said for this old-
fashioned way of lodging the Scriptures in
the youthful mind, — seven verses a Sunday
for a blue ticket, seven blues for a red, seven
reds for a yellow and seven yellows for a
Testament with the Superintendent's name

vi INTRODUCTION

on the fly leaf. The pride of that day ! Of
course we wondered what was the use of
memorizing such a verse, for example, as
this: ^^ There arose a tempestuous wind
called Euroclydon; and when the ship was
caught and could not bear up into the wind
we let her drive": but many a time in the
passing of the years that same remembered
verse has helped me. What better can one
do indeed, when tossed about by contrary
winds, than to cast out the tackling, under-
gird the ship with prayers and promises and
'Aether drive'''?

The writer, who was one of John B ally's
boys, ventures the hope that the following
pages may inspire a deeper confidence in the
profitableness of all Scripture ^^f or doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness."

FOEEWORD

ACTS 1 : 1-9

The opening words of the Acts of the
Apostles are singularly significant: ^^The
former treatise (i. e. The Gospel according
to Luke) I made, 0 TheopMlus, concerning
all that Jesus began both to do and to teach/'
By this we are given to understand that our
Lord's earthly ministry of thirty years was
only the beginning of a campaign of doing
and teaching which must continue until
every knee shall bow before him.

What then did the dying Saviour mean
when he cried, ^^It is finished!"

Not that all sinners were saved. The
paying of the ransom on Golgotha made all
alike salvable; but they had yet to be in-
formed of the Good News and ^^constrained
to come in."

Not that the Kingdom of Heaven was
established on earth. The foundation was
now laid and cemented with blood : but the

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superstructure had yet to be reared upon it.

Not that Christ had so fully completed his
work that nothing remained for his disciples
to do. On the contrary, a long campaign
was before them, ^^as laborers together"
with him.

This was the particular reason why Jesus
returned after his resurrection and remained
with them forty days. He wished to mark
out the Plan of the Campaign which they
and their successors were to pursue for the
evangelization of the world.

The keynote was struck in the word **Go"
which rings through the record of the forty
days.

But the disciples were loath to go. They
remained in and about Jerusalem for at least
five years, until persecution drove them out.
At the stoning of Stephen ^^they that were
scattered abroad went everywhere preach-
ing the word." Had they taken Christ at
his word in the first instance that tragedy
might have been unnecessary. The Master
is a great Teacher; in one way or another
he insists on having his way with those who
follow him.

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SAUL OF TARSUS

Acts 9 : 1-22

A year or two after the death of Stephen
a young man named Saul, of Tarsus, was
converted to Christ. He had been a witness
of the tragedy referred to, had ^^held the
clothes" of the sanctimonious platoon, had
seen the martyr's face shining ^^as it had
been the face of an angel," and had heard
his cry, ^^Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"
He was unable to escape the logic of that
scene. The face that shone amid the shower
of stones must have haunted his dreams, un-
til the day came when, on his way down to
Damascus ^^ breathing out slaughter against
the disciples," he saw again the light that
had gloriJSed the face of Stephen and heard
a Voice that filled his soul with trembling,
'^I am Jesus, whom thou persecutesti"

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Blinded for a season, he saw things hidden
from fleshly eyes ; and turning right-about-
face he cried, '^Lord, what wilt thou have
me to do?" The answer in brief was,
^^Go!"

Three days later, in the house of one Judas,
of Damascus, his commission was more
clearly outlined as '^a chosen vessel to de-
clare the name of Christ to Gentiles and
kings and the children of Israel." He then
received his sight, was baptized and straight-
way began to preach Christ.

II

THE SUMMONS

Acts 11 : 19-26

[Here occurs an Interval of Seven Tears.]

It chanced that among those who had been
scattered abroad at the stoning of Stephen,
some had gone with the gospel as far as
Antioch in Syria, where a revival occurred
in which ^^a great number believed and
turned unto the Lord." The Church at
Jerusalem was appealed to for help, and it
sent Barnabas, who was destined to figure
largely in the enterprises of the early
Church.

BARNABAS

Our information about this man is as fol-
lows : First, he was called ^^the son of Con-
solation," which intimates that his heart was
full of kindliness. Second, he was ^^a good
man"; a most comprehensive phrase.

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Third, he was ^^fuU of the Holy Ghost," that
is, sureharged.with spiritual light and power.
Fourth^ he was ^* full of faith," the faith that
makes things-hoped-for substantial and
establishes things-not-seen upon evidence
that cannot be gainsaid. Great qualifica-
tions, these, for a missionary intent upon the
winning of souls.

SAUL OF TARSUS SENT FOR

The work at Antioch grew to such dimen-
sions that Barnabas was moved to cast about
for some evangelist to help him. His
thoughts immediately turned to Saul of
Tarsus. Where was he ? After his conver-
sion, feeling the need of further thought and
training, he had betaken himself to the Ara-
bian desert. What a theological course that
was! After finishing his three years' cur-
riculum among the solitudes, he returned to
Tarsus to await further orders.

This was where Barnabas found him.
''And he brought him unto Antioch."
There great things awaited him, as we shall
see.

Ill

THE RENDEZVOUS

Acts 13: 1-3

The center of operations, which had hith-
erto been in Jerusalem, was now to be
shifted to Antioch in Syria. At the begin-
ning of our narrative the work in this great
Gentile center had continued for a whole
year under the direction of Barnabas and
Paul/

Observe that Saul at this time assumed
his Roman name, which was the proper thing
for him to do in a Gentile city.

Observe, also, that the names of Barnabas
and Paul will occur hereafter in the reverse

1 A side-light is thrown upon the fraternal relations of the
Jewish and Gentile Christians by the events recorded in Acts
11:27-30 and 12. It appears that Paul and Barnabas left
Antioch, while the revival was in progress, to carry to Jeru-
salem a contribution for the relief of the famine-sufferers
there. The state of affairs in Jerusalem at the time is set
forth vividly in this parenthesis, which, though important as
a link in the history of the early Church, is here omitted be-
cause it has no immediate bearing on the story of the mission-
ary journeys.

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order; because as the campaign progresses
the latter forges to the front.

And observe that the preaching of these
missionaries is so Christocentric that the
converts are ** first called Christians in Anti-
och"; a title originally given in derision but
clothed with honor the world over to this day.

PREPARATIONS

In one of the early meetings of that mem-
orable year at Antioch an incident oc-
curred which gave a directing and controll-
ing influence to subsequent events. The
Voice of the Holy Spirit was heard saying,
** Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the
work whereunto I have called them." In
this divine call, re-emphasizing the commis-
sion of Christ, we find the rationale of an en-
terprise which was destined to change the
currents and countercurrents of all history
and set them flowing, just in the measure of
Christian faithfulness, toward the Golden
Age.

First. These men were '* separated'' to
^*go." All followers of Christ are required
to ^^go" in like manner, and to keep going

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as witnesses and evangelists of Christ; but
all are not separated for work in **the re-
gions beyond" like these men. Some are
called to go down to the porelies of Bethesda
or out into the highways and hedges as city
missionaries ; others to go through the fron-
tier villages of Galilee as home missionaries ;
still others to go into the coasts of Tyre and
Sidon and the regions beyond as foreign
missionaries. But as Paul and Barnabas,
when they sallied forth, were sustained by
the united prayers and substantial support
of all who remained behind, so are the Chris-
tians of our time required and expected to
stand behind the missionaries whom they
send forth to the lands that lie in pagan
darkness and the shadow of death. The
words of William Carey when embarking
for India, ^^As I go down into the mine, I
depend upon you to hold the rope," put to
an open shame all those who oppose world-
wide evangelism.

Second. Paul and Barnabas were joined
together for the work. So were the seventy
sent out two and two; because ''two are bet-
ter than one, for if one fall the other will

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lift him up/' And there was a particular
fitness in the companionship of these two;
because the fervor of one would strengthen
and supplement the gentleness of the other.
In process of time Paul and Barnabas had
two quarrels ; once over the wisdom of con-
tinuing the services of John Mark, whose
courage had failed him at the foot of the
Macedonian hills (Acts 15:36-40) and
again over the necessity of admitting con-
verts to the church through the door of Jew-
ish ceremonialism (Gal. 2:11-13). But
both these quarrels were adjusted in a
friendly spirit.

Third, They were not only ^^ separated"
and joined together but equipped for their
work. They had faith, courage and the
charismata, or special gifts of the Spirit,
for the working of ^^ signs and wonders" to
buttress their message. Indeed they had
everything but money. Of this Barnabas
had none, because he had previously given
up all his possessions for the relief of needy
Christians (Acts 4 : 36, 37) ; and as for Paul,
he had undoubtedly been ostracised and
stripped of his birthright when he accepted

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Christ (Phil. 4:16-18). Thus they went
forth, according to the Master's injunction,
^^ without scrip or money in their purse,"
but strong in faith and in the power of the
Holy Ghost.

GOING WITHOUT GOLD

It is greatly to be feared that in our time
we are laying too exclusive an emphasis on
the financial factor in missions. The work
requires money, no doubt ; but money is not
the principal thing. The most wonderful
results in the history of the propaganda
have been accomplished by men of consecra-
tion who, once convinced that they were sent
of God, waited for no further send-off. For
the furnishing of the workers and the endow-
ment of the work all Christians are required
to give generously of the possessions which,
as the Lord's stewards, they hold in trust,
and subject to His call ; but, whether there be
money in the scrip or not, whosoever is ^^sent
to seek and to save the lost" must go. And
the wealth that builds schools, hospitals and
churches is vain without an assurance that
God can, if need be, wholly dispense with it.

IV

THE FIRST JOURNEY

Acts 13 : 4-12

The Campaign was now under way.

On setting out from Antioch in Syria the
two missionaries, accompanied by John
Mark as a courier and assistant, turned their
faces toward the island of Cyprus, probably
for two reasons; first, because it was the
birthplace of Barnabas (Acts 4:36) and
second, because there were Christians there
to welcome them (Acts 11: 20).

AT SALAMIS

A quick run of a hundred miles, between
sunrise and sunset, would convey them from
Seleucia, the seaport of Antioch, to Salamis
on the eastern coast of Cyprus. Of their
work in this place there is no record except
this, '^They preached the word of God in the
sjoiagogues of the Jews."

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The fact that there was more than one
synagogue there gives us to understand that
the missionaries had access to many Jews;
but what are we to infer from the absence
of persecution and the narrator's silence as
to conversions? Were their hearers in
Salamis so hidebound in formal sacerdotal-
ism as to cavil at the ^^good news," or so in-
different to the claims of their own Messiah
that they wilfully hid as it were their faces
from him? In any case the missionaries
left the place conscious of having done their
best and hopefully trusting in the promise,
^^He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing
precious seed, shall doubtless come again
with rejoicing bringing his sheaves with
him. ' '

AT PAPHOS

On the other side of the island, a hundred
miles away, was Paphos, a city of a different
sort. It was important as the residence of
Sergius Paulus, the Roman governor, who
is mentioned as a ^^ prudent man." He had
in his retinue a soothsayer whom he was ac-
customed to consult, particularly in matters

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pertaining to religion. But the mind of
Sergius was nevertheless open to conviction;
so that on hearing of the arrival of the mis-
sionaries he invited them to come and unfold
''the word of God." At this point, how-
ever, the soothsayer interposed and would
have made the gospel of none effect but for
the vigorous onset of Paul: ''O full of all
subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the
devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt
thou not cease to pervert the right ways of
the Lord! And now, behold, the hand of
the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be
blind, not seeing the sun for a season."
Whereupon there fell on him a mist and a
darkness; so that he must needs have some
to lead him.

Here vanishes Elymas the soothsayer.
Let us hope that his temporary blindness,
like that which had previously befallen Paul
himself, enabled him to see spiritual things
in the right way.

As for the governor, he was convinced of
the truth of the Gospel and ''believed" ; that
is, he accepted Christ with a saving faith.

The itinerants had no intention of tarry-

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ing long in Paphos or, for that matter, any-
where else. They had delivered their mes-
sage and could well afford to leave the re-
sults with God.

The ship was ready to sail ; a south wind
was blowing. Farewell to Cyprus, and to
Sergius Paulus rejoicing in newness of life!
On to the regions beyond, where other souls
were awaiting the good news I

IS

AT ANTIOCH IN PISIDIA

ACTS 13 : 13-52

The port of entry in Pamphylia, where
the missionaries landed, was the ancient and
honorable city of Perga. It was now mid-
summer, when most of the people were in the
cool shelter of the mountains; wherefore,
without tarrying, they resolved to push on.

