■VWy.'iOv &v^?i Robert W. Woodruff Library Special Collections EMORY UNIVERSITY SUNDAY SCHOOL BOARD, S. B. C, MEMPHIS, TENN. Entertfi, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1839, by SOUTHERN BAFTIST SABBATH-SCHOOL UNION, in tlia ctiico of the Clerk of the District Court for the. Middle District of Tennosa&i. SAUL OF TARSUS. ^0 you remember the story of Stephen, the good and holy man who first gave up his life for his faith in Jesus? While the wicked men were ston¬ ing this faithful witness for Christ, some of them laid their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. This is the first time his mane is brought into the Sacred History, and a strange place it seems to find one whom God designed for an Apostle. Saul did not know that this great honor was intended for him; had he been told of it at that time, he would not have thought it an honor—he would have been very angry and indignant to think .that he, the " proud Pharisee," should be expected to become a believer in the hated "Uaza- (3) 4 SAUL OF TARSUS. rene" (so they called the blessed Savior) and join that despised sect. Perhaps Saul did not throw any stones at the meek Stephen, who, even in dying, prayed for his cruel enemies ; but he looked on, kept the clothes of those who were en¬ gaged in the murder, and he was very will¬ ing for them to do it; he consented to their wicked act, and was therefore as guilty as any. But when Stephen was dead, and some of the Christians had-buried the bruised body of their dear friend, Saul engaged actively in the persecutions which followed. He searched diligently about the city, hunted the poor disciples like they were wild beasts, entered their houses and dragged men and women too before the cruel priests, who were their judges, and who condemned them to fines, imprisonment, tortures, and death. A great many were killed, but some escaped, and soon all were gone from Jerusalem ex¬ cept the Twelve Apostles, and these God did not then suffer their enemies to destroy. It may be that some of the Jews were SAUL OF TARSUS. 5 willing now to let the Christians alone for awhile, satisfied with having driven them away from Jerusalem. But Saul was not! And when he could find no one there to in¬ jure, he went to the high priest, to beg leave to go to another city, and look for those whom he might persecute, for he was exceedingly mad against the followers of Jesus, and it was a great pleasure to him to give them pain. The chief priests were very glad to have Saul go on such an errand, and gave him letters to the priests in Damascus, and full authority to bring back with him all the Christians he could find there, to be tried, and tortured, and killed in Jerusalem. Saul set out on his journey accompanied by a sufficient number of men to assist him in his cruel business, and no doubt that he was very proud of his new power, and fully determined to leave none of the hated sect in Damascus. Why did Saul hate these poor people so, and so anxiously seek their lives ? To understand this you must know some- 6 SAUL OF TARSUS. thing of his education and of the friends or associates with whom he lived. Saul was born, of Jewish parents, at. Tar¬ sus, a distant Roman city, but had been early in his lTfe taken to Jerusalem, to be instructed in all the learning of his father's people. He was brought up in Jerusalem as a pupil of the celebrated Gamaliel, the same who advised the rulers to release the Apostles, when they were prisoners, and -to let them alone ! Gamaliel was a great and learned man, a ''Doctor of the Law--," who stood very high in public favor, and possessed great influence, and his pupil made rapid pro¬ gress under his instruction. Gamaliel "was also a Pharisee, one of the sect which among the Jews at that time, most bitterly hated the Savior and his disciples or followers. The Pharisees were very strict in observing and teaching all the ceremonies of the Jewish worship. They contended with great zeal, for the laws of Moses, but they had added to these laws so many traditions, or sayings SAUL OF TARSUS. 7 of men, that the " laws of God" were almost set aside or neglected. They fasted often, and loved to be seen praying in the streets and markets and were very careful to go up to the temple to worship at the proper times. Jesus taught his disciples to pray in secret places, where only God could see or hear them; but the Pharisees claimed to be.more righteous than other men, and they wished others to witness them private devotions and believe that they were indeed very pious. They never ate without first -washing their hands, and when they saw Jesus and his disciples sit down to eat with unwashed hands, they thought it a very wicked thing, amPwhen Jeeus on a Sabbath day cured a poor woman, who, for eighteen years had Peon unable to lift herself up straight, the Pharisees were indignant and angry enough with him to stone him on the Sabbath day for break'ng the Sabbath. As I have already said, the Pharisees hated Jesus, and often tried to kill him, because he exposed their 8 SAUL OP TARSUS. wickedness and hypocrisy, and warned the people not to follow their steps, as they were like blind guides leading the blind, and all would fall in the ditch together. Jesus boldly compared them to whited sepulchers (graves), fair and beautiful only on the out¬ side ; and to cups washed clean on the out¬ side, but full of uncleanness. For they called themselves better than all other men, and appeared to be very holy, while their hearts were full of hatred, pride and all wickedness. Not many of the Pharisees believed in Jesus as the Son of God. How indeed could they, while so well satisfied with their own righteousness ? They thought their own good works could save them, and therefore did not want a Savior. If we would be saved from our sins, we must feel that we are indeed guilty and helpless, hav¬ ing no merit or worth in us, and not able to do one good thing; and we must pray to Jesus to take us just as we are and change our evil hearts and make us good and holy. Most SAUL OI1 TAltSUS. 9 of the learned and respectable Jews were Pharisees. Saul's father wTas a Pharisee, his teachers and companions were also ;—he had been brought up a Pharisee, thoroughly imbued with the spirit of his sect, and even more zealous than his teachers; for he was then young, ardent, and always energetic and de¬ cided in his feelings and pursuits, so that in whatever work he engaged, he (as we some¬ times say) threw his whole soul into it, and labored with all his strength. Now as he had been taught to observe as sacred, all the traditions of the Pharisees, and to, regard Jesus Christ as a hated im¬ postor—he really thought it was right for him to hate the followers of Jesus, and to persecute them even unto death. He sin¬ cerely believed that he was serving the just and holy God ; who bids men " love one an¬ other " while he was seeking to injure and destroy everyone who called on the name of bis Son—Jesus Christ our Savior. I wish you to remember this, for you will 10 SAUL OF XAltSUS. sometimes be told by even apparently wise and good people, that, "It does not matter what you believe, if you are only sincere," or that, " If you think ' sprinkling' is right, it will do just as'well, as Ijeing baptized in obedience to Christ's commands." Now Saul was just as sincere in believing what he did, as any one can be ; and yet his thinking it right, did not make him in¬ nocent, when persecuting the " Saints." It is only a sincere belief of the Truth, and humble obedience to all the require¬ ments of the Gospel, that can benefit us, and in the Bible we may learn the Truth, and the Way, for God has promised his Holy -Spirit to aid all who try earnestly and humbly to know and do his will. SAUL OR TARSUS. 11 A WONDERFUL CHANGE. FTER this long digression it is time to resume the story of Saul,, whom we left on his journey to Damascus—■ & whither he was hastening to execute JJs cruel purposes against the Saints who had fled to that city. If they had heard of His-intentions, doubtless, they were greatly troubled and dreaded his coming, but-God watches over his people and knows bow to deliver those who trust in him ; and Saul the proud Pharisee, the :cruel persecutor, was not permitted to reach the city, as he had intended; nor did he ever again speak evil of Jesus or give his followers pain. True his journey was almost finished for he drew nigh to Damascus, " still breathing out threatenings and slaughter," against the dis¬ ciples of the Lord, but suddenly at midday a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shone around and "upon "him ; so daw" g in its glorious intensity that the terrified men fell 011 thcir*faces to the earth, 12 SAUL OF TARSUS. utterly unable to look upon, or even to stand beneath those piercing rays of light imme¬ diately coming from God's own throne in heaven. Jesus of Nazareth, the once de¬ spised, rejected and crucified, but now the risen and,glorified Jesus was in that light. He had come for a brief moment from his exalted seat in glory to arrest this bitter persecutor, for he had been chosen to pro¬ claim the name of Jesus to the Gentiles, "to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they might receive forgiveness of sin, and inheri¬ tance among the sanctified by faith, in Jesus Christ." As Saul lay prostrate on the ground, he heard a voice calling him by name, in the Hebrew, his own native language, saying: "Saul! Saul! Why persecuteSt thou me?" Who art thou, Lord? he asked, for he knew that it could be no mortal's voice, thus un¬ mistakably calling to him. And again from Ihe ineffable brightness came the words, " I am Jesus whom thou persecutest." Ah, SAUL OP TARSUS. 