PHILIP AND THE EUNUCH.
THE FIRST
HEROES OF THE CROSS,
BY BENJAMIN CLARKE,
Editor of "Kind Words," author of " The Lift
of Jesus for Young People,'' etc.
REVISED BY
ATTICUS G. HAYGOOD, D.D.,
Sunday-school Secretary.
THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS.
Nashville, Tenn. :
PUBLISHED BY A. H. REDFORD, Agent,
for the m. e. church, south.
1872.
STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED AT THE SOUTHERN METHODIST PUBLISHING
HOUSE, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.
PREFACE.
rT~*HIS book was first published by the London
Sunday-school Union. The present Editor
believes that it will be as useful and as acceptable
to our teachers and Bible-classes as to those for
whom it was first prepared. The author says, in
his preface to the English edition:
"Bearing in mind that I was writing for the
young, I have endeavored to tell the story of the
apostles' lives, as recorded in The Acts, in such a
manner as to suggest some of the many lessons
which they teach.
"I have not intended to include the Epistles,
except so far as referring to them for throwing
light on certain portions of The Acts. I would
strongly recommend, however, that Paul's Epistles
(5)
6
Preface.
should be read in connection with his residence at
those places from which he wrote, or at those where
the Churches existed which he addressed.
"It will thus be seen how completely the prac¬
tice of the apostle agreed with his precepts; and
many passages in The Acts and in the Epistles will
help to explain one another.
"I trust the work may prove interesting and in¬
structive to young students of the Bible, especially
to those of them who may have commenced in¬
structing others.''
i®h4 IPkm of djrosss.
CHAPTER I.
ON that memorable day, when Jesus led his dis¬
ciples out as far as Bethany, and ascended to
heaven from their midst, they watched his retreat¬
ing form with mingled feelings.
They looked steadfastly toward heaven, worship¬
ing and wondering.
But now that Jesus had ascended, it was no time
for mere contemplation and abstraction; it was
theirs to work.
For years they had been with Jesus, learning the
nature of his kingdom, which was to be set up in
the world, and their duty in regard to it. Often
had they sat at his feet, admiring the wisdom and
the tenderness of the words which fell from his
lips; and, in moments of retirement, they had been
lost in wonder in pondering over all that they had
heard or known of their Divine Master.
(7)
8
The First Heroes of the Cross.
But now, active duties devolved on them: the
mantle of their ascended Lord had fallen on them;
they must take up his work where he left it.
The end for which they had been trained now
appeared; the reason why the Lord chose them as
his companions and taught them with so much care,
striving with such patience against the ignorance
of their minds, and with such forbearance against
the waywardness of their hearts, was now manifest.
The Master had departed, and the disciples must
carry on his work. It was no time for them to be
lost in thought, as they were reminded by two an¬
gels:
"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into
heaven?" said they to the disciples; "this same
Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall
so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into
heaven."
Roused somewhat to a sense of their duty by
these remarks, the disciples wended their way back
across the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem, talking
together of the wonderful past, and, with some mis¬
givings, of the unknown future. Entering the city,
they went up into an upper room—possibly the
one where they had so recently eaten the Last Sup¬
per—for it was not every one who would care to
The First Heroes of the Cross.
9
shelter the disciples of him who had incurred the
murderous hatred of the chief priests and scribes.
Mourning for their departed Lord, and with a dread,
undefined sense of what lay before them, they
unitedly poured out their hearts in prayer to him
who had now ascended up on high, henceforth to
make intercession for his people.
Prayer was thus their first united act; and how
more appropriately could they have commenced
their great work? Here was a band of eleven men,
most of them of humble birth, and none of them
now of any position, to whom was committed the
ministry of the kingdom of heaven.
They had trusted in their Master's power: but
now, he had left them, and they had not as yet re¬
ceived his Spirit.
At the first appearance of danger, they had fled
from his persecutors; and now, the chief priests
and scribes, having destroyed the great Teacher of
the new doctrine, would try and stamp it out among
his followers.
Had the disciples trusted in their own strength,
such thoughts as these would have daunted them;
but they betook themselves to prayer, and relied
on the almighty Father for guidance and support.
Strengthened by the thought that he who was for
io The First Heroes of the Cross.
them was greater than all who could be against them,
they recalled such words of their Lord's, as they re¬
membered, that seemed especially full of comfort
to them now. John would be likely to quote as
much of that memorable last discourse as he was
able, which he has recorded at such length; and
whilst the more timid would point out the trials
that were to assail them, the more hopeful would
dwell on the promised presence and help of their
Master in the midst of them all. Then, the more
energetic and heroic, getting some glimpse of the
honor and glory of their work, would remind one
another that they were to be the "lights of the
world" and the "salt of the earth;" and that he
who had called them to enlighten the world with
their preaching, and to season it with their piety,
would himself enable them to carry out his own
purpose.
The presence of Mary and the other women was
a source of strength and comfort. The disciples
could not soon forget their faithful attachment to
their Lord; they well knew that when all forsook
him and fled they remained near him; they had
not forgotten that these sisters were the last at the
cross and the first at the sepulcher; and their quiet
faith and calm self-possession at this time must have
The First Heroes of the Cross. n
been helpful to the disciples. The thought that
these women were prepared to take up the reproach
of the cross and to cast in their lot with the Lord's
followers, must have moved the heart of any of the
men who might have been ready to despair at the
magnitude of their work.
After this first meeting for prayer broke up, no
farther mention is made of the Lord's mother and
her friends, but they must have often met with the
disciples; and as each recalled some assuring prom¬
ise or loving act of Jesus, we may be sure that these
faithful followers had some tender words to record
which he had addressed to them.
Mary especially would be able to interest them with
reminiscences of his childhood and youth, and of his
more private life; and if, henceforth, she and others
were to have little to do with the active ministry of the
gospel, the example of their strong faith and of their
tender love would never be lost on their brethren.
In that early age, and in all subsequent ages,
women have had more to do with establishing
Christ's kingdom in the world than we are apt to
imagine. Their "quietness and rest" have not
only been their own "strength," but have contrib¬
uted much to the strength of others.
After the first meeting in the upper room, the
12
The First Heroes of the Cross.
disciples were not idle. Though the promised
Spirit was not yet poured out upon them, their
minds were filled with thoughts of their coming
work, which, in some way, they were trying to re¬
alize.
As they remembered the words which Jesus had
spoken to them, before he ascended, " Ye shall re¬
ceive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Je¬
rusalem and in all Judea, and in all Samaria, and
unto the uttermost parts of the earth," some idea
of the vastness of their work must have opened up
to them. Judea they knew something about, and
Samaria they had passed through with their Lord;
but what about the uttermost parts of the earth ?
What were they? How far did the earth extend?
As Jerusalem was filled with Jews and strangers from
foreign lands, we can well imagine the disciples
moving quietly amongst these, gathering what in¬
formation they could; and we can even picture
them with some rude map before them, tracing out
the position of those countries of which they had
heard, as well as the more remote ones, of which
before, perhaps, they had scarcely known the names.
A few days after the ascension, the disciples, to
the number of about one hundred and twenty, again
The First Heroes of the Cross.
13
met; this time, to elect one to take the place of
Judas among the * twelve. Peter introduced the
matter, and, standing up, said:
" Men and brethren, this Scripture must needs
have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the
mouth of David spake before concerning Judas,
who was guide to them that took Jesus. For he
was numbered with us, and had obtained part of
this ministry.
" Now, this man purchased a field with the reward
of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder
in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And
it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem;
insomuch as that field is called, in their proper
tongue, Aceldama; that is to say, The field of blood.
For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his
habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein:
and his bishopric [office] let another take.
"Wherefore, of these men which have companied
with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and
out among us, beginning from the baptism of John,
unto that same day that he was taken up from us,
must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his
resurrection."
Thus, the very first business which the disciples
had to do was to repair the breach made in their
14 The First Heroes of the Cross.
number by the treachery and inconsistency of one
of themselves; and ever since then, there have been
false professors, who have hindered the spread of
religion, and have brought it into disrepute.
The fate of this wretched man—the associate and
companion of Jesus—shows to what depths any
cherished sin may sink a man.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 15
CHAPTER II.
THE disciples having selected two good men,
both of whom they considered qualified to suc¬
ceed to the apostleship in the place of Judas—Barsa-
bas, surnamed Justus, and Matthias—they prayed to
God, who knows the hearts of all men, to direct
them to choose the better. Then, they cast lots,
and the lot falling on Matthias, he was numbered
with the eleven apostles.
It was usual to fix the offices of the priests by lot,
and from very ancient times solemn appeals were thus
made to God to guide men's choice in important
matters. Those who fear God now, and are in
doubt how to act, appeal to him to guide them, but
without casting lots.
It was now ten days since the ascension, and the
day of Pentecost had come.
This was a solemn festival of the Jews, so called
because it was observed on the fiftieth day after the
passover. It was called, too, the feast of the har¬
vest, because it was the time chosen for returning
16 The First Heroes of the Cross.
thanks for the harvest; and also the day of first-
fruits, because the Jews presented to God the first-
fruits, or the new corn, made into loaves. On this
day was commemorated the giving of the law on
Sinai; and, to the Jews, this was a season of so
great importance that no distance was too far to
travel, and no expense too great to incur, in order
to be present at Jerusalem at this time.
The feast was being celebrated by the Jews, as
usual; crowds had come from distant parts of the
earth, as before—though, perhaps, now in unusu¬
ally large numbers; and there was no outward in¬
dication that any thing was about to happen to
distinguish this feast from all others that had pre¬
ceded it.
But there was a new era to be proclaimed; this
fiftieth day from the passover was to commemorate
the shedding of the blood of the Paschal Lamb—
the offering of a sacrifice for the whole world.
This feast of first-fruits was to witness the offering
to the Lord of the harvest, of fruit, the seed of
which Christ himself had sown; and a deliverance
from sin—a worse tyrant than Pharaoh—was now
to be recorded. On this day was to be commem¬
orated with praise the giving of another law—not
from Sinai, but from Calvary; a law, not of cere-
The First Heroes of the Cross.
17
monial observance, costly sacrifice, and priestly
interference, but of forgiveness through Christ, and
of communion with God by his Spirit.
This was not first made known in the temple
to the priests and Levites, who were offering the
sacrifices of the crowds that thronged the sacred
building; but in an upper room, where the few
humble and despised apostles and disciples of Jesus
had met, with one accord, to worship him. Sud¬
denly, they heard "a sound from heaven as of a
rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house
where they were sitting.'' Then, they saw tongues,
as of fire, darting hither and thither, like lightning
in the air, till they seemed to rest over each one of
them; and then, they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost, so that they began to speak "with other
tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."
Rumors of these miraculous powers soon spread
through the city, and Jews from various foreign
lands, who had come up to the feast, hastened to
ascertain if the reports were true.
Jews from Parthia, from Media—descendants of
those who had remained behind in that country
after the return from the captivity—and from Elam,
and all parts of Persia, heard the Persian language
spoken as if by natives of their own land; dwellers
2
18 The First Heroes of the Cross.
from Mesopotamia—that large district lying be¬
tween the Euphrates and Tigris—listened to as pure
Syriac as was ever spoken; Jews from Cappadocia,
and Pontus, and other provinces farther west of
Asia Minor, heard their own dialect—probably a
mixture of Greek and Syriac; those from Phrygia
and Pamphylia, other provinces of Asia Minor
where Greek was spoken, heard their own language;
strangers all the way from Egypt, and from other
parts of Africa, listened, for the first time, to their
own Coptic in the holy city; those from Arabia
gladly detected their own familiar Arabic; and
Jews from Rome were addressed in their polished
Latin.
This was the first preaching of the word; this
was the first outpouring of the Spirit. And the
scene was worthy of the event.
This vast, picturesque crowd, representing by
their language and costume so many countries of
the world, separating itself into distinct nationali¬
ties, each gathering round those disciples who spoke
the language most familiar to them, and hearing
truths of which they had remained in ignorance,
made up a scene such as the world had never before
seen.
Confusion of tongues fell on the men of old as a
The First Heroes of the Cross. 19
punishment for sin; but now, gifts of speech were
conferred on the disciples to proclaim a full pardon
for all sin through the Messiah.
Well may the Jews have marveled when they
heard these Galileans—these men of proverbially
rough, unpolished manners and corrupt Syrian dia¬
lect—speaking fluently in seven or eight difficult
languages, and some dialects of these even still
more difficult. Some of the hearers were struck
with awe, but others, who were ever ready to solve
the mysterious by their own shallow surmisings,
mocked and said that drunkenness accounted for
this wonderful facility of speech in unknown
tongues.
Then Peter, lifting up his voice, indignant at the
charge, and desiring to reach as many as could pos¬
sibly hear him, addressed them. As they were all
Jews, he spoke to them as such. He showed them
that their very traditions applied the prophecy of
Joel, which he quoted (Joel ii. 28, 29), to the out¬
pouring of the Spirit which should take place in the
days of the Messiah, and then charged them with
crucifying him in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.
But though they had slain him, death could not
hold him; for he had risen, as David, their own
king, had foretold—as they themselves had wit-
2o The First Heroes of the Cross.
nessed; and in proof of which, he had that day-
poured out his Spirit upon them, as they had both
seen and heard. He then solemnly warned them
that "God had made that same Jesus, whom ye
have crucified, both Lord and Christ."
When Peter had finished, a deep impression was
made on the crowds who heard him. Their con¬
sciences were aroused—their hearts were touched;
they felt that they had rejected this Jesus, and in
their anxiety they said to Peter and the rest of the
apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and be bap¬
tized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ,
for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto
you, and to your children, and to all that are afar
off, even as many as the Lord our God shall.call."
Convinced of sin, they gladly received the mes¬
sage of mercy and forgiveness, "and the same day
there were added unto them about three thousand
souls.'' The new converts—these first-fruits of the
gospel—continued with the apostles both in worship
and in social intercourse, witnesses of the. many
signs and wonders which were wrought.
Those that had possessions sold them, and gave
the proceeds to a common fund from which all were
The First Heroes of the Cross.
21
supported; for many would now be deprived of the
hospitality and bounty of their former friends.
Thus did these first Christians live together in all
simplicity and love; praising God with their lips
for their newly found jo-y, and by their lives, in
commending their Christianity to those who ob¬
served them; so that fresh additions to the Church
were daily made.
In this wonderful manner did God ordain that
the gospel should be first preached. Selecting a
time when Jerusalem was filled with Jews from other
lands, the gospel message would be taken by them
to their countrymen, and thus would the way be
prepared for its preaching unto the ends of the
earth.
The apostles would avail themselves of their con¬
tact with these strangers to obtain important and
interesting information about those lands which
should afterward be visited by missionaries of the
cross. The command given to them to go to the
uttermost part of the earth was a proof of the
boundlessness of God's grace; and the direction
to begin at Jerusalem convinced them of his tender
forgiveness.
Jerusalem had had the blessed privilege of our
Lord's ministry, but it had rejected it, and crucified
z 2 The First Heroes of the Cross.
him; and now, he would show that he is ready to
forgive the greatest sinners.
The apostles, therefore, must offer the gospel to
all the Jews in the city.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
23
CHAPTER III.
ONE day, as Peter and John were going up to
the afternoon service of the temple, which
took place at three o'clock, they noticed a lame
man, a beggar, whom his friends brought every day
and placed in a position convenient to ask alms
from those who entered the temple.
It was customary in the East for beggars thus to
congregate around places of worship, as men's
hearts would be more disposed to show mercy
when on their way to seek favor from the God of
mercy.
For many long years had this beggar taken up his
position, for he had been lame from his birth, and
was now forty years old. A miserable object any¬
where, he must have looked most abject, huddled
up under the Beautiful Gate. His dirty rags must
have been a sad contrast to the gleaming Corinthian
brass of which the gate was made, and to the bright
golden leaves with which it was overlaid; whilst his
crouched up form must have looked insignificant
24 The First Heroes of the Cross.
indeed beside that noble gate, towering above him
to the height of seventy-five feet.
As Peter and John were entering the temple, the
beggar accosted them, as he had often done others.
But with how different a result!
Both stopped and fastened their eyes upon him,
and Peter said, " Look on us." Then the beggar,
The First Heroes of the Cross.
25
with no other expectation than the gift of a few
coins, did as he was directed; and Peter said to
him, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I
have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth, rise up and walk."
Poor man! he had gone for years up to God's
house, with no other desires than worldly ones; but
now, he is to get that which he never sought: and
so many since, like him, have gone with no higher
motives, but have been met with the message of
mercy, and have learned to use the temple aright.
To encourage the beggar, and to help him to
make the effort to rise, Peter took him by the right
hand and lifted him up, and as he did so, his feet
and ankles, which had hitherto been powerless,
were made strong. Filled with a new strength, and
with an indescribable joy, the beggar leaped about
as a hart; then, somewhat sobered, he tried to walk
as others, and found that he was able; and then,
with grateful gladness, he accompanied Peter and
John into the temple, though too full of joy to re¬
strain himself from showing it by leaping about.
His voice, too, acquired new power; accustomed
only to whine for alms, it now rang with notes of
praise, so that the attention of those who were in
the temple was directed to him. When the truth
26
The First Heroes of the Cross.
flashed across their minds that this was no other
than the lame beggar, they were fairly staggered;
but when, on closer examination, they were satisfied
of his identity, and that the place he occupied for
years was now vacant, their wonder knew no bounds.
Soon the news of the cure spread, and as the beg¬
gar seemed indisposed to part company with Peter
and John, a great number of people gathered to¬
gether. They were now in Solomon's Porch—a
covered walk on the east side of the temple, about
twenty feet wide, paved with marble of varied colors,
roofed with costly cedar, and supported by pillars
of solid marble. There were double rows of these
walks on the three sides of the temple, whilst on
the south there were three rows. Cool, and shel¬
tered alike from the heat and storm, these walks
were much used. And now, on the supposed site
of Solomon's temple, were the Jews to hear of a
greater than Solomon.
Taking occasion of the wondering crowd before
him—and for this had God brought them together
—Peter began to address them. With becoming
modesty, he disclaimed any power or holiness of his
own in the cure of the lame man, and attributed it
to the God of their fathers having glorified Jesus,
whom they had crucified.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 27
That name which they had reviled was the name,
through faith in which the lame man had been made
strong. Peter then called on them to repent and
be converted, urging that Moses had declared that
"a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto
you of your brethren, like unto me," and showing
that all the prophets since the time of Samuel had
foretold those days which were now come to pass.
Though they had put Jesus to death, now that
he had ascended to heaven—of which event they,
the apostles, had been witnesses—God had sent him
to bless them by exhorting them to turn from their
sins, and by assuring them of his pardon.
As this was the first miracle wrought by the hands
of the apostles, it will be well to notice that it was
in the name of Jesus of Nazareth that they bade
the lame man to walk. Jesus himself had per¬
formed his miracles through his own power; but
the apostles here, as Moses and the prophets of old,
proceeded only by divine power, given them for
the purpose.
The consequences of this miracle were great.
The hearts of the apostles themselves were much
strengthened when they found the Spirit so much
with them, fulfilling so entirely the gracious prom¬
ises of their Lord ; and the disciples generally must
28
The First Heroes of the Cross.
have been cheered at seeing that the mantle of the
Saviour had fallen so manifestly on the apostles, as
he had promised.
The Sanhedrim, too, were greatly moved, but in
another direction.
Whilst the crowd were listening to the preach¬
ing of Peter, members of the Sanhedrim, who had
heard of the miracle, and now saw how eagerly the
people gathered round the apostles, thought it was
high time to put a stop to these things. The priests
could ill bear to be held up to the people as the mur¬
derers of Jesus; while the Sadducees, who denied
the resurrection of the dead, were greatly incensed
to find this doctrine so boldly proclaimed and so
generally accepted. They saw in the spread of
that truth the undermining of their influence as a
sect. Up to this time, they had been increasing in
numbers and importance: they had been able to
hold their own in scholarly arguments with other
sects; but there was that about the preaching of the
apostles that they could not withstand. It was only
a selfish dread of loss of authority that made them
grieved at the preaching of the apostles; for, surely,
there was nothing to cause grief in the truths the
apostles taught. On the contrary, there was much
to rejoice over. The Sadducees said there was no
The First Heroes of the Cross.
2 9
future world; but this brought no comfort to those
poor creatures whose lot in life was unfortunate and
wretched. Why, then, had they been born? they
might well ask.
The Sadducees said there was no resurrection.
What hope could they have in the prospect of
death ? What comfort in saying farewell to a loved
one who was dying, if there was to be no meeting
beyond the grave? Nay: why were our hearts
made of such tender fibers, if death was forever to
quench our affections?
These and many other such thoughts would come
surging through the mind, as the people contrasted
the Sadducees' cold, hopeless doctrine of despair
with the blissful and cheering truth that this world
was not the only one, nor the better one; that there
was another, where happiness and love reigned for¬
ever.
No wonder, then, that the people listened eagerly
to the preaching of Peter, and readily believed
what he taught.
Under subjection to the Roman yoke, on one
hand, and oppressed, on the other, by the require¬
ments of a ceremonial law, enforced by a set of
priests who showed no sympathy in their office, and
would not ease the burden by so much as a little
3°
The First Heroes of the Cross.
finger, the people welcomed this new teaching
which made them subjects of a more loving Sover¬
eign than Cesar, and brought them into relationship
with a more merciful High-priest than any that had
presided over their Sanhedrim.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
31
CHAPTER IV.
NO wonder, then, that many, as they listened
to the apostles, believed, until their number
amounted to at least five thousand; and no wonder,
also, that the Sanhedrim, jealous of their authority
and influence, should determine to silence these
popular preachers.
They had no difficulty in persuading the captain
of the guard of soldiers (which was kept stationed
in the Antonia Tower, to be ready in case of any
religious or political outbreak) that the assembling
of such crowds of people, listening to a new teach¬
ing which was highly subversive of authority, would
be likely to lead to a breach of the peace. Ac¬
cordingly, at the instance of the Sanhedrim, the
apostles were arrested and detained, possibly within
the tower of Antonia.
It was now eventide; and, as this was the first
imprisonment to which any of them had been sub¬
jected, some alarm was naturally felt by the believers
as to the fate of the apostles. Peter and John,
32
The First Heroes of the Cross.
however, had no fear: they experienced the truth
of the promise, "at evening time it shall be light;"
and, though under confinement, they passed a far
less anxious night than those who had given orders
for their imprisonment. It was one thing to give
an order, and another to justify it before the coun¬
cil ; it was easy enough to put them in prison, but
not so easy to prove that they were deserving of
arrest.
Next morning, the council, or Sanhedrim, assem¬
bled. Besides the ordinary members, there was
present Annas, who, though not then high-priest,
retained the -title, as he had held office for many
years. Five of his sons, and some of his sons-in-
law, were at one time and another high-priests, so
that, although Annas was now deposed by an order
from Rome, he still possessed considerable influence.
Caiaphas, the high-priest of the year; John, a cele¬
brated rabban, or doctor;* and Alexander, an
Egyptian Jew of much influence, were present at
the council.
Having had Peter and John set before them, they
asked them, "By what power, or by what name,
have ye done this ?''
* His name is found in the Talmud.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 33
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, replied,
"Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel! if
we this day be examined of the good deed done to
the impotent man, by what means he is made whole:
be it known unto you all, and to all the people of
Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Naza¬
reth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the
dead, even by him doth this man stand here before
you whole. This is the stone which was set at
naught of you builders, which is become the head
of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any
other: for there is none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby we must be saved."
Thus did Peter not only justify what they had
done, but declared that unless the council believed
in the same Jesus whom they had hitherto rejected,
there was no salvation for them. Such bold speak¬
ing astonished the elders: they had had many
offenders before them at various times, but none
had ever addressed them in that manner. It was
not amy great power of intellect or of eloquence
that enabled Peter thus to speak, for they saw he
was unlearned and unused to speaking. Some of
the council remembered seeing Peter and John with
Jesus, and they would call to mind some of the
miracles he had wrought. They remembered that
3
34
The First Heroes of the Cross.
the subjects of his healing power remained in their
own neighborhood, so that no objection, on the
ground of insufficient identity or of imposture,
could be urged; and here, standing by, was the im¬
potent man, whom they had known by sight for so
many years. They could not gainsay the fact that
a miracle had been wrought; and, deeply read as
many of the elders were in the history of their race,
they could call to mind no instance in which any
impostors or false prophets had had the gift of mi¬
raculous healing.
Causing Peter and John to retire, the council
conferred among themselves as to the best course to
take; for not only were the two most concerned in¬
terested in their decision, but the Jews generally,
who had listened to Peter preaching, or who had
heard of the miracle, were waiting to hear their de¬
cision.
Their credit was at stake, and therefore they
could not deny that a miracle had been wrought,
for that fact was testified by thousands of witnesses.
Instead, however, of investigating that truth which
had been so divinely and miraculously attested, they
thought to silence it altogether; and when Peter
and John were again admitted, they " charged them
not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus."
The First Heroes of the Cross.
35
This, then, was the result of their conference !
A weaker appearance no council ever presented
than the Sanhedrim, when they announced their
decision. They did not attempt to dispute what
the apostles said, nor did they assign any reason for
their judgment.
Apart from any teaching, or from any greater
good, surely it was an advantage to have some one
in the city who, from a love of humanity, would re¬
lieve some of the pitiable objects that obtruded
themselves on' the public notice. But no! beggars
might grovel in their poverty and infirmities, so long
as the power and influence of the council remained
unaffected. Men who could be thus blind to all but
selfish considerations were ripening for that destruc¬
tion which our Lord foretold would come upon them.
One can almost fancy a smile of derision passing
over the face of Peter as he listened to their charge.
Both Peter and John at once declared that they
must hearken unto the voice of God rather than of
man, and that they should continue to speak of the
things which they had seen and heard.
Then the council, looking very ominously and
solemnly at the apostles, threatened them with dire
consequences, if they should continue to preach;
and that was all they could do. They could not
36
The First Heroes of the Cross.
punish them in any way, for they had done nothing
worthy of punishment; • and they knew, moreover,
that the people were praising God for that which
the apostles had done.
As soon as Peter and John were released, they
went to their friends, who were waiting anxiously
the result of their examination by the Sanhedrim.
Minutely did the apostles describe what had taken
place. John would not fail to tell how boldly Peter
had addressed the council, and both would exult-
ingly narrate how completely the charges against
them had broken down.
When the disciples heard this good news, they
returned thanks to God, who had not allowed his
enemies to triumph; and they prayed that increas¬
ing boldness of speech, and power to work miracles,
might be granted unto the apostles.
Undeterred by the persecution that already had
troubled them, and undismayed by what might await
them, the apostles desired grace to continue in their
work, and not to be withdrawn from it. They fore¬
saw trial and danger, but if God was with them they
could go cheerfully forward. Then, as an earnest
that he had heard them, the place where they were
assembled was shaken, and their hearts were filled
with the Holy Ghost.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
37
Animated by one spirit, the whole company of
believers had but one desire, and that was to live
for Him who had called them into His kingdom, and
to His work. They had common aims in this world
and common hopes for the next; and, that the tem¬
poral wants of all might be supplied, they gave their
money to one common fund. Bound to one an¬
other by sympathy and love, and to their Lord by
grateful remembrance of what he had done for them,
they cheerfully gave up for his service all that he
had given them. Rich men had become possessed
of eternal wealth, and they readily parted with all
their worldly gains; owners of houses and land,
who had become heirs of an eternal inheritance,
sold their possessions and handed the proceeds to
the apostles; and it may be safely said that those
who gave the most derived the greatest happiness
from their gifts. They lived in an atmosphere of
love, from which they sought to banish selfishness.
There was no Judas among them now, and he who
kept the purse cast no longing eye on the money as
it was brought in, nor as it was paid out.
Great as was the liberality of those who contrib¬
uted, the claims on the funds were also great. The
apostles, who had now quite given up their worldly
occupations for the sake of preaching, must, of
38
The First Heroes of the Cross.
course, be supported. Then some, who had em¬
braced the gospel, would find their old friends
forsaking them, and their means of existence gone;
whilst others, who had come to Jerusalem from a
distance, and had become converted through the
preaching of the apostles, would wish to throw in
their lot with the Lord's people, rather than return
to their own land, where the name of Jesus was not
known.
We may be sure that those who could work did
so; for they were filled with the Spirit of God,
which never encourages idleness. The necessities
of all were met, and distribution was made unto
every man according to his need. This goodly
band of believers, existing from the supplies of a
common fund, to which all had contributed as much
as they possessed, was a great proof of the power of
the love of God over men's hearts. They might
have all been kept alive by a miraculous supply of
food, but it was evidence of a greater miracle that so
many should part with that which men hold so dear.
Though we are not now called on to act as these
early Christians did, we must admire their devotion;
and it is our duty now so to yield ourselves to the
service of God as to offer to him whatever talents or
gifts he may have bestowed upon us.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
39
Among those who sold their possessions was Joses,
surnamed by the apostles Barnabas, which meant
"The Son of Consolation," or of "Exhortation,"
as some prefer to translate it. Either term would
be appropriate, for he was a cheerful, hopeful Chris¬
tian, and one gifted with the power of speech, as
we shall see hereafter, when we find him as the col¬
league and companion of Paul.
Barnabas was a native of Cyprus (an island in the
Mediterranean), and a Levite: so that he had been
brought up in the service of the temple. He had
embraced Christianity, and had made up his mind
to continue with the disciples; so he sold the land
of which he was possessed, and unreservedly gave
the money to the apostles.
4o The First Heroes of the Cross.
CHAPTER V.
WOULD that all had acted as sincerely as Bar¬
nabas ! A certain man, Ananias, and his
wife, Sapphira, sold some of their property, and
keeping back part of the price of it, brought the
remainder to the apostles, and pretended it was all
they had received. Now, there was no law to com¬
pel any one to sell his property to increase the
common fund; nay, the free way in which the peo¬
ple acted made the gifts all the more acceptable,
and their conduct all the more admirable.
This man and his wife wanted to have the credit
for being as liberal as the rest, without exercising
the self-denial which the others had shown. Cov-
etousness in their hearts led to hypocrisy and deceit
in their acts; and having committed themselves to
this mean and despicable course, they determined
to continue it. Peter was enabled to read the heart
of Ananias, and he asked him why he had thus
acted. By pretending that he had brought the
whole of the money that he had received, Ananias
The First Heroes of the Cross. 41
tempted the Holy Spirit, under whose guidance the
apostle was acting. Ananias had therefore lied,
not so much unto men as unto God; and it was
necessary to show that he could not be deceived.
42
The First Heroes of the Cross.
When Ananias heard Peter's words, he fell down
dead; and this very solemn event filled "the minds
of all who heard of it with fear.
The young men who were present wound up the
body in the clothes it had worn, and buried it.
About three hours afterward, Sapphira, not know¬
ing the fate of hef* wretched husband, came before
Peter. To ascertain whether she had concurred in
her husband's guilt, he asked her if they had sold
their land for the sum which they had paid in; and
she unhesitatingly replied, "Yes."
Then Peter—actuated, doubtless, by a divine im¬
pulse—said to 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 shall carry thee out."
The unhappy woman had no time to feel the
shock of the news thus imparted, for she at once
fell down dead; and the young men who had buried
her husband took her out and laid her beside him.
They were partners irf guilt whilst living, "and in
their death they were not divided."
This solemn judgment brought fear on the Church,
as it led them to see how truthful and sincere it be¬
hooved them to be; and also on those who had not
joined the Church, as they could not but perceive
The First Heroes of the Cross.
43
that God, in destroying these people, had confirmed
the truth of the apostles' doctrine.
From a community separated from the world,
and which was to regenerate it, every element of
deceit and hypocrisy must be expelled: and there¬
fore had God spoken in this loud voice of solemn
warning.
Large numbers now flocked wherever the apostles
preached; and not only did they tell of the mercy
of God, but they also gave evidence of it by heal¬
ing those who were in any way diseased or afflicted.
Persons who were not able rightly to understand the
matters in dispute between the Sanhedrim and the
apostles could not but see that great good was being
done; whilst the more thoughtful of them were
obliged to confess that God, who alone could work
miracles, was confirming and owning all that his
servants did in his name.
Country people, who came into Jerusalem either
to attend the temple services or on business, saw and
heard what was being done, and hurried back to tell
their afflicted friends that relief was possible for
them. Accordingly, through all the gates that led
into the city, might be seen companies of persons
bringing in their sick and diseased friends. Such
a stream of human misery had never flowed into the
44
The First Heroes of the Cross.
city before. The halt and the maimed, mustering
all their strength, hobbled on; those possessed of
evil spirits were led, in charge of those who loved
them; bedridden ones who had long been given up
as incurables; palsied ones who had lost the use of
their limbs; those whom disease and acute suffering
had deprived of all strength, were carried along on
their beds by sympathizing friends—all animated,
from the reports they had heard, by a hope that
there was relief for them.
No wonder, then, that many believed in what the
apostles taught. Those who were healed, with their
friends, and those who crowded the streets when
the miracles were wrought, made up a vast number.
The opposition of their enemies was raised, espe¬
cially among the Sadducees, and they had the apos¬
tles arrested and confined in the common prison.