At this juncture John Mark, the nephew
of Barnabas, who had accompanied them as
courier, announced that he would go no fur-
ther. Perhaps the perils of the mountains
frightened him; or possibly he was home-
sick, longing for his widowed mother in
Jerusalem. Whatever the reason, he ^^ de-
parted and went not with them to the work."
This was doubtless a great disappointment
to his uncle Barnabas, but even more so to
Paul who, as we have seen, was slow to for-
get it. (Acts 15: 37^0.)

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The next objective point of the itinerary-
was Antioch in Pisidia, which lay about a
hundred miles inland among the hills. It
would be at least a three days' journey for
these footmen, through an uninhabited coun-
try. We may imagine Paul and Barnabas
holding converse along the way, staff in
hand, weary but resolute, kneeling together
at nightfall and sleeping under the stars.

The Sabbath after their arrival found
them in the synagogue. Their presence was
observed ; and after the reading of the Scrip-
ture lesson the usual invitation was given,
^^ Brethren, if ye have any word of exhorta-
tion for the people, say on." Paul, on such
occasions, always did have something to say.
The message that trembled on his lips when-
ever he stood in the presence of his fellow-
Jews was, ^^This Jesus is the Christ." So
here; the burden of his first recorded ser-
mon is the Messiahship of Jesus, whom they
had crucified, despite what was written,
^* Behold, ye despisers, and wonder and per-
ish: for I work a work in your days which
ye shall not believe though a man declare
it unto you."

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The sermon made so deep an impression
that Paul was urged to preach again on the
next Sabbath ; but during the week the rab-
bis had fomented such opposition that, when
the congregation reassembled, there was a
concerted uproar against him.

Then occurred one of the most significant
and far-reaching incidents of the campaign.
The missionaries turned upon their turbu-
lent Jewish assailants with these words:
**It was necessary that the word of God
should first have been spoken to you ; but see-
ing ye put it from you and judge yourselves
unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the
Gentilesr'

Thus was the key turned to open the gos-
pel door to all people. Thenceforth the
walls of separation were broken down. The
Gentiles were glad to listen, and many of
them were converted to Christ: but as for
the missionaries, the Jews being filled with
rage ^^ expelled them out of their coasts."

On leaving Antioch they ^^ shook off the
dust of their feet," to signify that, having
done their utmost, they were free from re-

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sponsibility for the welfare of those who
persistently refused the good news.

But their work had not been as ^^ water
poured upon the ground, which cannot be
gathered up again"; for they left behind
them not a few disciples ^^ filled with joy and
with the Holy Ghost." So did these har-
vesters pass on to the regions beyond, re-
joicing that their labor was not in vain in
the Lord.

17

VI

IN THE MOUNTAINS OF LYCAONIA

Acts 14 : 1-20

On being driven out of Antioch in Pisidia
the missionaries crossed the border and pur-
sued their way along the great highway lead-
ing from Ephesus to the valley of the Eu-
phrates. This was one of the roads which
Caesar had constructed in pursuance of his
purpose of universal conquest. Little did he
dream that it was destined to be used subse-
quently for the propaganda of the Prince of
Peace.

AT TCONIUM

On this great highway, about sixt}^ miles
east of Antioch, lay the important city of
Iconium. For three days at least the mis-
sionaries trudged on afoot through a deso-
late country, leaving no word on record as to
the indubitable dangers that befell them
along the way.

On reaching the city they at once, accord-
is

PAUL'S CAMPAIGNS

ing to their custom, betook themselves to the
synagogue, where '^they so spake that a great
multitude," not only of the Jews but of the
Hellenists — that is, Gentiles who had es-
poused the worship of Jehovah — were con-
verted. In the words ^^they so spake" we
have an intimation that Paul preached his
customary sermon, ^^ opening and alleging
that Jesus is the Christ."

Of course there was trouble ; and as a mat-
ter of course the unbelieving Jews began
and fostered it. Nevertheless the mission-
aries kept up their work for "a long time,"
probably for some months ; and they might
have continued it indefinitely but for an as-
sault led by the rabbis of the synagogue,
with certain Gentiles whose minds were
**evil affected against them." Whereupon
the two yokefellows, mindful of the Master's
words, ^*When they persecute you in one
city flee unto another," left Iconium and
plodded on.

AT LYSTRA

A journey of about forty miles to the
southeast, on the same highway, brought

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them to Lystra, an out-of-the-way place with
few attractions for visitors. But there were
souls there needing to be brought out of
darkness into light.

The town had no synagogue. Just out-
side the gate was a Temple for the worship
of Jupiter: and thereby hangs a tale. It
was believed that Jupiter with his messenger
Mercury had once visited Lystra. The story
is told by Ovid on this wise :

* * Here Jove with Hermes came ; but in disguise
Of mortal men concealed their deities.
One laid aside his thunder, one his rod,
And many toilsome steps together trod.
For harbor at a thousand doors they knocked ;
Not one of all the thousand but was locked.
At last a hospitable house they found,
A homely shed ; the roof not far from ground
Was thatched with reeds and straw together bound.
There Baucis and Philemon lived.
From lofty roofs the gods repulsed before,
Now stooping, entered through the little door.
The man (their hearty welcome first expressed)
A common settle drew for either guest. ' '

The neighbors who had refused to enter-
tain their divine visitors were subsequently
punished by a terrible flood; but Philemon

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and Baucis were rewarded by seeing their
hut miraculously changed into a splendid
temple, in which they were appointed to
minister to the gods.

'* Their little shed, scarce large enough for two,
Seems from the ground increased, in height and bulk

to grow.
A stately temple shoots within the skies :
The crotchets of their cot in columns rise :
The pavement polished marble they behold;
The gates with sculpture graced, the spires and tiles

of gold."

The preaching of the missionaries at Lys-
tra was in the market-places and open courts
of the houses. One of the far-reaching con-
quests here was the conversion of a Jewess
named Eunice, with her mother Lois and her
son Timothy, a youth who was destined to
play an important part as one of Paul's
most efficient helpers in after years.

The miraculous healing of a cripple — who
had doubtless been brought into the congre-
gation to solicit alms — led the people to con-
clude that the gods were making them an-
other visit. Barnabas, the taller and more
imposing man, was taken for Jupiter : and

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Paul, eloquent but of ^^mean presence," was
Mercury, his messenger.

A rush was made for the Temple outside
the gate; oxen were brought for sacri-
fices and garlands to crown the celestial vis-
itors. Meanwhile the preaching in the open
court went on; until the pagan priest, ar-
rayed for sacrificial rites, appeared in the
doorway. Then, in sudden consternation,
the missionaries dispelled the illusion, cry-
ing, ' ' Sirs, why do ye these things ? We also
are men of like passions with you, and
preach that ye should turn from these vani-
ties unto the living Godl'' No saint-wor-
ship for them ! (Rev. 22 : 8, 9.)

It is but a short way from garlands to
cobble-stones. No doubt some of those who
had followed Christ on Palm Sunday cry-
ing, ^^Hosanna to the Son of David," were
in the mob that on the next Friday shouted,
^^ Crucify him!" So here; there was a
speedy reaction, due to the influence of cer-
tain ones who had pursued the missionaries
from Antioch and Iconium to oppose them.
Paul was stoned, dragged out of the city and
left for dead. A few faithful friends—

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Barnabas with Lois and Eunice and young
Timothy — ministered to him.

But Paul was not dead. A man is im-
mortal till his work is done. The Lord had
further need of him. So he arose ; and the
next morning, sadly bruised but undaunted
in spirit, he with faithful Barnabas trudged
on.

AT DERBE

The city of Derbe lay on the same road
twenty miles further on. Their ministry
here was undisturbed. Probably their en-
emies, ^^ supposing that Paul was dead," con-
gratulated themselves that the campaign of
these troublers, who were ^^ turning the
world upside down," had come to an end.
But the work continued and in Derbe
'^many were taught." Among them was a
certain Gains, who would presently join the
itinerant group as a faithful servant of
Christ. (Acts 20: 4.)

vn

THE RETURN

Acts 14: 21-28

If the mind of Paul had not been so wholly
concentrated on the business in hand he
would surely have turned aside on leaving
Derbe to visit his old home at Tarsus, which
was only a few miles away. But the love of
Christ constrained both him and Barnabas ;
and they were much concerned for the con-
verts whom they had left behind them.
Who could tell what persecutions had be-
fallen them, or how many had been allured
from the faith?

For this reason they resolved to retrace
their steps. Danger lay that way, but duty
also. Wherefore, like their Master, they
*^set their faces steadfastly to go." One
city after another they revisited — Lystra,
Iconium, Antioch — fearless amid the scenes
of former persecution, intent upon encour-

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aging their converts and building the super-
structure of their character and usefulness
on the foundations of their faith.

In the account of the backward journey
of these missionaries we have a clear outline
of their logical method of procedure.

First, Evangelization, This comes fore-
most always in ministerial work: the pres-
entation of the gospel as the power of God
unto salvation. To omit this is to run with-
out a message and to forfeit the penny at
evening, ^^Well done, good servant!'' Alas
for a minister who does not realize his high
privilege and responsibility as a winner of
souls !

Second, Edification, or ^^ building up" in
the most holy faith. In the words ^^con-
firming the souls of the disciples" there is
of course no reference to any formal cere-
mony of ' ^ confirmation, ' ' but to the strength-
ening of their belief in Christ and loyalty to
him. This is further emphasized by the ex-
hortation ^^to continue in the faith; and that
we must through much tribulation (literally,
harrowing) enter into the kingdom of God."

It is a mistake to suppose that our full

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salvation is accomplislied when we accept
Christ. That does, indeed, deliver us from
the penalty of sin; but it is only the begin-
ning of that larger ^^ salvation which is ready
to be revealed in the last time." This is the
salvation which we are to ^^work out with
fear and trembling, ' ^ to work out into its full
fruition of character and usefulness. And
it is the business of every minister to see
that Christians are thus confirmed in their
most holy faith.

Third, Organization, As they revisited
the scene of their former labors the mission-
aries ^^ ordained elders in every church."
These elders or ^^ presbyters," who are else-
where called ^^ bishops," were chosen by the
people, as indicated by the word ^^ ordained,"
which literally means ^^ elected by a show of
hands." Thus the converts were organized
into churches — not only for self-government
but for co-operation in service — and ^* com-
mended to the Lord."

AT PERGA

This done, Paul and Barnabas pushed on
to Perga, the seaport where they had done

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nothing on their previous visit. As the
summer was nov^ over and the people had re-
turned to their homes, the missionaries tar-
ried and ^^ preached the word."

Then — probably because there was no ves-
sel in port — they went on to the neighboring
town of Attalia, where they took ship ; and
so back to Antioch in Syria.

AT ANTIOCH IN SYRIA

The Church assembled to hear their report
of *^all that God had done with them" dur-
ing the two or three years of their absence ;
and there was great rejoicing as Paul and
Barnabas rehearsed how God had ^^ opened
the door of faith unto the Gentiles."

So ended the first of the great Missionary
Journeys. ^'A long time" elapsed before
another was undertaken ; but a zealous spirit
like Paul's cannot be confined in any ^^ pent-
up Utica. ' ' We shall presently see him ven-
turing forth upon an enterprise still more
boldly planned to carry the gospel to the ut-
termost parts of the earth.

27

A PARENTHESIS

Acts 15 : 1-35

[Not long after the return of Paul and
Barnabas from their first missionary tour a
serious trouble developed in the church at
Antioch. It was fomented by certain con-
verts who, like Paul himself, had previously
belonged to ^Hhe most straitest sect" of
Jewry, but, unlike him, had not fully entered
into *^the glorious liberty of the children of
God."

The contention was that Gentile converts
should enter the Christian Church by the
Jewish door ; that is, they must submit them-
selves to the ceremonial law. Now the cere-
monial law, which was typical and prophet-
ical of Christ, had been fulfilled at his com-
ing, and therefore had passed away, as mists
vanish at the rising of the sun. So it is
written, ^^He blotted out the handwriting of

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ordinances that was against us, and took it
out of the way, nailing it to his cross."
(Col. 2:14.) The Gentile Christians main-
tained that salvation was conditioned sim-
ply and solely on personal faith in Christ;
but these high-churchmen insisted that un-
less they would comply with the Jewish re-
quirements ^^they could not be saved."

The two positions were irreconcilable.
The breach widened accordingly, and the
trouble spread rapidly among the churches.
Something must be done and done quickly.
A deputation, including Paul and Barnabas,
was chosen to go up to the mother church at
Jerusalem and confer with the apostles and
elders about it.

