Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1884-02-28


live and have our being.-Acts.lI ~
As there had been no safety for
Paul at Thessalonica, so there was
none at Berea. His prosecutors at
the former place pursued him to the
latter. Powerless TO protect him there
the brethren hastily sent him away
Their purpose was at first "to go as
far as to the sea- But Gcd had Il
purpose of his own to fulfil; and by
some means those who conducted the
Apostle were moved to bring him to
Athens.
This celebrated city was not only
the capital of Attica in Greece,
but the intellectual capital Of the
world. 1t was the home Of art and
learning, oe temples and statues, of
poetry and philosophy. 1t was that
one city in all the world where human
wisdom and genius have done their
best.
Paul was not brought hither by any
personal ambition, or vain confidence
in his own powers. Nor yet--.fnding
himself here under divine guidance
was he in haste to begin his work.
Being alone, for Luke had been left at
Philippi and Silas and Timothy at
Berea, he despatched commandment
to the two latter to "come to him with
all speed, and set himself to wait for
them.
But note here the difference between
thoroughly Christian spirit, full of
that which actuated the Master him.
self, and that OF, we might say, most
of ourselves. The modern traveller
waiting at Athens, would think Of
the fine opportunity thus afforded OF
gratifying his taste and completing
his education by seeing the sights;
would give himself to the study of the
+ temples aud statues, so numerous and
celebrated, US curious and pleasing
products of human genius and skill.
What Paul saw was a "city full of
idols" 1t was this which stirred his
spirit. Here God was neither honor.
ed nor known. Here none had heard
of "Jesus and the resurrection or be.
lieved in, or cared for, judgment to
come. SO affected was Paul by what
he saw that he could not wait for his
companions in labor Straightway he
oegan to reason, not with the Jews in
the synagogue only, but with all de.
vout persons. and even in the market.
The gospel earnestly presented rare
ly fails to excite commotion. So it
was at Athens. The Epicureans, the
Atheists and Materialists Of their day,
and the Stoics, who believed in no
hereafter or personal Moral Ruler,
were particularly stirred by what they
heard. But while some called him
'babbler," and others a setter forth
Of strange gods" all were curious to
hear him further. For there is won.
derful drawing power in the cross.
Possibly, down in the hearts of some
of these novelty hunters, there was
half-conscious hope that his words
would prove bread to their hungry
souls. So, for better hearing, they
brought him to Areopagus, or Mars
Hill. Aud what we have now before
US IS probably an outline only Of even
that part Of bis speech which he was
permitted to utter. As ,cise as rel
az faiti(ul teacher.
L. He begins by conciiiating their
farordbLe attention - He takes care not
TO put himself into antagonism with
those be would convince and persuade
1t is noteworthy that this was uniform
ly Paul's way, in hisepistles as we'll as
speeches. lie here refers approvingly
to the religious bent of his hearers.
The New Version makes him ad.
dress his listeners as somewhat super
stiiious, instead Of "too superstitiou.," )"
as in the old. But it is doubtful If
even this conveys the true sense of the
original. Tsry religious comes yet
near to 1t. This was true Of the
Athenians. Their idols we're every.
where. Petronius satirically said il
was easier TO find a god i'm Athens