The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-11-01

man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the
Father" (Gal. i II His object he tells us
Ii: Is, was "to form the acquaintance of
Peter" Greek Aistorasai.) The disciples at
Jerusalem refused to receive him, not believ-
ing that one who had been the leader of the
prosecutions against them few years ago
could now be disciple. From this it ap-
pears that Saul, after his conversion, was
not kept prominently in the view of the
church, and it gives support to the opinion
that much of the three years since he left
Jerusalem had been spent in the retired
regions of Arabia.
V. q. In this extremity Barnabas, whose
liberality was mentioned before, Gv: SO, 81
was to Saul "Son of Consolation" The
man who was generous with his money, was
generous and open. hearted to receive the
penitent pc, secutor, and to believe in the sim
certify of his profession. AS Cyprus, the
native place of Barnabas, was only few
hours sail distant from Tarsus, Barhabas
and Saul may have been previously acquaint-
ed but there is no such intimation in Scrip
ture. BE this as it may, the intercessions
of Barnabas gained for Saul the endorse
ton of the Apostles. He gave them the
narrative of his conversion and of his labors
afterwards in preaching Jesus at Damas
Gus. The Apostle himself tells us that he
saw only two of the Apostles, Peter and
James, the Lords brother, (Gal, i: Is, 10 }
VS.. %, 20. Saul was not only admitted
to association with the disciples at Jerusalem,
but he went in and out with them in their
labors. He preached boldly in Jerusalem
as he bad done at Damascus. He disputed
with the Hellenists, or foreign Jews, proba-
bly, the same with whom Stephen had dis
puted. Tns led to another attempt upon
his life.
A second escape, v. 80.
His sciourn at Jerusalem lasted only fit
teen days. His bold disputations with the
same class of Jews with whom Stephen had
argued so ably, soon awakened their wrath.
But although aware of his danger be did not
leave until required by the Lord, after earn
est remonstrance on his own part, against
not being allowed to preach Christ where he
had formerly prosecuted his disciples, Acts
xxi 17-2l) Here, as at Damascus, it
was through theinterposition of the disciples,
that his rescue was Effected. They sent him
to Cesarea, seaport on the Mediterranean.
From this port he no doubt went by sea to
his native Tarsus. Of his labors here we
know nothing, We find his sisters son and
other kiusmen afterwards among the disci-
Piles; and they may have been brought to q
knowledge of the truth through his preach
ing in his native city. That he was inactive
there is not consistent with his course else.
where. He visited the regions of Syria and
Cilicia; but was unknown by face to the
churches of Judea." (Gal. i: 21-24.) His
brief stay of fifteen days was not enough to
be known by face to these churches.
REMARKs.-1 Saul realized that he had
been called into the vineyard to work. He
began his life of submission with the ques-
ton, Lord what wilt thou have me to dol?
and his Christian life was from the begin.
ming one of incessant labor. This is'an ex-
ample for every new convert.
2. With the same earnest zeal that Saul
served Satan in prosecuting the church, did
he now serve Christ, in his burning love fol
his cause, and for the salvation of his fellow
men. And "as ye have yielded your mem
bers servants to uncleanness, and to iniquity
unto iniquity; even SO now yield your mem
bers servants to righteousness unto holiness,
QRom. vi: 49,
8. Saul as he preached, though opposed
grew stronger. So may every one who pro
claims the truth, whether publicly or private
ly, expect to be strengthened by the grace o.
God.
4. Twice in this history, and often after
wards, was Saul delivered from imminent peril
Let no one fear to be bold in duty, for the
Lord will preserve the instruments he EN-.
ploys in the furtherance of bis kingdom, as
long as he has work for them to do.
5. A noble generous spirit like that Of
Barnabas, is worthy of imitation. 1t is bet.
ter to follow the promptings of such heart
than to yield to suspicious, however plausi.
BILE, that would affect the>character of one Of
our fellow-men.