THE COUNCIL AT JERUSALEM

The distance from Antioch to Jerusalem
was about three hundred miles: more than
five times what it would be by the travelling
facilities of our time. On their journey the
delegates conferred with churches along the
way and were doubtless joined by other com-
missioners. When they reached Jerusalem
an informal conference was first held with

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the apostles and elders, after whicli the
Council was convened, with James, the pas-
tor of the mother church, in the chair.

This was the first, and in many respects
the most significant, of a series of CEcumen-
ical Councils held at intervals, as occasion
seemed to require, down to the time of the
Eeformation. The next of importance was
the Council of Mcaea, a. d. 325, in which the
question of the Trinity was discussed — for
the most part by men who had suffered for
the truth's sake in recent persecutions — and
was determined for all time. Its monument
is the Mcene Creed. But the question be-
fore this Council at Jerusalem was one of
most immediate importance, because, until
it was settled, the Gentiles were kept wait-
ing at the doorway of the Church.

The first address was made by Peter.
We have of course the merest outline; but
sufficient is given to indicate its bold and im-
passioned character. He began by remind-
ing the Council how the Lord had chosen
him "si good while ago" to open the door to
the Gentiles. The reference was to the day
of Pentecost, fourteen years before, when he

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had turned the key — the key which Christ
had previously committed to him for that
purpose (Matt. 16 : 19) —saying, ' ' The
promise is unto you and to your children
and to all that are afar off." (Acts 2: 14-
39.) He then begged the Council not to put
a ceremonial yoke upon the necks of the
converts which neither their fathers nor
themselves had been able to bear; and con-
cluded with a ringing statement that the
only condition of salvation for all alike is
vital faith in Christ.

Paul and Barnabas followed with an ac-
count of their missionary journey and the
many conversions which had occurred along
the way. This carried its own appeal with
it.

Then arose James, the minister of the
mother church. He would naturally be dis-
posed to favor the Jews, but his address was
in the interest of peace by mutual conces-
sion. He began by supporting Peter's
position as to the open door, and showed
how the prophets had foretold it. He then,
as the Moderator of the Council, pronounced
his ^^ sentence" or conclusion. This was

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drawn up in the form of a letter to be sent to
all the churches, as follows :

The apostles and elders and hretJiren send
greeting unto the brethren which are of the
Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia,
Forasmuch as we have heard that certain
which went out from us have troubled you
with words, subverting your souls, saying,
Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law;
to whom we gave no such commandment: it
seemed good unto us, being assembled with
one accord, to send chosen men unto you with
our beloved Barnahas and Paid, men that
have hazarded their lives for the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, We have sent therefore
Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the
same things by mouth. For it seemed good
to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you
no greater burden than these necessary
things; that ye abstain from meats offered
to idols, and from^ blood, and from things
strangled: and from fornication: from
which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well.
Fare ye well.

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In this letter we observe, -first, a principle
laid dotvn : to wit, the great doctrine of Justi-
fication by Faith; and second, a policy
marked out, namely, that, so far as conces-
sions could be made without any sacrifice of
principle, they should be made by both sides.
On the one hand, the Jews were to give up
their insistence on the ceremonial law; on
the other, the Gentiles were to refrain from
certain practices which gave offence: (1)
from blood — which the Jews avoid to this
day; (2) from things strangled — because the
blood remains in them; (3) from meats laid
on pagan altars and subsequently offered for
sale in the shambles — because this seemed
to imply complicity with idol- worship ; and
(4) from the sensual habits which were
prevalent among all pagan nations and to
which the Gentile converts were especially
prone. These mutual concessions were so
obviously reasonable that the trouble ended
then and there.

THE RETUKN

On the return of the missionaries to Anti-
och a meeting was held at which the letter

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was read and all ^^ rejoiced for the consola-
tion." One thing had been settled, that no
priest or ecclesiastical court was to be al-
lowed to stand in the way of any sinner in
his approach to Christ.

Settled'? Yes, so far as a Council could
settle it. But the Cross is always an offence,
and free grace has never ceased to be a
stumbling-block to the natural man.

As time passed the Church drifted away
from its moorings until, in the Dark Ages,
it was again swamped in the stagnant waters
of priestly ceremonialism. Then came Lu-
ther and the other reformers with a new
proclamation of the old truth of Justifica-
tion by Faith. They called it articulum
ecclesice stantis aut cadentis, that is, '^the
Doctrine of a Standing or a Falling
Church." And so it is and must continue
to be. Moses and Elias go their way, and
none is left but ''Jesus only." In Him
alone we put our trust ; ' ' Him first. Him last,
Him midst and all in all."]

34

VIII
THE SECOND JOURNEY

Acts 15: 36-41; 16: 1-10

It would appear that Paul and Barnabas,
on returning from their first missionary
tour, spent about two years in Antioch, not
only in much-needed rest but in ^'teaching
and preaching" for the confirmation of their
brethren in the faith. It was during this
period that the First Council was held at
Jerusalem, as we have seen.

Another incident which subsequently oc-
curred during the same period calls for brief
mention: Peter came to Antioch and
stirred up trouble. The controversy which
attended his visit is briefly recorded in Gal.
2:11-14:

^^But when Peter was come to Antioch I
withstood him to the face, because he ivas to
ie blamed. For before that certain came

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from James, he did eat with the Gentiles:
iut when they were come, he withdrew and
separated himself, fearing them which were
of the circumcision. And the other Jews
dissemhled likewise with him; insomuch
that Barnahas also was carried away with
their dissimidation. But when I saw that
they walked not uprightly according to the
truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before
them all, ^'If thou, being a Jew, livest after
the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the
Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to
live as do the JewsV

The dispute was amicably settled, how-
ever, in accordance with the decree of the
Council in Jerusalem. (See Acts 15 : 22-29.)

In the meantime the wanderlust of the
gospel had returned to the missionaries and
the word of the Master, '^Go ye!" was ring-
ing in their ears. It was only a few days
after the adjustment of the dispute referred
to that Paul said to Barnabas, '*Let us go
again and visit our brethren in every city
where we have preached the word of the
Lord and see how they do."

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But a serious difference arose between the
two missionaries then and there. Barna-
bas was resolved on having his nephew, John
Mark, accompany them; while Paul was
equally determined that the youth whose
courage had failed him in the face of dan-
ger at Pamphylia should not go. ^' And the
contention was so sharp between them that
they departed asunder. ' ' Barnabas took his
nephew and sailed for Cyprus, while Paul
set out in the opposite direction, both intent
upon a recanvass of their former work.

The new companion of Paul was Silas,
who had been one of the deputies appointed
by the Council to convey its decrees to the
churches. He is characterized as ^^a faith-
ful brother," and was one of the hopeful
guild of Singers in the Night. (Acts
16:25.)

They set out toward the northwest, '^con-
firming the churches" by the way, until they
reached Derbe, where the previous journey
had ended. From there they passed on to
Lystra, where they were joined by Timothy,
^*the gentle boy of Lystra," who was destined
to play an important part in subsequent

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events. Thence to Iconium; after which
they would have turned aside into ^^Asia,"
a region of pagan darkness on the southwest ;
^^but they were forbidden." To the north-
west lay Bithynia, another pagan country
where they longed to preach the gospel, ^^but
the Spirit suffered them not." Strange
guidance this ! For some reason they must
turn neither to the right nor to the left but
bear straight on.

AT TROAS

So they came to Troas on the verge of the
Hellespont; and there the reason of their
strange guidance was made plain. In a
vision Paul saw a man of Macedonia, with
outstretched hands, calling, ^^Come over and
help us!" It thus appeared that the mis-
sionaries were to plume their wings for a
bolder flight. Europe was before them!
When once the Hellespont was crossed they
would be in ^^the regions beyond," and a new
impulse would be given to the enterprise
of universal conquest. Now then, the world
for Christ!

IX

ON TO EUROPE

ACTS 16:11-40

It is safe to say that, on the morning after
his vision, Paul was early at the docks in
Troas inquiring for the first ship sailing
across the Hellespont. There were four who
took passage; Paul, Silas, Timothy and
Luke, *^the good physician." We know
that Luke here joined the company because
the narrative, of which he was the writer,
now moves on with the pronoun ^^we."
(Acts 16: 11.)

It is worthy of note, in passing, that the
heroes of the two great classics of Rome
and Greece — the ^neid of Virgil and the
Odyssey of Homer — had both embarked
from the port of Troas ; but the momentous
voyages of ^neas and Ulysses were not
worthy of comparison with the great enter-
prise which stirred the hearts of these ad-
venturous men.

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PAUL'S CAMPAIGNS
AT PHILIPPI

On landing at Neapolis they pushed their
way up through the mountain roads to the
important city of Philippi, where Paul
hoped to meet the Macedonian who had
beckoned and called him. In their sojourn
here they won three trophies of grace.

The first was Lydia, ''a seller of purple."
Her name indicates that she had come from
a city in that same province of Pamphylia
whither the Spirit had forbidden them to
go. Thus, by indirection, the missionaries
were likely to reach the object in mind.
They met this woman, on the first Sabbath
after their arrival, at a place set apart for
prayer by the river-side. On hearing the
gospel her heart was immediately opened to
receive it. No doubt Paul was surprised to
find that ^^the man" of his vision was a
woman ; but she was a woman of wealth and
influence whose candle was lighted to shine
afar. The missionaries had thus far been
satisfied with humble quarters in some lodg-
ing house ; but Lydia now, with Oriental hos-
pitality, threw open her home — as she had

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opened her heart — and entertained them
during their sojourn in the city.

The second trophy of the campaign in
Philippi was a slave-girl, possessed of an
evil spirit. Her owners had made capital
of her malady by passing her off as a
pythoness, whose incoherent utterances were
represented to be the divinations of Apollo.
Day after day as the missionaries proceeded
to their work the slave girl cried after them,
^^ These men are the servants of the most
high God, which show unto us the way of
salvation!" Little wonder that Paul was
*^ grieved" on her account; and little wonder
that he healed her! But this miracle was
the occasion of no end of trouble. The mas-
ters of the pythoness, seeing that ^^the hope
of their gains was gone," succeeded in col-
lecting a mob; and presently, after one of
those scourgings with which Paul was so fa-
miliar (^'five times was I beaten with forty
stripes save one"), he and Silas found them-
selves in jail.

The third trophy of their evangelistic
ardor was their jailer. The two mission-
aries, cast down but not destroyed, whiled

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PAUL'S CAMPAIGNS

away the dreary hours of the night by sing-
ing, probably one of the Hillel Psalms with
the refrain, ^^Oh that men would praise the
Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful
works to the children of men ! ' ' Then on a
sudden the earth began to tremble and the
prisoners' chains were loosed!

The jailer awoke, and supposing that his
wards — for whose safeguarding he was re-
sponsible with his life — ^had escaped, would
have killed himself; just as nowadays a Jap-
anese jailer would commit hari-kari under
like circumstances. But Paul cried, ^^Do
thyself no harm! We are all here!"
Whereupon the man, who had probably
heard Paul's message, cried out under sud-
den conviction, '^Sirs, what must I do to be
saved 1" There could be only one answer:
^'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!" That
done, the rest would be plain sailing. The
jailer fell in with the overtures of divine
mercy and became a Christian.

Here were three wonderful trophies to
show for the campaign at Philippi. And
who shall say how many were saved through
them?

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PAUL'S CAMPAIGNS

We now observe Paul in a different light.
Thus far he had pursued his work as a most
humble man. But when the magistrates,
on learning that Paul was a Eoman citizen
and had been scourged without due process
of law, sent messengers to say, ^^Let those
men go," those men refused to go. ^^Nay,
verily," said Paul. ^^They have beaten us
openly, uncondemned, being Romans, and
have cast us into prison; and now do they
thrust us out privily ? Nay, verily ; but let
them come themselves and fetch us out!"
Thus he stood squarely upon his rights.
But when anything was to be gained by do-
ing so, we shall find that he and his com-
panions were ever willing to lay down all
their rights that men might walk over them
into the kingdom of God.

43

AT THESSALONICA

ACTS 17:1-9

On being driven out of Philippi the band
of missionaries turned tlieir faces toward
the west. ^'Westward the course of Empire
takes its way." A journey of seventy miles
— passing through the unimportant towns
of Amphipolis and Appolonia — brought
them to Thessalonica ; and there, in the hos-
pitable home of Jason, they tarried for sev-
eral months.

