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

and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. And as Lydda was nigh unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men unto him, intreating him, "Delay not to come on unto us."

And Peter arose and went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise."

And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the disciples and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord. And it came to pass, that he abode many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

{351}{352} [Illustration] GENERAL VIEW OF LYDDA

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

Lydda, the ancient Lod, is a village in the plain of Sharon, ten miles southeast of Joppa. It was an important town in early days, being on the caravan route between the East and Egypt, and a place where the caravans rested and refitted. It was thus the center of a considerable business. It was here that Peter healed Aeneas, and from this place he was summoned to Joppa by the death of Dorcas. [End illustration]

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VIII

PETER AND THE ROMAN CAPTAIN.

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

Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the company called the Italian company, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. He saw in a vision about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, "Cornelius."

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

And he said unto him, "Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and bring one Simon, who is surnamed Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side."

And when the angel that spoke unto him was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of his body guard, and having told all things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour: and he became hungry, {354} and desired to eat: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance; and he beheld the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth: wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven. And there came a voice to him, saying, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."

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

And a voice came unto him again the second time, "What God hath cleansed, make not thou common."

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

Now while Peter was much perplexed as to what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate, and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodging there. And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, "Behold, three men seek thee. But arise, and get thee down, and go with them, nothing doubting: for I have sent them."

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

And they said, "Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned of God by a holy angel to send for thee to come to his house, and to hear words from thee." So he called them in and lodged them.

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And on the morrow he arose and went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And on the morrow they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kinsmen and his near friends. And when Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself also am a man."

And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many come together: and he said unto them, "Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and yet unto me hath God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean: wherefore also I came without doubting, when I was sent for. I ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me."

And Cornelius said, "Four days ago, until this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel, and said, 'Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call unto thee Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side.' Forthwith therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord."

And Peter opened his mouth, and said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is {356} acceptable to him. The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)--that saying ye yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; about Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: how he went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which be did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and showed him, not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this is he who is ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name everyone that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins."

While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word. And the Jews who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

Then answered Peter, "Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?"

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

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IX

THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEYS

_How the Disciples at Last Began to Understand the Meaning of the Command of Jesus, "Go Ye into All the World_."

Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, the Jews contended with him, saying, "Thou wentest in to the Gentiles, and didst eat with them."

But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying, "I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me: upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven. And I heard also a voice saying unto me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' But I said, 'Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth.' But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, 'What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.' And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven. And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent {358} from Caesarea unto me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man's house: and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, 'Send to Joppa, and bring Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.' And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If then God gave unto them the same gift that he gave unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?"

And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life."

They therefore that were scattered abroad after the trouble that arose about Stephen, traveled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spoke unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.

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X

PETER IN PRISON

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

Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And when he had taken him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly by the church unto God for him. And when Herod was about to bring him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and guards before the door kept the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying, "Rise up quickly."

And his chains fell from his hands. And the angel said unto him, "Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals." And he did so.

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

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And he went out, and followed; and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision.

And when they were past the first and the second guard, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth into the city; which opened to them of its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and straightway the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, "Now I know of a truth, that the Lord hath sent forth his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews."

And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid come to answer, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but ran in, and told that Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, "Thou art mad." But she confidently affirmed that it was even so. And they said, "It is his angel."

But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison. And he said, "Tell these things unto James, and to the brethren."

And he departed, and went to another place. Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the {361} soldiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. And Peter went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and tarried there.

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Missionary Journeys and Adventures of Paul.

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PERSONS OF THE STORY. _PAUL_. _Ananias, a disciple_. _Sergius Paulus, a Roman governor_. _Elymas, a sorcerer_. _Barnabas_. _Mark_. _Timothy_. _Silas_. _Gallio, a Roman governor_. _Priscilla and Aquila_. _Demetrius, a silversmith_. _Claudius Lysias, a Roman officer_. _Felix, a Roman governor_. _Drusilla, wife of Felix_. _Festus, a Roman governor_. _King Agrippa_. _Queen Bernice_. _Publius, a Roman officer_. _The people of many towns and cities, Roman officials, soldiers, sailors, Christian disciples_.

PLACES OF THE STORY.

_The places which Paul visited are given elsewhere_.

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PAUL THE APOSTLE

Now there enters into our story one whose life by any standard of measurement, in its boldness and audacity of plan, in its brilliancy of achievement, in its personal courage and daring, compares favorably with that of any of the heroes of history,--Paul the Apostle. In many respects he resembled the modern successful man of business, the captain of industry, except that his work was done with a purely unselfish motive, loyalty to Jesus Christ and love for his fellowmen.

Paul was born in the Roman city of Tarsus, which is beautifully situated at the mouth of the river Cydnus. It was a city full of delight for an adventurous boy. There was the river sweeping down cold and clear from its mountain snows, the harbor with its great basins and stone quays and the shipping from every land. How Paul must have loved to linger on those wharves, watching the ships and the merchandise and hearing the songs of the sailors. In later days he always loved the city and the sea. He was never far away from them; never far distant from the smell of the sea breeze and the blue waters of the Mediterranean; very often he sailed on those waters, and more than once suffered shipwreck. He was a freeborn Roman, that is, he was so {368} fortunate as to have been born in a free city. A free Roman city had all the political rights and privileges of the city of Rome itself. This distinction was eagerly sought after, and was often bought with a large price by men who did not possess it by birth. When Paul was a lad he was sent away to Jerusalem to school, where he was taught by one of the most famous teachers. But Paul was always more Roman than Jewish in the actual experiences of his life. When the first persecutions of the Christians began, Saul, for that was his name then, was chosen by the high priest for this work. Everything he did, he did with his might. He gave the Christians no rest, he hunted them from village to village, from house to house, because he thought this was his duty. He was on one of these expeditions, riding hard to Damascus, when he had a vision of Jesus, who called to him and demanded the reason for the persecutions. Blinded by the vision he fell from his horse, and when he came to himself he was a changed man. Some time he spent in solitude, thinking the matter out and preparing for the new life. Then he came out ready to do anything and go anywhere for the Master. The time was ripe for a man of his ability, his boldnesss, and his knowledge of the world. A man was needed with those qualities which make a great general, to plan and execute the work. All the apostles were Jews, born in Palestine, men who had never traveled outside the narrow boundaries of their native land. They were naturally timid, and failed to realize at first the importance of the new faith as a {369} world power. Paul was the man for the crisis,--the hero who was destined to carry the new faith to the farther bounds of the empire. His great missionary journeys by land and sea are really campaigns. He had adventures without number, he was beaten and stoned, sometimes he was left on the ground for dead by those who thought they had at last put him out of the way. Often he went on his journey scarred and sore and bruised. The country over which he traveled is the most interesting and romantic in the world, the scene of the stories of mythology, the battle ground of armies. He sailed the seas which were furrowed by the keel of Homer's hero Ulysses. He visited the famous capitals of antiquity. He spoke in cultured Athens, the city of Socrates and Plato. He founded churches in Philippi, where Caesar won his great battle, and in Corinth, one of the richest and wickedest cities of all the Roman empire. He went to Rome, and there, even while in prison, he won for the new faith members of the royal household and officers of the imperial guard. We do not know certainly, but there are traditions to the effect that he visited Spain, and even found his way far beyond the "Pillars of Hercules" out upon the stormy Atlantic to Great Britain. It must not be supposed that he met with no opposition. Even among the members of the Christian church at Jerusalem he was bitterly opposed. There were many Jewish Christians who did not wish the new faith to spread beyond their own race, or if any so-called Gentiles became Christians they thought they should also become Jews. Paul believed that Jesus and his message {370} were for all alike, that it was a gospel of freedom, a new faith in truth, and his way prevailed. Paul at last, an old man, was beheaded, so it is believed, by the wicked Roman emperor Nero. Thus lived and died one of the greatest and most important characters in all history.

