The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-11-24
Lydia's Ministry.


on the companions of St. Paul. In the last number
he has delightful article on Lydia, of which the
| followingis the conclusion:
One other brief remark concludes all that
is possible here, in illustration of the conver
sion of Lydia, considered as an example to
our own times and to ourselves When she
received the Gospel into her heart, she i'm.
mediately supplied help to the Ministers of
that Gospel. She gave them home. She
furnished them with starting-point for their
work. She promoted that union with kin
dred spirits which furthers the good progress
of religion. When she and her household
had been baptized, st. Luke adds: "She
besought us, saying, if ye have judged me to
be faithful to the Lord, come into my house
and abide there; and she constrained u.s..
Not that they were unwilling; but the
narrative is so given as to bring out promi-
nently to view, not only her humility, but her
zeal, and her determination to show her
gratitude by doing good. And there is an
other verse at the end of the chapter which
might pass unobserved, but which it is very
important to notice in this connection. At
ter Paul and Silas had suffered shameful
treatment at Philippi, Il Theas. ii: 2,)-their
bodies lacerated with rods, their limbs tor
tured in the rack-on being set free, we
read that "they went out of the prison, and
entered into the house of Lydia" and there
"saw the brethren" (Acts xvi 40.) This
shows that her service had not been the re-
suit of mere ftful impulse, but that she
had given them continuous help, that they
were at home in her house, and that they
could confidently count on her effectual aid
in promoting the work to which they were
devoted. Lydia is certainly worthy of high
honor as the first in Europe who gave ahome
to the ministers of the Gospel, and as the
precursor of all those who, by endowments,
by subscriptions, by sympathy, by cOopera-
ton have made their ministrations easier and
more effective than they would otherwise
have been, and more commensurate with the
wants of the world.
This remark brings US, by very easy
transition, from the simple example of Lydia
into the midst of those great church ques-
tions which happily are the subjects of eager
debate just now-such as the part which lay
people ought to take in church-work-the
best way of organizing the religious services
of women-the various methods Of securing
and increasing resources for spreading the
Gospel at home and abroad. | say it is a
happy circumstance that these subjects are
eagerly debated. For debate leads to i'm
provement, and diversity Of opinion is far
better than Indifference.
But into such matters we cannot enter
now. We may just recur to one remark
which was made at the outset concerning the
eheerfulness which characterized this early
introduction of Christianity into Europe
1t is very bright place in the history of the
world; and it is always good policy to dwell
on anything that is cheerful, and to make the
f most of it. Prosperity does not last long.
1t would not be good for us if it did Pros.
perity does not last long in the Church.
And doubtless long absence of trouble
would not be good for the Church. Al
, Philippi the clouds came very soon over that
, bright sky, as we see when we leave this
quiet scene by the riverside to pursue the
, history.
And yet there is even permanent cheer
e fulness connected with the Church, of tina
place. Read the letter written afterwards
by st. Paul to that Church. No other Epis
+ tie is so free from blame. He calls the Phi
: lippians his 'joy and his crown" (Phil
: iv: ~ He speaks with gratitude of thei
faithfulness and generosity. And in har
! mony with all this he tells them to be happy
/: "Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again
(; say rejoice" phil. iv: 4.) Compare thi
y with the modest beginning which has beer
before our attention. Does not the com
: parison encourage us to hope that even ou
y small efforts may lead to some permanen
t good? If we begin with prayer-if we ar
t diligent in the use of appointed means-i
we refer everything to Gods grace-if W
e ''study to be quiet''-1 Thess iv: H. J
=? if we are attentive to home duties-if W
}, help those who are laboring for Christ-then
}, beyond any doubt, we are bearing fruit unit
s God, and sour fruit will remain" (Johl
e vi: 16.)
The best evidence of Christianity is liv