13 Saul knew, felt in his deeepest soul, that he was indeed a cruel, a wicked persecutor, his heart full of pride, hatred, malice—all evil things, and he could not deny it—but trem¬ bling and astonished he cries out, " Lord what wilt thou have me to do." Saul was sincere in asking this question, for he was anxious to know that he might obey. Jesus said to him, "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." The Lord did not tell him how to be saved, he must go and seek that all important knowledge, from some of that "despised sect, every where spoken against." This was an honor to the humble disciples of Damascus, and at the same time humiliating to their once cruel enemy, the proud and haughty Pharisee, Saul did not now care for this, he arose when commanded, in order to go to the city, but lo! the light from heaven had faded from his vision and left him in utter dark¬ ness. Saul was blind. Slowly and sadiy, groping his way, led by his companions or 14 SAUL OP. TARSUS, servants, Saul entered Damascus and found lodgings. o o The men who were with him saw the Light, and heard the voice speaking to their Leader or Captain, but they did not under¬ stand the words; they may have been Roman soldiers unacquainted with the language, or if Jews, it was very easy for Jesus to make Saul perfectly understand his words, while those who tvere very near heard only a con¬ fused sound. Three long days Saul lay blind, over¬ whelmed with astonishment, and the con¬ sciousness of his deep guilt, and mourning in the depths of humiliation and repentance before God, he neither ate nor drank, the wants of his body were forgotten in the great struggle his soul was making for light and peace. Then came deliverance from the bondage of sin, and fear and death— " Christ and him crucified, became indeed unto his troubled soul the power of God unto salvation, as the great truth (which he ever after so fearlessly proclaimed to others) SAUL OF TARSUS. 15 "•Justification through faith in Jesus, became indelibly fastened on his heart and mind, to be henceforth-his motto, and his guiding.star, There was at that time, among the scattered flock which were in Damascus, a disciple named Ananias, and in a vision the Lord appeared to him, saying, "Ananias, arise and" go into the street which is called straight, and-inquire in the house of Judas, for one Saul of Tarsus, for . behold lie prayeth." Behold he prayeth; this was a joyous sight to the blessed inhabitants of heaven, and the angels of God rejoiced together, giving praise and glory to him for one more repenting sinner—one more to do his will on earth, as they were doing it in heaven. But when the good news was told to Ananias he could hardly believe it true, for he said, " Lord I have heard of this man, how much evil he hath done» to thy saints at Jerusalem, and here he hath authority to bind all that call on thy name." But the Lord cheered him, saying, " Go thy way, for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the 16 SAUL OF TARSUS. Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel, (Jews,) for I will show him hoAV great things he must .suffer for my name's sake." Then Ananias hesitated no longer, but went as directed, and when he had found the praying Saul, he put his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul the Lord, even Jesus that appeared to thee in the way, hath sent me that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost; and now why tarriest thou? arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins." And immediately Saul's eyes were opened; light and peace filled his soul, and sight was restored to him who had just been so grievously blind, and he arose and was baptized. This he knew was the next thing required of him, after he had believed with all his heart on Jesus Christ the only Savior, he must be baptized as Jesus had been, and he hasted to comply with this divine commandment. This done he received food and was strengthened. SAUL OF TARSUS. 17 SAUL PREACHING. fflJtffHIEN Saul was converted and baptized ^ie began to preach. For this very purpose had he been called by the "V§S Lord, and casting aside all his former prejudices, all his cherished opinions, and hopes of honor and distinction, he gladly gave himself up to the great work to which he was appointed. It was not then, as now, considered " very respectable" to be a Minister, he could have no visions of "comfortable livings," or good salaries, in connection with his arduous labors, but in joining that " sect everywhere spoken against," he knew that toil and suffering, aye, persecution in all its forms awaited him; that he must be separated from his former friends, the companions of his childhood, the dearest of social ties must be sundered and he become an outcast from all he had loved. He was young and endowed with rare talents, hightened by education; high already was his social position, and 2 18 SAUL OP TARSUS. life had opened fair before him, with brillian prospects luring him on to earth's honors- its fame, and wealth, and pleasure. But ai. these things he now counted as worthless dross—as naught—in comparison with the excellency of the glory which he found in Christ. And he' preached in the synagogue, astonishing and confounding the Jews of Damascus, proving to them that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the very Christ—the Son of God. How the hearts of the "poor saints must have been rejoiced at this miraculous change—their worst enemy now their bold¬ est defender—doubtless exulting song3 of grateful praise went up from that little company of believers as they took up the strain first brought from heaven—Behold he prayeth I" All who heard him were astonished, for they knew he had come to bind the saints and drag them away to Jerusalem, but they could not deny the change which had been wrought in him, or answer the wisdom of his arguments, SAUL OF TARSUS. 19 which proved Jesus to be the Messiah whom they expected, and the necessity for their faith in him, and obedience io his com¬ mands. 20 SAUL OP TARSUS. SAUL'S FIRST MISSION. tAUL did not stay long in Damascus,—r 't is said that he tarried certain days with the disciples. Then he went <§ away into Arabia, where to the wild Arabs, who had not yet heard of a crucified Savior, he might preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, and show them how to gain admission to heaven, and a share of all the blessedness- enjoyed by those who love the Lord Jesus Christ. What a thrilling narrative would the history of those first labors of the great Apostle furnish us. Imagination delights to trace his toilsome progress, through the burning sands, or mid the sterile rocks-of Arabia, as he followed those wmndering " Children of the Desert," with offers of Life and Salvation through . O faith in Jesus, to the thronging multitudes of the city, or to the solitary rover on the plain, wherever he went he would be preach¬ ing ; and froin-one green oasis to another, as the Bedouins reared their tents, or tra- SAUL OF TARSUS. 21 versed the dreary intervals, the untiring servant of Jesus was found calling men to repentance. It was a striking contrast to his former life, from the luxury and refine¬ ments of Jerusalem, to the rude shelter of an Arab's tent—if even that was always granted—and a share of the wooden bowl of camel's milk, or handful of dates for food ; a skin spread on the sand, the best couch on which to rest the weary body, and for the conversation of learned " Scribes and Pharisees,"—Gamaliel and his compeers,— only the rude unlettered Arab. But none of these things distressed Saul; he had given up all that he might follow the Savior whom he had once so bitterly perse¬ cuted. The Bible passes silently over this mission to Arabia, only informing us that he went thither and returned again to Damascus. Neither are we Informed of the results of those years of self-denying labors, but God has said that those who work for him shall not toil for naught, and doubtless many from the wilds of Arabia will join the 22 SATTL OF TARSUS. glad songs of the redeemed, and add bright stars to that " crown of glory" which the Apostle knew' was reserved for him in heaven. ■SAUL OF TARSUS. 