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HOW PAUL THE PERSECUTOR LAID ASIDE THE OLD LIFE AND TOOK UP THE NEW.

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

But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were of "the Way," whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?"

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

And he said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."

And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, "Ananias."

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

And the Lord said unto him, "Arise, and go to Straight street, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth; and he hath seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight."

But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name."

But the Lord said unto him, "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake."

And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

And at once there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized; and he took food and was strengthened.

And he was certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And at once in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God. And all that heard him were amazed, and said, "Is not this that man who in Jerusalem made havoc of them who called on the name of Jesus? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests." But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

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And after many days, the Jews took counsel together to kill him: but their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night that they might kill him: but his friends took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

And when he was come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. And he was with them going in and going out at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord: and he spoke and disputed against the Grecian Jews; but they went about to kill him. And when the brethren knew it they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

So the church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being built up; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.

And some time after, Barnabas went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul: and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people; and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

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THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY OF PAUL.

On his first journey Paul went by sea from _Seleucia_, the port of Antioch, to the _Island of Cyprus_. He crossed the island from east to west. He landed at _Salamis_ and set sail from _Paphos_. He arrived at _Perga_ in Southern Asia Minor, and then set out for a campaign of about two years in the great Roman province of Galatia. It is for the most part a wild and desolate country. There were snowy mountain ranges with perilous passes infested by robbers, rushing torrents, and precipitous roads, before he could come to the cities which lay behind the mountains. He was often in great danger, and many times suffered persecution. The places mentioned are _Antioch, Iconium, Lystra_, and _Derbe_. Then he and his companions came down to Perga, setting sail from the port of Attalia for _Antioch_ in Cilicia.

Companions: Barnabas and John Mark.

I

PAUL AND BARNABAS SAIL FOR CYPRUS.

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

(There having been a time of famine, Paul and Barnabas had been sent by the Christians at Antioch to Jerusalem with relief to the Christians in that city. When they returned they found new work awaiting them.)

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Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John as their attendant.

And when they had gone through the whole island unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesus; who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. The same called unto him Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith. But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him, and said, "O full of all guile and all villainy, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season."

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And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

II

FROM CYPRUS TO ANTIOCH.

_Paul's Sermon at Antioch_.

Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem. But they, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia; and they went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down. And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, "Brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on." And Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said,--

"Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hearken. The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they sojourned in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm led he them forth out of it. And for about the time of forty years he bore with them in the wilderness. And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years: and after these things he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.

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And afterward they asked for a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; to whom also he bore witness, and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who shall do all my will.'

"Of this man's family hath God according to promise brought unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus; when John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his work, he said, 'What suppose ye that I am? I am not he. But behold, there cometh one after me, the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to unloose.' Brethren, children of the race of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us is the word of this salvation sent forth. For they that dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet asked they of Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all things that were written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.

"But God raised him from the dead: and he was seen for many days by them that came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses unto the people. And we bring you good tidings of the promise made unto the fathers, how that God hath fulfilled the same unto our children, in that he raised up Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, 'Thou art my Son, this day have I {384} begotten thee.' And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he hath spoken on this wise, 'I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.' Because he saith also in another psalm, 'Thou wilt not give thy Holy One to see corruption.' For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, he fell asleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: but he whom God raised up saw no corruption.

"Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins: and by him everyone that believeth is justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken in the prophets;--

Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish; For I work a work in your days, A work which ye shall in no wise believe, if one declare it unto you.'"

And as they went out, they besought that these words might be spoken to them the next Sabbath. Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.

And the next Sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and {385} said, "It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying,--

'I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth.'"

And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spread abroad throughout all the region. But the Jews urged on the devout women of honorable estate, and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

III

THROUGH THE TOWNS OF GALATIA.

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

And it came to pass in Iconium, that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke, that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed. But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the Gentiles, and made them hostile to the brethren. Long time therefore they tarried there speaking boldly in the Lord, who {386} bore witness unto the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided; and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was made an attempt, both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to treat them shamefully, and to stone them, they became aware of it, and fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round about: and there they preached the gospel.

And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his birth, who never had walked. This man heard Paul speaking: who, fastening his eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole, said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on thy feet." And he leaped up and walked.

And when the multitudes saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, "The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men." And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Jupiter whose temple was before the city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the multitudes. But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their garments, and sprang forth among the multitude, crying out and saying, "Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is: {387} who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways. And yet he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness."

And with these sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them.

But there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium: and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered into the city: and on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that "through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God." And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed. And they passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia. And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia; and thence they sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. And when they had come, and had gathered the church together, they told all things that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles. And they tarried no little time with the disciples.

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IV

A DISTURBANCE IN THE CHURCH

_How a Serious Dispute Was Settled by Mutual Conference_.

(Trouble arose in the church very early over the question of admitting people of the outside world, or Gentiles, into the fellowship of the faith. There was a party in the church who insisted very strongly that the Gentiles, if they came in, must conform to all the rites and ceremonies of the Jews. Another party, headed by Paul, said that it was not necessary for the Gentiles to become Jews; that they could be Christians without following all the religious ceremonies of the Jews. After Paul and Barnabas returned from their missionary journey, and reported the conversion of many Gentiles to the new faith, a great meeting of the leaders was called at Jerusalem, and the matter, after warm discussion, was decided in favor of the broader view of Paul.)

And certain men came down from Judaea and taught the brethren, saying, "Except ye keep the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved." And when Paul and Barnabas had no little disagreement and questioning with them, the brethren decided that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they repeated all the things that God had done with them.

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And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter. And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up and said unto them, "Brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, who knoweth the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us; and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they."

And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul as they told what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had ceased speaking, James answered, saying,--

"Brethren, hearken unto me: Symeon hath rehearsed how first God did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,--

'After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up: That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from the beginning of the world.'

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"Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not those who from among the Gentiles turn to God; but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from uncleanness, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath."

