And as he held Peter and John, all the p_The Bible Story

the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. And when Peter

saw it, he answered unto the people, "Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at

this man? or why fasten ye your eyes on us, as though by our own power

or godliness we had made him to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac,

and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Servant Jesus;

whom ye delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had

determined to release him. But ye denied the Holy and Righteous One, and

asked for a murderer to be granted unto you, and killed the Prince of

life; whom God raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. By faith

in his name hath his name made this man strong, whom ye behold and know:

yea, the faith which is through him hath given him this perfect

soundness in the presence of you all. And now, brethren, I know that in

ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But the things which God

foreshowed by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should

suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that

your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of

refreshing from the presence of the Lord; that he may send the Christ

who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus: whom the heaven must

receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spoke

by the mouth of his holy prophets which have been since the world began.

Moses indeed said, 'A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from

among your brethren, like unto me; to him shall ye hearken in all things

whatsoever {332} he shall speak unto you. And it shall be, that every

soul, which shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly

destroyed from among the people.'

"Yea and all the prophets from Samuel and them that followed after, as

many as have spoken, they also told of these days. Ye are the sons of

the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers,

saying unto Abraham, 'And in thy race shall all the families of the

earth be blessed.' Unto you first, God, having raised up his Servant,

sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your

iniquities."

And as they spoke unto the people, the priests and the captain of the

temple and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly troubled because

they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from

the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in prison unto the

morrow: for it was now eventide. But many of them that heard the word

believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and

scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; and Annas the high priest

was there, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of

the kindred of the high priest. And when they had set them in the midst,

they inquired, "By what power, or in what name, have ye done this?"

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, "Ye rulers of

the people, and elders, if we this day are examined concerning a good

deed done to a lame man, by {333} what means this man is made whole; be

it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name

of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the

dead, even in him doth this man stand here before you whole. He is the

stone which was set at naught of you the builders, which was made the

head of the corner. And in none other is there salvation: for neither is

there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, whereby we

must be saved."

Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived

that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took

knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man

which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they

conferred among themselves, saying, "What shall we do to these men? that

a notable miracle hath been wrought through them, is manifest to all

that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no

further among the people, let us threaten them, that they speak

henceforth to no man in this name."

And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in

the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them,

"Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than

unto God, judge ye: for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and

heard."

And they, when they had further threatened them, let them go, not

finding how they might punish them, because {334} of the people; for all

men glorified God for that which was done. For the man was more than

forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was wrought.

And being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that

the chief priests and the elders had said unto them. And they, when they

heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, "O

Lord, thou that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all

that in them is: who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father

David thy servant, didst say,--

'Why did the Gentiles rage,

And the peoples imagine vain things?

The kings of the earth set themselves in array,

And the rulers were gathered together,

Against the Lord, and against his Anointed:'

for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jesus, whom thou

didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the

peoples of Israel, were gathered together, to do whatsoever thy hand and

thy counsel foreordained to come to pass. And now, Lord, look upon their

threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all

boldness, while thou stretchest forth thy hand to heal; and that signs

and wonders may be done through the name of thy holy Servant Jesus."

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were

gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and

they spoke the word of God with boldness.

{335}

III

ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA

_A Lie and its Consequences_.

(The people began to have such an enthusiasm for the new faith, that

many of them sold their property, gave the money to the apostles, and

all lived together, like one great family. This custom was not

altogether wise, and it did not prevail long. While it lasted, disaster

came to two people. Ananias and Sapphira had become disciples of the new

faith, and, like others, sold their property, but they kept back part,

and tried to make the apostles believe that they had given all. The sin

lay, not in keeping their property, for no one was required to give it

up, but in the deceit.)

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and

not one of them said that anything of the things which he possessed was

his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the

apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great

grace was upon them all. For neither was there among them any that

lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and

brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them at the

apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as anyone

had need.

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a

possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also knowing about

it, and brought a certain part, {336} and laid it at the apostles' feet.

But Peter said, "Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the

Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it

remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not

in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy

heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."

And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up his spirit: and

great fear came upon all that heard it. And the young men arose and

wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him.

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not

knowing what was done, came in. And Peter said unto her, "Tell me

whether ye sold the land for so much."

And she said, "Yea, for so much."

But Peter said unto her, "How is it that ye have agreed together to

tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried

thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out."

And she fell down immediately at his feet, and gave up her spirit: and

the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and

buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church,

and upon all that heard these things.

{337}{338}

[Illustration]

ST. STEPHEN'S GATE, JERUSALEM.

LOOKING IN TOWARD THE CITY.

From a photograph belonging to Prof. H. G. Mitchell, and used by his

kind permission

[End illustration]

{339}

THE FIRST MARTYR

_How Stephen Died Heroically for the New Faith.

The Beginning of Persecution.

The Sermon of Stephen. The Martyr's Crown_.

(The new faith was not destined to win its victories in peace. As the

rulers hated Jesus, so they hated the new faith which was now proclaimed

in his name; as they crucified the Master, so they persecuted and killed

the disciples. Stephen was the first of "the noble army of martyrs,"

thousands of men, women, and children, who gave their lives gladly for

the new faith. It was an army without weapons. The command of Jesus,

"resist not evil," was, in the first centuries, obeyed literally. It is

worthy of note that the new faith never spread more rapidly nor won

greater victories than during these years, when it never lifted sword

against its enemies, but conquered them by the power of service and

sacrifice.)

And Stephen, who had become prominent among the disciples, was full of

grace and power, and wrought great wonders and signs among the people.

But certain of the Jews disputed with Stephen. And they were not able to

withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they bribed

men, who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses,

and against God."

And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and

came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council, and set

up false witnesses, who said, {340} "This man ceaseth not to speak words

against this holy place; and the law: for we have heard him say, that

this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the

customs which Moses delivered unto us."

And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his

face as it had been the face of an angel.

_The Defense of Stephen_.

And the high priest said, "Are these things so?"

And he said, "Brethren and fathers, hearken. The God of glory appeared

unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in

Haran, and said unto him, 'Get thee out of thy land, and from thy

kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee.' Then came he

out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Haran: and from thence,

when his father was dead, God removed him into this land, wherein ye now

dwell: and he gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set

his foot on: and he promised that he would give it to him in possession,

and to his family after him, when as yet he had no child. And God spoke

in this wise, that his family should sojourn in a strange land, and that

the people of that land should bring them into bondage, and ill treat

them four hundred years. 'And the nation to which they shall be in

bondage will I judge,' said God: 'and after that shall they come forth,

and serve me in this place.' And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy

against Joseph, sold him into Egypt: and God was with him, and delivered

him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before

{341} Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and

all his house. Now there came a famine over all Egypt and Canaan, and

great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob

heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent forth our fathers the first

time. And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and

Joseph's family became known unto Pharaoh. And Joseph sent, and called

to him Jacob his father, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen

souls. And Jacob went down into Egypt; and he died, himself, and our

fathers; and they were carried over unto Shechem, and laid in the tomb

that Abraham bought for a price in silver of the sons of Hamor in

Shechem.

"But as the time of the promise drew nigh, which God promised to

Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, till there arose

another king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph. The same dealt craftily

with our race, and compelled our fathers to cast out their babes to the

end they might not live. At this season Moses was born, and was

exceeding fair; and he was nourished three months in his father's house:

and when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished

him for her own son.

"And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians; and he was

mighty in his words and works. But when he was well-nigh forty years

old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of

Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and

avenged him that was oppressed, smiting the Egyptian: {342} and he

supposed that his brethren understood that God by his hand was giving

them deliverance; but they understood not. And the day following he

appeared unto them as they strove, and would have made peace, saying,

'Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?' But he that did

his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, 'Who made thee a ruler and a

judge over us? Wouldest thou kill me as thou killedst the Egyptian

yesterday?'

"And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of

Midian, where he had two sons. And when forty years were passed, an

angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of

fire in a bush. And when Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as

he drew near to behold, there came a voice of the Lord, 'I am the God of

thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.'

"And Moses trembled, and dared not behold. And the Lord said unto him,

'Loose the shoes from thy feet: for the place whereon thou standest is

holy ground. I have surely seen the affliction of my people which is in

Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I am come down to deliver

them: and now come, I will send thee into Egypt.'

"This Moses whom they refused, saying, 'Who made thee a ruler and a

judge?' him hath God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer by the hand

of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. This man led them forth,

having wrought wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in

the wilderness forty years.

"This is that Moses, who said to the children of Israel, {343} 'A

prophet shall God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto

me.' This is he that was in the wilderness with the angel which spoke to

him in the Mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received living

oracles to give unto us: to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but

thrust him from them, and turned back in their hearts unto Egypt, saying

unto Aaron, 'Make us gods which shall go before us: for as for this

Moses, who led us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what has

become of him.' And they made a calf in those days, and brought a

sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands. But

God turned, and gave them up to serve idols.

"Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness,

even as he appointed who spoke unto Moses, that he should make it

according to the figure that he had seen. Which also our fathers, in

their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered on the possession

of the nations, which God thrust out before the face of our fathers,

unto the days of David; who found favor in the sight of God, and asked

to find a habitation for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built him a

house. Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in houses made by hands; as

saith the prophet,--

'The heaven is my throne,

And the earth the footstool of my feet:

What manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord:

Or what is the place of my rest?

Did not my hand make all these things?'

"Ye stiffnecked and unregenerate in heart and ears, ye {344}

do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so

do ye. Which one of the prophets did not your fathers

persecute? and they killed them which showed before of

the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye have now

become betrayers and murderers; ye who received the law

as it was ordained by angels, and kept it not."

_Martyrdom_.

Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they

raged against him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up

steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on

the right hand of God, and said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and

the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."

But they cried out with aloud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed

upon him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city, and stoned

him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young

man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and

saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this

sin to their charge." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And

Saul was consenting unto his death.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which

was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the

regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men

buried {345} Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. But Saul laid

waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging out men and

women committed them to prison.

(The martyrdom of Stephen gave a fresh impulse to the new faith. The

disciples had been content to stay in Jerusalem, and preach to their own

people. But persecution drove them out of the city, so that the gospel

came to a wider circle of hearers. We shall see, as the story goes on,

how Philip was directed to the officer of Queen Candace, and how Peter,

against his will, at first, was sent to the Roman captain. So the new

faith broadened, not as the apostles planned, but as God willed.)

{346}

SIMON THE SORCERER

_The New Faith Spreads. The Story of the Man of Samaria

Who Wished to Use It for His Own Selfish Advantage_.

They therefore that were scattered abroad went about preaching the word.

And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them

the Christ. And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things

that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he

did. For from many of those who had unclean spirits, those spirits came

out, crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that were

lame, were healed. And there was much joy in that city.

But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who before this in the city

used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, claiming that he himself

was some great one: to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the

greatest, saying, "This man is that power of God which is called Great."

And they gave heed to him, because for a long time he had amazed them

with his sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings

concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were

baptized, both men and women. And Simon also himself {347} believed: and

being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great

miracles wrought, he was amazed.

Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had

received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when

they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy

Spirit: for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they had been

baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they their hands on

them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that through

the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he

offered them money, saying, "Give me also this power, that on whomsoever

I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit."

But Peter said unto him, "Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast

thought to obtain the gift of God with money. Thou hast neither part nor

lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before God. Repent

therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the

thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. For I see that thou art in

the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity."

