The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-09-28
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
lesson for October =, 1Soa-SaGi of Tarsu
COnVcrtcd.-ActE sl;l 20.

IIME.-A. D. 81 About EidsumIlcr.-Lcwin.
Nearly al the later authorities place Paul's
conversion shout the years.
PLACE.-Near Damascus, 40 miles northeast
of Jerusalem
LESSON MOTIFS.
|. AND Eut, as in Rev. Yer, saul"
was yet lover since the persecution be-
gan which led TO the death of Stephen
breathing out threatenings," etc. He
lived, as it were, in am atmosphere of
threats and slaughter. Vent of his
own accord; strong proof of his zeal.
2. And desired of him letters" con-
shutting his transport and his author
ity and commission" ITO Damascus"
the oldest city in the world. Situated
about 40 miles northeast of Jerusalem.
ITO the synagogues:" as holding the
local authority. If he found any Of
this way" The name ''the Way soon
became distinctive appellation of the
Christian religion.
8. GAS he journeyed:" The distance
from Jerusalem to Damasc us would oc-
cupy Saul five or six days Suddenly
(about noon there shined round about
him light from Heaven" The light
was ''above the brightness of the sun"
4. and he fell to the earth" Prob
ably from the animal he rode. Dazzled
by the intense brightness. And heard
a voice saying" in the Hebrew tongue:
saul, Saul" repeated in emphasis.
"Why persecutest thou Me?' Christ
speaks of Himself as prosecuted by Saul,
because 'in all the affiiction of His peo-
pie He is afflicted"
5. And the Lord said, l am Jesus"
Note that Jesus presents Himself to
Saul in His loving name as Saviour
and Helper, even though Saul was per-
scouting Him. 'To kick against the
priclls:" i. e.. goads. The size of the
ox-goad is indicated.
6. Trembling and astonished:"
These words should be wholly omitted.
Lord" He now sees in the despiscd
Nazareno his Lord and Master. What
wilt Thou have me TO do?" He is ready
to obey, but does 2ot know what is re-
CURED of him. Arise and go into the
city (Damascus), and it shall be told
thee etc: He was not prepared for the
full revelation of his duty.
Z. "The men with him = Il stood
speeches." This at first sight seems at
variance with Paul's statement in 2G:14,
that all fell to the earth. But stood
here is not spoken in opposition to fall
ing, but to moving on. Hearing a
voice (the sound, but seeing no man:
We are told by st. Paul himself that
they did not hear his voice"
s. "And when his eyes were opened:
Probably after some interval saw
no man Saw nothing. Iiewas totally
blind.
10. and now there was a certain
disciple at Damascus, named Ananias'
OF this disciple we have no further men
ton in Holy Writ except in chapter
| 22:12, whore st. Paul describes him as a
"devout man according to the law
II. THE street which is called
| Straight:'H In the time when the events
related in the Acts took place, the main
thoroughfare of Damascus was the
street called straight Judas
Nothing is known concerning this
name. "Tarsus:" The capital of CT
licia, on the river Cydnus. For, be
hold, he prayeth:' The fact of Saul's
praying seems mentioned by the Lord
to reassure Ananias.
49, "Ananias answered" to the com
rand given in the vision. Lord,
have heard by many" showing how
great was the persecution in which Saul
led. ITO Thy saints" 1t is literally
holy ones" and is applied to things o,
persons consecrated to the service OF
God
Il. an that call on Thy name" who
call on Him in worship and in al
legiancc and for His commands as Mas
| ter.
ID. "A chosen vessel" 4 selected in
strument, i. e., selected by God and fol
the purpose Indicated in the remainde,
of the sentence. Unto Me-" Not
only chosen by Me but prepared for M'
and devoted to Me. ITO bear NJ,
name" i. c., make known His nature
character and work. Before the Gen
tiles" He became the great apostle t.
the Gentiles And kings" King
Agrippa II. and Queen Bernice a
Cesarea, as the Emperor Nero at Rome
the Roman governors Sergius Paulus
Gallo, Felix and Festus And tn,
children of Israeli" 1t was Paul's Gus
tom first to tell the story of the redemp
ton to the children of Israel in ever
city where there was synagogue o
congregation of the chosen people.
II. And Ananias went his way:
From his house to the house of Judas
where Saul was. Brother Saul" Show
ing that he believed in the revelation
made to him. THAT appeared unit
thee in the way as thou camcst:" Show
ing that Saul actually saw Jesus.
is. There fell from his eyes as it ha,
been scales" Not actual scales, bu
something resembling them. EVA
baptized" Great honor was her
placed upon the sacrament of baptism
10. "When he had received meat" j
c, food. The three days fast and the in
tense inward conflict had obviousl
brought about state of extreme pros
tration. He was strengthened" Iii
physical condition was attended tc
Certain days." A few days.
20. ''Straightway." Immediately
"Preached (proclaimed) Christ in tn
synagogucs;" lie gave his religious eS
perience, testifying to what Jesus ha
done for him. Preached Christ = g
that lie Is the Son Of CcG:" The hes
manuscripts have here Jesus instead c
Christ. Ard the difference is not MGR,
ly verbal.