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: and they wrote thus by them,--

"_The apostles and the elder brethren unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting:_--

"Forasmuch as we have heard that certain men who went out from us have troubled you with words, vexing your souls; to whom we gave no commandment; it seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also shall tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from uncleanness; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. _Fare ye well_."

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So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle. And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation it afforded. And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. And after they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brethren to those that had sent them forth. But Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

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THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY

Paul started on his second missionary journey by the land route, passing through his native city of Tarsus, over the Taurus mountains and into Galatia, where he revisited the cities of Derbe and Lystra. He attempted to visit other places, but was prevented from doing so, and pressed on through many miles of wild and desolate country of northern Asia Minor until the welcome waters of the Aegean again greeted his eyes at Troas. Here he faced Europe and the great crisis of his life. In the night he saw the vision of the man and heard the cry, "Come over into Macedonia and help us." Then Paul determined upon the great step which meant so much to the world. He went on board a coaster at Troas, made "a straight run" to the island of _Samothracia_, and the next day came to the harbor of Neapolis, which is only a few miles from Philippi. The important Macedonian campaign included the cities of _Philippi_, _Thessalonica_, and _Beroea_. Here his work in Macedonia abruptly ended. In danger of his life from evil persons who followed him from Thessalonica, he was hurried out of the country by his friends and journeyed by land and sea to _Athens_. Then he went to _Corinth_, where he stayed for some time preaching and working at his trade of tentmaker. Embarking on a pilgrim ship carrying Jews to Passover, Paul sailed to Caesarea and then journeyed to Jerusalem, stopping briefly on the way at Ephesus. Thus ended the second great journey.

Companions: Silas and Timothy.

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I

REVISITING THE SCENES OF FORMER VICTORIES IN PHRYGIA AND GALATIA

_Paul and Barnabas Again Take the Field_.

And after some time, Paul said unto Barnabas, "Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fare."

And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark. But Paul thought it not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunder one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away unto Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas, and went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed in the new faith, but his father was a Greek. The same was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. And Paul took him with him.

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and when they were come over against Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.

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II

"THE MACEDONIAN CRY"

_The New Faith Enters Europe. The Midnight Rescue from the Jail at Philippi_.

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. There was a man of Macedonia standing, beseeching him, and saying, "Come over into Macedonia, and help us."

And when he had seen the vision, straightway we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel unto them.

Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis; and from thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a Roman colony: and we were in this city tarrying certain days. And on the Sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a river side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spoke to the women who were come together. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, to give heed to the things which were spoken by Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, "If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there." And she persuaded us.

And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying.

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The same following after Paul and us cried out, saying, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation."

And this she did for many days. But Paul, being greatly troubled, turned and said to the spirit, "I charge thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her."

And it came out that very hour.

But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold of Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers, and when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, "These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans."

And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates tore their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened; and everyone's bands were loosed. And the jailor being roused out of sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword, and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.

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But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, "Do thyself no harm: for we are all here."

And he called for lights, and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

And they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house."

And they spoke the word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately. And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God.

But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, "Let those men go." And the jailor reported the words to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore come forth, and go in peace." But Paul said unto them, "They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison; and do they now cast us out secretly? nay verily; let them come themselves and bring us out."

And the police reported these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans; and they came and besought them; and when they had brought them out, they asked them to go away from the city. And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

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III

PREACHING IN THE MACEDONIAN CITIES.

_Riot in Thessalonica. Success in Beroea_.

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the scriptures, arguing that it behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, "whom," said he, "I proclaim unto you, is the Christ."

And some of them were persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews, being moved with jealousy, took unto them certain vile fellows of the rabble, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them forth to the people. And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, "These men who have turned the world upside down are come hither also; whom Jason hath received: and these all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus."

And they troubled the multitude and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. And when they had taken bail from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Beroea: who when they were come {404} thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so. Many of them therefore believed; also of the Greek women of honorable estate, and of men, not a few.

But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed of Paul at Beroea also, they came thither likewise, stirring up and troubling the multitudes. And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still. But they that conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timothy that they should come to him with all speed, they departed.

IV

PAUL AT ATHENS.

_The Leader of the New Faith Speaks on Classic Ground_.

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, he was aroused, as he beheld the city full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met with him. And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, "What would this babbler say?" others, "He seemeth to be a teacher of strange gods": because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.

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And they took hold of him, and brought him unto the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by thee? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean." (Now all the Athenians and the strangers sojourning there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.) And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said,--

"Ye men of Athens, in all things I perceive that ye are very religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription,

TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.

What therefore ye worship in ignorance, this set I forth unto you. The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and he made of one people every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said,--

'For we are also his offspring.'

Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by {408} art and device of man. The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent: inasmuch as he hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, "We will hear thee concerning this yet again."

Thus Paul went out from among them. But certain men were drawn to him, and believed: among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

V

TENTMAKING IN CORINTH.

_A Roman Officer Champions the New Faith_.

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth. There he found a certain Jew named Aquila, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He became acquainted with them; and because he was of the same trade, he abode with them, and they worked together; for by their trade they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.

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But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul gave attention to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook out his raiment, and said unto them, "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles."

And he departed thence, and went into the house of a certain man named Titus Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was close to the synagogue. And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. And the Lord said unto Paul in the night by a vision, "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to harm thee: for I have much people in this city."

And he dwelt there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul, and brought him before the judgment seat, saying, "This man persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law."

But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, "If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked villainy, O ye Jews, it would be reasonable that I should bear with you: but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; I am not minded to be a judge of these matters."

And he drove them from the judgment seat. And they all laid hold of Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and {412} beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of these things.

And Paul, having tarried after this yet many days, took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchreae: for he had a vow. And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. And when they asked him to abide a longer time, he consented not; but taking his leave of them, and saying, "I will return again unto you, if God will," he set sail from Ephesus.

And when he had landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and saluted the church, and went down to Antioch.

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{415} [Illustration] Map of land around the Mediterranean Sea showing Paul's journey. [End illustration]

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THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY.

After brief visits at _Jerusalem_ and _Antioch_, Paul started by the land route for Galatia. After revisiting the churches there he came through central Asia Minor to _Ephesus_. For two years Paul made this great city the center of missionary effort. After the great riot in _Ephesus_, which interrupted his plans, Paul set sail on a coasting vessel for _Macedonia_, changing ship at _Troas_. Thence he sailed for _Philippi_ and remained three months with the Macedonian churches. Then he went to _Corinth_, where he stayed three months more. At the opening of navigation in the spring he sailed again for _Macedonia_, visiting _Philippi_. From Philippi he started on a long and tedious voyage by coasting vessel, bound for Jerusalem. He touched on the voyage at _Troas, Assos, Mitylene, Samos, Trogyllium, Miletus, Cos, Rhodes, Patara_. These are towns on the islands and along the coast of Asia Minor. The ship made slow progress, doing a coasting trade no doubt, and waiting for favorable winds. At Patara they found a big merchantman bound directly for Tyre, calling only at Myra. Before the strong west wind the ship made a good run out of sight of land from coast to coast except when the southern shores of Cyprus were passed. After a few days' stop at Tyre, the ship went on to _Caesarea_, stopping at _Ptolemais_. Then Paul went up to Jerusalem, and the great third missionary campaign was over.