But vain is the opposition of man, however pow¬
erful, against the will of God.
At night, the angel of the Lord opened the prison
doors, and commanded them to go to the temple
and preach the word of eternal life. Early in the
morning, they obeyed the divine message.
Meanwhile, the council had assembled, to deter¬
mine how they were to put down these men who
opposed them so successfully. They sent their offi-
The First Heroes of the Cross.
45
cers to bring the offenders before them; whilst they
waited, looking as solemn and imposing as they
could. At length, the officers returned with the as¬
tounding intelligence that they found the prison
safely secured and duly in charge of the keepers;
but when they entered, the prison was empty.
Here was a blow to their pride and dignity! How
humiliating for these important persons to be so de¬
ceived and trifled with!
Before they had recovered from their mortifica¬
tion, a messenger came to them, saying that those
whom they had imprisoned were in the temple,
teaching the people.
Full of wrath, they sent and had them brought
before them; but they were careful to direct that
no violence should be used toward them, as they
feared the people, who were now so well disposed
toward the apostles that they might have stoned any
that used them roughly in the streets. When the
council had their prisoners before them, the high-
priest, in mingled tones of anger and sarcasm, said,
"Did not we straitly command you that ye should
not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled
Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring
this man's blood upon us." The council had soon
forgotten how, when clamoring for the death of Je-
46
The First Heroes of the Cross.
sus, they had been willing to take upon themselves
the guilt of shedding his blood.
Peter, not caring to notice the contemptuous way
in which the high-priest had spoken of Jesus, re¬
plied, "We ought to obey God rather than men.
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye
slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted
with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour,
for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of
sins. And we are his witnesses of these things;
and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath
given to them that obey him.'' In this short, con¬
cise manner did Peter defend his fellow-apostles,
preach the gospel, and charge the council with the
death of Jesus. The effect on their minds was very
great. They were so exasperated with the apostles
that they began to consult about slaying them.
But there was one of the Sanhedrim less hasty
and far wiser than his colleagues: his name was
Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, a grandson of the
celebrated Hillel, who had been president of the
council. This man was a Pharisee, and so well
versed was he in all that related to the Jewish law
and teaching that he was the second to whom the
name of " Rabban " was given—a title of the high¬
est eminence among the doctors. So great an in-
The First Heroes of the Cross.
47
fluence did Gamaliel wield in the council and among
the Jews, that when he died, in the year A.D. 52, he
was honored with a public funeral; and it was said
afterward of him, that " from the time Rabban Ga¬
maliel died, the honor of the law failed, and purity
and Pharisaism died."
Gamaliel rose in his place, and having had the
apostles removed to some distance, he urged the
council to be very careful what they did to these
men. He instanced the case of two impostors,
Theudas and Judas of Galilee, who had set up some
pretensions, but had come to a miserable end, with
all their followers; and he advised that the apostles
should be let alone: for if they, too, were impostors,
they would come to naught; but if God was with
them, it was useless to oppose them, as to do so
would be fighting against God.
This wise counsel prevailed: the members all
agreed with Gamaliel; but, wishing to save their
credit and to show their authority, they had the
apostles beaten, and then dismissed them, com¬
manding them not to speak in the name of Jesus.
The apostles left the council, and instead of feel¬
ing resentful at the treatment they had received,
they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer
shame for his name.
48 The First Heroes of the Cross.
It was the first time any of them had been beaten;
but any indignity or pain they might have felt was
solaced by the remembrance of their Master's words:
"Blessed are they which are persecuted for right¬
eousness' sake."
So far from obeying the council, the apostles be¬
came more indefatigable than ever; for not only
did they daily preach in the temple, but they went
from house to house', wherever little knots of be¬
lievers were gathered together, confirming their
faith, and telling them more about Jesus, in whom
they now trusted.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
49
CHAPTER VI.
BUT it was not all peace and harmony among
the believers. Their number had now so mul¬
tiplied that it was a work of some considerable dif¬
ficulty so to proportion the amount awarded from
the common fund that there should be no discon¬
tent nor complaint; and especially was this the case
among the Jews, who had so many grounds of jeal¬
ousy against one another. The Jews of Jerusalem
would think themselves superior to Jews born in
other lands, and these foreign Jews would be ready
to assign motives of jealousy for any thing that
seemed to operate against them. Thus it was that
a dispute arose among the Grecian Jews, or Hellen¬
ists, because they thought that their widows were
not so well cared for as were those of the Hebrews.
The apostles had already felt this burden too great
for them, and now they called the disciples gener¬
ally together, and said it was not reasonable that
their time should be occupied in administering the
funds out of which they were all supported, and in
4
5°
The First Heroes of the Cross.
settling questions or complaints arising therefrom.
They told them to choose from among themselves
seven men, well known for their wisdom and hon¬
esty, and, moreover, full of the Holy Ghost, who
should look after this business, whilst they, the apos¬
tles, freed from this responsibility, would be better
able to give themselves to meditation and prayer,
and thus be more fitted for preaching the word.
This advice commended itself to the whole mul¬
titude, and they chose as deacons, Stephen, Philip,
Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas
—all men of Grecian names, thus showing the Hel¬
lenists that there was every wish, on the part of the
apostles, to treat them fairly. The apostles ratified
their choice, and, praying for all needful grace for
these new officers, they laid their hands on them,
and set them apart for their work.
The wisdom of this step was soon apparent, for
the number of disciples still farther increased.
Many even of the priests, renouncing their preju¬
dices and Judaism, embraced Christianity.
Little is known of any of these deacons, except
two: Philip, who was also an evangelist, and Ste¬
phen, who soon drew down upon himself the wrath
of his enemies. A man of deep piety and great
natural energy, Stephen soon distinguished himself
The First Heroes of the Cross. 51
by the miracles which he wrought: and not only
so, but he was most zealous in defending the faith
against any who attacked it. The foreign Jews,
who came to Jerusalem to the various feasts, had
synagogues of their own, where they met with their
own countrymen. There were many such, the mem¬
bers of separate synagogues, and just now some of
them took a very active part in opposing Stephen.
These were some of the Libertines,* or freedmen
of Italy; of the Cyrenians and Alexandrians, from
Africa; and of, those from Cilicia and other parts
of Asia. The whole of them, however, proved no
match for Stephen, who spoke with a wisdom and
power which they could not resist. Then, as they
could not prevail against him by fair argument, they
resorted to artifice and lies, and induced men to
* " The most probable opinion, and that which is now gen¬
erally entertained, is," says Kitto, " that the Libertini were
Jews, whom the Eomans had taken in war and conveyed to
Rome, but afterwards freed; and that this synagogue had
been built at their expense." Conybeare and Howson say,
"the first Jews came to Rome to decorate a triumph; but
they were soon set free from captivity, and gave the name
to the 'Synagogue of the Libertines' in Jerusalem. They
owed to Julius Cesar those privileges in the Western Capital
which they had obtained from Alexander in the Eastern.
They became influential, and made proselytes."
52 The First Heroes of the Cross.
swear that they had heard him use blasphemous
words against Moses and against God. Of course
the Sanhedrim were quite ready to take up any
charge against any of the Christians: so there was
no difficulty in getting Stephen arrested and brought
before them. False witnesses appeared who swore
that Stephen had said that Jesus would do away
with the customs of Moses, and destroy the temple.
The high-priest asked Stephen if these charges
were true; but, before he began his reply, the coun¬
cil were struck with his appearance, for his face
looked like that of an angel.
In rapt attention they listened whilst Stephen
made his defense.
He began with the early history of their race:
showing how that their father Abraham and his de¬
scendants had no possession in the land which was
promised to his seed after him; that Joseph was an
exile in Egypt; that Moses, their great lawgiver,
who led the Jews through the wilderness, had fore¬
told the coming of Jesus when he said, "A Prophet
shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your
brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear."
He showed them that all their history pointed to
Christ; that the law did not keep their fathers from
idolatry; and then, referring to the immediate
The First Herges of the Cross. 53
charge against himself, he reminded them that the
tabernacle of the wilderness, and the temple which
Solomon built, were but types of that vast spiritual
temple which Christ should rear, and which their
own prophet Isaiah foresaw, when God said unto
him, "Heaven is my throne-, and earth is my foot¬
stool."
Up to this point, the council listened with inte¬
rest, and even satisfaction; for Stephen had been
recounting their history as God's chosen people, of
which they were never tired of hearing; but when
he told them that the Messiah had come for the
whole world, and that, consequently, henceforth
their exclusive privileges would cease, they mani¬
fested signs of impatience and opposition.
Then Stephen, full of the Divine Spirit, abruptly
breaking away from his narrative, administered a
terribly severe, yet proper, rebuke. He told them
they were stiff-necked and willfully obstinate; that
they had ever resisted the Holy Ghost; that, like
their fathers, who had persecuted the prophets, they
had put to death the Just One, whom they should
have welcomed as the long-looked-for Messiah; and
that they who had received- the law, and were sup¬
posed to be its highest exponents, had failed to
keep it.
54
The First Heroes of the Cross.
This was more than they could bear. To have
such heinous guilt brought home to them by one
who was their prisoner, filled them with such fury
that, forgetting their dignity as judges, and their
reputation as wise and pious men, they gnashed on
him with their teeth, and looked the fierce things
which their passion prevented them from expressing.
What a contrast did Stephen present! Unmoved
by the rage and hate of his enemies, he looked up
steadfastly to heaven, where he was so soon to enter,
and saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
waiting to receive him. Filled with ecstasy at the
glorious vision, he exclaimed, "Behold! I see the
heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on
the right hand of God."
This was enough: the charge of blasphemy was
fully established. They shrieked at him, and, stop¬
ping their ears, ran upon him, and hurried him out
of the city to stone him.
It is -hard to believe that such could have been
the conduct of the great Jewish Sanhedrim—so
despicable, so unjust, so impetuous.
It is not clear* whether the Sanhedrim had at this
* Most critics think that they were deprived of this power
before this time; but Dean Milman, who has gone deeply
into this subject, says that the position and influence of the
The First Heroes of the Cross.
55
time the power of putting any one to death; but,
at any rate, when it suited their purpose, they had,
only a short time before, denied their right, when
they told Pilate, "It is not lawful for us to put any
man to death."
Now, they forgot this. They thought not of jus¬
tice or right; but, true to their nature of observing
small ceremonial laws, whilst they violated great
moral ones, they remembered it was not lawful to
stone any one within the city: so they hurried Ste¬
phen beyond it.*
Sanhedrim were at this time undefined, and that probably
there was some confusion on the question of their right to
inflict death.
* Two spots are pointed out as the scene of Stephen's death:
one, to the north of the city, through the Damascus gate; the
other, through the gate, now called St. Stephen's, to a place
near the brook Kedron, over against the garden of Gethsem-
ane.—Conybeare and Howson.
56
The First Heroes of the Cross.
CHAPTER VII.
CHOSEN witnesses, according to Jewish law,
were appointed to throw the first stone at the
victim. They laid down their outer garments at
the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul, and
then discharged at the devoted Stephen their mur¬
derous missiles, the council gladly assisting in the
deadly work. Undismayed by the thought of his
approaching death, and undisturbed in soul by the
pains which shot through his poor, suffering body
—as one stone after another came upon him, crush¬
ing bone after bone, opening fresh wounds, from
which his life's blood ebbed away, and laying bare
each quivering nerve—this holy man, supported by
the same Spirit in death that had enabled him to be
so faithful a witness in life, called upon God, saying,
"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then, feeling
that a few more blows would end his sufferings, and
remembering how his Master, with whom he would
so shortly be, forgave his enemies, he knelt down
and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin
The First Heroes of the Cross.
57
to their charge." It was all he could say—his
strength was exhausted. Then, as though no pain
racked his bruised and bleeding form, and as peace¬
fully as though he were lying down to rest after a
hard day's toil, he sweetly fell asleep.
Devout men came, and taking up the mangled
form of the first Christian martyr, buried it with
great lamentation.
The persecution of the Christians now began in
real earnest. Just as some wild animals are urged
on to greater fury when blood is once shed, so the
Jews seemed to be driven to a frenzy of persecuting
hatred after the death of Stephen.
Foremost among the persecutors was the young
man Saul, who had consented with delight* to his
death, and who now, savage as a wild beast,f in¬
vaded the sanctity of homes, and, without any for¬
mal charge, bore off to prison unoffending men and
women.
The believers fled before such terrible persecu¬
tions, except the apostles, who still remained at
Jerusalem, for God had a work for them yet to do
there, and he would protect them until it was ac¬
complished.
* So the word in the original signifies : Acts viii. 1.
f " Made havoc " implies ravaging as a wild beast.
58
The First Heroes of the Cross.
Little did Saul or any of the council suppose that
their efforts to stamp out Christianity would be the
very means designed by God for its furtherance.
Yet, so it was: for the disciples, fleeing in every di¬
rection, carried with them the gospel, and preached
it wherever they went.
Philip, the deacon, went down into Samaria, to
the capital, and preached Christ there.
This was as Jesus had directed; the gospel was
first to be preached at Jerusalem, that those who
had been guilty of his death might have the first
offer of his mercy: afterward, it was to be made
known among all nations.
The Samaritans, when they heard Philip, and saw
the miracles which he did, readily believed. Per¬
sons possessed with unclean spirits, and those who
were palsied or lame, were healed; so that the pulse
of the city beat with new life, and men's hearts
were filled with joy.
Even one who had himself possessed great influ¬
ence among the people, and who must have felt that
Philip was likely to supplant him entirely, believed
on the word which Philip spake. This was Simon
Magus, so called because he was a magician, or sor¬
cerer. Naturally a man of sprightly mind, he had
studied the arts and mysteries of magic and witch-
The First Heroes of the Cross.
59
craft, and had obtained some knowledge of the
natural sciences. He is mentioned by Josephus
and many ancient writers as a man of extraordinary
power; and it is probable that he was possessed of
Satanic influence, so as to be able to exhibit "power,
and signs, and lying wonders." At any rate, he
had acquired an ascendancy over the minds of the
people, to such a degree that they ascribed to him
divine power.
He had completely bewitched them, but now he
himself was obliged to confess that a greater than
he was before the people. Simon saw the miracles
which Philip wrought, and, when he contrasted
their genuineness with his deceptions and illusions,
he believed that what the evangelist said was true,
and he was baptized.
The great success attending Philip's preaching
soon became known at Jerusalem, and the apostles
sent down Peter and John. On a former occasion,
John desired that fire from heaven might destroy
the Samaritans; but now, he prayed with Peter that
the Holy Ghost might descend upon the people, for
hitherto they had not received those extraordinary
gifts which had been vouchsafed to the other dis¬
ciples at Jerusalem. Then the apostles laid their
hands on the new converts, who received the Holy
6o
The First Heroes of the Cross.
Ghost in answer to their prayers. When Simon
Magus saw this, he offered money to the apostles,
hoping, by this means, to secure the power of im¬
parting the Holy Ghost to those on whom he should
lay his hands. But Peter, indignant at his thinking
that the gift of God could be purchased with money,
told him that his heart was not right in God's sight,
and urged him to repent, as he was still in his sins.
Then Simon, more terrified at the consequences of
his sins than truly penitent for them, desired Peter
to pray for him, that all evil might be averted.
Many, like Simon, profess to serve God, desiring to
make a worldly gain out of their religion. Yet, so
gracious is the Lord, that those who have been full
of hypocrisy and selfishness are accepted by him, if
they truly repent.
The apostles preached in several of the Samaritan
villages, and afterward returned to Jerusalem.
After this, the angel of the Lord directed Philip
to go down to Gaza. This city was situated about
sixty miles south-west from Jerusalem, and had once
been strong and populous. Its destruction had
been foretold by Zephaniah, and now, compared
with its former magnificence, it was little more than
a desert. Philip might have longed for a greater
sphere of usefulness; he might have wished for
The First Heroes of the Cross. 6x
crowded congregations; but, led by the Spirit of
God,he found his work; and we always shall find
ours, if we, too, give ourselves up to his guidance.
On his way to Gaza, he fell in with a man of
great authority—the treasurer of Candace, the queen
of Ethiopia. He was a proselyte to the Jewish re¬
ligion, and he was now returning from Jerusalem,
where he had been to worship. Sitting in his char¬
iot, he was well employed in reading God's word,
and trying to understand it. Here, then, was Philip's
work. Directed by the Spirit of God, he ran to¬
ward the chariot, and inquired of the Ethiopian
if he understood what he was reading. His reply
showed in what a hopeful, because teachable, frame
of mind he was—■" How can I, except some man
should guide me ?'' and he then desired Philip to
come up into the chariot and instruct him. He
had been reading of Jesus being led as a sheep to
the slaughter, as described in the fifty-third chapter
of Isaiah (verses 7 and 8); and he wanted to know
whether the prophet was speaking of himself, or of
some other man. Philip, taking up that passage,
preached unto him Jesus, and showed him that he
was "the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of
the world."
The Ethiopian was deeply impressed; and, pres-
62
The First Heroes of the Cross.
ently, whilst riding along, they came to some water,
when he inquired if any thing hindered his being
baptized? Philip replied, "If thou believest with
all thine heart, thou mayest." The treasurer ex¬
pressed his firm belief in Jesus, and he was forthwith
baptized.
Then, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip,
so that the Ethiopian was left alone; yet not alone,
for he now had Jesus with him: and he went on
his way rejoicing.
So do all, who put their trust in Jesus, find him
their best traveling companion. They go rejoicing
on their way to his home, where there are joys for
evermore.
Philip was next seen at Azotus, or Ashdod, only
about twenty-five miles north of Gaza, where he
preached; and in all the neighboring cities, till he
reached Cesarea, where he doubtless had a house:
for there will he be met with hereafter.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
63
CHAPTER VIII.
BUT now the ranks of the apostles were to re¬
ceive their most eminent recruit; the preachers
of the word were to receive into their number one
who in labor should exceed them all.
Saul came under the notice of the apostles at
Stephen's death, for which shameful event he, with
others, was responsible.
This Saul, who had for some time given himself
up to persecuting the disciples, waxed hotter and
hotter against them in deadly hatred.
Before he comes under our notice as an apostle,
let us briefly trace his career. He was born about
the time of the commencement of the Christian
era, at Tarsus, a city of Cilicia, in Asia Minor. His
father was a Hebrew of the tribe of Benjamin, and,
at some period of his life before the birth of his
son, he had settled in Asia; but, although he was
a Hellenist, so far as living in a Grecian country
and speaking the Grecian language were concerned,
he adhered most closely to the Hebrew theology,
64
The First Heroes of the Cross.
and cherished the peculiar ways and habits of the
Jews.
Cilicia was now under the Roman sway; how¬
ever, Tarsus felt the yoke but lightly, as it was a
free city (urbs libera), and as such was governed by
its own magistrates, and was not occupied by a Ro¬
man garrison. During the civil wars, the father of
Saul probably rendered some service, for which he
was rewarded in being made a Roman citizen; but
neither this great dignity, which might have thrown
him into closer contact with Roman authorities, nor
the associations of a Grecian city, removed in any
way his Jewish prejudices, or led him to depart from
the way of his fathers.
He was a strict Pharisee, and all the stricter, per¬
haps, because there were so many influences around
him to tempt him to relax his opinions. He had
his infant son circumcised on the eighth day, ac¬
cording to the law of Moses, which law was the
guide of young Saul's life.
Nothing is known of his mother; but, ere yet he
could comprehend their meaning, Saul was doubt¬
less lulled to sleep by her, or by some one who took
her place, with the Psalms of David. As his intel¬
lect dawned and expanded, .he had related to him
all the wondrous stories of God's people of old—
The First Heroes of the Cross.
65
how the patriarchs and kings and prophets had lived
and died. The father's teaching was strengthened
by reference to the good boys of Hebrew history—
the infant Samuel and the youthful Josiah; and, if
his impetuous, boyish nature went out rather to more
daring or adventurous heroes, it would be sure to
be pointed out to him, that strength and bravery
seldom prospered when directed against God's own
chosen people, who had been the especial objects of
his care and love, and were so still. In compliance
with a useful custom of the Jews,* as soon as he was
old enough, his father sought out for him a trade—
not necessarily to follow as a means of livelihood,
but as a useful accomplishment that was honorable
in itself, and might some day prove of service.
The goats of the country furnished hair which,
when made into hair-cloth, or cilicium, proved an
admirable material for tents. The trade in this
hair-cloth was very great, and Saul was taught the
art of weaving it. Saul's father, a rigid Pharisee
himself, brought up his son to feel that, though they
were living under foreign rule, and had lost that
glory and prestige that once belonged to them, the
® There was a Jewish proverb that said, " He that teacheth
not his son a trade, doth the same as if he taught him to be
a thief."
5
66
The First Heroes of the Cross.
Jews were still God's chosen people, and that in
his sight a Jew was dearer than a Roman or a Greek.
At about the age of thirteen, the father decided
that his son's education should be completed at Je¬
rusalem, under the care of some teacher of the law.
The boy had often heard of the Holy City, and of
all the memorable events of which it had been the
scene; he had been told of the festivals, and of the
crowds of pilgrims who gathered at them, and he
naturally looked forward to the time when he should
go up to Jerusalem. His father sought out the best
teacher that could be had, and placed him under
the care of Gamaliel.
At that time, the learned Jews, or rabbins, were
divided into two schools: the one founded by Hillel,
who made tradition of as much importance as the
law; the other by Shammai; who rejected tradition,
and taught only that which the law of Moses war¬
ranted. The first of these schools was now the
more influential; it was presided over by Gamaliel,
the grandson of Hillel, a man as celebrated for the
eminence of his learning as for his pureness of life.
Both these schools were Pharisaic, but in the case
of Gamaliel there was an absence of that intolerant
pride and prejudice, and an honesty and candor
most unusual among Pharisees. This wise man has
The First Heroes of the Cross.
67
already been referred to, for it was he who, by his
judicious remarks, caused the liberation of Peter
and John.*
The Jewish doctors met together in the schools
with the students of the law. J The former dis¬
coursed and discussed among themselves, and were
questioned by the students whenever any difficulty
arose.
The intercourse was free : the old men laid them¬
selves out to benefit the young men; and the young
men, who were alive to the privilege, made the most
of Such opportunities of storing their minds with
some of the wisdom of their teachers.
* See page 47.
f " At the meetings of learned men, some passage of the
Old Testament was taken as a text, or some topic for discus¬
sion propounded in Hebrew, translated into the vernacular
tongue by means of a Chaldee paraphrase, and made the
subject of commentary; various interpretations were given ;
aphorisms were propounded; allegories suggested, and the
opinions of ancient doctors quoted and discussed. At these
discussions, the younger students were present, to listen or to
inquire, or, in the sacred words of St. Luke, ' Both hearing
them and asking them questions,' for it was a peculiarity of
the Jewish schools that the pupil was encouraged to cate¬
chise the teacher. Contradictory opinions were expressed
with the utmost freedom."—Conybcare and Howson, Vol. I.
p. 57.
68
The First Heroes of the Cross.
Thus did young Saul sit at the feet of Gamaliel;
and, apart from the public instruction he derived
from him, he probably had the advantage of private
intercourse.
How long he remained at Jerusalem is uncertain;
but when he returned to Tarsus, his convictions as
a Jew and as a Pharisee were greatly strengthened.
In his native city, he would have frequent occasion
to display the learning which he had acquired, in
religious disputation with other young men; and,
as we may be sure, from what we know of him af¬
terward, that his intellect was keen, he would be
able to hold his own amongst his companions and
associates.
Hence, when he came up to Jerusalem to take
part himself in the festivals, he would not be one
to be lost in a crowd. In the dispute which had
arisen with Stephen, Saul doubtless took a part, for
those of the synagogue of Cilicia were among the
number; and we have seen that at the death of the
martyr he figured conspicuously.
This, then, was the man who was now possessed
with a determination to exterminate the Christian
believers.
Breathing out vengeance, he went to the high-
priest for letters to take with him to Damascus, in
The First Heroes of the Cross.
69
order that he might have authority to bring any
Christians whom he might find there, bound to Je¬
rusalem. The high-priest, delighted to secure so
learned and so zealous a man, furnished him with
the letters; and Saul set out, accompanied by at¬
tendants sufficiently numerous to overcome force, if
any resistance were offered.
He pushed on, probably on horseback; and at
length the white houses of Damascus gleamed be¬
fore him in the sunlight. It was midday, and the
sun'.s rays came down upon the travelers with scorch¬
ing heat. They should have found shelter under
the shade of some trees, or by the side of some cool
stream, but Saul's heart burned even with a more
fiery heat than did the sun; and he was gloating
over the destruction which he should so soon be
able to bring about, when, suddenly, there shone
around the travelers adight brighter than the noon¬
day sun. Saul fell to the ground, and then heard
a voice, saying, " Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou
me ?'' He replied, '' Who art thou, Lord ?'' And
the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:
it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks."
With all Saul's learning, his heart had been in
darkness, and it needed this heavenly light to show
him how sinful his conduct had been. Then did
7°
The First Heroes of the Cross.
he see that in persecuting the disciples he had been
persecuting Jesus himself, and then did he feel how
hopeless was his mission in opposing himself to him.
Trembling and astonished, he cried, "Lord, what
The First Heroes of the Cross.
71
wilt thou have me to do ? " and the Lord replied,
"Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told
thee what thou must do.''
Saul's companions and attendants, meanwhile,
were struck dumb with astonishment. They had
seen the light and had heard a voice, but could
neither distinguish the Person who spake nor the
words he uttered.
Saul arose from the ground and opened his eyes,
and lo ! he was blind.
He groped about with his hand, until his friends
saw that he had lost his sight, and then they led
him on to Damascus.
How different an entry into the city from that
which Saul had anticipated !
Armed with power from the high-priest, he had
pictured the terror and destruction which he should
produce; now, he is led in through the city gate,
a blind, helpless traveler. Consumed with bigot's
zeal, he had pushed on to the city in mad haste,
eager for his deadly work; now, he had ceased to
be a bigot.
He had determined to root out from Damascus all
faith in Jesus, by scattering those who believed in
him; but before he arrived there, he was met by Jesus,
and he entered the city, himself an humble believer.
72
The First Heroes of the Cross.
Damascus is, perhaps, the oldest city in the world.
From the time of Abraham, whose steward, Eliezer,
was born there, it was celebrated in history as the
scene of many memorable events; whilst its size
and importance as a place of merchandise always
gave it a prominence.
Even now, it continues to be one of the finest
cities of Syria, with a population of between 120,-
000 and 150,000.
Situated at the eastern foot of the Anti-Libanus
Mountain, it is watered by two streams, Barrada and
Fiellel—the Abana and Pharpar of Scripture—
which invest it with a beauty few cities possess.
Viewed from afar, Damascus has been described
"resting within the desert circumference, like an
island of paradise, in the green inclosure of its
beautiful gardens."
Within the city, the effect is no less beautiful.
Its massive buildings of white stone, in the midst
of well cultivated gardens, adorned with flowers
and cooled with running streams or playing foun¬
tains, make Damascus a place of enchantment.
But now, this ancient city was to be rendered
still more renowned, in its connection with that
man who was being led into it deprived of sight.
Turning into the street called "Straight," along,
The First Heroes of the Cross.
73
broad thoroughfare, running from east to west of
the city, they took Saul to the house of one Judas.
Here for three days did Saul reside. Deprived
of sight, and therefore not able to see what was
passing around him, his mind turned its vision in¬
wardly; and, in those long hours of darkness, he
doubtless reviewed his past life. God, however,
perhaps mercifully, kept his soul from despondency
74
The First Heroes of the Cross.
by some glimpse or hint of what his future life
might be.
Saul took no food during the three days, but He
who had called him was his support and stay.
The residence of Saul in the city had created no
stir, but it was the subject of a vision to God's ser¬
vant Ananias, who lived at Damascus.
The Lord appeared to him,,and said, "Arise,
and go into the street which is called Straight, and
inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul,
of Tarsus; for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen
in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and
putting his hand on him, that he might receive his
sight."
Ananias replied that he knew what a persecutor
this man had been—as if the Lord did not know
that also; but the Lord then silenced all objection
by saying to him, "Go thy way: for he is a chosen
vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gen¬
tiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I
will show him how great things he must suffer for
my name's sake."
Rejoicing at the good news, that Saul was now
one of themselves, Ananias went at once to the
house of Judas, and sought him out. "Brother
Saul," said he to him, "the Lord, even Jesus,that
The First Heroes of the Cross.-
75
appeared unto thee in the way as thou earnest, hath
sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and
be filled with the Holy Ghost.''
"Immediately, there fell from his eyes as it had
been scales." He received his former powers of
sight, and powers of spirit such as he had never had.
He was forthwith baptized; and then, taking food,
he felt himself revived and strengthened.
76
The First Heroes of the Cross.
CHAPTER IX.
SAUL commenced his ministry, at once, by go¬
ing to the synagogue and preaching; and when
the people heard him proclaiming that Christ was
the Son of God, and remembered that he had been
instrumental in destroying others who had so be¬
lieved, they were greatly amazed. The news soon
spread, and people crowded to hear him: both
those who were Christians, and those who had for¬
merly looked upon him as a champion in defending
the old religion. When these latter heard for them¬
selves that Saul was indeed a Christian, they entered
into disputation with him 3 but, proving no match
for him,'who, always naturally gifted, was now filled
with the Holy Ghost, they retired, confounded, but
not convinced.
Now it was that there occurred an interval in the.
life of Saul, about which nothing is known, and to
which the historian Luke does not even refer in
The Acts. He retired into Arabia for the greater
part of three years. Whether this retirement was to
The First Heroes of the Cross.
77
prepare him for his great life-work, or whether it
was that he might spread the gospel in parts where
it was unknown, we cannot tell. We may be sure
that He who led him into that retirement had His
own wise purposes in view, and that the time was
well employed.
Saul returned to Damascus and to his work, until
at length the Jews were so exasperated, that one so
celebrated should have become a Christian, and that
he should preach and discuss without any one of
them being able to gainsay him, that they deter¬
mined on his death.
At this time, Damascus was under the power of
Aretas, king of Petra, and his officer, the ethnarch,
or governor, was in charge of the city. The Jews
were sufficiently in favor with him to persuade him
to help them in their designs on the life of Saul.
He supplied soldiers from the garrison, who watched
the city walls night and day, the Jews themselves
helping in the work. The conspiracy was too ex¬
tensive to remain a secret, and it soon came to the
ears of Saul and the disciples. Selecting a some¬
what unguarded part, and favored by the darkness
of the night, they let down Saul in a basket from a
window that overhung the city wall. When he
safely reached the ground, the disciples went away,
78
The First Heroes of the Cross.
thankful for the escape of their brother; whilst he
struck out at once for Jerusalem, some 150 miles to
the south.
SAUL'S ESCAPE FROM DAMASCUS.
If his manner of entering the city had been so
different from what he might have expected it to
be, surely such a way of leaving it had never en-
The First Heroes of the Cross.
79
tered his imagination. But this was only one of
the many things "he must suffer."
When Saul arrived at Jerusalem, he sought out
the disciples; but they, not having heard of his
conversion, naturally were afraid to have any thing
to do with one who had been to them the object of
so much terror, and the cause of so much persecu¬
tion.
Barnabas, however, ever ready to act as the Son
of Consolation, quieted the disciples' fears, and
took Saul by the hand.
As he was a native of Cyprus, which was con¬
nected in many ways with Cilicia, where Saul was
born, he might have known him in former days;
and, as a fellow-countryman, he would be more
ready to believe the statement of Saul than the
Jews. Satisfied that the Lord had indeed called
him to the work, Barnabas led him to Peter and
James, and recounted all that had happened since
Jesus appeared to Saul in the way. The apostles
received him warmly; and, after the first natural
restraint was over, they would talk together hope¬
fully of the future. The last time they had seen
one another was probably at the stoning of Stephen;
now, they met as apostles of the same Saviour.
Very tenderly would any reference be made to the
8o
The First Heroes of the Cross.
death of the proto-martyr, but they would recall his
dying prayer, and thank God that it had been an¬
swered so soon, and that, pardoned of this and all
his other sins, Saul was now living for the same
Lord for whom Stephen died.
But Saul could not be idle. He mixed with the
disciples, and took every opportunity of preaching
the word of life. He met the philosophers from
Greece, and disputed with them so successfully that,
thinking they could only silence him by killing him,
they took steps for that purpose. But that was not
to be.
One day, as Saul was praying in the temple, he
fell into a trance, when Jesus appeared unto him',
and told him that in Jerusalem the Jews would not
receive his testimony concerning him, but that he
must depart and labor among the Gentiles. This
Saul told to the disciples, and they took him down
to Cesarea, and thence sent him to Tarsus.
He was now visiting his native place for the last
time. With what feelings would he wander through
the scenes of his earlier days ! How strange it
would be to him to encounter his friends and rela¬
tions ! What a change had come over him!—how
little over them! How would he desire them to be¬
lieve on Jesus 3 and, apart from any efforts in private,
The First Heroes of the Cross.
81
how earnestly would he labor in public, preaching
and disputing among his fellow-townsmen !