23 SAUL RETURNS TO DAMASCUS. HEN Saul had finished the work for which he went into Arabia, he returned to Damascus. There, after many days, the Jews, enraged against him because he" preached Jesus unto them, de¬ termined to kill him. For this purpose they hid by the gates of the city, and in other places, watching for him ; the govern¬ or, also, no doubt incensed by the Jews, kept the city with a garrison to take him if he should attempt to escape through the gates. But the God whom he served did not suffer him to be killed. Saul knew the plans of his enemies, and he had kind friends among the saints there who willingly risked incurring the anger of the Jews and the governor, stood and aided him in eluding their vigilance. They had the gates securely fastened, but in the silence and darkness of night, Saul was let 24 SAUL OP TARSUS. down in a basket through a window in the high, strong wall which surrounded the city; and escaped to Jerusalem—at least 'tis there we next read of him. SAUL OP TARSUS, 25 SAUL AT JERUSALEM HEN Saul came to Jerusalem he :lid not go to his former friends the Pharisees, or his old teacher, (Gam¬ aliel,) he knew that by believing in Christ he had set them against him, but he sought out the poor and persecuted disci¬ ples, and wished to stay with them. These were afraid of him. They well remembered .their bitter persecutor, and they knew not the glorious change which Jesus had wrought in him, eten if they had heard of his conversion they durst not believe him really a friend. This was a strange situation for Saul, in a city where he had been brought up, hated by former associates, feared and shunned by those whom he now loved. Barnabas proved a true friend to Saul in this emergency, he took him to the Apostles, and told them how the Lord had appeared to him on the road to Damascus, of his wonderful conversion, and how he had preached in Damascus. 26 SAUL OF TARSUS. Then the Apostles and other disciples were very glad ; they praised God for his goodness and mercy to Saul, and to them also; and no longer feared or avoided him. 'T is said in the sacred story that Saul went in and out among Ahem ; and " spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians." The "Grecians " against whom Saul dispu¬ ted, or argued, were Jews, assembled there from the cities of Greece, whither they had been living, and they seem to have been more zealous for their traditions, than the Jews born in Jerusalem. When the Grecian Jews found that they could not answer the arguments of Saul, or silence him, they went about to kill him as they did Stephen, the first martyr: but God did not suffer them to carry out their wicked design. The brethren knew what they aimed to do, and brought Saul down to Cesarea, a city on the Mediterranean, whence they could easily send him away to Tarsus, his native city. saul OV tarsus. 27 In one of his letters, Saul mentions a visit to Jerusalem—three years after his conversion—when he abode with Peter fifteen days, fiut saw none of the other Apostles, save James, the Lord's brother. Some think it the same visit just narrated, while others say it was another. We would gladly know all the incidents in the life of this holy man, follow him in all his labors and sufferings for Jesus ; but years are passed silently by, years of heroic deeds, of un¬ wearied continuance in " well doing," of which we may not read one line, or hear one word, with mortal ear; but may we not indulge the delightful anticipation, that beneath the Tree of Life, by the crystal river, which makes glad the " city of God," we may hear the great Apostle tell of his earthly pilgrimage, and join the glad song of praise for all that he was permitted to suffer for the honor and glory of Jesus ? 28 SAUL OP TARSUS. BARNABAS AND SAUL: iS you have already learned, the disci¬ ples fled from Jerusalem to escape the cruel persecution which followed the death of Stephen. These disciples preached wherever they went, telling of the crucified and risen Jesus. But they only preached to the Jews. Some of these dis¬ ciples went to Antioch, the chief city of Syria, and there the Grecians listened while they preached Jesus Christ, and many of them believed in the Lord. This was good news to the Apostles who remained in Jeru¬ salem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch to help the disciples who first went, and to comfort and strengthen the new believers. Barnabas was a good man, full of the "Holy Spirit," and of faith. When he came to Antioch and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and exhorted them all that they would cleave unto the Lord. His labors were abundantly. blessed, for it is said " much people was added unto the Lord." But SAUL OF TARSUS. 29 Barnabas himself soon needed help, and he went away to Tarsus to find Saul; and when he had found him, they returned together to Antioch. There for a whole year these two good and great men re¬ mained preaching and laboring together in the Gospel. The disciples of Antioch were the first that were called ' Christians.' Before this, those who loved the Savior were~ called ' disciples,' s believers,' ' saints.' By their enemies they were called ' Naza- renes,' ' that sect,' and other epithets were used to point them out to scorn and hatred. 30 SAUL OF TARSUS. WHAT THE PROPHETS TOLL). ®PIE chuTch in Antioch prospered, blessed as it was by two such pastors f.ij as Barnabas and Saul; and many of Y the Jews believed and were added to them. But God did not intend that Saul should stay at one place, he was to " witness before many nations'," and the • time had nearly arrived for him to go to the heathen with the glad news of pardon and peace through a suffering Savior. First, however, he had to make a journey to Jerusalem. Prophets came" to Antioch from that city, and told them of a great dearth or famine, which should be all over the world. Prophets were men whom God permitted to know things which were going to be, and before this great dearth came on, he let his servants, the prophets, know it in time to give the Christians warning, that they might make ready for it during the year of plenty, and SAUL OF TARSUS. r>'\ o! thus escape some of the sufferings from famine. When the disciples heard this, they determined to send relief unto the brethren which were in Judea. And every man contributed according to his ability, and in this way raised a sum of money which they sent by their pastors, Barnabas and Saul. From something in one of his epistles I suppose this was fourteen years after his former visit to Jerusalem. If so, thirteen years had passed of which we know almost nothing of his labors. He does not appear to have staid long in Jerusalem at this time, for when they had, paid over the money which they had brought, to the proper persons, they returned, taking with them John, whose surname was Mark. It was at his mother's house that the disciples were assembled to pray for Peter, the same night that the angel opened the prison doors, loosened his chains, and led him out into the city. Perhaps Barnabas and Saul were both present at that prayer-meeting, as 32 SAUL OF TARSUS. Mary was his sister, and his friend Saul would receive a*welcome with him. This Mark, as is supposed, afterward wrote. the gospel which bears his name. SAUL OF TARSUS. 33 BARNABAS AND SAUL SET APART AS MISSIONARIES. HE Christians at Antioch were well supplied with prophets and teachers. Five are named. And while they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said " Separate me Barna¬ bas and Saul for the work whereunto 1 have called them." What this work was, Saul well knew, for while he prayed in the temple at Jerusalem he was in a trance, and had a vision of Jesus, saying, " Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jeru&hlem." "Depart, for I will send thee fa^ ■ hence.' unto the Gentiles. Barnabas also knewr; for the Apostles James, Peter and John had given to both the right hand of fellowship, that they might go to the heathen. Therefore, when the Spirit called out Barnabas and Saul, they fasted and prayed, and then the other ministers laid their hands on them and sent them away. It was doubtless a sad parting, for the \ ried him to Athens and left him there ' while they took back his message to his assistants, to come to him with all speed. Athens was the principal city of Greece; it had long been distinguished for beautiful marble temples and other buildings, while for poetry, philosophy, painting and sculp¬ ture, no other city in the world, could com¬ pete with it. But while Paul lingered in this city among those claiming to he the most learned and refined people of the whole earth, waiting the arrival of Silas and Timothy " his spirit was stirred in him when he saw the city wholly given to idola¬ try." With all their boasted knowledge, they were ignorant of God and worshiped all kinds of imaginary deities. Paul was not idle while waiting; he dis¬ puted with the Jews and devout persons in the synagogue, and in the markets with any who would meet him there. This he did SAUL or TARSUS. 