And Simon answered and said, "Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of

the things which ye have spoken come upon me."

{348}

PHILIP AND THE QUEEN'S OFFICER

_How the New Faith Came to a Servant of a Queen_.

An angel of the Lord spoke unto Philip, saying, "Arise, and go toward

the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: into

the desert."

And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, an officer of

great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all

her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship; and he was returning

and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the

Spirit said unto Philip, "Go near, and join thyself to this chariot."

And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and

said, "Understandest thou what thou readest?"

And he said, "How can I, except some one shall guide me?" And he

besought Philip to come up and sit with him.

Now the place of the scripture which he was reading was this,--

"He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;

And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb,

So he openeth not his mouth."

{349}

And the officer said to Philip, "I pray thee, of whom speaketh the

prophet this? of himself, or of some other?"

And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this passage of

scripture, preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on the way, they

came unto a certain water; and the officer saith, "Behold, here is

water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?"

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down

into the water, both Philip and the officer, and he baptized him. And

when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away

Philip; and the officer saw him no more, for he went on his way

rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he

preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

{350}

VII

PETER AND DORCAS

_How Peter Restored a Good Woman to Life_.

And it came to pass, as Peter went throughout all parts, he came down

also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, that is,

Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and deeds of charity which she

did. And it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick, and died:

and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. And as

Lydda was nigh unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there,

sent two men unto him, intreating him, "Delay not to come on unto us."

And Peter arose and went with them. And when he was come, they brought

him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and

showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with

them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and

turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise."

And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave

her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the disciples and widows,

he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa: and

many believed on the Lord. And it came to pass, that he abode many days

in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

{351}{352}

[Illustration]

GENERAL VIEW OF LYDDA

From a photograph belonging to Miss Julia W. Snow, and used by her

kind permission.

Lydda, the ancient Lod, is a village in the plain of Sharon, ten miles

southeast of Joppa. It was an important town in early days, being on the

caravan route between the East and Egypt, and a place where the

caravans rested and refitted. It was thus the center of a considerable

business. It was here that Peter healed Aeneas, and from this place he

was summoned to Joppa by the death of Dorcas.

[End illustration]

{353}

VIII

PETER AND THE ROMAN CAPTAIN.

_Peter's Vision. How a Valuable Recruit Was Enlisted for the New Faith_.

Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion

of the company called the Italian company, a devout man, and one that

feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and

prayed to God always. He saw in a vision about the ninth hour of the

day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, "Cornelius."

And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being afraid, said, "What is

it, Lord?"

And he said unto him, "Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a

memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and bring one Simon, who

is surnamed Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by

the sea side."

And when the angel that spoke unto him was departed, he called two of

his household servants, and a devout soldier of his body guard, and

having told all things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the

city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour:

and he became hungry, {354} and desired to eat: but while they made

ready, he fell into a trance; and he beheld the heaven opened, and a

certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four

corners upon the earth: wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts

and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven. And there came

a voice to him, saying, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."

But Peter said, "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is

common and unclean."

And a voice came unto him again the second time, "What God hath

cleansed, make not thou common."

And this was done thrice: and straightway the vessel was received up

into heaven.

Now while Peter was much perplexed as to what the vision which he had

seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having

made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate, and called and

asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodging there. And

while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, "Behold,

three men seek thee. But arise, and get thee down, and go with them,

nothing doubting: for I have sent them."

And Peter went down to the men, and said, "Behold, I am he whom ye seek:

why are ye come?"

And they said, "Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that

feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was

warned of God by a holy angel to send for thee to come to his house, and

to hear words from thee." So he called them in and lodged them.

{355}

And on the morrow he arose and went forth with them, and certain of the

brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And on the morrow they entered into

Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his

kinsmen and his near friends. And when Peter entered, Cornelius met him,

and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. But Peter raised him up,

saying, "Stand up; I myself also am a man."

And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many come together: and

he said unto them, "Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a

man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation;

and yet unto me hath God showed that I should not call any man common or

unclean: wherefore also I came without doubting, when I was sent for. I

ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me."

And Cornelius said, "Four days ago, until this hour, I was keeping the

ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in

bright apparel, and said, 'Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine

alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to

Joppa, and call unto thee Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodgeth in

the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side.' Forthwith therefore I

sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore

we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that

have been commanded thee of the Lord."

And Peter opened his mouth, and said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is

no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and

worketh righteousness, is {356} acceptable to him. The word which he

sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by

Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)--that saying ye yourselves know, which

was published throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the

baptism which John preached; about Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed

him with the Holy Spirit and with power: how he went about doing good,

and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

And we are witnesses of all things which be did both in the country of

the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree.

Him God raised up the third day, and showed him, not to all the people,

but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, even to us, who did

eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he charged us to

preach unto the people, and to testify that this is he who is ordained

of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him bear all the prophets

witness, that through his name everyone that believeth on him shall

receive remission of sins."

While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them

which heard the word. And the Jews who believed were amazed, as many as

came with Peter, because on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of

the Holy Spirit. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify

God.

Then answered Peter, "Can any man forbid the water, that these should

not be baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?"

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

{357}

THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEYS

_How the Disciples at Last Began to Understand the Meaning of the

Command of Jesus, "Go Ye into All the World_."

Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judaea heard that the

Gentiles also had received the word of God. And when Peter was come up

to Jerusalem, the Jews contended with him, saying, "Thou wentest in to

the Gentiles, and didst eat with them."

But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying, "I

was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a

certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven

by four corners; and it came even unto me: upon which when I had

fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the

earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven. And I

heard also a voice saying unto me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' But I

said, 'Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered

into my mouth.' But a voice answered the second time out of heaven,

'What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.' And this was done

thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven. And behold, forthwith

three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent

{358} from Caesarea unto me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, making

no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we

entered into the man's house: and he told us how he had seen the angel

standing in his house, and saying, 'Send to Joppa, and bring Simon,

whose surname is Peter; who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou

shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.' And as I began to speak, the

Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. And I

remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John indeed baptized with

water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If then God gave

unto them the same gift that he gave unto us, when we believed on the

Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?"

And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified

God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance

unto life."

They therefore that were scattered abroad after the trouble that arose

about Stephen, traveled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch,

speaking the word to none save only to Jews. But there were some of

them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch,

spoke unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of

the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto

the Lord.

{359}

PETER IN PRISON

_How Peter Was Cast into Prison, and How He Escaped the Hatred of

Herod_.

Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict

certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the

sword. And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize

Peter also. And when he had taken him, he put him in prison, and

delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him; intending after

the Passover to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept

in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly by the church unto God for

him. And when Herod was about to bring him forth, the same night Peter

was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and guards

before the door kept the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood

by him, and a light shone in the cell: and he smote Peter on the side,

and awoke him, saying, "Rise up quickly."

And his chains fell from his hands. And the angel said unto him, "Gird

thyself, and bind on thy sandals." And he did so.

And he said unto him, "Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me."

{360}

And he went out, and followed; and he knew not that it was true which

was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision.

And when they were past the first and the second guard, they came unto

the iron gate that leadeth into the city; which opened to them of its

own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and

straightway the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to

himself, he said, "Now I know of a truth, that the Lord hath sent forth

his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the

expectation of the people of the Jews."

And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the

mother of John whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together

and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid

come to answer, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened

not the gate for joy, but ran in, and told that Peter stood before the

gate. And they said unto her, "Thou art mad." But she confidently

affirmed that it was even so. And they said, "It is his angel."

But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened, they saw him,

and were amazed. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their

peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the

prison. And he said, "Tell these things unto James, and to the

brethren."

And he departed, and went to another place. Now as soon as it was day,

there was no small stir among the {361} soldiers, what was become of

Peter. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined

the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. And Peter

went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and tarried there.

{362}

{363}

Missionary Journeys and Adventures of Paul.

{364}

PERSONS OF THE STORY.

_PAUL_.

_Ananias, a disciple_.

_Sergius Paulus, a Roman governor_.

_Elymas, a sorcerer_.

_Barnabas_.

_Mark_.

_Timothy_.

_Silas_.

_Gallio, a Roman governor_.

_Priscilla and Aquila_.

_Demetrius, a silversmith_.

_Claudius Lysias, a Roman officer_.

_Felix, a Roman governor_.

_Drusilla, wife of Felix_.

_Festus, a Roman governor_.

_King Agrippa_.

_Queen Bernice_.

_Publius, a Roman officer_.

_The people of many towns and cities, Roman officials,

soldiers, sailors, Christian disciples_.

PLACES OF THE STORY.

_The places which Paul visited are given elsewhere_.

{365}{366}

[Illustration]

ST. PAUL

By Raphael (1483-1520)

[End illustration]

[Illustration]

THE SHIPWRECK--PAUL AND THE ROMAN CENTURION

"And now I exhort you to be of good cheer, for there

shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship."

And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship,

when they had let the boat into the sea . . . Paul said

to the centurion and to the soldiers,

"Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved."

[End illustration]

{367}

PAUL THE APOSTLE

Now there enters into our story one whose life by any standard of

measurement, in its boldness and audacity of plan, in its brilliancy of

achievement, in its personal courage and daring, compares favorably with

that of any of the heroes of history,--Paul the Apostle. In many

respects he resembled the modern successful man of business, the captain

of industry, except that his work was done with a purely unselfish

motive, loyalty to Jesus Christ and love for his fellowmen.

Paul was born in the Roman city of Tarsus, which is beautifully situated

at the mouth of the river Cydnus. It was a city full of delight for an

adventurous boy. There was the river sweeping down cold and clear from

its mountain snows, the harbor with its great basins and stone quays and

the shipping from every land. How Paul must have loved to linger on

those wharves, watching the ships and the merchandise and hearing the

songs of the sailors. In later days he always loved the city and the

sea. He was never far away from them; never far distant from the smell

of the sea breeze and the blue waters of the Mediterranean; very often

he sailed on those waters, and more than once suffered shipwreck. He was

a freeborn Roman, that is, he was so {368} fortunate as to have been

born in a free city. A free Roman city had all the political rights and

privileges of the city of Rome itself. This distinction was eagerly

sought after, and was often bought with a large price by men who did not

possess it by birth. When Paul was a lad he was sent away to Jerusalem

to school, where he was taught by one of the most famous teachers. But

Paul was always more Roman than Jewish in the actual experiences of his

life. When the first persecutions of the Christians began, Saul, for

that was his name then, was chosen by the high priest for this work.