Meanwhile, Peter was traveling about in various
directions, preaching the gospel, and encouraging
those who had already embraced it. Amongst the
latter class were some people of Lydda, a town
about twenty miles north-west of Jerusalem, whom
Peter visited. Whilst in the town, he met with a
poor man named Eneas, who was quite helpless with
palsy, and had kept his bed for eight years. Peter
said to him, "Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee
whole: arise, and make thy bed;" when lo! im¬
mediately that poor, palsied frame received new life,
and those feeble limbs new strength; and, springing
from that bed on which he had spent so many weary
hours, he proceeded at once to make it.
Many of his fellow-townsmen, and those from the
plain of Sharon beyond, came to see the subject of
so great a miracle; and, as he would not fail to tell
them that it was Jesus who had made him whole,
many believed on him forthwith.
About ten or twelve miles from Lydda was Joppa,
on the sea-coast. It was of very ancient origin,
and had existed, at all events, from the time of
Joshua. Here it was that Jonah came, when fleeing
from God; and here he embarked in that ill-fated
6
82 The First Heroes of the Cross.
ship which, through his disobedience, was well-nigh
wrecked. The town is prettily situated on a hill,
which rises from the shore; but, like many seaport
towns, the houses close to the sea are crowded to¬
gether and inhabited by people who get a precarious
living. It was so at this time, doubtless: there
were many poor people in the place, some relatives
of sailors who sailed from the port, the small wages
of whom could ill supply their families with food
in their absence; others, the widows and orphans
of those who had perished at sea. Poverty existed,
too, in other classes than the maritime, to be found
easily enough by any one who had the desire to re¬
lieve it. Such a one was Tabitha, a good woman
of Joppa, whose Greek name was Dorcas.
With a heart full of love to the poor whom she
met but half clothed—widows unable to clothe
themselves or their children—she set to work, em¬
ploying her time in making up suitable garments for
these poor creatures. She labored so long and to
such good purpose that, when at length she was
taken ill and died, there was a great mourning in
the town.
She was not the only one who loved God, for
there were disciples who had, doubtless, helped her
in her work, and told the poor of the love of Jesus,
The First Heroes of the Cross.
83
which had prompted any efforts that had been put
forth in their behalf. The disciples had heard that
Peter was at Lydda—had, doubtless, heard of the
palsied man being healed; nay, Eneas may have
used his new powers of limb in walking over to
Joppa, and thus have told them himself. At all
events, they sent two men to Lydda, and requested
Peter to come to them at once. Peter lost no time
in acceding to the request; and when he arrived,
he soon found in what esteem Dorcas had been held.
She had been laid in an upper chamber, probably
the largest room in the house, and there, standing
round her, were a number of these poor widows,
whose grief at her death was no less sincere than
their gratitude for her life; for they had brought, in
proof of her goodness and love, the garments that
Dorcas had made for them.
Peter must have instantly thought of that mem¬
orable occasion when he was present with his Master
under somewhat similar circumstances; but he must
have contrasted the difference between the sorrow
that was assumed then by those who were hired, and
that displayed now by those who sincerely felt it.
Still, as Jesus had done, so did Peter: he had the
room cleared, and, when alone, he knelt down and
prayed; then, turning to the body, he said, " Tabi-
84
The First Heroes of the Cross.
tha, arise." Immediately, she opened her eyes and
sat up: then Peter gave her his hand, lifted her up,
and, calling in the widows and friends who had been
waiting anxiously outside the door, he presented her
alive.
Great was the joy in Joppa that day, for the news
soon spread; and not only was there joy on account
of Dorcas, but many believed on Jesus, and found
for themselves true happiness.
Little did this good woman imagine, when work¬
ing quietly at home and thinking of her Saviour,
that he would make her the instrument of so much
usefulness; and still less did she suppose that she
would become the subject of so much renown.
May we so live that, when we die, some at least
will feel our loss, and that our good deeds may live
after us!
Now had the Churches rest throughout Judea, and
Galilee, and Samaria. The Jews had of late been
so engrossed by a threatened violation of their tem¬
ple, that they ceased for a time to persecute the
Christians.
Caligula, the Roman emperor, had ordered his
statue to be erected in the temple at Jerusalem, and
on the Jews objecting to so shameful a desecration
of their holy place, he had marched an army from
The First Heroes of the Cross.
85
Syria to carry out his design. When the Jews saw
that all opposition was hopeless, they were filled with
dismay, and, going out in vast numbers to meet the
Roman general, they prevailed on him to desist.
The time of peace which followed for the Churches
was blessed to them; "walking in the fear of the
Lord, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost," they
greatly prospered.
86
The First Heroes of the Cross.
CHAPTER X.
IN the history of the Christian Church, this time
of rest and quiet was chosen by God as the pe¬
riod of a great event. Hitherto, none had been
baptized but Jews, Samaritans, and proselytes to Ju¬
daism ; but now, henceforth the Gentiles were to be
freely admitted to the Church without first becom¬
ing Jews, and without, therefore, having to observe
circumcision or any other part of the Mosaic law.
Like most truly great and important events, this
new era was ushered in very quietly. How little
did the world know how great a blessing was being
inaugurated for it!
Away up in Cesarea, some seventy miles north¬
west of Jerusalem, lived a Roman soldier, named
Cornelius. Part of the Roman army consisted of
the Italian band—a force of about a thousand na¬
tive Italian soldiers. One hundred of these men
were garrisoned at Cesarea, under the command of
Cornelius. He was a devout man, who loved God
himself and brought up his household in his fear.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
87
He was very liberal with his means in doing good
to the poor; and as, from his position, he had much
power and authority, he used them for the good of
those around him. One day, as he was engaged in
prayer—as was his daily habit—he saw in a vision
an angel of God coming to him. It was about the
ninth hour of the day—the Jewish hour of prayer
—that is, at three in the afternoon: a time, there¬
fore, when he could not be deceived by the mists
and shadows of night. The angel, addressing him,
said, " Cornelius, thy prayers and thine alms are
come up for a memorial before God. And now
send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose
surname is Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon, a
tanner, whose house is by the sea-side: he shall tell
thee what thou oughtest to do."
When the angel departed, Cornelius called to him
two of his household servants, and a pious soldier
who waited on him, and he told them all that had
happened. Rejoicing, with their master, that God
was about to bless him, they made their preparations
at once, and set out for Joppa, a distance of thirty
miles.
On the next day, about noon, as the men drew
near to Joppa, Peter went up to the house-top to
pray—a place suitable for retirement and medita-
88 The First 'Heroes of the Cross.
tion. Peter felt very hungry, and would have eaten
food, but the midday meal was not ready. He fell
into, a trance, and saw a vision : heaven appeared to
The First Heroes of the Cross.
89
him opened, and from it was let down, as it were, a
great sheet tied at the four corners, and containing
all manner of beasts, and birds, and reptiles. Then
he heard a voice addressed to him, "Rise, Peter;
kill, and eat." But Peter said, "Not so, Lord; for
I have never eaten any thing that is common or un¬
clean."
Then the voice replied, " What God hath cleansed,
that call not thou common." This was done three
times, and the ves'sel was received up again into
heaven.
Whilst Peter was wondering what was intended
by this vision (for -he well knew that God thereby
meant to teach him some important truth), the ser¬
vants of Cornelius had arrived, and were at the
door, inquiring for him. Before any message could
be sent up to Peter, the Spirit of God said to him,
"Behold! three men seek thee. Arise, therefore,
and get thee down, and go with them, doubting
nothing: for I have sent them." Peter at once
went down to the strangers, and inquired the cause
of their visit; and he must have been rather sur¬
prised at their answer. They said, " Cornelius, the
centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God,
and of good report among all the nation of the
Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel to send
90 The First Heroes of the Cross.
for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee."
Peter then felt that the explanation of his vision
was connected with that of Cornelius, and get¬
ting some glimpse of the words, "What God hath
cleansed, that call not thou common," he admitted
the strangers into the house and entertained them,
lodging them for the night. This, one would think,
was only ordinarily polite, after these men had trav¬
eled so far; but the Jewish law forbade such asso¬
ciation with Gentiles. No doubt the meal which
was set before the guests Avas a plain one; but, sim¬
ple as was the fare, the act of Peter sitting down
with those Roman servants of Cornelius was signifi¬
cant of a world-wide blessing. It was the first
breaking down of that middle wall of partition
which had kept the Jews as a nation specially fa¬
vored of God. It was a type that " the kingdom
of heaven was open to all believers," and that all
men were to be invited. to sit down to the gospel
feast.
Thus, Peter began to interpret the vision. By
the Jewish law, animals were separated into clean
and unclean, and the Jews themselves were separated
from every other nation—all others being, as it were,
unclean and unfit to associate with. But now, Peter
was assured that all God's creatures were clean, and
The First Heroes of the Cross. 91
that henceforth there were to be no exclusive privi¬
leges for the Jews, but that the gospel was to be
offered alike to all. As Peter meditated for the
A ROMAN CENTURION.
92
The First Heroes of the Cross.
rest of the day on this enlarged sphere for the gos¬
pel, and called to mind the parting words of Jesus,
how that " repentance and remission of sins should
be preached in his name among all nations., begin¬
ning at Jerusalem," he felt the time had come for
them to try and realize the greatness of their work,
and to carry out their Lord's design.
In this centurion, who was a Roman—a repre¬
sentative of the foremost Gentile nation—Peter saw
foreshadowed the conversion of the Gentile world.
Next morning, Peter, accompanied by certain of
the brethren from Joppa, set out with 'the servants
of the centurion for Cesarea; and gladly did those
devout Romans hear from the lips of Peter, as they
went along, things concerning th'e kingdom of
Christ. On the following day, when they arrived,
they found Cornelius eagerly expecting them; and
not only so, but he had called together his kinsmen
and friends, that they, too, might hear the blessed
words which he felt were in store for them.
As Peter was entering the house, Cornelius fell
down at his feet to do him homage; but the apos¬
tle, raising him, said, "Stand up: I myself also am
a man." Then Peter went in, and finding a com¬
pany assembled, said that it was not lawful for a Jew
•to defile himself by associating with people of other
The First Heroes of the Cross.
93
nations, but that God had recently shown him that
no man was common in his sight, and therefore
should not be in the sight of any fellow-man. When
Peter inquired why he had been senfrfor, Cornelius
narrated the story of his vision, and concluded by
saying that he and his friends were assembled there
to hear what message God had for them through
Peter.
The apostle, seeing that they were anxiously wait¬
ing to hear the truth of God—whatever it might be
—preached unto them the gospel. He showed them
that God was no respecter of persons; but that
everywhere he that lived a holy life was accepted
through Jesus Christ. He told them what Jesus had
done, how he had suffered, and how he had ap¬
peared to them after his resurrection, and that he
had commanded them to preach to the people that
through his name whoever believed in him should
receive the remission of their sins.
These Gentile people were ready to receive at
once the gospel message, which they now heard for
the first time; and, whilst Peter was speaking, the
Holy Ghost fell on all present, confirming in so sud¬
den a manner the truth of the apostle's words.
They had the gift of tongues conferred on them,
and at once began praising God in languages they
94
The First Heroes of the Cross.
had never learned. The Jewish disciples who had
come from Joppa were astonished at the outpouring
of the Holy Spirit on Gentiles, but they could not
gainsay the faft; then said Peter, "Can any man
forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who
have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? " Of
course there was no reason against it.
There is something very interesting about this
centurions he had led so devout a life—he had long
sought God in the best way he could; he had ruled
his household in God's fear, so that his servants
were devout; and he had persuaded his friends to
assemble to hear the gospel, which had been blessed
to their souls. This holy man, this first Gentile
convert, now stands before us, not so much as a cap¬
tain of the Italian band, as the foremost of a vast
host who have followed Jesus as their great Captain.
But the grace of God is so much fuller than that
of even the best of men. The apostles and breth¬
ren at Jerusalem heard that the Gentiles received
the word of God; and instead of praising him that
his kingdom was thus extending, they thought Peter
had done very wrongly in receiving Gentiles into
their fellowship: a proof, at all events, that the
apostles never thought him infallible, or looked
upon him as divinely pre-eminent. When he made
The First Heroes of the Cross.
95
his appearance at Jerusalem, these brethren, who
still thought that the gospel was to be confined to
converted Jews, took him to task for associating
with, and preaching to, men who were uncircum-
cised. Peter, respecting their prejudices, from
which he himself had so recently been freed, in¬
stead of feeling very indignant (as he might have
done) that they should desire thus to restrain the
grace of God, told them of his vision, of the visit
of the three men to Cornelius, of his return with
them to Cesarea, and of the descent of the Holy
Spirit. And then he followed up this recital by say¬
ing to them, "Forasmuch then as God gave them
the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the
Lord Jesus Christ, what was I, that I could with¬
stand God ? "
What, indeed? This telling question put the
matter in a new light: they had nothing to oppose;
and when they saw that the work was the Lord's,
they glorified him that he had granted to the Gen¬
tiles repentance unto life. Still, all were not so far
enlightened. Those who were scattered at the per¬
secution of Stephen, and had gone as far as Phenice
and Cyprus, in the Mediterranean Sea, and to An-
tioch, in Syria, preached only to the Jews, wherever
they went, not having heard of Peter's vision, and
96
The First Heroes of the Cross.
not yet understanding that the gospel was for the
whole world.
But there were some from the island of Cyprus,
and from Cyrene, a province and city of Libyan
Africa, who, whether they had heard of Peter's
vision, or, which is more likely, had not heard
thereof, were directed to preach the gospel to oth¬
ers than the Jews. They came to Antioch, that
city of ancient renown, but now to be the scene of
greater glories than it had ever witnessed.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
97
CHAPTER XI.
NTIOCH was the capital of Syria, and one of
its greatest cities; perhaps, next to Rome and
Alexandria, the chief city of the world at that time.
It was built, about 300 years B.C., by Seleucus
Nicanor, the first Syro-Grecian monarch after Alex¬
ander the Great, and called by him after the name
of his father, Antiochus. Few monarchs have ever
had so great a passion for building. He seemed
determined that posterity should never forget his
name and those of his parents; for he built no less
than nine " Seleucias," which he called after him¬
self, sixteen cities which he named after his father,
Antiochus, and six which bore the name of his
mother, Laodicea.
But of all these, this Antioch was the most im¬
portant. The site of the city was well chosen for a
capital. Situated on the Orontes river, which emp¬
tied itself into the sea, it was, from its harbor of
Seleucia, in communication with Greece and the
countries washed by the Mediterranean; whilst from
7
98
The First Heroes of the Cross.
behind it was approached through the open country
beyond Lebanon by the caravans from the East; in
the same direction, also, access was had to the great
rivers Euphrates and Tigris.
The builder of so many cities was not likely to
neglect his own capital; so he adorned it with most
splendid buildings, both public and private. The
Orontes, flowing through it, was used to make it
more beautiful, and the well known fertility of the
soil aided to render it indeed lovely. Running
streams and fountains, trees and gardens, fruit and
flowers, set off the masonry and architecture, and
rendered Antioch a most attractive place of resort.
Accordingly, in addition to those whom commerce
brought to the city—merchants from every land—
it became the seat of Greek learning and literature;
and rich Romans, with their pomp and luxury, came
to reside there.
•It is no wonder, therefore, that so agreeable a
place should have been the resort of pleasure-seek¬
ers; and so completely did its inhabitants give
themselves up to worldly enjoyment, constantly fre¬
quenting its theaters and race-courses, and indulg¬
ing in all kinds of luxuries and vices, that at last it
became noted as one of the most depraved of
cities.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
99
But, apart from its connection with either Greece
or Rome, Antioch possesses a deep interest for us.
It was very natural that these Grecian preachers,
who had come to Antioch, should wish to make
their brethren acquainted with the gospel: accord¬
ingly, they at once began to address them. The
hand of the Lord was with them, and though the
Greeks knew nothing of divine power, they could
not but be struck with the energy and force with
which the disciples addressed them—qualities so
seldom met with at Antioch in connection with the
teaching of any religion. Nor did they speak in
vain; for a great many of their hearers believed,
and " turned unto the Lord." They forsook their
old ways, turned from their heathen gods—if they
had worshiped any—turned from the frivolities and
amusements of that gay city, and gave themselves
up to the precepts and requirements of the new re¬
ligion.
This was indeed a triumph of the gospel; and so
important a one, that, when tidings of it came to
Jerusalem, the brethren there were amazed. That
these men from Cyprus and Cyrene, whose names
are not preserved to us, ordinary members of the
Church at Jerusalem, and having no official rank—
simply laymen—that they should, of their own ac-
IOO
The First Heroes of the Cross.
cord, have gone to this gay city, Antioch, of all
places, and there have preached the gospel to the
uncircumcised Greeks with great success, was indeed
a wonderful event—so much so, that the Church
sent forth Barnabas to Antioch, that he might satisfy
himself as to the genuineness of the work, and, if
necessary, lend his aid in carrying it on. The
Church did well to send Barnabas; for, besides be¬
ing a kind-hearted and judicious man, he was him¬
self a native of Cyprus, and, if he did not actually
know the disciples who had been thus laboring so
successfully, he would feel a great interest in their
work.
When Barnabas arrived, he was soon convinced
of the truth of the glorious news he had heard. He
11 saw the grace of God"—it was so manifest in
the conversation and behavior of the new converts,
that he was indeed rejoiced. He addressed the new
disciples, and exhorted them to cleave unto the
Lord, and not to be led away by the temptations of
their city, nor by the persecution of their friends.
Not only did he confirm those who had already em¬
braced the gospel, but, by his persuasive preaching
—for he was called "the Son of Exhortation"—
many others believed.
The-work was now growing so rapidly, that more
The First Heroes of the Cross.
101
help was necessary; for, besides addressing the peo¬
ple in public, the disciples had much to do in pri¬
vate—answering questions, removing difficulties,
giving advice, and generally looking after those
who had so entirely altered the course of their life
as to need a great deal of supervision.
Barnabas at once thought of Saul, who was now
at his native place, and had been there for some
,time; and, setting out, he traveled to Tarsus with
all speed.
Saul was as much surprised as delighted when
Barnabas called on him. The last time they had
met was at Jerusalem, when Barnabas so kindly
took his friend by the hand, and succeeded in re¬
moving from the minds of the brethren the suspi¬
cions with which they regarded him.
How Saul had been employing himself in the
meantime, we are not told; though, doubtless, he
spoke to his friend on the subject. He could not
fail to be interested in what Barnabas had to com¬
municate, and in the request he had to make; and
he at once showed his zeal for God, and his friend¬
ship for Barnabas, by forthwith returning with him
to Antioch.
There they labored together for a whole year,
until they had formed the believers into a well-
io2 The First Heroes of the Cross.
ordered church, which they regularly instructed,
whilst continuing to exhort those who were still un¬
converted.
At length, the number of believers grew so great
and important as to draw on them much attention.
The philosophers and smart men of Antioch were
celebrated for inventing names of derision, and for
exercising their wit in nicknaming any who made
themselves peculiar; and, as it was now well known
in the city that the followers of the true religion
were always preaching about Christ as their leader,
they called them now, for the first time, Christians.
Though ridicule was associated with the name at
first, we know it has become now the most glorious
name by which any of us can be known. Ever
since, it has represented all that was noblest in
character, bravest in endurance, and grandest in
enterprise; and now, far higher than the names of
sect or denomination to which we may belong,
stands this glorious title by which Christ's followers
are everywhere known, and which alone they will
bear in his kingdom above. This name of itself
will invest the city of Antioch with an interest for
us which mere grandeur or magnificence would
never have done. So does God often make the
ridicule, as well as the wrath, of man to praise him.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 103
By and by, as news came up to Jerusalem of the
progress of the Church, disciples and prophets found
their way there. One of these, Agabus,* on whom
the gift of prophecy had been bestowed on the day
of Pentecost, foretold that there should be a famine
throughout Judea, which afterward came to pass, in
the reign of Claudius Cesar, in the year 44.
Then, the conduct of the Church at Antioch
must have impressed their enemies with some idea
of the noble acts which God's Spirit always prompts,
and must have gone far to remove any prejudice
which the disciples at Jerusalem entertained against
their Gentile brethren ; for, as soon as they heard
of the famine, every disciple, without exception,
contributed as much as his means would allow to¬
ward the support of their poor, suffering brethren
at Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas were wisely
chosen to take the contributions to the holy city,
and right gladly did they undertake the duty.
After they had fulfilled their ministry, for which
they were specially sent, they returned from Jerusa¬
lem, accompanied by John, whose surname was
Mark. This young man's mother, Mary, was sister
to Barnabas; so that it must have been very pleas-
* The Greeks say that he suffered martyrdom at Antioch,
and they have observed his festival.
104 The First Heroes of the Cross.
ant for the uncle and nephew to be thus engaged in
the same glorious work.
Whilst the Christians at Antioch were thus rejoic¬
ing in their success, those at Jerusalem were plunged
into deep sorrow.
The king, Herod Agrippa, grandson of that Herod
the Great who had slaughtered the young children,
seemed to have inherited the same cruel and pitiless
nature. He began a course of persecution, and
soon his wicked fury fell upon the apostles, hoping
thereby the more easily to rid the land of the new
sect. He seized James, the son of Zebedee, and
brother of John, and had him mercilessly put to
death by the sword.*
Little did James himself or any of the apostles
think that their Master's promise to him would be
so soon fulfilled ! He and his brother had both de¬
clared they were ready to drink of the cup which
Jesus drank; but he then knew nothing of the cup of
persecution which would be prepared for them both.
James had been present at the transfiguration, and
had witnessed the ascension; but now he was taken
to see Jesus glorified, and to be with him forever.
* An ancient writer, Clemens Alexandrinus, says that the
man who led James to trial was so struck by his firm behav¬
ior that he became a Christian, and was himself beheaded.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 105
The wicked Jews rejoiced at the death of the
apostle, as they had done at the death of his Mas¬
ter; and, when Herod saw that his persecuting
hatred was making him popular, he determined to
go on with his bloody work.
He next seized Peter, selecting him because he
had been very conspicuous, and had, by his dis¬
courses, made himself very obnoxious to the Jews.
Perhaps Herod was induced by some of the Sanhe¬
drim to select Peter as the next object of his cruelty.
It was the time of the passover when he arrested
Peter and put him into prison. He would not
bring him to trial during the feast, as that would
have displeased the Jews, who affected to keep their
minds free from all excitement during that holy
week, that they might worship God without disturb¬
ance. But after the seven days, during which the
feast lasted, were over, and before the pilgrims from
afar had dispersed homeward, Herod intended to
bring Peter forth and put him to death. During
the week, the king was feeding himself on vanity
with the thought of his increasing renown, and the
Sanhedrim and others of the Jews were rejoicing
at the thought that this bold and obstinate apostle
would now be silenced. But what were the apostles
themselves doing?
io6 The First Heroes of the Cross.
With heavy hearts, they sought each other's com¬
pany, that they might, by mutual sympathy, solace
one another under their heavy trials.
James had been beheaded, and now Peter only
awaited a similar fate: the one was beyond the
The First Heroes of the Cross. 107
need of all help, but God might yet deliver the
other, if they besought him.
The brethren and sisters met together continually,
and prayed that Peter might yet be spared to them
and to the Church; and scarcely an hour elapsed
after his arrest but some one was kneeling in prayer
on his behalf.
Peter, meanwhile, was in prison, securely guarded,
as the%ing vainly thought. To make his imprison¬
ment doubly secure, and thus to show the Jews his
full determination to please them, he had four qua¬
ternions of soldiers—four guards of four each—ap¬
pointed to take charge of the prisoner. These, by
dividing the twelve hours into watches of three
hours, which was usual with the Roman soldiery,
would always allow of four being on guard. Two
of these watched without the prison, and the other
two were on duty within, having their prisoner be¬
tween them, chained by one wrist to each of them.
Thus did Peter spend the days of the passover,
expecting that, at their close, the fate of James
awaited him, little knowing that prayer was being
offered for him continually, and still less that it
would please God to answer it.
The last night of the feast had come; on the
morrow, Peter might be led forth to trial and death.
108 The First Heroes of the Cross.
But the thought did not unnerve him; on the con¬
trary, he slept as sweetly as if he had been in bed
at home, instead of on the cold stones of a cheer¬
less dungeon, and as though he were tended by
loved friends, instead of being guarded by stern
soldiers. As an old writer has said, he slept well,
"having a good cause that he suffered for, and a
good conscience that he suffered With." With the
approval of a good conscience, and with *God's
smile, we can "lay us down in peace and sleep"
anywhere, feeling sure that "he makethus dwell in
safety.''
But. deliverance was at hand; and he who was
thought to be so near his death would soon be free,
and would erelong hear of the death of his perse¬
cutor.
As Peter was sleeping, so soundly and so quietly
that his guards may have yielded to the unusual
drowsiness with which they were probably visited,
a bright light filled the prison; and then an angel
appeared, and, touching Peter gently on the side,
raised him up, saying, "Arise up, quickly." The
chains fell from his hands, and he was free from the
custody of the two soldiers. Peter, of course, had
thrown aside his outer garment whilst in prison,
and had loosened his inner one; the angel, there-
PETER AND THE ANGEL.
no
The First Fleroes of the Cross.
fore, said to him, "Gird thyself and bind on thy
sandals; cast thy garment about thee, and follow
me.'' This Peter did : then the angel led him out
of the prison; he, meanwhile, not realizing his de¬
liverance, but fancying he saw a vision. They
passed the first guard,* and then the second, wfio
had stationed themselves at some little distance from
each other, the better to watch the door of the
prison; but now they, probably, like their compan¬
ions, were overcome with sleep. Then they came
to the massive iron outside gate, that was well bolted
and barred; but, of its own accord, this swung open
before them, and they were then out in the city.
The angel farther led Peter through one street clear
of the prison, and then departed from him, leaving
him to pursue his way.
But not before he was conscious of his position.
By this time, he understood that he had been mi¬
raculously delivered; and, as he gratefully realized
the fact, he said to himself, "Now I know, of a
surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath
delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from
all the expectation of the people of the Jews."
Where should he go at this time of night ? There
were many houses that would gladly welcome him;
*This is the meaning of ward.
The First Heroes of the Cross. hi
but the house of Mary, the mother of John, whose
surname was Mark, the companion and kinsman of
Barnabas, was, probably, near at hand. To it,
therefore, he at once went, and loudly knocked,
not supposing that any one was awake at that hour.
But there were a great many awake within the
house, and for a good purpose. Earnestly as Peter's
friends had prayed for his deliverance ever since his
arrest, their anxiety had become intense on this the
night before his trial.
They had assembled at Mary's house in large
numbers, and had been engaged in prayer for some
time. One after another had prayed, and as each
hour went by, and the morrow came surely on, they
seemed not to be able to cease praying, or to break
up their sad meeting. There was comfort in ad¬
dressing their Heavenly Father, who was able to
save, even though, as some were beginning to fear,
he would not see fit to do so. As the night ad¬
vanced, and the city was hushed in silence, they
were startled by a loud knocking at the door of the
vestibule, or porch. Instantly, the hearts of some
of the friends sank within them. Mary's house was
known as a house of meeting for the disciples; it
was suspected that some of them would be assembled
there, and now Herod had sent his officers to arrest
ii2 The First Heroes of the Cross.
one of their number. However, the knock must
be answered; and a young girl, named Rhoda, came
to ask who was there. She was, probably, the ser¬
vant, and it was well it was her place to answer the
door, as she seemed to possess a natural courage that
many in the house lacked. She was on no account
to open the door, but merely to find out what the
visitor wanted. Not only was she a girl of courage,
but of faith also; she had been praying, with the
rest, for Peter's deliverance; and directly he spoke,
she recognized his voice at once, believing that their
prayers had been answered; and, for very joy,
opened not the gate, but ran back into the house,
and told the good news.
Rhoda, like a warm-hearted, lively girl, was filled
with gladness; and her affection so far got the bet¬
ter of her judgment, that she never once thought
of opening the door. She herself would have been
quite prepared for such a reproof as, "Why did you
not, then, undo the door, and let him in ?" but,
instead of this, they received her announcement
with unbelief, as one utterly unworthy of credit.
This was enough to damp her gladness, but it had
no effect on her faith. Not only would they them¬
selves not believe, they tried to persuade her she was
deceived. But that was more than they could do.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 113
Instead of simply denying her statement, they should
have tested its truth for themselves, as they might
easily have done, by going to the door and inquir¬
ing of the visitor. When they could not silence
or convince her, they rudely questioned her sanity;
for her earnestness and sincerity were beginning to
tell on some of them. But she would not have it
that she was mad; and, indeed, she might have
shown them that, as they had all been praying for
Peter's deliverance, it was the most reasonable thing
to expect it. Their fears, however, were greater
than their faith.
Some, at length, said it must be Peter's angel,
supposing that he had indeed been liberated—but
by death; and that his angel—for it was a common
belief among the Jews that every one had some
heavenly guardian attending him—had come to an¬
nounce something concerning him.
All the time they were thus contending with
Rhoda, and putting forth these notions, Peter was
knocking for admittance. They might have dis¬
cussed as much as they liked afterward; but, just
then, a simple act was their duty—so ready are peo¬
ple to be talking instead of doing, and so prone
are they, after praying, to omit to watch for the an¬
swer.
8
ii4
The First Heroes of the Cross.
But Peter knocked and waited on, puzzled beyond
measure at the refusal to admit him, for he knew
that Rhoda had recognized him. He would not
have been so much astonished at waiting at the
prison door, or outer gate; these had, however,
opened at once, and when the angel left him in the
street, he thought all was plain before him. But
there was really more difficulty in getting admission
into the house of a friend, even after his presence
had been made known, than there had been in get¬
ting away from the prison, with its chains, and bolts,
and bars, and guard of soldiers.
He knocked again; and then, at last, the door
was opened—cautiously, at first, unless Rhoda her¬
self did it; she would fling it wide open, and tell
Peter how sorry she was he had been kept so long
waiting. And when they saw him, they were aston¬
ished—some hardly, even now, believing their own
eyes.
Great was the joy, as they realized that it was in¬
deed Peter standing before them, in his own flesh
and blood; and many were the words of welcome
—and regret, too, let us hope, for keeping him wait¬
ing so long. Tears of joy, as well as smiles of
gladness, were on the faces of some of the women,
and, perhaps, of the men, too, as they saw him
The First Heroes of the Cross. 115
whom they loved snatched, as it were, from the very
jaws of death. Anxious were they all to know how
he had escaped ; and Peter, glad to relieve his heart
by telling his wondrous story, beckoned to them
with his hand, and begged them to be silent.
He then recounted his deliverance, and desired
them that they would tell James and the brethren,
who were not present, in order that they might also
be gladdened by the news, and might take such
measures for their own protection as they thought fit.
Peter then left the house, and went somewhere
out of the way; as he judged that the anger and
revenge of his enemies, which would be excited in
consequence of his escape, would be considerably
increased by the report that it had been accom¬
plished by a miracle.
As soon as daylight dawned, there was great con¬
sternation among the soldiers, when it was found
that the prisoner had escaped; because they well
knew that death would be their punishment.
When Herod was informed of it, he caused search
to be made, and then had the guard closely ques¬
tioned ; but, beyond the fact that Peter had escaped,
they could find out nothing. Herod then, with the
desire to persuade the people that the soldiers had
connived at the escape, and that there had been no
n6 The First Heroes of the Cross.
miracle at all, in accordance with a cruel Roman
law, commanded the soldiers to be put to death.
It is not unlikely that, in spite of his conduct,
Herod believed that a miracle had really been
wrought; but, whether that be so or not, something
diverted his mind from following up his persecution
of Peter. He went down to Cesarea, and there
abode for some time.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 117
CHAPTER XII.
HEROD'S thoughts now were directed to the
cities of Tyre and Sidon. In some way
they had offended him, and he manifested hostile
intentions toward them. Now, these cities of Phe-
nicia depended for their sustenance on the com¬
merce carried on between their ports and other
parts of Palestine. They had no well-watered,
richly-cultivated plains, from which they could draw
supplies; so that, for corn and the necessaries of
life, and other commodities of trade, they were de¬
pendent now, as in olden time, on neighboring
ports and countries.
Herod now ruled over the whole of Palestine.
He had received the title of king from the emperor,
Caligula, who also gave him the possessions of his
uncle, Philip, when he died. His uncle, Herod
Antipas, had been driven as an exile into Gaul, and
Agrippa also received his tetrarchy from Caligula.
In the year 41, this Roman emperor was slain, and
was succeeded by Claudius, into whose favor Herod
ix8 The First Heroes of the Cross.
Agrippa managed to ingratiate himself, and received
from him the kingdoms of Judea and Samaria.
The power, therefore, of the king was undoubted,
and his favor at the court of Rome well known;
and, as he had shown himself to be of so cruel and
unjust a disposition, the people of Tyre and Sidon
might well have trembled at becoming the objects
of his wrath.
They deputed certain of their number to wait
upon the king, to assure him of their desire to be
on peaceful terms with him. They made friends
with Blastus, the king's chamberlain, hoping through
his influence to obtain a favorable reply.
It was now at the beginning of August of the
year 44, and there was to be a great festival at Ces-
area. It is uncertain whether it was on the occa¬
sion of the games in honor of the king's patron,
Claudius, or whether it was a special celebration to
commemorate the return from Britain of that em¬
peror, who had just conquered a considerable part
of that country. At any rate, it was a season of
great public rejoicing, and the city was crowded.
