THE LIFE, LABOURS, AND TRAVELS OF THE APOSTLE PAUL. (Continued from page 176.) AFTER departing from Corinth Paul sailed for Asia Minor, and proceeded to Ephesus. Here, however, he did not tarry, but after preaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath day he made his way to Jerusalem to the approaching passover. Here he salutes the Church, celebrates the passover, and then proceeds to Antioch. How natural that he should go to Antioch. It was from thence he had started out along with Silas about four years before. During that four years he had visited many important cities, traversed wide regions, preached the Gospel in Europe, and prepared the way for its reception among the greatest nations of the earth. What blessed tidings he would now bear to the Christians of Antioch. How he would tell them of Philippi, Berea, Thessalonica, Athens, and Corinth. And how would the Antiochian believers rejoice in Paul's visit and praise God on his behalf. It is probable we have now arrived at the twenty-first or twenty-second year after Paul's conversion, and at the year of our Lord 56. The apostle's journey to Jerusalem and subsequently to Antioch would not be a period of labour, but rather of recreation, friendly re-union and fellowship. But this must not last too long, and so the restless spirit of Paul is speedily found projecting a fresh journey of missionary toil and enterprise. Here commences his third great missionary tour, in the course of which we soon trace him back to Ephesus. and Having first gone through Galatia and Phrygia, confirming and strengthening the disciples, he now proceeds to the capital of Asia Minor, Ephesus. Since Paul had called at Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem, an eloquent and pious Jew (Apollos) had arrived there from Alexandria, and preached in the synagogue. He knew but little of the Gospel, only what he had learnt through the ministry of John Baptist. He preached all that he knew with great energy power. Aquila and Priscilla, who were now residing at Ephesus, instructed him further in the Gospel, and he henceforth became a powerful and successful preacher. Apollos, however, leaves Ephesus for Corinth, and shortly after Paul arrives at Ephesus. At this time Ephesus was one of the most flourishing cities in the world. It abounded with famous orators, artists, and philosophers, and was adorned with buildings of the utmost splendour and magnificence. In the New Testament history it occupies an important place. Here Paul abode preaching the Gospel for two years, Timothy was bishop of the church at Ephesus, Paul addressed one of his epistles to the believers here, one of the Apocalyptic epistles was addressed to the Ephesian bishop or presiding elder, and it is said that the apostle John died here at a very advanced age. Supposing we were to go now to the seat of this once powerful and populous city, what should we find? I will tell you in the words of those who in modern times have visited the instructive scene. "What was formerly the busy harbour is now a dreary marsh, from which the sea has long since departed. On the hill some traces of the former walls and a solitary watch tower mark the extent of the city. A more thorough change than that which has passed over Ephesus can scarcely be supposed. Once the seat of active commerce the very sea has shrunk from its solitary shores. Its streets once populous with the devotees of Diana are now ploughed over by the Ottoman serf, or browsed by the sheep of the peasants. It was early the stronghold of Christianity, now not a solitary Christian remains within it." Two travellers who visited it in 1826 found one Christian there. Another writer speaking of Ephesus says, " Its streets are obscure and overgrown; a herd of goats was driven to it for shelter from the sun at noon, and a noisy flight of crows from the quarries seemed to insult its silence. We heard the partridge call in the area of the theatre and the stadium; Ephesus is the habitation of herdsmen and farmers who live in low cottages of dirt covered with earth and sheltered from the weather by mighty masses of ruinous walls, the pride and glory of former days. Amidst the forsaken ruins green corn is seen growing, and where once assembled thousands exclaimed, 'Great is Diana of the Ephesians,' now the eagle yells and the jackal moans.” Such is Ephesus now, once the proud capital of Asia Minor, and at the time of the apostle Paul's second visit to it, or about the year 57, it existed in all its glory. Paul found a few disciples there whom he instructed more perfectly in the Gospel. He likewise went to the synagogue for three months, and there boldly preached Christ. Opposition arose among the Jews; Paul therefore withdrew from the synagogue, and henceforth used a public building, called the school of Tyrannus, for the preaching of the word. Here, for two years, he preached with extraordinary success, so that all they which dwelt in Asia (Asia Minor) heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks." Acts xix. 10. Here Paul displayed marvel 66 lous and extraordinary