Companions: Various disciples.

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I

FAR AND WIDE BY LAND AND SEA.

"_I Must Also See Rome_."

After having spent some time at Antioch, he departed, and went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, stablishing all the disciples.

And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus. His preaching here had great effect. And not a few of them that practiced curious arts brought their books together, and burned them in the sight of all: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed.

Now after these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome."

And having sent into Macedonia two of his companions who ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

II

A RIOT IN EPHESUS

"_Great is Diana of the Ephesians!_"

And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the new faith. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no little business unto the craftsmen;

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whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, "Sirs, ye know that by this business we have our wealth. And ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they are no gods, which are made with hands: and not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana be made of no account, and that she should even be deposed from her magnificence, whom all Asia and the world worshipeth." And when they heard this, they were filled with wrath, and cried out, saying,

"GREAT IS DIANA OF THE EPHESIANS!"

And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel. And when Paul was minded to enter in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. And certain also of the chief officers of Asia, being his friends, sent unto him, and besought him not to venture into the theater. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the larger part knew not wherefore they were come together.

And they brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made a defense unto the people. But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out,--

"GREAT IS DIANA OF THE EPHESIANS!"

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And when the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, "Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash. For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. If therefore Demetrius, and the craftsmen that are with him, have a matter against any man, the courts are open, and here are judges: let them accuse one another. But if ye seek anything about other matters, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning this day's riot, there being no cause for it: and we shall not be able to give account of this concourse."

And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

III

FAREWELLS TO THE CHURCHES.

_Paul Starts on a Fateful Journey_.

And after the uproar was ceased, Paul having sent for the disciples and exhorted them, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia. And when he had gone through those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece. And when he had spent three months there, and a plot was laid against him by the Jews, as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.

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And there accompanied him as far as Asia a company of men from the various churches. But these had gone before, and were waiting for us at Troas. And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we tarried seven days.

And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where we were gathered together. And there sat in the window a certain young man named Eutychus, overpowered with deep sleep; and as Paul discoursed yet longer, he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, "Make ye no ado; for his life is in him."

And when he was gone up, and had broken the bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the lad alive, and were not a little comforted.

But we, going before to the ship, set sail for Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, intending himself to go by land. And when he met us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. And sailing from thence, we came the following day over against Chios; and the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after we came to Miletus. For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for {426} he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, "Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, after what manner I was with you all the time, serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews: how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I hold not my life of any account, as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.

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"Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in the which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish everyone night and day with tears. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified. I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that they should behold his face no more. And they brought him on his way unto the ship.

And when it came to pass that we were parted from them, and had set sail, we came with a straight course to Cos, and the next day unto Rhodes, and from thence to Patara: and having found a ship crossing over unto Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail. And when we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unload her cargo. And having found the disciples, we tarried there seven days: and these said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not set foot in Jerusalem. And when it came to pass that we had accomplished the days, {430} we departed and went on our journey; and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us on our way, till we were out of the city: and kneeling down on the beach, we prayed, and bade each other farewell; and we went on board the ship, but they returned home again.

And when we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. And on the morrow we departed, and came to Caesarea: and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, we abode with him. Now this man had four daughters, who prophesied. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And coming to us, and taking Paul's girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, "Thus saith the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles." And when we heard these things, both we and they of that place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

Then Paul answered, "What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The will of the Lord be done."

And after these days we went up to Jerusalem. And there went with us also certain of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.

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{433}

THE CAPTAIN OF THE NEW FAITH IN THE HANDS OF HIS FOES

I

THE JEWS STIR UP A RIOT.

_Paul, in Great Peril, is Saved by a Roman Officer_.

(When Paul reached Jerusalem he worshiped, as was his custom, in the temple. But he had many enemies who said that he was a traitor to the Jewish faith because he was friendly with people who were not Jews.)

Paul's enemies stirred up all the multitude, and laid hands on him, crying out, "Men of Israel, help: This is the man, who teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place: and moreover he brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath defiled this holy place."

For they had before seen with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple. And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they laid hold on Paul, and dragged him out of the temple: and straightway the doors were shut. And as they were seeking to kill him, tidings came up to the chief captain of the garrison, that all Jerusalem was in confusion. And forthwith he took soldiers and centurions, and ran down upon them: and they, when {434} they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, left off beating Paul. Then the chief captain came near, and laid hold on Paul, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and inquired who he was, and what he had done. And some shouted one thing, some another, among the crowd: and when the captain could not know the truth for the uproar, he commanded him to be brought into the castle. And when he came upon the stairs, he was borne by the soldiers on account of the violence of the crowd; for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, "Away with him."

And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he saith unto the chief captain, "May I say something unto thee?"

And he said, "Dost thou know Greek? Art thou not then the Egyptian, which before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?"

But Paul said, "I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, give me leave to speak unto the people."

II

ON THE CASTLE STAIRS

_Paul Defends Himself Before the People_.

When the officer gave him leave, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand unto the people; and when they were all silent, he spoke unto them in the Hebrew language, saying, "Brethren and fathers, hear ye the defense which I now make unto you."

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{437}

And when they heard that he spoke unto them in the Hebrew language, they were the more quiet: and he saith,--

"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day: and I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and journeyed to Damascus, to bring them also who were there unto Jerusalem in bonds, to be punished. And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and drew nigh unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' And I answered, 'Who art thou, Lord?' And he said unto me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.' And those who were with me beheld indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spoke to me. And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said unto me, 'Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.' And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews that dwelt there, came unto me, {438} and standing by me said unto me, 'Brother Saul, receive thy sight.' And in that very hour I looked up and saw him. And he said, 'The God of our fathers hath appointed thee to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. For thou shalt be a witness for him unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.' And it came to pass, that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance, and saw him saying unto me, 'Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: because they will not receive of thee testimony concerning me.'

"And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: and when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them that slew him.' And he said unto me, 'Depart: for I will send thee forth far hence unto the Gentiles.'"

And they gave him audience unto this word: and they lifted up their voice, and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live." And they cried out, and threw off their garments, and cast dust into the air.

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{441}

III

A CITIZEN OF THE EMPIRE

_The Roman Officer Discovers that Paul is a Fellow-Citizen, and Offers an Apology_.

The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, bidding that he should be examined by scourging, that he might know for what cause, they so shouted against him. And when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?"

And when the centurion heard it, he went to the chief captain, and told him, saying, "What art thou about to do? for this man is a Roman."

And the chief captain came, and said unto him, "Tell me, art thou a Roman?"

And he said, "Yea."

And the chief captain answered, "With a great sum obtained I this citizenship."

And Paul said, "But I am a Roman born."