On the second day of the festival, Herod entered the
theater, which was thronged with people, amongst
whom were those from Tyre and Sidon who had
been deputed to wait on the king. This theater,
The First Heroes of the Cross.
119
built by his grandfather, Herod the Great, was a
vast building, the stone seats of which rose tier
above tier, from the ground upward. In the mid¬
dle, to be seen from all sides, was a splendid throne,
now waiting to be occupied by the king. The ex¬
cited crowd looked anxiously for the monarch. At
length, he entered, clad in gorgeous robes, brilliant
with silver, which, as they caught the glorious sun¬
shine of that August morning, dazzled the specta¬
tors as they gazed upon them. The king then made
an oration. What he said is not worth knowing—
probably some pompous words of pride and conceit;
perhaps, too, he made known the result of the ap¬
plication made to him by Blastus on behalf of the
Phenicians. At all events, the base, servile multi¬
tude received the speech with blasphemous flattery,
and shouted out, "It is the voice of a god and not
of a man;'' and the weak, wicked monarch appro¬
priated all the false praise, and stained his soul with
blasphemy.
It was wrong and foolish for the crowd thus to
attribute divine gifts to the godless monarch; but
it was doubly so in him to hug the blasphemy to his
soul. Heathen monarchs had, before now, claimed
divine honors, but this man knew enough of the
God of Israel to stamp his sin as one of the deepest
120 The First Heroes of the Cross.
dye. His day of reckoning had come. The slayer
of the Apostle James, the persecutor of Peter, the
murderer of the innocent soldiers, would no more
lay his guilty hands on any one; and he, now occu¬
pying this exalted position, would be humbled with
the dust.
Ere the shouts had died away in the theater, the
spectacle was brought to a solemn and terrible con¬
clusion. The angel of the Lord smote Herod, and
the monarch, who had walked proudly in to sit on
that throne, now reeled from its seat, and was car¬
ried out a dying man.
But this was not the extent of his fall, nor the
end of his pain. For days, he was a victim to the
most loathsome and painful disease that could af¬
flict a man. To have been smitten and to have
fallen in battle were a kingly death; but to fall
from the height to which his own pride and the
people's flattery had raised him, to the depths of
this most loathsome disease, was indeed a fearful
descent.
For days, the wretched man lingered on, dying
hourly, and suffering the most dreadful torture, as
worms—God's instruments of death—consumed his
vitals. Nothing that he possessed, nothing that his
friends or courtiers could suggest, mitigated his pain.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 121
He lay in this miserable condition, a helpless, suffer¬
ing man, until he died. Thus do the lives of some
men lead us to remember that "Pride goeth before
destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall;''
and thus, from time to time, does God single out
one and another victim of his almighty justice, to
show us that sin unrepented of must be punished—
an earnest of that judgment that awaits those who
have done evil.
Now, an important period had arrived in the his¬
tory of the Church. Hitherto, Jerusalem had been
the center of its operations, and Jews had been the
chief, objects of its ministry. But now, Antioch
became the chief city, from which missionary expe¬
ditions were dispatched to the heathen world.
The work so well .begun in Antioch had been
growing greatly, and now the Church there was
about to send out two of the most eminent of their
members on a missionary tour.
Soon after the return of Barnabas and Saul from
Jerusalem, the Church was favored by a special com¬
mand from God. There was, at that time, chief
among the brethren, one Simeon, who was called
Niger, but about whom nothing is known, except
that he was worthy of being specially enumerated
among the prominent members of the Church.
i22 The First Heroes of the Cross.
Lucius, of Cyrene, was another member of the
Church. He was, doubtless, of the number of those
who, fleeing from his native city by reason of the
persecution of his intolerant brethren, first preached
the gospel at Antioch. " We afterward find him at
Corinth; and, though he then disappears from the
sacred page, his labors were all known to the Mas¬
ter whom he served. Another of the prophets, or
leaders, was Manaen, whose position as such afforded
a striking contrast to his former life. He is spoken
of as a foster-brother of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch
of Galilee; but whether he was a relative, or only a
companion, of the king, he was accustomed to the
habits and life of a court where sin abounded and
luxury prevailed. How different his pursuits after
he joined the Church at Antioch! Like Moses of
old, he "chose rather to suffer affliction with the
people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin
for a season."
As these and other brethren ministered to the
Lord with Barnabas and Saul, the Holy Ghost spake
to them: '(Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the
work whereunto I have called them." So distinct
a call to so distinct a work was solemnly recognized
by the Church. They met together, and fasted,
and prayed for grace, that the same Spirit that had
The First Heroes of the Cross. 123
chosen their two brothers might sustain them, and
prosper them in their work. They then laid their
hands upon them, as recognizing God's choice of
them, and as witnessing that the two missionaries
were now going forth with the prayers of the Church
at Antioch resting upon them.
Barnabas and Saul, thus chosen and commended,
set out on their first missionary journey. They
had no doubt that they would be as divinely di¬
rected in their work as they were chosen for it; and,
taking a solemn leave of the brethren, they departed,
accompanied by John, a nephew of Barnabas, whose
surname was Mark, for Seleucia, the port of Antioch,
about fifteen miles west of the city.
As they neared the coast, the high mountains of
the island of Cyprus, some sixty miles to the south¬
west, rose in the distance before them. Up these
mountain-sides the youthful feet of Barnabas had
often wandered, for Cyprus was his island home.
How would he long again to visit the scenes of his
early life ! and now, more especially, as he was the
bearer of such glad tidings. It was natural that the
eyes of the missionaries should turn in this direc¬
tion ; and, moreover, they well knew that there were
many Jews there, and that, although their mission
now was to the Gentiles more particularly, they
124 The First Heroes of the Cross.
would be able to use the synagogues for the purpose
of preaching. Then, some of the inhabitants of
the island were already Christians, and would be
sure to welcome them; and, although Barnabas and
Saul were not deterred by any thought of the diffi¬
culties and dangers of their tour, it would be an
advantage for them to commence their labors among
a people from some of whom, at least, they were
sure of sympathy and support. With some such
thoughts as these in their minds, they reached the
piers* of the harbor. There was a constant trade
between Seleucia and Cyprus; and, doubtless, there
was a vessel loading for the island, or, perhaps,
ready to start. The three friends got on board,
and in a few hours made the island, and anchored
in the bay of Salamis.
The extreme productiveness of Cyprus caused a
large trade to spring up with other ports. Its corn,
wine, honey, flax, and fruit engaged a number of
vessels, and made the harbor and the town, at times,
* " The very piers of the outer harbor are still to be seen
under the water. It seems that the names of the piers still
retain the memory of this occasion. Dr. Yates says that the
southern pier is called after the apostle Paul, in contradis¬
tinction to its fellow, the pier of St. Barnabas."—Conybcarc
and Howson.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
125
full of life. As the bark entered, she may have
neared many vessels laden with valuable cargoes, or
passed many a ship carrying the flag of some pow¬
erful State; but her freight was more precious than
all that floated on these waters; her flag represented
a power before which empires and States would
crumble and decay; for she was bearing those
Christian messengers, with a message of mercy from
the King of kings.
Arrived at Salamis, they went to the synagogues,
and there preached to all who came to listen. With
the help of John, they went through the island, vis¬
iting out-of-the-way places, and taking the gospel
to those who knew not that it had been preached in
the synagogues. They traversed the island from
east to west, a distance of about one hundred miles,
and at length came to Paphos. This was the gar¬
rison town; here the governor, Sergius Paulus, re¬
sided. Paphos was celebrated for the infamous
heathen rites and delusions which were practiced.
The governor was a man of an inquiring turn of
mind. At Rome, he saw that his countrymen really
believed in no God at all, and, feeling that such
atheism could not but be wrong, he inquired of any
who seemed to worship a higher power. At this
time, superstition and delusion were everywhere
126 The First Heroes of the Cross.
found; soothsayers and magicians, wizards, and
gipsy fortune-tellers, traveled freely, and found
plenty of victims. One of these sorcerers had
been at Paphos; he called himself by the Arabic
name of Elymas, the Wise. He was a Jew, and
his real name was Bar-jesus; and, by his cunning
and natural ability, he had made a position for him¬
self. Even the governor was greatly impressed by
him; and to be thus favored by the governor gave
him a passport into all circles, and whilst it offered
him an opportunity of practicing his delusions, it
also gave them an official prestige, or sanction.
As soon as the apostles arrived at Paphos, they
found how great was the influence which Bar-jesus
was exerting, and how necessary it would be to op¬
pose him. When the governor heard of their arri¬
val, he sent for them, desiring to hear the word of
God.
He listened attentively to the story of the cross,
which he now heard for the first time. It com¬
mended itself to his reason and judgment, and
he was impressed by the apostles' words. When
Elymas saw that just in proportion as the governor
listened to the gospel would his own influence over
him decline, he withstood the apostles, denying the
truth of their statements, and seeking to remove the
The First Heroes of the Cross. 127
impressions which they had made. Then Saul,
filled with the Holy Ghost, fixed his eyes on him,
and said, " O full of all subtilty and all mischief,
thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all right¬
eousness, 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."
Immediately, there fell on him a mist and a dark¬
ness, and this pretended worker of miracles was
himself miraculously struck blind; and he who had
been leading others captive, groped about, seeking
for some one to lead him away from the scene of
his punishment.
This judgment on him would at once destroy his
influence, and undo some of the mischief he had
been doing; whilst the miracle itself would serve
to convince the people that the God whom the apos¬
tles preached was "the only living and true God."
It had this effect on the governor, who forthwith
became a Christian.
It has been observed that, as with Jesus, so with
his followers, miraculous power was generally ex¬
erted to bless mankind. One miracle of wrath was
performed by each of the apostles, Peter and Saul;
and, as both were wrought at the instigation of the
128
The First Heroes of the Cross.
Holy Spirit, we may be sure that, at this early stage
of the gospel history, it was necessary to mark, in
a most solemn and emphatic manner, God's hatred
of hypocrisy and imposture.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 129
CHAPTER XIII.
HIS point of the apostle's life appeared to be
very important; for the first time, he was
spoken of as Paial,* the name by which he was ever
afterward known; and, henceforth, he occupied the
foreground in all missionary enterprise. He was to
be, from this time, the great preacher to the Gen¬
tiles; and whoever his companions might be, they
would occupy a less prominent position than he.
The apostles now left Paphos.
Their steps throughout their various journeyings
were, doubtless, directed by a heavenly Hand, or,
when left to their own judgment, by a knowledge
of local circumstances, both of places and of people.
* Various have been the opinions as to the reason of the
apostle's change of name at this time. It is probable that
he had both names before he was a Christian—the Hebrew
one of Saul, and the Roman one of Paul. This would not
be an improbable circumstance, even did we not know that
he was a free-born Roman citizen. Henceforth, his labors
would be more among Greeks and Romans, to whom his He¬
brew name would not be so familiar.
9
130 The First Heroes of the Cross.
They sailed from Paphos, across the sea, to tha
bay of Attalia, in Pamphylia; and then, either in
the same ship or a smaller one, they went up the
River Cestrus to the city of Perga, some seven miles
from the sea. Ascending the river, the hills of the
Taurus Mountains, which rose from the back of the
town, attracted their notice; but coming nearer the
city, their eyes turned to a less pleasant sight, for
before them stood a celebrated temple of Diana,
which brought into Perga hosts of worshipers.
Here they remained some short time, and preached
the gospel; but their visit was rendered memorable
by a painful incident that happened to themselves.
John, who up to this time had accompanied his
uncle Barnabas and Paul, looking after their personal
comforts, and in this way really serving God by re¬
lieving his elders of all care and anxiety on these
matters, thereby affording them greater opportuni¬
ties of preaching the word, showed signs of dissat¬
isfaction. Of a nature not so enduring as the other
two, he might not have been able to stand the
fatigue of so much travel; or, as we are told that
the plains of Asia Minor were infested with hordes
of robbers, and that the mountainous district of
Pisidia, where they then were, was noted for the
violent floods to which its rivers were subjected,
The First Heroes of the Cross. 131
bursting their water-courses and rushing wildly for¬
ward, carrying destruction with them, the heart of
the young man may have failed within him, as he
compared the hardships and peril of his present life
with the quiet safety of his mother's home at Jeru¬
salem. As he longed for home, neither his uncle
nor Paul desired to retain him against his will; and
he, accordingly, left the apostles and started home¬
ward, much to the disappointment and regret of
both of them, but especially of Paul.
It showed, no doubt, a want of enduring zeal and
love for Christ, thus to give up; and it should teach
us that it will require something more than spas¬
modic effort to serve God constantly through evil
and through good report.
Whatever the dangers or difficulties of our jour¬
ney, we may be sure that He, in whose service we
are laboring, will never leave us; that a safe-conduct
through one hard passage will be an earnest of de¬
liverance from the next, and that He is never nearer
to us than when the way is roughest and most toil¬
some.
Thus early were the apostles taught that the best
human friendships are imperfect; and that on the
arm of the Lord alone could they implicitly trust.
Leaving Perga, and passing through the mountain
132 The First Heroes of the Cross.
passes of Mount Taurus, the apostles came upon the
open table-land of Pisidia, in which the city of
Antioch was situated. Founded by the Emperor
Augustus, it was a city of some importance, and
contained many inhabitants—Greek, Roman, and
Jewish. These latter had a synagogue, to which
many of the Gentiles resorted, and where some
were to be found, among the upper classes of wom¬
en, who had embraced Judaism. On the Sabbath
day, Paul and Barnabas entered the synagogue and
sat down; they had on the taltith, a four-cornered
cloth, worn on the head as a veil, so that it would
be noticed that two Jews from some other part were
joining in the service that day. The prayers being
recited by the "angel" or "apostle" of the syn¬
agogue, the sacred roll was handed from the ark by
the chazan, or minister, to the reader, who read
aloud the portions of the law and the prophets ap¬
pointed for the day. After the reading, there was,
usually, a short pause, when any one present, who
felt that he had some word of consolation or exhor¬
tation to declare, was permitted to speak. On the
present occasion, the rulers of the synagogue sent
to Paul and Barnabas, to ask them if they had any
thing to say. Then Paul stood up, and, moving
his hand after the manner of an accomplished
The First Heroes of the Cross. 133
speaker, he began to address them. It was at once
perceived that he was no ordinary man, and they
listened attentively. He began by showing God's
love to his ancient people, in bringing them through
the wilderness, and in giving them David, of whom
they never tired of hearing; that the same Script¬
ure contained the promise of a Messiah, of whom
David was the forerunner and type. Up to this
part, they listened with pleasure and interest. But
now Paul declared that the Messiah, of whom John
preached, had appeared, and had been put to death
by the Jews at Jerusalem, who had thus, uncon¬
sciously, fulfilled the predictions of their own proph¬
ets, in whom they professed to believe.
He then declared the resurrection of Christ,
according to the promise given to David; and pro¬
claimed freely the gospel, which included forgive¬
ness of sins, which the law of Moses could not effect.
Then, anticipating the opposition which followed,
he warned them against the punishment which their
own prophets had foretold should come upon all
who despised the offers of mercy.
The effect of this first sermon of Paul's was very
great. As soon as the Jews* left the synagogue,
* In Acts xiii. 42, the words Jews, synagogue, and Gentiles
have, according to the latest critics, been inserted in the text
134 The First Heroes of the Cross.
they gathered round the apostles, and desired that
the same address should be repeated on the follow¬
ing Sabbath. A general interest was excited in the
minds of the people; whilst many of the Jews and
proselytes were so impressed that they followed Paul
and Barnabas, desiring to hear farther concerning
the new gospel. During the week, the apostles con¬
versed with these, urging them, as they had received
the grace of God, to continue in it.
On the next Sabbath, so great was- the interest
aroused, that nearly all in the city came to hear the
word of God, of course in greater numbers than the
synagogue could hold.. But when the Jews saw the
multitudes to whom the gospel was offered as freely
as to themselves, they were filled with envy; and
their old Jewish pride and intolerance urged them
to oppose Paul, by contradicting what he said, and
even by blaspheming.
As the synagogue could hold but a small portion
of the people, it is probable that Paul and Barnabas
addressed the crowds in the open air. Instead of
being deterred by the fury of the Jews, it only made
by the copyists. This alters the meaning; and, though the
Jews did compel Paul and Barnabas to leave the city, the
first effect of the apostle's preaching was to arouse a general
desire to near more from him.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
*35
them bolder: opposition called out all their ener¬
gies, and gave them courage to apply to the Jews
the judgments which Paul had referred to on the
preceding Sabbath. Paul and Barnabas told them
plainly that, as they rejected the word of God which
was first spoken to them, they showed they were un¬
worthy of everlasting life; and that henceforth they,
the apostles, would turn to the Gentiles, and preach
to them Christ Jesus, who was promised for the sal¬
vation of the ends of the earth.
When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced, and
glorified God for so blessed a gospel; and as many
of them as were disposed to receive the message be¬
lieved unto eternal life.
Not only was the gospel thus successful in the
city, but the testimony of so many who were now
rejoicing in Jesus prepared the hearts of those who
lived in the suburbs and in places adjoining; so
that, wherever the apostles preached, they found
willing and anxious hearers.
But the hatred and envy of the Jews increased
just as the gospel was successful. They succeeded
in enlisting on their side the chief men of the city
and women of position, who were reckoned devout
because they attended the synagogue, and honora¬
ble because of their social rank; and, together, they
136
The First Heroes of the Cross.
raised such a fierce persecution that Paul and Bar¬
nabas were obliged to fly before it. As they left
the city, they shook off the dust from their feet
against it, as their Lord had commanded them:
not in anger at the personal treatment they had re¬
ceived, but as expressing their abhorrence of the
conduct of the Jews, in thus rejecting the gospel
themselves and opposing its spread in the hearts of
those who were waiting to receive it.
But the Jews were not able to undo the good
work that had been done : the disciples continued
steadfast in the faith, and were filled with joy and
the Holy Ghost; and as the apostles thought on
how great a work they had been permitted to ac¬
complish, they thanked God.
They next visited Iconium, the capital of Lycao-
nia, about 120 miles from the Mediterranean. As
they traveled across the plain, the snow-clad moun¬
tains, in the midst of which the city lay, rose before
them; and, when they arrived, they were not dis¬
appointed in the appearance of the city. Rich
meadow-land and lovely gardens stretched out on
every hand; but the apostles, much as they must
have admired the scene, had come to impart a moral
beauty to the place, such as it had never known.
Though there were many Jews there, the greater
The First Heroes of the Cross. 137
part of the population was composed of Greeks;
these went to hear the new preachers, as they spoke
in the synagogue on the Sabbath day. So impress¬
ively did both Paul and Barnabas address the crowds,
that many Jews, and a still greater number of the
Greeks, believed the word, and became Christians.
But the proud, unbelieving Jews soon became filled
with jealousy and hatred against the apostles, and
stirred up in the minds of the Gentiles who had not
as yet believed a bitter enmity against those who
had. For a time, they overcame their aversion to
mingling with the Gentiles; for much as they de¬
spised them, they hated the Christians more. The
apostles, however, did not at once yield. They re¬
mained in the city a long while, speaking boldly in
the name of the Lord. Their own hearts were en¬
couraged, and their success was increased by the
many signs and miracles which the Holy Spirit en¬
abled them to perform. At last, the opposition be¬
came so great that the city was divided into two
factions—of those who believed and were favorable
to the apostles, and those who had been worked
upon by the Jews to oppose them. Of course, on
the side of the Jews were arrayed all the evil pas¬
sions which incite mankind—the malignant pride
and fierce, persecuting fury of the Jews, united with
138 The First Heroes of the Cross.
all the low and base feelings of those who can be
bribed to take any side, and with the bitter dislike
which the worst men have to all religion.
The issue, then, was not doubtful. The crowd,
thus instigated and led, was ready for any deeds of
cruelty and violence. They attacked the Christian
disciples whenever they showed themselves in the
street, driving them before them with showers of
stones and other missiles. Had the apostles re¬
mained any longer, they would probably have fallen
victims; but they escaped, and fled to Lystra and
Derbe, two towns a few miles to the south-west.
In their flight, they were not influenced so much
by a desire to escape from danger, as from a wish to
spread the gospel as widely as possible. Had they
met with no opposition at some of these cities, they
might have remained in them, to the exclusion of
other cities from the blessed privilege of hearing
the gospel. But these persecutions served only to
waft the seeds of grace to other soil; and thus, the
very opposition of the Jews to the spread of the
gospel turned out rather to its furtherance.
As soon as the apostles arrived at Lystra, they
began their ministry.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 139
CHAPTER XIV.
NE day, as Paul was preaching, a poor cripple,
who had never in his life had the use of his
feet, and who was sitting, probably in his usual
place, to attract the notice and obtain the sympathy
of passers-by, manifested an intense interest in all
that fell from the apostle's lips. Though he had
been a cripple all his days, he longed for the use of
his feet, as he saw the youth of the city pass by in
all their freedom and activity, or as he beheld his
fellow-men in all the strength and vigor of their
manhood; and he was not content to remain as he
was, if by any means he could be otherwise. As
Paul unfolded the love of the Father for his human
family, the poor man began to think that perhaps
this great, good God would notice him in his afflic¬
tion. His heart revived with a new hope—his face
was radiant with a new joy; and, as the eye of the
apostle rested on him, Paul saw an expression very
different from that which the faces around him wore.
Looking at him steadfastly, Paul perceived that the
140 The First Heroes of the Cross.
man had the faith necessary to be healed. He said
to him with a loud voice, conscious of the divine
power that was in him, that all around might hear,
"Stand upright on thy feet;" and, immediately,
the man made the effort, and, to his great joy,
found that.his feet were no longer useless nor his
limbs powerless. He sprang up, leaped into the
air, as though he would see how high his newly ac¬
quired powers would take him, and then walked
about among the people, to convince himself and
others that the cure was genuine.
The people, however, at once believed; and,
feeling sure that such a miracle was supernatural,
they shouted out in their own native dialect,* "The
gods are come down to us in the likeness of men."
They then called Barnabas Jupiter, who was the
mightiest of all the heathen deities, and was sup¬
posed to be the patron of their own city; and Paul
they styled Mercurius, or Mercury, the herald, or
messenger, of the gods. The reason of their thus
distinguishing the apostles was that Paul, being the
chief speaker, performed the task usually supposed
to fall to Mercurius; whilst Barnabas, who, in bear¬
ing and figure, was perhaps more majestic than Paul,
was considered more likely to represent Jupiter.
* Probably a mixture of Greek and Syriac.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
141
There were actually traditions floating about those
districts that these very gods had appeared together
in human form; but, whether these people had
heard of them or not, it was but natural, in their
ignorance of a true God, to suppose that miracles
were a proof of the divinity of those by whom they
were wrought; and that, consequently, they were
worthy of their worship.
In front of the gates of the city stood a temple,
or image, of Jupiter. The attendant priest, inter¬
preting the wishes of the people to offer a sacrifice
to their god, for having thus appeared to them in
human form, and for miraculously curing one of
their number, got ready oxen, and decked them out
with garlands of flowers. The oxen were led through
the city to the gates, to be sacrificed, followed by
instrumental music and an excited crowd. Many
of the people would surround the house where Paul
and Barnabas were staying, for it was in honor of
them that the sacrifice was to be offered.
As soon as the apostles became aware that they
were the objects of this foolish idolatry, they rent
their clothes, in real anguish of heart, and ran out
from the house among the people, crying out, " Sirs,
why do ye these things? We, also, are men of like
passions with you; and preach unto you, that ye
142 The First Heroes of the Cross.
should turn from these vanities unto the living God,
who made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all
things that are therein : who in times past suffered
all nations to walk in their own ways. Neverthe¬
less, he left not himself without witness, in that he
did good, and gave you* rain from heaven, and
fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and
gladness." Thus admirably, in these few words,
spoken, as it were, on the spur of the moment, and
amidst great excitement, the nature of the one liv¬
ing and true God was revealed to the people. He
was the Maker of all things, who had patiently borne
with the ways of men, which were not his ways, but
who had always, even in the most corrupt ages,
some witnesses of himself; and that his natural
gifts to all, which made our hearts so glad, were but
an earnest of his desire to give to all his spiritual
gifts, which would make us happy forever.
Considering the circumstances, this was one of
the most masterly speeches that Paul (for there is
little doubt but that he was the speaker) ever made;
and it showed how wonderfully he was adapted, by
the Spirit of God, for the many phases of his work.
When before learned rabbans, or educated Jews, he
*"You" and "your" are the correct readings, not "us"
and "our."—Conybeare and Howson.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
143
preached to them from the book of the law; but
before this idolatrous crowd, he simply and in a few
words opened the book of nature.
Short as the speech was, it was successful; though
it required the persuasive energy of both the apos¬
tles to restrain the people from carrying out their
intention.
Sad as was the conduct of these idolaters, they
showed an earnestness, a reality, and a self-denial
in their religion, which contrasted favorably with
the behavior of the Jews toward the apostles. They
acted, up to their light, and were grateful for what
the apostles said and did; whereas, the Jews sinned
against their light, and were ready to ascribe mira¬
cles of mercy to Satanic agency, rather than humble
themselves to the meek standard of the gospel.
The light in them was darkness; how great, there¬
fore, had it become!
But, alas ! the reverence and respect of the peo¬
ple for the apostles were but short-lived. The per¬
secuting and malignant Jews at Antioch followed
Paul and Barnabas to Iconium, where they met with
ready sympathizers in their cruel mission. The
men at Iconium who intended stoning them, but
were frustrated by their flight to Lystra, now deter¬
mined to carry out their design at the latter city.
144
The First Heroes of the Cross.
The two sets of Jews encouraged one another in
their evil work, and, together, they set out for Lys-
tra, where they arrived after Paul and Barnabas had
restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them,
and perhaps before the excitement was allayed.
These base, designing Jews arrived just in time to
effect their purpose. The people, finding that their
own theory about the miracle was disowned by the
apostles themselves, were quite ready to take up
some other; so that, when the Jews went about
amongst them, declaring that Paul and Barnabas
were magicians, in league with the devil, they were
readily believed; and those who, just before, were
prepared to worship the apostles as gods, now turned
round on them as though they were not fit to live.
Previously, they had shown some gratitude for the
blessing Paul had wrought on one of their number;
now, they treated the apostles as though their very
presence was a curse to the city.
So fickle is mere human applause; so easily are
men led to consider the very opposite lines of con¬
duct right, when the conscience is not enlightened
by the Holy Spirit.
Falling in with the suggestion of the Jews, that
they should stone Paul, they joined with them in the
murderous work, until having, as they thought, ac-
The First Heroes of the Cross. 145
complished their end, they dragged him outside the
city, and there left him for dead.
But God did not leave him. Whether Paul was
merely stunned by a blow, and recovered naturally,
or whether, as is more probable, he received many
terrible blows, and was suddenly and miraculously
restored, it is certain that whilst the disciples stood
round about him, ready to do any thing that lay in
their power, he unexpectedly rose up before them
all, and, to their great joy, was able to walk back
into the city.
Amongst those who remained near Paul, was a
young man who had become converted by his
preaching, Timothy by name.* When he was show¬
ing his sympathy with the apostle in his sufferings,
little did he think how frequently afterward he
would minister to him, and how acceptable his ser¬
vices would become.
The next day, Paul and Barnabas departed for
Derbe, a city a few miles eastward.
After having preached the gospel there, and taught
as many as were disposed to receive the word, they
* We next hear of Timothy in Acts xvi. 1, when he was
evidently already a Christian; and as Paul reminds him (2
Tim. iii. 10, 11) that he fully knew of his sufferings at Lys-
tra, he doubtless met with him at this time,
xo
146
The First Heroes of the Cross.
retraced their steps through the cities where they
had met with such opposition and persecution.
They were on their way back to Antioch, in Syria,
and their shortest route, and the one least likely to
expose them to any unpleasantness, lay through the
province of Cilicia ; but they thought of their con¬
verts, rather than of themselves. They knew the
disciples had heard of Paul's having been stoned,
and they thought that the fear of persecution might
deter many from continuing in the way of the Lord.
Paul might have here remembered how bitterly he
had persecuted the Church, and he would like his
enemies to have yet another offer of the gospel.
They returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
" strengthening the souls of the disciples, and ex¬
horting them to continue in the faith;" urging
them, from the declarations of Jesus himself, and
from their own experience, also, "that they must
through much tribulation enter into the-kingdom
of God."
If any were alarmed by the report of Paul's suf¬
ferings, he would show them that they were all to
pass through tribulation, and not to sink under it.
The better to carry on the work which had been so
well begun, the apostles set apart the men of expe¬
rience in every Church as elders, or officers, of dif-
The First heroes of the Cross.
147
ferent orders; and then, by solemn fasting and
prayer, they commended them to the Lord.
Passing through Pisidia, they came to Perga.
Having on their outward journey remained here
but a brief time, they now tarried for awhile, and
preached the gospel. Thence they went to Attalia,
a city of Pamphylia, built by Attalus Philadelphus,
King of Pergamos, and situated at the mouth of the
River Catarrhades. It was a seaport of some con¬
siderable importance; and here, whilst waiting for
a vessel to take them to Antioch, they continued
their ministry.
Sailing thence, they arrived whence they had set
out; and, as soon as they had landed, they reported
themselves to the Church which had sent them
forth.
Without loss of time, the Church assembled to
hear from the apostles an account of their journey.
At this first missionary meeting, Paul and Barnabas
gave a graphic and detailed account of what they
had done and suffered, and of the great success
wherewith God had accompanied their labors. As
the disciples listened with sympathetic interest to
the success of the gospel, the apostles took care to
show that what God had done through them was
merely the opening of the door, as it were, to the
148
The First Heroes of the Cross.
Gentiles. It was but the beginning of the triumphs
of the cross.
Here the apostles abode for a long time, some
two or three years,* until a very serious strife in the
Church at Antioch made it necessary for them to
undertake a journey to Jerusalem.
In spite of Peter's testimony, and in spite of the
evidence afforded by the conversion of numbers of
the Gentiles, there were many of the Church at Je¬
rusalem who could not bring themselves to believe
that Christianity would entirely supersede Judaism,
and that their distinctions as Jews would be merged
in the broader characteristics of Christians. They
were willing to receive Christ and become Chris¬
tianized Jews, and they were unwilling that he
should be received in any other way. They would
admit the Gentiles to the kingdom of heaven only
through a Jewish door of rites and ceremonies.
Some of these men, incensed at the reports which
came to them from different quarters, as to the con¬
version of the Gentiles, without first becoming Jews,
* How they were employed we are not told. It is certain
that Paul undertook many more journeys than are recorded
by Luke; perhaps some were performed in this interval.
At all events, we may be sure that both he and Barnabas
were well occupied.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 149
and knowing that Paul was the chief agent in this
work, went down from Jerusalem to Antioch to un¬
dermine, if possible, his influence. They worked
secretly as spies for some time, sowing dissension
wherever they could, until their presence could no
longer be concealed, when they openly appeared
and taught the people that, unless they submitted to
the law of Moses, they could not be saved.* This
teaching, so entirely opposed to that of Paul and
Barnabas, who, in addressing the Gentiles here and
elsewhere, urged them only to believe in Christ,
created consternation. Those who had believed
were likely to get shaken in their faith, whilst those
who were willing to listen to the gospel were con¬
fused by the very different statements put forth by
its preachers.
Paul and Barnabas, of course, could not allow
such teaching to pass unchallenged, so they openly
denied that Jewish rites were at all necessary to sal¬
vation. But these men were not easily silenced;
they knew that many at Jerusalem agreed with them,
and probably some of the Jews there, who had em¬
braced Christianity, were disposed to favor them.
* This period in the history of the Church is referred to
by P^ul himself, in Galatians ii., as well as by Luke, Acts
xv. 1, etc.
150 The First Heroes of the Cross.
At last, discussion ran so high, dissension spread
so far, and such uncertainty prevailed, that it was
decided by the Church that Paul and Barnabas
should go up to Jerusalem to inquire about the mat¬
ter, as these new teachers were supposed to repre¬
sent a large party in the mother Church. Whilst
the brethren were discussing the propriety of thus
sending the apostles, Paul received by revelation a
divine command to go up to Jerusalem. This
double commission prepared him for the journey,
and for appearing before the Church with even more
than his usual boldness and courage. His compan¬
ions were well chosen: Barnabas, who was so much
respected, was a Jew and a Levite by birth, who
would not,'therefore, be likely to despise any Jew¬
ish rite, merely for the sake of so doing; and Titus,
a Gentile, a convert from heathenism, whom the
Church could see and question as to his fitness for
admission into the Christian Church, and who might
be regarded as a specimen of those whom the new
teaching would be likely to exclude.
These three left Antioch, with the prayers and
blessings of their brethren resting upon them.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
CHAPTER XV.
ALTHOUGH on a special mission to Jerusalem,
the brethren omitted no opportunity on the
way of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. They
went through Phenicia and Samaria, to the great
joy of those who already believed, and of those who
had never listened to the apostles before. Thus,
however much the brethren at Antioch were dis¬
turbed, there were many elsewhere whose hearts
were gladdened through this journey, being ren¬
dered necessary.
