PAUL PREACHING AT ATHENS. gr leak

Early discovering their ignorance as to this cardinal doctrine, the Apostle aimed to enlighten their minds on the subject. But no sooner did he attempt to direct them to the Creator of all things, than he was brought before the court of Areopagus, on a charge of being a setter forth of strange gods. His defence, though an admirable specimen of reasoning, (see Acts 17,) failed to convince the proud philosophers of Athens. Dionysius, however, one of the Areopagite judges, and Damaris, a woman of some note, became his converts. These, with a few others, consorted with Paul during his stay, and were the beginning of a Church in that city, which, at a later period, became numerous and respectable.

From Athens, the Apostle proceeded to Corinth. This city was situated on a narrow neck of land, which joined the Peloponnesus to Greece; in consequence of which it commanded the commerce of both Asia and Europe. was nearly as famous for learning and the arts, as Athens itself. In luxury and profligacy, it even exceeded.

It

The success of the Apostle at Corinth was so small, that he was about to take a speedy departure from it; but in a vision, he was directed to prolong his stay. Thus encour

did Paul attempt to do for the Athenians? Before what Court was he brought? Why? Where is his defence recorded? Whom did he here convert? From Athens, whither did Paul proceed? Where was Corinth situated? What is said of Corinth? How long did he tarry

aged, he continued there a year and six months, and was made instrumental of gathering a numerous Church, enriched with a plenitude of spiritual gifts. While here, he wrote his First Epistle to the Thessalonians, which is generally thought to have been the first written of all his fourteen Epistles. By some, however, it is thought that he had previously written his Epistle to the Galatians, and that he did it at Antioch, before he left that city, to take his present journey into Greece.

During the period the Apostle continued at Corinth, it seems probable that he made an excursion from that city into Achaia. While in this latter region, his enemies forming a conspiracy, seized him and dragged him before Gallio, the Deputy of Achaia. The deputy, however, had no disposition to listen to the charge, and therefore drove his accusers from the judgment seat.

After his return to Corinth, having staid sometime longer, he sailed for the port of Cenchrea, whence the vessel proceeded to Ephesus. Quitting this city, with a promise to return to them when the Lord should permit him, he landed at Cesarea; whence he proceeded to Jerusalem to perform a vow, which he had made at Cenchrea; having done which, he once more came to Antioch.

Sec. 24. During the year 51, while Paul was on his second journey, the Emperor Claudius was poisoned by his wife, in order to make way for Nero, her son by a former husband.

The education of Nero had been committed to Seneca, the philosopher; and at the commencement of his reign, he acted in some respects not unworthily of the wise maxims which he had received from his preceptor. But his natural depravity and ferocity soon broke out, and he surpassed all his predecessors in every species of profligacy. During a part of his reign, Christians suffered the most dreadful persecution, as will be seen in a future page.

here? What was his success? What epistle did he write from this place? What excursion did he probably make, while at Corinth? What took place in Achaia? From Corinth, what was his route to Antioch?

Sec. 24. In what year did the emperor Claudius die? By what means? Who succeeded him?

Who was Nero's instructer? How did Nero conduct in the commencement of his reign? What is said of him afterwards?

Sec. 25. Paul having spent a short season with his friends at Antioch, took leave of them A. D. 53, and commenced his third journey, in which he visited Galatia, Phrygia and Ephesus, where he resided three years, till 56; then proceeded by Troas to Macedonia. In the year 57, he went through Greece to Corinth, and returned through Macedonia, Philippi, Troas and Assos. Thence sailing by Mitylene, Chios and Samos, he touched at Trogyllium, Miletus, Coos, Rhodes, Patara, Tyre and Ptolemais, and landing at Cæsarea, he proceeded to Jerusalem for the fifth time since his conversion, A. D. 58)

Little is recorded of the Apostle during his journey through Galatia and Phrygia, until he came to Ephesus. This was at that time the metropolis of the province of Asia, and an exceedingly populous city. It was famous for an immense temple dedicated to the goddess Diana.

This edifice was 425 feet long; 220 broad; supported by 127 stately pillars, each of them 60 feet high, the work of a king who erected them as a token of his piety and magnificence. The entire structure was 220 years in building, and was ranked as one of the seven wonders of the world. It had been twice destroyed by fire previously to its present enlarged and improved state; the first time, on the very day that Socrates was poisoned; and the second time, on the night in which Alexander the Great was born. In this latter instance, it was set on fire by one Erostratus, who being condemned to death for the crime, confessed that he had destroyed this exquisite structure, solely "that he might be remembered in future ages."