Everything he did, he did with his might. He gave the Christians no

rest, he hunted them from village to village, from house to house,

because he thought this was his duty. He was on one of these

expeditions, riding hard to Damascus, when he had a vision of Jesus, who

called to him and demanded the reason for the persecutions. Blinded by

the vision he fell from his horse, and when he came to himself he was a

changed man. Some time he spent in solitude, thinking the matter out and

preparing for the new life. Then he came out ready to do anything and go

anywhere for the Master. The time was ripe for a man of his ability, his

boldnesss, and his knowledge of the world. A man was needed with those

qualities which make a great general, to plan and execute the work. All

the apostles were Jews, born in Palestine, men who had never traveled

outside the narrow boundaries of their native land. They were naturally

timid, and failed to realize at first the importance of the new faith as

a {369} world power. Paul was the man for the crisis,--the hero who was

destined to carry the new faith to the farther bounds of the empire. His

great missionary journeys by land and sea are really campaigns. He had

adventures without number, he was beaten and stoned, sometimes he was

left on the ground for dead by those who thought they had at last put

him out of the way. Often he went on his journey scarred and sore and

bruised. The country over which he traveled is the most interesting and

romantic in the world, the scene of the stories of mythology, the battle

ground of armies. He sailed the seas which were furrowed by the keel of

Homer's hero Ulysses. He visited the famous capitals of antiquity. He

spoke in cultured Athens, the city of Socrates and Plato. He founded

churches in Philippi, where Caesar won his great battle, and in Corinth,

one of the richest and wickedest cities of all the Roman empire. He went

to Rome, and there, even while in prison, he won for the new faith

members of the royal household and officers of the imperial guard. We do

not know certainly, but there are traditions to the effect that he

visited Spain, and even found his way far beyond the "Pillars of

Hercules" out upon the stormy Atlantic to Great Britain. It must not be

supposed that he met with no opposition. Even among the members of the

Christian church at Jerusalem he was bitterly opposed. There were many

Jewish Christians who did not wish the new faith to spread beyond their

own race, or if any so-called Gentiles became Christians they thought

they should also become Jews. Paul believed that Jesus and his message

{370} were for all alike, that it was a gospel of freedom, a new faith

in truth, and his way prevailed. Paul at last, an old man, was beheaded,

so it is believed, by the wicked Roman emperor Nero. Thus lived and died

one of the greatest and most important characters in all history.

{371}

HOW PAUL THE PERSECUTOR LAID ASIDE THE

OLD LIFE AND TOOK UP THE NEW.

_The Vision on the Road to Damascus. The Beginnings of Faith. Service

for the New Master_.

But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples

of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and asked of him letters to

Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were of "the

Way," whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. And

as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and

suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: and he fell

upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, "Saul, Saul, why

persecutest thou me?"

And he said, "Who art thou, Lord?"

And he said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: but rise, and enter into

the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."

And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice,

but beholding no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes

were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought

him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate

nor drank.

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the

Lord said unto him in a vision, "Ananias."

{372}

And he said, "Behold, I am here, Lord."

And the Lord said unto him, "Arise, and go to Straight street, and

inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for

behold, he prayeth; and he hath seen a man named Ananias coming in, and

laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight."

But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how

much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority

from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name."

But the Lord said unto him, "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto

me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of

Israel: for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's

sake."

And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands

on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared unto thee

in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy

sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

And at once there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received

his sight; and he arose and was baptized; and he took food and was

strengthened.

And he was certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And

at once in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of

God. And all that heard him were amazed, and said, "Is not this that man

who in Jerusalem made havoc of them who called on the name of Jesus? and

he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound

before the chief priests." But Saul increased the more in strength, and

confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the

Christ.

{373}{374}

[Illustration]

THE CITY OF TARSUS, LOOKING NORTHEAST TOWARD THE TAURUS MOUNTAINS. THE

AMERICAN COLLEGE IS IN THE FOREGROUND.

Tarsus was a Roman metropolis with all the distinctions and privileges

which the name implied. It was beautifully situated. The broad river

Cydnus, breaking through a cleft in the Taurus Mountains, fell in a

wide cascade to the plain, and flowed clear and cold from its mountain

snows through the city. At evening the people used to gather in their

roof gardens on the housetops to watch the setting sun as it turned

the snowy summit of the mountain chain into rose and filled the valley

with golden mist. But beauty of situation was not the only source of

civic pride. Tarsus was a rich and influential center of trade, and it

maintained its importance by the most lavish municipal expenditure, by

what we moderns call enterprise and push.

When Paul as a boy wandered down to the wharves to see the sights, to

listen to the sounds of the sailors and the ships, and to breathe that

indefinable atmosphere of the sea which is so fascinating to the growing

lad, he could not fail to admire those great stone basins and quays

which made Tarsus a seaport in spite of the treacherous sands of the

rapid river.

[End illustration]

{375}

And after many days, the Jews took counsel together to kill him: but

their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and

night that they might kill him: but his friends took him by night, and

let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

And when he was come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join himself to the

disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a

disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and

declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had

spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of

Jesus. And he was with them going in and going out at Jerusalem,

preaching boldly in the name of the Lord: and he spoke and disputed

against the Grecian Jews; but they went about to kill him. And when the

brethren knew it they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth

to Tarsus.

So the church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace,

being built up; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort

of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.

And some time after, Barnabas went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul: and

when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass,

that for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and

taught much people; and that the disciples were called Christians first

in Antioch.

{376}

THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY OF PAUL.

On his first journey Paul went by sea from _Seleucia_, the port of

Antioch, to the _Island of Cyprus_. He crossed the island from east to

west. He landed at _Salamis_ and set sail from _Paphos_. He arrived at

_Perga_ in Southern Asia Minor, and then set out for a campaign of about

two years in the great Roman province of Galatia. It is for the most

part a wild and desolate country. There were snowy mountain ranges with

perilous passes infested by robbers, rushing torrents, and precipitous

roads, before he could come to the cities which lay behind the

mountains. He was often in great danger, and many times suffered

persecution. The places mentioned are _Antioch, Iconium, Lystra_, and

_Derbe_. Then he and his companions came down to Perga, setting sail

from the port of Attalia for _Antioch_ in Cilicia.

Companions: Barnabas and John Mark.

PAUL AND BARNABAS SAIL FOR CYPRUS.

_At Paphos a Roman Nobleman is Won to the New Faith_.

(There having been a time of famine, Paul and Barnabas had been sent by

the Christians at Antioch to Jerusalem with relief to the Christians in

that city. When they returned they found new work awaiting them.)

{377}{378}

[Illustration]

A CORNER OF OLD WALL AT DAMASCUS.

Where, tradition says, Paul was let down by a basket. The square

building is a modern structure

From a photograph belonging to Mr. S. E. Bridgman, and used by his

kind permission

"When the Moslems took Damascus in 634, the great cathedral was

divided between Mohammedans and Christians. Seventy years later it was

absorbed by the conquerors, and was rebuilt to become one of the

greatest, if not the richest, of the mosques of Islam. The rebuilding

destroyed all the Christian features, except that which, still above

the south portal, preserves this prayer and prophecy: 'Thy kingdom, O

Christ, is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endureth for all

generations.'"--_G. A. Smith_

[End illustration]

{379}

Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and

teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of

Cyrene, and Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said,

"Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called

them." Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on

them, they sent them away.

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia; and

from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they

proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had

also John as their attendant.

And when they had gone through the whole island unto Paphos, they found

a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesus;

who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. The

same called unto him Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of

God. But Elymas the sorcerer withstood them, seeking to turn aside the

proconsul from the faith. But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled

with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him, and said, "O full of all

guile and all villainy, thou son 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."

{380}

And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went

about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being

astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

FROM CYPRUS TO ANTIOCH.

_Paul's Sermon at Antioch_.

Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in

Pamphylia: and John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem. But

they, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia; and they

went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down. And after the

reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent

unto them, saying, "Brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the

people, say on." And Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said,--

"Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hearken. The God of this people

Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they sojourned in

the land of Egypt, and with a high arm led he them forth out of it. And

for about the time of forty years he bore with them in the wilderness.

And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave

them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty

years: and after these things he gave them judges until Samuel the

prophet.

{381}

[Illustration]

Map of land around the Mediterranean Sea showing Paul's journey.

[End illustration]

{382}

{383}

And afterward they asked for a king: and God gave unto

them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space

of forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be

their king; to whom also he bore witness, and said, 'I have found David

the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who shall do all my will.'

"Of this man's family hath God according to promise brought unto Israel

a Saviour, Jesus; when John had first preached before his coming the

baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was

finishing his work, he said, 'What suppose ye that I am? I am not he.

But behold, there cometh one after me, the shoes of whose feet I am not

worthy to unloose.' Brethren, children of the race of Abraham, and those

among you that fear God, to us is the word of this salvation sent forth.

For they that dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew

him not, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath,

fulfilled them by condemning him. And though they found no cause of

death in him, yet asked they of Pilate that he should be slain. And when

they had fulfilled all things that were written of him, they took him

down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.

"But God raised him from the dead: and he was seen for many days by them

that came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his

witnesses unto the people. And we bring you good tidings of the promise

made unto the fathers, how that God hath fulfilled the same unto our

children, in that he raised up Jesus; as also it is written in the

second psalm, 'Thou art my Son, this day have I {384} begotten thee.'

And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to

return to corruption, he hath spoken on this wise, 'I will give you the

holy and sure blessings of David.' Because he saith also in another

psalm, 'Thou wilt not give thy Holy One to see corruption.' For David,

after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, he fell

asleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: but he whom

God raised up saw no corruption.

"Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is

proclaimed unto you remission of sins: and by him everyone that

believeth is justified from all things, from which ye could not be

justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest that come upon

you, which is spoken in the prophets;--

Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish;

For I work a work in your days,

A work which ye shall in no wise believe,

if one declare it unto you.'"

And as they went out, they besought that these words might be spoken to

them the next Sabbath. Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews

and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking

to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.

And the next Sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear

the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled

with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul,

and blasphemed. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and {385} said,

"It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you.

Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal

life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us,

saying,--

'I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles,

That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the

uttermost part of the earth.'"

And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word

of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the

word of the Lord was spread abroad throughout all the region. But the

Jews urged on the devout women of honorable estate, and the chief men of

the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and

cast them out of their borders. But they shook off the dust of their

feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled

with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

III

THROUGH THE TOWNS OF GALATIA.

_Paul is Stoned by the Mob. His Escape and Return_.

And it came to pass in Iconium, that they entered together into the

synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke, that a great multitude both of Jews

and of Greeks believed. But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up

the Gentiles, and made them hostile to the brethren. Long time therefore

they tarried there speaking boldly in the Lord, who {386} bore witness

unto the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by

their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided; and part held

with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was made an

attempt, both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to

treat them shamefully, and to stone them, they became aware of it, and

fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round

about: and there they preached the gospel.

And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple

from his birth, who never had walked. This man heard Paul speaking: who,

fastening his eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made

whole, said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on thy feet." And he

leaped up and walked.

And when the multitudes saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their

voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, "The gods are come down to us

in the likeness of men." And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul,

Mercury, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Jupiter

whose temple was before the city, brought oxen and garlands unto the

gates, and would have done sacrifice with the multitudes. But when the

apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their garments, and

sprang forth among the multitude, crying out and saying, "Sirs, why do

ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring

you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto the

living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that

in them is: {387} who in the generations gone by suffered all the

nations to walk in their own ways. And yet he left not himself without

witness, in that he did good, and gave you from heaven rains and

fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness."

And with these sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing

sacrifice unto them.

But there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium: and having

persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the

city, supposing that he was dead. But as the disciples stood round about

him, he rose up, and entered into the city: and on the morrow he went

forth with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to

that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to

Iconium, and to Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples,

exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that "through many

tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God." And when they had

appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting,

they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed. And they

passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia. And when they had spoken

the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia; and thence they sailed to

Antioch, from whence they had been committed to the grace of God for the

work which they had fulfilled. And when they had come, and had gathered

the church together, they told all things that God had done with them,

and how he had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles. And they

tarried no little time with the disciples.