They then which were about to examine him straightway departed from him: and the chief captain also was afraid, when he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

{442}

IV

PAUL BEFORE THE COUNCIL.

_A Division Among the Members_.

But on the morrow, desiring to know why he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

And Paul, looking steadfastly on the council, said, "Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day."

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, "God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: and sittest thou to judge me according to the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?"

And they that stood by said, "Revilest thou God's high priest?"

And Paul said, "I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest: for it is written, 'Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people.'"

But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees: touching the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question."

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{445}

And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees: and the assembly was divided. (For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees believe both.) And there arose a great clamor: and some of the scribes of the Pharisees stood up, and strove, saying, "We find no evil in this man: and what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?"

And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the castle.

And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, "Be of good cheer: for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."

V

A CONSPIRACY AGAINST PAUL.

Certain Fanatical Jews Make a Vow to Kill Paul, and He is Sent to Governor Felix, Under Escort of a Strong Body of Roman Cavalry.

And when it was day, the Jews banded together, and bound themselves by an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which made this conspiracy. And they came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, "We have bound ourselves by a great oath, to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. Now therefore do ye with the council {446} request the chief captain to bring him down unto you, as though ye would judge of his case more exactly: and we, before he comes near, are ready to slay him."

But Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the castle, and told Paul. And Paul called unto him one of the centurions, and said, "Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath something to tell him."

So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and saith, "Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and asked me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say to thee."

And the chief captain took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, "What hast thou to tell me?"

And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask thee to bring down Paul to-morrow unto the council, as though thou wouldest inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him. Do not thou therefore yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, who have bound themselves by an oath, neither to eat nor to drink till they have slain him: and now are they ready, looking for the promise from thee."

So the chief captain let the young man go, charging him, "Tell no man that thou hast informed me of this."

And he called unto him two of the centurions, and said, "Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night."

And he bade them provide a beast for Paul to ride on, {447} and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. And he wrote a letter after this form:--

"_Claudius Lysias unto the Most Excellent Governor Felix, greeting_:--

"_This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be slain by them, when I came upon them with the soldiers, and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. And desiring to know why they accused him, I brought him down unto their council: whom I found to be accused about questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. And when it was shown to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to thee forthwith, charging his accusers also to speak against him before thee_."

So the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. But on the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: and they, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him. And when he had read it, he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he was of Cilicia, "I will hear thy cause," said he, "when thine accusers also are come": and he commanded him to be kept in Herod's palace.

{448}

VI

THE ACCUSATION OF THE JEWS

_Paul's Defense Before the Governor. Felix Dares Not Offend the Jews, and an Innocent Man Suffers Two Years' Imprisonment_.

And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and a lawyer to plead their case, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul. And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying,--

"Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace, and that by thy care evils are corrected for this nation, we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I intreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words. For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: who moreover attempted to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold: from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him."

And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so.

And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered:--

{449}{450}

{451} "Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defense: seeing that thou canst take knowledge, that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem: and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city. Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me. But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets: having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust. Herein I also strive to have a conscience void of offense toward God and men always. Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings: amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but there were certain Jews from Asia--who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me. Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found, when I stood before the council, except it be for this one utterance, that I cried standing among them, 'Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day.'"

But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, "When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter."

And he gave order to the centurion that Paul should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.

{452}

But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, "Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me."

He hoped moreover that money would be given him by Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.

VII

A NEW EXAMINATION BEFORE GOVERNOR FESTUS

"_I Appeal unto Caesar_."

Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they besought him, asking as a favor that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way. Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart thither shortly. "Let them therefore," said he, "who are influential among you, go down with me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him."

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{455}

And when he had tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. And when he was come, the Jews which had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him many and grievous charges, which they could not prove; while Paul said in his defense, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all."

But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul, and said, "Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?"

But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very well knowest. If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if none of those things is true, whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up unto them.

"I Appeal Unto Caesar."

Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, "Thou hast appealed unto Caesar: unto Caesar shalt thou go."

VIII

PAUL MAKES HIS DEFENSE BEFORE KING AGRIPPA AND QUEEN BERNICE.

"_This Man Doeth Nothing Worthy of Death or of Bonds_."

Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and saluted Festus. And {456} as they tarried there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, "There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix: about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for sentence against him. To whom I answered, 'that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.' When therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat down on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought. Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed; but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept till I should send him to Caesar."

And Agrippa said unto Festus, "I also could wish to hear the man myself." "To-morrow," saith he, "thou shalt hear him."

So on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and they were entered into the audience room, with the chief captains, and the principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. And Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all men who are here. present with us, ye behold this man, about whom all the {457} multitude of the Jews made suit to me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death: and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him. Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, King Agrippa, that, after examination, I may have something to write. For it seemeth to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to signify the charges against him."

And Agrippa said to Paul, "Thou art permitted to speak for thyself."

Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and made his defense:--

"I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before thee this day touching all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews: especially because thou art expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. My manner of life then from my youth up, which was from the beginning among mine own nation, and at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; having knowledge of me from the first, if they are willing to testify, how that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers; unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king! Why is it judged incredible with you, if {458} God doth raise the dead? I verily thought myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And this I also did in Jerusalem: and I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death, I gave my vote against them. And punishing them oftentimes in all the synagogues, I strove to make them blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.

"Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the goad.' And I said, 'Who art thou, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee, to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' Wherefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but declared both to them of Damascus first, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judaea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.

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{461}

For this cause the Jews seized me in the temple, and tried to kill me. Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand unto this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses have said should come; how that the Christ must suffer, and how that he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles."

And as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning hath made thee mad."

But Paul said, "I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but speak forth words of truth and soberness. For the king knoweth of these things, unto whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him; for this hath not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest."

And Agrippa said unto Paul, "With but little persuasion thou wouldest make me a Christian."

And Paul said, "I would to God, that whether with little or with much, not thou only, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except these bonds."

And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: and when they had withdrawn, they spoke one to another, saying, "This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds." And Agrippa said unto Festus, "This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar."

{462}

THE CAPTAIN OF THE NEW FAITH IN THE CAPITAL OF THE CAESARS.

I

PAUL'S VOYAGE TO ROME.

When Paul appealed to Caesar it became necessary to send him to Rome. It happened that a convoy of prisoners under the charge of a captain of the Augustan cohort and a detachment of soldiers was being despatched to the capital, and Paul was sent under the captain's charge. No ship was found sailing directly from _Caesarea_ to _Rome_, so a coaster was taken which went as far as _Myra_, touching at _Sidon_. At Myra was found one of the great imperial grain ships bound for Italy.

The winds were contrary and the ship was constantly driven off her course, and at last put into the roadstead of _Fair Havens_ on the south coast of the island of _Crete_. So much time had been consumed that the season was now late and navigation dangerous. A council was held at which Paul, an experienced sailor, advised wintering where they were. But the demand for grain was always urgent in Rome, and the grain ships were always rushed on as fast as possible. The centurion decided to take the chances and proceed, at least as far as _Phoenix_, which was nearer Italy and a better harbor. On a bright day with a fair south wind they weighed anchor and sailed west, going close inshore and barely weathering _Cape Matala_.