Why were they attracted to Thessalonica ?
First f because it was a populous place and in
many respects the most important city in
that portion of the world. Second, because
there was a considerable number of Jews
there, whose religion furnished a foundation
for the preaching of the Messianic claims
of Jesus. Third, because it was the center
of the weaving industry; where Paul the

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PAUL'S CAMPAIGNS

tent-maker would be likely to find work.
(1 Thess. 2:9.) Fourth, because it was a
coign of vantage for an enterprise that was
intended and expected to radiate far and
wide.

To-day Salonica is the second city of Tur-
key in Europe. In the World's War the
troops of the Entente Alliance were landed
there to advance upon the enemy on the east-
ern front.

On three successive Sabbaths the mission-
aries preached in the synagogue/ reasoning
from the Scriptures that ''this Jesus is the
Christ," and with the usual result. Many
of the Hellenes, i. e., Judaized pagans, were
converted; but the Jews themselves were
''slow of heart to believe all that the
prophets had spoken." Then, as their cus-
tom was, the missionaries left the synagogue
and turned to the Gentiles, enough of whom
were converted to form the nucleus of an
important church.

It was too much to expect, however, that
they would be allowed to continue in this

1 There are thirty-six synagogues in the modern city of
Salonica.

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PAUL'S CAMPAIGNS

way. The Jews succeeded in persuading
certain ^4ewd fellows of the baser sort" —
the lazsaroni or ^ idlers of the forum'' — to
drive them out. A mob stormed the house
of Jason, and, not finding the missionaries,
carried him and his associates before the
magistrates, who, perceiving no ground of
action, bound them over to keep the peace
and let them go.

All of which suggests a number of things.

First, the gospel never changes. A con-
verted Jew in charge of a mission among
his countrymen tells me that his work is pre-
cisely along the lines marked out by Paul,
^^ opening and alleging from the Scriptures
that this Jesus is the Christ."

Second, the opposition never changes.
The Christians of Armenia are persecuted
and massacred by the Turks on the pretext
that they are turning things ^^ upside down"
by their insistence on the supremacy of
Christ.

Third, the assurance of success never
changes. Paul and his companions may
have counted their labor as water poured
upon the ground; but ten years later, in a

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PAUL'S CAMPAIGNS

letter written to the church in Thessalonica,
he says, '^From you sounded out the word
of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and
Achaia; but also in every place your faith
to Godward is spread abroad." The faith
to Godward of these Christians was no light
hid under a bushel: it ^^ sounded forth" like
the blast of a trumpet before the chariot of
an advancing king; it ^^went forth" like the
shout of an army following after him.

Let all the Lord's workers be of good
cheer; the seed-sowing is never in vain,
though oftentimes the harvest ripens on
their graves. The promise is yea and amen :
^^He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing
precious seed, shall doubtless" (not may but
shall; not perhaps but doubtless) ^^come
again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves
with him."

47

XI
AT BEROEA

Acts 17: 10-14

On leaving Thessalonica, under cover of
the night, Paul turned his face toward the
southwest; and after a journey of sixty-
miles came to Beroea. This was a city of no
special importance except for the fact that
it lay on a slope of the Olympian range and
was supposed to be under the special care
of the twelve gods.

The Jews of Beroea are characterized as
*^more noble than those of Thessalonica" be-
cause '^thej received the word with readi-
ness of mind." This is a Title of Nobility
which is open to all. '^A king can mak' a
belted knight, a marquis, duke an' a' that";
but only God can admit a man into the Peer-
age of Truth.

(1) It is said of these Beroeans, to their
credit, that ^'they searched the Scriptures
daily, whether those things were so/^

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PAUL'S CAMPAIGNS

By this we are given to understand, on tlie
one hand, that they believed in the Scrip-
tures as the infallible test and standard of
truth. As to their inspiration, this was not
an open but a closed question, having been
settled by and for these converts when they
entered into covenant with God.

The reason why many of the church mem-
bers of our time are oppressed with doubts
as to the fundamentals of the gospel is be-
cause they are not fully persuaded in their
own minds that the Bible can be trusted ; a
point which should have been determined
at the very outset of their Christian life.

On the other hand, it appears that when
Paul presented some unusually startling
propositions, they did not take him at his
word, but ^^ searched the Scriptures" to see
whether these things were so.

What a lot of perplexity would be avoided
if the Christians of our time were to treat
current problems in the same way. The
trouble is that, in many cases, the original
question as to the trustworthiness of Scrip-
ture is still undetermined, so that they have
nothing to go by. Instead of applying the

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divine touchstone to their doubts, they must
needs be forever investigating the reliability
of the touchstone itself.

In many of our so-called ^^ Bible classes"
the pupils are instructed about the Bible and
not in it. They are like prospectors who
go about searching for a gold-field, rather
than like miners who, having found a gold-
field, are engaged in getting the gold out
of it.

(2) We are advised, from the example of
the Beroeans, as to the right method of
searching the Scriptures,

There are some who read the Bible for no
other purpose, apparently, than to criticise
it. This is the case with many who call
themselves ^^ Biblical experts"; they ap-
proach the Book with an ill-disguised preju-
dice against it. Of course, under such cir-
cumstances, they find errors and discrepan-
cies where none are visible to unbiased eyes.

There are others who study the Bible to
confirm their own opinions. These are
eisegetes, reading their own views into the
Book instead of getting their doctrine out
of it, as devout exegetes are wont to do.

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PAUL'S CAMPAIGNS

Others still are moved to search the Scrip-
tures by a sincere desire to discover the
truth. In order to succeed in this quarter
there must be, iirst, a readiness to learn what
God has to say about the matter in hand,
and, second, a personal independence which
takes no man's word for it. The Beroeans
were to be praised for declining to accept
Paul's statements on his own recognizance
until they had applied the touchstone. No
man's ipse dixit is final, whether in the pul-
pit or out of it. Nothing is conclusive but
the Word of God.

(3) What was the result? The Beroeans
came to the conclusion that Paul's postulate,
^^This Jesus is the Christ," was true to their
Oracles ; and therefore they accepted it.

Thus they found Christ, as it is written,
^^ Therefore many of them believed." And,
finding Christ, they found life also; as he
himself had said, ^^ Search the Scriptures;
for in them ye think (and rightly think)
ye have eternal life; and these are they
which testify of me."

Here we leave the Beroeans. The preach-
ing of Paul might have gone on indefinitely

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but for mischief-makers who came over from
Thessalonica and created a disturbance.
With a due regard for discretion as the bet-
ter part of valor, he took his departure to
larger fields. The pagan world was before
him — Athens, Corinth and the regions be-
yond! Still ^* Westward the course of Em-
pire takes its way."

m

XII

AT ATHENS

ACTS 17 : 15-34

On being expelled from Beroea the apostle
went down to the nearest seaport and took
ship for Athens. A three days' voyage car-
ried him past some of the most memorable
scenes in history, such as Thermopylae, where
Leonidas and his three hundred died for
freedom, and Marathon, where Themistocles
drove back the Persian invasion. But
Paul's interest lay further on.

Landing at Piraeus, he at once proceeded
to Athens, ^^the eye of Greece, mother of
arts and eloquence."

Standing alone in the market-place he saw
a city '^wholly given to idolatry." There
were statues of the gods on every hand;
colonnades of gods; *^more gods than men."
On looking down the street of Hermes he
saw a winged figure of the Olympian herald

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in front of every home ; if tie looked along
the Avenue of Tripods, he would see an un-
broken line of altars and statues, with votive
offerings presented by grateful athletes
whom the gods had helped in the Isthmian
games. Gods everywhere! Gods on ped-
estals, in niches, on the corners of the
streets; gods and demigods; good, bad and
indifferent — a wilderness of gods ! No won-
der the devout soul of the missionary was
stirred within him.

He began his work at once, ^ disputing in
the synagogue with the Jews, and in the
Agora daily with them that met with him."
There was no difficulty in getting an audi-
ence ; for Athens was proverbially the para-
dise of gossips and saunterers. Its shib-
boleth was, '^What's the news^" So they
gathered about him, men and women, priests
and philosophers, all sorts and conditions of
people. And he spoke to them of Jesus and
the Resurrection, or as the Greeks had it,
'^ Jesus and Anastasis," whom they sup-
posed to be a pair of new deities. He who
introduced a god into Athens was counted a
public benefactor. The interest of his audi-

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ence was thus enlisted at once. Presently
they said, ^^Let us go to Areopagus for a bet-
ter hearing." So to the Hill of Mars they
went ; and the apostle there preached a ser-
mon which has come ringing down the ages.

OBSEEVE THE PREACHER

A little man, stoop-shouldered, weak-eyed
and a stammerer; but it did not take the
Athenians long to discover that here was no
ordinary man.

OBSERVE THE PULPIT

A fateful place. Many a culprit had been
there devoted to death. On this platform
Demosthenes had stood and uttered ^^breath-
ing thoughts in burning words. " Here Soc-
rates had made his apology and was con-
demned to drink the fatal hemlock. On a
shelf of rock near by stood the Temple of
the Furies ; and above it towered the Temple
of Mars. To this place Paul brought such
**news" as these newsmongers had never
heard before. He spoke as an ambassador
from the court of heaven, bringing a mes-
sage of peace to troubled souls.

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OBSEKVE THE AUDIENCE

Not a few of Paul's hearers had the names
of their deities worn as frontlets between
their eyes. Here were philosophers also and
students in classic robes, representing all the
various schools by the Ilissus. Some were
Stoics ; i. e., pantheists, who spoke of God as
*Hhe universal soul," and of man as an ex-
halation whose destiny was to be absorbed
presently in the all-pervading Spirit of the
Universe, as a drop of water disappears in a
boundless sea. Others were Epicureans,
materialists, who said ^^ Death ends all."
And, inasmuch as life was circumscribed by
the narrow horizons of time and sense, what
better could they do than make the most of
the passing hour? Their aphorism was,
'^Let us eat, drink and be merry; for to-
morrow we die." Others were Academ-
icians, practical agnostics, whose sugges-
tions were all prefaced with a perhaps or
it-may-be-so. And besides these there was
the usual throng of curiosity-mongers and
hangers-on. To the mind of the great Mis-

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sionary all these were souls, precious in the
sight of God.

OBSERVE THE SERMON

Its exordium was most felicitous. Tak-
ing for his text the inscription upon an altar
which he had observed in the market-place,
^*To an Unknown God," he began by say-
ing, ^^ Ye men of Athens, in all things I per-
ceive that ye are very religious." It was a
clever compliment and gained him their
good-will. His proposition was announced
in these terms: ^'This unknown God de-
clare I unto you," He then proceeded to
show how God, so far from being really un-
known, had unveiled himself in many ways :
first, in creation; he ^^made the world and
all things therein": second, in providence;
^^In him we live and move and have our be-
ing": and third, in grace; "^j that Man
whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath
given assurance unto all men in that he
raised him from the dead." At this point
the speaker was interrupted and the assem-
bly was broken up.

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OBSERVE THE RESULT

There were some who mocked ; others who
said, ^*We will hear thee again" (but they
probably never did) , and a few who believed.
Among these were Dionysius, a member of
the Court of Areopagus, and a woman named
Damaris, of whom we hear no more.

But Paul's sermon on Mars Hill was not
in vain; for thus saith the Lord, ^^As the
rain cometh down and the snow from heaven,
and returneth not thither, but watereth the
earth and maketh it bring forth and bud,
that it may give seed to the sower and bread
to the eater, so shall my word be that goeth
forth out of my mouth; it shall not return
unto me void, but it shall accomplish that
which I please, and it shall prosper in the
thing whereto I sent it.''

58

XIII
AT CORINTH

Acts 18 : 1-22

All that now remains of Corinth is a con-
fused mass of ruins. At the time of Paul's
visit it vied with Athens in renown : but they
were very different cities. Athens was
learned and aristocratic; Corinth was com-
mercial and democratic. Its two ports, Cen-
chreae on the east and Lechaeum on the west,
invited the commerce of the world. Its
magnificent places of amusement made it the
most popular of summer resorts. Its Tem-
ple of Venus (where no less than a thousand
so-called ^^priestesses" were consecrated to
open sensuality) with innumerable shrines
of other gods, threw over its nameless vices
the glamour of religion. To speak of a
woman as ^^a Corinthian" was equivalent to
calling her a courtesan. To say that a young
man was ^ living in Corinth" was to affirm
that he was recklessly sowing his wild oats.

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PAUL'S CAMPAIGNS

It was a busy, wealthy, populous, pleasure-
loving, splendid, wicked city.