{388}

A DISTURBANCE IN THE CHURCH

_How a Serious Dispute Was Settled by Mutual Conference_.

(Trouble arose in the church very early over the question of admitting

people of the outside world, or Gentiles, into the fellowship of the

faith. There was a party in the church who insisted very strongly that

the Gentiles, if they came in, must conform to all the rites and

ceremonies of the Jews. Another party, headed by Paul, said that it was

not necessary for the Gentiles to become Jews; that they could be

Christians without following all the religious ceremonies of the Jews.

After Paul and Barnabas returned from their missionary journey, and

reported the conversion of many Gentiles to the new faith, a great

meeting of the leaders was called at Jerusalem, and the matter, after

warm discussion, was decided in favor of the broader view of Paul.)

And certain men came down from Judaea and taught the brethren, saying,

"Except ye keep the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved." And when Paul

and Barnabas had no little disagreement and questioning with them, the

brethren decided that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them,

should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this

question. They therefore, being brought on their way by the church,

passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of

the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when

they were come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the

apostles and the elders, and they repeated all the things that God had

done with them.

{389}

And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of

this matter. And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up and

said unto them, "Brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made

choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of

the gospel, and believe. And God, who knoweth the heart, bore them

witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us; and he

made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by

faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, that ye should put a yoke upon

the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to

bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the

Lord Jesus, in like manner as they."

And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and

Paul as they told what signs and wonders God had wrought among the

Gentiles by them. And after they had ceased speaking, James answered,

saying,--

"Brethren, hearken unto me: Symeon hath rehearsed how first God did

visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to

this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,--

'After these things I will return,

And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen;

And I will build again the ruins thereof,

And I will set it up:

That the residue of men may seek after the Lord,

And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,

Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from

the beginning of the world.'

{390}

"Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not those who from among the

Gentiles turn to God; but that we write unto them, that they abstain

from the pollutions of idols, and from uncleanness, and from what is

strangled, and from blood. For Moses from generations of old hath in

every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every

Sabbath."

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole

church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch

with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief

men among the brethren: and they wrote thus by them,--

"_The apostles and the elder brethren unto the brethren who are of the

Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting:_--

"Forasmuch as we have heard that certain men who went out from us have

troubled you with words, vexing your souls; to whom we gave no

commandment; it seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to

choose out men and send them unto you with our beloved Barnabas and

Paul, men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus

Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also

shall tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to

the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these

necessary things; that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and

from blood, and from things strangled, and from uncleanness; from which

if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. _Fare ye well_."

{391}

So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having

gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle. And when

they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation it afforded. And

Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren

with many words, and confirmed them. And after they had spent some time

there, they were dismissed in peace from the brethren to those that had

sent them forth. But Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and

preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

{392}

THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY

Paul started on his second missionary journey by the land route, passing

through his native city of Tarsus, over the Taurus mountains and into

Galatia, where he revisited the cities of Derbe and Lystra. He attempted

to visit other places, but was prevented from doing so, and pressed on

through many miles of wild and desolate country of northern Asia Minor

until the welcome waters of the Aegean again greeted his eyes at Troas.

Here he faced Europe and the great crisis of his life. In the night he

saw the vision of the man and heard the cry, "Come over into Macedonia

and help us." Then Paul determined upon the great step which meant so

much to the world. He went on board a coaster at Troas, made "a straight

run" to the island of _Samothracia_, and the next day came to the harbor

of Neapolis, which is only a few miles from Philippi. The important

Macedonian campaign included the cities of _Philippi_, _Thessalonica_,

and _Beroea_. Here his work in Macedonia abruptly ended. In danger of

his life from evil persons who followed him from Thessalonica, he was

hurried out of the country by his friends and journeyed by land and sea

to _Athens_. Then he went to _Corinth_, where he stayed for some time

preaching and working at his trade of tentmaker. Embarking on a pilgrim

ship carrying Jews to Passover, Paul sailed to Caesarea and then

journeyed to Jerusalem, stopping briefly on the way at Ephesus. Thus

ended the second great journey.

Companions: Silas and Timothy.

{393}

[Illustration]

Map of land around the Mediterranean Sea showing Paul's journey.

[End illustration]

{394}

{395}

REVISITING THE SCENES OF FORMER VICTORIES IN PHRYGIA AND GALATIA

_Paul and Barnabas Again Take the Field_.

And after some time, Paul said unto Barnabas, "Let us return now and

visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the

Lord, and see how they fare."

And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called

Mark. But Paul thought it not good to take with them him who withdrew

from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And there

arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunder one from the

other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away unto Cyprus; but

Paul chose Silas, and went forth, being commended by the brethren to the

grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the

churches.

And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple

was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed in the new

faith, but his father was a Greek. The same was well reported of by the

brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. And Paul took him with him.

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been

forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and when they

were come over against Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia; and

the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not; and passing by Mysia, they came

down to Troas.

{396}

"THE MACEDONIAN CRY"

_The New Faith Enters Europe. The Midnight Rescue from the Jail at

Philippi_.

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. There was a man of Macedonia

standing, beseeching him, and saying, "Come over into Macedonia, and

help us."

And when he had seen the vision, straightway we sought to go forth into

Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel unto

them.

Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to

Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis; and from thence to

Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a

Roman colony: and we were in this city tarrying certain days. And on

the Sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a river side, where

we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spoke to

the women who were come together. And a certain woman named Lydia, a

seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God,

heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, to give heed to the things

which were spoken by Paul. And when she was baptized, and her

household, she besought us, saying, "If ye have judged me to be

faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there." And she

persuaded us.

And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a

certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her

masters much gain by soothsaying.

{397}{398}

[Illustration]

ATHENS--HARBOR OF PIRAEUS--SALAMIS IN THE DISTANCE.

From a photograph belonging to the Forbes Library,

Northampton, Mass., and used by special permission.

Into this harbor came the ship of Paul on his voyage from the North.

In the distance is the immortal battle place of Salamis, where the

Persian fleet was destroyed. Of the voyage of Paul from Thessaly to

Athens it is said, "All the land and water in sight became more

eloquent as he advanced: the lights and shadows, both of poetry and

history, were on every hand: every rock was a monument, every current

was animated by some memory of the past."

[End illustration]

{399}

The same following after Paul and us cried out, saying, "These men are

servants of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of

salvation."

And this she did for many days. But Paul, being greatly troubled, turned

and said to the spirit, "I charge thee in the name of Jesus Christ to

come out of her."

And it came out that very hour.

But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid

hold of Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the

rulers, and when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said,

"These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, and set forth

customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being

Romans."

And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates

tore their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods. And

when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison,

charging the jailor to keep them safely: who, having received such a

charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the

stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns

unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there

was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were

shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened; and everyone's bands

were loosed. And the jailor being roused out of sleep, and seeing the

prison doors open, drew his sword, and was about to kill himself,

supposing that the prisoners had escaped.

{400}

But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, "Do thyself no harm: for we

are all here."

And he called for lights, and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell

down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, "Sirs, what

must I do to be saved?"

And they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou

and thy house."

And they spoke the word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his

house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their

stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately. And he brought

them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly,

with all his house, having believed in God.

But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, "Let those

men go." And the jailor reported the words to Paul, saying, "The

magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore come forth, and go in

peace." But Paul said unto them, "They have beaten us publicly,

uncondemned, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison; and do

they now cast us out secretly? nay verily; let them come themselves and

bring us out."

And the police reported these words unto the magistrates: and they

feared, when they heard that they were Romans; and they came and

besought them; and when they had brought them out, they asked them to go

away from the city. And they went out of the prison, and entered into

the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted

them, and departed.

{401}{402}

[Illustration]

THE TEMPLE OF APOLLO AT CORINTH, WITH THE ACROPOLIS IN THE BACKGROUND.

From a photograph belonging to Smith College, and used by special

permission.

"It was its conspicuous position on the narrow neck of land between

the Aegean and Ionian seas which was the main cause of Corinth's

greatness. The construction of the famous ship Argo, on which Jason

sailed in search of the Golden Fleece, is assigned by mythology to

Corinth. The first Greek triremes were certainly built here. Neptune

was her god. Her colonies were spread over distant coasts in the East

and West. Ships came to her harbor from every sea."

[End illustration]

{403}

III

PREACHING IN THE MACEDONIAN CITIES.

_Riot in Thessalonica. Success in Beroea_.

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to

Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: and Paul, as his custom

was, went in unto them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them

from the scriptures, arguing that it behooved the Christ to suffer, and

to rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, "whom," said he, "I

proclaim unto you, is the Christ."

And some of them were persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas; and of the

devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But

the Jews, being moved with jealousy, took unto them certain vile fellows

of the rabble, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar; and

assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them forth to the

people. And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain

brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, "These men who have

turned the world upside down are come hither also; whom Jason hath

received: and these all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying

that there is another king, one Jesus."

And they troubled the multitude and the rulers of the city, when they

heard these things. And when they had taken bail from Jason and the

rest, they let them go.

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto

Beroea: who when they were come {404} thither went into the synagogue of

the Jews. Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that

they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the

scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so. Many of them

therefore believed; also of the Greek women of honorable estate, and of

men, not a few.

But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was

proclaimed of Paul at Beroea also, they came thither likewise, stirring

up and troubling the multitudes. And then immediately the brethren sent

forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there

still. But they that conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens: and

receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timothy that they should come to

him with all speed, they departed.

PAUL AT ATHENS.

_The Leader of the New Faith Speaks on Classic Ground_.

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, he was aroused, as he beheld

the city full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews

and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that

met with him. And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers

encountered him. And some said, "What would this babbler say?" others,

"He seemeth to be a teacher of strange gods": because he preached Jesus

and the resurrection.

{405}{406}

[Illustration]

THE PARTHENON, ONE OF THE TEMPLES ON THE ACROPOLIS AT ATHENS

From a photograph belonging to the Forbes Library, Northampton, Mass.,

and used by special permission

"Crowning the Acropolis was the Parthenon, the glorious temple which

rose in the proudest period of Athenian history to the honor of

Minerva, and which ages of war and decay have only partially defaced.

The sculptures on one side of the pediments represented the birth of

the goddess; those on the other depicted her contest with Neptune.

Under the outer cornices were groups exhibiting the victories achieved

by her champions. Round the inner frieze was the long series of the

Panathenaic procession." The Acropolis, with its splendid temples, was

on Paul's right and in full view as he preached on the Areopagus.

[End illustration]

{407}

And they took hold of him, and brought him unto the Areopagus, saying,

"May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by thee? For

thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know

therefore what these things mean." (Now all the Athenians and the

strangers sojourning there spent their time in nothing else, but either

to tell or to hear some new thing.) And Paul stood in the midst of the

Areopagus, and said,--

"Ye men of Athens, in all things I perceive that ye are very religious.

For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found

also an altar with this inscription,

TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.

What therefore ye worship in ignorance, this set I forth unto you. The

God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven

and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is he served

by men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth

to all life, and breath, and all things; and he made of one people every

nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined

their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; that they

should seek God, if haply they might feel after him, and find him,

though he is not far from each one of us: for in him we live, and move,

and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said,--

'For we are also his offspring.'

Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead

is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by {408} art and device

of man. The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he

commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent: inasmuch as he

hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness

by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto

all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but

others said, "We will hear thee concerning this yet again."