The temple was, however, again rebuilt, and most magnifi

Sec. 25. When did Paul commence his third journey? What was his route?

Where was the principal theatre of Paul's labours, during this journey? What is said of Ephesus? What was it famous for? What were the length, breadth, and height, of the temple of the goddess Diana? How long was it in building? How often had it been destroyed? When? By whom was it in the latter instance set on fire?

cently adorned by the Ephesians. When Paul visited the city, it was in all its glory; and was the resort of multitudes, some of whom came to worship the goddess, and others to learn the arts of sorcery and magic, and for other purposes.

It should be added concerning Ephesus, that at this time, Satan seems to have erected in that city, his very throne of idolatry, superstition, and magic; and to have reigned over the minds of his deluded subjects with uncontrolled sway. Happy was it that the Apostle now visited the place, to invade this empire of darkness, and to storm the strong holds of wickedness it contained.

Here, for the space of three years, the Apostle continued to labour with his characteristic zeal and fidelity. Signal success attended his preaching; for "God wrought special miracles by his hands," and "fear fell on them, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified." Such was the power of divine truth upon many who had been engaged in the devices of exorcism, conjuration and magic; that they brought their books, in which were prescribed the various forms of incantation, and in the presence of the people committed them to the flames. The estimated value of the books consumed, was 50,000 pieces of silver, exceeding 330,000 dollars.

Notwithstanding the success of Paul's ministry in Ephesus, he had many powerful adversaries in that city. Many of the inhabitants derived considerable wealth by manufacturing miniature representations of the temple of Diana, and of the image of that goddess, which was said to have fallen down from Jupiter. To these the Apostle was particularly obnoxious; and fearing lest his preaching would ruin their trade, they made an assault upon his companions, whom they would probably have murdered, had not the civil authorities rescued them from their hands.

Having been thus signally blessed in his labours, not only in respect to collecting a Church and ordaining its proper officers in Ephesus, but in communicating the gospel to many parts of Asia by means of strangers, who, while visiting the city, had been converted by his ministry: Paul departed; and, after spending three months in Greece, he rapidly Why? What was the state of the temple, when Paul visited Ephesus? What was the religious state of the Ephesians? How long did the Apostle stay here? What was his success? What was the value of the books on magic which were burnt? Who opposed the Aposale? Why? What was their conduct towards him? Who rescued

journeyed towards Jerusalem by the route already mentioned, where he arrived A. D. 58.

Sec. 26. Soon after the arrival of the Apostle at Jerusalem, his life was greatly endangered by some Jews, who found him in the temple with some Greeks, purifying themselves according to the Jewish law. He was, however, rescued at this time, and from a further plot against him, by Lysias, the commander of the Roman garrison who, at length, for the safety of the Apostle, found it necessary to send him to Felix, at that time governor of Cæ

sarea

The hatred of the Jews to Paul arose from his having taught the Gentiles, in the countries in which he had preached, that it was not necessary for them to practice circumcision, nor to observe the Jewish customs. The Apostle had indeed thus instructed the Gentiles, although he permitted the Jews to follow their own inclination on this subject, and did himself, from respect to their prejudices, conform to the Mosaic rites. The Jews, however, were not contented, so long as Paul did not teach the Gentiles that these rites were essential to salvation.

To prove to the Jews his willingness to respect their prejudices, he went into the temple with some Greeks, to purify himself with them, according to the law. The presence of Greeks in the temple, being Gentiles, was supposed by the Jews to pollute it; hence they came upon Paul, who would probably have fallen a victim to their blind zeal, had not Lysias interposed, and taken him into his own custody.

On the succeeding day, the Apostle was brought before the Jewish Sanhedrim, with a view of having his conduct investigated by that great national council. But a contention arising among its members, who were partly Pharisees, him? Whither did Paul go from Ephesus? In what year did he return to Jerusalem? By what route?

Sec. 26. What befel the Apostle after his arrival at Jerusalem? By whom was he rescued? To whom did Lysias send him?

Why were the Jews unfriendly to the Apostle? What did he do to remove their prejudices? Before what council was he brought?

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