75 daily, until some of the Philosophers of two rival schools or parties, took him before the Areopagos to have him examined, for to some he appeared only a vain babbler, while others thought he spoke of strange gods, because he told them of Jesus. Areopagus was a council composed of four hundred of the wisest men of Athens, whose duty it was to watch over the morals of the city, prevent idleness, impiety to their gods, and many other things. Paul stood on Mars-hill before this ven¬ erable assembly and the great multitude of learned listeners, and in a speech of sur¬ passing eloquence, tells these superstitious Athenians of the great God who made all things, who now commanded all men to re¬ pent, because he had appointed a day " in which he will judge the world in righteous¬ ness, by that man (Jesus Christ) whom he hath ordained, whereof he hath given assu¬ rance unto all men, in that he hath* raised him from the dead." Paul had seen while walking in the city, an altar dedicated " to 76 SAUL Of TARSUS. the unknown gods." He told them of this in the beginning of his address, and while he was telling them of this unknown god, whom they ignorantly worshiped, they lis¬ tened silently enough it may be, well pleased to know something about so great and good a being whom they might add to their other gods; but when he told them of the resur¬ rection of Jesus, they would hear no more. It was an* incredible thing ; some mocked, others said they would hear him another time. But there were a few in that great assembly who received the words of heavenly wisdom, and believed in Jesus the crucified, the risen Savior. Among these was one Dionysius, a member of the Council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them. SAUL OP TARSUS. 77 PAUL AT CORINTH. AUL, after this sermon on Mars-hill, went to Corinth, another very distin¬ guished Greek city, not far from Athens. There he found Aquila, a Jew, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; an humble, industrious family, and Paul the great apostle lived with them, and toiled for food and clothing. They were tent-makers, and as Paul had learned the same trade, it suited them very well. The Jews very wisely required their sons, even the most wealthy ones, to acquire some trade by which they might (if neces- sary) gain a support, as an essential part of their education. Paul worked as a tent- maker through the week, but every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and Greeks. Here his beloved Silas and Timothy joined him again, and he then testified boldly to the Jews, that Jesus was Christ; and when they opposed and blas¬ phemed, Paul left them, saying, " henceforth 78 SAUL OF TARSUS. I will go unto the Gentiles." But after this, Crispus the chief ruler of the synagogue, and all his house,' believed on the Lord, and many of the Corinthians heard, believed, and were baptized. About this time Paul had a very encour¬ aging vision. The Lord appeared to him in the night and said, " Be not afraid, for I am with thee, and no man shall hurt thee; for I have much people in this city." Thus cheered and strengthened, Paul continued a year and a half teaching the word of God. Once the Jews rose against Paul and drag¬ ged him before Gallio, the deputy or gov¬ ernor of the country, to whom they accused him of teaching people to worship God con¬ trary to the law. Paul would have answered in self-defense, but Gallio, thinking it a very trifling matter, drove the Jews away from the judgment-seat, and would hear nothing more. Then the Greeks took the ruler of the syna¬ gogue, and beat him before the governor, who did not care. After this, it is quite prob¬ able, the Jews did not meddle with Paul again. SAUL OF TARSUS 79 He tarried there yet a good while, then took leave of the brethren and sailed to Syria, taking with him Aquila and Pris- cilla. Paul wrote two long letters to the Corinthians, which have been preserved, and form a valuable part of the New Testament. Had those letters been lost, we should know but little of the glorious certainty of the resurrection; You remember that the Athe¬ nians mocked when Paul told them that Jesus had risen from the dead. The Greeks knew nothing of a resurrection. Some of their wisest philosophers taught that the soul would not perish with the body, but they did not know that God could raise up the same body that was buried in the earth, make it far more beautiful than ever, and thus fitted up anew, again receive the soul, and live forever. Many places in the Bible teach this, but the subject is treated at greater length by Paul, than any other of the inspired writers. Read the fifteenth chapter of First Corinthians, and see how ably he answers all objections, removes all 80 SAUL OF TARSUS. doubts, and vividly describes the . glorious change which shall take place when tHese^ mortal bodies shall be raised, glorious, incor¬ ruptible and immortal. SAUL OF TARSUS. 81 PAUL AT EPHESUS. HEN Paul arrived at Ephesus, lie went as he was wont to the syna¬ gogue, to " reason" or preach to the Jews, and strange to say, these Jews desired him to stay longer. He had started to Jerusalem, where he wished to be at the " feast." So he left Aquila and his wife there, and sailed to Cesarea; then went up and saluted the church. It is probable that it was the church at Jerusalem here meant, as he had said he was going there. But it seems to have been a very short visit, for he went down to Antioch, spent some time there, and then went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. He had passed through this country before, preaching the Word, and they had received him very kindly. One of his Epistles was first written for the Saints in Galatia. When he came back to Ephesus, he went again to the synagogue to preach, but about three rgpnths after, because some 6 82 SAUL OP TAHSUS. of the Jews spoke evil of his teachings, he separated the disciples from them and went to the school of one Tyrannus, where, every day, foi* about two years, Paul argued with all who opposed him, and preached so that all who lived in that country heard the word of the Lord. Paul here exercised his won¬ derful healing power. God wrought mir¬ acles by him, so that a handkerchief or an apron, which he had touched, was carried to the sick, and their diseases left them, or if troubled by evil spirits, they immediately departed. Some wicked persons of Ephesus tried-to do as Paul did; one of the Jewish priests had seven sons who went to a man that had an evil spirit in him, and said, " We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth." But the evil spirit answered, " Jesus I know, and Paul I know ; but who are ye ? " And the man in whom this spirit was leaped on them, fought them, and they ran away much frightened; they were wounded and their clothes torn, All the people living in SAUL OF TARSUS. 83 Ephesus knew this circumstance ; and great fear fell upon them all; and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. Many who had bad books, brought them together and burned them. Their books were valued at fifty thousand pieces of silver, but if they taught men to sin they were rightly burned. 84 SAUL OP TARSUS. " DIANA OF THE EPHESIANS." HE people of Ephesus were like those of many other places " wholly given to idolatry." They had a temple for an imaginary goddess named Diana; in the temple was a large image of her, and many small shrines or images were made of silver, and sold to people that they might carry their goddess about with them. These, shrines were highly prized, for the poor creatures really thought they could protect them in danger, and give them fortune and prosperity. But when they learned from Paul of the one God who made heaven and earth, and of his son Jesus Christ the Savior, they no longer worshiped Diana, or bought little silver shrines. Demetrius, a silversmith, whose business seemed likely to fail, now began to excite the other workmen and the people, telling them their craft was about to become useless, SAUL OP TARSUS. 85 and that the temple of the great goddess would be despised, and her magnificence destroyed, if they allowed Paul to keep on teaching people that they be no gods which are made with hands. This speech excited the people very much; they began to shout "Great is Diana of the Ephesians," and the whole city was in confusion. The mob caught two of Paul's companions and rushed into the theater—some crying one thing, some another; for most of them did not know why thejr had assembled, or what the noise was about. Paul would have gone into the theater, but the disciples held him back. Some of the chief men of Asia were his friends, and begged him not to risk going in. One of those they had in there tried to speak, but when they saw he was a Jew, the whole multitude, as with one voice, cried for about two hours, Great is Diana of the Ephesians." After this was done, the town-clerk managed to quiet the people, and they dispersed. Paul had already de¬ termined to start on another long preaching 86 SAUL OP TARSUS. tour, and had sent two of his ministers be¬ fore him into Macedonia; so when the up¬ roar ceased, he called the disciples to him, embraced them, and departed. SAUL OF TARSUS. 