Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-01-30
Sunday School Lesson Notes.
BY REV. J. O. SHERBURN.

Feb. 10: The conversion of Lydia.-Acts 10: l'sa
Paul and his companions did not hest
tate when it became evident that Go'
had called item to preach the word II
Europe. 1t would appear that they tool
the first convenient passage, and enjoyed
withal a very speedy and prosperou
voyage; for later we read that the SAM
trip, though in the opposite direction
occupied five days: Acts 2O:6. AT thl
time it is evident that the whole journey
WAS made in two days. The distance
would be somewhat less than 200 miles
The expression "with straight course,
has been rendered "before the wind" ant
such rendering would give us suflicen
reason for a quick passage. A strong
south wind would greatly aid sailing
craft in making the crossing. Neapolis
was the port town for Philippi, and only g
few miles distant from that place. Philip
pi was founded by the father of Alexander
the Great; its sight being chosen from the
abundance Of pure water there. and from
the fact that near by were productive
gold mines. After the Greek power was
broken by the Romans b. G. Al, several
large cities with their surrounding coun-
try were given to the Roman soldiers, and
among these was Philippi. So in that
sense it was colony. Some modern
writer's see difficulty in understanding
the statement that it was the chief city of
that part of Macedonia. They think tina
this was never true, and mention Amphip-
oils as II more important town; but it is
probable that all which is implied in the
expression is that Philippi was the only
important town in immediate proximity
to their port of landing. They went to
the first important town after they touched
the coast. 1t appears that they arrived
late in the week. This would almost
necessarily follow if they kept the Lords
day on the Asialic coast, and then spert
nearly three days in journeying to Philip
pi, as there would be part. of days
Journey by land after reaching Neapolis.
AT least it appears that they had not had
time to become acquainted with the Jews
of Phillippi before their Sabbath, our
Saturday, came. On that day they resort
ed to the riverside, where prayer was
wont to be made; or as the new version
has it, "where we supposed was place OF
prayer" 1t is said that tho Jews were
accustomed to have some such place OF
religious gathering where they were not
numerous and wealthy enough to build It
synagogue. Sometimes this was mere
inclosure open to the sky, and sometimes
this was more elaborate structure gener-
ally near stream, that the worshipers
might easily perform their ablutions,
Paul was so well acquainted with the
customs of his people that he was not at a
loss to know where to find some of them
on the Sabbath.
But, alas for us! The world was quite
the same rs now. The men were too
busy, or too careless to be present at the
place of prayer; the Jews, so far from
their fatherland, had we'll nigh forgotten
their fathers God, but a few women were
present, and to them Paul talked or preach
ed about Jesus. The expression "sat
down" indicates the usual position of the
Jewish Rabbi when teaching in The syna-
gogue, though in addressing large compa.
dies, of mixed peoples hath Peter and
Paul stood up. The effort of the day was
not truitless. One merchant woman of
the place received help of the Lord to see
the truth. Philippi had been, and was
doubtless at that time wealthy and fash
i1nabe city; hence demand for purple
goods, the richest and most fashionable of
all goods in those times. The demand in
this line seems to have brought hither q
woman from Asia Minor who was acting
as agent for some merchant or company
dealing in these goods. 1t is now ques.
toned whether the personal name of the
woman is mentioned or not. A Lydian
woman appears to be the exact expression
AMI this would be his correct appellation,
as Thyatira was city of Lydia.
We have no positive evidence that this
woman was Jewess, it is rather probable
from the phrase, (which worshipped God, ;
that she was only a proselyte. As such
see would not be so much attached to the
Jewish rites and forms as to the doctrine
of personal God, who hears prayer. and
does help those who cry unto him. This
woman, having accepted the teaching
concerning Jesus, was at once baptized,
together with her household, 1--WE are not
told how this was made up0 but from
that Sabbath there was Christian home
IN the city of Phiippi. This woman
began at once to do the work of Chris
tian. She knew well that Paul and his
company were homeless; it is even Prob
able that they had no occupation as yet by
which to earn daily bread. With wom-
ans quick instinct, she urged them to
accept the hospitality of her home.
Paul was one of The most independent
of men, and prided himself on being
chargeabIn TO no one, but it may be a
matter of grave doubt whether he was
not right glad of an invitation 10 supper
and lodging that night. So far as the
heading of our lesson is concerned we are
done; but other incidents are contained in
the passage. There was in Philippi not
only woman whose heart the Lord
opened, but one over whom Satan had
control. In this Philippi was like every
o. her town where evangelists have gone.
When Paul instructed the agent of purple
goods, who was known to be devout
woman, and led her to Christ, no one was
disturbed; but when, in the name Of
Jesus, he commanded the evil spirit to
come out of one long held in the power