The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-08

was allowed to enter. This they openly pro-
claimed TO be fact. The lie answered its
purpose; the whole city was moved. and q
mob dragged Paul from the temple-evi-
denuy intending to kill him Neither they
nor those who made haste to snus the doors
after them were willing that the holy place
should be stained with blood. but from the
greater crime OF murder they did not
shrink: like many other religious formslists,
straining out the gnats, but swallowing
camels.
In ell this Paups experience was in a
sense unlike our own Not often are We
subjected TO usage so rough and periIous;
though ID may be that greater fidelity on our
Part might provoke some open hostility
for not yet has the offence of the cross ceased
moral courage Not always is it harder
20 stand aPatnst assaults than
1t is TO resist fiattery. We are
told OF preacher Whose worldly hearers,
failing TO silence his unwelc ONE utterances
by threats and opposition, determined to
trest bim 70 round OF SYMPTOMS dinners;
to fatter him in their parlors and feast him
a. their tables. Many man, who could
lace mob would surrender to such bland
isbments Here is our trial. BY such things
are we tested. Men do not go about to kill
US. They rather come to Us with the lures
OF fashion and pleasure. By no wisest or
most prudent means can We escape these.
Against them we must be prepared TO
stand.
2. The second thing which here strikes
Us is the use God sometimes makes OF the
Indifferent, and OF opposers even to help
bis people (31- 36). Paul was not to lose a
martyrs crown, bat the time OF his depart
ure bad not yet come. Again, therefore,
God provided for him a way of escape.
Tidings of the uproar. caused by the as
sault upon BIN, quickly reached the ears OF
CIaudlus Lvsias, commander OF the Ro-
ms N of cd In ho
WHO, with soldiers and centurions captains
OF companies of q hundred men, rushed to
the scene and rescued Paul. There is no
evidence that he had any sympathy with
him as q Christian disciple or worker. 1t
was the Roman commanders business to
keep the peace. He was there, ia the city,
for that purpose. He interposed as servant
OF R-ms, not as caring for servant of
Christ What he meant was to quell a dis
turbaI co and rescue 8 criminal from o mob.
But in the use made of him God meant
something more; namely, to deliver
C2e OF his chosen ones out OF the enemies
hands.
By divine owe rul n men, at heart very
lar from the kingdom, are often helpers OF
Gods people Not ali who stood by Luther
in his great fight with Papal corruptons
cared tor the spiritual truths which gave vi
tality to the Reformation. Caiaphas once
iDterposed for the life of Jesus; Pilot lifted
up feeble voice in His behalf. Missiona-
ries are helped by goddess men who build
ships and anUfacture paper, and so provide
nyans for carrying on their work Men
| who write against the Bible stir up others TO
come 10 its mere triumphant defense. We
ned not be alarmed when dangers are
many, for God can raise up helpers from
| strange quarters.
3. A third thing which here strikes Us is
that the hour of apparent defeat may be that
of triumph and opportunity (37-40) To out
tn or an lar
! had proved disastrous failure. He had
| hoped to demonstrate to the Jews that bis
own work among the Gentiles had been
blessed of God, and was good WORK. All
opportunity to do this was seemingly lost.
Just now he had been snatcned from the
jsws of death. And yet this was by no
meas an hoDr OF failure. 1t was rather that
OF his coveted opportunity. He himself
feels that Is Is such. Note his calm self
mastery as he asks permission to speak,
His use OF the Greek tongue suggests to the
Chief Captain that he may De none other
than that Egyptian who had lately made an
uproar ia the city. Paul assures nim that
such Is not the fact. and secures liberty to-
speak to the people. And - God in his own
way was accomplishing the very purpose
the Apostle bad in his heart So Bunyan,
| in Bedford Jail, and Judson, in prison on
suspicion OF being al English coy, found
new and grandest opportunity to do the
work nearest to their hearts.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
1. The worst men ara those who stir up
others to do evil CD.
2. Note, for self-warning, how easy it is to
indulge SANDER aud hate under the pretence
of religious zeal (2S).
3. Christians are watched, particular no.
tice being taken of the CO mpsny they keep
| (29).
4. See the vsiue OF q good conscience and
| steadfast faith: the calmest man in all the
crow q at Jerusalem was that one whoss life
| was in danger $3.50.
8. Opposition often widens, instead of
| narrowing opportunity to do good 40).
6. If only We are intent on doing the
| Lords work, defeat of our own plans will
! not nj UGH distress us, since in everything
! Gods way is best
Z. How could Paul hold on through such
experiences of thwarted purposes and perils?
He himself answers: THE life j now live,
l live by the faith of the Son oil God, who
loved IN n and hivncalf fnr mo