87 THE DEAD MAN RESTORED. T Troas, (ancient Troy), where Paul and his assistants stayed seven days, the disciples came together to break ^ bread (take the Lord's Supper). This was on Sunday, the first day of the week. Paul was going to leave the next day; so he preached a very long sermon—he had so many things to teach them in this last sermon that he continued till midnight. They were in an upper chamber, and a young man, named Eutychus, who sat in a window, went to sleep. Not much wonder at this, when it was so late. Some people here go to sleep even if the sermon is one hour long. Eutychus fell down from the third story window to the ground, and they took him up dead! This sad accident in¬ terrupted the meeting. Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him, said: " Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him." Paul then went up again, and when he had broken bread and eaten, and talked 88 SAUL OF TARSUS. a long time, till daybreak, be departed. The young man was alive, and they were not a little comforted about him. Their enemies would have made his death a great cause of reproach. Leaving Troas, Paul passed on quickly, merely stopping a little at several towns until he came to Miletus, a port not far from Ephesus, for he wished, if possible, to be at Jerusalem at the day of Pentecost. He stopped at Miletus, and sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. He wished to see them once more. When they came, he reminded them how he had been with them, " serving the Lord, with all humility of mind, with many tempta¬ tions and tears, in sufferings and dangers, testifying both to Jews and Greeks repent¬ ance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." And he said: "Now I go o bound in the Spirit, not knowing what shall befall me there, save that the Holy Ghost witnessetK that in every city bonds and afflic¬ tions abide me. But none of these things move me ; neither count I my life dear unto SAUL OF TARSUS. 89 myself, that I might finish my course with joy. Now, therefore, I know that ye shall see my face no more." For about three years he had been with them, preaching and warning every one, even with tears, night and day, laboring with his own hands for himself and fellow-ministers. He did not mention these things to boast of them, but to b?ge them to follow his example; and he warned them to watch themselves and the flock—to feed the church—striving to be faithful pastors as he had ever been among them. Then ^e kneeled down and prayed with them, and they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him. It was a very sad parting, for he had told them they should see him no more. They went with him to the ship, and then went to tell the church of their visit—to give them Paul's parting warning and blessing; and no doubt they all wept when they heard that they should not see him again. Paul wrote to them a very affectionate and consoling let¬ ter from Rome; and he did not forget to put 90 SAUL OP TARSUS. in a word for the children. Read that letter and see what the aged apostle wrote for you, as well as for the little ones at Ephesus. The Greeks and Romans were very fond of shows, and they had some that were very cruel and barbarous. They used to bring wild beasts, lions, tigers, and such things in cages, and turn them loose to fight with men, for their amusement. From an allusion in one of his letters we learn that the good Paul was made to fight with fierce beasts, to amuse the cruel Ephesians. But God delivered him from the lion. SAUL OF TARSUS. 91 PAUL'S LAST VISIT TO JERUSALEM. iFTER Paul got away from the elders at Miletus, the ship sailed to Coos; thence to Rhodes ; thence to the City of Tyre, where they landed, and re¬ mained seven days with the disciples, whom they found there. These disciples warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem; but Paul did not fear. So they, with their wives and children followed him out of the city: and out on the seashore they all knelt doAvn and prayed. Paul and his companions again took ship for Cesarea, stopping, however, one day with the brethren at Ptolemais. Paul wished to see all for whom he had preached, to give them his last counsels, and bid them a long adieu. When they came to Cesarea they were kindly received by Philip, the evangelist, one of the seven ordained with Stephen, the first martyr. Philip had four daughters that prophesied. Perhaps they told Paul what would be done to him at Jerusalem. 92 SAUL OP TABS!.': While he was at Philip's house, a prophet came from Judea, and he took Paul's girdle and bound his own hands and feet, showing how the Jews would bind him if he went up to Jerusalem, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. Then the brethren there, and those of his own company, begged Paul, even with tears, not to go. But he cou'd not be persuaded; he said, "What mean ye to. weep, and to break my heart? f»r I am ready, not to be bound only, but to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." And his friends left off begging him, and said, "The will of the Lord be done." Paul was a hero, the greatest the world has ever seen, and he continued his journey to Jeru¬ salem, accompanied by certain of the disci¬ ples of Cesarea, who would at least see what became of him, if they could not keep him from going. The next day after his arrival, he went in with them all, to the place where James and all the elders were pres¬ ent. When Paul had saluted them, he gave an account of his labors among the Gentiles, SAUL OF TARSUS. 93 and they glorified the Lord. James and the elders advised Paul to show the Jews that he, too, walked orderly and kept the law. They did not wish the Gentiles to ob¬ serve any of their Jewish customs; but as Paul was a Jew, they wished the believing Jews to know that he had * not ^forsaken Moses, but still worshiped as his fathers did. Paul did as they desired him; went into the temple with four Jews, who had a vow, and devoutly observed the *days of purification. But when the seven days were nearly ended, some Jews of Asia saw him in the temple, where he was quietly at his devotions; then they stirred up the people, saying, " This-? is the man that teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and th£|j law, and this place, and hath pollut|||g|his holy place." All the city was mov^^fte people ran together, dragged Paul out of the temple, and closed all the doors. They were about to kill him, but the chief cap¬ tain heard that all Jerusalem was in an up¬ roar, and he immediately ran down with his 94 SAUL Or TARSUS. soldiers to the place where they were beat¬ ing Paul. When they saw the captain, they stopped beating him, and he took Paul then, and ordered him bound with two chains. I suppose he thought some great crime had been done to make the Jews so very angry. But when the captain demanded of them what he had done, and who he was, some cried one thing, some another, so that he could not learn the truth of the matter, and he ordered Paul to be taken into the castle. Such a crowd followed, shouting "away with him;" and they were so violent that the soldiers had to lift him up and carry him. When they came to the castle, Paul asked the captain to let him speak; he an¬ swered: "Canst thou speak Greek? Art not thou that Egyptian that led out four thousand murderers into the wilderness?" Paul said, "I am a Jew of Tarsus; and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak to the peo¬ ple." This request was granted, and Paul stood on the stairs and beckoned with his hand, and when there was a great silence, SAUL OF TARSUS. 95 he spake to them in the Hebrew tongue, (language,) and said: " Men, brethren and fathers, hear je my defense;" and he told them that he was indeed a Jew, brought up in Jerusalem, at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers; that he persecuted this way unto the death; then he declared his won¬ derful conversion, and his being sent from Jerusalem to preach to the Gentiles. They listened silently till he came to this, and then they all cried out, Away with such a fel¬ low from the earth! and they cast off their clothes and threw dust into the air. The captain then had him brought into the cas¬ tle, and bade them scourge • him, to mako him tell what he had done to so enrage the Jews. A centurion stood by "while they bound him, and Paul said, " Is it lawful for you to scourge a Roman." The man went to his captain and said, " Take heed what thou doest; this man is a Roman." Those who came to scourge him hastened awray, and the chief captain was afraid when he 96 SAUL OF TAUSUS. learned that he had bound a Roman citizen. He did not release Paul, but he was after¬ ward quite civil to him, and on the next day he commanded the priests and all their council to appear, and he loosed Paul's hands and set him before them, for he wished to know the truth. "When Paul be¬ gan to speak, the high priest ordered one to stride him on the mouth. He spoke again, however, and when he declared himself a Pharisee, and spoke of the hope of the "resurrection of the dead," the Pharisees arose and said, "We find no evil in this man, but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God." But there were Sadducees present, that denied the resurrection, and the existence of angels and spirits, and there arose such a dissen¬ sion among them, that the captain again had to take Paul into the castle for fear he should be torn to pieces. In the night the Lord stood by him, bade him be of good cheer, that he must bear witness at Rome as he had in Jerusalem. Before Paul left SAUL OF TABSUS. 