The three were kindly received by the apostles
and elders at Jerusalem, who listened with interest
to all they had to tell them of the success of the
gospel in many places, and, lastly,* of the check it
had received at Antioch, through those who had
come from Jerusalem, teaching that it was needful
for the Gentiles to keep the law of Moses.
The apostles, and elders, and brethren met in
* Verses 4 and 5 of Acts xv. should be separated only by a
comma, and not by a full stop.
*52
The First Heroes of the Cross.
council to consider this matter. After several had
spoken, some on one side and some on the other,
Peter, to whom the eyes of many turned as one to
whom this discussion was not new, rose and re¬
minded them that by his mouth, some time before,
many of the Gentiles had believed, and had received
the Holy Ghost without first becoming Jews. He
asked them why they should tempt God to put a
yoke upon the Gentiles which neither they nor their
fathers could bear, and concluded by declaring that
the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ was alone neces¬
sary for their salvation. The assembly was then
anxious to hear something from the apostles who
had come from Antioch; and, accordingly, Barna¬
bas and Paul gave an account of the success which
had attended their ministry—of the wonders and
miracles by which God had shown his approval of
their labors. Not only did the multitude listen
with wrapt attention to the graphic recital of their
journeyings, but the divinely-attested facts which
they stated were better than all the arguments used
by Jewish doctors which could have been adduced,
and carried conviction to many minds.
Then, the Apo^le James, who presided on the
occasion, proceeded to sum up the discussion, by re¬
minding them that one of their own prophets had
The First Heroes of the Cross.
153
declared that of the spiritual temple which would
be built on the ruins of the temple of David, the
Gentiles would form a part. He then delivered his
sentence, that the Gentiles who turned to God
should not be troubled with the Mosaic law, but
that they should be written to and cautioned on
four points: to abstain from eating meat that had
been offered to idols; from the gross sins that were
frequently connected with the idolatrous rites of the
heathen; from eating animals that had been killed
without the shedding of their blood; and from par¬
taking of the blood. Now, one of these restrictions
was of a moral nature, and was necessary, from the
fact that the most abominable and shameful acts
used to be mixed up with the so-called religious ob¬
servances of the heathen. It was well to remind
the Gentiles carefully to avoid all contact with such
things. The other three restrictions were of a cer¬
emonial nature, not intended for them, but for the
Jews. The Gentiles bought the food that had been
offered in idol worship; they ate animals that had
been strangled—poultry, game, and birds generally;
they drank blood with other liquors, or mixed with
flour, or spice; and there was no real harm in their
so doing. But, as these things were forbidden by
the Mosaic law, and inasmuch as the Christians
154
The First Heroes of the Cross.
generally met for worship in the synagogues of the
Jews, it was right and proper that the Gentiles
should not outrage Jewish prejudice by these acts,
which were repugnant to the Jews, and were not
necessary to themselves. The decision of James
was accepted by the whole Church; and they then
determined that two chief men among them—Ju¬
das, surnamed Barsabas, and Silas—should return
with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. The Church,
moreover, wrote the following to their brethren at
Antioch:
"The apostles, and elders, and brethren send
greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gen¬
tiles in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia:
" Forasmuch as we have heard that certain which
went out from us have troubled you with words,
subverting your souls, saying, ' Ye must be circum¬
cised, and keep the law'—to whom we gave no such
commandment:
"It seemed good unto us, being assembled with
one accord, to send chosen men unto you, with our
beloved 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- shall
also tell you the same things by mouth. For it
seemed -good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay
The First Heroes of the Cross. 155
upon you no greater burden than these necessary
things : that ye abstain from meats offered to idols,
and from blood, and from things strangled, and
from fornication 3 from which if ye keep yourselves,
ye shall do well. Fare ye well!"
The four friends then left Jerusalem for Antioch;
two of them, at least, much delighted with the re¬
sult of the council. They would tell their compan¬
ions of their labors in planting the gospel3 and
would rejoice greatly that this last attempt to make
the way to heaven so much more difficult than God
would have it, had so completely failed. Looking
forward, too, to their arrival, they would anticipate
how gladly the Church at Antioch would receive
the news. Nor were they disappointed.
As soon as they arrived, the brethren assembled
in crowds to hear the result of the journey. The
letter was delivered to the Church, and read aloud3
and great was the joy that it occasioned. The false
teachers were now silenced, and, from the general
delight at the contents of the letter, it was evident
that they had not been very successful in their ef¬
forts.
Judas and Silas, being richly endowed by the
Holy Spirit, both as teachers and prophets, addressed
the brethren much to their benefit. So acceptable
ISO The First Heroes of the Cross.
were their words that, for some time, they remained
in the city, preaching to the people.
Silas even remained after Barnabas returned to
Jerusalem.
Thus ended the first great doctrinal dispute in the
Church, and thus ended its settlement by the first
Church council; and as we read the manner in
which the Church at Jerusalem behaved—such wis¬
dom and judgment being blended with such con¬
ciliation and tact, such dignity combined with such
meekness and love—we cannot but compare it with
the accounts we have of Church councils that have
been held since then.
The agents in some of these, though arrogating
to themselves the dignity of being successors to the
apostles, have displayed little of their charity and
love. Had they really been worthy successors to
the apostles, we should have been spared the relig¬
ious intolerance that has disgraced the Church, and
the bitter hatreds and cruel persecutions that have
arisen from it.
The Church at Antioch had, indeed, reason to
rejoice at what had taken place. They had been
favored with eminent preachers from Jerusalem;
others of their own number had devoted themselves
to the work; and Paul and Barnabas, encouraged
The First Heroes of the Cross.
157
by the result of their mission, went about preaching
and teaching with great zeal and fervor.
After some little time, Paul—contrasting, perhaps,
the few advantages which those Churches had which
he and Barnabas had planted in Asia Minor, with
those which the Church at Antioch was now enjoy¬
ing, and doubtless longing, out of the depths of his
strong, affectionate nature, to see those again who
were bound to him by bonds so spiritual and lasting
—said to his companions:
"Let us go again and visit our brethren in every
city where we have preached the word of the Lord,
and see how they do."
So far, they were agreed; but now, alas! came a
cause of quarrel, which showed how true were the
words which they had spoken to the people at Lys-
tra: "We also are men of like passions with you."
As soon as they had decided on -revisiting the
Churches, Barnabas determined to take with them
his nephew, Mark, who had accompanied his uncle
from Jerusalem, and was now at Antioch. Paul,
calling to mind how Mark had shrunk from the
work in Pamphylia, objected to him, as one on
whom no dependence could be placed in a day of
trial. Neither of the apostles would give way, " and
the contention was so sharp between them, that
158 The First Heroes of the Cross.
they departed asunder one from the other." Each
had something to advance on his own behalf. Bar¬
nabas, very naturally, loved his nephew; and, now
that Mark had repented of his lukewarmness, and
had again left his home, anxious to be engaged in
the work of the Church, it was hard to check his
zeal, and not to overlook his former want of it.
Paul, on the other hand, thought the work far too
important to be intrusted to any one who shrank
from any of its trials.
It is very pleasant to know that, though the apos¬
tles now separated, they bore no enmity to one an¬
other ; and that afterward, Mark, who had been the
cause of the dispute, so far justified his uncle's good
opinion of him in giving him this second trial, that
Paul himself was able to say that he was "profita¬
ble to him for the ministry.''
Whilst, therefore, no injurious consequences of
this quarrel were allowed remotely to hinder the
spread of the gospel, its immediate effect was to
further it; for, instead of one journey, two were
now undertaken in different directions, and instead
of two missionaries, four were now engaged in the
work.
Barnabas started with Mark for the island of Cy¬
prus, in which they were so much interested; and
The First Heroes of the Cross. 159
Paul choosing Silas, who had proved himself so use¬
ful at Antioch, the Church commended them both
to the grace of God; and they set out on their
tour through Syria and Cilicia, to revisit the Churches
that had been planted, that they might strengthen
and confirm the disciples.
i6o
The First Heroes of the Cross.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE decision of the Church as to the extent to
which the law of Moses was binding on the
Gentiles greatly helped the apostles in this second
missionary journey.
The Churches received the intelligence gladly,
and great numbers of the Gentiles united themselves
with their Christian fellow-townsmen. Paul and
Silas went to Derbe and Lystra, and though no
great excitement now arose on account of their
visit, it was marked by an important event. Tim¬
othy, who, it will be remembered, was one of Paul's
converts, had since remained steadfast in the faith,
and had become known for his excellent character,
not only in his native city, but at Iconium, which
was adjacent. Now, Paul began to experience his
need of helpers. A recollection of his last jour¬
ney, which was so trying to him physically, and in
which he was exposed to so much danger, plainly
showed him what he might expect in the future;
and the recent sad difference convinced him that it
The First Heroes of the Cross. 161
was well not to rely too implicitly on any one for
co-operation. He foresaw that Timothy would
make a valuable servant of the Lord and compan¬
ion to himself; and so he told him of his wish that
he should accompany him. Besides his own char¬
acter, which was all that could be desired, Timothy's
parentage was in his favor. His mother, Eunice,
was Jewish by birth, but she had married a Greek;
and as it was customary for the father to have the
control of the religious education of his children,
Timothy was not trained as a Jew. His mother
and his grandmother, Lois, also, spared no pains in
bringing him up in the fear of the law; so that,
though he was not strictly a Jew, he was taught to
love the God of Abraham.
Paul saw that his training would make him useful
in dealing with Jews, and that his parentage on his
father's side would also make him acceptable to the
Gentiles. But, then, his not being entirely a Jew
would prevent him getting that ready access to the
Jews which Paul desired. The Jews would not al¬
low him to enter their synagogues except as a Gen¬
tile ; they would not associate with him; and thus
the gifts that Paul saw he possessed would not be so
available. Paul then proposed to complete his Jew¬
ish training; not that it was at all necessary for
ii
162 The First Heroes of the Cross.
Timothy, for he was converted already, but the
apostle thought it would be expedient: it would dis¬
arm any prejudices which the Jews might entertain,
and so far make the way smoother for Timothy's
successful ministrations among them.
Paul, in this instance, showed a tact and wisdom
which he often manifested and recommended to
others. Had any principle been involved—had any
one declared it was essential for the young man's
own salvation—Paul would have protested against
it strongly, as he did against that of Titus. But
there was this difference between the cases: that
Titus was a Greek, and to have circumcised a Chris¬
tian would have conceded the very point about
which he, with Paul and Barnabas, went up to Jeru¬
salem. Timothy, however, was partly a Jew, and
had been brought up in the knowledge of the Jew¬
ish Scriptures; so that, by the completion of his
Jewish training, he would gain great advantages in
his new position as a Christian minister.
Thus re-enforced, the little company journeyed
through Phrygia and Galatia,* until the Spirit of
* In this province, Paul was taken ill, as he reminds the
Galatians (iv. 13); and, doubtless, he was much comforted
by the tender care and attention bestowed on him by Tim¬
othy.
The First Heroes of the Cross.- 163
God indicated to them that they were not to con¬
tinue in Asia.
They then went through Mysia, which approaches
the extremity of Asia; but when they sought to go
through Bithynia, which would have been a contin¬
uance in Asia, the Spirit of God, in sorpe manner
which they could neither misunderstand nor disre¬
gard, directed them to the sea-shore.
Going forth in the name of the Lord, they had
given themselves up to his guidance. When his
Spirit led them, they advanced—when it restrained
them, they retired; and, though not now on so im¬
portant a journey as the apostles, each one of us is
on a pilgrimage to a better land, and if we look to
him for guidance, and commit our ways to him, he
will make straight our paths before us, by his
prompting or restraining grace.
The little company came down to Troas, close to.
the ruins of ancient Trpy, that city so celebrated in
literature and in history. This was the scene of
the great epic poem of Homer, and of the "Htneid "
of Virgil. Through this city Xerxes passed on his
way to conquer Greece; hither Julius Cesar once
came; and here it was, whilst at the tomb of
Achilles,* and recollecting all that he was said to
'*A friend, who has recently returned from these parts,
164
The First Heroes of the Cross.
have accomplished, that Alexander of Macedon
caught an enthusiasm that helped him on his way
to victory.
But now, a mightier conqueror than either of
them is quietly resting at Troas with his compan¬
ions, waiting for orders from his Master, the King
of heaven and earth.
Here Luke, "the beloved physician," joined
them.*
They had not to wait long at Troas, in suspense
or uncertainty. One night, a vision appeared to
Paul. There stood before him a man of Macedo¬
nia, who prayed him, saying, "Come over into
Macedonia and help us."
This vision was taken to be a message from God,
and an explanation of the reason why they were no
longer allowed to tarry in Asia.
In the morning, they found a ship going to Eu¬
rope; and, leaving Troas with a fair wind, they
went in a straight course on the JEgean Sea to the
says: " Not many feet from the water, you see a large tumu¬
lus, under which, they say, Achilles is buried."
* This is evident from the change of pronoun, in the nar¬
rative, from they to we (ch. xvi. 10). Perhaps he had heard
of the illness of Paul*in Galatia, and had overtaken them to
see if the apostle needed his advice and treatment.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 165
island of Samothracia, and the next day they
dropped anchor in the harbor of Neapolis, on the
coast of Macedonia.
From Neapolis the apostles walked to Philippi;
the road led uphill for some way, and then de¬
scended to a plain where the city was situated, some
ten miles from the sea.
The city was founded by Philip, King of Mace-
don ; and here the last battle was fought which de¬
cided the fate of the Roman Republic, Brutus and
Cassius suffering terrible defeat at the hands of
Octavius and Antony. The Emperor Augustus
afterward made the city a colony. This made Phil¬
ippi resemble Rome in the privileges of its inhab¬
itants.
The Romans divided men into two classes—
citizens and strangers. The former included all
those who dwelt in cities that had been made colo¬
nies ; and having the privileges of citizenship, they
were exempted from scourging and from arrest, ex¬
cept in extreme cases ; and they had a right, when
tried, of ultimate appeal to the emperor.
This important city, then, was the first place in
Europe to which the apostles were directed. How
little did they foresee the great results that would
follow!
166 The First Heroes of the Cross.
They entered the city as plain, ordinary travelers,
and did not make their presence known for some
days. At length, one Sabbath day, knowing that a
few Jewish women met for worship outside the city,
by the river-side, they went out to join them.
The Jews here were not numerous enough to have
a synagogue.
A decree of the city has been preserved by Jo-
sephus which gave the Jews permission to build
proseuchce, or small places of worship, outside the
city; and it was at one of these, by the side of the
River Gaggitas, that a little congregation gathered
this Sabbath day. The worshipers consisted en¬
tirely of a few women, who met in this humble way
Sabbath after Sabbath, by the river, because of the
ablutions connected with their religious rites. They
assembled as usual on this day, and were surprised
to find their number increased by the addition of
some men, who were strangers. The apostles joined
them in a free and unceremonious manner; they
sat down with them, and, without revealing their
office, spake unto the women the words of life.
It is impossible not to be struck with the beauty
and simplicity of this first preaching of the gospel
in Europe. Away from the noise and sin of the
city, at this hallowed spot by the river-side—for
The First Heroes of the Cross. 167
every place is hallowed where God is sought—did
the great apostle, Paul, unfold the gospel to a few
humble women.
Our Saviour specially honored women when he
was on earth; and now, to them was first commit¬
ted, in Europe, the word of truth. It is one char¬
acteristic of the gospel that it honors woman; other
religious systems had either enslaved her or kept
her in the background, but Jesus bestowed upon her
signal marks of his favor: and ever since, in every
age, women have been more susceptible of religious
impressions than men, and have proved themselves
quite as able and heroic in their defense of truth
as the sterner and more daring sex.
Among those who listened to the apostle was a
woman named Lydia, a native of Thyatira, in Asia
Minor. She was a seller of purple:* that is, she
was connected with the dyeing trade, which was
carried on at her native city. J She had assembled
® This most precious color was extracted from the Pur¬
pura, or Murex, a species of univalve shell-fish, abundant
on the Phenician coast. Its value arose from the small
quantity contained in each fish, and from the necessity of
extracting it before the animal died.
f Homer mentions the trade being carried on at Thyatira,
and thus confirms the minute accuracy of Luke.
168 The First Heroes of the Cross.
with the Jewish women, but her heart had remained
unaffected until the Lord opened it by the preach¬
ing of Paul, and then she listened longingly to all
that he told her of God's love.
Thus, then, did a woman become the first Chris¬
tian convert in Europe] and she was worthy of the
distinction.
She was baptized herself, and she persuaded also
her household to be; and, perhaps, that included
not only the members of her family, but the young
women who were engaged with her in business.
Lydia rightly understood the nature and design
of the gospel—that it was eminently social in its
aim; and sought, through the influence of one mem¬
ber, to bring the whole family to the feet of the
Saviour. She also rightly understood another duty
which Christianity enjoins—that of showing hos¬
pitality, and especially to God's ministers. She
asked the apostles to come and take up their abode
with her; and when, overcome at first by the dis¬
play of so much kindness, to which they were but
little accustomed, and fearing lest they might inter¬
fere with her domestic arrangements, they hesitated,
she made quite a personal matter of it, and besought
them to stay with her if they believed she was really
sincere in her love of Christ.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 169
CHAPTER XVII.
HUS constrained, they consented; and though
neither of the apostles consulted much his
personal ease, it must have been peculiarly agreea¬
ble to them, after the hardships and discomforts of
the life they had been living, to find themselves for
awhile located in a comfortable home, the objects
of the care and attention of this hospitable Chris¬
tian woman.
But they were not long to enjoy this interval of
ease and comfort.
In the city there was a young woman, a slave,
who was possessed of an evil spirit, which, to some
extent, furnished her with supernatural powers.
That these demoniacs were really influenced by evil
spirits there can be no doubt, since Jesus exorcised
them on more than one occasion. How much of
imposture was mixed up with the utterances of this
poor, wretched girl it is impossible to say; but that
she possessed the spirit of divination to some extent
there can be no doubt. The Romans called her a
170 The First Heroes of the Cross.
Pythoness, or priestess of Apollo, who was named
Pythias, or god of divination, as they attributed all
prophetic powers to him. This girl was the prop¬
erty of more than one master, who traded on her
demoniac possession, and enriched themselves by
the mohey of those who came to her to consult her
as to the future. She had often seen the apostles
on their way to the river-side to preach, and she
followed them, crying out, "These men are the
servants of the most high God, who show unto us
the way of salvation."
It was the design of the evil spirit, by thus iden¬
tifying himself with the apostles, to throw discredit
upon them, and thus destroy all the good they were
doing; for the Jewish law abhorred all magic, or
dealing with familiar spirits, and to have thus been
connected with demons would have deprived them
of any opportunity of making Jewish converts. The
Gentiles, too, if they heard the demon bearing tes¬
timony to the apostles, would consider that he was
connected with them, and that, therefore, they had
but little to learn from their preaching.
This continued many days, until Paul saw that
their position and influence would be seriously af¬
fected by any supposed connection between them
and the demon.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 171
At last, one day, as the girl followed them, crying
after them as they went, Paul was determined to ex¬
orcise the spirit. He was grieved also at the bond¬
age in which the poor girl was held—the double
bondage of her body to her merciless and cruel
masters, and of her mind to the demon which pos¬
sessed her: so he said to the spirit, "I command
thee, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come out of
her.'' Immediately, the spirit departed; and the
girl was restored to her right mind, and her spirit
of divination fled. As soon as her masters saw that
with the demon had departed their hope of gains,
they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into
the forum before the magistrates.
These Duumviri, or Praetors, as they liked to style
themselves, were chosen by the people, and were
not appointed by the governor of the province,
this being one of the privileges of a colony.
The men thus charged the apostles: "These men,
being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, and
teach customs which are not lawful for us to receive,
neither to observe, being Romans.''
Now, it was true that the -letter of the Roman law
did prohibit the establishment of new religious ob¬
servances, on the ground that it was well to keep
the minds of the people free from all excitement;
172
The First Heroes of the Cross.
but it was not true that the apostles had troubled
the city, nor was that the cause of their apprehen¬
sion, even had they done so. It was avarice that
prompted the charge; and avarice and deceit are
nearly allied. Men who could traffic on the afflic¬
tion and infirmity of a fellow-creature would be
equal to any enormity. The multitude, too, sym¬
pathized with the owners of the girl. They saw
that their oracle was silenced, and that no longer
would they be able to consult the soothsayer. They
raised their cry, therefore, against the apostles; and
when the magistrates saw how great was the opposi¬
tion to them, without calmly investigating the case,
they gave way to popular clamor, and commanded
the lictors to strip off the apostles' clothes and
scourge them on their naked backs.
The Roman punishment of scourging was per¬
formed with a bundle of rods, which lacerated the
flesh and produced terrible pain.
To this cruelty were Paul and Silas subjected;
and when they had received many stripes, they were
handed over to the jailer, to be safely secured in
prison. Thus, bleeding from the wounds on their
backs, which caused them great pain, and faint from
the loss of blood, the apostles were thrust into the
inner prison—a damp, dark, loathsome cell, full of
The First Heroes of the Cross. 173
the most noxious odors. But, even in this wretched
and disgusting place, they were not allowed to lie
down and rest their aching bodies. The stern jailer
made their feet fast in the stocks, or nervus, a heavy
174 The First Heroes of the Cross.-
block of wood, with holes far apart, in which their
feet were inserted; so that their limbs were most
painfully stretched, and it was impossible for them
to sleep. But they did not seem to need any sleep;
their hearts were so full of joy, that they forgot
their bodily sufferings.
At midnight, when the prison was hushed in deep
silence, Paul and Silas prayed, and God, their Maker,
"who giveth songs in the night," heard them, and
filled their souls with a sense of his presence. Then
they broke out into singing praises* unto him, so
happy were they in his love, in being thought worthy
to suffer for his sake, and in thus following in the
steps of Jesus, their Saviour. The consciousness,
too, that they had not deserved this punishment—
nay, that the cause of it was a matter of rejoicing
—made them forget their bodily pain in the joy
which now transported them.
The other prisoners awoke at the sound of sing¬
ing, so unusual in such a place; and, as they listened,
instead of some bacchanalian song, they heard Paul
and Silas singing hymns of praise to their God.
Suddenly, there was a great earthquake, so that
the very foundations of the prison were shaken;
* Probably parts of some of the Psalms. Many would be
appropriate.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 175
and, immediately, all the doors flew open, and the
chains fell from off all the prisoners. The keeper
too, awoke; and, seeing at once the open doors,
and supposing that the prisoners had all fled, he
drew his sword, and would have killed himself, an¬
ticipating the death which would assuredly have
awaited him had any of the prisoners escaped. But
Paul prevented him; ever ready for any emergency,
he knew the jailer's terror, and, in a loud voice,
called out to him, "Do thyself no harm, for we are
all here." Then, the jailer called for a light, and
sprang in; and, trembling before Paul and Silas, he
fell down at their feet,* and begged their forgive¬
ness for the indignities he had offered them.
He then brought them out of prison; and now,
though free from the apprehension of civil punish¬
ment, alive to the danger in which he stood before
God, he said to them, "Sirs, what must I do to be
saved ? "
They answered him in those memorable words,
which have been ever since quoted as containing
the very essence of the gospel, "Believe on the
* Matthew Henry observes, " To those who are thoroughly
convinced of sin, the very feet of those are beautiful that
bring tidings of Christ; yea, though they are disgracefully
fastened in the stocks."
176 The First Heroes of the Cross.
Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy
house."
They entered the jailer's house, and, regardless
of their own condition, which must have been one
of great pain and exhaustion, they preached the
word of the Lord to the jailer and his family.
Then did the jailer tenderly wash the apostles'
wounds, for now his heart was right; and, having
been saved from suicide, and made to believe on
the words of eternal life, there was nothing he
would not do to show his grateful love. He and
his family were then baptized.
And now, and not until now, when Paul and Silas
had finished preaching, and had baptized the jailer
and his family, would they take any food. They
sat down at the table, and, as they thought of the
wonderful events of the night, they rejoiced before
God. The family also were filled with gladness,
as they felt the joy and peace of believing.
When the day dawned, the magistrates, whose
consciences may have troubled them on account of
their unlawful conduct, sent the sergeants, or lictors,
to the prison to release Paul and Silas. The jailer,
therefore, came and told them what the magistrates
had done, and he desired them to go in peace.
But Paul, who, though always ready to suffer, was
The First Heroes of the Cross.
177
always able to defend his rights, and to administer
rebuke to wrong-doers, indignantly refused. " No,"
said he, "they have beaten us openlyuncondemned,
being Romans,* and have cast us into prison; and
now, do they cast us out privily? Nay, verily; but
let them come themselves and fetch us out.'' When
the sergeants reported these words to the magistrates,
they were greatly afraid; for they knew they had
acted wrongly. They had condemned two Roman
citizens without even the form of a trial, which of
itself was an offense; they had scourged them, which
was a still graver one; and they had done it pub¬
licly. The magistrates had, by their conduct, ren¬
dered themselves liable to punishment by death,
and the confiscation of all their property; and they
knew that if Paul and Silas indicted them for the
offense, they would, at the very least, lose their office,
and be disgraced. They went at once to Paul and
Silas, and brought them out of prison, and then en¬
treated them to leave the city; hoping in this way
to cover up, as best they might, their illegal conduct.
Now that the magistrates, had, by their act, pub¬
licly declared the apostles innocent, Paul and Silas
showed that they were actuated by no motives of
*- it ip0 bin(j a Roman citizen is a misdeed, to scourge him
is a crime, to put him to death is almost a parricide."—Cicero.
12
178
The First Heroes of the Cross.
revenge. They consented to leave the city; but
before doing so, they went to the house of Lydia,
where they met some of the brethren, whom they
comforted under the sorrow which their persecution
had caused them.
Paul and Silas might well rejoice in looking back
on what they had accomplished in Philippi; and,
leaving the brethren to the care of Luke and Tim¬
othy, they departed from the city.*
* Luke being left behind, perhaps on account of his pro¬
fessional engagements as a physician, and not appearing
again until he is at Troas with Paul (chap. xx. 5), the nar¬
rative is carried on in the third person.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
179
CHAPTER XVIII.
TAKING a south-west course, they went to Am-
phipolis, a distance of thirty-three miles,
which they were doubtless able to accomplish in
one day, if they had sufficiently recovered from
their scourging. . They then went on to Apollonia,
some thirty miles, probably another day's journey;
and thence they came to Thessalonica, distant
thirty-seven miles.
Thessalonica was the chief city of Macedonia,
and a place of much importance. Under the name
of Therma, it was connected with many events of
early Grecian history; but when rebuilt and adorned
by Cassander, the son of Antipater, it was called
Thessalonica, after his wife, the sister of Alexander
the Great. It had always been a city of great re¬
nown, both before and after the Christian era, but
the establishment of the gospel in it by Paul and
Silas constitutes its chief interest.
As usual, the apostles found out and attended the
Jewish synagogues on the Sabbath day; and for
180 The First Heroes of the Cross.
three Sabbaths in succession did Paul reason with
the Jews out of the Scriptures, with which they were
supposed to be acquainted. He explained, from
the prophecies, that Christ must needs have suffered;
for the cross was the great stumbling-block to the
belief of the Jews in Christ. They expected a
Messiah who should be a ruler, and they could not
bring their minds to believe that their long-expected
Saviour should suffer a humiliating and shameful
death. But Paul showed, from their own Scriptures,
that Jesus, and he alone, could be their Messiah.
Some of the Jews, who could not resist the evi¬
dence, believed; and they sought the society of
Paul and Silas, that they might hear more about Je¬
sus, in the intervals between the Sabbaths, by asso¬
ciating with them in private. Besides these, a great
number of devout Greeks, or proselytes of the gate,
as they were called, believed. These had embraced
the faith of Jews, but, not submitting to all the re¬
quirements of the Mosaic law, they were not ad¬
mitted to full Jewish rights. Many of the chief
women of the city, those occupying high positions
in society, also believed; so that the gospel made
rapid strides in the city.*
* It will be interesting to refer to the Epistles to the Thes-
salonians, written soon after he left them, for some hints as
The First Heroes of the Cross. 181
But just in proportion to the success of the gos¬
pel was the envy which arose in the minds of the
proud, hard-hearted, and unbelieving Jews. They
were not ashamed to unite with the low, idle, worth¬
less fellows, that lounge about all large cities, to
raise a disturbance. They assembled in the streets
in crowds, and set the city in quite an uproar.
Knowing that the apostles lodged with Jason (who
was, perhaps, a relative of Paul), they attacked the
house, and obtained forcible possession of it. Paul
and Silas were not at home, but Jason and some of
the brethren were; and these the mob seized and
took before the rulers of the city.
The cities in the provinces of the Roman empire
enjoyed various privileges and different degrees of
freedom. Highly favored were those which were
called free cities—a distinction conferred on them
for their own celebrity and importance, or for the
assistance they lent to the Roman arms in the great
wars. Thessalonica was one of these free cities.
to how Paul spent portions of his time in the city, working
with his own hands, that he might not he burdensome to the
Christians, and that he might better enforce his precepts
(see 2 Thess. iii. 7-13). For the loving care for him which
the Christians at Philippi manifested at this time, see Phil,
iv. 15-17.
182 The First Heroes of the Cross.
It was self-governed, and had an assembly of the
people (Demus). Its rulers, or chief magistrates,
were called Politarchs. They had power to inflict
capital punishment, and their authority was supreme.
The city was not even garrisoned by Roman soldiers.
Before these rulers the Jews brought Jason and
his companions, and, addressing the bench, said:
"These that have turned the world upside down
are come hither also; whom Jason has received:
and these do all contrary to the decrees of Cesar,
saying that there is another King, one Jesus."
The Jews were not at all particular in what they
said. The charge of turning the world upside down
was an offense with which the rulers could hardly
deal, on an indictment thus vaguely worded. There
was more truth, however, in that than in the second
charge. The gospel was intended to turn the world
upside down, because, as has been observed, "the
world was downside up"—that is, sin had inverted
every thing; but as to the treason with which they
charged Jason and his companions, nothing could
be farther from the truth. The rulers—and the
people of the city, too—were rather concerned at
the tumult that had arisen; but, not wishing to be¬
have unworthily of their high office, by either yield¬
ing to the clamor, on one hand, or by ignoring the
The First Heroes of the Cross. 183
grave charge, on the other, they took security of
Jason and the others for the peace of the city.
After this, it would not have been safe for Paul
and Silas to have remained in the city. On their
very next appearance as preachers, the Jews and the
rabble would have raised another tumult; and thus
would Jason's honor have been compromised, and
the bail that he had given might have been forfeited.
The same night, Paul and Silas left the city for
Berea, some sixty miles to the south-west, on the
eastern slope of the Olympian range of hills.
Their first step, on arriving, was to go to the syn¬
agogue and preach the gospel; and great was their
delight to find the Bereans receive the word with
such readiness of mind. Not that they took what
they heard for granted. As the apostles had
preached to them from their own Scriptures, they
searched them daily, to find out the truth of the
apostles' teaching. New light broke in upon their
minds; they saw a meaning in the sacred text which
they had never seen before. They sought with a
desire to find the truth. Their judgment was con¬
vinced, and their hearts were impressed. As a re¬
sult of this searching the Scriptures, many Jewish
and Grecian women of some position, and also
men, believed.
184 The First Heroes of the Cross.
Thus did the gospel commend itself to these in¬
quiring minds, and thus will it always commend
BEREANS SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES.
itself to those who earnestly seek to understand it.
It appeals to men's judgment and reason, and does
The First Heroes of the Cross. 185
not seek to force itself upon their hearts against
their understanding.
These Bereans have earned a title and a name
that shall last when all else concerning the city shall
be forgotten.
It was then, and is now, a proof of a noble na¬
ture to have a candid and inquiring mind—one that
will diligently seek for truth in the Bible, where
God has placed it; and, finding it, will firmly be¬
lieve in it with heart and soul.
The envious Jews at Thessalonica, not content
with getting rid of Paul and Silas, were enraged
when they heard of the farther success of the
gospel.
They came over to Berea (to such trouble and ex¬
pense will men put themselves when pride and pas¬
sion fill the heart), and succeeded in stirring up the
people—probably, as at Thessalonica, the lowest
and worst of the population, who cared for no re¬
ligion whatever. The brethren thought it not pru¬
dent to expose Paul to the lawlessness of the mob:
so they at once sent him away,* with some of their
number, in the direction of the sea;J whilst Silas
*This must have been a disappointment to him, as he
wished to revisit Thessalonica (1 Thess. ii. 17).
f The words, " as it were to the sea," do not imply any
186 The First Heroes of the Cross.
and Timothy, who had either joined the apostles
here or at Thessalonica, remained behind, to con¬
tinue the work so well begun among the Bereans.
When Paul and his companions arrived at the
coast, without, however, any previous determination
to go to Athens, they embarked on board a vessel
and sailed for that city.
There Paul dismissed his companions with a mes¬
sage to Silas and Timothy that they should join
him without delay.
While Paul waited for them, he made himself ac¬
quainted with this wondrous city.