Paul was alone when he came to Corinth,
having left his three companions — Luke,
Silas and Timothy — to look after the con-
verts in Philippi, Thessalonica and Beroea.
He began his work, as usual, by preaching in
the synagogue, ^^and persuaded the Jews and
the Greeks." When Silas and Timothy
joined him he had added impetus; he was
^^ pressed in the spirit, and testified to the
Jews that Jesus was Christ." As usual the
Jews refused to hear him. He then ' ' turned
to the Gentiles": and continued his labors
among them a year and a half, organizing
the converts into one of the strongest and
most faithful of the early churches.

Among the first of these converts were
Aquila and Priscilla, a man and his wife
who, having been driven out of Rome by
the decree of Claudius against the Jews, had
come to Corinth and set up a tent- maker's
shop. Paul found employment here and,
while engaged at his trade, converted his em-
ployers to Christ. In after years they were
among his most devoted friends.

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Another of the early converts of this cam-
paign was Crispus, the ruler of the syna-
gogue, who of course lost his position when
he accepted Christ. He and his family were
among the few whom Paul himself baptized ;
this sacrament being usually committed to
other hands, perhaps because of his physi-
cal infirmities. (See 1 Cor. 1: 14-17.)

Another of the Corinthian converts was
Gains, probably a man of considerable
wealth and distinction; whom Paul calls
^^my host," from which we may infer that
the apostle made his home with him. (Ro-
mans 16: 23.)

Another was a certain Justus, ^^ whose
house joined hard to the synagogue. " When
the synagogue was closed to the preaching
of the gospel, the home of Justus was thrown
open to the followers of Christ; and the
Corinthian church, which was destined to
play so important a part in history, was
organized there.

Another of Paul's personal friends was
Sosthenes, who had succeeded Crispus when
the latter was deposed as ruler of the syna-
gogue. Paul speaks of him affectionately

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as '^oiir brother. " (1 Cor. 1:1.) It would
appear that he subsequently served as the
apostle's scribe or amanuensis, a helper
greatly needed by Paul on account of his
weak eyes.

There were many other Corinthian stars
in Paul's crown of rejoicing, some of whom
are mentioned, all of whom are recorded in
the heavenly Book of Remembrance. In
one of his darkest hours of spiritual depres-
sion— for Paul was a man of like passions
with other men and there were many dis-
couragements in his lonely work — he had a
vision in which the Lord comforted him by
saying, ^^Be not afraid, but speak, and hold
not thy peace ; for I am with thee, . . . for
I have much people in this city. ' ' By which
he was given to understand that his work
was not to be measured by its visible fruits.
^^The Lord knoweth them that are his."
Who can count the '^hidden ones'"?

An attempt was made by the Jews to break
up Paul's work, by bringing against him
the charge, ^^This fellow persuadeth men to
worship God contrary to the law," i.e., con-

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trary to the Jewish law. Fortunately the
case came before a brother of Seneca, known
as ''the amiable Gallio," who at this time
was Proconsul of Achaia. As a Roman
magistrate he very properly declined to pass
upon a purely religious question and threw
the matter out of court.

The church at Corinth being organized
and well under way, Paul ''took leave of the
brethren" and set sail for home. By the
way he tarried at Ephesus and at Jerusalem
— where he had a vow to fulfill — and at
Csesarea ; and then on to Antioch, the center
of operations, to report the blessed results
of his Second Missionary Journey. It was,
doubtless, a happy "hame-bringing," accom-
panied with much thanksgiving for the good-
ness of God.

How little did the wealthy, worldly, pleas-
ure-loving, idol-worshiping people of Cor-
inth suspect that their city would find its
most enduring fame through the patient,
difficult, inconspicuous work of Paul ! Who
would have imagined that its most distin-
guished citizen, the Proconsul Gallio, would

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best be remembered by Ms association with
^^the ugly little Jew'M^ Here is comfort
for all humble workmen.

''Toil on; in hope o'ercome

The steeps God set for thee ;
For past the Alpine summits of great toil
Lieth thine Italy!"

1 So Renan calls Paul.

64

XIV

THE THIRD JOURNEY

ACTS 18:23-28; 19:1-41; 20:1

On reaching Antioch in Syria, at the close
of his second journey, Paul settled down for
^^some time," probably the greater part of a
year. Then the wanderlust of missions
again took possession of him ; and he set out
to revisit and ^^ strengthen" the churches.

*^ All the country of Galatia and Phrygia,"
being familiar ground, was passed over as
rapidly as possible and without note. The
great city of Ephesus was the first objective
point ; after which Paul proposed to push on
to Corinth, thence to Jerusalem, and after
that to Rome. Always to Rome !

AT EPHESUS

But events so shaped themselves, and so
great were the demands of the people of
Ephesus, that on reaching that city he was

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constrained to remain there three whole
years.

I. It will be remembered that on the re-
turn from his second missionary journey he
had brought with him the tent-makers
Aquila and Priscilla, whom he left at Ephe-
sus. (Acts 18:19.) These faithful work-
ers had not been idle there ; but by a quiet
ministry had been arranging a full ^^prepar-
edness" for Paul's arrival.

II. The presence of ApoUos in Ephesus
had contributed to the same end. He is
spoken of as '^a Jew of Alexandria, an elo-
quent man and mighty in the Scriptures."
The fact that he came from Alexandria, the
city of the great library and of the Septua-
gint, is an intimation that he was a learned
man. His familiarity with the Scriptures
shows that he was a loyal Jew. The further
statement that he '^taught diligently the
things of the Lord" makes it clear that he
had at least accepted the Messiahship of
Jesus; and, being '^fervent in spirit," he
was doing his utmost to persuade others to
believe in it.

But as yet he was inadequately equipped

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for Ms work, ^^ knowing only the baptism of
John." He had learned much of Jesus at
second hand ; but of his real teaching, of the
true significance of the Cross, and particu-
larly as to the reality and personality of the
Holy Spirit, he had little or no information.

At this juncture Aquila and Priscilla came
to the rescue. *^They expounded unto him
the way of God more perfectly." A curious
conjunction, this ; the learned Apollos sitting
at the feet of two tent-makers ! Was there
ever a stranger theological seminary than
this in the house of Aquila and Priscilla?
But even they could not fully instruct him
in the way. They could help him to move
on from the baptism of John the Baptist,
which was only unto repentance, into the
baptism of Jesus, which was unto the fulness
of life ; but they were incompetent to advise
him as to the miracle of Pentecost and its
wonderful significance. Poor Apollos! It
is a hard business for one who has not made
the acquaintance of the Holy Spirit to ^^run
up the heavenly way."

III. This, then, was the state of affairs
when Paul arrived in Ephesus. Apollos

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was not there to greet him, having gone on
to Corinth with credentials from his Ephe-
sian friends; and he was now engaged in
'^helping believers and convincing the
Jews" of that city: but he had left behind
him in Ephesus a little group of earnest
seekers after truth.

Paul at once entered the synagogue after
his usual custom, and for three months con-
tinued to ^^ speak boldly,'' ^^ disputing and
persuading the things concerning the king-
dom of God": and of course with the usual
result.

On being expelled from the synagogue he
entered the School of Tyrannus — possibly a
philosopher who had lost his following —
where he made his headquarters for two
years or more. During this time three inci-
dents of special note occurred.

First, Paul met the followers of Apollos,
twelve men in particular, of whom he asked,
^^Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye
believed ^ ' ' They answered (not, ' ' We have
not so much as heard whether there be any
Holy Ghost," but), ''Nay, we did not so
much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was

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given." Whereupon Paul told them how
Christ's promise had been fulfilled on the
Day of Pentecost. And when they con-
fessed that they had only received John's
baptism unto repentance, he baptized them
'4n the name of the Lord Jesus," with the
baptism of fire and power.

Second, the great bonfire. The supersti-
tious use of the name of Jesus by the seven
Sons of Sceva, for the healing of demoni-
acal possession, led to a general revolt among
the Christians against all sorts of f etichism ;
so that charms and cabalistic letters of everv
sort were brought together and burned up.
If all our fetiches were thus disposed of —
such as rosaries and crooked sixpences and
broad phylacteries and foolish dreads of
thirteen and Friday and the like — what a
bonfire there would be !

Third, the riot, led by Demetrius the sil-
versmith. Paul's preaching against the
worship of idols had so reduced the sale of
shrines and images that great Diana, the
tutelary goddess of Ephesus, was being set
at naught. The craftsmen, whose business
was seriously affected, stirred up the popu-

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lace; and Paul and Ms companions might
have fared badly indeed but for the tactful
management of the town-clerk in dispersing
the mob.

It was at length apparent to Paul that the
time had arrived to move on: so ^^he called
unto him the disciples, and embraced them,
and departed." He had already dispatched
Timothy and Erastus to Corinth to prepare
the way before him. On to Thessalonica, to
Beroea, to Athens, to Eome. Always to
Rome, the center of the world! He must
preach the gospel at Eome !

70

XV

A BUSY YEAR— A. D. 57

Acts 20:1-12

At the close of Paul's three eventful years
in Ephesus, ^Hhe uproar having ceased,'' he
resumed his journey: leaving Timothy be-
hind him to look after the welfare of the
Christians in that city. (1 Tim. 1 : 3.)

He went afoot to Troas, probably canvass-
ing en route the Seven Churches of Asia.
He had been hoping that Titus would join
him at Troas ; but being disappointed in this,
he pressed on alone, ^^ exhorting" by the way.
(2Cor. 2:12, 13.)

On reaching Macedonia he revisited the
churches of Philippi, Thessalonica and Be-
roea, meanwhile reaching out into other un-
evangelized towns and villages. Not satis-
fied with this he pushed on into the regions
beyond, going ^^ round about unto lUyri-

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cum,"^ the mountainous country on the
eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea.

It is characteristic of Paul that he should
have passed over this important and danger-
ous itinerary with so slight mention. Who
knows what wonders were wrought, what
seed-sowing for future harvest, by this
*^ roundabout" tour? *^The day shall de-
clare it." (Romans 15: 19; 1 Cor. 3: 13.)

He then turned southward into Greece,
and on reaching Corinth was comforted by
the arrival of his beloved Titus. (2 Cor.
7 : 6, 7.) While there, for a period of three
months, he not only preached and ministered
to the disciples but found time to write the
Epistle to the Romans, which was sent by
the hand of the deaconess Phoebe, as a cir-
cular letter to the Gentile churches.

It was now his purpose to sail for Syria,
accompanied by seven chosen helpers;
namely, Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus,
Gains, Timothy, Tychicus and Trophimus;
a noble band. But ^^man proposes, God dis-
poses." A plot was discovered against the

1 Illyricum embraced the modern countries of Bosnia,
Croatia and Dalmatia.

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life of Paul which made it necessary for the
seven to sail without him, the understanding
being that he would rejoin them at Troas.

So Paul, alone and afoot, turned his face
toward the north and came roundabout to
Philippi, where he was in time to join his
friends in the keeping of the Passover; a
feast which had a peculiar significance for
the early Christians by reason of its close
association with the Lord's Supper. (1 Cor.
5: 7, 8.) At this point Paul's comfort and
happiness were greatly enhanced by meet-
ing Luke, his physician and devoted friend,
who had been left in charge of the Philippian
church and whose connection with the nar-
rative is still indicated by the occurrence of
the familiar ^^we."

After the celebration of the feast, Luke
says, ^^we sailed away from Philippi," and
came ^^to Troas." The voyage took five
days, twice the usual time, by reason of the
equinoctial winds. On their arrival they
met the seven missionaries with many others
and remained seven days. On the evening
of the first day of the week (note the observ-
ance of the First Day as the Christian Sab-

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bath), when the church was assembled for
worship, Paul preached until midnight.
The room was crowded, the air was bad (ow-
ing to ^^many lights' 0? ^^^ the sermon was
long: wherefore it is not surprising that a
youth named Eutychus should have gone to
the window ledge for a breath of fresh air.
Overcome by faintness and drowsiness, he
fell into the street and was taken up dead ;
whereupon Paul restored him to life. The
meeting then continued until the breaK of
day.

The band of missionaries tooK ship the
next morning; but again they left Paul be-
hind them. For some reason he preferred
to go afoot and by himself, agreeing to rejoin
his companions at Assos, a port of entrj
twenty miles south. Here with his staff in
hand on the lonely road we leave him.

A busy year, indeed. Paul was a born
itinerant : and how wonderfully he made his
itineraries tell for the glory of God! He
was engaged all this year in doing three
things :

First, ^^ Exhorting." The Greek here
means ^^ calling near with much discourse."

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Paul was always persuading the unconverted
to come to Christ and Christians to come
nearer. This was his conception of preach-
ing. There are many unsuccessful preach-
ers who would do well to adopt it.