97 Ephesus he had said: " I must also see Rome." Now. his desire was to be gratified, though it may be in a way he had not ex¬ pected. The next morning, after Paul had this encouraging vision, about forty of the Jews bound themselves, under a curse, that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. Their plan was to have Lysias, the captain, requested to bring him down before the high priest for another ex¬ amination, but they would all rush out and kill him before he came near the place. Paul's nephew heard what they were intend¬ ing to do, and went to the castle and told him. Paul then sent him to the captain; and Lysias listened to the young man's story, and then sent Paul away at rlight, with a band of soldiers and horsemen, to conduct him safely to Cesarea. Those that brought Paul, brought also a letter from Lysias to Felix, the governor. Lysias wrote that Paul was charged with nothing worthy of death or of bonds, only questions of law by the Jews; but that he 7 98 SAUL OF TARSUS. had sent him to keep the Jews from killing him. It seems strange that Felix did not at once permit him to go away; but he said he wduld hear -him when his accusers eame, and had him kept in Herod's judgment hall. SAUL OF TARSUS. 99 PAUL TRIED AT CESAREA. FTER lie had been there five days, the high priest and others, with an orator named Tertullus, cam^ to Cesarea; and Paul was accused by Tertullus, who flattered the "governor very highly; perhaps to make him more willing to think evil of Paul. But when he had ended and the governor beckoned to the prisoner to speak, Paul defended himself so well that Felix deferred the matter, saying he would wait till Lysias came. And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, hut to let his friends visit him, and serve him. This was a great comfort to the believers there, and to Paul also. Some days after the trial, Felix sent for Paul to come and preach for him and his wife Drusilla. Paul obeyed; and although his prisoner " reasoned of righteousness, tem¬ perance, and a judgment to come," until the governor trembled before him, he sent him 100 SAUL OP TARSUS. away with the promise to hear him again when he had a convenient season. Felix kept Paul two years, although he knew him to be innocent of any crime ; and when another governor, came in his place, the cowardly Felix left Paul a prisoner, to please the Jews. When Festus, the new governor, came to Jerusalem the high priest informed against Paul, and desired to have him brought there for trial. They wished to have him murdered on the way, but Fes¬ tus said he must be kept at Cesarea, and those of them who were able could go down there, and accuse him. Some of them went, and Paul again defended himself so well that Festus could not condemn him, but to. please the Jews he asked if he was willing to go to Jerusalem, and answer his accusers. Paul knew they wished to murder him, therefore he could not consent to go ; it would have been wrong for him to have gone, and he appealed to Cesar, the Ro¬ man emperor. Festus then determined to send Paul to Rome, but he could not send SAUL OP TARSUS. 101 a prisoner on sucli a long voyage without also sending a complaint against him, and as he had none ready, Paul had to wait. Some days after this, King Agrippa, and his sister Bernice, came to salute the new governor, to wThom Festus told the whole story of Paul's imprisonment. The king was so much interested that he desired to hear Paul himself.- Accordingly, on the flext day Agrippa and Bernice entered the place of hearing, with great pomp; the principal men of the .city, with the chief captain and governor, were also present, and Paul the prisoner was brought in and stood before them. Agrippa gave him liberty to speak, and Paul made his justly cele¬ brated defense, in an address of unequaled eloquence, at once clear, convincing, beau¬ tiful and sublime; he declares his conduct as a Pharisee, his miraculous conversion, his preaching both to Jews and Gentiles, "say¬ ing none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come, that Christ should suffer, and that he should 102 SAUL OP TARSUS. be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles." Here Festus, the gover¬ nor, cried out, "Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad!" Paul said, I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak forth the words of truth and sober¬ ness ; and he appealed to Agrippa for the truth of all he had said, for the king had been in the country, and knew of these" things; he was also familiar with the Jewish laws and sacred writings, but Festus was a Roman and a stranger. Paul continued speaking to Agrippa until he, the proud king, was constrained to say, " Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Paul 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, except these bonds. We are not in¬ formed that the king was ever "nearer than almost a Christian. Is not that a fearful state to be in, to know the way of salvation, the terrors of hell, the willingness of Jesus SAUL OF TARSUS. 103 to receive all who will come to him, and then die and stand in the judgment only an almost Christian? The king and gover¬ nor rose up wl^pn they heard Paul's noble desire, and the company dispersed. It may be that they feared to listen longer, lest Paul should indeed persuade them to be¬ lieve in Jesus. They were, however, forced to exclaim, " This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds," and Agrippa said, if he had not appealed unto Cesar, he might have been released. 104 SAUL OF TARSUS, A DANGEROUS VOYAGE. |AUL and some other4 prisoners were delivered to a centurion named Julius, who was charged to conduct them to Rome, and when a ship was in port they all took passage. Julius treated Paul courteously, and per¬ mitted him to visit his friends when the ship stopped at Sidon, on the second day of the voyage. From Sidon they sailed by the Isle of Cyprus to Myra, where the ship was to unlade. Here they found a ship of Alexandria bound for Rome, and Julius took passage in that; hut the season was very unfavorable; the ship was hard to manage, and the winds were contrary, so that they were many days coming to Fair Haven. There Paul advised them to stop, as he perceived that their voyage, if con¬ tinued then, would prove very disastrous; but the centurion believed the ship-master rather than Paul, and as that was not a SAUL OF TARSUS. 105 pleasant place to winter at, they determined to reach Phenice, a harbor of Crete. When the south wind blew softly, they thought their purpose was gained, but this was only the deceitful calm which often precedes the terrible tempest's roar. Soon the storm came on in all its fury—midnight darkness enshrouded the skies, fierce winds drove the helpless sailors in their frail ship hither and thither o'er the angry waves. Many days and nights were thus spent by the terror-stricken crew. Neither sun nor stars gave one friendly ray. All hope was lost. Then Paul stood in their midst with a message of comfort from on high—saying, Sirs, be of good cheer, there shall be no loss of any man's life among you ; for there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul thou must be brought before Ce¬ sar, and lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. He told them, how¬ ever, that the ship must be lost, and that they would be cast upon an island; and 106 SAUL OF TARSUS. he did not fear to tell them that they ought to have listened to him, and escaped all this loss. What a long and fearful storm it was; the fourteenth night was now slowly waning, when they, by sounding, knew that the land was near, and the frightened, fam¬ ishing sailors cast out four anchors, and wished for the day. How ardently they wished, we can scarcely imagine. As the day came on, Paul begged them to take some food—this was now the fourteenth day that they had eaten nothing—so imminent had been their danger, so terrible their suspense, that no one could think of eating ; but Paul, strong in faith, for he believed that God would fulfill his promise, strove to cheer his companions, assuring them that not even a hair should fall from the head of any one; and he took bread and gave thanks to God before them, then broke and ate it as calmly and thankfully as though that moment reclining on his couch in Jerusalem, instead of being tossed on the billows of the great sea. When they saw him eat, they SAUL OP TARSUS. 