Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-12-07

| btAICuto
The first is from the Christian Regis
ter, published at Antioch, A. D. ~;
The infant Church Of Antioch is at
present favored with visit by those
highly distinguished brethren, Barnabas
aud Paul. 1t would be difficult to give
an adequate idea Of the sensation occa-
stoned by the preaching and acts Of these
extraordinary men. Multitudes hock TO
hear them, and the Church is already
receiving large aceessions through their
ministry. For cogency Of reasoning and
power of speech, Antioch has never
known the like. The people sit itentranced,
and seem scarcely able to tell whether
they are men or angels. We would
advise all who have not heard them to
avail themselves of the FIRST opportunity
to see and hear these wonderful men.
From the Athenian Mercury, pub
lished at Athens, Greece, A. d, 81:
Our city, long so celebrated for letters
and arts, has been thrown into great ex-
citement during the past few days. A
Jew, namad Paul, leader of the sect OF
the Nazarenes, arrived here recently,
and for several days has been engaged
in discussions with our philosophers and
others whom he met in the market.
place and has also diseourSed to the
Jews in their synagogue Yesterday
some of the Epicureans aud Stoics en-
countered him, and as he announced the
new and startling doctrines of his sect,
they brought him to that august
tribunal the Areopagus, where he
might be heard and judged by
our Ilustrious judges. His de-
fense, if such it might be called, was
the most extraordinary ever heard in this
city. He boldly charged upon philoso-
pliers the lowest superstition, and pro-
ceeded in a strain of eloquence, such as
has not been heard in Athens since the
days Of Demosthenes. His logic is as
severe as that of Aristotle; while his
rhetoric is far superior to all that was
ever taught in the school of Isocrates, or
even in that of Gorgias of Leontium. 1t
would be impossible to describe the
effects produced by this wonderful dis
course ofthis most wonderful man. One of
our most eminent citizens, Dionysius the
Areopagite, became a convert to the new
faith, and the illustrious lady, Damaris,
and others, also professed the same faith,
etc., etc.
From the C0rinthian Mirror, pub
lished at Corinth, A. d. 81:
The distinguished Jew, better known
as Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, is
at this time on visit to our city. Born
at aTarsus, in Cilicia; educated in Jeru-
salem, under the tuition of the learned
Rabbi, Gamaliel; in early manhood
noted for the zeal with which he perse
cuted the Nazarenes; but afterward mi
raculously converted to that faith which
he once sought to destroy; he has at
tanned celebrity which might satisfy
the ambitiono the most aspiring Greek
| The astounding miracles he has per-
formed, and the immortal discourses he
has delivered, have already filled the
world with his fame. While he modestly
disclaims all the arts of speech and the
enticing words of human learning, all who
hear him are wrapt in admiration of this
transcendent genius, and fascinated and
spell bound with his eloquence. His
devotion to the cause in which he is
engaged knows no bounds. Regardless
of the distinctions of life and society, he
is here the guest of Aquila and Priscilla,
two humble Israelites, who were driven
from Rome by the intolerance of Clau.
dius Caesar, and who are here occupied
in the lowly employment of tent makers.
The illustrious Paul, having been taught
this trade in his youth, cheerfully labors
with them. 1t is obvious to all who
| laa.I Al, oLaJ man n
he WAS BORN AN APOSTLE.
From the same, date A. D, 55:
The Church of Corinth and our com.
muuity generally have been recently
electrified by the appearance among us
of most eloquent Jew named Appolos
He is a native of Alexandria, but came
to this place from Ephesus, where his
oratory won for him the highest admra-
ton, and contributed greatly to the in
crease of the Church. 1t is said that his
ministry here promises TO be equally
successful, especially among the Jews,
whom he is nightly convincing of the
truth of Christianity. Indeed, large
party is already gathering around him.
1t is very seldom that men are per
mitted to listen to such strains of elo-
uuence as flow from the lips of this
wonderful orator. His voice is clear and
of immense compass; at times soft as the
sigh Of an Eolian harp, and at other
times overwhelming as the roar of the
sea. OF noble mien and dignified APP
pearance, he wins all hearts to him at
once; but the resistless force Of his
eloquence nothing can withstand. He
is born orator.
You may imagine, my dear Doctor,
what pleasure it affords me to look over
the files of these early and authentic
periodicals. l viii not, at this time,
venture to intrude further upon your
columns, or might furnish equally in
terestiug extracts in reference to other
distinguished gentlemen of that day +;
such as Titus, Timothy, etc but | am
persuaded that these extracts will satisfy
you. They are suggestive, and should
not be surprised il so porsevering an an
tiqusry as know you to be should hnd
in them more than have done. As yet
have drawn from them two reflections,
viz:
lst How much embarrassed st. Paul
must have been in his ministry, wherever
those papers circulated, and how un-
comfortable be must have felt when he
arose to preach, under the conviction
that the assembly were most curious to
hear the man Of whom they bad heard
so much, than anxious to receive the
Spirit By whom alone they could be