Thus Paul went out from among them. But certain men were drawn to him,

and believed: among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman

named Damaris, and others with them.

TENTMAKING IN CORINTH.

_A Roman Officer Champions the New Faith_.

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth. There

he found a certain Jew named Aquila, lately come from Italy, with his

wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart

from Rome. He became acquainted with them; and because he was of the

same trade, he abode with them, and they worked together; for by their

trade they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every

Sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.

{409}{410}

[Illustration]

RUINS AT CORINTH.

Photograph taken by Rev. Frank L. Goodspeed, Ph.D., of Springfield,

Mass., and used by his kind permission.

"By virtue of her situation on 'the bridge of the seas,' Corinth

became the common resort and the universal market of the Greeks. Her

population and wealth were further augmented by the manufactures in

metallurgy, dyeing, and porcelain, which grew up in connection with

her commerce. The wealth, luxury, and profligacy of Corinth were

proverbial in the ancient world."

[End illustration]

{411}

But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul gave attention

to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. And when

they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook out his raiment, and

said unto them, "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from

henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles."

And he departed thence, and went into the house of a certain man named

Titus Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was close to the

synagogue. And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord

with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and

were baptized. And the Lord said unto Paul in the night by a vision, "Be

not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and

no man shall set on thee to harm thee: for I have much people in this

city."

And he dwelt there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among

them.

But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose

up against Paul, and brought him before the judgment seat, saying, "This

man persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law."

But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews,

"If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked villainy, O ye Jews,

it would be reasonable that I should bear with you: but if they are

questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves;

I am not minded to be a judge of these matters."

And he drove them from the judgment seat. And they all laid hold of

Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and {412} beat him before the

judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of these things.

And Paul, having tarried after this yet many days, took his leave of the

brethren, and sailed thence for Syria, and with him Priscilla and

Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchreae: for he had a vow. And they

came to Ephesus, and he left them there: but he himself entered into the

synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. And when they asked him to abide

a longer time, he consented not; but taking his leave of them, and

saying, "I will return again unto you, if God will," he set sail from

Ephesus.

And when he had landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and saluted

the church, and went down to Antioch.

{413}{414}

[Illustration]

THE VALE OF TEMPE.

On the slopes of Olympus.

From a photograph belonging to Smith College,

and used by special permission.

"The shepherds on the heights above the vale of Tempe may have watched

the sails of Paul's ship as it moved like a speck over the waters of

the Thermaic Gulf."--_Howson_

[End illustration]

{415}

[Illustration]

Map of land around the Mediterranean Sea showing Paul's journey.

[End illustration]

{416}

{417}

THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY.

After brief visits at _Jerusalem_ and _Antioch_, Paul started by the

land route for Galatia. After revisiting the churches there he came

through central Asia Minor to _Ephesus_. For two years Paul made this

great city the center of missionary effort. After the great riot in

_Ephesus_, which interrupted his plans, Paul set sail on a coasting

vessel for _Macedonia_, changing ship at _Troas_. Thence he sailed for

_Philippi_ and remained three months with the Macedonian churches. Then

he went to _Corinth_, where he stayed three months more. At the opening

of navigation in the spring he sailed again for _Macedonia_, visiting

_Philippi_. From Philippi he started on a long and tedious voyage by

coasting vessel, bound for Jerusalem. He touched on the voyage at

_Troas, Assos, Mitylene, Samos, Trogyllium, Miletus, Cos, Rhodes,

Patara_. These are towns on the islands and along the coast of Asia

Minor. The ship made slow progress, doing a coasting trade no doubt, and

waiting for favorable winds. At Patara they found a big merchantman

bound directly for Tyre, calling only at Myra. Before the strong west

wind the ship made a good run out of sight of land from coast to coast

except when the southern shores of Cyprus were passed. After a few days'

stop at Tyre, the ship went on to _Caesarea_, stopping at _Ptolemais_.

Then Paul went up to Jerusalem, and the great third missionary campaign

was over.

Companions: Various disciples.

{418}

FAR AND WIDE BY LAND AND SEA.

"_I Must Also See Rome_."

After having spent some time at Antioch, he departed, and went through

the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, stablishing all the

disciples.

And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having

passed through the upper country came to Ephesus. His preaching here had

great effect. And not a few of them that practiced curious arts brought

their books together, and burned them in the sight of all: and they

counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed.

Now after these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he

had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying,

"After I have been there, I must also see Rome."

And having sent into Macedonia two of his companions who ministered unto

him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

A RIOT IN EPHESUS

"_Great is Diana of the Ephesians!_"

And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the new faith.

For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver

shrines of Diana, brought no little business unto the craftsmen;

{419}{420}

[Illustration]

RUINS OF GREAT GREEK THEATER AT MILETUS.

Miletus once was one of the leading centers of Greek civilization,

which began to decay in Paul's day.

"Even in Homer, the 'Carian Miletus' appears as a place of renown.

Eighty colonies went forth from the banks of the Maeander, and some of

them were spread even to the eastern shores of the Black Sea and

beyond the Pillars of Hercules to the west. It received its first blow

in the Persian war, when its inhabitants, like the Jews, had

experience of a Babylonian captivity. It suffered once more in

Alexander's great campaign; and after his time it gradually began to

sink towards its present condition of ruin and decay, from the

influence, as it would seem, of mere natural causes,--the increase of

alluvial soil in the delta having the effect of removing the city

gradually farther and farther from the sea. Even in the Apostle's

time, there was between the city and the shore a considerable space of

level ground, through which the ancient river meandered in new windings,

like the Forth at Stirling. Few events connect the history of Miletus

with the transactions of the Roman Empire. When St. Paul was there, it

was simply one of the second-rate seaports on this populous coast,

ranking, perhaps, with Adramyttium or Patara, but hardly with Ephesus

or Smyrna."

[End illustration]

{421}

whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and

said, "Sirs, ye know that by this business we have our wealth. And ye

see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia,

this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they

are no gods, which are made with hands: and not only is there danger

that this our trade come into disrepute; but also that the temple of the

great goddess Diana be made of no account, and that she should even be

deposed from her magnificence, whom all Asia and the world worshipeth."

And when they heard this, they were filled with wrath, and cried out,

saying,

"GREAT IS DIANA OF THE EPHESIANS!"

And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one

accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of

Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel. And when Paul was minded to

enter in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. And certain

also of the chief officers of Asia, being his friends, sent unto him,

and besought him not to venture into the theater. Some therefore cried

one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the

larger part knew not wherefore they were come together.

And they brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him

forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made a

defense unto the people. But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all

with one voice about the space of two hours cried out,--

"GREAT IS DIANA OF THE EPHESIANS!"

{422}

And when the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, "Ye men of

Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the

Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the image which

fell down from Jupiter? Seeing then that these things cannot be denied,

ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash. For ye have brought hither

these men, which are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our

goddess. If therefore Demetrius, and the craftsmen that are with him,

have a matter against any man, the courts are open, and here are judges:

let them accuse one another. But if ye seek anything about other

matters, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. For indeed we are

in danger of being accused concerning this day's riot, there being no

cause for it: and we shall not be able to give account of this

concourse."

And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

III

FAREWELLS TO THE CHURCHES.

_Paul Starts on a Fateful Journey_.

And after the uproar was ceased, Paul having sent for the disciples and

exhorted them, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.

And when he had gone through those parts, and had given them much

exhortation, he came into Greece. And when he had spent three months

there, and a plot was laid against him by the Jews, as he was about to

set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.

{423}{424}

[Illustration]

HARBOR OF ASSOS

"Of the city of Assos itself, we must conclude, if we compare the

description of the ancients with present appearances, that its aspect

as seen from the sea was sumptuous and grand. A terrace with a long

portico was raised by a wall of rock above the water line. Above this

was a magnificent gate, approached by a flight of steps. Higher still

was the theater, which commanded a glorious view of Lesbos and the

sea, and those various buildings which are now a wilderness of broken

columns, triglyphs, and friezes. The whole was crowned by a citadel of

Greek masonry on a cliff of granite. Such was the view which gradually

faded into indistinctness as the vessel retired from the shore, and

the summits of Ida rose in the evening sky."

[End illustration]

{425}

And there accompanied him as far as Asia a company of men from the

various churches. But these had gone before, and were waiting for us at

Troas. And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened

bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we tarried seven

days.

And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to

break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the

morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight. And there were many

lights in the upper chamber, where we were gathered together. And there

sat in the window a certain young man named Eutychus, overpowered with

deep sleep; and as Paul discoursed yet longer, he fell down from the

third story, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him,

and embracing him said, "Make ye no ado; for his life is in him."

And when he was gone up, and had broken the bread, and eaten, and had

talked with them a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

And they brought the lad alive, and were not a little comforted.

But we, going before to the ship, set sail for Assos, there intending to

take in Paul: for so had he appointed, intending himself to go by land.

And when he met us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. And

sailing from thence, we came the following day over against Chios; and

the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after we came to Miletus.

For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to

spend time in Asia; for {426} he was hastening, if it were possible for

him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the

church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, "Ye

yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, after what

manner I was with you all the time, serving the Lord with all lowliness

of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of

the Jews: how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was

profitable, and teaching you publicly, from house to house, testifying

both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our

Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto

Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that

the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and

afflictions await me. But I hold not my life of any account, as dear

unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which

I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of

God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about

preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I testify

unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I

shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.

{427}{428}

[Illustration]

DISTANT VIEWS OF OLYMPUS

Photographs taken by Prof. George Norlin. Owned by Arthur S. Cooley,

Ph.D., and used by his kind permission

It was near the foot of Olympus, the most famous mountain in Greece,

"the home of the gods," that Paul embarked on his voyage to Athens,

and it was often in sight as he sailed from point to point in the

Aegean Sea. The whole of Paul's route in Macedonia was over historical

ground. He traveled over the route taken by Xerxes' army when it swept

down to overwhelm Greece. He passed near the Pass of Thermopylae,

where one of the most famous defenses of history was made; at Philippi

he was close to the confines of Thracian barbarism, and on the spot

where the last battle was fought in defense of the republic; at Berea

he was near the famous battleground of Pydna, which reduced Macedonia

to a Roman province.

[End illustration]

{429}

"Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in the which the Holy

Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of God, which he

purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departing grievous

wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among

your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away

the disciples after them. Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the

space of three years I ceased not to admonish everyone night and day

with tears. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace,

which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all

them that are sanctified. I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or

apparel. Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my

necessities, and to them that were with me. In all things I gave you an

example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the

words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to

give than to receive.'"

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and

prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on

Paul's neck, and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the

word which he had spoken, that they should behold his face

no more. And they brought him on his way unto the ship.

And when it came to pass that we were parted from them, and had set

sail, we came with a straight course to Cos, and the next day unto

Rhodes, and from thence to Patara: and having found a ship crossing over

unto Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail. And when we had come in

sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and

landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unload her cargo. And having

found the disciples, we tarried there seven days: and these said to Paul

through the Spirit, that he should not set foot in Jerusalem. And when

it came to pass that we had accomplished the days, {430} we departed and

went on our journey; and they all, with wives and children, accompanied

us on our way, till we were out of the city: and kneeling down on the

beach, we prayed, and bade each other farewell; and we went on board the

ship, but they returned home again.