107 were a little encouraged, and also took some food ; then they threw the rest of their wheat overboard, in order to lighten the ship. Egypt was called the granary of Rome, but this wheat did not reach its destined port— they cast all into the sea. Paul had told them the ship must be lost, and yet they still tried hard to save it, but in vain ; it Was broken by the violence of the waves— and the fore part stuck fast on a rock some distance from the land. At this crisis the soldiers were for killing all their prisoners, for fear they might swim out and escape, hut Julius kept them from doing it — he could not have Paul murdered then. He commanded all who could to hast themselves into the water, and swim ashore; and the rest on boards and pieces of the broken ship, so that every soul on hoard were soon safe on the land. There were two hundred and seventy-six persons, and were it not for the promise given to Paul, it would seem almost incre¬ dible, that not one was lost. It was indeed 108 SAUL OF TAESUS. a miraculous escape, preserved for the sake of one man, and it may be, of all that number, he to those on board was of least value. But God judgeth not as men judge, and often those who are despised on earth, are chosen and precious in the sight of him who made and knows the heart. SAUL OP TARSUS 109 PAUL ON THE ISLAND. HE island on which they were cast was Melita, (since called Malta,) in¬ habited by barbarians ; but they were quite kind to the shipwrecked people, notwithstanding, for' they kindled a fire, and received every one of them—and as it was a cold day, and raining, too, fire was a great comfort. Paul went to work with them. He does not seem to have ever yielded to fatigue; one would suppose that now, if ever, he would need rest: but he gathered sticks for the fire. When he had put on his bundle, a viper came out and fastened on his hand. . The barbarians saw it, and said, "'No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet vengeance sufiexeth not to liveand they expected to see him fall down dead. But Paul shook it back in the fire, and felt no harm from its deadly bite, for on him it had no power to hurt. When they looked a long time, 110 #SAUL OF TAESUS. and saw that he really was not injured, they changed their opinion about Paul, and concluded that he was a god. Publius, the chief man of the island, was kind to Paul and his companions, and Paul did him a great favor. He went in where his father lay sick, and prayed, laid his hand on him, and healed him ! When this miracle was known, others who were sickr came also for Paul to cure, and all who came were healed. These were grateful barbarians; they honored Paul whije he remained, and when, after a three months stay, a ship came along to take them off, they gave him such things as were necessary for the rest of the voyage. Prom Malta, they sailed to Syracuse, where they stopped three days; again at Puteoli, where were some Christians, who begged Paul to tarry seven days. They were now not far from Rome, the imperial city, proud mistress then of the civilized world. Some zealous evangelist, many years before, had preached the gospel in Rome; SAUL OF TARSUS. Ill and a church was formed, whose faith was spoken of, all over the world. Paul had earnestly desired to visit this, devoted band of Christians; many times he had purposed going thither, but had hitherto always been prevented. From a letter which he wrote to this church while stopping a short time at Corinth, on his way to Jeru¬ salem, with a contribution for the poor saints there, we learn how ardently he longed to see them, and vthat he designed to visit them soon, when he went to Spain: but it seems that he could not go until he was sent as a prisoner. When he wrote, he had many friends there, to whom he sent greetings ; Aquila and his wife had gone back, some of his kinsmen were there, and his mother too,—• if these were there when he arrived, what a happy meeting they had. Often when reading of his perilous journey, I have thought that I would be so glad if he had only written that he found these dear friends, and for awhile rested from his 112 SAUL OP TARSUS. toilsome wanderings, with his aged mother. But that one time is all that he wrote of her; he did not write to gratify curiosity, hut to make known the wonders and miracles God's holy Spirit wrought by him, that His name might be magnified, and sinners brought to repentance. The brethren who met him at the seaport, may have been some of those he knew and loved before; they all went into the city, where Julius delivered his prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to hire a house, and live alone with one soldier, who was appointed to guard him. Sometimes a prisoner, as a great favor, was chained to a soldier, and in this way could have considerable liberty, if his keeper proved obliging. It is proba- -ble that Paul was thus chained during his stay in Rome; as in some of his letters, his chain is mentioned. The third day after he got to Rome he sent for the chief men among the Jews, to whom he related brief¬ ly the cause of his appeal to Cesar; he wished them to know that he had done no SAUL OP TARSUS. 113 unlawful act, and that he did not come to accuse his nation. These Jews had received no letters about him from Jerusalem, neither had any one who came from there said any thing against him; but they said, " We de¬ sire to hear of thee, what thou thinkest, for as concerning this sect, we know that every¬ where it is spoken against." And still it is the same, as true to-day, as when uttered by those Jews in Rome, to him, who for the " hope of Israel," then wore a chain. Looking back by the aid of history, through the long dark vista of eighteen intervening centuries, wre ever behold " that sect, the everywhere spoken against," ex¬ posed to the hate and malice of the wicked. Now hunted like wild beasts of the forest, to the darksome cave on craggy mountain's brow; nowr consumed in raging fire, and their ashes scattered o'er the earth by the careless w7inds ; driven like helpless sheep at the sword's point into the yawning wave to be drowned, because they would be bap- 8 114 SAUL OF TARSI'S. tized ; entombed alive in the gaping grave ^ imprisoned, whipped, banished, ridiculed, flattered, abused, and yet through "nil; although ' Sorrowing, yet rejoicing,' and still bearing witness to the truth, ' still con¬ tending earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.' Nations rise, flourish, decay, and perish! Religions, orders, sects of men's invention, also have their origin, their long and honored sway, then fall to rise no more ! But "that sect," whose first votaries, weeping sadly, clustered around Calvary's bloody summit, to witness their leader's shameful death on the cross, shall never fail! Shall know no silence, no decay; and the time is coming, is not far hence, when many a one who has borne earth's proudest titles, stood highest in esteem, been foremost in all deemed grand and glo¬ rious, would gladly, aye, with intensest joy, (were it possible) exchange places with the lowliest one of " the everywhere spoken against," whose place is found at God's right hand. Would you, my dear child, be SAUL OF TARSI'S. 115 numbered among that ancient, despised, yet heavemprotected people ? Repentance to¬ ward God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, manifested by obedience to his commands, will enable you to share their reproaches here, and their glorious inheritance reserved in heaven for all who believe in Jesus. 116 SAUL OF TARSUS. PAUL'S LONG IMPRISONMENT.. HEN Paul came to Rome to be tried the imperial judge, Nero, that monster of human wickedness, wore the crown of Caesar. And he was so intent upon the gratification of his. own evil passions, that but little attention was given to the affairs of his vast empire, and Paul was allowed to remain two years in his own hired house, preaching to all who came to him, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, no man forbidding htm. Luke, the evangelist, wTho wrote one of the Gospels, also the Acts of the Apostles, and who had long been his companion and fellow-laborer, was with him most, if not all the time. Paul calls him " Luke, the beloved physician." Timothy, his beloved son in the Gospel, was some¬ times with him, then away, as Paul sent him; and Marcus' sister's son to Barnabas was now found by Paul to be profitable in SAUL OF TARSUS. 