Second, writing to the churches. Two
certainly and probably more of his epistles
were composed during this year. How did
he find time for this ? Where was his leisure
for study? The answer is that time and
leisure are always given in sufficiency to
those who plan great things for God.

Third, ^^ Collecting for the saints." It
was in Paul's mind, when projecting this
journey, to canvass the Gentile churches for
another offering in behalf of the famine-
stricken Christians at Jerusalem. This help
was in due time received by the mother
church with many thanks ; and it served as
an effective bond of union between the Jew-
ish and Gentile followers of Christ.

So did the great Missionary employ his
time and energy for Christ. In that very
year the Eoman general Suetonius was push-
ing his conquests in Britain. Who would
have predicted that Paul would survive Sue-

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tonius even in the world's esteem^ Yet so
it is. The reason ? Paul had set his heart
upon the noblest and best, saying, ^'The love
of Christ constraineth me."

Paul, like Suetonius, was dreaming of con-
quest, but of another sort. In his Epistle to
the Romans (15: 20-33) he says, ^^Whenso-
ever I take my journey into Spain I will
come to you." He meant to reach Spain —
the end of the world by ^'the Pillars of
Hercules" — pausing at Rome on the way!
What if he did fail of that far-distant goal ?
It is the dreamers of dreams and the seers
of visions who ever accomplish great things
for God.

76

XVI

AT MILETUS

ACTS 20: 13-38
FAREWELL TO OLD FRIENDS

The group of missionaries, as we have
seen, sailed from Troas without Paul; the
understanding being that he would rejoin
them at Assos. He set out, accordingly,
alone and afoot — perhaps because he longed
to be by himself for prayer and meditation —
and after a journey of twenty miles reached
Assos, where the ship with his friends was
awaiting him. The voyage was close in-
shore and cautiously slow on account of the
equinoctial winds.

No stop was made at Ephesus, because
Paul wished to be at Jerusalem in time for
the Feast of Pentecost. The ship touched,
however, at Miletus ; which was near enough
for the elders of the Ephesian church to
come, at the summons of the great apostle,
to hold a farewell interview with him.

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The most notable of the ruins of this an-
cient city of Miletus are the standing col-
umns of a pagan temple and the well-pre-
served circle of an amphitheater once
thronged by the pleasure-seekers of Ephesus.
But never did that imposing place witness so
memorable an assembly as now knelt upon
the shore under the open sky.

The address of Paul began with a touching
review of his faithful ministry among them :
*^ Ye know how I was with you, in all humil-
ity and with many tears ; how I taught you
publicly and from house to house; how I
kept nothing back, but declared unto you the
whole counsel of God." Then a brief refer-
ence to the future: *'I go bound in the
spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the
things that shall befall me there, save that
the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, say-
ing that bonds and afflictions abide me. But
none of these things move me, neither count
I my life dear unto myself, so that I might
finish my course with joy, and the ministry
which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to
testify the gospel of the grace of God."

Five years later we shall see him still

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confronting the future with unfaltering
faith and courage, saying, ^^ Brethren, I
count not myself to have apprehended : but
this one thing I do, forgetting those things
which are behind, and reaching forth unto
those things which are before, I press toward
the mark for the prize of the high calling of
God in Christ Jesus."

Ten years later still we shall find him in
the Mammertine jail, listening for the foot-
fall of his executioner and saying, ^^I am now
ready to be offered, and the time of my de-
parture is at hand. I have fought a good
fight, I have finished my course, I have kept
the faith : henceforth there is laid up for me
a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous judge, shall give me at that day:
and not to me only, but unto all them also
that love his appearing."

Wonderful faith! Splendid courage!
Noble ambition; to ^^ finish his course with

joy"!

He then, in his address, turned from him-
self to the needs of his Christian friends.
Hear his ominous words: ^^I know this,
that after my departing shall grievous

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wolves enter in among you, not sparing the
flock. Also of your own selves shall men
arise, speaking perverse things, to draw
away disciples after them." Wolves!
Wolves ! He was not thinking of persecu-
tion. He assumed that as a matter of
course; and took it for granted that the
elders of Ephesus would be prepared to meet
it. But wolves in sheep's clothing! Some
'^of your own selves"! Men in canonicals
and bound by ordination vows !

Then followed a two-fold warning.

First, ^^take heed to yourselves!" For
doubtless they were inwardly asking, like
the disciples in the upper room, ^^Is it I?"
Paul himself was not overconfident of his
own strength, else why should he say, '^Lest
when I have preached to others, I myself
should be a castaway" ? (1 Cor. 9 : 26,*^ 27.)
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth
take heed lest he fall.

Second, ^'Take heed to all the flock, over
the which the Holy Ghost hath made you
overseers, to feed the church of God which
he hath purchased with his own blood."

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Observe, he does not say, ^^Make food for
the flock, ^' as some of us ministers would
seem to interpret it. The food is adequately
provided in the Word of God ; our business
is simply to administer it. Wherefore all
true sermons are expository. The mere
opinion of a surpliced clergyman is of no
more value than the ipse dixit of other men.
People come to church not to hear what the
preacher has to say about the great prob-
lems of life and immortality, but to hear
what God has to say through him. Our
function, accordingly, is not to manufacture
truth and ethics, but to feed the flock with
what has been divinely provided, and to
^^keep nothing back," but '* declare the whole
counsel of God."

This two-fold admonition is followed by a
recital of certain words of Christ which are
recorded nowhere else in Scripture: ^^ Re-
member the words of the Lord Jesus, how
he said, It is more blessed to give than to
receive. ' ' Thanks to Paul for this authentic
quotation. It stands as a monograph of the
wonderful life of Him who came not to be

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ministered unto but to minister, and marks
out the path of usefulness for all who follow
Him.

The meeting closed with prayer. ^^He
kneeled down and prayed with them all."
Would that the words of that prayer had
been left us. Of this, however, we may be
sure; it is preserved in those ^^ golden vials
of odors" with which the four-and-twenty
elders minister in the services of the Heav-
enly City. (Rev. 5:8.)

The elders have now gathered about Paul
to say farewell. They are weeping, ^^most
of all for the words which he spake, that
they should see his face no more." Fare-
well!

The moorings are loosed ; the ship is under
way. ^^The best of friends must part"?
Nay, Paul and the elders must indeed part,
but not Christ and his true friends. For has
he not said, ^'I will not leave you; lo, I am
with you alway, even unto the end"?

' ' I could not live apart from Him ;
I love to feel Him nigh ;
And so we dwell together,
My Lord and I."

82

XVII
BOUND FOR JERUSALEM

ACTS 21, 22, 23: 1-22

The ship on which the missionary band
left Miletus made '^sl straight course" to the
southeast, touching only for necessary sup-
plies and for unlading at ports along the
way.

AT TYRE

The first stop of any importance was at
Tyre, which would probably be reached on
the sixth day. Here there was a delay of a
whole week, which Paul and his companions
put to profitable use. The Christians there
— some of them possibly dating their con-
version from the time when Jesus made his
foreign missionary tour in that region
(Matt. 15:21) — were at once assembled to
hear what their distinguished visitors had
to say.

It was a blessed week of fellowship, but

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most trying to Paul, who was earnestly en-
treated not to persist in going to Jerusalem.
Tears and entreaties, however, were of no
avail. Finding him immovable in his pur-
pose, Luke says, ^^They all brought us on
our way, with wives and children, till we
were out of the city." Then, as at Miletus,
*^we kneeled down on the shore and prayed."
Again, farewell !

AT PTOLEMAIS

The ship touched at Ptolemais (familiarly
known to students of the Crusades as Acre)
for a single day: just long enough to '^salute
the brethren" and say good-by. The rest of
the journey to Csesarea was overland, about
forty miles.

AT C^SAREA

Paul and his companions on their arrival
here were met by the brethren, among whom
was Philip the Evangelist, one of the orig-
inal seven deacons, who had been driven out
of Jerusalem thirty years before by the per-
secuting Jews. In his hospitable home Paul
was entertained ^'many days." There were

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four unmarried daughters in the family,
who had devoted their lives to ^^prophesy-
ing,'' the word being used broadly to signify
the teaching of religious truth. What an
oasis in the itinerant life of the busy apostle
these '^many days" in a happy home must
have been !

While he was there a divinely called and
equipped teacher named Agabus came down
from Jerusalem to warn him against his pro-
jected visit to that city. He dramatically
took off Paul's girdle and bound it about his
own hands and feet, saying, ^^So shall the
Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that own-
eth this girdle!" Whereupon, says Luke,
^^He and they of that place besought him not
to go." But their entreaties were of no
avail. Paul answered, ^^What mean ye to
weep and to break my heart? For I am
ready not to be bound only, but also to die
at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord
Jesus." And when he would not be per-
suaded, they ceased, saying, '^The will of the
Lord be done."

So the devoted band took up their luggage
and went on, like Christ himself on his last

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fateful journey to Jerusalem, their faces
^^set steadfastly to go." They were accom-
panied out of Cassarea by a bodyguard of
Christians, among them an old disciple
named Mnason, of whom we shall presently
hear more. Little did Paul dream what a
different escort he would have when he
should next return to this fateful city !

AT JERUSALEM

On reaching Jerusalem the missionaries
were ^^ gladly received" by the brethren of
the mother church. Paul was happily en-
tertained in the home of the aged Mnason.
He was now among the familiar scenes of his
boyhood. No doubt he met many of his for-
mer Jewish friends, some of whom would
recall their association with him at Gama-
liel's school; others who had known him of-
ficially in the Sanhedrin in what they would
have called his palmier days.

On the morrow after his arrival a meet-
ing of the ^'official board" of the church was
called, at which James the pastor and his
elders were ''all present." Paul told them
the story of his missionary journeys thus

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far and of their rich ingathering of souls.
But these Jewish Christians were in no mood
to rejoice with him. There was trouble in
the air.

^^Thou seest, brother," said James, ^^how
many among us are zealous for the Jewish
law. It is rumored that thou hast been
teaching the Gentile converts that it is not
necessary for them to observe that law.
When thy presence in the city is spread
abroad, take heed! We have this to sug-
gest : here are four men who are discharging
a vow; go up to the Temple, remain with
these votaries during the ceremonial rites
and pay their charges. This will disarm
criticism and our people will have naught
against thee.''

Inasmuch as no sacrifice of principle was
involved in the proposed concession, Paul
agreed to it. This was in pursuance of his
policy of ^^ being all things to all men, that he
might by all means save some." (1 Cor.
9:22.) The line, however, was always
drawn at the boundaries of right and wrong.

But in this case his seemingly harmless
compromise did not accomplish the desired

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end. It chanced that certain Jews of Ephe-
sus, who had come up to Pentecost, saw
Paul in the Temple and immediately raised
the cry, ^^Men of Israel, help ! Here is that
apostate who has been preaching against
us ! " Presently the whole city was in an up-
roar and Paul was faring ill at the hands of
a bloodthirsty mob.

The captain of the Roman garrison which
was stationed at the Castle of Antonia near
by, hearing the tumult, came at double-quick
with a troop of six hundred men. Paul was
rescued, bound with chains to a soldier on
either hand, and carried away to the castle.
As he was being taken up the outer stair-
way he explained to Captain Lysias who he
was and desired permission to address the
mob. This was granted; and he proceeded
to tell the oft-repeated story of his conver-
sion. All went well until he referred to his
commission, ^^I will send thee far hence unto
the Gentiles." That was like a spark to
tinder. ' ' Away with him ! Away with such
a fellow from the earth ! It is not fit that
he should live!"

He was hurried into the castle, and a com-

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mand was given that he should be examined
by scourging. But when Paul remarked
that he was a Roman citizen, the captain not
only desisted from the proposed scourging
but gave orders that his prisoner should be
loosed from his bonds. Thus it appears that
Paul, who was always ready to turn the
other cheek when anything was to be gained
by doing so, was ready also on occasion to
stand upon his rights.

The next morning, on being haled to trial
before the Sanhedrin, he began his defence
by saying, *^Men and brethren, I have lived
in all good conscience before God until this
day." That was as far as he was permitted
to go. The high priest, who was none other
than the sensual and corrupt Ananias, com-
manded him to be smitten on the mouth.
Paul, not knowing in the confusion who had
given this command, retorted, ^^God shall
smite thee, thou whited wall!" On being
reproved for thus speaking of God's
anointed, he made a suitable explanation and
apology.

