Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-02-13
Sunday School Lesson Notes.
BY REV. j. o. SHERBURN.

Feb .fth: Thessalonians and Bereans-Acts l7:t-14
Though Paul and his company were
virtually driven from Philippi. they did
Mt abandon the country. Jesus had
given his followers direction as to what
they should do under such circumstances.
Driven from one city they were to flee
mo another; this was exactly the course
pursued by Paul. But the first cities in
his course were only passed through. 1t
does not appear that be even tried to
preach in them. The probable reason for
this course is seen in the statement made
concerning Thessalonica. In this town
was a Jewish synagogue, and the fair
inference is that there were no synagogues
in the two towns previously mentioned.
Paul chose to begin his work where there
were some believers in the true God and
in the Hebrew scriptures rather than
launch out into complete heathenism.
Paul would be sure of hearing, at least.
wherever ne could find Jewish worshipers,
and he would be able to reason with them
from "A common basis-faith in the God of
the Jews, and in promised Messiah,
Paul went into the synagogue of the Jews,
(lnl we are informed that this was his
constant hablt,) and, as Rabbi. he spoke
to lhe people. An interest was awakened.
No such teacher as Paul had been in
their synagogue before. He went again
and again, doubtless on invitation. The
plan of his proceeding is full of interest.
lie reasoned with them out of the Scrip
lures; work very like that OF the true
Sunday school teacher. The line of ap
proach to the living center of his theme
was ingenious. His point was to convince
his hearers that the Old Testament clearly
taught that the coming Christ must suffer,
be put 10 death, and rise again from the
dead, Upon this point he opened, or
explained to them the import OF tho
Scriptures, and alleged that this was their
legitimate meaning. All this was but
making a way for his further declaration
that Jesus, of whom he spoke to them,
was the Christ. Paul did not mako that
assertion a. first, but when he had shown
"hnt were the prophetic marks OF the
Christ, he simply argued Jesus has these
marks; Jesus is the Christ. The teachiug
50 carefully given was not without its
results A part of the Jews themselves
b'lieved, and joined Paul and Silas; and
OF the proselyte Greeks much larger
number, and a large company Of the
"oetter class" women. But the time of
the greatest seeming prosperity was but
the beginning OF disaster to their work.
The Jews who did uot believe, probably
tlo leaders aud rulers in the synagogue,
set about 10 stir up popular insurrection
against his company. Luke attributes
this to envy. And while it is reckoned as
unwlse, in general, ascribe base motives
even to an adversary. yet the real nature
OF the opposition was so plainly seen in
this case, that it might as well be said as
seen. The leading Jews saw plainly that
Paul had gained his case, and that II large
part of their synagogue we're with him in
sentiment, and that unless som athng
desperate was done, their influence over
the people must soon be almost lost.
htying aroused all the baser elements OF
the city populace, they made an assault,
Or sudden descent, upon the house
where they supposed Paul and his party
We're lodged. Not finding those they
sought, they drew Jason who had harbored
them, and certain other believers before
The rulers ofthe city. The charge against