And when we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais;

and we saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. And on the

morrow we departed, and came to Caesarea: and entering into the house of

Philip the evangelist, we abode with him. Now this man had four

daughters, who prophesied. And as we tarried there many days, there came

down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And coming to us, and

taking Paul's girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, "Thus

saith the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that

owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the

Gentiles." And when we heard these things, both we and they of that

place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

Then Paul answered, "What do ye, weeping and breaking 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 persuaded, we ceased, saying,

"The will of the Lord be done."

And after these days we went up to Jerusalem. And there went with us

also certain of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing with them one

Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.

{431}{432}

[Illustration]

CAPE SUNION.

Photograph taken by Dr. C. W. Bill. Owned by Arthur S. Cooley, Ph.D.,

and used by his kind permission.

The ship on which Paul sailed rounded this point on her way to Athens.

The white columns of the famous temple of Minerva, always a landmark to

Greek sailors, are still seen upon the headland.

[End illustration]

[Illustration]

THE ISLAND OF NAXOS.

Photograph taken by Dr. C. W. Bill. Owned by Arthur S. Cooley, Ph.D.,

and used by his kind permission.

The mountains of the island of Naxos must often have been seen by Paul

on his voyages. The Aegean Sea is almost deserted now, but in classic

times it was crowded with the commerce of the East.

[End illustration]

{433}

THE CAPTAIN OF THE NEW FAITH IN THE HANDS OF HIS FOES

THE JEWS STIR UP A RIOT.

_Paul, in Great Peril, is Saved by a Roman Officer_.

(When Paul reached Jerusalem he worshiped, as was his custom, in the

temple. But he had many enemies who said that he was a traitor to the

Jewish faith because he was friendly with people who were not Jews.)

Paul's enemies stirred up all the multitude, and laid hands on him,

crying out, "Men of Israel, help: This is the man, who teacheth all men

everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place: and moreover

he brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath defiled this holy

place."

For they had before seen with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian,

whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple. And all the

city was moved, and the people ran together: and they laid hold on Paul,

and dragged him out of the temple: and straightway the doors were shut.

And as they were seeking to kill him, tidings came up to the chief

captain of the garrison, that all Jerusalem was in confusion. And

forthwith he took soldiers and centurions, and ran down upon them: and

they, when {434} they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, left off

beating Paul. Then the chief captain came near, and laid hold on Paul,

and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and inquired who he was,

and what he had done. And some shouted one thing, some another, among

the crowd: and when the captain could not know the truth for the uproar,

he commanded him to be brought into the castle. And when he came upon

the stairs, he was borne by the soldiers on account of the violence of

the crowd; for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out,

"Away with him."

And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he saith unto the

chief captain, "May I say something unto thee?"

And he said, "Dost thou know Greek? Art thou not then the Egyptian,

which before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the

wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?"

But Paul said, "I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean

city: and I beseech thee, give me leave to speak unto the people."

ON THE CASTLE STAIRS

_Paul Defends Himself Before the People_.

When the officer gave him leave, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned

with the hand unto the people; and when they were all silent, he spoke

unto them in the Hebrew language, saying, "Brethren and fathers, hear ye

the defense which I now make unto you."

{435}{436}

[Illustration]

CITY OF SALONICA

This is the city known in Paul's time as Thessalonica, which has come

into such prominence during the great European war (1916).

The apostolic city at which we are now arrived was known in the

earliest periods of its history under various names. Under that of

Therma it is associated with some interesting recollections. It was

the resting place of Xerxes on his march; it is not unmentioned in the

Peloponnesian war; and it was a frequent subject of debate in the last

independent assemblies of Athens. When the Macedonian power began to

overshadow all the countries where Greek was spoken, this city

received its new name, and began a new and more distinguished period

of its history. A sister of Alexander the Great was called

Thessalonica, and her name was given to the city of Therma, when

rebuilt and embellished by her husband, Cassander, the son of

Antipater. This name, under a form slightly modified, has continued to

the present day. The "Salneck" of the early German poets has become the

Saloniki of the modern Levant. Its history can be followed as

continuously as its name. When Macedonia was partitioned into four

provincial divisions by Paulus Emilius, Thessalonica was the capital

of that which lay between the Axius and the Strymon. When the four

regions were united into one Roman province, this city was chosen as

the metropolis of the whole. Its name appears more than once in the

annals of the Civil wars. It was the scene of the exile of Cicero, and

one of the stages of his journey between Rome and his province in the

East. Antony and Octavius were here after the battle of Philippi; and

coins are still extant which allude to the "freedom" granted by the

victorious leaders to the city of the Thermaic gulf. Strabo, in the

first century, speaks of Thessalonica as the most populous town in

Macedonia. Lucian, in the second century, uses similar language.

Before the founding of Constantinople, it was virtually the capital of

Greece and Illyricum, as well as of Macedonia, and shared the trade of

the Aegean with Ephesus and Corinth. Even after Constantinople was

built and reigned over the Levant we find both pagan and Christian

writers speaking of Thessalonica as the metropolis of Macedonia and a

place of great magnitude.

[End illustration]

{437}

And when they heard that he spoke unto them in the Hebrew language, they

were the more quiet: and he saith,--

"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at

the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the

law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day:

and I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into

prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me

witness, and all the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the

brethren, and journeyed to Damascus, to bring them also who were there

unto Jerusalem in bonds, to be punished. And it came to pass, that, as I

made my journey, and drew nigh unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there

shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell to the

ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest

thou me?' And I answered, 'Who art thou, Lord?' And he said unto me, 'I

am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.' And those who were with me

beheld indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spoke

to me. And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said unto me,

'Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all

things which are appointed for thee to do.' And when I could not see for

the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with

me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout man according to the

law, well reported of by all the Jews that dwelt there, came unto me,

{438} and standing by me said unto me, 'Brother Saul, receive thy

sight.' And in that very hour I looked up and saw him. And he said, 'The

God of our fathers hath appointed thee to know his will, and to see the

Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. For thou shalt be a

witness for him unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now

why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins,

calling on his name.' And it came to pass, that, when I had returned to

Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance, and

saw him saying unto me, 'Make haste, and get thee quickly out of

Jerusalem: because they will not receive of thee testimony concerning

me.'

"And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in

every synagogue them that believed on thee: and when the blood of

Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting,

and keeping the garments of them that slew him.' And he said unto me,

'Depart: for I will send thee forth far hence unto the Gentiles.'"

And they gave him audience unto this word: and they lifted up their

voice, and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not

fit that he should live." And they cried out, and threw off their

garments, and cast dust into the air.

{439}{440}

[Illustration]

SYRACUSE.

Photograph taken by Arthur S. Cooley, Ph.D., and used by his kind

permission.

Paul's ship touched here on her way to Rome, remaining in the harbor

three days.

[End illustration]

[Illustration]

PUTEOLI.

Photograph taken by Arthur S. Cooley, Ph.D., and used by his kind

permission.

This was one of the ports of Rome, where the great corn ship on which

Paul sailed discharged her cargo. This city was on the northern shores

of the famous Bay of Naples. Across the bay was the naval station of

Rome, where the imperial fleet lay at anchor. "The angry neighbor of

Naples was not then an unsleeping volcano, but a green and sunny

background to the bay. No one could have suspected that the time was

so near when the admiral of the fleet at Misenum would be lost in its

fiery eruption; and little did the apostle dream, as he looked from

the 'Twin Brothers'' deck across the bay, that a ruin like that of

Sodom and Gomorrah hung over the fair cities of Herculaneum and

Pompeii at the base of the mountain, and that the Jewish princess, who

had so lately conversed with him in his prison at Caesarea, would find

her tomb in the ruins."

[End illustration]

{441}

III

A CITIZEN OF THE EMPIRE

_The Roman Officer Discovers that Paul is a Fellow-Citizen, and Offers

an Apology_.

The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, bidding

that he should be examined by scourging, that he might know for what

cause, they so shouted against him. And when they had tied him up with

the thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, "Is it lawful

for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?"

And when the centurion heard it, he went to the chief captain, and told

him, saying, "What art thou about to do? for this man is a Roman."

And the chief captain came, and said unto him, "Tell me, art thou a

Roman?"

And he said, "Yea."

And the chief captain answered, "With a great sum obtained I this

citizenship."

And Paul said, "But I am a Roman born."

They then which were about to examine him straightway departed from him:

and the chief captain also was afraid, when he knew that he was a Roman,

and because he had bound him.

{442}

PAUL BEFORE THE COUNCIL.

_A Division Among the Members_.

But on the morrow, desiring to know why he was accused of the Jews, he

loosed him, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come

together, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

And Paul, looking steadfastly on the council, said, "Brethren, I have

lived before God in all good conscience until this day."

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite

him on the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, "God shall smite thee, thou

whited wall: and sittest thou to judge me according to the law, and

commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?"

And they that stood by said, "Revilest thou God's high priest?"

And Paul said, "I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest: for it is

written, 'Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people.'"

But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other

Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a

son of Pharisees: touching the hope and resurrection of the dead I am

called in question."

{443}{444}

[Illustration]

CAESAR AUGUSTUS.

The first, and one of the greatest, of the rulers of the Roman empire

to be called "Caesar." He was in power when Christ was born. The

Caesar to whom Paul appealed was Nero, one of the worst of the

Caesars.

[End illustration]

{445}

And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees

and Sadducees: and the assembly was divided. (For the Sadducees say that

there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees

believe both.) And there arose a great clamor: and some of the scribes

of the Pharisees stood up, and strove, saying, "We find no evil in this

man: and what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?"

And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest

Paul should be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down

and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the castle.

And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, "Be of good

cheer: for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must

thou bear witness also at Rome."

A CONSPIRACY AGAINST PAUL.

Certain Fanatical Jews Make a Vow to Kill Paul, and He is Sent to

Governor Felix, Under Escort of a Strong Body of Roman Cavalry.

And when it was day, the Jews banded together, and bound themselves by

an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had

killed Paul. And they were more than forty which made this conspiracy.

And they came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, "We have

bound ourselves by a great oath, to taste nothing until we have killed

Paul. Now therefore do ye with the council {446} request the chief

captain to bring him down unto you, as though ye would judge of his case

more exactly: and we, before he comes near, are ready to slay him."

But Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and

entered into the castle, and told Paul. And Paul called unto him one of

the centurions, and said, "Bring this young man unto the chief captain:

for he hath something to tell him."

So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and saith, "Paul

the prisoner called me unto him, and asked me to bring this young man

unto thee, who hath something to say to thee."

And the chief captain took him by the hand, and going aside asked him

privately, "What hast thou to tell me?"

And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask thee to bring down Paul

to-morrow unto the council, as though thou wouldest inquire somewhat

more exactly concerning him. Do not thou therefore yield unto them: for

there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, who have bound

themselves by an oath, neither to eat nor to drink till they have slain

him: and now are they ready, looking for the promise from thee."

So the chief captain let the young man go, charging him, "Tell no man

that thou hast informed me of this."

And he called unto him two of the centurions, and said, "Make ready two

hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and

ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night."

And he bade them provide a beast for Paul to ride on, {447} and bring

him safe unto Felix the governor. And he wrote a letter after this

form:--

"_Claudius Lysias unto the Most Excellent Governor Felix, greeting_:--

"_This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be slain by them,

when I came upon them with the soldiers, and rescued him, having

learned that he was a Roman. And desiring to know why they accused

him, I brought him down unto their council: whom I found to be accused

about questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge

worthy of death or of bonds. And when it was shown to me that there

would be a plot against the man, I sent him to thee forthwith,

charging his accusers also to speak against him before thee_."