As Paul was then proceeding with his de-
fence he perceived that certain of the Jews

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who were present sympattdzed with him in
his affirmation of the resurrection of the
dead : and, knowing that this was a bone of
contention between the Sadducees and Phar-
isees, he executed a flank movement, so to
speak, and divided his foes. Thereupon a
great tumult arose. The Sadducees cried
out against Paul; but the Pharisees said,
*^We find no evil in him. Let us take heed
lest we be found fighting against God ! " So
back to the castle went the prisoner at the
bar.

The next day a conspiracy was framed up
against Paul. There were forty Jews — as
zealously bent on evil as were Ali Baba and
his forty thieves — who bound themselves by
a solemn vow to kill him. It chanced, how-
ever, that Paul's nephew got wind of the
matter and informed Lysias of it. The cap-
tain, fortunately, was not a man to counte-
nance this sort of thing. At nine o'clock
that night the sound of horses' hoofs was
heard in the open court of the castle. The
prisoner was brought out and placed in the
charge of a military escort of five hundred
men, who were charged to take him to Caesa-

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rea and deliver him safely to the Eoman
Governor in that city.

So ended Paul's visit to Jerusalem. Was
it a failure *? No man fails who follows the
pillar of cloud. Our success is never to be
measured by visible results, but by faithful-
ness in the discharge of whatever duty may
be assigned to us. What said Luther when
warned not to attend the Diet of Worms?
^^I would go, at my Lord's command, though
the road to Worms were lined with devils as
thick as the tiles on the housetops along the
way."

This is to quit one's self like a man!

91

XVIII
AT C^SAREA

ACTS 23 : 23-35 ; 24 ; 25 ; 26

On reaching Csesarea the Eoman troop
that had been charged with the safe conduct
of Paul delivered him over to Felix the Gov-
ernor, with the letter of Captain Lysias, as
follows :

^^ Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent
Governor Felix sendeth greeting. This man
was taken of the Jews, and should have been
killed of them: then came I with an army
and rescued him^ having understood that he
was a Roman. And when I would have
known the cause wherefore they accused him,
I brought him forth into their Council.
There I perceived him to be accused of ques-
tions of their Law, but to have nothing laid
to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
And when it was told me how that the Jews

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laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to
thee, and gave commandment to his accusers
also to say before thee what they had against
him. Farewell/^

It was only twelve days since Paul had
left Caesarea, despite all forebodings and
warnings ; and what a tragic return was this !
He was then an honored guest of the breth-
ren ; now he is bound with chains and held as
a prisoner in the Judgment Hall.

The religious leaders at Jerusalem, gnash-
ing their teeth at his escape, made haste to
follow him. It was a journey of seventy
miles; but none too far for Ananias the
priest, whose ears were still tingling with
Paul's ^Hhou whited wall"; nor for others
of the Jews whose hearts were full of bitter-
ness against him. They brought with them
a Roman barrister, named TertuUus, that
the case might be suitably conducted at a
Roman Court.

THE TRIAL BEFORE FELIX

The counsel for the prosecution began
with the usual flattery of the court, and then

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presented the indictment, which was in three
counts : First, the prisoner was a disturber
of the peace ; second, he was a ringleader of
the Nazarene sect; thirds he was guilty of
sacrilege in profaning the Temple of the
Jews.

Paul entered a plea of not guilty under all
but the second of these charges, affirming
that there was no proof to sustain them.

An acquittal was in order, for lack of evi-
dence against the prisoner ; but Felix was not
the sort of magistrate to decide a case upon
its merits. A slave by birth, a f reedman by
happy circumstances, an office-holder by im-
perial favor, a past-master in all notorious
vices, he postponed his decision ostensibly
until Captain Lysias should arrive with the
necessary proofs, but really in the hope that
Paul's friends would buy him off.

THE PRISONER ON EXHIBITION

Now it chanced that Felix had a most
beautiful and graceless paramour, named
Drusilla, whose curiosity was aroused by
what she had learned of the eloquent Jew;
so that she must needs hear him. He was

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summoned, accordingly, and invited to
speak. A stranger audience had never as-
sembled there; the Governor, his charming
drab and the court favorites in rich apparel.
No buttered words of compliment fell from
the preacher 's lips that day. This man with
a chain on either wrist spoke straight as a
bolt of hghtning to the sinful hearts of his
hearers. ' ' Righteousness, temperance, judg-
ment to come"! Well might Paul tremble
for his temerity ! It is not Paul, however,
but Felix who trembles! He and the little
Jew have changed places. The Governor
stands a shaking prisoner at the Judgment
Bar of God! But his fear is only momen-
tary; a glance at Drusilla the enchantress
dispels it. Farewell, opportunity! ^^Go
thy way for this time ; when I have a con-
venient season I will call for thee."

The ^^ convenient season" never came.

It is a true saying, '^Time and tide wait
for no man. ' ' Paul languished two years in
the guard-house, while Felix continued to
take his pleasure at the pace that kills.
Then, being removed from office, he left his
prisoner bound ^^to please the Jews."

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THE TRIAL BEFORE FESTUS

The next Governor was a different sort of
man. In Josephus' life of him he speaks of
Festus as ^'a just and efficient ruler." He
had scarcely entered on his office before
there came a request that Paul might be
sent back to Jerusalem for trial before the
Sanhedrin. A fine proceeding that would
have been! Of course Festus refused; but
he invited the rabbis to come down to Csesa-
rea and conclude the case.

A few days later they were on hand; and
court was opened with Festus on the bench.
The charge was presented with '^many and
grievous complaints"; to all of which the
prisoner entered his former plea of not
guilty. And unfortunately for his accusers
they had still no evidence against him. The
Governor was disposed to favor the Jews if
it could be done without violating the law;
wherefore he asked Paul if he had any objec-
tion to the transfer of his case to Jerusalem
that he might "there be judged of these
things."

Paul's forbearance had now reached its

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limit. He was weary of being beaten to and
fro by petty magistrates in provincial courts.
Thus far be bad submitted without a mur-
mur; but the time had come to stand upon
his personal rights. If anybody has esti-
mated the stature of this man at five feet
two, let him measure him now! '^I have
done no wrong; I have spent a weary term
in your guard-house : I have suffered no end
of indignities at your hands. I will not go
up to Jerusalem! I am a Eoman citizen!
I appeal to Caesar!"

After a brief conference with his coun-
sellors as to the prisoner's right of appeal,
there being no alternative the decision was
given in legal form: ^'To Caesar thou hast
appealed; to Caesar shalt thou go."

The court adjourned, and Paul went back
to prison to await the sailing of a govern-
ment ship which was to convey other prison-
ers also to the imperial city. But his heart
was singing; he was going to Rome! Not
indeed as he had hoped, free to declare the
unsearchable riches of Christ; but he was
going to Rome ; and he was going in the way
divinely marked out for him.

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THE PKISONER AGAIN ON EXHIBITION

It happened that, while Paul was awaiting
his transfer, Agrippa, the King of Trachoni-
tis, came down to Csesarea to felicitate
Festus on his accession to office; and his
sister Bernice, a famous and malodorous
beauty, came with him. They had heard
much of the eloquent Jew and expressed a
desire to hear him.

A brilliant company was assembled in the
Pretorian Hall when the prisoner was
brought in. Being '^ permitted to speak for
himself," he began with the story of his
early life, leading up rapidly to his singular
conversion on the Damascus highway and to
his unwavering conviction that the crucified
Jesus was the long-looked-for Messiah of
the Jews. At this point Festus, unable to
restrain his indignation, cried: ^^Paul,
thou art beside thyself ; much learning doth
make thee mad!" ^'I am not mad, most
noble Festus," was the prisoner's calm re-
joinder, ^^but speak forth the words of truth
and soberness." Then turning to the royal
guest, himself a Jew, he appealed to his an-

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cestral faith: ^^King Agrippa, believest
thou the prophets'? I know that thou be-
lievest ! ' ^ Paul wa s now on f amili ar groun d.
He was acquainted with the prophets from
Moses to Malachi; and knew how they all
pointed to Jesus as the Christ. But
Agrippa was in no mood to be thus cornered
and convinced against his will. His answer
was a scornful jest, ^^ Almost thou persuadest
me to be a Christian!" Whereupon Paul,
with the pathos of an infinite longing in his
voice, emphasized by the clanking of the
chains upon his wrists, made courteous re-
ply, ^^I would to God that not only thou, but
also all that hear me this day, were both
^almost' and altogether such as I am — except
these bonds."

The hearing is over. The prisoner is re-
turned to the guard-house. In a corner of
the Pretorian Hall a group of his auditors
are saying, ^^This man hath done nothing
worthy of death or even of bonds."
Agrippa, whose sense of justice will not
down, observes to Festus, ^^This man might
have been set at liberty if he had not ap-
pealed unto Caesar." But the decree of the

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court is irrevocable. To Caesar he must go.
In his lonely cell the prisoner awaits the
course of events. He is troubled by no mis-
givings. God leads the way and his face is
set steadfastly to go. His only ambition is
to finish his course with joy.

100

XIX

PAUL'S LAST VOYAGE

Acts 27 ; 28 : 1-14

The ship was swinging at anchor in the
harbor of Cassarea, when a favorable wind
sprang up. Paul with the other prisoners
was at once taken aboard in the custody of
a centurion named Julius, a man of marked
courtesy, who was charged with their safe
conduct to Eome.

THE LOG OF THE VOYAGE
{Kept hy Luke the Physician, a Companion of Paul.)

Aug, 21, A. D. 60, Set sail due north in a
favorable breeze with two hundred and sev-
enty-six souls aboard.

Aug, 22, Touched at Sidon. Paul per-
mitted to go ashore and interview his
friends. Thence in a northwesterly course
for a time, after which due west. Delayed
by contrary winds.

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■Aug. 29, Eeached Myra, where we were
transferred to an Alexandrian corn-ship
making for Eome. Our quarters in the hold
uncomfortable; but the Lord was with us.
Winds rising ; progress slow.

Sept, 11, Touched at Cnidus, our last
Asiatic port. Desired to sail due west, but
forced southward by rising adverse winds.

Sept, 26, Took refuge in Fair Havens in
the island of Crete, an ill-sheltered port.
Lay here many days, waiting for favorable
weather. All hope of reaching Eome be-
fore winter now given up. The storm abat-
ing for a while, the captain was disposed to
make for Phenice, a safe and commodious
harbor a few miles further on. Paul
warned him vainly against doing so. What
could a landsman like him know about navi-
gation or weather signs ?

Oct, 18, Set sail from Fair Havens in a
treacherous south wind. Had scarcely
rounded the cape before there were ominous
signs of a storm. Euroclydon, the sailor's
terror, was sweeping down from the hills!
There was scarcely time to take in sail be-
fore it overtook us. The second day out the

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vessel struck a leak and was undergirt witH
cables. On the third day the cargo was
thrown over: followed the next day by all
dispensable furniture and other equipments.
Darkness for many days ; lost our bearings.
Hope abandoned. Then Paul to the rescue !
He bade the sailors be of good cheer, because
an angel of the Lord had appeared to him
in a vision saying that he himself was to
reach Rome safely and that there would be
^^no loss of life" among the ship's crew and
passengers. Thereupon courage revived;
but the typhoon swept on.

Nov, 1. Wrecked on the coast of Malta.
We were wakened at midnight by the look-
out calling ^^Land ahead!" Soundings
were taken; twenty fathoms, then fifteen.
Cast anchor and awaited the break of day.
The crew intending to take possession of the
boats, Paul interposed, warning the captain
that unless they remained all would be lost.
His advice was taken; the ropes were cut,
setting the boats adrift. Paul, the lands-
man, was now in practical command of the
ship. After long fasting all partook of
food. In the morning, finding ourselves at

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the entrance of a bay, it was resolved to run
in. The ship went aground and was at the
mercy of the pounding breakers. The
soldiers, being answerable with their lives
for the prisoners, would have killed them to
prevent their escape; but the centurion in
charge forbade it. Each for himself, now!
Many, leaping out, swam ashore. Others
betook themselves to boards and broken
pieces of the ship. So it came to pass that
all escaped safe to land.

The island proved to be Malta. The bar-
barous inhabitants received us kindly. A
fire was kindled on the shore. Out of the
fagots crept a viper which fastened on Paul's
hand. The natives expected him to fall
dead; but he shook it off and received no
harm. Thereupon they whispered among
themselves, ^^ He is a god!"

The fury of the simoon was now spent;
but we remained three months in the island
waiting for the Castor and Pollux^ a corn-
ship which lay weather-bound in the harbor,
to take us off.

Feb. 8, A. D. 61, Sailed on the Castor and
Pollux,

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Feb, 9, Touched at Syracuse: waited
three days for a more favorable wind.