It had existed for about 1600 years, having been
founded 1550 B.C. It was now about twenty-two
miles in circumference, and had a population of
about 150,000. Situated in the Roman province
of Achaia, it was a free city, and enjoyed all the
political advantages arising from that distinction.
Its natural beauties were great, for from it, land¬
ward and seaward, views of loveliness stretched out
on every hand. In learning and the arts, it was, at
this time, the most celebrated city in the world.
Paul had often heard of its fame, and, with his
scholarly and cultivated mind, he walked about,
concealment or deceit, but simply tbe direction which the
brethren took.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 187
prepared to enjoy the beautiful in nature and art.
But, alas! art was everywhere degraded—genius was
altogether perverted. The city was given up to
idolatry; and how could he delight in its painting,
and architecture, and sculpture, when they were all
employed as handmaids of idolatry?
Statues of gods met his eye everywhere; altars,
raised not only to all imaginable gods, and heroes,
and men, but to abstract qualities—as Pity, Mod¬
esty, Fame, and Virtue. So many deities were there
in the city, that some satirist observed that "it was
easier to find a god than a man."
The Acropolis of the city—its citadel—was sur¬
mounted by a colossal statue of the goddess Minerva,
made from the brazen spoils of the battle of Mara¬
thon. The figure stood, with spear and shield, as
the guardian of the city.
West of the Acropolis was Areopagus, or Mars'
Hill, where the twelve judges, called the Areopa-
gites, held their court in the open air. Here the
most solemn cases were tried; and here, on its sum¬
mit, was the temple of Mars.
Farther to the west was the Pnyx, a sloping hill
with a leveled plateau, on which political meetings
were held; and in the valley, between it and the
Acropolis, was the Agora, or market-place, which
i88
The First Heroes of the Cross.
was the center of Athenian life. Here the philos¬
ophers of Athens encountered one another; here
its citizens met and conversed; and here its mer¬
chants traded. At its western end was the Stoa
Pcecile, or painted porch, as it had formerly been a
gallery of pictures. It was now used as a college
by the Stoic philosophers, disciples of Zeno, who
flourished 340-260 B.C. They were pantheists:
they thought every thing contained God, and that
he was merely the spirit, or reason, of the universe.
Their religion was one entirely of the reason; all
feelings of the emotional nature were to be sup¬
pressed ; considerations of pain and pleasure were
to form no motive for any action. As they be¬
lieved in no living deity capable of loving his crea¬
tures, the universe was ruled by a stern, inevitable
fate.
Not far from the Agora was the garden which the
philosopher Epicurus, who lived from 342-270
B.C., left to his followers, on condition that phi¬
losophy should always be taught there. These
philosophers were atheists: they believed that the
world was made by chance, and that all things were
composed of matter that would some day decay.
Of course they denied that there was any soul in
man, or any immortality beyond the grave. They
The First Heroes of the Cross.
189
made selfish pleasure the rule of their lives, and
sought only to minister to that end. The motto of
their life and philosophy was well expressed by Paul,
"Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die."
Of course, such philosophy exercised no restraint
over men's minds; the city was not only sunk in
idolatry and superstition, but also in vice and profli¬
gacy. No wonder that the righteous soul of Paul
was stirred within him as he contemplated the con¬
dition of the place. He waited not for Silas and
Timothy, but commenced, single-handed, to en¬
counter the sin and infidelity that surrounded him.
He disputed, first, in the synagogue with the Jews
and proselytes of the gate; and then went boldly
into the Agora and encountered the philosophers,
opposing their system of religion, and making
known the truth as it is in Jesus. This he did daily,
until he attracted so much attention that the most
prominent philosophers among the Epicureans and
Stoics disputed with him. Some said he was a mere
babbler, but others said that he seemed to be a set¬
ter forth of strange gods. Now, as the Athenians
were very fond of gossiping, and discussing every
possible subject that entered the human mind, they
were pleased at the prospect of hearing any thing
new or strange. They had discussed every religion
190 The First Heroes of the Cross.
they had met with—they had erected altars to every
god they had heard of; but Paul told them of Jesus,
of whom they had never heard, and they wished to
hear more about him.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 191
CHAPTER XIX.
HAT they might hear of this new doctrine in
greater quietness, they led Paul away from the
bustling, crowded Agora, up the rock-hewn steps to
Areopagus, and there asked him to unfold his re¬
ligion. Paul, standing there in the midst of some
of the wisest of Athens, thus addressed them: "Ye
men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are
too superstitious.* For as I passed by, and beheld
your devotions, I found an altar with this inscrip¬
tion, To the unknown god. Whom, therefore, ye
ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
" God that made the world and all things therein,
seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwell-
eth not in temples made with hands; neither is
worshiped with men's hands, as though he needed
any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath,
and all things; and hath made of one blood all na-
* The translation in our Bible is unfortunate, as it makes
Paul guilty of a want of courtesy. The meaning is, very
religious.
192 The First Heroes of the Cross.
PAUL PREACHING AT ATHENS.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 193
tions of men for to dwell on all the face of the
earth, and hath determined the times before ap¬
pointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that
they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel
after him, and find him, though he be not far from
every one of us. For in him we live, and move,
and have our being; as certain also of your own
poets have said, For we are also his offspring.*
" Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God,
we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto
gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's
device. And the times of this ignorance God
winked at; but now commandeth all men every¬
where to repent: because he hath appointed a day,
in the which he will judge the world in righteous¬
ness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof
he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he
hath raised him from the dead."
At this point, he was probably interrupted by the
rude mocking of those who ridiculed such a thought
as the resurrection of the dead. Others, more court¬
eously, told him they would hear him again at some
future time.
But, though thus interrupted, his audience could
not but have been struck with his address; for, not-
* Aratus, a Grecian poet, a native of Cilicia.
13
194 The First Fheroes of the Cross.
withstanding he had no commanding presence, and
doubtless spoke Greek without those elegances of
speech which characterized the men of Athens,
they must have felt that they were listening to no
common orator. We, however, who are familiar
with all the circumstances of the occasion, with the
trying nature of the ordeal, and with the character
of his audience, cannot but view with intense ad¬
miration the masterly skill and tact displayed by the
apostle. Instead of at once denouncing their idol¬
atry, and thereby raising their immediate opposition,
he availed himself of the opportunity, which the
altar to the unknown god afforded, of starting from
a point on which he and some of his audience were-
agreed. In this way, also, he steered clear of the
accusation of introducing some strange god, with¬
out permission, which was a capital offense. By
speaking of God as the Maker of the universe, and
the Father of them all, quoting one of their own
poets, in confirmation, he took occasion to denounce
their idolatry as opposed to His will and nature;
and concluded by a solemn reference to the resur¬
rection and the day of judgment.
As soon as Paul had finished, he left them, but
not without having made some impression. Dio-
nysius, one of the judges of the Areopagus, and a
The First Heroes of the Cross.
195
woman named Damaris, and some others, turned to
the Lord. Doubtless his sermon afforded topic for
many a discussion among the men of Athens; but,
whether any of them sought the Lord or not, they
had all incurred a serious responsibility by having
listened to the gospel.
From Athens, Paul journeyed to Corinth, a dis¬
tance of about forty-five miles. This city was made
a colony by Julius Cesar, and, from its position, was
a center of great influence. Situated on the isth¬
mus of the same name, it had two ports—the one
fronting Asia, the other Europe. Its harbor was
filled with shipping, and its streets with commerce.
It carried on an extensive trade with ports on the
Mediterranean and ^Egean Seas, and with Alexan¬
dria in the East. Representatives of all nations
met there, and of course numbers of Jews crowded
its marts. It was a city of great wealth and luxury,
and, therefore, of vice; and, although there was
much refinement in the tastes of some of its inhab¬
itants—the elegant form of architecture bearing the
name of the city was originated here—the people
generally were sunk in low, debasing vices; so much
so, that the expression "to play the Corinthian"
came to represent conduct of a notoriously low and
dissipated kind.
196
The First Heroes of the Cross.
Here, then, was an enlarged sphere for the apos¬
tle's labors; not only was there full scope among
the many Jews, and among the wicked people of
the city, but those who might hear the gospel, who
had come from other parts, would carry some ac¬
count of it away with them, and thus prepare men's
minds in distant places for the word of truth.
As soon as Paul arrived at Corinth, he fell in with
a certain Jew, named Aquila, a native of Pontus,
who, with his wife, Priscilla, had come to Corinth
from Rome on account of the expulsion of all Jews
from that city by the Emperor Claudius.* Finding
out that Aquila, like himself, was a tent-maker, he
took up his abode with them, and wrought at his
trade.
Whilst at work, Paul took occasion to speak to
his companion on the all-absorbing subject of his
life; and Priscilla, too, when her household duties
were attended to, listened to the apostle's words.
* The reason of this banishment is involved in some little
doubt. One historian says it was because a disturbance was
created by the followers of one Chrestus, which is supposed
to refer to a quarrel which the Romans provoked with the
Jewish Christians of that city. Josephus, however, does
not mention the banishment. There was a famine in Rome,
A.D. 51, when all foreigners were, perhaps, compelled to
leave the city, as they had been on another occasion.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 197
Paul found it necessary, at this time, to work for his
support, but he did not on that account give up
serving God; on the contrary, he made his business
the very channel of usefulness, and thereby was the
means of the conversion of Aquila and Priscilla,
who, besides now making him comfortable under
their roof, afterward became of service to him, and
ever occupied a place in his heart.
Thus should religion sanctify every calling.
On each Sabbath, Paul laid aside his shuttle and
*
his hair-cloth, and went to the synagogue, where he
reasoned so forcibly that he persuaded many Jews
and Greeks of the truth of the gospel.
But, already, the opposition of the Jews, which
met him everywhere, began to manifest itself; and
Paul, who was without his fellow-laborers, Silas and
Timothy, felt depressed. Now, however, they both
came to him from Macedonia, and greatly cheered
his heart.* His spirit revived, and when the Jews
not only opposed him, but blasphemed, he was filled
with holy indignation, as on former occasions. He
shook his raiment, and said, "Your blood be upon
your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I
will go unto the Gentiles." The Jews understood
* This also appears from his Epistles to the Corinthians,
which he afterward wrote (1 Cor. ii. 3; 2 Cor. vii. 6).
198 The First Heroes of the Cross.
this figurative act; at all events, they could not but
comprehend his solemn words, in which he freed
himself from any responsibility if they ultimately
perished. He had preached to them the word of
salvation, and they had rejected it; now, he would
preach to them no longer.
He now went to the house of a good man, named
Justus, who lived near the synagogue.
As long as he could use the synagogue he did so,
but when that was no longer practicable, he held
* ■
service in a private house. The act consecrated the
dwelling; and the Lord was as much with his ser¬
vant there as in places specially set apart for wor¬
ship ; and, as if to show that any house may become
a house of God where his word is preached, an em¬
inent convert was made in this house of Justus—no
less a person than Crispus, the chief ruler of the
synagogue. He with all his household believed,
and were baptized; and also a great many inhabit¬
ants of the city.*
The conversion of Crispus was an event of so
much importance that the apostle departed from
his usual practice, and baptized him with his own
hands.
* The names of some of these are mentioned hy Paul, 1
Cor. xvi. 15; 1 Cor. i. 14.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
199
Spme of those who were converted had been
great sinners, and notorious for their vices; and
thus it was shown that the gospel was able to save
the learned Jew as well as the wicked heathen of
the city.
200
The First F[eroes of the Cross.
CHAPTER XX.
IN spite of the conversion of those who now be¬
lieved, Paul's heart began to sink within him;
not that he was growing weary of the work, but
losing courage somewhat in it. It may be that his
bodily health* was affected at this time. The apos¬
tle had lived a life of hardship for some time; toil
and travel had often wearied him, but never, per¬
haps, did he work harder than at the present. It is
one thing to learn a trade, and another to earn one's
living by it; and, although Paul had been taught
tent-making, he had never before so applied him¬
self to it as to support himself thereby. Now, how¬
ever, he labored all the day at it with Aquila; and
sometimes, when the ease-loving Corinthians had
given up business, a light in the window indicated
that these two good men were still hard at work
Then, in proportion as his preaching was success
* It is worthy of note that so little is said by Luke about
the apostle's health; yet it must often have been severely
taxed.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
20I
ful, there were additional claims on his time and
strength. No wonder, then, that at times the apos¬
tle should feel ready to sink under the burden laid
upon him. But, wherever he had felt his own weak¬
ness, the Lord was near him to assure him of his
strength. And it was so at this time. The Lord
appeared to him by night in a vision, and said to
him, "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy
peace; for I am with thee, and no man shall set on
thee to hurt thee; for I have much people in this
city."
As he afterward told the Corinthians, whilst in
the city, he "was in weakness, and in fear, and in
much trembling." The arrival of Silas and Tim¬
othy had cheered him for a time; but it needed a
direct promise from the Lord himself to rally him
effectually for the work that yet lay before him in
Corinth. After he had received such help, his
spirits and strength- revived, and he continued la¬
boring in the city for .eighteen months—the assur¬
ance that there were many yet to believe nerving
him with fresh zeal to preach the word. The prom¬
ise of the Lord's presence came opportunely, before
a new trouble that awaited him.
Achaia was a Roman province, of which Corinth
was the capital. Here was the residence of the
202 The First Heroes of the Cross.
Roman governor, or proconsul, and at this time a
new one was appointed; Gallio was the chosen
man, a brother of the philosopher Seneca, who
speaks of him with the greatest love and respect,
and gives him a high character for amiability.
The Jews, who had been laying a plot against
Paul, took the occasion of the arrival of the new
governor of seizing him and bringing him before
the tribunal. They thought the governor would be
glad of the opportunity of ingratiating himself with
so large a section of the Jews, by giving a judgment
in their favor; ■ but they were mistaken in the char¬
acter of their new governor.
They charged Paul with persuading men to wor¬
ship God contrary to law; but before" Paul, who
was going to defend himself, had time to speak,
Gallio, who saw enough of the nature of the case,
without farther words, said, "If it were a matter
of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason
would that I should bear with you; but if it be a
question of words and names, and of your law, look
ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.''
He saw at once that no breach of the Roman law
was involved; and as to any violation of the Jewish
law, he must leave them to settle that amongst
themselves, without farther parley; therefore, he
The First Heroes of the Cross.
203
dismissed the case, and ordered the officers to clear
the court.
This result, so disappointing to the Jews, was
hailed by the Greeks, who hated them. The Greeks
seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, who
had been, doubtless, the chief speaker against Paul,
and beat him before the judgment-seat, without be¬
ing interfered with by Gallio.
Now here the governor was clearly to blame.
The Greeks had broken the peace, and had taken
the law into their own hands. Here was a viola¬
tion of the Roman law, and Gallio should have in¬
terfered ; but he was a man whose chief fault was
indifference: '' any thing for quietness,'' might have
been the motto of his life—" do n't care," perhaps,
was the expression often on his tongue. It is well
to be amiable, as he was, but very wrong to be in¬
different, whether good or evil is wrought. Most
■likely, the love of popularity was a fatal snare to
him, as it is to many. The desire not to do or say
any thing to offend often leads to sad compromises,
and sometimes into participation of evil.
This charge against Paul, having resulted in the
discomfiture of the Jews, strengthened the position
of the apostle in the city. In some places, when
persecution reached its highest, Paul had to fly be-
204
The First Heroes of the Cross.
fore it; but here it so completely failed that he was
able, better than before, to carry on his work. He
remained for some time longer; and then, taking
leave of the brethren, he left the city, on his way to
Syria.
Taking with him Aquila and Priscilla, Paul went
to Cenchrea, the eastern harbor of Corinth, about
eight or nine miles from the city. Here, Aquila
released himself from the obligation of a vow which
he had taken. Vows were made when special mer¬
cies were vouchsafed, or at times of deliverance
from imminent danger. As in the case of Nazarites,
the vows included abstinence from strong drinks
and the cutting of the hair, until the time had ex¬
pired for which period the vow was taken. Then
the hair was cut and offered on the altar.
From Cenchrea they sailed across the AEgean Sea
to Ephesus. Here the vessel remained but a short
time; but Paul took the opportunity of going into
the synagogue and reasoning with the Jews. They
wanted him to remain longer, but he did not con¬
sent. He bade them farewell, saying, "I must, bj
all means, keep this feast* that cometh in Jerusalem;
but I will return again unto you, if God will.'' He
sailed from Ephesus, across the sea, to Cesarea, and
* Doubtless, the feast of Pentecost.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 205
thence went up to Jerusalem. Nothing is recorded
concerning this rapid journey.
There were no offerings to bring to the poor saints
at Jerusalem-; there were no vexed questions to be
discussed. The apostle felt that the holy city had
but little attraction for him now, compared with
those places in which he had labored, and in which
his converts dwelt.
He saluted the brethren at Jerusalem, and went
down to Antioch, which he now visited for the last
time. He spent some little time there, and then
traveled through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting the
Churches in order, and strengthening the disciples.
Though Paul was not able to remain at Ephesus,
he left behind him Aquila and Priscilla, who not
only proved useful to the people, but also to one
who had himself come to preach in the city. This
was Apollos, a Jew, born at Alexandria, and.brought
up in a knowledge of the Scriptures. He became
so well versed in them, and had such great natural
gifts, and was, moreover, so eloquent, that he was
peculiarly fitted to become a preacher. He had
heard of the Messiah only through the preaching
of John the Baptist. Either he was one of those
who repented at his preaching, or he had come into
contact with those who had. At all events, he knew
206 The First Heroes of the Cross.
not the gospel as preached by Christ himself. But
he knew enough to see that unless men repented of
sin they would be lost; and, fired with a desire to
save them—such was his fervor—he spake boldly in
the synagogue. Aquila and Priscilla heard him,
and saw at once that he had not heard of Christ's
preaching, nor of his death and resurrection. They
saw, also, that he was a learned man, and that he
was a most zealous one, acting up to the light he
possessed; so they sought his friendship, "and ex¬
pounded unto him the way of God more perfectly."
The Spirit of God blessed their teaching, and Apol-
los soon preached the full gospel in Christ.
Desiring to go over into Achaia, the brethren
wrote letters of commendation to the disciples
there, that they might welcome him. This they
did, and Apollos began his public ministry in Cor¬
inth, which was soon blessed by God to the conver¬
sion of many Jews. .He proved so conclusively,
from their own Scriptures, that Jesus was Christ,
that they were convinced of the truth of the gospel.
But the preaching of Apollos was not unmixed
with evil. In eloquence and address he was so su¬
perior to Paul, that some of his hearers, forgetting
that the matter of their discourses was alike, sepa¬
rated, and called themselves followers of Apollos,
The First Heroes of the Cross.
207
rather than of Paul. Apollos was in no way re¬
sponsible for this party spirit; he did nothing to
encourage it; and this Paul well understood. When
the Corinthians found out that their two leaders
were not jealous of one another, perhaps the rivalry
among themselves ceased.
Whilst Apollos was at Corinth, Paul came to
Ephesus. The city was at this time the metropolis
of Asia, and as such was the center of commerce;
it was a maritime city, and had frequent intercourse
with all adjacent ports. It was prettily situated on
the sides and at the foot of a range of hills over¬
looking a fertile plain, watered by the River Cays-
ter; and was chiefly celebrated for its temple of the
goddess Diana, which was one of the wonders of
the world. This temple was one of the most mag¬
nificent buildings of ancient times. Originally, it
was built of white marble, and lavishly adorned;
but it was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt, how¬
ever, with even more costly magnificence. Its
length was about 420 feet, and its breadth 220; it
contained 127 columns, each 60 feet high, and each
raised by some kingly hand; these colonnades were
for the most part not roofed over. Marble was
quarried and timber felled for the building in dis¬
tant parts, wherever the best of each could be ob-
2o8 The First Heroes of the Cross.
tained. The staircase was made from the wood of
a single vine of great size and beauty, from the
island of Cyprus. No expense was spared by any
who could contribute to its adornment. Alexander
is said to have offered the spoils of many battles to
have his name inscribed upon it; but he was not
allowed the honor. Kings vied with one another
in enriching it with paintings and sculpture, and
wealthy men and women contributed of their money
and possessions.
In a chapel specially consecrated to the goddess
was a rude and hideous wooden image of Diana.
It was to contain this miserable statue that all this
magnificence was reared; it was the worship of this
image that employed numberless priests and virgins,
that brought thousands of people from all parts to
Ephesus, and that greatly enriched it in many ways.
No wonder, then, that the city was notorious for
its profligacy and wickedness. It was also cele¬
brated for its study and practice of magical arts.
The character of the city was well known to Paul,
who looked forward to much labor as he thought of
its condition. As soon as he arrived, he met with
certain disciples, about twelve of them, who, like
Apollos, had not as yet been perfectly taught in the
way of truth. On Paul's inquiring whether they
The First Heroes of the Cross. 209
had received the Holy Ghost since they had believed,
they replied that they had not heard whether the
Holy Ghost had been given.* They had not heard
of Pentecost, or received any supernatural gifts.
Paul asked them unto what they were baptized; and
they replied unto John's baptism. Then said Paul,
"John verily baptized with the baptism of repent¬
ance, saying unto the people that they should be¬
lieve on Him who should come after him—that is,
on Christ Jesus."
As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in
the name of the Lord Jesus. Paul afterward laid
his hands on them, invoking God's blessing; and
the Holy Ghost descended into their hearts, endow¬
ing them with extraordinary powers. Their minds
were wonderfully expanded, so that they compre¬
hended all the truths about the kingdom of God,
of which, until now, they had been ignorant; and
their new powers of speech enabled them to make
known the truths to others.
* This is evidently the meaning of verse 2, chapter xix.
It could not mean that they had never heard of the exist¬
ence of the Holy Ghost, for as Jews they were familiar
with it.
14
2io The First Heroes of the Cross.
CHAPTER XXI.
IN all probability, Paul took up his abode with
Aquila and Priscilla, whom he had left here on
the occasion of his passing through the city; and
foreseeing, perhaps, a continued residence, he re¬
sumed his old occupation of tent-making.
For three months, he went to the synagogue and
spake boldly for Jesus; sometimes preaching, and
at other times disputing with the Jews, who wished
to controvert his statements. But, though they were
no match for the apostle in argument, they were
adepts at ridicule and abuse; and when they re¬
sorted to these weapons before the multitude, Paul,
seeing no good was likely to be effected by subject¬
ing the gospel to such treatment, left the synagogue,
and drew away his followers to the house Of Tyran-
nus, who was one of his converts, and probably a
teacher of philosophy. This disciple kindly threw
open his house for the preaching of the gospel;
and here, for two years, did Paul meet with the be¬
lievers, and all who showed any desire to hear him.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
211
In addition to this public ministry, and to his
handicraft, Paul labored incessantly among the con¬
verts in private, confirming the wavering, strength¬
ening the timid, warning the wayward; and often,
after a day of toil and an evening of preaching,
would he accompany some of his hearers to their
own houses, and remain with them far into the night,
exhorting them, with tears in his eyes, to yield their
hearts to God.
Besides the ordinary ministration of the word in
public and in private, Paul was enabled by God to ex¬
ercise miraculous power. The city of Ephesus was
noted for the practice of magic, and the people
were easily influenced by those who feigned to pos¬
sess supernatural powers.* But Paul was able to
work real miracles, such as had never been attempted
by the sorcerers or magicians. Persons were cured
of diseases of long standing, and those afflicted
*0n the crown, the girdle, and the feet of the image of
Diana, were inscribed certain mysterious characters. These
were called "The Ephesian letters," and,when pronounced,
were supposed to convey a charm. They were written on
amulets and worn on the wrist, or on parchment and carried
about the person; and their possession was always supposed
to bring good fortune. Many stories were told of the success
of those who carried with them these Ephesian letters.
212 The First Heroes of the Cross.
with evil spirits were relieved by him. Nor was it
necessary that the apostle should himself visit them,
for aprons or handkerchiefs were taken from him to
those diseased or possessed, and they were instantly
relieved.
There were in the city some Jews who got their
living by going about, from place to place, pretend¬
ing to be able to cast out spirits. This was a very
old trade, and prohibitions of the practice of sor¬
cery were found in the Mosaic law.
When these exorcists saw that Paul was able really
to cast out spirits, by calling on the name of Jesus,
they thought they might succeed in the same way.
Prominent among these men were " seven sons of
one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests." They
tried to cast out a spirit by simply saying, "We ad¬
jure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth." But the
evil spirit replied, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know;
but who are ye ? "
The spirit acknowledged the mastery of Jesus and
those to whom he had imparted a like power; but
to show that he was only subject to divine control,
he incited the man in whom he dwelt to attack the
sons of Sceva. This he did, and completely routed
the whole of them; so that they fled, wounded,
from the house where they had attempted the mira-
The First Heroes of the Cross. 213
cle, and, in their hurry and fright, leaving behind
them their garments.
The news of this event spread far and wide, and
was received as a terrible warning by those who had
indulged in practices similar to those of the dis¬
comfited exorcists.
Fear fell on them all; and, seeing how wicked
their past conduct had been,-many repented and
came to the apostles, and not only confessed what
they had done, but exposed the tricks by which
they had deceived so many. Nay, more than this.
So genuine was the repentance of others, that they
brought together the books from which they had
acquired their knowledge of magic, and made a
bonfire of them. When we think that not only
were all books much more valuable then than they
are now, but that these were especially so, as con¬
taining information about the magical arts which it
was important to keep secret, we shall the better es¬
timate this act of self-sacrifice. With the burning
of their books, there passed away also their former
means of obtaining a livelihood. The value of the
books was computed and found to be about ^1770.*
* « Fifty thousand pieces of silver " (eh. xix. 19). The Gre¬
cian coin, drachma, was, no doubt, referred to. Its value, at
8 xAd., would make £1770, equal to about $8,396.
2i4 The First Heroes of the Cross.
This public sacrifice deeply impressed the people,
and the word of God prevailed mightily amongst
them.
Now that the gospel was so firmly established in
the city, Paul purposed going to Jerusalem, and then
to Rome, after visiting the Churches in Macedonia
and Achaia. He sent forward Timothy and Eras-
tus, the treasurer of Corinth, probably to look after
the contributions which were then being made for
the poor saints at Jerusalem; but he himself re¬
mained behind, and was a witness of a great popular
tumult, of which he was the cause.
Connected with the worship of Diana was the
manufacture of silver shrines, or images, small mod¬
els of the shrine which contained the image of the
goddess. These were used as household gods by
the inhabitants, and were purchased by visitors as
memorials. This afforded employment to a great
many workmen, and considerable profit to a few
master silversmiths. Amongst these latter was a
man named Demetrius, who, foreseeing that their
trade would suffer just in proportion as Paul's preach¬
ing prevailed, denouncing idolatry, called together
a meeting of masters and men, and pointed out to
them that their craft was in danger; and then, cov¬
ering his selfishness by some show of respect for
The First Heroes of the Cross. 215
their patron goddess, declared how this Paul was
bringing the great Diana into contempt. The
meeting became very excited and very angry, and
cried out, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians;"
then the people, separating, spread the contagion of
their excitement everywhere, until the city was in a
state of tumult. They seized Gaius and Aristarchus,
men of Macedonia, whom they had seen with Paul,
and hurried them off to the theater, whither the ex¬
cited crowd followed them.
The theater was a vast building, capable of hold¬
ing some 30,000 people, and was only used when
great masses congregated together, generally to see
some spectacle. Into this building the people
crowded, without having a clear idea of the cause
of the meeting. When Paul heard of the arrest of
his companions, he would have rushed into the thea¬
ter and stood forward in their defense, but his friends
persuaded him not to venture among so fierce and
disorderly an assembly. When they had brought
their prisoners there, the people knew not what to
do, nor how to proceed. Some stated one thing,
others cried out something different, but no one
could make himself clearly heard, even had there
been any one formally to charge those whom they
had seized. At last, the Jews, wishing to show that
2x6 The First Heroes of the Cross.
they had no connection with Paul and his compan¬
ions, whom they detested as much as did the Ephe-
sians, put forward one of their number, Alexander
by name, and he beckoned with his hand to obtain
silence; but when the multitude found out that he
was a Jew, they would not hear a word from him.
They knew that the Jews were opposed to idolatry,
and, as the charge brought against Paul by Demet¬
rius was his preaching against the same thing, they
refused to hear Alexander, and cried out, "Great is
Diana of the Ephesians.'' This tumult lasted for
two hours, and at length it came to the knowledge
of the town-clerk, a magistrate of high authority.
As Ephesus was a free city, it had its senate and
popular assembly, and also its magistrates, called
Asiarchs, who were elected annually to superintend
matters connected with the celebration of religious
observances, and also of the games. Foremost
amongst these latter was the town-clerk, who, from
the important duties of his office, held, probably, a
fixed appointment.*
* "He had to do with State papers ; he was keeper of the
archives; he read what was of public moment before the
senate and assembly; he was present when money was de¬
posited in the temple; and when letters were sent to the
people of Ephesus, they were officially addressed to him.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 217
At all events, he deserved always to occupy a po¬
sition of importance—seeing how much tact and
judgment he displayed on this occasion. It was a
serious matter for a free city to abuse its liberty by
any tumultuous assemblage of its people; and it is
never an easy matter to quell a vast crowd of peo¬
ple whose feelings are roused by passion and super¬
stition. But the town-clerk was equal to the task.
He appeared before the people; and, when they
recognized him, they became quiet. Then, he ad¬
dressed them:
"Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that
knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is
a worshiper of the great goddess Diana, and of the
image which fell down from Jupiter?*
"Seeing, then, that these things cannot be spoken
against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing
rashly. For ye have brought hither these men,
which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blas¬
phemers of your goddess. Wherefore, if Demet¬
rius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a
Thus we can readily account for his name appearing so often
on the coins of Ephesus."—Conybeare and Howson.
* Many of the images of Grecian and Roman deities were
said to have fallen from heaven. In some cases aerolites, or
meteoric stones, were made into shape and worshiped.
218 The First Heroes of the Cross.
matter against any man, the law is open, and there
are deputies:* let them implead one another. But
if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it
shall be determined in a lawful assembly. ' For we
are in danger to be called in question for this day's
uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give
an account of this concourse."
This admirable and judicious speech brought the
people to reason; and, when he had finished, he
dismissed the assembly, which quietly retired.
As soon as the uproar had ceased, Paul determined
to carry out his'intention, previously formed, of go¬
ing into Macedonia; and when he had called the
disciples together, he affectionately embraced them,
and departed.|
From Ephesus, Paul went to Troas, where he ex¬
pected to meet Titus, and was. much disappointed
at not finding him. He had sent Titus from Ephe¬
sus to Corinth, about the collection that was being
made, and also to warn the Church there to stand
* Or proconsuls, who went round the country and held
courts.
t The first three verses of chapter xx. contain all that is
recorded by Luke of the labors of the apostle, for a period
of some nine months, from the summer of A.D. 57 to the
spring of the following year. Fortunately, the Epistles
supply farther information.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
219
fast in the faith. After awaiting for some time the
arrival of Titus, Paul went into Macedonia, and
visited the Church at Philippi.
The arrival here of Titus, soon after, relieved the
apostle's mind, and he then went through the north
of Greece, and at last found himself with the dis¬
ciples at Corinth. Here he remained three months,
and intended sailing thence for Syria, but the Jews
had laid a plot to take his life. The discovery of
this foul intention altered the apostle's course, and
he returned through Macedonia. He was accom¬
panied on this journey by Sopater of Berea, Aris-
tarchus and Secundus of Thessalonica, Gaius of
Derbe, Timothy, Tychicus, and Trophimus. * These
had probably been looking after the collection for
the poor at Jerusalem—each in his own neighbor¬
hood. When the party arrived at Philippi, they
fell in with Luke. He remained there yet a little
longer with the apostle, whilst the seven others went
on to Troas, and there waited for them.
* 2 Tim. iv. 20. The narrative now becomes a personal
one. (Chap. xx. 5.)
22o The First Heroes of the Cross.
CHAPTER XXII.
PAUL and Luke left Philippi at the end of the
days of unleavened bread, or feast of the pass-
over—that is to say, about the twenty-first of April;
and after an unfavorable voyage of five days—the
distance being usually accomplished in two—they
arrived at Troas.
There Paul and his companions remained for
seven days; and at the end of their stay, a memo¬
rable event occurred. It was the first day of the
week, the evening after the Jewish Sabbath—the
day now observed by the Christians as the Lord's
day—and the disciples had assembled to partake of
the Lord's-supper, which sacrament they observed
weekly. They had met in a large upper room,
which, on this occasion, was more than usually
crowded; for Paul was to depart on the morrow.
It was the beginning of May, so that the evening
was warm; and, as many lamps were lit, the heat
of the room became oppressive, and they were glad
to have the window open.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
221
The windows of upper rooms overhung the streets;
and in the recess a raised seat, or divan, was usually-
placed, and, when occasion required, a seat above
the divan, level with the window. On this raised
seat, during the evening, sat a young man, named
Eutychus, close to the open window, glad to get all
the air he could; but, in spite of his favorable po¬
sition, overcome by the heat of the room, and per¬
haps wearied out with the day's toil, he fell asleep.