powers, so that diseases were cured and demons expelled by the mere touch of handkerchiefs and aprons from him. Here, tco, an extraordinary circumstance occurred in reference to seven brothers, the sons of a Jew. They went about practising exorcism. Seeing Paul's success through the name of Jesus they began to practise in that name; but the evil spirits were not awed by these men as by Paul; but they in whom the spirits dwelt leaped most furiously upon the false practitioners, and scarcely allowed them to escape with their lives; and so they learned to their cost that the name of Jesus will stand impenitent hypocrites in no stead; and they have taught us that we had better take the name of Jesus honestly or not at all. The circumstances here detailed had a most remarkable impression. "And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus, and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified." Acts xix. 17. Ephesus was renowned for a species of incantation or magic, for curious arts and divination. The Ephesian letters consisted of amulets or charms, which being worn about the person, were supposed to keep away evil spirits and to cure diseases. There were many persons too who obtained a livelihood by these curious arts, and they had vast numbers of books treating upon subjects pertaining to their dishonourable profession. Many of these being converted under the ministrations of Paul gave up their base practices and brought their books to the value of £2,000, and publicly burned them. Thus a base trade of the devil receives its death blow at the hands of Paul. "So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed." Paul now purposes to leave Ephesus; but, no, the end of the chapter is not yet. Paul has another contest to wage, not this time with the sorcerers, but with certain interested men who combine to save their craft. Satan had not only a stronghold of sorcery and magic in Ephesus, but he had another much more powerful, even the worship of Diana, the goddess of the Ephesians. Paul had struck a heavy blow at Satan's power in converting so many magicians, and now the converting work is beginning to tell upon the popular worship of Diana, so that many of her former devotees are found worshipping another deity in the school of Tyrannus. This, too, operates seriously against the trade of certain silversmiths whose chief employment was 40 make images of Diana and her temple, to sell to the worshippers of the goddess. A diminishing trade makes these men feel very sore, and one crafty Demetrius deter mines to submit quietly no longer to the present order of things. He first calls together the men of his own craft, makes a very ingenious and cunning speech to them, and says as a matter of fearful concern that not only is their craft in danger, but also the worship of the great Diana. This goddess was one of the twelve chief deities of the Greeks and Romans, and her worship was long practised in a great part of the ancient world. At Ephesus she was worshipped with consummate splendour and magnificence. Her temple was accounted one of the seven wonders of the world. It was 425 feet long, and 220 broad. It had 127 columns reared at the expense of so many kings; each pillar adorned with the most splendid statues. It occupied 220 years in building, and all Asia Minor contributed to the expense of it. The image of the goddess was in front, and consisted of a stone which was said to have fallen down from heaven. The temple and statue drew many thousands from surrounding countries to Ephesus; and thus Diana became a means of wealth to the city. Diana was the great mother-god, and was worshipped as nature personified. After the speech of Demetrius to his fellowcraftsmen, they became exceedingly infuriated, and began to exclaim, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” The whole city was speedily filled with confusion and tumult. Two companions of Paul are seized, and immediately the multitude rushes into the theatre. Paul would have rushed after them, but his friends wisely interposed and prevented him. "Some cried one thing, and some another, and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together." The Jews now put one Alexander forward to speak, and he attempted to do so, but the multitude would not hear him, but met his attempt with one tumultuous cry for two hours, saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" Now the town clerk or magistrate appears, and gaining for himself a hearing, makes a very sensible speech, quiets the passions of the people, and dismisses the assembly. How Paul's companions fared I cannot say, and how Paul escaped the tumult may seem somewhat wonderful, but the next chapter presents him embracing the disciples affectionately and bidding them farewell. W. M. B. "THE GOOD RULE." I FIRST heard this, my little one, among the tonic-sol-fa singing classes, and I thought it would just suit the English Sabbath school children. It is one of the beautiful things that some good men and noble musicians, who love little children in America, have given us. The scholar's resolve |