Feb, 13, Made eighty miles in a southerly
breeze and touched at Rhegium. One day.

Feb, 14, Made Puteoli, the chief port of
Italy, and disembarked. Met some of the
brethren. Tarried seven days. Then on,
afoot, toward Rome, a distance of a hundred
and forty miles.

So runs the Log of this eventful voyage,
consuming half a year. Its one outstanding
lesson is the serene faith of Paul. While the
storm was raging he slept soundly on three
pillows ; namely, the wisdom and power and
goodness of God.

Ridge of the mountain wave, lower thy crest !
iWail of Euroclydon, be thou at rest !
Sorrow can never be, darkness must fly,
"When saith the Light of light, *' Peace, it is I !''

Observe, First, Paul ^* believed God."
Having certain promises, he took them at
their face value. Thus it is written, ^^He
that cometh to God must believe that he is,
and that he is the rewarder of them that
diligently seek him."

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Second, he ^^ practised the divine pres-
ence." On the darkest night of the simoon
he had a most hopeful vision of which he
says, ' ' The Lord stood by me. " It is always
so with those who live on speaking terms
with God.

Third, his faith was buttressed by com-
mon sense. Notwithstanding his confidence
that all aboard were to be saved, he assured
the captain that if the crew was not pre-
vented from seizing the boats all would be
lost. The divine sovereignty does not inter-
fere with the freedom of the human will.

Fourth, his assurance was coupled with
praise. He ^^said grace" over the frugal
meal on the tossing ship. During all those
frightful ^^ fourteen days in Adria" he never
lost confidence in the Lord's faithfulness.
It is thus that God giveth his beloved songs
in the night.

It is in this spirit that Paul writes to his
PhiUppian friends: ^'Rejoice in the Lord
alway: and again I say. Rejoice. ... Be
careful for nothing; but in everything by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God."

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XX

AT ROME

Acts 28 : 15-31

It was early spring of the year 61 when
the Castor and Pollux came sailing up
through the beautiful Bay of Naples to Pu-
teoli. The crew and passengers debarked;
and presently Paul and his fellow-prisoners
set out for their destination along Appia
Via. At villages on the way Paul was met
by many brethren; wherefore, he says, ^^we
thanked God and took courage." So at
length he reached Rome, a prisoner in bonds.

His life-long dream was realized at last:
' ' I must see Rome ! ' ' But why this consum-
ing desire ?

Rome was well worth seeing, no doubt,
with its palaces and temples, its Forum and
Colosseum and triumphal arches. *^See
Rome and die,'' was one of the familiar
proverbs of those days. It was the metrop-

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olis of the world ; all great enterprises cen-
tered there. No tourist, even nowadays, is
content until, with ^^ Baedeker" in hand, he
visits Rome; though its ancient splendors
are now reduced to a lamentable mass of
ruins.

But PauPs desire reached further and
went deeper than this. Though a great trav-
eller, he had no thought of sight-seeing. As
an ^^ ambassador of Christ" he longed to wit-
ness far and wide for him. To stand in the
Forum and preach the gospel there at the
confluence of the nations would be to send
his voice ringing to the uttermost parts of
the earth. A lofty ambition, indeed ! This
man was never content with mediocrity. He
had ^^ hitched his wagon to a star."

It would appear that his intention of vis-
iting Eome was conceived at the very begin-
ning of his Christian life.

The dream of his boyhood had been to be-
come a rabbi. With that in view he left his
home in Tarsus and studied in the University
of Jerusalem, at the feet of the learned Ga-
maliel, who was known as **the Flower of
the Law. ' ' Soon after his graduation with

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high honors he was chosen a member of the
Sanhedrin, which was the Supreme Court of
the Jews. A splendid outlook was before
him. Presently he was made Chief Inquis-
itor of that distinguished body, and was
placed under a special commission to root
out ''the heresy of the Nazarenes." It was
while thus engaged that he made his notable
journey to Damascus ^^ breathing out slaugh-
ter'^ against the followers of Christ.

Then came the revolutionary change. In
the light that shone from heaven, '^ above the
brightness of the sun," his plans and pur-
poses were instantly turned upside down.
He fell to the earth a rabbi; he rose up a
Christian. Hearing a voice say, ^^I am
Jesus," his immediate answer was, ^^What
wilt thou have me to do'?" The reply was,
**I will send thee far hence unto the Gen-
tiles"; in other words, to all people. That
meant sooner or later to Eome; for Rome
was colluvies gentium, the center of the civ-
ized world of those days.

From that time forward he was unreserv-
edly committed to the service of Christ.
Forsaken by former friends, with all ave-

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Hues of preferment blocked up, he hewed
to the line which had been divinely marked
out for him. Listen to this: ^^I count all
things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; . . .
that I may know him and the power of his
resurrection and the fellowship of his suffer-
ings. ... I count not myself to have appre-
hended; but this one thing 1 do, forgetting
those things which are behind, and reaching
forth unto those things which are before, I
press toward the mark for the prize of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Did the Lord approve of his desire to see
Eome? Paul affirms that his purpose was
^* according to the will of God." He says
repeatedly that ^Hhe Lord stood by him."
If ever there was a Christian who felt him-
self a living part of the divine plan and de-
sired, above all, to hold himself in line with
the divine will, it was this man.

On the day when he first saw Jesus he put
himself so wholly and implicitly under his
control that looking back, years afterward,
he could say, *^I have not been disobedient
unto the heavenly vision. ' ' His Lord 's pur-

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pose was his ultimate goal, and he followed
it as a sailor heeds the polar star. Once
when he essayed to go into Bithynia he de-
sisted, as he says, because "the Spirit suf-
fered him not." In writing to the Chris-
tians at Kome he says, ^^ Oftentimes I pur-
posed to come unto you, and was hindered."
(Rom. 1 : 13.) Nevertheless he was not
discouraged. He reckoned Rome as a
necessary factor in the finishing of his
course.

He never for a moment gave up his pur-
pose and expectation. It was nineteen years
after his conversion, at the conclusion of his
evangelistic campaign in Ephesus when the
converts made a great bonfire of their cabal-
istic books, that he ^^ purposed in spirit" to
extend his campaign through Macedonia and
Achaia and thence to Jerusalem, saying,
*^ After that, I must see Rome!"

Two years subsequently he wrote his Epis-
tle to the Romans, reassuring them of his
purpose to visit them. He begins by saying,
*'God is my witness, whom I serve with my
spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without

ceasing I make mention of you always in my

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prayers; making request, if by any means
now at length I might have a prosperous
journey by the will of God to come unto you.
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto
you some spiritual gifts, to the end ye may
be established; that is, that I may be com-
forted together with you by the mutual faith
both of you and me." And in closing he
pathetically urges them to unite their
prayers with his to that end: ^^I beseech
you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's
sake and for the love of the Spirit, that ye
strive together with me in your prayers, that
I may be delivered from them that do not
believe, that I may come to you with joy by
the will of God."

But he was strangely hindered in the ac-
complishment of his desire. To use his own
words, ^^I oftentimes purposed, and was hin-
dered hitherto." And again, ^^ Having a
great desire these many years to come unto
you."

In the year 47 he set out on a missionary
journey with his face toward the west. He
probably hoped then to reach the Imperial
City; but, having preached in many places,

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he came to Cilicia and was there constrained
to turn back.

In the year 50 he set out again toward
the west. On this occasion he crossed the
Hellespont and canvassed many of the im-
portant cities of Europe until he reached
Corinth; and again he was obliged to turn
back.

In the year 53 he started on his third mis-
sionary journey in the direction of Rome.
It was now sixteen years since his conver-
sion, and he was apparently no nearer the
fulfilment of his heart's desire. Again he
reached Corinth ; but there were imperative
reasons for his being at Jerusalem in time
for the Feast of Pentecost ; wherefore once
more he retraced his steps.

But ^^he that believeth shall not make
haste." Paul's patience of hope was sure
to be rewarded. He could afford to wait,
because, as he says, he ^* believed God."

At length his desire was realized, but in a
singular way. ^^Man proposes; God dis-
poses." He reached Eome a prisoner in
bonds. At once he was taken to the Pre-
torian Camp ; where, though in close custody

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for two years, he was permitted to see his
friends. He conferred with the Jews by ap-
pointment, seeking in vain to persuade them
that ^Hhis Jesus is the Christ." He held
frequent converse with the Christians of the
Roman church, and received many visitors
who desired to know about ^'The Way."

Time passed, and Paul was again cast into
prison: this time in the Mammertine jail.
But ^' stone walls do not a prison make nor
iron bars a cage." He was not idle in that
noisome place: and ''the word of God is not
bound." Some of Paul's most important
letters were written there. Old and feeble,
he could not be put down. His irrepressi-
ble zeal in the service of his Lord reminds
us of what an old poet says :

^ ^ Tumble me down, and I will sit
Exultant on my ruins yet!"

His keen soul caught the presentiment of
the coming end, his ear the footfall of the
executioner ringing down the corridor of the
jail. But he was not terrified. ^'I am now
ready to be offered and the time of my de-
parture is at hand," he wrote to Timothy,

PAUL'S CAMPAIGNS

Ms spiritual son and successor in the pastor-
ate of the Ephesian church. ' ' I have fought
a good fight, I have finished my course, I
have kept the faith. Henceforth there is
laid up for me a crown of righteousness
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall
give me at that day. Grace be with you.
Amen."

They led him to the headsman's block,
outside the walls. A blow of the gleaming
axe ; and the great apostle was at home with
God.

What is the lesson ?

The splendor of a great ambition.

Paul was not content with anything less
than the noblest and best. For one thing,
he wanted to make the most of himself ; and
Eome was needed for the rounding out of
his life.

I like the prayer of the humble cobbler
who used to ask every day, ^^Lord, give me a
good opinion of myself"; but such a prayer
is vain without something worth while be-
hind it.

This is a responsibility which ought to
rest upon the conscience of every one. The

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world would be a different world but for its
*^mute inglorious Miltons." The Church
would long ago have conquered the world
were it not that so many are satisfied with
being minimum Christians, inactive and in-
different, imbedded like flies in amber.
Who shall number the potential Lincolns
who, for lack of ambition, are rail-splitters
all their lives? Wherefore, ^^stir up the
gift that is in thee." There is fire enough
in the embers of every Christian life if only
it were fanned into a flame. No minister is
at liberty to be satisfied with a small parish
if his gifts and calling are adequate to the
responsibilities of a larger one. Every man
is under bonds to be somebody, not for the
sake of getting into the limelight but in
order that he may make his life tell. Our
light was not kindled to be hid under a
bushel, but to shine so that ^^all that are in
the house" may take knowledge of it.

But Paul was thinking less of being some-
body than of doing something for somebody.
The chain on his right hand bound him to
Christ. With what joyous pride he speaks
of himself as ''the prisoner of Christ!"

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There was no reserve in Ms consecration:
^ ' The love of Christ constraineth me ! " But
his service to Christ was expressed in
ministry to others; as Christ himself had
said, ^'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one
of the least of these my brethren ye have
done it unto Me."

The same chain that bound Paul to his
Lord bound him to one of the Eoman guards ;
and he preached the Gospel to that man.
Not a few of his spiritual children were thus
begotten in his bonds. ^'They that are of
Caesar 's household salute you. ' ' No pent-up
TJtica confined his influence. The reason
why he longed to visit Eome was because it
was a coign of vantage from which to sound
forth the riches of grace. There were two
millions of people there, all immortal souls I
From there he must send his message,
''This Jesus is the Christ," ringing through
the world and down the ages. Nothing less
would satisfy him. To reach Rome would
thus be to finish his course with joy.

The world has been moving since Paul
came sailing into Puteoli on the ^^ Castor and
Pollux/^ Not long ago I followed in his

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very footsteps along the Appian Way. The
dusk was falling; the shadows of the Faler-
nian Hills lay over the plain, and in the dis-
tance the dome of St. Peter's was dimly out-
lined against the sky. Nero no longer dwelt
in his blood-stained quarters on the Pala-
tine. In the cottages by the roadside were
people sitting in vine-covered porches with
none to molest or make them afraid. The
Gospel has not been shining for naught
these nineteen hundred years. And what-
ever has been accomplished for the better-
ment of the world has been through the in-
strumentality of men who like Paul were
constrained to service ^^by the will of God."
Wherefore let us be our best and do our
utmost for Him who has redeemed us by
his precious blood. We are all too easily
satisfied. The words with which William
Carey closed his great sermon inaugurating
the modern campaign of Missions strike an
inspiring note for all earnest souls: ^^Let
us undertake great things for God, and ex-
pect great things from him/^

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