Paul had been long preaching, and it was now past
midnight. He knew this was the last time he should
see the disciples here, and they knew it, too; all
were, therefore, reluctant for Paul to discontinue his
address. He was not only preaching the gospel,
but relating his adventures in connection therewith;
and those, therefore, who knew the apostle best,
were most anxious to hear from him all they could.
The young man, Eutychus, was not so interested.
Probably he was a recent disciple. He tried to
keep awake ;* he rubbed his eyes, and changed his
posture, but to no purpose; the drowsiness was too
much for him, and he fell into a deep sleep. Those
near him were too much interested in Paul to think
of the danger which Eutychus incurred by sitting
asleep at the open window; but, presently, a cry of
* So the words in the original indicate.
222 The First Heroes of the Cross.
horror arose, as the young man was seen to fall
backward into the street below. The room was on
the third story; and when some of the friends ran
down to the poor young man, they found he was
beyond their help. They raised him from the
ground, but he was dead.
As soon as Paul could get out of the room, he
went down into the street, fell upon the body, em¬
braced it, and said, " Trouble not yourselves, for
his life is in him."
The Spirit of 'God had, through his servant,
brought back the life which had just departed from
the young man; and Eutychus now rose up and
stood before the anxious group, uninjured by the
fall.
With what joy did they all return to the upper
room, taking Eutychus with them, an object now of
so much interest! Next to his own immediate
friends, if he had any, those would be most de¬
lighted at his restoration to life who had sat near
him at the window, and had not warned him of his
danger. This incident gave them all fresh cause
for thankfulness that God had so endowed his ser¬
vant before them; and now, with all sense of fatigue
or drowsiness removed by this exciting scene, they
were ready still farther to listen to the apostle.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
223
They and he minded not losing their night's rest to
be so well engaged; and before Paul had finished,
the gray light from the eastern sky came streaming
in through the window from which Eutychus had
fallen.
We oftervhear of whole nights being given up to
worldly pleasures, but how seldom to religious exer¬
cises or conversation!
Early in the morning, Luke and his companions
sailed for Assos, leaving Paul to rejoin them on foot.
The distance by land was about twenty miles—by
sea much farther; so that the apostle was enabled,
by this means, to remain a short time longer with
the disciples at Troas, and then arrive at Assos as
soon as the vessel. The walk, alone, would be a
pleasant change to Paul, after the labors and excite¬
ment of his busy life; and we may be sure that the
time was not unimproved. He was not alone in
that walk, for the Master was with him. At Assos
he embarked on the vessel, and rejoined his com¬
panions ; and, sailing at once, they anchored that
night at Mitylene, the capital of the beautiful island
of Lesbos. Next day, they arrived off the island of
Chios, and the following evening they reached the
island of Samos, and anchored in the Voadstead of
Trogyllium. Early on the following day (i.e. Wed-
224 The First Heroes of the Cross.
nesday), the vessel ran into Miletus, a distance of
less than twenty miles. Paul would much liked to
have landed at Ephesus, to have visited the brethren
there once more ; but this he could not accomplish,
as he was but a passenger, and had not control of
the ship. The vessel, however, put into Miletus,
and was to remain there a short time, to take on
board more cargo, or for some other purpose; and
as Paul could not go to his friends at Ephesus, he
thought the next best thing was for them to come
to him, as the distance between the two cities was
but thirty miles, and the roads were good. A mes¬
sage was sent to the elders of the Church at Ephe¬
sus from Paul, to the effect that he was at Miletus,
and would like to see them.
With joy the Christians at Ephesus received the
invitation, and as many as were able started off at
once for Miletus. Paul was anxiously waiting for
them, and gladly did he descry the company mak¬
ing their way toward him. They met—perhaps on
some part of the sea-shore, away from the noise and
intrusion to which they would have been subject in
the city—and as soon as Paul had inquired after
their welfare, he delivered the following address,
reminding them of his past labors and faithful ser¬
vice among them, warning them lest they should
The First Heroes of the Cross.
225
depart from the faith, and, finally, commending
them to God:
"Ye know, from the first day that I came into
Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all
seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind,
and with many tears, and temptations which befell
me by the lying in wait of the Jews; and how I
kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but
have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and
from house to house, testifying, both to the Jews
and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and
faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, be¬
hold, I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not
knowing the things that shall befall me there: save
that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying
that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of
these things move me, neither count I my life dear
unto myself ] so that I might finish my course with
joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the
Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of
God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among
whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God,
shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you
to record this day, that I am pure from the blood
of all men. For I have not shunned to declare
unto you. all the counsel of God.
iS
226 The First Heroes of the Cross.
"Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to
all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath
made you overseers, to feed the Church of God,
which he hath purchased with his own blood. For
I know this, that after my departing shall grievous
wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking
perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space
of three years I ceased not to warn every one, night
and* day, with tears. And now, brethren, I com¬
mend you to God, and to the word of his grace,
which is able to build you up, and to give you an
inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
Yea, ye yourselves know that these hands have min¬
istered unto my necessities, and to them that were
with me. I have showed you all things, how that
so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to
remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said,
It is more blessed to give than to receive."
As soon as Paul had finished, he knelt down and
prayed with them all. The apostle besought God's
richest blessing on these disciples whom he loved so
dearly; and they prayed that he might be preserved
in all his journeyings, and that his valuable life
The First Heroes of the Cross.
227
might long be spared to the Church. When they
arose from their knees, a heart-breaking scene en¬
sued. Strong men wept like children, and, with
womanly tenderness and sorrow, flung themselves
on Paul's neck, and kissed him. Remembrance of
all the joy they had had in his society crowded into
these few seconds, and made the thought of never
seeing him again more bitter than they could bear.
But the vessel was to sail. Slowly and sorrowfully,
the disciples walked down to the water-side, and
took their last, long farewell of him, as he stepped
on board the ship. Straining their eyes and waving
their last adieux, so long as they could distinguish
him, they stood watching the apostle on deck, and
then, with heavy hearts, retraced their steps to
Ephesus.
After Paul had torn himself away* from the em¬
braces of his Ephesian friends (the wind blowing
from the north, and therefore most favorable for her
course), the vessel sailed direct to Coos, a beautiful
and productive island, about forty miles from Mile¬
tus. Next day, they reached Rhodes, some sixty
miles from Coos.
* The phrase "gotten from them" (xxi. 1) has this mean¬
ing.
228 The First Heroes of the Cross.
CHAPTER XXIII.
ON the following morning, they arrived at Pa-
tara, where the vessel either ended her voyage
or was to continue it along the coast of Asia Minor.
Paul and his companions, Luke, Trophimus, and
Aristarchus, paid their fares, and, hearing of a ves¬
sel just about to leave for Phenicia, they went on
board, and set sail the same day. The wind was
blowing from the north-west; so, spreading their
large sail, they steered straight for Tyre, whither the
vessel was going. The only land they made was
the island of Cyprus, southward of which they
passed in a straighter course. In about two days,
the vessel arrived at Tyre, where she had to unload
her cargo, probably of wheat, or grain, from the
Archipelago. Perhaps, also, she had to take on
board other cargo; for, though the ancient glory
of Tyre was now departed, it still was a place of
some commercial importance, and was celebrated
for its manufactures of glass and purple. It had
also been made a free city by the Romans. But
The First F[croes of the Cross. 229
the place was interesting to Paul, for not a few rea¬
sons. The gospel had long been known in the city;
for those who were scattered at the time of the
persecution of Stephen had passed down the coast
of Phenicia, preaching the word. Paul sought out
the disciples, and tarried with them whilst the ship
was getting ready. Some of the disciples had the
spirit of prophecy, and foresaw that Paul would in¬
cur great danger in going to Jerusalem; but they
were not able to form so good a judgment as to the
wisdom of going as Paul himself was. When Paul
and his companions had remained with them seven
days, and the vessel was now ready, the disciples,
with their wives and children, accompanied them
unto the ship. There, on the sea-shore, they all
knelt down and prayed; the children, not realizing
what was to happen, engaged rather with the peb¬
bles which they found on the beach, but still taken
by their parents to witness their last farewell of the
apostle; for often the recollection of solemn scenes
or services produces afterward a favorable impression
on the mind of children, which at the time passed
by unheeded.
Having commended themselves to Him who was
able to preserve His servants when exposed to the
waves of the sea, or to the more fierce and traitor-
230 The First Heroes of the Cross.
ous storms of human passions, they took leave of
one another; the disciples returning homeward,
thankful for this visit of the apostle and his friends;
whilst Paul and his companions embarked on board
their vessel, and soon reached Ptolemais (the ancient
Acco, and the modern Acre), some thirty miles
from Tyre.
Here, too, there were disciples of the cross, who
had doubtless also received the gospel after the
death of Stephen. The travelers sought them out,
and abode with them for the day.
On the following day, they left the city and went,
probably by land, to Cesarea, distant about thirty
miles. Here lived Philip, the evangelist, one of the
seven deacons, who, twenty-five years ago, had fled
from Saul, the persecutor.
What a change had come over him who now
sought out Philip as a host! With what feeling
would Philip bid him welcome, and how would he
and his four daughters do all in their power to make
the travelers comfortable!
They abode with Philip's family several days, en¬
joying the society and the rest which this hospitable
household offered. Philip's daughters had been
endowed with the spirit of prophecy, so that the
conversation and intercourse of the whole party was
The First Heroes of the Cross.
231
edifying and instructive. At length, they were vis¬
ited by a prophet, named Agabus, from Jerusalem,
the same that had previously foretold the famine
which occurred.
As soon as he was come, he took Paul's girdle,
and with it bound his own hands and feet, and said,
"Thus saith the Holy Ghost, 'So shall the Jews at
Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle,
and shall, deliver him into the hands of the Gen¬
tiles. ' " It was not unusual to connect a prophecy
with some outward symbol: it served to add force
and significance to the words employed.
When Agabus had thus spoken, Paul's compan¬
ions, Philip's family, and all the friends whom he
had met here, besought him not to go up to Jerusa¬
lem. So much earnest entreaty and interested love
did they all manifest, that the apostle was quite un¬
nerved. Their solicitations were hard to overcome;
their pleading fears were enough to prevail over his
sensitive and loving nature; but stronger than all
their entreaties was his sense of duty; and, at last,
he said, "What mean ye, to weep and to break mine
heart ? for I am ready not to be bound only, but
also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord
Jesus."
When his friends saw that his mind was thor-
232 The First Heroes of the Cross.
oughly made up, they felt that it would be both,
useless and unkind to press him farther; and be¬
lieving then that Paul was guided by the Spirit of
God in the course he had taken, they said, "The
will of the Lord be done."
After this, Paul and his companions bade farewell
to Philip and his family, took up their luggage, and
went up to Jerusalem.
Some of the disciples from Cesarea accompanied
them, amongst them one Mnason, of Cyprus, who
had long served the Lord, and who had offered to
entertain the travelers at Jerusalem—an offer which
Paul gladly accepted, as the city was generally
crowded at the time of the feast.
This was Paul's fifth and last journey to the holy
city. Little did any of his friends, as they went
along, think under what circumstances he would
leave it, and again visit Cesarea.
When they arrived at Jerusalem, the brethren
welcomed them most cordially.
It was four years since the apostle had been in the
city, and the brethren there were anxious to hear
how he had been employed in the meantime. They
allowed the travelers time to rest from their journey,
and the day after their arrival they went to the
house of James, where the elders had assembled to
The First Heroes of the Cross.
233
meet them. Paul addressed them, and gave them
a minute account of what God had wrought among
the Gentiles by his ministry; and, as they listened
to the wondrous narrative, they gave God the glory.
Then, the elders had something to say to Paul.
There were many thousands of Jewish Christians
who entertained a strong prejudice against the apos¬
tle, as they had been told that he had taught all the
Jews in Gentile countries to forsake the law of
Moses. The elders wished to convince these Jews
that they were mistaken, and they hit upon a plan
which they thought would be successful. There
were among them four men who were under a Naz-
arite vow,* the time for the, continuance of which
—thirty days—was now expiring.
It was considered an act of piety for a rich man
to defray the cost of the sacrifice, without which
the Nazarite could not be released from his vow;
and as this sacrifice consisted of two lambs, one
ram, a basket of unleavened bread, and some cakes
of fine flour mixed with oil, it was often a matter
of difficulty for a poor man to procure so costly an
oblation.
The elders advised Paul that he should join these
four men in their vow, should purify himself with
*For directions concerning these vows, see Num. vi.
234
The First Heroes of the Cross.
them, and then bear the expense of the whole or a
great part of the sacrifices. By this act, they thought
Paul would convince the Jewish Christians that so
far from disparaging the law of Moses, he was ac¬
tually observing some of its provisions.
Paul might have appealed to the case of Timo¬
thy, and to his great desire to attend the present
Jewish feast, as manifested by the distance he had
traveled, as proofs of the falsehood of the charges
brought against him; but, so conciliating was he,
and so forbearing, that he yielded to the advice of
the elders, with the hope of satisfying the narrow
bigotry of the Jewish Christians. Unto the Jews
he became a Jew, that he might gain the Jews.
But the sequel proved that it is not always well to
yield to the demands of bigotry and weakness.
Paul went with the men into the temple to purify
themselves; but, before the seven days of purifica¬
tion, when the sacrifice should be offered, were over,
the Jews from Asia incited the people against him,
and seized him in the sacred building—appealing
for help to the Jews around, by shouting out that
they had caught the man who had everywhere dis¬
paraged the law and the temple, and had even pol¬
luted the holy place by bringing Greeks into it.
Both these charges were false; but, as for' the
The First Heroes of the Cross. 235
second, the only pretense for saying he had intro¬
duced a Gentile into the temple was the fact that
they had seen him walking about the city with
Trophimus. When bigotry fills men's hearts, they
are often ready to sacrifice truth and consistency;
for these Jews, who pretended such regard for the
temple, did not hesitate to make it the scene of an
unlawful arrest, based on falsehood, and supported
by an appeal to the angry feelings of a mob.
It was a capital offense for any but a Jew to enter
the holy place. The Gentiles had their court, where
they might worship; but written on the pillars at
the entrance to the holy place, or court of the Is¬
raelites, were inscriptions prohibiting any but the
chosen race from crossing the threshold.
The mob, credulous and impulsive as such gath¬
erings usually are, were greatly excited; their rage
and fury spread until the whole city was moved.
They dragged Paul from the temple, and shut the
gate, lest the holy place should be defiled with his
blood. They commenced beating him, and were
taking measures to kill him, when the sentries on
the tower of Antonia, who were probably witnesses
of the disturbance, sent word to their chief captain,
Lysias, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
This tower, which was on the north of the tern-
236 The First. Heroes of the Cross.
pie, and had direct communication with it, was
garrisoned by Roman soldiers. Now, at the time
of the feast, the number of these was considerable;
the officer in command was a chiliarch, or chief
captain, in charge of 1,000 soldiers, most of whom
were probably then in Jerusalem. Lysias imme¬
diately ordered his men to turn out, and, leading
the way, conducted them, with their centurions,
down the stairs to the crowd. The people, as soon
as the soldiers made their appearance, left off beat¬
ing Paul; and Lysias, coming up, ordered him to
be chained by each hand to a soldier, and then,
looking round, asked who he was and what was his
offense.
Then the crowd, most of whom knew nothing
of Paul, shouted, some one charge, and others an¬
other, till, at length, Lysias ordered Paul to be taken
into the barracks in the tower. The crowd fol¬
lowed Paul and the soldiers so closely, that when
they came to the stairs leading up to the tower,
Paul was carried up the staircase by reason of the
great pressure from below, the people crying out,
"Away with him."
All this while, the prisoner was unmoved; with
great calmness and presence of mind, he said to the
chief captain, " May I speak unto thee?" Lysias
The First Heroes of the Cross.
237
was astonished when he heard himself addressed in
Greek, for he had supposed that Paul was the Egyp¬
tian who, some time before, had headed a conspiracy
of Jews, and led four thousand men, of the wildest
character, out into the wilderness. The ringleader
of this insurrection had escaped, and when Lysias
asked Paul if he were not the man, the apostle re¬
plied, "I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a
city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I
beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people."
Strange to say, the chief captain consented to so
unusual a request; perhaps there was that in the
apostle's manner which he could not well resist.
When he hacl given him leave, Paul stood on the
stairs, facing the mob, and waved his hand for si¬
lence. That angry crowd was hushed to stillness,
as Paul, looking down on the mixed assembly, thus
addressed them:
" Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defense
which I make now unto you."
When they found that he spoke to them in He¬
brew, they manifested their desire to listen by even
a greater silence; and he continued:
"I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in
Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city
at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to
238 The First Heroes of the Cross.
the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and
was zealous toward God, 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 estate of the elders; from whom also I re¬
ceived letters unto the brethren, and went to Da¬
mascus, to bring them which were there bound unto
Jerusalem, for to be punished. And it came to
pass that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh
unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone
from heaven a great light round about me. And I
fell unto 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 they that were with me saw indeed the light,
and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of
him that spake 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, having a good
The First Heroes of the Cross. 239
report of all the Jews which dwelt there, came unto
me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, re¬
ceive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up
upon him. And he said, The God of our fathers
hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will,
and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice
of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness 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 the name of the
Lord. And it came to pass that, when I was come
again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the tem¬
ple, I was in a trance; and saw him saying unto
me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jeru¬
salem ; for they will not receive thy testimony con¬
cerning me. And I said, Lord, they know that I
imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that
believed on thee; and when the blood of thy
martyr, Stephen, was shed, I also was standing by,
and consenting unto his death, and kept the rai¬
ment of them that slew him. And he said unto
me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the
Gentiles."
Up to this point, they listened with attention;
but at the mention of that hated word, Gentiles,
their indignation knew no bounds. They shouted
240
The First Heroes of the Cross.
out, "Away with such a fellow from the earth ! for
it is not fit that he should live." They expressed
their impatience and disgust by throwing off their
clothes, and their desire for his punishment by
throwing dust into the air.
The chief captain, who had not understood Paul's
speech, imagining, from the anger of the crowd,
that he had been guilty of some terrible crime, or¬
dered him to be brought back to the barracks, to
be examined by torture, that he might confess his
guilt. Paul was handed over to a centurion, and,
as he was being bound with thongs—so calm and
self-possessed was he in the prospect of torture—he
said to the officer, "Is it lawful for you to scourge
a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? "
When the centurion heard that, he was somewhat
dismayed; for it was not lawful to bind a Roman
uncondemned; and under no circumstances was it
lawful to examine him by scourging. He went at
once to the chief captain, and advised him to be
careful in his treatment of the prisoner, as he was
a Roman. Lysias at once saw what a serious aspect
the case was assuming. It was not likely, he thought,
that the prisoner would falsely lay claim to the cit¬
izenship, as that was an offense punishable by death ;
but he was soon satisfied on the point, when Paul
The Tirst Heroes of the Cross.
241
told him, in answer to his question, that he was a
Roman. Not knowing in what way Paul had be¬
come free, Lysias said to him, "With a great sum
obtained I this freedom; " for when first the right
was bartered for gold, a high price was charged,
but afterward a small sum sufficed to purchase it.
Paul told the chief captain, " But I was free-born;''
then Lysias was afraid, for he knew he had com¬
mitted himself. Those who were to have scourged
the apostle were dismissed; Lysias removed his
bonds, and kept him in charge until the next day,
to consult the Sanhedrim concerning him.
16
242
The First Heroes of the Cross.
CHAPTER XXIV.
ON the morrow, Paul was brought before the
Sanhedrim, to be tried. He looked round,
earnestly beholding the faces of those who now
constituted the council. He carried his thoughts
back a quarter of a century, to the time when he
received letters, from this same assembly, authoriz¬
ing his persecuting zeal. Some of the members
then were doubtless present now, and it would be
with conflicting convictions that the apostle stood
before them.
He commenced to address them: "Men and
brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before
God until this day; " but thus early was he inter¬
rupted by the high-priest, Ananias, who commanded
him to be smitten on the mouth. The apostle, in¬
dignant at this unprovoked assault, at once admin¬
istered a terribly severe rebuke, "God shair smite
thee, thou whited wall,"* said he, "for sittest thou
to judge me after the law, and commandest me to
* Or hypocrite. See Matt, xxiii. 27.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
243
be smitten contrary to the law." Some on the
council then said to Paul, "Revilest thou God's
high-priest?" and he replied, "I wist not, breth¬
ren, that he was the high-priest: for it is written
'Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of the
people.'.''
Now, there was ground for Paul's ignorance in
the matter. This Ananias was a notorious man;
he was deposed from the high-priest's office for bad
conduct soon after the first council of the Christian
Church was held at Jerusalem. His successor, Jon¬
athan, was put to death by Felix, and another had
not yet been appointed in his place. During this
interval, Ananias took upon himself to discharge
the duties of the high-priest, so that Paul might
well be ignorant of his appointment; and, cer¬
tainly, his conduct on this occasion did not reflect
the high character of the office.
Paul's denunciation of the man was quite pro¬
phetic ; for, some years after, he was slain, with his
brother Hezekiah, by a band of insurgents, who,
under Manahem, their leader, held possession of
the city.*
However, when Paul was informed that Ananias
was acting as the high-priest, he showed, by his
* Josephus.
244
The First Heroes of the Cross.
meek reply, that he was ready to respect the office,
even though unworthily filled.
After this interruption, Paul proceeded. Ob¬
serving, perhaps, from his knowledge of the indi¬
vidual members of the council, that some of them
were Pharisees and some Sadducees, and knowing
how bitterly they were opposed in doctrine to one
another, with masterly tact and feeling, he said,
" Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a
Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead
I am called in question."
As soon as he had thus* spoken, there arose great
dissension in the council. The Pharisees at once
took part with Paul, in opposition to the Sadducees,
who denied the resurrection of the dead. The two
parties waxed warm in discussion; and, at length,
the scribes, who were of the Pharisees, declared
that they found no fault in Paul, and suggested,
like their great chief, Gamaliel, on a former oc¬
casion,* that they had better not fight against
God.
So fierce did the debate become, that, besides con¬
tending about the apostle, they were likely to con¬
tend for him; and, to prevent his being pulled in
pieces, Lysias ordered the soldiers to remove him
* See page 47.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 245
by force from the council and take him back to the
barracks.
On the following night, when Paul was feeling
unusually depressed, supposing that his usefulness
would be impeded, and that his cherished wish to
preach in Rome would not be realized, the Lord
appeared to him in a vision, and said, " Be of good
cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Je¬
rusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."
These words, so full of commendation of his past
ministry, and so assuring for his future service,
cheered and soothed the apostle's heart.
Next day, upward of forty Jews conspired to¬
gether, and bound themselves under a curse, that
they would neither eat nor drink till they had taken,
the apostle's life. So perverted had the Jewish
law become, that a private person might kill any
one who had forsaken the law of Moses; and as
Paul was charged with this, the conspirators had no
difficulty in getting the assistance of the council.
They made known to the Sanhedrim their conspir¬
acy, and, to carry it into effect, they asked them to
signify to the chief captain that they desired to
farther examine Paul; so that, when the apostle
was being taken to the council, these ruffians might
waylay and kill him. All was ready for the plot
246
The First Heroes of the Cross.
on the morrow: the conspirators had planned, the
council had approved, but God overruled.
A nephew of Paul, his sister's son, became aware
of the secret, and, having access to his uncle, went
at once and told him. Then Paul requested that
one of the centurions would conduct the young
man to Lysias, as he had something of importance
to communicate. The chief captain took the youth
aside, and asked him to tell him his secret; and he
was soon put in possession of the murderous plot,
which only depended on his consent to the con¬
spirators' request.
Lysias at once made up his mind how to proceed.
Dismissing the young man, and enjoining on him
strict secrecy, he sent for two centurions and told
them to get ready two hundred foot soldiers, seventy
horsemen, and two hundred spearmen, and start for
Cesarea at nine o'clock the same night, taking with
them Paul, whom they were to hand over to Felix,
the governor of Judea, who resided there. Whilst
the troops were getting ready, and whilst Paul was
preparing himself for the journey, Lysias wrote a
letter to Felix, describing the circumstances of the
case, though carefully concealing that he had acted
improperly in his treatment of the prisoner.
At the appointed time, the troops were ready,
The First Heroes of the Cross. 247
and with Paul in their midst, mounted on horse¬
back, with another horse in reserve for his use, the
cavalcade left Jerusalem. Little did those who
heard the clatter of the horses' hoofs, at that still
hour, imagine the occasion of the march; and little
did any of the conspirators, if they were up, finally
arranging the details of their deadly plot, imagine
that the object of their murderous intent was being
borne beyond their reach.
The troops pushed on to Antipatris—a city built
by Herod the Great, and named after his father,
Antipater—some thirty-eight miles. Here they
halted. The next day, the infantry returned to Je¬
rusalem—for all danger of a surprise and attack
was now passed—whilst the cavalry conducted Paul
to Cesarea, some twenty miles farther. The centu¬
rions delivered the dispatch, and presented Paul to
the governor, who, as soon as he had read the let¬
ter, inquired of what province the prisoner was.
When he was told that Paul was of Cilicia, Felix
told him he would hear him as soon, as his accusers
had arrived. Meanwhile, Paul was lodged in Her¬
od's praetorium, or judgment-hall. The rage of
the conspirators and of the council can well be im¬
agined when they found that Paul had been removed
out of their way. The former doubtless broke their
248 The First Heroes of the Cross.
vow, and did not starve themselves ; the latter were
not so easily satisfied. They determined to follow
Paul, and accuse him before Felix; and, five days
after his arrival, Ananias, with the elders and a cer¬
tain Roman lawyer, named Tertullus, whom they
had engaged to prosecute Paul, came to Cesarea.
Felix had been appointed procurator, or gover¬
nor, of Judea in the year A.D. 52. His infamous
character was now fully established, and was about
to farther manifest itself at the trial. Tacitus, the
Roman historian, has left it on record concerning
him, that "in the practice of all kinds of lust,
crime, and cruelty, he exercised the power of a
king with the temper of a slave."
Such was the judge before whom Paul was ar¬
raigned ; and such was the governor whom Tertul¬
lus grossly flattered in the opening of his speech.
Except the ridding the land of robbers, it would be
difficult to note any of " the worthy deeds" which,
according to Tertullus, Felix had done for the na¬
tion. But this was in harmony with his oration,
which was false throughout. He charged Paul with
sedition, with heresy in being a ringleader of the
despised sect of the Nazarenes, and with sacrilege
in profaning the temple; and declared that the
council were going to try him by their law, when
The First Heroes of the Cross.
249
Lysias took him from them with great violence.
To this perverted statement of the conduct of the
chief captain, and to the speech of their orator
generally, the base and wicked elders'-assented.
Then, the governor intimated to Paul that he
might reply, and the apostle thus addressed him:
"Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of
many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more
cheerfully answer for myself: because that thou
mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve
days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
And they neither found me in the temple disputing
with any man, neither raising up the people, neither
in the synagogues, nor in the city; neither can
they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
But this I confess unto thee, that after the way
which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my
fathers, believing all things which are written in
the law and in the prophets; and have hope toward
God, which they themselves also allow, that there
shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just
and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to
have always a conscience void of offense toward
God, and toward men. Now after many years, I
came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
Whereupon, certain Jews from Asia found me pu-
250 The First Heroes of the Cross.
rifled in the temple, neither with multitude, nor
with tumult. Who ought to have been here before
thee, and object, if they had aught against me.
Or else let these same here say, if they have found
any evil-doing in me, while I stood before the
council, except it be for this one voice, that I cried
standing among them, Touching the resurrection of
the dead I am called in question by you this day.''
In these few words, the apostle completely dis¬
posed of the charges against him. He denied that
his accusers could prove what they had advanced;
but he acknowledged that he had served the God
of his fathers, and this the Roman law allowed all
men to do. It was not likely that he was an enemy
to their nation, when he was the bearer of funds
collected in Macedonia and Achaia, for the relief
of poor Jews at Jerusalem; nor that he was a pro-
faner of the temple, when he had so recently pu¬
rified himself and made offerings there.
Felix, who had had much experience of Jewish
bigotry, would have acquitted Paul, had he acted
justly ; but, in order to please the Jews, and with
base ends of his own, he deferred his judgment
until the arrival of Lysias.
Meanwhile, Felix handed Paul over to a centu¬
rion to keep in custody, but with instructions that
The First Heroes of the Cross. 251
he should not be closely confined, and that permis¬
sion should be given to his friends to visit him
freely.
Some days afterward, Felix sent for Paul, to hear
farther from him concerning faith in Christ. The
apostle was ushered into the presence of the gover¬
nor, who was seated, with his wife, Drusilla, beside
him. This wretched woman, the daughter of
Agrippa I., was remarkable for her beauty; she had
been married to Azizus, king of Emessa, but had
left her husband at the solicitation of Felix, who af¬
terward married her. Paul, well knowing the char¬
acter of these two who had sent for him to hear the
gospel, spoke with much plainness and fervor. He
discoursed of righteousness, chastity, and of future
judgment, when our secret sins will be brought to
light, until Felix trembled at the recollection of his
crimes. His conscience was awakened, but instead
of satisfying its demands, he tried to drown its
voice. "Go thy way for this time," said he to
Paul, "and when I have a convenient season, I will
call for thee.'' But probably that time never came;
though he had many opportunities of conferring
with Paul, the state of his soul no longer caused
him anxiety. Guilty as the governor had been be¬
fore he heard Paul preach, his guilt was much in-
252 The First Heroes of the Cross.
creased afterward by his trifling with an awakened
conscience. Far better for him that he had never
listened to the apostle's voice. So completely hard¬
ened was he, that when he afterward sent for Paul,
it was with the hope that he would offer him money
to set him at liberty. Felix had heard that Paul
had brought alms with him to Jerusalem, and he
thought that a large sum would be freely raised to
set the apostle free. The money would easily have
been forthcoming, but the governor little understood
the value of Christian principle, which would not
accomplish a lawful or desirable end in an unlawful
manner.
7he First Heroes of the Cross. 253
CHAPTER XXV.
PAUL now spent two years in confinement. This
period was not wasted, nor was it passed in
sadness. We know not what he did, but his active
mind and zealous heart would devise employment;
and the frequent intercourse with his friends, Philip
and his daughters, and with his old and dear com¬
panions, Luke and Aristarchus, would beguile the
time, whilst their kind attention would add much
to his comfort.
During this time, the governor became increas¬
ingly obnoxious to the Jews, till, at length, his un¬
popularity caused disturbances to break out in the
streets. Inquiries were instituted at Rome, and
Felix was summoned there to answer for his con¬
duct. As his chief accusers would be the Jews, he
sought to propitiate them by leaving Paiil still in
confinement.
It was in the autumn of A.D. 60, when Porcius
Festus was appointed to succeed Felix. Three days
after his arrival at Cesarea, the seat of government,
254
1 he f irst Heroes of the cross.
he went up to Jerusalem, taking the earliest oppor¬
tunity of becoming acquainted with the manners
and customs of the Jews over whom he was now to
rule.
During the long term of Paul's imprisonment,
the high-priest and elders had been nursing their
wrath against him; and as soon as they could ob¬
tain an interview with Festus, they besought him,
as a great favor, that he would send Paul to Jerusa¬
lem to be tried, determining to lie in wait for him
again, to kill him; and, this time, hoping for better
success. Festus declined to accede to their request,
but promised to leave the city at once, and return
to Cesarea; and suggested that they should accom¬
pany him with witnesses against Paul. After re¬
maining not more than eight or ten days, Festus
left Jerusalem, and the Sanhedrim, determining not
to leave a stone unturned to gratify their hatred of
Paul, departed also. On the very day after their
arrival at Cesarea, the apostle was brought before
Festus and his assessors, or councilors, to be tried;
and his accusers appeared and laid all manner of
serious charges against him, not one of which they
could prove.
To these vague, unsupported accusations, the
apostle made no long reply. He boldly declared,
The First Heroes of the Cross.
255
" Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against
the temple, nor yet against Cesar, have I offended
any thing at all."
Festus at once saw that Paul had only rendered
himself obnoxious to the Jews on some points of
religion, and had not committed any political of¬
fense, as he at first supposed; but, not knowing how
to act in the matter, and wishing thus early to in¬
gratiate himself with the Jews, he said to Paul,
"Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged
of these things before me." Then the apostle re¬
plied, " I stand at Cesar's judgment-seat, where I
ought to be judged; to the Jews have I done no
wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an
offender, or have committed any thing worthy of
death, I refuse not to die; but if there be none of
these things whereof these accuse me, no man may
deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Cesar."
He thus dared the governor to send him to Jeru¬
salem.
In these few noble, manly words did the apostle
vindicate his innocence, frustrate the evil designs
of the Jews, and take his stand as a citizen of Rome.
As a Roman, he was entitled to appeal to the em¬
peror as a final judge. The word "Appello" (I
appeal), uttered by one who had the right to use it,
256 The First Heroes of the Cross.
acted as a talisman in arresting judgment. No de¬
lay, or written form, was requisite: the simple ut¬
terance of this one word protected the accused from
judgment and punishment; whilst the Julian law
forbade any obstruction being put in the way of an
appeal. So celebrated was the Roman law for its
love of justice, and for the protection it afforded to
Roman citizens!