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{465}

Half way across the _Gulf of Mesura_, the wind suddenly shifted to the north, and, sweeping down from the snowy summits of the Cretan mountains which towered seven thousand feet above them, struck the ship with the force of a typhoon. Instantly it grew dark and the sea was a smother of foam. The terrified crew had not time to furl the heavy mainsail, and simply let the ship run with the wind. Very fortunately they had a little better weather under the lee of the small island of _Clauda_, where they were able to pull in the small boat, which was dragging behind half full of water, and get control of the ship. Recovering somewhat from the panic, the crew began to make the best of a perilous situation. It was impossible to make any near-by port, and the great danger was that the northerly gale would blow them upon the deadly _Syrtis_ or quicksands of the African coast. They shortened sail, and got the ship up into the wind so that, drifting broadside, she made progress west instead of south. She was leaking, and they passed strong cables underneath her to hold the timbers together. The next day she was still leaking badly, so they lightened her by throwing out some of the cargo. The next day after that, they cast overboard even the ship's furniture. So they drifted with little or no food, day after day and night after night, seeing neither sun nor star, despair growing upon their haggard faces. But Paul stood up and gave them good cheer, practically assuming command, and assuring them that every soul should be saved. At last, after drifting helplessly for fourteen days, at midnight they heard the sound of breakers on some unknown shore. The {466} sailors sounded and found twenty fathoms, then again and found fifteen. Then, fearing to be cast on a rocky shore, they put out four anchors from the stern and waited for the day. Their situation was still desperate, the rain was falling in sheets, and in the pauses of the storm they could hear the roar of the surf. Some of the sailors now attempted to desert the ship. On the pretense of getting out another anchor by the bow, they let down the small boat into the sea. Paul discovered the move and warned the centurion, saying that they must not leave the ship. The centurion promptly cut the rope which held the boat and it drifted away in the darkness. Toward morning Paul moved about among the men inspiring them with courage. He insisted that all hands should take some food, and with better spirit they further lightened the almost foundering ship by throwing out some of the grain. When day broke they found themselves at the entrance of a bay with a sandy shore. They decided then to beach the ship at once. They cast off the anchors, hoisted the sail, and let her drive to the shore, where the bow stuck fast in the sand, but the stern began to break up. The soldiers wished to kill the prisoners, but the centurion forbade, commanding every man to save himself. Some swam ashore, some came in on pieces of wreckage, and the whole ship's company was saved.

They found that they had drifted upon the island of Malta, a little speck in the Mediterranean, missing which they must have perished. Here they stayed three months. Then they sailed on the ship "The Twin Brothers," and, touching at _Syracuse_ and _Rhegium_, they reached _Puteoli_, the harbor of entry for _Rome_.

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{469}

II

A WINTER'S STORM ON THE MEDITERRANEAN.

_The Shipwreck_.

And when it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan company. And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to ports on the coast of Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. And the next day we touched at Sidon: and Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him leave to go to his friends and refresh himself. And putting to sea from thence, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. And when we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy; and he put us therein. And when we had sailed slowly many days, and were come with difficulty over against Cnidus, the wind not further suffering us, we sailed under the lee of Crete, over against Salmone; and with difficulty coasting along it we came to a certain place called Fair Havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

And when much time was spent, and the voyage was now dangerous, because the winter was near, Paul admonished them, and said unto them, "Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the lading and the ship, but also of our lives." But the centurion gave more heed to the master and to the owner of {470} the ship, than to those things which were spoken by Paul. And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the larger part advised to put to sea from thence, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there; which is a haven of Crete, looking northeast and southeast. And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close inshore. But after no long time there beat down from it a tempestuous wind, which is called Euraquilo: and when the ship was caught, and could not face the wind, we gave way to it, and were driven.

And running under the lee of a small island called Clauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat: and when they had hoisted it up, they used ropes, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should be cast upon the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and so were driven. And as we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began to throw the freight overboard; and the third day they cast out with their own hands the tackling of the ship. And when neither sun nor stars shone upon us for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was now taken away.

And when they had been long without food, then Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, "Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God whose I am, whom also I serve, saying, 'Fear not, Paul; thou must stand before Caesar: and lo, God hath granted thee all them that sail with thee.' Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even so as it hath been spoken unto me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island."

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But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven to and fro in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to land; and they sounded, and found twenty fathoms: and after a little space, they sounded again, and found fifteen fathoms. And fearing lest we should be cast ashore on rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for the day. And as the sailors were seeking to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they would lay out anchors from the bow, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved."

Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take some food, saying, "This day is the fourteenth day that ye wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I beseech you to take some food: for this is for your safety: for there shall not a hair perish from the head of any of you."

And when he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all: and he broke it, and began to eat. Then were they all of good cheer, and themselves also took food. And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing {474} out the wheat into the sea. And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they perceived a certain bay with a beach, and they took counsel whether they could drive the ship upon it. And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time loosing the bands of the rudders; and hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. But lighting upon a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the bow struck and remained unmovable, but the stern began to break up by the violence of the waves. And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stayed them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves overboard, and get first to the land: and the rest, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. And so it came to pass, that they all escaped safe to the land.

III

AT MALTA

_Paul Sails Again for Rome on the Ship "Twin Brothers._"

And when we were escaped, then we knew that the island was called Malta. And the barbarians showed us uncommon kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, a viper came out by reason of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

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And when the barbarians saw the reptile hanging from his hand, they said one to another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped from the sea, yet Justice hath not suffered to live."

Howbeit he shook off the reptile into the fire, and took no harm. But they expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but when they were long in expectation, and beheld nothing amiss come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius; who received us, and entertained us three days courteously. And it was so, that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery: unto whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laying his hands on him healed him. And when this was done, the rest also which had diseases in the island came, and were cured: who also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board such things as we needed.

And after three months we set sail in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the island, whose sign was "The Twin Brothers." And touching at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. And from thence we made a circuit, and arrived at Rhegium: and after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli: where we found brethren, and were intreated to tarry with them seven days: and so we came to Rome. And from thence the brethren, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius, and The Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

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IV

PAUL AT THE CITY ON THE TIBER.

_He Preaches the Gospel in the Capital of the World_.

And when we entered into Rome, Paul was permitted to abide by himself with the soldier that guarded him.

And it came to pass, that after three days he called together those that were the chief of the Jews: and when they were come together, he said unto them, "I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans: who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no cause of death in me. But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had anything to accuse my nation of. For this cause therefore did I intreat you to see and to speak with me: for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain."

And they said unto him, "We neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor did any of the brethren come hither and report or speak any harm of thee. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against."

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And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after Paul had spoken one word, "Well spoke the Holy Spirit by Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers, saying,--

'Go thou unto this people, and say, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And shall turn again, And I should heal them.'

Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles: they will also hear."

And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him.

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This is the close of the story of Paul as it is given in the Acts, but half his service for the world, and half the adventures which attended that service are not told here. We have a glimpse of what the complete story must have been, in these words of his which might be inscribed to his honor in the world's temple of fame:--

"Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep: in journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethern; in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

To this should be added the great hero's farewell. In prison, aged, infirm, about to die, he wrote these words, yet they are filled with the same dauntless spirit of courage and faith which always animated Paul, the Apostle.

"For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not only to me, but also to all them that have loved his appearing."

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Notes

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NOTES

The wise men were perhaps Jews, though it is generally thought that they belonged to some other people, who looked and longed for a great king who should free them from the Romans. Many Jews lived in the East, and had become wise in the arts of astrology. They studied the stars and thought that in them could be read the signs of things about to happen on the earth. Indeed, it is not many centuries since, all over Europe, men thought that a comet foreboded much evil of some sort. So to those pious men God sent at last the sign for which they had so long waited. The Bible tells nothing about the men themselves, but the church was so fond of thinking of them and the honor they paid to the little baby who should be the Master, that many stories were told of them. Their number was sometimes given as twelve, but more often as three, until now perhaps some people almost think that the Bible story says three; but it does not. The popular stories made them also kings and gave them names, and told how they represented three great races of the world, European, Asiatic, and African. But in the Bible they are only wise men with costly gifts, and they go out into history all unknown.

_John_ tried to get the people to see how they ought to repent and lead good lives, that God might send the long-expected Messiah. A saying of the rabbis was, "If Israel should keep the law for one day, the Messiah would come." The custom of baptism was in use before he took it up. It signified the desire that God should make the life pure and wash away the sins of the past.

_The family of the Herods_ were the descendants of a courtier of Idumea, in the northern part of Arabia. Herod the Great married a princess of the heroic family of the Maccabees, so that most of the Herods of the New Testament are partly Jewish in blood. The {486} family of Herod were very able, but very cruel and selfish, and the people heartily hated them. It is said that Herod the Great gave orders that when he died a large number of the chief men should be killed at Jericho that the people might mourn at his death. Perhaps the poor king was half insane when he ordered this. Anyway, it was not done.

The following is a table of the Herodian family, but only giving those mentioned in the New Testament:--

| AGRIPPA II. | Acts 25,26 | | AGRIPPA I. --| BERNICE | Acts 12 | Acts 25:13; 26:30 | | | ARISTOBULUS --| | DRUSILLA | | | Acts 24:24 | | | | HERODIAS | | Matt. 14:3 | | Mark 6:17 | | Luke 3:39 | | | | HEROD (PHILIP) | SALOME | Matt. 14:3 --| Matt. 14:6 | Mark 6:17 | Mark 6:22 | Luke 3:19 Herod the Great | Matt. 2:1-22 --| Luke 1:5 | | ANTIPAS | Matt. 14:1-6 | Mark 6:14 | Luke 3:1, 19; 9:7; 13:31; 23:7, 15 | Acts 13: 1 | | | ARCHELAUS | Matt. 2:22 | | | PHILIP | Luke 3:1

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While dried _fish_ were brought from abroad, the great source of supply in Palestine was the Lake of Galilee. Its waters abounded in fish. Two methods were used by fishermen: the small hand-net and the great drag-net. The best time for fishing was after sunset or before sunrise, but sometimes men worked all night. In the daytime fishermen took the fish to market, mended their nets, and rested. The fish were eaten fresh by the people in the many villages about the lake, or, dried in the sun and salted, were carried far and wide, and used as a relish with bread.

The custom of a body of _disciples_ was not new to Jesus. John had disciples, and so did the rabbis, who were considered great teachers. It was a sort of primitive university by which a teacher attracted to his personal following a group of loyal, loving pupils who would carry his teaching to others. Socrates and Plato in Greece, Buddha in India, and many another man in other countries, had done the same thing. The difference between Jesus' disciples and other like groups was not in the custom of discipleship but in the kind of a teacher they had; for never was there a teacher like Jesus.

_Almsgiving and prayers_ were two of the most important acts of worship in the Jewish religion. Their books praise giving alms to the poor very highly. It was, indeed, one of the great ways open to them to show an unselfish and brotherly spirit, and in the ancient world, most unfortunate people--the lame, the blind, those unable to work--were supported only by charity, and were expected to beg in the streets for their living.

_Decapolis_ (ten cities). A region lying east of the Jordan, except the city of Scythopolis (the old Bethshean). Its population was much mixed, and many Gentiles lived in it, so that the stricter Jews looked down upon the inhabitants, but Jesus did not hesitate to go among the towns and teach the people.

_Ruler of the Synagogue_. An officer who was responsible for the proper conduct of the service and the order of the congregation. He did not conduct the service himself, but decided who should take part in it. The position was one of honor, but did not require particular learning like that of the scribes.

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_Pharisees and Sadducees_. Two of the religious divisions of the Jews. The Pharisees were earnest students of the law, and tried hard to do right. But they were proud, and thought their way of seeing God was the only true way. The Sadducees were not so religious. They were richer, cared less about the law, and did not try so hard to keep it as did the Pharisees. But they also were proud and haughty, and between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, the common people found few friends, and many more were willing to tell them how bad they were than to show them the way to become good. That was one reason why, when Jesus came with kindness, "the common people heard him gladly."

_Threshing floor_. A flat piece of ground, trodden hard, where the oxen threshed out the grain by being driven back and forth over it. The "fan" was a sort of shovel with which the grain was tossed in the air for winnowing.

_Weddings_ in the East were times of elaborate ceremonials. The weddings were in the night, and the friends of the groom went with him, bearing torches, to the house of the bride, then, with the bride and her friends, all returned to the house of the groom. Here a feast of several days was held, with singing of songs and much merriment.

_Samaria_ had been partly settled by foreigners, more than seven hundred years before, but the Jews of Jesus' time still looked down upon the Samaritans, as not being pure Jews. They would not let them worship in the temple, and despised them greatly. To be obliged to say that a Samaritan had done a good deed was not pleasant for a Jew.

_Raca_. "Fool."

_Jot_, jod. The smallest Hebrew letter. _Tittle_. The little points on the letters like the projections from the top of our d.

_Publican_. A tax-gatherer for the Roman government. No patriotic Jew would take the office, and so the publicans were much despised; and indeed they were mostly not the best sort of men.

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_Leprosy_. A loathsome and lingering disease, for which no remedy was known.

_Sea of Galilee, Luke of Gennesaret, Sea of Tiberias_. Different names for the beautiful lake east of Galilee. It is pear shaped, about thirteen miles long and a little less than seven wide.

_Kingdom of God_. Used by the Jews for the great kingdom which they expected the Prince who should come, the Messiah, to set up; used by Jesus to mean the rule of God in the hearts of men, which he came to establish.