So the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by

night to Antipatris. But on the morrow they left the horsemen to go with

him, and returned to the castle: and they, when they came to Caesarea,

and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before

him. And when he had read it, he asked of what province he was; and when

he understood that he was of Cilicia, "I will hear thy cause," said he,

"when thine accusers also are come": and he commanded him to be kept in

Herod's palace.

{448}

THE ACCUSATION OF THE JEWS

_Paul's Defense Before the Governor. Felix Dares Not Offend the Jews,

and an Innocent Man Suffers Two Years' Imprisonment_.

And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain

elders, and a lawyer to plead their case, one Tertullus; and they

informed the governor against Paul. And when he was called, Tertullus

began to accuse him, saying,--

"Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace, and that by thy care evils are

corrected for this nation, we accept it in all ways and in all places,

most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. But, that I be not further

tedious unto thee, I intreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few

words. For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of

insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader

of the sect of the Nazarenes: who moreover attempted to profane the

temple: on whom also we laid hold: from whom thou wilt be able, by

examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things, whereof we

accuse him."

And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that these things were

so.

And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered:--

{449}{450}

[Illustration]

Map of land around the Mediterranean Sea showing Paul's journey.

[End illustration]

{451}

"Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this

nation, I cheerfully make my defense: seeing that thou canst take

knowledge, that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to

worship at Jerusalem: and neither in the temple did they find me

disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues,

nor in the city. Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they

now accuse me. But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which

they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all

things which are according to the law, and which are written in the

prophets: having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for,

that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust. Herein I

also strive to have a conscience void of offense toward God and men

always. Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and

offerings: amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no

crowd, nor yet with tumult: but there were certain Jews from Asia--who

ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had

aught against me. Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing

they found, when I stood before the council, except it be for this one

utterance, that I cried standing among them, 'Touching the resurrection

of the dead I am called in question before you this day.'"

But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred

them, saying, "When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will

determine your matter."

And he gave order to the centurion that Paul should be kept in charge,

and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to

minister unto him.

{452}

But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a

Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ

Jesus. And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the

judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, "Go thy way for

this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto

me."

He hoped moreover that money would be given him by Paul: wherefore also

he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. But when two years

were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to

gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.

VII

A NEW EXAMINATION BEFORE GOVERNOR FESTUS

"_I Appeal unto Caesar_."

Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went

up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal

men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they besought him, asking

as a favor that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to

kill him on the way. Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in

charge at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart thither

shortly. "Let them therefore," said he, "who are influential among you,

go down with me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them

accuse him."

{453}{454}

[Illustration]

"FAIR HAVENS," ISLAND OF CRETE.

From an old print in the possession of the Springfield Public Library,

and used by kind permission.

It was in the small harbor that Paul's ship anchored, and where he

wished the captain to remain all winter. It was in the island of Crete

that the famous labyrinth of King Minos, with its minotaur, was fabled

to exist.

[End illustration]

{455}

And when he had tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he

went down unto Caesarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment seat,

and commanded Paul to be brought. And when he was come, the Jews which

had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him

many and grievous charges, which they could not prove; while Paul said

in his defense, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the

temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all."

But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul, and

said, "Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things

before me?"

But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's judgment seat, where I

ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very

well knowest. If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed anything

worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if none of those things is

true, whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up unto them.

"I Appeal Unto Caesar."

Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council,

answered, "Thou hast appealed unto Caesar: unto Caesar

shalt thou go."

VIII

PAUL MAKES HIS DEFENSE BEFORE KING AGRIPPA AND QUEEN BERNICE.

"_This Man Doeth Nothing Worthy of Death or of Bonds_."

Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived

at Caesarea, and saluted Festus. And {456} as they tarried there many

days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, "There is a

certain man left a prisoner by Felix: about whom, when I was at

Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me,

asking for sentence against him. To whom I answered, 'that it is not the

custom of the Romans to give up any man, before the accused have the

accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense

concerning the matter laid against him.' When therefore they were come

together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat down on the

judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought. Concerning whom,

when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things

as I supposed; but had certain questions against him of their own

religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be

alive. And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things,

asked whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these

matters. But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the

emperor, I commanded him to be kept till I should send him to Caesar."

And Agrippa said unto Festus, "I also could wish to hear the man

myself." "To-morrow," saith he, "thou shalt hear him."

So on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp,

and they were entered into the audience room, with the chief captains,

and the principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was

brought in. And Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all men who are here.

present with us, ye behold this man, about whom all the {457} multitude

of the Jews made suit to me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he

ought not to live any longer. But I found that he had committed nothing

worthy of death: and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined

to send him. Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord.

Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before

thee, King Agrippa, that, after examination, I may have something to

write. For it seemeth to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to

signify the charges against him."

And Agrippa said to Paul, "Thou art permitted to speak for thyself."

Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and made his defense:--

"I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before

thee this day touching all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews:

especially because thou art expert in all customs and questions which

are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. My

manner of life then from my youth up, which was from the beginning among

mine own nation, and at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; having knowledge

of me from the first, if they are willing to testify, how that after the

straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand here

to be judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers;

unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and

day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews,

O king! Why is it judged incredible with you, if {458} God doth raise

the dead? I verily thought myself, that I ought to do many things

contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And this I also did in

Jerusalem: and I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having

received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to

death, I gave my vote against them. And punishing them oftentimes in all

the synagogues, I strove to make them blaspheme; and being exceedingly

mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.

"Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission

of the chief priests, at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from

heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them

that journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I

heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why

persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the goad.' And

I said, 'Who art thou, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom thou

persecutest. But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I

appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the

things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will

appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the

Gentiles, unto whom I send thee, to open their eyes, that they may turn

from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they

may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are

sanctified by faith in me.' Wherefore, O King Agrippa, I was not

disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but declared both to them of

Damascus first, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of

Judaea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to

God, doing works worthy of repentance.

{459}{460}

[Illustration]

THE SHIP OF PAUL WHEN CAUGHT IN THE EUROCLYDON.

From an old print in the possession of the Springfield Public Library,

and used by kind permission.

This picture attempts to show the ship of Paul just as the wind has

changed and threatened disaster. The crew is furling the heavy

mainsail, and the boat, which was afterward taken aboard with great

difficulty, is still being towed behind. Mt. Ida is shown at the left

of the picture. It was soon after this that the ship, being unable to

make the harbor of Phenice, got under the lea of the small island of

Clauda, and the crew was able for a short time to make some

preparations for the terrible experience before them.

[End illustration]

{461}

For this cause the Jews seized me in the temple, and tried to kill me.

Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand unto this

day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the

prophets and Moses have said should come; how that the Christ must

suffer, and how that he first by the resurrection of the dead should

proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles."

And as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul,

thou art mad; thy much learning hath made thee mad."

But Paul said, "I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but speak forth

words of truth and soberness. For the king knoweth of these things, unto

whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things

is hidden from him; for this hath not been done in a corner. King

Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest."

And Agrippa said unto Paul, "With but little persuasion thou wouldest

make me a Christian."

And Paul said, "I would to God, that whether with little or with much,

not thou only, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as

I am, except these bonds."

And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat

with them: and when they had withdrawn, they spoke one to another,

saying, "This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds." And

Agrippa said unto Festus, "This man might have been set at liberty, if

he had not appealed unto Caesar."

{462}

THE CAPTAIN OF THE NEW FAITH IN THE CAPITAL OF THE CAESARS.

PAUL'S VOYAGE TO ROME.

When Paul appealed to Caesar it became necessary to send him to Rome.

It happened that a convoy of prisoners under the charge of a captain

of the Augustan cohort and a detachment of soldiers was being

despatched to the capital, and Paul was sent under the captain's

charge. No ship was found sailing directly from _Caesarea_ to _Rome_,

so a coaster was taken which went as far as _Myra_, touching at

_Sidon_. At Myra was found one of the great imperial grain ships bound

for Italy.

The winds were contrary and the ship was constantly driven off her

course, and at last put into the roadstead of _Fair Havens_ on the

south coast of the island of _Crete_. So much time had been consumed

that the season was now late and navigation dangerous. A council was

held at which Paul, an experienced sailor, advised wintering where

they were. But the demand for grain was always urgent in Rome, and the

grain ships were always rushed on as fast as possible. The centurion

decided to take the chances and proceed, at least as far as _Phoenix_,

which was nearer Italy and a better harbor. On a bright day with a

fair south wind they weighed anchor and sailed west, going close

inshore and barely weathering _Cape Matala_.

{463}{464}

[Illustration]

THE SHIP ON WHICH PAUL SAILED FOR ROME JUST BEFORE THE WRECK.

This very interesting picture is taken from an old book, now long out

of print, "The Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul," by James Smith.

Owned by Miss Mary Medlicott, reference librarian of the Springfield

Public Library, and used by her kind permission.

The picture was carefully drawn to show the exact position of the

ship, and is without doubt very accurate. The ship itself was drawn

from ancient models. Four anchors are out at the stern, the two huge

rudders are raised to escape the smashing of the heavy seas, and the

ropes which undergirded the vessel to prevent leaking are shown. The

sailors have just raised the small foresail preparatory to beaching

the ship. A heavy sea is running and the clouds are dark with rain.

The rocky coast is shown near by.

[End illustration]

{465}

Half way across the _Gulf of Mesura_, the wind suddenly shifted to the

north, and, sweeping down from the snowy summits of the Cretan mountains

which towered seven thousand feet above them, struck the ship with the

force of a typhoon. Instantly it grew dark and the sea was a smother of

foam. The terrified crew had not time to furl the heavy mainsail, and

simply let the ship run with the wind. Very fortunately they had a

little better weather under the lee of the small island of _Clauda_, where

they were able to pull in the small boat, which was dragging behind half

full of water, and get control of the ship. Recovering somewhat from the

panic, the crew began to make the best of a perilous situation. It was

impossible to make any near-by port, and the great danger was that the

northerly gale would blow them upon the deadly _Syrtis_ or quicksands of

the African coast. They shortened sail, and got the ship up into the

wind so that, drifting broadside, she made progress west instead of

south. She was leaking, and they passed strong cables underneath her to

hold the timbers together. The next day she was still leaking badly, so

they lightened her by throwing out some of the cargo. The next day after

that, they cast overboard even the ship's furniture. So they drifted

with little or no food, day after day and night after night, seeing

neither sun nor star, despair growing upon their haggard faces. But Paul

stood up and gave them good cheer, practically assuming command, and

assuring them that every soul should be saved. At last, after drifting

helplessly for fourteen days, at midnight they heard the sound of

breakers on some unknown shore. The {466} sailors sounded and found

twenty fathoms, then again and found fifteen. Then, fearing to be cast

on a rocky shore, they put out four anchors from the stern and waited

for the day. Their situation was still desperate, the rain was falling

in sheets, and in the pauses of the storm they could hear the roar of

the surf. Some of the sailors now attempted to desert the ship. On the

pretense of getting out another anchor by the bow, they let down the

small boat into the sea. Paul discovered the move and warned the

centurion, saying that they must not leave the ship. The centurion

promptly cut the rope which held the boat and it drifted away in the

darkness. Toward morning Paul moved about among the men inspiring them

with courage. He insisted that all hands should take some food, and with

better spirit they further lightened the almost foundering ship by

throwing out some of the grain. When day broke they found themselves at

the entrance of a bay with a sandy shore. They decided then to beach the

ship at once. They cast off the anchors, hoisted the sail, and let her

drive to the shore, where the bow stuck fast in the sand, but the stern

began to break up. The soldiers wished to kill the prisoners, but the

centurion forbade, commanding every man to save himself. Some swam

ashore, some came in on pieces of wreckage, and the whole ship's company

was saved.

