The National tribune., 1892-11-17
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
A Study of the International Sunday
School Lesson Appointed for Nov.
81. 1892.

3. Antioch to Seleuca, IL miles.
d. 5. Seleuca to SaIams, 125
6. Salamis to Paphos, 100
13. Paphos to Perga, 155
Ia. Perga to Antioch (Pisidia), so
81. Antioch to Iconium, 65
Ia: 8. lconiuTn to Lystra, 40
Lystra to Derbe, 30
The distances are stated in straight lines
aud not by those of travel.
1. Data
The lesson covers 13 :44-52; Ii IL, inclu-
sive. st. Luke was the reporter.
2. Time
We move along only one week. The lesson
opens wi tin the Saturday (Sabbath) next to the
Saturday on which st. Paul preached the SER
mon recorded Acts, Is: 16 to Al, inclusive
That was quite probably in the year %, A. ID.
1t was not far from 10 years after Christs AS
cension.
g. Places.
We find ourselves at the opening of this
lesson, still in Antioch (Pisidia).
a. Antioch. See on last weeks lesson.
b. Iconium. It was the Capital Of Lycaonia.
1t was about 60 miles from Antioch. Afford
describes it thus: "a populous city, east of
Antioch, lying in fertile plain Mt the foot of,
and almost surrounded by, Mount Taurus. At
this time it was the Capital of Lycaonia, and
had around it a distinct territory, ruled by a
Tetrarch."
1t is now called Cogni, Konief, Koniyeh,
Konijah, Konia. 1t is 80 miles east of Symrns.
1t is the Capital at present of the Turkish
Viayet of Caramana. 1t was once an import
ant city, as is evident from the ruins of chapes,
mosques, monuments, shrnes. monument is
found there to the memory Of the founder of
the spinning dervishes, Meodano Djelal- Eddn-
Runie. There are about 1000 houses, and, say,
$4,000 people. 1t was on the direct military
road between Antioch and Darbe. and hence
pya hot nj 4 uo
visited it twice afterward. Iconum was the
birthplace. it is said of the Turkish power and
so it has been called the Cradle of the Otto.
man Empire"
1conium was the scene of the apocryphal
story of st. Paul and Thecla. The
Christian Church was established there by SITS.
Paul and Barnabas synod of Christians was
held there A. d. 235
C. Lycaonia One of the provinces of Asia
Minor. By the "speech of Lycaoni" ". III
we are not to understand distinct language,
nor one different from that of the neigh boring
provinces, but vernacular tongue, a local way
of pronOuncing the general language. Lyca-
Onia was high lakeland, cold, not very
thickly inhabited, without any great historic
significance, rather barren, lacking in water
supply, with some pasturage suitable for asses
and sheep. 1t was tho feeding place of the 300
focks of Amyntas, King of Gaatia. In Lyca-
onia were Derbe and Lystra, of which two
places little is known, save that they were
probably cities of some importance On the mill
tary road running mainly east and west
through Asia Minor. Lystra has been located
40 miles southeast from Iconium and Derbe,
it is believed, is identified with place still
further east by about 20 miles. We find in IS:
statement st. Paul again visited both these
places. Moreover, of the most devoted
friends os ST. Paul, Gaius, was from Derbe. go:
A.
A. SITS. Paul and Barnabas at Aatioch.
Verses "a to 80, and part of V. 81. to w.t.
"But they shook off the dust of their feet
against Them" tells this story.
We recall the speech of St. Paul on the first
Of his visits at Antioch. (13: 16-41.) That
was Saturday (Sabbath.) ". Az There
may have been meetings held through the
week days. But the time for special gather
ing would be the day set apart for public wor-
ship. Matters had been talked up and general
interest excited. Hence the synagog was
crowded. We may suppose that ordinarily the
attendance was quite sparse, and little jeal-
ousy might have originated. But what was it
that stirred up the Jews to opposition? The
multitudes. OF whom? Not Jews. There
was the trouble. Their place of worship was
filled with Genties. Now, though the Jewish
system allowed of proselytism, there never was
much if any effort made in that line, and it is
fact no great desire existed for such CONVEX
sions. There was no leaning of Jews toward
Genties. 1t is general opinion Jews were Of
Tended because Gentles were making free of
the synagog and receiving much attention
from the eminent visitors. SITS. Paul and Barna-
has.
Afford says: 1t was the sight of the Gentle
crowds in their house of prayer which stirred
up the jealousy of the Jews"
Rev. j. r. kendrck, ID. d., states: The
presence of Gcntiles in such numbers offended
the pride and stirred up the jealousy of the
Jews. They could not bear that the Gentiles
should equally share with themselves in Gods
favor. In bitter and rowling language they
'contradcted' both against the Apostles and
Him whom they announced as the Messiah"
Rev. J. r. Miller lin Presbyterian said "The
cause of the opposition the thrOnging of
the Gentiles to the synagog- The old spirit of
exclusvism was too strong for the power of the
new Gospel The Jews could not endure to
see others freely admitted with them to the
same privileges. They did not understand that
the blessings of grace were given to them for
the very purpose of being communicated to
others. They were not willing then to share
their privileges with any other"
The Jews had monopoized religion. They
had read Is 40: 6; 1876, but had failed to get
into liberal, catholic spirit. Jesus had given
them first opportunity. The Apostles first went
to them. Christianity was for the world (St.
John, 3: 16). and the world includes Genties.
(St. Lu., 9: 81, 32.) If Jews would not hear, it
was folly aud sin to stop preaching So the
Apostles published the Word (GospeD through
out all the region. (V. 49, 1t was not a mat
ter of choice to them. They were under orders.
(St Mt 20: 49, So st. Paul says ". Az: $50
hath the Lord commanded u.s." Alexander
puts this thus: go Commanded US is not an
arbitrary transfer accommodation of this pas
sage but faithful reproduction of its original
and proper import, relating to the head and
the body, the Messiah and the Church. in their
joint capacity heralds of salvation to the
world"
We often hear people say they care not
wor Iy" 1t is a most frequent excuse Prac-
tcally, if not verbally, the Jews of Antioch
said the same to all intent. 1t is generally un
derstood the conduct of the Jews amounted to
the declaration made by st. Paul. So Hackett
says, This mode Of speaking is not common
il rests upon the just view that mans actions
may be taken as his own self-prOnOunced ver-
diet rs to his character and deserts" We call
attention to the words in V. as" as many az
were ordained TO eternal life believed" Rev. |
j. r. Miller calls this statement an old battle |
field" Calvinsts range on one side and Ar
mnians opposite. We simply state three
opinions.
Rev. J. r. Kendrick, d. d.. says: "a clear as
sertion of the doctrine usually styled election |
This doctrine does not imply that any are pre-
destined to eternal woe, that the will is not |
free and man is not responsible for his choice in
the affair of personal salvation" (Rom, viii, 30
30 EpI, l., a, s. IL; ill.,, IL; 2 Thess., H., 49,
RiddIe wrote This believing was in accord |