The National tribune., 1892-09-22
SUNDAY (MEDITA7I0N.
A Study of the International Sunday
School Lesson Appointed for Oct.
2, 1892.
Subjects: Saul of Tarsus Converted. Acts,
9!1-2O


We continue our study of the Book Of the
Acts of the Apostles. Next to the four Evan
gelsts this book falls in cnronologic order.
The Gospels tell US of the Founder of the
Church; the Acts set forth the labors, trials.
sacrifices of the first Apostles 1t Is a very
valuable study in Church history. 1t has been
the means of settling or throwing light on many
disputed points as to the doctrines and practices
to be held and executed by Christians. The
Rev. ID. Schley Schaff says: "There is only one
book of the Acts but four Gospels. 1t will not
be presumng too far to suggest the reason for
this difference. The life of our Lord is of SUI
preme importance, and therefore the Holy
Spirit directed four Evangelists to give an ac-
count of his teachings, deeds, death and resur-
rection. A knowledge of the history and prog
ress of Christ's Church, such as the Acts gives,
is instructive interesting and stimulating, but
no fact or person who figures in that history
can save the world. 81
However, this book is full of encourage
ment, and is the best companion of the Chris
tian worker at home or abroad. He will draw
from the courage perseverance and hardshlps
of the Apostles, and the divine help empower
ing them to accomplish so great work, fresh
inspiration, renewed conservation and an in
creased confidence that Christ's Kingdom will
continue to spread in spite of all obstacles till
it fills the EARTH"
The CONVERSION OF ST.. PAUL.
We are interested in this event, for st. Paul
tells us his conversion was q model, specimen.
, He says: "For this cause obtained mercy,
that in me first Ii. Q. to say, me who was first
in sin the chief of sinnersl Jesus Christ
might show forth all long suffering, for pat
tern to them which should hereafter believe on
him." Il III, 1:16.) His, therefore, was a
specially interesting conversion and calls for
intense study. 1t is well we pause here to
brighten up this pattern. Models must not be
too long departed from, lest we stray into in
accuracy. A general fact is worthy of special
examination as furnishing broad-ranged
knowledge. thorough acquaintance with st.
PauPs conversion serves two ends-frst, it aids
one in his own Christian outset: secondly, it
helps us in leading others to Christ. 1t is
therefore of use in the two grandest works to
which we are called this side of the Heavenly
state.
We have reason to think st. Paul was not
far from 80 years of age when led into the new
life. All his powers were matured. He could
bring into the Christian realm splendid intel
lect, rich stores of knowledge, great perseyer-
ance, with courage and most indomitable labor
iousness. We are just now interested specially
in the circumstances of his conversion. He
stood as q spectator OF the stoning of st.
Stephen. There his young heart seemed set
on fire against Christians. Indeed, the account
says Saul assented to the martyrdom of that
holy man. (8:1.) "He made havoc Of the
Church." tV 81 Not content with local
work, he is anxious to 60 abroad-a sort of
missionary for evil. We find him seeking out
the High Priest at Jerusalem, to secure a COM
mission authorizing him to arrest and slay
some Christians Of whom he had heard rs be-
ing at Damascus. He sets out for the work,
breathing out threatenings and slaughter"
g.: H. He has almost reached the city. Sud-
denly great light shines round about him.
.1o, fadi tho oil ~
ance of Christ st. Paul claims to have seen
Jesus. Il Cor, 9:1; 1873. CT Acts, 8: ~
In that divine presence he falls, overcome by
astonishment. His experience was similar to
that Of all who have been brought into unusual
contact with Deity. Says q voice, "Saul !!
Saul! why persecutest thou me?" Then Saul
inquiries of the Speaker, "Who art thou, sirf"
He had no idea of the name nor of the charac-
ter of the person who questioned him. He
heard someone address him. Then comes the
| answer, :" l am Jesus, whom thou persecutest"
This must have been wonder to Saul. Had
not Jesus gone from earth? Who expected
ever to hear from him again? Had he not
been cruciied several years before that?
What moments are these, then, which that
Saul is put upon his defense. What reason
can he give for prosecuting Christ? Let
him think awhile. Can he give single
excuse? He has reached the turning point. He
losses away the commission in which the High
Priest directs him what to do. He has no pro-
gram for himself He is wholly submissive to
Christ. Hear him: Lord. what wilt thou
have me to do?" What can be effected by hu
man agency Christ declines to do. He would
also honor his servants. He would test the sin.
cerity of Saul. He directs him to go to the city
(Damascus). But he is not only blind as to the
work before him and as to which he was seek
ing knowledge, but he is literally physically
sightless. The very companions who had set
out with him on his bloody mission conduct
him into Damascus. He puts up on Straight
street, at the residence of man by the name
of Judas. To give impressiveness to Saul's
experience and to render him ever mindful
of his conversion he is left without sight and
deprived of food and drink for three days.
How much thought Saul crowded into those
eventful hours! A man of wonderful energy,
he could scarcely keep still. But the pause
was not lost time. 1t was wise Providence
that left him for SO long time in reflection.
His fasting, too, gave him 3 clear brain and
deeper insight into the wonderful signif-
canoe of the events through which he was
passing. But the time had come for Sauls
| question to be answered. Christ does not re-
| ply in person, but sends one of his servants,
| who was citizen of Damascus, man named
| Ananas. God appears to this Ananias in q
vision, and directs him TO the street ana to
| the number of the house where Saul is to be
| found and the name of the man with whom
he is stopping; but he is afraid to 60. He
has heard of the cruelty Of Saul. News had
| reached the city of his coming and of his
murderous mission. Behold he prayeth,"
| says Christ. "Go to him. He is prepared
| for an interview with thee and will receive
| thee gladly. He is q choice man. / have
| O great work for him to do. ] want him
| as an Evangelist to Gentiles and Kings
and Jews. He is in the spirit. he wants to
know what have for him to do. desire you
| to 90 and tell him what he is destined to suffer
and accomplish for me-" Ananias goes, finds
the house. enters. At once he proceeds to his
work. He puts his hands on Saul and says,
Brother Saul" He owns him at once az
brother and gives him tho right hand Of fell
| lowship Brother Saul, the Lord, even
| Jesus that appeared unto thee in the way a.
| thou camest hath sent me that thou highest
receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy
Ghost" His eyes were cleared and he could
see. He is all energy. He arose. He was
baptized He ate.- Then he staid certain days
with the Christians of the city, attended their
religious services, and began to preach. He
COMPOUNDED the Jews. proving this is the very
| Christ. Ie%
Here is a grand work-one worthy Of COM
memoration. Be not afraid any more Of Saul.
We are not surprised that when he went back
| to Jerusalem the disciples stunned him. He
had difficulty in joining the body of Christians
| there. "But Barnabas took him and brought
him to the Apostles and declared unto them
how he (Saul) had seen the Lord In the way,
and that he had spoken to him, and how be
| had preached boldly at Damascus in the name