Festus was hardly prepared for such a reply from
Paul, but, well knowing the nature of his demand,
he conferred with his assessors, to see if the claim
were admissible; and being satisfied that the apos¬
tle had the right of appeal, Festus gave his decision,
" Hast thou appealed unto Cesar? unto Cesar shalt
thou go.''
Thus ended the trial of Paul, as far as any pro¬
vincial or Jewish court was concerned; thus were
God's plans furthered, thus were the desires of the
apostle's heart to be realized, and thus were the
wicked designs of the crafty Jews frustrated.
Some days after the trial, Herod Agrippa II.,
king of Chalcis, with his sister, Bernice, came to
pay Festus a complimentary visit. The king was
the son of Herod Agrippa, who had met with such
a dreadful death in this very city of Cesarea. He
was a man of depraved habits, but his sister, Ber-
The First Heroes of the Cross.
257
nice, was still more profligate. She was a worthy
sister of the wicked Drusilla.
Now, as Agrippa was well versed in Jewish law,
Festus thought it would be a good opportunity of
consulting him about Paul, as he was not at all sat¬
isfied with his own conduct in the matter. Accord¬
ingly, Festus narrated the history of the case, from
the period of Paul's being left in bonds by Felix
until his appeal to Cesar. Agrippa was so much
interested, that he thought he would like to gratify
his curiosity by hearing Paul; and Festus, therefore,
promised that on the morrow the apostle should be
brought before him.
The next day, Agrippa and Bernice entered the
council-chamber with great pomp, attended by Fes¬
tus and his officers, together with the principal in¬
habitants of the city. Presently, Paul was brought
in; and, instantly, all eyes turned on him, who was
the cause of this brilliant assembly. Then, Festus
explained to Agrippa that this was the man whom
the Jews sought to kill, but who, in his opinion, had
done nothing worthy of death. He then stated
that the accused had appealed unto Cesar, and he
confessed that he was at a loss to know what report
to make to the emperor concerning him. He hoped
that, after examination by the king, he should know
17
258
The First Heroes of the Cross.
what to write. Of course, it was the duty of the
governor, in sending the case to Rome for trial, to
state the nature of the offense with which the ac¬
cused was charged, the evidence of the witnesses,
his own judgment, with remarks thereon. But Fes-
tus knew not what report to make. If he had done
his duty, and acquitted Paul when he saw there was
no evidence against him, instead of seeking to in¬
gratiate himself with the Jews at the expense of
justice, he would not thus have been embarrassed.
As soon as Festus had introduced the subject to
Agrippa, the king said to Paul, "Thou art permit¬
ted to speak for thyself."
Then, Paul stretched forth his hand, which was
chained to the wrist of the soldier by whom he was
guarded; and, as the court observed the heroic
countenance and calm self-possession of the pris¬
oner, there was instant silence. Paul thus addressed
Agrippa:
"I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because I
shall answer for myself this day before thee touch¬
ing all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews
—especially because I know thee to be expert in all
customs and questions which are'among the Jews;
wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. My
manner of life from my youth, which was at the
The First Heroes of the Cross.
259
first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all
the Jews; which knew me from the beginning, if
they would testify, that after the most straitest sect
of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now, I
stand and am judged for the hope of the promise
made of God unto our fathers: unto which promise
our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and
night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, King
Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Why should
it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God
should raise the dead ? I verily thought with my¬
self, that I ought to do many things contrary to the
name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also
did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I
shut up in prison, having received authority from
the chief priests; and when they were put to death,
I gave my voice against them. And I punished
them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them
to blaspheme; and, being exceedingly mad against
them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
Whereupon, as I went to Damascus, with authority
and commission from the chief priests, at midday,
O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above
the brightness of the sun, shining round about me
and them which journeyed with me. And when
we were all fallen to. the earth, I heard a voice
260
The First Heroes of the Cross.
speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue,
Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for
thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who
art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom
thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet;
for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose: to
make thee a minister and a witness both of these
things which thou hast seen, and of those things in
the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee
from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom
now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn
them from darkness to light, and from the power of
Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness
of sins, and inheritance among them which are
sanctified by faith that is in me. Whereupon, O
King Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heav¬
enly vision; but showed first unto them of Damas¬
cus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts
of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should
repent and turn to God, and do works meet for re¬
pentance. For these causes the Jews caught me in
the temple, and went about to kill me. Having,
therefore, obtained help of God, I continue unto
this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying
none other things than those which the prophets
and Moses did say should come : that Christ should
The First Heroes of the Cross.
261
suffer, and that he should be the first that should
rise from the dead, and should show light unto the
people, and to the Gentiles."
Up to this point, the court listened with wonder
and with interest; but when Paul spoke in such an
impassioned manner about the resurrection of the
dead—a doctrine new to Festus—the governor in¬
terrupted him, in a loud voice saying, '£ Paul, thou
art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee
mad."
Then Paul, with that calm self-possession which
madmen never evince, replied, courteously but
firmly, "I am not mad, most noble Festus, but
speak forth the words of truth and soberness. For
the king knoweth of these things, before whom also
I speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of
these things are hidden from him; for this thing
was not done in a corner."
Then, turning to the king, he thus appealed to
him: " King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets ?
I know that thou believest."
Agrippa said, contemptuously, "Almost thou per-
suadest me to be a Christian."
Then Paul, treating the king's words as though
they had been spoken in earnest, and holding up
his hand, the clanking chain from which drew at-
262 The First Heroes of the Cross.
tention to his bonds, replied, " I would to God that
not only thou, but also all that hear me this day,
were both almost* and altogether such as I am, ex¬
cept these bonds."
This was the magnificent peroration of his speech
—these were the last words that he spoke in his
own defense. In this short sentence, he took the
last opportunity that was afforded him in Judea of
declaring that the gospel was broad enough to in¬
clude all in its saving power. He showed, too, that
whilst his courtesy, which made him ever consider¬
ate of others, would exempt those who heard him
from his chains, the consciousness of his moral su¬
periority, through the grace of God, assured him
that, prisoner though he was, he was freer than
they all.
When Paul had finished, the court broke up. The
king, Bernice, and the governor, went aside and
talked privately, and all agreed that Paul had done
nothing worthy of death, or of imprisonment.
Agrippa farther declared to Festus, "This man
might have been set at liberty, if he had not ap¬
pealed unto Cesar."
The phrase here cannot mean 'almost.' It might
mean ' in a small measure,' which would well agree with
the word translated 'altogether,' meaning 'in much."'
The First Heroes of the Cross. 263
This, then, was all the help that Agrippa could
render to Festus in drawing up an indictment
against Paul; this was the result of all the bitter
hatred of the Jews, and the unjust pandering to
their prejudices by the two governors, Felix and
Festus. Paul was to go to Rome on his own ap¬
peal, but none of his accusers or his judges were
able to draw up, not to say substantiate, any valid
charge against him.
264 The First Heroes of the Cross.
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE apostle, with his companion, Aristarchus,
of Thessalonica, and other prisoners, were de¬
livered over to the charge of an officer, named
Julius, a centurion of the Augustan band.*
As there was no vessel in the harbor going direct
to Rome, the prisoners, with Luke as a passenger,
and perhaps others who desired to reach the capital,
embarked on board a ship returning to Adramyt-
tium, a port on the coast of Mysia. This would be
so much on their voyage,f and would bring them
in the way of ships that were bound for Italy. They
* Josephus tells us that at this time the Roman garrison
at Cesareawas chiefly composed of natives of Syria; but he
also mentions that there was a select body of Roman soldiers,
dignified by the name of the Augustan band. That in the
reign of Nero there should be this band of Romans in a gar¬
rison mainly composed of Syrians, is an incidental testi¬
mony to the accuracy of Luke's narrative.
f The same course was pursued by Paul in his voyage from
Philippi to Syria. He changed vessels at Patara, just as he
does presently at Myra.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
265
sailed with a fair westerly wind, and the next day
reached Sidon, a distance of sixty-seven miles.
Here the vessel had to anchor for awhile, either to
embark or disembark passengers or cargo; and Ju¬
lius, who was already well disposed toward Paul,
very considerately allowed him to visit his friends.
The gospel had been known in this city, and Paul
had himself passed through it with Barnabas; so
that this unexpected visit of the apostle would be
pleasant for all concerned.
Paul returned to the ship, laden perhaps with sup¬
plies, which would prove an acceptable variation to
the rations served out on board. Leaving Sidon,
the wind, which still continued westerly, prevented
them crossing' the sea in a direct course to Asia; so
that they left the island of Cyprus on the left hand,
and steered to the north, to take advantage of the
westerly current which prevails along the southern
coast of Asia Minor. After passing through* the
Sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, they reached Myra,
a city of Lycia. In the harbor was a merchantman
from Alexandria, laden with corn, on her way to
Italy. Encountering the same westerly wind that
* This decides the point as to whether they left Cyprus on
the left hand or the right, as some commentators have sup-
266
The First Heroes of the Cross.
had driven the vessel from Cesarea east of Cyprus,
this ship had been driven into Myra, or had made
for the port for purposes of trade.
This merchantman, like others of her class, was
a good-sized vessel, probably more than 500 tons
burden, and, being large enough to accommodate
them, the centurion turned over to her the soldiere
and prisoners.*
The vessel left Myra, but made little headway;
she was several days before reaching Cnidus, which
was but 130 miles off—a distance she might have
accomplished in one day, had the wind been in her
favor. But it was against her, and her only course
was to run under the lee of the island of Crete.
* Very little is known of the ships or seamanship of the
ancients. Mr. Smith, whose "Voyage and Shipwreck of St.
Paul" is now the great authority on the subject, has de¬
voted much study to ancient vessels. He says, "As both
ends of them were alike, if we suppose a full-built merchant-
ship of the present day cut in two, and the stern half re¬
placed by one exactly the same as that of the bow, we shall
have a pretty accurate notion of what these ships were.
The ancient ships were not steered, as those in modern times
are, by rudders hinged to the stern-post, but by two great
oars, or paddles, one on each side of the stern; hence the
mention of them in the plural number by St. Luke. . . .
The plain sails of an ancient ship consisted of one great
square sail, with a small one at the bow."
The First Heroes of the Cross. 267
She rounded Cape Salmone with difficulty, and an¬
chored in the harbor of Fair Havens, near to which
was the city of Lasea.*
It was a long while since they had left Cesarea.
It was now about Michaelmas, for the fast of atone¬
ment, which was on the 10th of September, was
already passed; and the season was so far advanced
as to render navigation in the open sea dangerous.
Paul's advice was, not to venture to sea again, but
to winter there; and, urging this on the centurion,
on the captain, and on the owner, who was also on
board, he said, "Sirs, I perceive that this voyage
will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the
lading and ship, but also of our lives."
The captain and the owner, however, took a dif¬
ferent view. The harbor of Fair Havens was not
commodious for wintering; it was exposed to wind
from the south; and there was, but forty miles dis¬
tant, the port of Phenice, which was well protected.
The captain and the owner agreed that it would be
best to make for Phenice; and this view the major¬
ity of the crew shared. No wonder, therefore, that
® No trace of this city occurs in any ancient writer; but it
has recently been identified about five miles eastward of the
harbor.
268- The First Heroes of the Cross.
the centurion attached more importance to their
judgment than to Paul's.*
A soft wind now blew from the south, which fa¬
voring their purpose, they loosed from their anchor¬
age and sailed toward Phenice. That day's course
certainly seemed to justify the captain's decision;
but the following day, the wisdom of Paul's advice
began to appear. The ship was caught in a typhoon,
or tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon,f such as
was not uncommon in these parts, and is still known
there by the name of "Levanter; " and not being
able to bear up against the storm, the vessel was
obliged to drive before it. The wind blew the ves¬
sel out of her course, south of the island of Clauda,
under the lee of which, in comparatively smooth
water, they tried to take on board the boat, which
had been towed in the vessel's wake for many miles,
and was well-nigh filled with water. They accom¬
plished this with much difficulty, and, after that was
* It has recently been found that Fair Havens, though
open to the south, is well protected by islands and reefs.
f Or Euraquilon, meaning a wind from east-north-east.
This has been the view taken by many commentators; and
now, the Tauchnitz edition of the Hew Testament shows
that Euraquilon occurs in the three most celebrated manu¬
scripts of the Greek Text—viz., the Sinaitic, Vatican, and
Alexandrine.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
269
done, the next thing was to undergird the ship,
which had been severely strained in the gale, and
had already started some of her timbers. This un-
dergirding, Or " frapping," as it is now called, con¬
sisted of passing a stout cable under the ship and
round the hull, to strengthen it. This operation
was a very frequent one in those days,* but it is
seldom resorted to now, on account of the superior
manner in which modern vessels are built.
But now, another danger threatened them. In
the direction in which they were running before the
wind, were the Syrtis quicksands, off the African
coast, near Tunis. Fearing these, they determined
to lie to,f which they did by striking the mainsail,
leaving only, perhaps, a small topsail, to keep the
vessel steady. Bringing the head of the vessel as
near to the wind as they could, the only course was,
then, to let her drift.
Matters grew worse; their position next day was
* Pliny calls the typhoon "the chief pest of seamen, de¬
structive not only to the spars, but to the hull itself."
f " In a storm, with a contrary wind, or on a lee shore, a
ship is obliged to lie to under a very low sail; some sail is
absolutely necessary to keep the ship steady; otherwise, she
would pitch about like a cork, and roll so deep as to strain
and work herself to pieces."—Ency.Brit., art. 'Seamanship.'
270
The First Heroes of the Cross.
more perilous. The undergirding had not been
successful—a leak had been sprung, and they began
to lighten the ship by throwing overboard whatever
could be best spared. Still, the water gained in the
hold, in spite of the working of the pumps; and
next day, the tackling of the ship was thrown over¬
board, the passengers* helping the crew to lighten
the vessel.
Yet, still the water gained on them; and as the
sky was overcast by day and night, so that they had
seen neither sun nor stars for many days, and as the
course of vessels at this time was ascertained by ob¬
servation of the heavenly bodies, they could not
tell which way to steer for the nearest land, which
was their only hope of safety in their sinking state.
They gave themselves up for lost. Nothing could
now exceed the abject condition of the ship's pas¬
sengers and crew, worn out in body by excessive
labor at the pumps, and by incessant watching; be¬
numbed with the wind and waves, that had been
beating on them, their minds strained by the hourly
expectation of their death, they were well-nigh
® " We cast out with our own hands"—Acts xxvii. 19.
Mr. Smith suggests that this included the mainyard, which
was as long as the ship, and would require the united efforts
of passengers and crew to throw it overboard.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
271
sinking under their trials. Day by day, and night
by night, they had been looking out to catch some
glimpse of the sky that might have helped them;
but darkness was above them, and, at last, it settled
down on their weary hearts, extinguishing the glim¬
mer of hope that had been burning there. They
had taken no food for days, for fear had destroyed
all appetite,* if the waves had not put out the fire
in the cook's galley, and washed overboard their
live-stock, or provisions.
Then it was, when all hope had perished, that
Paul came to their rescue. During the night, whilst
they had given way to despair, he had been praying
for them. He had not lost faith in Him who
"holds the sea in the hollow of His hands."
In the morning, Paul gathered the ship's misera¬
ble company about him, and, raising his voice above
the storm, thus addressed them: "Sirs, ye should
have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from
Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 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. For there stood by me this night the
angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, say¬
ing, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before
* As in David's case, Psalm cii. 4.
272
The First Heroes of the Cross.
Cesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that
sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer;
for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was
told me. Howbeit, we must be cast upon a certain
island."
When Paul had spoken, he was regarded in a new
light by all on board. The crew, prone to super¬
stition, as sailors often are, were impressed by his
account of the vision, whilst the officers and passen¬
gers could not but be influenced by the calmness
and self-possession of the apostle, and by the assur¬
ance that all in the vessel were to be saved for his
sake. His words revived their drooping hearts,
and nerved them for still farther weathering the
gale. Still, the storm continued. On the four¬
teenth night, as the vessel was tossing about in
Adria—that part of the Mediterranean that lies be¬
tween Sicily and Crete—the men on the look-out
thought they heard the sound of breakers on a
rocky shore.
They heaved the lead, and found twenty fathoms
beneath them, but, after a little while, they found
they were only in fifteen-fathom water. They were
evidently approaching the rocks—quickly drifting
on to their destruction! It was pitchy dark, and
heavy rain was falling. What was to be done?
The First Heroes of the Cross. 273
Their only chance of escape was to bring the vessel
to; accordingly, they cast four anchors out of the
stern,* and made her fast, for, fortunately, the bot¬
tom was good holding ground.
Having done all that presence of mind and sea¬
manship could suggest, there was nothing for them
to do but to wait for the morning. How long the
night seemed, how wearily the hours dragged on!
The suspense was too great for some of the crew;
with a cunning selfishness that was dastardly in the
extreme, they let down the boat from the davits into
*We need not urge the custom of the ancients, for this
somewhat, to us, unusual mode; for anchoring by the stern,
under these circumstances, was in accordance with the best
rules of seamanship. Their object was to run the ship
ashore in the morning, so that, made fast, as the vessel was,
at the stern, her bow pointed straight for the land. Had
they anchored at the bow, she would have swung round, and
gone broadside on the rocks. Conybeare and Howson, after
noticing that a similar course was adopted by our ships at
the battle of the Nile, give the following interesting infor¬
mation : " There is still greater interest in quoting the in¬
stance of Copenhagen, not only from the accounts we have
of the precision with which each ship let go her anchors
astern as she arrived nearly opposite her appointed station,
but because it is said that Nelson stated, after the battle,
that he had that morning been reading the twenty-seventh
chapter of The Acts."
18
274 The First Heroes of the Cross.
the sea, to make their escape under the pretense of
casting out anchors from the bow, which would
have been a most desirable thing to accomplish.
But Paul's wisdom detected their base design, and,
promptly addressing the centurion and soldiers—
as no time was to be lost in parleying—he said,
"Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be
saved.'' Then, instantly drawing their short swords
—for Paul's word was now law—the soldiers cut
the ropes that held the boat, which, drifting to lee¬
ward, was either swamped or dashed to pieces on
the rocks.
At length, the faint gray light in the eastern sky
was welcomed by the weary watchers, as the dawn
of the day that was to decide their fate. In view of
the final efforts which all would have to make to
save their lives, Paul again stood forth and addressed
them: "This day is the fourteenth day that ye
have tarried and continued fasting, having taken
nothing. Wherefore, I pray you to take some
meat; for this is for your health: for there shall
not a hair fall from the head of any of you.''
"When he had thus spoken, he took some bread
and gave thanks to God in presence of them all;"
and then, breaking the bread, he began eating it.
Again, Paul's self-possession and presence of
The First Heroes of the Cross.
275
mind reassured them; his words cheered them, and
his example stimulated their appetite, so that they
all ate freely, and strengthened themselves for the
trying time that awaited them.
Thus was this one man, and he a prisoner, the
means of inspiring with hope, and of rescuing from
death, the two hundred and seventy-five souls who
now looked up to him as their deliverer.
When they had eaten enough, they determined
still farther to lighten the ship. They threw out
the cargo of wheat into the sea, for it had probably
got shifted, and it would interfere with the vessel's
draught of water. When daylight dawned on them,
they knew not the land at first, but they discovered
a creek with a pebbly shore, into which they deter¬
mined, if possible, to drive the ship.
They cut the cables* that held the anchors, leav¬
ing them in the sea; they loosened the bands by
which they fastened up the rudder-paddles from the
sea when they cast anchor; and then, hoisting a
foresailf to catch the wind, they ran the vessel
* The translation as given in the margin of our Bibles is
the correct one.
*f The foresail, and not the mainsail, is the proper mean¬
ing of the word artemon in the text; and this, too, was the
sail which all nautical men would say was the proper one
to use on the occasion.
276
The First Heroes of the Cross.
ashore. She stranded in a place where two seas
met, the bow sticking fast, whilst the stern, exposed
to the fury of the waves, was soon broken to pieces.
Then, in that awful moment, with death staring
them all in the face, the brutal Roman soldiers
could only think of the stern law that made them
answerable with their lives for the escape of the
prisoners. They wanted to slay them, including
Paul himself; but the centurion, willing to save him
at all events, bade them desist from their murderous
purpose, and commanded that all who could swim
should jump overboard first, and make for the land.
Then, the rest, waiting till the ship had broken up,
committed themselves to planks, and spars, and
pieces of the wreck, and were washed through the
breakers to the shore. When the last floating life-
raft had thrown up its tenant on the beach—when
the last swimmer had safely braved the waves, and
when all had scrambled through the surf beyond
the reach of the devouring sea, the captain called
over the list of the ship's crew and passengers,
the centurion called over the roll of his soldiers
and prisoners, and not one was missing. They had
all "escaped safe to land."
The First Heroes of the Cross. 277
CHAPTER XXVII.
OD had given Paul all those that sailed with
him. They had escaped with their lives, but
that was all. Nothing was saved from the wreck
in the way of provisions or of clothes; and nothing
could be more abject than the appearance of that
shipwrecked company, as they crowded round Paul
on the beach. Faint and worn out with their long
exposure, and with their desperate struggle for life,
wet through and benumbed with cold by their im¬
mersion in the sea, they stood on the shore, most
miserable, helpless objects, whilst the rain beat down
upon them with violence. But help was at hand.
They had been thrown upon the island of Malta,*
* It has been a disputed point whether this island of Me-
lita, or Malta, in the Mediterranean, or another of the same
name, in the Adriatic Sea, was the scene of the shipwreck.
All doubt, however, should he now set at rest. Mr. Smith,
in his "Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul," has thoroughly
examined the subject, and has proved that the bay at Malta,
which bears the apostle's name to the present day, answers
most entirely all ihe conditions of Luke's descriptions, and
278 The First Heroes of the Cross.
in the Mediterranean, which was inhabited by peo¬
ple of Phenician origin, and, although regarded as
barbarians, as all persons were who belonged not
to the Grecian or Roman empire, they proved them¬
selves to be most kind-hearted and hospitable.
These good people doubtless saw the ship aground
in the creek, and, though they were unable to ren¬
der any assistance in saving lives from shipwreck,
they did all in their power to preserve them when
thrown upon their shore. First, they lit a fire on
the beach, which would not only warm them, but
the necessity of obtaining fuel for it afforded the
shipwrecked crew some employment, which tended
to occupy the mind and restore their spirits. Paul,
of course, was most active where any thing was to
be done, cheering the men at their work, and him¬
self gathering fuel. He had collected a bundle of
that it accords with the direction which the vessel must
have taken, drifting westward in the storm; so that it would
be simply impossible that she could have turned up in the
Adriatic. The great mistake made by those who have de¬
cided for the other island consisted in their supposing that
the name of Adria, where, we are told, the vessel was driven
up and down (Acts xxvii. 27), was confined to the present
Adriatic Sea; whereas, in those days, it extended to that
part of the Mediterranean Sea between Greece, Italy, and
Africa.
The First Heroes of the Cross.
279
sticks, and had put them on the fire, when a viper,*
which was probably lying in the midst of the wood
in a torpid state, restored to animation by the heat,
fastened itself on his hand. The first thought of
the islanders, as they saw the viper hanging from
his hand, was that the apostle was a murderer, who,
though he had escaped shipwreck, was still pursued,
and was now overtaken by an avenging justice.
These men had never heard the gospel, yet they
had some idea of punishment surely following sin
—somewhat equivalent to the old Jewish notion,
which our Saviour had occasion to correct. Paul,
however, shook off the viper from his hand, and
experienced no ill effects whatever. The islanders
watched the apostle, expecting to see his hand
* It would be 110 objection, either to the narrative or to the
identity of the place, if no vipers were now found in Malta,
as, with increase of population, they might get gradually
exterminated. Dr. Tristram tells us that recent research
has brought to light two species of snakes, still existent in
the island, one of which, the Coronella Icevis, much resem¬
bles the Viperus in appearance. It is the only snake which
has the broad, flat head, which is, with this exception, the
distinguishing feature of poisonous serpents. Its teeth are
so arranged that it has the power of holding on to any thing
which it seizes—a power possessed by no other snake what¬
ever, so far as naturalists are aware.
28o
The First Heroes of the Cross.
swelling with the deadly bite, and then to witness
his sudden death; but neither of these events hap¬
pened. And when they were satisfied that no harm
had come to him, they changed their minds con¬
cerning him, and supposed him to be a god, as on
that supposition alone could they account for his
remaining unhurt. They knew not whose servant
Paul was, nor did they understand what special
grace and protection Jesus had vouchsafed to his
apostles.
Around this fire, then, the soldiers and crew
warmed themselves, and dried their garments; and,
afterward, the inhabitants provided them with food
and shelter. When the governor of the island,
whose name was Publius, heard of the condition of
the travelers, he sent for Paul, Luke, Aristarchus,
and, probably, the centurion, and received them
into his house, where he entertained them most hos¬
pitably and courteously. At the end of three days,
Publius, who, in addition to his other good qualities,
possessed that of filial piety, told Paul that his father
was very ill with dysentery. Paul went to the sick
man's room, and prayed for his restoration; then,
laying his hands on him, he healed him. When the
father resumed his place in his son's household,
they must both have been very thankful that Paul
The First Heroes of the Cross.
281
had thus been introduced to them; and the centu¬
rion, too, when enjoying the hospitality of the gov¬
ernor, must have felt that his kindness to Paul had
been well rewarded. But the extent of the blessing
which Paul's presence caused was not yet fully as¬
certained. When the people came to hear that the
shipwrecked traveler had healed the governor's
father, they hoped that he would extend the same
favor to such of them as needed it. Those, there¬
fore, that were diseased came to Paul, and he gladly
healed them all.
For three months did the ship's company remain
on the island, experiencing, day by day, the kind¬
ness and attention of the inhabitants. The island¬
ers, especially those whose relatives had been healed
by Paul, must have been thankful for the storm that
drove that vessel upon their shore; and must have
felt, though they did not so express their thoughts,
that it was "an ill wind that blows nobody good."
How often must they have remembered with pleas¬
ure their kindness to the travelers, as they called to
mind the liberal way in which it had been repaid;
and we can imagine that, from the governor down
to the poorest person who had in any way come
into contact with the apostle, all would treat him
with the greatest respect and courtesy. But another
282 The First Heroes of the Cross.
vessel had come to the island, though under differ¬
ent circumstances. This one had anchored safely
in the bay, in order to winter. She, too, was an
Alexandrian corn ship, on her way to Puteoli, but
had put into Melita rather than continue her voy¬
age. Her name was the "Castor and Pollux;"
she was called after the two gods who were supposed
to be the patron deities of sailors, and she carried
figures of them at her bow. Her captain and crew
had often landed on the island, and had met with
the crew of the shipwrecked vessel, from whom
they had heard the story of their wreck, and their
wonderful escape through their illustrious prisoner.
When, therefore, it was proposed that Paul's com¬
pany should take passage in the " Castor and Pol¬
lux," we may well imagine that her captain readily
agreed to a plan which he thought would insure
him a safe termination to his voyage. The crew
had got the vessel ready for sea, and she was about
to start. The islanders, too, had been making
preparations for the voyage. They had prepared
"kits" for the men, containing such clothes and
simple utensils as they would require; and had re¬
plenished the wardrobes of Paul, Luke, Aristarchus,
and the centurion. Busy hands and loving hearts
had been at work amongst the women of the island,
The First Heroes of the Cross.
283
during the long winter evenings; and, now that
the " Castor and Pollux" was ready to weigh an¬
chor, they brought forward their gifts. Well might
Paul and his companions have been astonished, as
they beheld the presents laid before them. We can
picture the delight of the simple-hearted sailors,
as they took up these presents that promised them
so much comfort; and loud and hearty were they
in their thanks for this unexpected kindness.
When every thing was put on board—when Paul
had taken leave of the governor and all his friends,
many of whom, doubtless, came down to see the
vessel off—we can fancy the loud cheers which came
from the ship and were answered from the shore,
as the "Castor and Pollux" hove her anchor and
sailed out of the bay.
It was a long while before any of them forgot
the warm-hearted islanders; and, as all on board
the ship remembered to whom they were indebted
for their kind treatment, we may be sure that Paul's
position now was very different from that when he
first left Syria. Though still a prisoner, he was the
object of general respect.
Eighty miles north of Melita was the port of Sy¬
racuse, a famous city on the south-east of the island
of Sicily. Here the ship anchored; and if Paul
284
The First Heroes of the Cross.
landed, he would find, in this famous commercial
city, Jewish brethren, who might have heard of the
great apostle. At the end of three days, the ves¬
sel left Syracuse, and, after beating about somewhat,
arrived at Rhegium, a maritime city, near the south¬
western extremity of Italy. After waiting here one
day, the wind blew from the south, and they ran
before it to Puteoli, where they arrived the follow¬
ing day.
Puteoli was situated on the northern part of the
bay of Naples, and was, at that time, the chief mar¬
itime city of Italy. This was the destination of
the "Castor and Pollux," and other Alexandrian
corn ships; so that here the voyage of Paul and
his companions ended.*
There were in the city Christian brethren who
had heard of the apostle, and had long wished to
see him. His arrival became soon known, and
* The arrival of these corn ships was quite a matter of
public interest. Conybeare and Howson quote a letter, which
has been preserved, of the philosopher Seneca. He says
that " all ships, on rounding the bay, were obliged to strike
their topsails, with the exception of the Alexandrian corn
vessels, which were thus easily recognized as soon as they
hove in sight;" and, then, he proceeds to moralize on the
gathering and crowding of the people of Puteoli, to watch
these vessels coming in.
The First Heroes of the Cross. 285
they desired him to stay some time with them. To
this request Julius, the centurion, readily assented,
mindful of the deep debt of obligation he was un¬
der to the apostle.
At the end of seven days, the company started
for Rome, whither news of Paul's arrival had been
already sent to the brethren. As soon as they
heard of it, they set out to meet him; and the two
parties met at Appii Forum, a town about forty
miles from Rome, situated at the end of the canal,
which was constructed by Augustus, for draining
the Pontine Marshes. Some ten miles farther on;
the travelers met another party, which had come
out from Rome, at the Three Taverns. The sight
of these brethren greatly cheered the apostle's
heart. The welcome was so hearty and unexpected
—he was going as a prisoner to Rome, where he had
never yet been—for, though he had long desired to
preach the gospel in that city, he did not expect to
be at once surrounded by loving friends; much less
did he expect that any would travel so far to meet
him and assure him of their friendship. When,
therefore, he met the second band of brethren, his
heart leaped for joy—"he thanked God and took
courage.''
In this way, surrounded by those on whose friend-
286
The First Heroes of the Cross.
ship he felt he could rely, the apostle entered the
great city of Rome.
The centurion at once delivered up his prisoner
to the captain of the emperor's body-guard; and,
doubtless, took occasion to furnish a detailed ac¬
count of the voyage, dwelling with gratitude on the
fact that he and all with him had owed their lives
to Paul. This, added to the testimony which the
centurion bore to the apostle's character, secured
for him great consideration at the hands of the
captain of the guard. Paul was not imprisoned
with others, but was permitted to dwell by himself;
the only restraint being that he was in charge of a
soldier, to whom he was bound by a chain.
After three days, Paul sent for the chief of the
Jews. He wished to explain his position to them,
that they might not be prejudiced against him by
supposing that he had come here to accuse the Jew¬
ish Sanhedrim before the Roman emperor.
When they had assembled, he said to them:
" Men and brethren, though I have committed noth¬
ing against the people, or customs of our fathers,
yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into
the hands of the Romans, who, when they had ex¬
amined me, would have let me go, because there
was no cause of death in me. But when the Jews
The First Heroes of the Cross. 287
spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto
Cesar; not that I had aught to accuse my nation
of. For this cause, therefore, have I called for you,
to see you, and to speak with you: because that for
the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain."
Thus, the apostle showed that his accusers had
been guilty of conduct unworthy of Jews, in de¬
livering him, a Jew, who had broken no law what¬
ever, to the Roman power; and that only in self-
defense had he appealed unto Cesar.
Their reply to Paul somewhat reassured him.
They said, "We neither received letters out of Ju-
dea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren
that came showed or spake any harm of thee. But
we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for
as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it
is spoken against."
Paul was even more anxious to remove their prej¬
udices against Christianity than the Jews were to
hear about it; so an early day was fixed when they
should again come to his lodging and hear the gos¬
pel. They came in the morning, and the apostle
at once began to unfold the gospel plan of salva¬
tion by testifying of Jesus, both from the law of
Moses and from their own prophets. He spoke
long and earnestly, and it was evening before he
288
The First Heroes of the Cross.
had finished his address. Its effect was similar to
that which followed so many of his former ones;
some of the Jews believed and some believed not.
"And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own
hired house, and received all that came in unto him.
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those
things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with
all confidence, no man forbidding him."* With
these words Luke closes his narrative of The Acts;
and here our task must end.
The remainder of Paul's life may be summed up
briefly. He was tried and acquitted; afterward,
he spent some time in visiting distant Churches,
until he was again apprehended, and again brought
a prisoner to Rome. He knew that death awaited
him, and he was ready to die. He met death with
the same heroism that had distinguished him
through life.
He was beheaded, by order of the brutal Empe¬
ror Nero, in the year 66.
* During this time, he wrote many Epistles, including
those to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Phile¬
mon.
THE END.