_Pennyworth_. About the equivalent of the wages for a day's work.

_Bethesda_. A pool in Jerusalem, fed by an intermittent spring, so that sometimes the water suddenly rose in it. This made the people think that it was powerful to heal diseases.

_Sabbath_ was very strictly kept by the Jews. They were very careful about doing any work. No fire was lighted, no meals cooked, no medicine prepared. They had made the needs of man subordinate to the Sabbath law, rather than the law subordinate to the needs of man.

_Show-bread_. Loaves kept in the temple and renewed every week. The point of Jesus is that the sacredness of the bread yielded to the needs of David and his men.

_Dipped a sop_. It is customary in the East for the host to honor a guest by dipping a piece of bread in the dish of meat or the cup of drink and giving it with his own hand.

_Greek woman, Syro-Phoenician_. A Syrian, resident in Phoenicia, who perhaps spoke Greek.

_Caesarea Philippi_. A town in the far north of Palestine, at the head of the River Jordan.

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_Fuller_. One whose business was to bleach cotton or linen cloth.

_Tormentors_. Those whose duty it was to obtain confessions, or to punish, by scourging and other tortures.

_Hospitality_ is a much-prized virtue in the East. There were not so many accommodations for travelers as there are among us. On the caravan routes there were khans, or inns, and places where one could buy food, but off the frequented routes of travel, among the villages, the traveler had to depend on the kindness of the people for food and shelter. So when the seventy went out, they must depend on the hospitality of their hosts. Jesus advises them not to go about to many houses in the same village, for that would waste much time in the necessary ceremonies of politeness.

_Purifying_. The Old Testament has many laws of ceremonial purification, but the tradition of Judaism had greatly expanded them. There were long directions about the washing of dishes of all sorts, and of the hands--not for the sake of getting them clean merely, but of doing it in a certain way. For example, the hands must be held up so that the water should run from the fingers as far down as the wrists. Jesus taught that the good life came, not from such things as these but from a pure heart.

_Dogs_ abound in all Eastern towns. They lie in large numbers about the streets. Each gang has its own quarters, and woe to the dog which intrudes on the ground of another gang! These street dogs are much despised, and indeed they are wretched curs; but they are necessary to the health of a city where they are the only scavengers. They were sometimes even allowed in the courts of the houses, where they ate the leavings from the table.

_Tombs_ were often cut in the face of the rock, after it had been cut back to a perpendicular surface. The tombs were of all sizes, from mere places in which the body was put, to large rooms with rock-cut shelves on the sides. Many tombs of various grades of elaborateness are found in the rocks about Jerusalem.

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_The Temple_ of the New Testament period is called Herod's temple because it was greatly enlarged and beautified by Herod the Great. He began the work about 20 B.C., and most of it was done before the days of Jesus, but Herod's successors continued to build and beautify for long years after. The temple was now much larger than it was in the Old Testament days, though it still stood in the same place. It was in the eastern part of the city, and looked straight over the city wall and the Valley of Jehoshaphat to the Mount of Olives on the east. South of it was a slope that led down to the Valley of Hinnom, and north was the castle of the city, occupied by the governor and the Roman soldiers. The spot where it stood is still an open walled space, and in the center of it is the so-called mosque of Omar, while to the north a garrison of Turkish soldiers still occupies part of the site of the old castle.

_The Passover_ was the great family feast of the Jews. Many customs had grown up about it as the ages had gone on. Those who could were glad to celebrate the feast in Jerusalem, but of course only a few could do that. The great event of the feast, which lasted seven days, was the supper, when each family procured a lamb and ate it with certain vegetables and with wine. It was a glad feast, and yet a solemn one. In its course one of the children would ask why it was celebrated, and then the father would tell the old, old story of how their fathers, long ago, went out of Egypt in haste one night, and how this feast was in memory of that great deliverance. Then he would tell how the nation still had faith that their God could deliver from all trouble. At the end they sang Psalms 115-118, Psalms 113, 114 having been sung at an earlier part of the meal. These were called Hallel, which means praise, and if you will read the psalms you will see why. Jesus and his disciples made a sort of family, eating the feast thus together.

_Pilate_ was a Roman who was governor of Judea for ten years, from A.D. 26 to 36. The Herodian government of Judea, under which Jesus was born, had been changed for a direct Roman rule in 6 A.D., but the change had worked little good to the people. Pilate was not, as Roman governors went, a bad man. He desired {492} justice and had many good intentions, but he was weak, vacillating, and liable to be violent. He had made himself much hated by the people, and feared they would complain of him to the emperor. So it happened that when he had the great opportunity of his life, and himself much desired to save Jesus from an unjust death, he dared not do what he knew was right because his past crimes had made him fear the Jews. He was at last sent to Rome in disgrace by his superiors in office, but what became of him afterwards is not known. A legend in the early church says that he committed suicide, but there is no good evidence that this is so.

_Caiaphas_, the high priest from 18-36 A.D., was son-in-law of Annas, the former high priest. He seems, from John 2:45-50, to be the one who first suggested the plan to put Jesus to death. He did it because he was afraid, if the people thought Jesus was the Messiah, they would follow him in a revolt against the Romans, which would only bring trouble and massacre to the people. How he misunderstood the purpose of the peaceful Jesus!

_Annas_ was high priest A.D. 6 to 18. He was then deposed by the Roman legate, but, through his own influence and that of his family, long held great power in the nation. The family had booths for the sale of offerings in the temple, and gained great wealth thereby. When Jesus cleansed the temple, he was interfering with their unjust trade, and that may have had a good deal to do with their enmity toward him. Annas and his family were hated by the people, who thought them hypocrites, making gain out of the service of God.

_The trial of Jesus_ divides into the following parts: (1) An appearance before Annas, which was an informal, preliminary inquiry, seemingly to try to get evidence to present at the formal trial. The inquiry was fruitless. (2) The trial before the Sanhedrin, with Caiaphas as the leader. This was the formal Jewish trial. (3) The first appearance before Pilate, to whom the Sanhedrin sent him on the ground of treason to Rome in claiming to be king of the Jews. (4) The appearance before Herod, tetrarch of Galilee, to whom Pilate had sent him, learning that Jesus was a Galilean. Herod accepted the compliment Pilate paid him, but {493} refused to judge in a matter which belonged to a Roman officer, and sent him back to Pilate. (5) The final trial before Pilate, when, finding that he could in no way escape the responsibility, Pilate reluctantly condemned Jesus to crucifixion; so, as he himself admitted, sending an innocent man to death. The Jewish court condemned Jesus for blasphemy; the Roman, ostensibly, for treason.

_Crucifixion_. This cruel custom came to the west from the Phoenicians, and was used by Greeks and Romans. Under the Roman emperors it became common. First it was only used for slaves and persons much despised. Later it was used more widely, but it was always considered a mark of deep disgrace.

_Emmaus_. The locality is unknown; possibly at Kolonieh, on the road from Jerusalem to Joppa.