Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-01-23

In this lesson we return to the history,
which formed the subject of tho first lessor
for the year. Paul and Barnabas. having
received The verdict of the council ut Jer'
usaem, returned to Antioch, and were
engaged, with many others, in teaching
and preaching. 1t is more than limited IN
this expression, that the church even then
had conceived the idea which has, after sc
long time taken form in Sunday schoo
instruction. 1t appears that there was nc
lack of teachers and preachers at Antioch,
hence Paul, in his order to save the
largest number, proposed to Barnabas that
,hey revisit the places where they had
labored. and look after the welfare of the
Lelievers This would be a very natural
desire for one who had been instrumental
in gathering the first congregations of
Christians in various places; and it was
doubtless needful thing for the develop
ment and purity of these congregations.
The reason assigned for this visitation
WAS "to see how they do" This refers
without question to their spiritual prosper
ily. Barnabas appears 10 have assented
readily to the general plan, but in the
details they disagreed. Barnabas wished
to take with them Mark, who had been
with them on their former tour. From
Col. 4: 10 we learn that Mark was rela.
tive to Barnabas. AS we read that pas.
sage we should understand that he was
nephew, but critics call that mistransla
ton, and say that the original word means
cousin. The fact of kinship doubtless
caused Barnaba4 to look with partial eye
upon Mark. Paul would not consent to
his arrangement on the ground that Mark
had before left them for some reason, not
Acts IS: Is. 1t is possible that this Mark,
who lived at Jerusalem (Acts ~: l2) may
have mad some misgivings respecting the
question OF Gentle conformity to the Jew.
ish rites, as there may have been person.
al reasons which he considered sufficient
cause for returning home from the foreign
mission field. Paul's s idea evidently was
was that he was in some way blameworthy
in the matter. Paul and Barnabas
were only men, and evidedtly men of
strong preferences, not 10 say prejudices.
We cannot, Of course know just how
much is implied in the sharp contention
which sundered the men, associated
together for many years. The original
words only signify that the irritation
became such that they parted. 1t does
not appear that Mark afterward showed
any inclination to shirk Christian labor
aud later on Paul himself found that he
needed him; II. Tim. All. Paul was
doubtless irritated at his leaving them on
the former journey, and may have sort of
sworn to himself that Mark should never
BE- his companion again. But there is this
pleasant feature OF the case, though these
missionaries disagreed, and as some think
quarreled, they did not stop preaching. If
there had been complete harmony ouly
one missionary party would have gone
out; as it was two went, and of course
more people were reached. Barnabas
went to his native island (Acts 4:S6) tax
irg Mark with him. Paul chose Slas
and went away TO the mair-land Of Asia
Minor Our first introduction to Silas
is when he was chosen by the council at
Jerusalem to bear the decision of that
body to the believers at Antioch. Perhaps
Paul learned to know and prize him on
that journey. The account as given us
would Indicate that Paul and Silas went
out with special commendations from the
church, while Barnabas was a little "irres-
uar" in his method of work.
glance at the map will show US that
Paul went overland to the region he had
before visited by sea voyage. His work
confirming the churches is no less
important than his first work of planting
the churches At length they came 10
two towns which are prominently men
tiored in the account of the first journey,
In this locality, at which of the towns it
is uncertain, Paul finds a young man
whom he desires as a companion. 1t is
not directly stated what particular quail
ioaion recommended him to Paul; prob
ably his pous ancestry, on his mother
side, and doubtless natural and acquired
ability of his own were among them. In
order that this young man might be able
TO labor unhndered among Jews as well
as Greeks, Paul persuaded him to submit
10 circumcision. This may seem strange
conduct for cne SO firmly fixed as Paul
was upon the general question OF Chris
tan release from the requirements of the
ceremonial law; but this matter was
simply in accord with his own policy; 81
am made all things 10 all men, that |
might by all means save some
With another added to their missionary
party, they set out anew in their WORK,
and visiting the cities and towns where
there were Christian believers, they deliv-
cred to each body the report ofthe council
at jerusalem The result of this promul-
CATION was good. The churches we're
established, uncertainty about these ques
tons no longer vexed them, and every
day witnessed additions to their mum bers
The next verse gives us record of an
experience through which Paul and his
'ompany passed, which was at once
rcmarkable and suggestive. They went
horthward and westward, penetrating
farther and farther into the regions OF
Asia Minor, until we begin 10 read of
their being forbidden of the Holy Ghost
to preach in certain quarters. The Asia
from which they were precluded was only
small province of what we know as
Asia Minor We cannot know just bow
positive and unusual the manner OF the
Spirits speaking was, but it was SO posi-