They found that they had drifted upon the island of

Malta, a little speck in the Mediterranean, missing which

they must have perished. Here they stayed three months.

Then they sailed on the ship "The Twin Brothers," and,

touching at _Syracuse_ and _Rhegium_, they reached _Puteoli_,

the harbor of entry for _Rome_.

{467}{468}

[Illustration]

MALTA

The island of Malta, on which Paul was shipwrecked, played, in later

days, a most important part in the history of the Mediterranean. It

was occupied by the famous knights of Malta who, for many years, kept

it as a Christian stronghold against the Turks. In 1568 the famous

siege began, which lasted for 20 years, conducted by the great sultan

Solyman in person. He was finally obliged to retreat, defeated with

terrible loss. The island is held at present by England, and has very

extensive fortifications.

[End illustration]

{469}

A WINTER'S STORM ON THE MEDITERRANEAN.

_The Shipwreck_.

And when it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered

Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the

Augustan company. And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was

about to sail to ports on the coast of Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus,

a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. And the next day we touched

at Sidon: and Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him leave to go to

his friends and refresh himself. And putting to sea from thence, we

sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. And

when we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we

came to Myra, a city of Lycia. And there the centurion found a ship of

Alexandria sailing for Italy; and he put us therein. And when we had

sailed slowly many days, and were come with difficulty over against

Cnidus, the wind not further suffering us, we sailed under the lee of

Crete, over against Salmone; and with difficulty coasting along it we

came to a certain place called Fair Havens; nigh whereunto was the city

of Lasea.

And when much time was spent, and the voyage was now dangerous, because

the winter was near, Paul admonished them, and said unto them, "Sirs, I

perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of

the lading and the ship, but also of our lives." But the centurion gave

more heed to the master and to the owner of {470} the ship, than to

those things which were spoken by Paul. And because the haven was not

commodious to winter in, the larger part advised to put to sea from

thence, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there;

which is a haven of Crete, looking northeast and southeast. And when the

south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose,

they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close inshore. But after no

long time there beat down from it a tempestuous wind, which is called

Euraquilo: and when the ship was caught, and could not face the wind, we

gave way to it, and were driven.

And running under the lee of a small island called Clauda, we were able,

with difficulty, to secure the boat: and when they had hoisted it up,

they used ropes, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should be

cast upon the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and so were driven. And as

we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began to throw

the freight overboard; and the third day they cast out with their own

hands the tackling of the ship. And when neither sun nor stars shone

upon us for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we

should be saved was now taken away.

And when they had been long without food, then Paul stood forth in the

midst of them, and said, "Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and

not have set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss. And

now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of life

among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an

angel of the God whose I am, whom also I serve, saying, 'Fear not, Paul;

thou must stand before Caesar: and lo, God hath granted thee all them

that sail with thee.' Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe

God, that it shall be even so as it hath been spoken unto me. Howbeit we

must be cast upon a certain island."

{471}{472}

[Illustration]

I. THE APPIAN WAY, OVER WHICH PAUL TRAVELED TO ROME.

The ruins are those of ancient tombs. In the foreground are stones of

the old Roman pavement.

Owned by Prof. E. J. Brady, Department of Latin, Smith College, and

used by his kind permission.

The "Via Appia," the oldest and most celebrated of Roman roads, was

constructed as far as Capua A. U. C. 442 by the censor, Appius

Claudius. Procopius, writing 800 years later, describes it as broad

enough for two chariots to pass. It was paved with stones brought from

distant quarries and so fitted together as to seem formed by nature.

He says that the road was then in perfect condition.

[End illustration]

{473}

But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven to and fro in

the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors surmised that they were

drawing near to land; and they sounded, and found twenty fathoms: and

after a little space, they sounded again, and found fifteen fathoms. And

fearing lest we should be cast ashore on rocky ground, they let go four

anchors from the stern, and wished for the day. And as the sailors were

seeking to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea,

pretending that they would lay out anchors from the bow, Paul said to

the centurion and to the soldiers, "Except these abide in the ship, ye

cannot be saved."

Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take some

food, saying, "This day is the fourteenth day that ye wait and continue

fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I beseech you to take some

food: for this is for your safety: for there shall not a hair perish

from the head of any of you."

And when he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in

the presence of all: and he broke it, and began to eat. Then were they

all of good cheer, and themselves also took food. And we were in all in

the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. And when they had

eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing {474} out the wheat into

the sea. And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they perceived

a certain bay with a beach, and they took counsel whether they could

drive the ship upon it. And casting off the anchors, they left them in

the sea, at the same time loosing the bands of the rudders; and hoisting

up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. But lighting upon

a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the bow

struck and remained unmovable, but the stern began to break up by the

violence of the waves. And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the

prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. But the

centurion, desiring to save Paul, stayed them from their purpose; and

commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves overboard,

and get first to the land: and the rest, some on planks, and some on

other things from the ship. And so it came to pass, that they all

escaped safe to the land.

III

AT MALTA

_Paul Sails Again for Rome on the Ship "Twin Brothers._"

And when we were escaped, then we knew that the island was called Malta.

And the barbarians showed us uncommon kindness: for they kindled a fire,

and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the

cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on

the fire, a viper came out by reason of the heat, and fastened on his

hand.

{475}{476}

[Illustration]

II. ALONG THE APPIAN WAY, THE GREAT ROMAN AQUEDUCT.

Owned by Prof. E. J. Brady, Department of Latin, Smith College,

and used by his kind permission.

The Appian Way has been called the "Queen of Roads." It was in Paul's

time the crowded approach to the metropolis of the world. Near the city the

road passed under the aqueduct, which was continually dripping water, hence

called by Juvenal "the moist gate".

"Praetors, proconsuls to their provinces

Hasting, or on return in robes of state;

Lictors and rods, the ensigns of their power,

Legions and cohorts, turms of horse and wings;

Or embassies from regions far remote,

In various habits on the Appian Way."

--_Milton's "Paradise Regained"_

[End illustration]

{477}

And when the barbarians saw the reptile hanging from his hand, they said

one to another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath

escaped from the sea, yet Justice hath not suffered to live."

Howbeit he shook off the reptile into the fire, and took no harm. But

they expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly:

but when they were long in expectation, and beheld nothing amiss come to

him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief

man of the island, named Publius; who received us, and entertained us

three days courteously. And it was so, that the father of Publius lay

sick of fever and dysentery: unto whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and

laying his hands on him healed him. And when this was done, the rest

also which had diseases in the island came, and were cured: who also

honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board such

things as we needed.

And after three months we set sail in a ship of Alexandria, which had

wintered in the island, whose sign was "The Twin Brothers." And touching

at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. And from thence we made a

circuit, and arrived at Rhegium: and after one day a south wind sprang

up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli: where we found brethren,

and were intreated to tarry with them seven days: and so we came to

Rome. And from thence the brethren, when they heard of us, came to meet

us as far as The Market of Appius, and The Three Taverns: whom when Paul

saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

{478}

PAUL AT THE CITY ON THE TIBER.

_He Preaches the Gospel in the Capital of the World_.

And when we entered into Rome, Paul was permitted to abide by himself

with the soldier that guarded him.

And it came to pass, that after three days he called together those that

were the chief of the Jews: and when they were come together, he said

unto them, "I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people,

or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem

into the hands of the Romans: who, when they had examined me, desired to

set me at liberty, because there was no cause of death in me. But when

the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not

that I had anything to accuse my nation of. For this cause therefore did

I intreat you to see and to speak with me: for because of the hope of

Israel I am bound with this chain."

And they said unto him, "We neither received letters from Judaea

concerning thee, nor did any of the brethren come hither and report or

speak any harm of thee. But we desire to hear of thee what thou

thinkest: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere

it is spoken against."

{479}{480}

[Illustration]

STATUE OF PAUL ON THE ISLAND OF MALTA.

[End illustration]

{481}

And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging

in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom

of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses

and from the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the

things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. And when they agreed not

among themselves, they departed, after Paul had spoken one word, "Well

spoke the Holy Spirit by Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers, saying,--

'Go thou unto this people, and say,

By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand;

And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:

For this people's heart is waxed gross,

And their ears are dull of hearing,

And their eyes they have closed;

Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes,

And hear with their ears,

And understand with their heart,

And shall turn again,

And I should heal them.'

Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto

the Gentiles: they will also hear."

And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received

all that went in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching

the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none

forbidding him.

{482}

This is the close of the story of Paul as it is given in the Acts, but

half his service for the world, and half the adventures which attended

that service are not told here. We have a glimpse of what the complete

story must have been, in these words of his which might be inscribed

to his honor in the world's temple of fame:--

"Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

Thrice was I beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I

suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep:

in journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers,

in perils from my countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in

perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the

sea, in perils among false brethern; in labor and travail, in

watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold

and nakedness.

To this should be added the great hero's farewell. In prison, aged,

infirm, about to die, he wrote these words, yet they are filled with the

same dauntless spirit of courage and faith which always animated Paul,

the Apostle.

"For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept

the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of

righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me

at that day; and not only to me, but also to all them that have loved

his appearing."

{483}

Notes

{484}

{485}

NOTES

The wise men were perhaps Jews, though it is generally thought that they

belonged to some other people, who looked and longed for a great king

who should free them from the Romans. Many Jews lived in the East, and

had become wise in the arts of astrology. They studied the stars and

thought that in them could be read the signs of things about to happen

on the earth. Indeed, it is not many centuries since, all over Europe,

men thought that a comet foreboded much evil of some sort. So to those

pious men God sent at last the sign for which they had so long waited.

The Bible tells nothing about the men themselves, but the church was so

fond of thinking of them and the honor they paid to the little baby who

should be the Master, that many stories were told of them. Their number

was sometimes given as twelve, but more often as three, until now

perhaps some people almost think that the Bible story says three; but it

does not. The popular stories made them also kings and gave them names,

and told how they represented three great races of the world, European,

Asiatic, and African. But in the Bible they are only wise men with

costly gifts, and they go out into history all unknown.

_John_ tried to get the people to see how they ought to repent and lead

good lives, that God might send the long-expected Messiah. A saying of

the rabbis was, "If Israel should keep the law for one day, the Messiah

would come." The custom of baptism was in use before he took it up. It

signified the desire that God should make the life pure and wash away

the sins of the past.

_The family of the Herods_ were the descendants of a courtier of Idumea,

in the northern part of Arabia. Herod the Great married a princess of

the heroic family of the Maccabees, so that most of the Herods of the

New Testament are partly Jewish in blood. The {486} family of Herod were

very able, but very cruel and selfish, and the people heartily hated

them. It is said that Herod the Great gave orders that when he died a

large number of the chief men should be killed at Jericho that the

people might mourn at his death. Perhaps the poor king was half insane

when he ordered this. Anyway, it was not done.

The following is a table of the Herodian family, but only giving those

mentioned in the New Testament:--

And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in