Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1893-08-23
rAE SUNDAY scAool
International Lesson for August 81, 1898
Paul Before Agrippa-Acts 26;I0-32.


he wisdom OF Ccd.--i Cor, lea
fiNE First q August, A. ID. Co Two years
utcr the last lesson.
PLACE -Casarca. forty.sevcn miles north
Scst OF Jerusalem: one OF the residences OF the
Roman governor OF Judea
RULERs-Nero, emperor OF Rome Seventh
gear from October 49,. Porcius Festus. gov
srnOr OF Judea (nrst year,. Hcrod Agrippa IL.
King OF Trachonitis and the country cast OF the
sea OF Galilee and the upper Jordan
LESSON NOTES.
The New Governor.-For two years
Paul was prisoner in Ciesarea. His
imprisonment was no dishonor, for he
had committed no crime, and he was
allowed all the comforts, liberty and
intercourse with his friends which were
compatible with security. During
these two years Felix was expecting
that Pauls friends would raise money
as bride for his release. But the ex-
pectation was vain. The governor had
plenty of trouble with the Jews, and
in the summer of 80 committed an in
discriminate massacre. For this he
was accused by the Jews. and was re-
called in the spring Of 60; and Porcius
Fcstus was appointed in his place
According 10 the Roman law he sailed
by April IS, and would naturally ar
rive at CHsarca the last OF June
Festus was a much better man than
Felix. Little is known OF him. but "a
cynic in philosophy and sceptic in
religion, he was yet probably free from
those debasing vices which disgraced
his predecessor" AS a Judge it was
evident that he desired 20 do right and
yet TO conciliate the people He put
down the rowing bands OF robbers in
Palestine. He was governor less than
two years, dying in his province No.
vember, 81.
The Appeal 20 C@sar.-As soon as
Festus reached Jerusalem the leading
Jews went 20 him about Paul, and de-
sired that he be sent to Jerusalem for
trial, intending TO murder him on the
way. But the governor would make
no promises until he knew more about
the case. On his return TO Csesarea he
summoned Paul TO the courtroom.
where the Jews made many bitter ac-
cusations against him. Paul denied
them all Then the governor, in order
to please the Jews, proposed that
as the complaints against him
pertained to the Jewish religion
he go up TO Jerusalem TO be tried. But
Paul was on his guard. He had in his
power certain means of averting the
danger of the governors compliance
the appeal to CRsar-which was the
ultimate safeguard of the Roman citi-
zen. We can but suppose that a sud
den inspiration opened his eyes to the
path by which he might be carried to
the long desired goal of his hopes at
Rome. He asserted his rights, and
Festus, after consulting with his as
SCISSORS, had only to declare: Thou
hast appealed unto Caesar. Unto Cesar
shalt thou GO While waiting for an
opportunity, Festus had TO draw up an
account of the charge on which Paul
was sent for trial, and it was no easy
matter TO place a mere question of
Jewish superstition before Nero in a
satisfactory form. He was in this diff
ticulty when Agrippa and his sister
Bernice arrived at Cnsarca TO congrat-
ulate the new governor. Several DAYS
were spent in ceremony and festivity
before Fcstus mentioned the case of
Paul 20 Agrippa, who. being informed
by the governor Of all that had passed,
expressed a desire TO hear the man. -
William Smith.
The Court OF Appeal. place was
the government palace at Cesarea.
The Prisoner Paul, aged hfty-eight.
the worldwide known apostle of
Christianity to the Gentiles. now stand
=. ing chained to a Roman soldier
The Judges Porcius Festus. cover
nor of Judea. Josephus gives him a
good character Herod Agrippa IL.
king of the country east of the upper
Jordan and the sea of Galilee He had
a palace at Jerusalem, and was pro-
I l1t-.
customs. Roman satirists are busy
with the terrible scandals of his pri-
vate character. Bernice was the sister
Of Drusilla, the wife of Felix, and also
the sister and wife of Aprippa.
Bernice was first married to her uncle,
ierod, king Of Calchis. After his death
she lived under circumstances OF great
suspicion with her own brother. this
king Agrippa. She was a second time
married, to Ptolemon. king of Cilicia;
but soon left him, and returned to her
brother. She afterwards lived in un-
molly union with Emperor Vcspasian.
and with his son. Emperor Titus
Vaughn. All these were doubtless ar
rayed in royal robes or splendid official
uniforms.
The Question Stated. Festus arose
] before inns brilliant assembly. and
stated the object of their coming to-
gethcr. The prisoner had been vehe-
mcntly accused as one worthy OF death.
He had appealed to Cesar, and must
be sent TO Rome. But Fcstus. not be-
ing well acquainted with Jewish laws
and customs. could not mako out any
definite charge against him that would
be d reasonable excuse FOR sending
him as prisoner 90 Rome Vow. f"
he said. 'you who are well acquainted
with these things. End ont what
charges should be made against him. %
Pauls Address Vers. 1892 Paul
began his address with his usual pol
ished courtesy lie well knew that an
awkward and rusty weapon vas OF no
advantage 20 tho Christian warrior
Then for the third time in the Acts f.
related The story OF bis conversion. the
vond-1us change wrought 70 him-eli
by Jesus Cl~i-t
. CURIOUS FACTS ABOUT SIAM.