117 the ministry, and is mentioned with kind¬ ness and respect. While in Rome, besides his abundant labors as a preacher, and the constant care of all the churches,. Paul wrote many valuable letters ; his epistles to the Philippians, to the Ephcsians, to the Oolossians, were written while a prisoner; also one to Philemon, in behalf of Onesi- mus, a servant, who had run away from his master, but by Paul's preaching had been converted, and was by him sent back with this letter. How kind and humble was the great Apostle; he called the poor servant his brother, his son, and promises to pay what he owed to his master. After two years, Paul was brought to trial. He says " at my first answer all men forsook me; but "the Lord stood with me and strengthened me4 and I was deliv¬ ered -out of the mouth of the lion." This may mean that he was acquitted by the em¬ peror, who is compared to a lion; but I think it more probable that Paul meant just what he said; that he, the venerable Apos- 118 SAUL OF TARSUS. tie, was compelled to fight with beasts in the place prepared for that purpose, to grat¬ ify the Romans, as many other prisoners did, and that the Lord strengthened and de¬ livered him, enabled him to overcome the raging lion, and then, as was customary to the victor, his life was spared. Timothy, who had also been in prison, was released about that time, as Raul,'when writing to the Hebrews, (believing Jews,) .before he left Italy, informed them, and also expressed a hope of soon visiting them with him. lie again spent some time in Crete, preaching the same gospel for which he had so often suffered. How long he thrried on this little island, of a hundred cities, we may not know ; but after his departure he wrote to Titus, whom he had left to ordain elders ✓ ' in every church, giving him minute instruc¬ tions for the performance of >all his duties, and requesting him to hasten to.Nicopolis, a city of Macedonia, where he expected to winter. Perhaps, about this time, he wrote the first Epistle to Timothy, whom he had SAUL OF TARSUS. ii9 desired to remain at Ephesus, while he went into Macedonia. But the labors and suffer¬ ings of this holy man^were now almost fin¬ ished, and with delightful anticipations could he look forward to the "rest that remaineth for the people of God." He was again taken by enemies oft Jesus, and brought a secohd time before the monster Nero. Looking back over his past life, he could truly say of himself: "I^i labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes, save one ; thrice was I beateu with rods ; once was I stoned ; thrice 1 suf¬ fered shipwreck ; a night and a day I have been in the deep. In journeyings often, in perils, by sea and land; of robbers, by Jews, by heathen, by"false brethren; in the city, in the wilderness, always in dangers. In weariness and painfulness, in watchings; often in hunger and thirst; often in cold and nakedness." And yet, in view of this fearful list of trials and sufferings for Jesus, from which our feeble natures would shrink 120 SAUL OF TARSUS. back appalled, lie could say: "These.light afflictions, which are bat for a moment, work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Ifaith in Jeshs enabled him to say this ; he knew in whom he had believed, knew also that he was able to keep- his promises, and with the greatest assur¬ ance he could comfort his brethren with these words: ."For if we suffer, we shall also reign with him," (Jesus^) and "we know that if our earthly house.(body) were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." When Paul was brought before Nero the second time, and knew that he was doomed to die, he wrote his last Epistle to- Timothy, giving him faithful and affectionate coun¬ sels, warning him to loateh in all things, to endure afflictions and make full proof of his ministry, and he gave this reason: "For I am now ready to be offered up, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight; I have finished my SAUL OJ? TARSUS. 121 course; I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteous¬ ness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, "Shall give me at that day, and not to me ouly, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 122 SAUL OF TAKSUS. DEATH OF PAUL. little now remains to be told of this noble martyr, this hero, before whom Csesar's fame grows dim. Aye, all X earth's mightiest conquerors, who, for one brief hour of envied glory and distinc¬ tion, made rivers flow with human blood, and spread devastation, famine, horror, woe, abroad o'er all the world, seem but as vain triflers in comparison with him, who gave up1 all that man "holds dear to toil for Jesus, and won a kingdom time can not destroy; a palace, enduring, as eternity, adorned by God's own hands, with heaven's radiant beauty; a crown of many dazzling stars, whose brightness can not fade—a fame which would not sully an archangel's brow. Paul wrote for Timothy to hasten to him ; be had then only Luke, as his other helpers had gone to different places. An affecting picture is presented to the nind of the aged Apostle, in his cold, damp SAUL OF TARSUS. 123 dungeon, by the request he makes of Tim¬ othy : " The cloak which I left at Troas bring with thee ; also the books, and es¬ pecially the parchments." Whether he saw this beloved son and fellow-laborer in the ministry again, we have no means of know¬ ing, as, in all probability, soon after this let¬ ter was written, the Apostle's faithful testi¬ mony for Jesus was sealed by his blood. We knov(r fropi Scripture that there were saints even in the household of Nero, and history informs us that the emperor's favor¬ ite wife, Claudia, was converted to Chris¬ tianity by the Apostle's preaching, which so enraged him that he ordered both Peter and Paul to be executed, both on the same day. Peter was crucified, Paul beheaded. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord ; they rest from their labors and their works do follpw them." Oh, that God would raise up many such, in this our day, who will not shun to declare the whole counsel of God, and thus make ready a people, watching and praying for ♦124 SAUL Oi' TARSUS. his coming, prepared to greet him with songs of joy. Will not you, dear little reader, love with all your heart this same crucified Jesus, whom Paul delighted to preach ? Serve him according to your ability, as faithfully as did Paul, and you, too, shall one day re¬ ceive from Jesus the joyful welcome: "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared fur you from the foundation of the world." THE HONEST SUNDAY-SCHOOL GIRL. * GENTLEMAN jumping from an omnibus in the city of New York, dropped his pocket-book, and had gone some distance before he dis- . covered his loss; then hastily re¬ turning, he inquired of every passenger he met if a pocket-book had been seen I Fi¬ nally, meeting a little girl of ten years old, to whom he made the same inquiry, she asked, "What kind of a pocket-book?" He described it — then, unfolding her apron, "Is this it?" " Yes, that is mine. Come into the store with me." They entered. He opened the book, counted the notes, and examined the papers. (125) 126 III I-', 11 O N K ST "They are right," said he. "Fifteen notes of a thousand dollars each. Had they fallen into other hands I might never have seen them again; take, then, my little girl, this note of a thousand dollars, as a reward for your honesty, and a lesson to me to.be more careful in future." "Ho," said the girl, "I can not take it. I have been taught at Sunday school not to keep what is not mine, ahd my parents would not be pleased if I took the note home. They might suppose I had stolen it." "Well, then, my child, show me where your parents live." " The girl took him to an humble tenement in an obscure street, rude but cleanly. He informed the parents of the case. They told him that their child had acted cor¬ rectly. They were "poor, that was true, but their pastor had always, told them not to set their hearts on rich gifts." The gen¬ tleman told them they must take it; and he was convinced they would make good SUNDAY-SCHOOL GlRL. 127 use of it, from the principle they had pro¬ fessed. The pious parents then blessed their benefactor, for such he proved. They paid debts which had disturbed their peace, and the benevolent giver gave them employ¬ ment in his occupation as a carpenter, en¬ abling him to rear an industrious family in comparative happiness. This little girl is now the wife of a respectable tradesman in New York, and has reason to rejoice that she was born of pious parents, who had secured their daughter's happiness by send¬ ing her to the Sunday school. THE EKOGr AHD THE OX. N ox, grazing in a swampy meadow, chanced to set his foot among a parcel of young frogs, and crushed nearly the whole hrood to death. One that escaped ran off to his mother with the dreadful news,' "And, 0 mother," said he,."it was such a big creature that did it." 1 "Big?" says the old frog, "how big?—was it as big?"-—and she puffed herself out to a great degree—" as big as this?" "0," says the little one, "a great deal bigger than that!" "Well, was it so big?" and she swelled, herself more yet. " Indeed, mother, it was, and if you were to burst yourself you would never be half so big." Provoked by the disparagement of her powers, she made a still greater effort at increasing her size, and burst herself indeed. (128) Mil ; 3®£r' 5^® o . • ~ - ; i V * f.r-r^r -% r, -. ^ LAAaAA2 ■ A a . _ _ a •. A{>. ^ ik Ar.